Shirts and Skins

Chapter Four

Jeff's POV

I got on the plane, with only Lindsay in my mind. I checked my ticket. I was seated in 14B, the middle seat. I was seated between Chad and Jay. I immediately begged Chad for the window seat, which he willingly gave up to me. 

I stared out the window almost the entire flight, I couldn't get that girl out of my mind. Her gorgeous ginger hair, her ocean blue eyes, her hand so soft and gentle in mine. I could see the guys looking at me, but I guess I genuinely looked upset, so they just left it. Cam asked me once if I was okay, I gave him a half smile and nodded.

The plane landed in Ottawa, I collected my bags and began walking towards the bus. Eric caught up to me.

"Skins, what's up?"

I just shook my head, I didn't know where to be begin.

Eric looked at me, quite seriously. "Jeff, there's something really bothering you. You scored a beauty tonight, you're usually not like that after a three point night."

I couldn't keep it to myself any longer. "Eric, I met the prettiest girl in the world tonight."

He smiled at me, "Dude, that's awesome! Why are you so upset about it then?"

"She...she lives in Winnipeg."

 The confusion left Eric's face, completely understanding, "Oh, yeah, that could be a problem."

We got to the bus, and Eric took the seat beside me. I just stared out the window. Eric put his arm around me. "Jeff, you can't let this girl bother you. I know you think she's beautiful, but there are a lot of beautiful women out there."

I look at him. "Eric, she wasn't just beautiful. When I looked into her eyes, I felt...pure happiness, like nothing else mattered and like everything was perfect. And when I held her hand, I felt--"

"Wait. You held her hand?" Eric interrupted me.

"Well...I gave her my number. I wrote it on her hand."

Eric's eyes widened and his jaw dropped. "What?! Jeff, what did you do?"

"What? I didn't do anything wrong, did I?"

"What if she takes it and posts it on Twitter, or some other place on the Internet?"

I thought for a second. "Eric, there's no way she'd do that."

"Skins, how do you know? You've talked to her for all of what, 10 minutes?"

"I...I trust her."

Eric shook his head. "Dude, you could have just made a huge mistake."

"I trust her." I whispered to myself.

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Practice the next day was optional. I went, trying to find a way to get her out of my head. I knew I had to be able to do that. We had a game the next night, and I had to have my head in the game. To which it wasn't right now. I was missing passes, taking shots wide. I just couldn't get her out of my head.

After missing the third shot in a row, I bent down, placing my hands on my knees. Coach Muller skated towards me.

"Coach, I'm sorry, I promise I'll do better." I apologized.

"Skinner, what's going on? What's on your mind?" he asked.

"I've just got some things on my mind."

"Bud, I don't want to have to bench you for tomorrow's game if you can't clear your mind. But I will if I have to."

I looked at him. I knew I had to get her off my mind. There was no way I was going to sit out tomorrow's game.

"Don't worry Coach, you won't have to. I'll be ready."

"That's what I like to hear Skins. You're done for the day, go take a rest." he ordered.

I nodded, obeying him.

I walked to the dressing room. I changed out of my gear, packed it all, then pulled out my iPhone.

1 (204) 555-3371

Missed Call

Not knowing who that was, I Googled the 204 area code. It came from Manitoba. 

I prayed that it was Lindsay.