One of the Boys

Chapter 4

Christopher

Practice was just about over when Mike got us all to take a knee at centre ice. "Gentlemen, I've got some very exciting news to share. This morning right before we laced up for practice, I received news that we will be gaining two new members on our team very soon." He said before taking a pause.

Oh God, please tell me it's not who I think it is. I thought to myself before coach continued to speak. "In a couple weeks from now, we will be welcoming Jason Lee and Delaney Rose to our Toronto Marlies family." And there it is, the part I did not want to hear. We're getting the girl on our team and we're going to be the laughing stock of the league!

"Dude, you getting off the ice or wha5?" Casey asked snapping me back into reality. Coach must have dismissed us cause the guys have all gone to hit the showers. "Yeah, I'm coming." I reply leaning against my stick and getting off one knee.

"You good man?" Riley asks as I lean my head back against the wall. "Yeah, still trying to process the whole thing." I reply grabbing a towel from my bag and wiping the sweat from my face. "Take your time bro, everything is going to work out just fine." Riley assured me before grabbing his shampoo and other toiletries from his bag before heading off to the showers.

******

"Dude that's wild!" Jack our goalie exclaims as few of the guys and I sat around a table inside the restaurant waiting for our wings. "I know right! Best part is that now we won't have to worry about him coming down the ice to score on us." Dylan replied. "Well maybe not in games but in practices we will." Jack laughs.

"Yo you guys want to come over and chill at my place?" Casey asks as we make our way out the door and to the parking lot to find our vehicles an hour later. "Thanks for the offer man but I'm out on this one." I say pulling my keys out from my pocket.

"Oh come on man! What else could you possibly have to do on a Friday night?" Casey asks flailing his arms down to his side dramatically. "Actually, I'm on my way to visit my parents and little sister."  I reply walking backwards towards my car with a smile on my face.

"Catch you dumb asses  later!" I exclaim jokingly throwing up the peace sign. "Later Santiago!" Jack replied. "Drive safe man!" Riley waves.

I get into my car and turn the key in the ignition before putting my seatbelt on and grabbing my phone to call my sister. After it rang a couple times, she picks up as I hear shuffling in the background.

"Hi Morgan." I say. "Hello Christopher." She replied as I can picture her jokingly rolling her eyes on the other end of the line. "Are you home right now?" I ask. "Yeah why? What's up?" She asks. "Well I just finished grabbing a bite to eat with the guys and was going to stop in for a visit." I reply.

My family had moved to Toronto with me back when I came over from Calgary for hockey when I was younger and they've been here ever since. "Alright, see you soon I guess?" She replied. "Yep, see you soon. Love you Morgie." I smile. "Love you too Chris." She replied before we both hang up.

******
"Hey anyone home?" I shout opening the front door of my parents house. "Chris, what a surprise!" My mom exclaims appearing from the kitchen wiping her hands in a dish towel. "Hey mom." I smile walking over to give her a hug. "How are you?" She asks looking up at me. My mom is much shorter than I am so I have to look down at her as I basically tower over her.

"I'm good mom. Just thought I'd stop in to visit you guys, it's been a while." I reply as I hear footsteps coming from the stairs. "Is that Chris's voice I heard?" Morgan asks rushing down the stairs before spotting me standing there. "Sure was Morgie!" I exclaim smiling at her as she runs from the stairs and jumps to give me a hug. "I know we live in the same city and I can literally see you anytime but it's been a while since then so sorry if I'm hugging a little too much." She says.

Morgan may be 17 years old and yes there's a 5 year age difference between us but we've definitely got a strong brother, sister bond and I'm always happy when I get to see my little sister. Especially after being away for a couple weeks at a time.

"All good kid to be honest with you, I really missed your hugs." I reply as I lean down so both her feet are back on the ground. "Here, let's go into the family room to have a seat." My mom says as we follow her down the hall.

"Where's dad?" I ask noticing he wasn't home. "He got called in to take a night shift at the fire hall." Morgan says coming back into the family room with two cans of Pepsi in her hand.

"So I hear you're getting a couple new teammates." My mom says giving me one of her signature smiles. "Yeah, I'll be meeting them in a couple of weeks when they arrive." I reply before taking a sip of pop.

"Isn't that girl from The Moose one of your new teammates?" Morgan asked a puzzled look on her face. "Delaney Rose?" She said trying to remember the girl's name. "Yeah she is. Her and her her teammate Jason Lee both played for them and now they're coming to play with us soon." I reply.

"That's exciting!" My mom smiles. "Delaney's such a great and talented player! I bet she'll kick your butt at practice!" Morgan grinned. "Woah, who's team are you on? Mine or hers?" I ask. "And your answer better be mine or I'll kick your butt!" I add.

Morgan shrugged her shoulders and looked at me. "Chris, you know I'm always gonna be on your team but I'm just saying, this girl's got mad skills and playing in the AHL which is basically a league full of dudes. She's competing with and against them and that's pretty impressive! So don't get all bitchy about it you big grouch!" She replies.

After a few hours of visiting with my mom and sister, we said our goodbyes and I headed home for the night. I've got to admit, Morgan's right. A girl playing in the AHL with a bunch of guys and having NHL like  talent is impressive as fuck. Maybe Riley's right after all. I guess I'll have to give this girl a shot.