𝔟𝔯𝔲𝔱𝔞𝔩 | 𝗱𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗺𝗮𝗻

five: "my mistake"

I stepped out of the bus in front of our hotel and breathed in the beautiful warm LA air. The team all filed out after me and seemed to also be enjoying the weather. Compared to the snowy Chicago and Minnesota climate, I was thrilled that the Junior Olympics were being held in California.

"Man that plane ride was killer." Goldberg set his suitcase down next to me and twisted around to crack his back. He then rolled his neck and shook out his arms. "I sure hope there's a jacuzzi here. And somewhere to lay out in the sun."

I shook my head and softly laughed at the boy. "We might be a little bit busy, you know, playing hockey."

"Oh right."

"Right this way Team USA!" A tall man with a clipboard called out to our group and waved his hand towards the entrance to the hotel. We all picked up our luggage and made our way over. Once inside, I walked over to where a much larger group of people were standing. I saw gear from Russia, Iceland, and Italy in the mix.

I got a little bit closer to read Team Room Assignments listed atop a few pieces of paper taped to the wall. Pushing my way to the front, I could make out the names printed.

Under the Team USA section, I scanned until landing on my name.

Bexley Callahan, Julie Gaffney, Connie Moreau .......... 415

I smiled and ducked out of the front, deciding to wait near the back for the rest of my team to get their rooms. I maneuvered around the huge players fighting their way to the listings and marveled at how tall and old some of them looked.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, someone stepped in front of me, causing me to slam directly into them. I stumbled to regain my balance and quickly apologized.

"No, I'm sorry. My fault."

I looked up at the very tall and very attractive boy I had just run into. He flashed me his perfect smile and it took me a moment to respond. I mentally smacked myself for getting so flustered over a boy.

"Oh, no problem at all." I smiled back and tucked my hair behind my ear. A nervous habit of mine. "Uh, I'm Bexley. From Team USA."

"Team USA huh? Crew Carlson. Iceland." He smirked when he mentioned his country and I furrowed my brows together. I heard about how tough of a team Iceland was going to be to beat. I could feel my competitiveness starting to show a bit as I smirked back at him.

"Well, I guess I'll see you out on the ice then." I began to walk away when he reached out and grabbed my arm.

"This is going to sound crazy but, have we met before?"

I gave him a weird look and pulled away from his grip. "I don't think so."

He stared at me for another minute before shrugging. "Hmm, my mistake." I watched as he pushed through to the other side of the room and to another Iceland boy. I saw them talking for a moment before they both turned and looked at me. I quickly dropped my gaze and hurried to find the rest of my team.

I soundlessly followed them into the elevator and picked at my nails. I thought as hard as I could about the name Crew Carlson. But I couldn't think of anywhere I had met him or even heard his name.

Must've been a weird misunderstanding.

_

I looked up at the scoreboard from the bench and beamed with excitement. We were up 6-0 on Trinidad and Tobago and weren't slowing down anytime soon.

"U.S.A. penalty, number nine, Hall. Two minutes, roughing." I looked at the ref who was leading Jesse off of the ice as the boy glared at the ground. He entered the box and I watched as a boy from the stands said something and pressed his lips against the glass, blowing a raspberry.

Jesse jumped up after him as the kid ran up the bleachers laughing. I turned away and chuckled a little to myself.

"Callahan, Reed!"

I put my game face on and pushed down my guard, jumping onto the ice with Fulton. Dean skated over and joined us, giving him a smack on the helmet. "All right Fulton, let's have some fun!"

"Yeah Portman, let's do it!"

The puck was dropped and the two of them took off towards the player with it. They both closed in on him, crushing the poor boy in between them and causing him to fall to the floor. Fulton took the puck and brought it down towards the net.

The two boys knocked down anyone in their way and without trouble, Fulton made a clean shot into the goal. The crowd went crazy, clearly loving the boys.

They ate it right up, taking bows and thanking the fans.

Coach called me off the ice soon after. I hadn't done much in the past few plays but I had made the first goal, so I figured it was alright.

I took a seat on the bench between Adam and Charlie. I started to watch the game but quickly noticed that Adam was instead staring out into the stands. "Hey stud, the hockey game is over here," I joked and motioned onto the ice.

Charlie leaned over and played along. "You got a girl in the stands?"

"Very funny." Adam smiled a little but then shook his head and looked back out. "It's scouts. Look at them."

"Don't worry about scouts Adam, just play your best." Charlie tried to reassure the boy but I could tell he wasn't convinced.

"Callahan, Banks!"

"Come on, let's show those scouts what we're made of." I smiled at Adam and he nodded as we both jumped out onto the ice.

Adam had the faceoff and was very quickly able to steal the puck away and carry it down the rink. He ran into a pile-up, caused by Fulton and Dean, and passed it to me before getting stopped by it.

I cradled the puck and aimlessly skated around with it. I waited for a moment before Adam was able to get up and join me. I called out to him and passed the puck. I know he didn't need my help to impress scouts but I figured it couldn't hurt to let him take the shot instead of me.

As I knew he would, Adam shot the puck and the alarm blared throughout the arena.

That wasn't a game, but a statement. Team USA was here to play.

_

hi besties i hope you're enjoying this book so far<3