One of the Boys

Chapter 35

Delaney

There's one minute left in the first period and we were up 2-0. The wolves had iced the puck so we were now setting up for a face off in their zone. I got into position and looked over to Riley, he nodded to signal that he was ready for a pass if Chris won the face off. The whistle was blown and the puck dropped and 43 sadly won the face off, playing the puck over to his left winger. The left winger played the puck behind the net and passed it off to the right defence man and then the play took off.

Riley moved in to intercept the pass as I began to skate back, ready for a possible breakaway. When I look over to the right side, Riley was unable to intercept the pass and now 43 was coming at me full force with the puck on his stick.

"30 seconds left! Keep him to the outside!" I hear Jace shout skating back. Come on Laney, you've got this! Don't let him intimidate you. You're strong, you're tough and you can handle this. Just like one of the boys. I say to myself silently as I have 43 right where I want him.

Once he's on the outside between me and the board, I rush in full force and check him into the boards as hard as I can. "Take that asshole!" I spit as he falls to the ice just as the buzzer sounds to signal the end of the first.

He gets back up and starts to come at me while I'm skating to the bench to get off the ice and go down to the locker room. The refs are quick to act as two of them skate over and hold him back while telling him to get off the ice. I quickly disappear down the tunnel before anything else could possibly happen.

******

"Told you I can handle it." I say to Chris while taking a seat at my cubby. "I know you can. I've seen you handle yourself out there before. There's just something about this guy though. He goes after you every time." Chris replies letting me know that he's still concerned.

"Chris, he goes after me every time because I'm a girl playing in the AHL. That pisses him off and that's why he's constantly going after me out there. He doesn't like it. I know that because growing up and playing on the boys teams year after year, there's always one or two guys that go after to to try and run me out of playing with the boys. But I don't let it happen. I go out there every game and prove them all that that's where I belong." I reply as he sits there quietly listening to me.

"But You know what? I don't let it get to me. I grew up with two brothers, I've played with the boys all my life. I'm as tough as can be Chris." I add.

"That you are and I'm so proud of you bubs." He smiles. "Alright gear up! We're heading out for second period!" Coach shouts, clapping his hands together. I grab my helmet and place it on my head before strapping it up.

"Here we got!" Casey shouts as I follow behind him and up through the tunnel to the ice surface for the second period of the game.

******
Second period was flying by and we were up 3-0 now. There's four minutes left in the period. Jace has the puck up at centre ice and is looking to make a line change. He plays the puck over to me as I receive the pass. I stick handle the puck as I begin to break out from our zone. Once the line change is complete, I dump the puck off to Dylan before heading over to the bench to switch up.

"Great shift out there Rose!" Coach says. "Thanks coach!" I reply. I grab a bottle of water from in front of me and squirt it into my booth before putting the bottle back down. "Let's go kill it out there!" Riley says before we're jumping back over the boards and into play a couple minutes after.

I skate into the offensive zone ready to keep the puck in if I have to. I dial in on the play happening in the corner. Chris and 43 are both fighting for the puck as I sneak in to help. I grab the attention of the prick of a centre man and Chris's attention too.

"Looks like little girl is looking for another concussion." He laughs in his thick accent. Chris shoved the guy against the boards as I swoop in and free the puck. "Looks a lot to me like you're the one who's looking for a concussion." Chris grits through his teeth as I skate away to the net with the puck secured against my stick.

"Take a shot Laney!" Riley shouts. "Shoot Dels!" I hear Jason exclaim from near the post. I quickly dele the goalie and whip the puck in behind him and into the net. The goal horn goes off and the fans all go crazy with a loud cheer. The score is now 4-0 and the second period is over. "Way to be Laney!" Riley pats me on the helmet. "That's my girl!" Chris exclaims rushing over as we connect helmets and look into each other's eyes with a smile. 

******

After our 5-0 victory against the Wolves, we went back down to the dressing room and quickly got changed before going to do some post game interviews.

"Hey Riles!" Chris exclaims as he picks up his bag. "Yeah what's up brother?" He asks with raised eyebrows. "Want to come over to our place for a couple of beers?" Chris asked. "You know I would man, but I've gotta go pick my sisters up from a family baby shower . Rain check?" Riley asks.

"Sure thing man." Chris says before Riley disappears. I pick my bag up and sling it over my shoulder. "I didn't know Riley had sisters." I say as were walking down the hall. "Yeah, he's got two of them. Margo and Marissa. Margo's the youngest and Marissa's the oldest." Chris replies.

"Ah, so he's the middle child." I say as we get outside to the car. "Yep and he's like Morgan's second older brother." Chris says as we get into the car.

"Want to pick something up to eat on our way home?" He asks as we're leaving the arena. "Ou yes! Can we stop at Pita Pit and pick up a bowl? I've been craving a chicken bacon ranch bowl all day!" I reply as he places his hand on my thigh. "Pita Pit it is." He smiles.

I don't know what I ever did to deserve this boy but I'm glad he's mine. Even if our start was a little rocky, I know he's always gonna be there to protect me. No matter what.