One of the Boys

Chapter 41

Delaney

First period was over long ago and now we're almost halfway through the second and still down by one goal. The play was in our zone and I was battling it out in the corner trying to gain possession of the puck. Once I was able to free it, I carried it on the blade of my stick and out of the corner past our blue line.

Once I got past that, I looked up to see a defender from the opposing team at the red line making a bee line in my direction. I quickly picked up my pace and protected the puck while speeding past him.

Yes! Now I'm on a breakaway and the only person left between me and a game tying goal is the goalie. Come on Dels, stay focused. Dial in! You can do this! I say to myself in my head as I'm locking my eyes on the top left corner where I want the puck to go.

"It's go time!" I say to myself as I make a quick move to fake a shot. I raise the puck onto the flat blade of my stick and spin to confuse the goalie before the round piece of rubber dings off the post and in the top left corner and lands behind the goal line in the back of the net. The crowd roars in cheer and I'm quickly surrounded by my teammates.

"No way! That was awesome Laney!" Riley exclaims. "Nice goal kid!" Casey says. "Dels that was amazing!" Jason exclaims and lastly Chris says "Nice breakaway but even better goal bubs." I smile and thank them. "Just doing what one of the boys would have done." I say before going over to the bench to fist bump the team.

"Great work out there! Nice goal in the breakaway Rose!" Coach says as he taps Riley on the helmet and pats me on the back. "Thanks coach!" I smile before turning my focus back to the game. "Keep it up out there!" Mike exclaims as he paces back and forth behind us on the bench. "You do know you're gonna have to teach me that move at some point in time right?" Chris says with a grin on his face. "We'll see about that." I say with a small smirk on my face.

******
After the game, we went back to the dressing room to change, shower and do post game interviews. The team was vibing as we had just won the semi-final series against the Wolves. Now we're hyped up to be playing in the finals against the Texas Stars.

"Hey Laney, you want to come to the club with us to celebrate our semi-finals victory?" Riley asked. "Yeah, you know it! I'm definitely down to celebrate!" I reply as I grab my makeup bag from a pocket inside my hockey bag. "I'll meet you guys outside in a couple of minutes." I say as I make my way towards the sinks to fix up my black eye.

"How's the eye?" Chris asks sneaking up behind me. I don't look up from my makeup bag as I reply. "It's fine." Chris is now standing next to me and brings his hand up to under my chin. "Here, let me take a look at it." He says as I turn and he tilts my chin up a bit. "It looks a little swollen. Are you sure you're fine?" He asks me.

"Chris, I'm fine. The guy came at me cause I was doing my job on the ice and shoving him out of Jack's way. It's nothing I can't handle, I've grown up with two brothers so I'm basically used to it. They taught me how to fight like one of the boys. Remember?" I say as I use foundation and cover up my black eye that blond left winger gifted me out on the ice after I shoved him off of Jack.

"Yes, I remember you telling me that. Now finish up, we've gotta club to party at. Also, promise me you'll ice it when we get home." He replies holding out his pinky so we can make a pinky promise. "Promise." I smile as I take my pinky and hook it to his. "You're such a big kid." I laugh as we grab our stuff and head out. "I might act like one but we both know a pinky promise can't be broken." Chris says placing his arm over my shoulder.

******
"You guys ready to party?" Riley asks leaning against Chris's car. "Yeah, yeah. We're ready now hop in the car and we'll get going before the rest of the guys start wondering what happened to us." Chris says unlocking the car.

"Lane, that fight was pretty good out there tonight. How's your eye?" Riley asks me as he closes the passenger's rear door. "It's a little swollen but I'm doing fine. Him on the other hand... That guys gonna need a few stitches and a fake tooth." I reply as Chris pulls out of the parking lot and onto the streets of Toronto. "You roughed him up pretty bad out there tho. Was that your first fight or have you fought like that before?" Riley asks as I turn my head to look at him. "You want the truth? It was my first fight ever! I have fought some guys before but my brothers don't count." I reply.

"Wow really? If you asked me it doesn't look like it was your first rodeo. Looks like you knew what you were doing out there! Kinda looks like one of the boys did the damage, you were that good." Chris says. "Like I've said many of times before... I'm one of the boys just doing my job." I reply as we pull into the club parking lot.

When we get out of the car, Chris walks over to the front passenger's side where I meet him halfway. He places his arm over my shoulder as I lean into him and place my arm around his waist. "Let's go get this party started!" Riley exclaims looping has arm around Chris's shoulder.

"After you my love." Chris says when he opens the door to the club. "Thanks lover boy." I smile as I step inside the loud building, taking Christopher's hand in mine. "Did They tell us where to meet them?" Chris asked. "Case said they're in a party room at the back." Riley replies as we make our way through the crowd to get to the guys in the party room.

"Hey, look who finally decided to show up!" Jack exclaims when he sees the three of us walk in. "It's about time you guys got here!" Casey says handing a beer to Chris and Riley. "Sorry, it's kinda my fault. I was holding these two up at the rink, covering my black eye." I reply.

"Hey, no need to apologize Laney. That guy had it coming. How's the eye by the way?" Casey asks. "A little swollen but getting better." I reply. "Well that's good." He smiles.

"Hey Dels!" Jace calls as I look over Casey's shoulder to see him and Nicole sitting at the table with Dylan and Jack. "Hey, I'm gonna go sit with Jace and Jack." I say before dismissing myself from the group. "Okay." Chris says before letting me slip out of his arms to walk over to them.

"Hey guys, what's going on?" I smile and take the empty seat next to Jack. "Jack was just talking about that fight you were in at tonight's game. Girl, you're badass! Knocking his tooth out and socking punched to the point he needs to leave the ice to go get stitched up. That's wild!" Nicole exclaims as I smile.

"Hey, I was just trying to get the guy out from in front of the net! But thanks Nicole, I know I'm a badass!" I laugh flipping my hair over my shoulder. "You were doing your job which saved my ass as the puck came flying into my catcher and I thank you for that Dels." Jack says as I reply. "Anytime Jackie!"

"Are you guys pumped for our first game of finals in Texas on Tuesday?" Dylan asked before taking a sip from his beer. "Anytime we make finals, you already know we're pumped and ready to kick some ass to win the Calder Cup." Jason replies.