GAME ON

14

"They tried to bury her,
but they didn't realize that she was a seed."

When I show up at the rink on Monday afternoon I receive several 'hello's, unlike previously when the only team members acknowledging my existence were Alex and Jay. I guess it is because I'm now 'officially' a team member and not the crazy bitch that just showed up to practice one day and refused to leave the ice. But it's as if being an official member automatically makes me earn their respect, and suddenly I'm recognized as another human being by them.

I'm not complaining though. Being politely greeted instead of mocked or hit on when I arrive at the rink is a quite pleasant change.

And I don't only get 'hello's, but a few 'congrats's for making the team are delivered as well. Damn, I didn't know hockey players were capable of being nice.

"Hey, Brie!" Jay approaches me with a wide grin. "Congrats on making the team! It'll be fun having you on the game this weekend," he says excitedly, and I can tell that it's genuine by the way his face lights up.

"Thanks," I grin back. "But if I'm being completely honest, I have no idea what changed Alex's and coach's mind."

Jay follows me as I begin the walk to my usual bench.

"You should have been an official member since the start, Alex and coach are just slow and finally their brains have realized what's best for the team," Jay tells me.

I make sure that we have walked far enough to not be within earshot of anyone else before saying, "I know it's kinda out of the blue, and it's non of my business and you don't have to answer me, but I've gotta ask. Do you like guys?"

Jay stops beside me, surprise flashing through his features before his cheeks flushes.

"How'd you know?" He asks.

"I just had a feeling." It's not a complete lie, because I did have a feeling that he was into guys. Although I don't tell him that the reason I had that feeling was because he had spent a lot of time with George, who has the most adorable crush ever on Jay.

"Hey, do you mind not telling anyone? I'm kinda still in the closet," he says, blushing even more as we begin walking again.

"Wasn't planning to," I assure him.

Although I am planning to tell George to go for it. That isn't disclosing that Jay is into guys, it only reveals that I believe George has a shot.

I expect Jay to abandon me when we get to my usual bench, but he doesn't make a move to leave.

"You know you don't have to sit here, right?" He asks.

"Trust me, I'd rather be here than in your locker room, surrounded by too many dicks of all different sizes," I try to look horrified but I think it more looks like a strange grimace.

"No, I mean that we could ask the janitor to unlock another locker room. With no males, by the way."

Jay's suggestion actually sounds quite nice.

"I think I'd like that, thanks. I'll speak to them after the practice," I tell him.

"I think I should go with you," Jay advices and when he notices my confused expression he explains. "I'm not saying you can't go by yourself. It's just that the janitor's got a similar mindset to coach's, and I think a male siding with you would help your case severely."

"Okay, thank-" I begin but am interrupted by the coach.

Speaking of the devil.

"Miller, why aren't you in the locker rooms?" The coach barks while moving towards us in a rapid pace that almost seems aggressive. "Actually Thompson, you should join us."

What?

"Um... why?" I ask, not very comfortable in walking through the door to the guys' locker room.

"You need to hear what I have to say as well, and I don't like repeating myself. Now come on!" He orders.

I walk with them to the locker room but don't follow them inside until Jay has made sure that everyone is 'decent'. And by 'decent' Jay seemed to mean that everyone were at least covering themselves with a pair of boxers, because many of them are only wearing that. I would have wanted them all to have at least put pants on, and preferably a shirt as well, but I let it go. Scolding them about their non-existent attire is probably not the best way to make a good impression on the team.

Why are they even almost naked? It's not like they shower before practice, and most of them arrive at the rink already in training clothes so I don't see any reason for them to strip naked unless they were having an orgy. Which would be extremely freaky.

But I have to admit that most of them look good. They are all talented hockey players, so of course everybody is ripped, but a few of them are actually really hot. I don't even realize that I'm staring at Alex's bare chest until he looks up and catches my eye, an almost unnoticeable smirk playing at the corner of his mouth.

Great, I just added to that prick's infinite ego.

"Alright," the coach begins and the almost deafening chatting between the players ends. "I've got two things to talk about, the first thing being accommodations for the weekend. We leave Friday night and return Sunday afternoon, meaning two nights will be spent at the hotel. I've divided you all into double rooms," the coach explains and then begins to declare which pairs will sleep in the same rooms.

He doesn't say my name until he gets to the last room, in the same sentence that he mentions Alex. Im just about to object, but Alex beats me to it.

"Really, coach? Why couldn't you divide us into two rooms?"

"The hotel is fully booked, there are no more rooms available. So unless anyone of you wants to share a room with me, you'll be stuck with each other this weekend."

I audibly groan. Really? I have to share a hotel room with Alex? And for not one, but two nights? And the only way to avoid it is to either share with the coach instead - which isn't an option for several obvious reasons and probably wouldn't even be allowed by the school - or not come to the game at all - which I'm sure was the coach's plan - which isn't an option either.

Great.

I lock eyes with Alex again and he mirrors my look of disgust, clearly as unhappy with this arrangement as I am.

I knew the coach hated me, but I didn't think he would take it out on his dear captain as well. Maybe the coach is pissed at Alex for putting me on the team, and this is his way of punishing Alex.

The coach proceeds with the second topic he wanted to talk about, which is the strategy for the game. He explains what positions everyone will have, and as I had expected, I won't get a lot of ice time. I'm not that offended that I'll spend most of the game on the bench because I know that even if I was a male, the coach wouldn't put a completely new member on the ice for the entire first game. That would just be foolish.

However, what I am offended by is that I am supposed to cover the left flank instead of being in front. I know that I'm the best shooter in this team, so the reason for me staying behind on the left defense is clearly just sexist.

But I guess that there's not much more I can do about it, other than just agree. Because if I would talk back to him, I'd probably spend all season on the bench.