Two Minutes for Hooking

Chapter 9

Snipe: Score a goal

James and I ordered our breakfast and coffees, I decided on the loaded breakfast tacos and a lavender breve. James had the "game day special" which he explained to me Marge had added to the menu specifically for the team on game days. While we waited for our food, I was surprised at how seamlessly our conversation flowed. We talked about everything we liked, disliked, or flat out hated.
I found out that James was a Toronto fan, he loves vegetables, music in general although he prefers classic rock, adamantly hates bean sprouts and thinks a certain popular band who remains unmentioned, is overrated and under-talented. A sentiment I readily agreed with.
I was startled to find that being around him and talking to him was almost as easy as being aroud my teammates or El. We laughed and teased each other over silly things and were having such a great time we almost forgot we were there to eat until Marge brought out the food.
The moment she set down my plate in front of me, I thought I had died and gone to heaven.
On the plate were three gorgeous hand fried shell tacos loaded with chorizo, bacon, cheese, avocado, egg and sour cream with a side plate of mexi-tots. It looked and smelled so incredible I was probably drooling. I looked up to thank Marge and nearly choked when I saw the size of the omelet James had ordered, apparently the game day special was a 6 egg omelet loaded with ham and bacon, bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, and avocados. The thing was giant. I liked my food, don't get me wrong, but there is no way I could have finished this. I felt like Adam Ritchmond should be coming in here at any moment to try and beat some sort of challenge to finish this thing.
James looked up from taking a man sized bite of his gargantuan breakfast and caught sight of my wide eyed stare. Swallowing he started to laugh, "what? I'm a growing boy and breakfast is the most important meal of the day." He smirked. Well I guess you couldn't really argue with that logic.
As we ate breakfast, we talked about anything and everything under the sun. I learned that James was from a small town in Minnesota, has a 16 year old sister, and is close to his mom.
"Ouch, sixteen huh? How's that going for you?"
"We actually get along surprisingly well, although she does complain that her boyfriends never come over when I'm home." I could tell from his mischievous look that this definitely didn't make him lose any sleep.We talked about our families, our hometowns, favorite colors, music, and movies.
I learned that James liked blue, classic rock, and all movies.
"Although I have to admit, my favorite is probably boon-dock saints," he said looking at me with a smile.
"Ahh, so you're one of those," I leveled him with a judging stare, trying hard to keep a straight face but all I got was a nonchalant shrug.
"Yep,I'm one of those. What's yours?"
"That's always such a hard question, I'm really more of a reader."
James quirked an eyebrow, "oh, so you're one of those," he mocked, making me laugh.
We talked and laughed and I found myself surprisingly comfortable with him. With the exception of my awkward shyness the night before, it was amazingly easy for me to talk to him. I'm not going to lie and say I was 100% myself, I was still afraid to show too much. That constant fear of rejection was still there at the back of my mind. We stayed at the diner for a good hour after we finished our breakfasts, sipping on coffee and talking. At one point James got up to use the bathroom and I pulled out my phone to see a text from Ellena.
It was a picture of Nathan explosion from Metalocalypse's famous tequila episode, with the simple but fitting caption "ugh tequila" under the picture El texted,
"holy crap, please don't ever let me do that again."
Me: like I could stop you
El: well seriously, please try.
El: where are you? I was seriously sitting here talking to my wall for a good half hour before I realized you weren't here.
Me: I'm at breakfast, I should be home soon, then we can go get your car.
El:bitch, you went to breakfast without me? Where are you and I'll get my ass out of bed and come join you
Me:as much as I love you for thinking of me in your own weird way...I'm not alone.
El: wait. . . huh?
Me: yea, I'm with JamesI didn't have to wait more than a minute before my phone started ringing. I looked around and didn't see James so I answered.
"You slut!" El's screeched in my ear with enthusiasm. "I knew you had it in you. How was it? Is he huge? He looks like he would be seriously hung."
"El!" I exclaimed, "I didn't sleep with him, " I whispered into the phone covering my mouth so as not to be overheard.
"What? Then why are you at breakfast? That's generally a sign of a sleep over gone well."
"I ran into him at the gym this morning and he asked me to have breakfast, it's not a big deal."
"Seriously? That's all?"
"Yes that's all. Shit, El, I've got to go, he's coming back to the table. I'll see you soon."
"But wait, I still need detai..." I hung up on her just as James was sitting back in his seat.
"Sorry about that." He said with his easy smile.
"No problem." I suddenly felt shy again for no reason. "So what are your plans this afternoon?"
"Nothing too much. I need to get some work done and eventually I need to have El come with me to get her car. What about you?"
"We have a team meeting and then one of the billet families is hosting a pregame BBQ. I'd be more than happy to take you to get your roommate's car."
"You don't have to do that," I said tucking my hair behind my ear.
"Let's see, what time is it." He glanced at his phone, "I've got about 30 minutes before the meeting so I could take you right now if you wanted?"
"Are you sure?"
"Absolutely, it's on my way and even if it wasn't, I would still insist."
"Okay, I would appreciate that. Thank you"
We made our way out of the diner after saying a quick goodbye to Marge. The ride was quiet but not awkwardly so. It was the kind of quiet you get from two people who are comfortable with each other.
"I need to call Ryan really fast and make sure he got his ass out of bed. Do you mind?"
I shook my head and smiled saying no, I didn't mind.
"You might want to cover your ears for a second," he held the phone to his ear and grinned mischievously at me. With a confused smile, I did as he asked.
"Wake up call fuck face!" James yelled into the phone. I heard angry grumbling coming from the other end of the phone. James laughed a deep hearty laugh. "Team meeting princess, get your ass in gear or you'll be late."
"Fuck you too Collings." I heard Ryan grumble as James ended the call.
"Sorry about that." He said with a smile. "Someone decided last night was the perfect time to have a raid night with his wow guild."
"He plays wow? Seriously? How does he have enough time for that? I thought you guys all lived and breathed hockey 24/7."
"Oh we do, well most of us. Just like I suspect you do too," he quirked a brow at me. "But Ry is a closet nerd. And ever since his groin injury, he's thrown almost as much time into his guild as he has hockey." His hand came up to massage the back of his neck as he spoke, you could feel the tension and worry radiating from him.
"I didn't realize he was injured. I noticed he only played one period last night but I didn't think too much of it since it's the beginning of the season. I figured your coach was just trying to give McDuffy a chance to get comfortable."
"Yeah, the doc thinks says it's a strain and he's out for the next six weeks. I think he's scared though. If it happens once, it's likely to happen again. If it does, it could be worse. It could eventually end his career."
"You only have one other goalie besides McDuffy, right?"
At this James laughed in earnest. "Yeah,in this tier anyway. We have a pretty decent goalie in tier 2 but he's young, and from the rate McDuffy has been going in practices, there is a pretty good chance Rush could get called up any night."
"How old is Rush anyway, 16? I see him at the rink Helly works at all the time and I hear about his antics but I've never actually met him."
"17 but he's got some real talent. That is, when you can get him to sit still. Right now we're borrowing a goalie from another team for our backup, but if Ryan doesn't heal, we're going to need a more permanent solution." James slowed the truck to a stop and parked his truck. I hadn't even realized we were already here.
"Well, I hope he heels quick. He's one hell of goalie," I said, starting to get out. James had already unbuckled and was coming around the vehicle. "Oh, thank you." I said as he opened my door.I pulled out my keys and stood awkwardly next to El's car. "Thank you for the ride, and for breakfast. I had a nice time."
"It was my pleasure." James lifted his hand and gently pushed the stray hair from my face, his thumb brushing lightly against my cheek.I'm pretty sure I turned about fifty shades of red. "Don't forget our date tonight,"
"I won't," I breathed, my heart was thumping with nerves at his nearness.
"Meet me by the lockers after the game?"
"Yeah I can do that."My breath caught in my throat as he lowered his face toward mine. Holy shit, was he going to kiss me? Oh my god I probably had garlic breath and I hadn't brushed my teeth after breakfast. His lips gently grazed my cheek and I felt him smile against my skin. "See you tonight, center."