All's fair in Love and Hockey - A Nick and Charlie Fan Fiction

The scrimmage

Charlie's POV:

I stomped over to the bleachers. "Charlie! Come sit with us!" Luke yells. My face softens. Sitting in a row waving me over is Luke, Shelby, and Ryker. Luke is dating Jackson. They have been together since freshman year of high school. He comes to all the games. Shelby is dating Rosie and tries to make it to all the games but her figure skating competitions sometimes interfere. They actually met in the rink when they were little and taking skating lessons. Ryker hurt his knee in our last game senior year. Another player checked him and he slid straight into the boards and tore his ACL. I walk over sitting next to Ryker. Out of all of the Hockey team, besides Nick, Ryker and Jackson are who I'm closest too. When I was outed freshman year, all three of them protected me from the bullies. Ever since then I've had the whole hockey team behind me. It's a nice little group we have going. I still can't believe Nick convinced all of them to come to Connecticut for college with us.

I lean my head on Rykers shoulder. "How's the knee?" I ask looking up at him. "Dr says I'll be back in time for the start of the season. It sucks I have to miss the scrimmage today. I wanted to show the team captain my moves." Everyone giggles at his comment. Ryker has a very bold personality. He's 6'1, blonde hair, blue eyes and all goofball. He's never afraid to put himself out there and I admire that. "I think all his attention is on Nick anyway." I mumble leaning further into him. Rykers face falls and he lifts his arm up letting me lean into him. "What's wrong?" He sighs running his hands through my hair. "He just... we've been here for a few hours and he's already charmed the captain of the team." Ryker rubs my back. "You'll always have me." He shoots me a smile and I start to feel better. I know he hates when I talk about Nick because him and Nick don't get along the best... (although I've never understood why) so I normally try not to but I'm just so pissed off. I'm probably the closest to Ryker besides Nick. Even when every girl was fawning over him in high school he'd drop everything when I needed him most.

FLASHBACK:
I remember the day I met Ryker. Nick had just joined the Hockey team. He dragged me to his first practice of the season. "Come on Char, I am going to spend a lot of time with these guys, which means you will too. Please come to my practice" he pouts. "Fine, I'll go but I'm not making any new friends. Your trouble enough." I chuckle. Nick rolls his eyes and pushes the door to the rink open. "You can come into the Locker room with me" Nick says pulling me in. I look around the room. Suddenly this guy comes up to me. He cheeks and nose are red, probably from the cold air. "You must be Nicks friend, Charlie right?" I nod my head. I look over at Nick wondering why he knows my name. Nick shrugs and walks over to a bench pulling out his gear. "He talks about you all the time, I'm Ryker by the way." He sticks his hand out for me to shake. I stand there for a minute stunned. He's so.. cute. I grab his hand and he pulls me into a hug. "If you're gonna be here all the time, you better get used to the affection" he winks walking back over to the bench. From that day forward until the end of freshman year. I had the biggest crush on Ryker.

PRESENT DAY:
I pull back sitting up straight. My heart is racing and butterflies form in my stomach. I haven't had a crush on Ryker since freshman year. There was something about they way he said I'd always have him that the feelings came rushing back. I turn to talk to him when suddenly the teams come skating out on the rink. "Get ready for the Scrimmage between our very own hockey team and the incoming freshman hoping to join the team!" The announcer yells into the mic. Nick looks around the rink and I wave my arm so he can see where we are at. He winks at me and skates off. This is something he does at every game, he always lets me know he knows I'm there.
After a half hour into the game, Nick finally scores. "Go Nick!" I yell clapping my hands. I look over at Ryker. He's rolling his eyes at me. "You never cheer for me like that."  I choose to ignore it making a mental note to ask him about it later. The opposing team scores a goal bringing the score to a tie. They go back and forth until it's the last few minutes  in the last period. The game is still tied. Maddox looks relaxed and if there's no way his team could lose to the new team coming in. I loved at the score board 16 to 16. They are still tied with 30 seconds left on the clock. We all stand up cheering in the stands. Nick looks over at me shooting another wink. Ryker scoffs at the action and I look at him confused. Nick takes off with the puck skating towards the goal. Maddox gets in the way blocking him in the corner. "Nick!" Jackson calls out. Nick passes the puck and Jackson shoots the puck straight pass the goalie. The crown screams. "Incoming freshman have taken the win" the announcer screams over the load speaker. They all cheer on the ice lifting Jackson up. Ryker grabs my hand. I look over giving it a squeeze. I can tell he's upset that he's not out there. "That will be you soon enough" I lean over whispering. "Let's go meet them over at the lock room" I say hoping his teammates will cheer him up. Ryker nods his head sadly. Still holding onto his hand I help him down the bleachers. Nick and Jackson get off the Ice first. "Good game guys" Ryker says. Nick and Jackson both look down noticing us holding hands.My eyes grow wide and Nick looks at me confused. I drop his hand taking a step to the side. "Thanks guys!" Nick walks away towards the locker room shaking his head. "I'm gonna go check it out" Ryker sighs walking behind Nick. Jackson steps off the ice. "So you forgot about Nick and Maddox quickly" He chuckles. "What, why would..?" Before I could finish he leans over whispering. "We need to talk about Ryker, I know you used to like him." He pulls back smiling. He turns walking into the locker room. I head over to the concession stand grabbing some snack for the guys. I walk back in the locker room but everyone has left except for Jackson, Nick, Ryker, and Maddox. "I'm gonna head back with Max" Nick says smiling. "Okay" I roll my eyes slightly. "Want me to walk you to your dorm?" Ryker stands up immediately. "Actually, Charlie and I are gonna catch up." Jackson answers before I can tell him yes. "Oh okay, I'll text you then, bye Charlie." He pulls me into a hug. We hang on for a minute to long and Nick coughs breaking the tension. "Jackson throws his arm around me. "Let's go." He smiles. Once in the elevator the air is static around us. "Why did you tell Ryker we were hanging out?" I ask irritated. "What you don't want to hang out with me?" He pouts. "No I just.." I trail off not knowing how to answer. We get off on my floor and walk to my dorm. "Can I come in. I need to talk to you." He says seriously now. I unlock the door letting him in. "Okay what the hell is going on." I spit. I'm pissed off. "First Nick is all over some guy, you keep telling me I have a crush on Nick, now your saying I have a crush on Ryker and now you want to talk?" I stand with my arms cross as he sits down on the bed. "Listen I know I mess around with you a lot. Maybe you don't like Nick but it definitely seems like it.." he trails off. I uncross my arms hearing the sincerity in his voice. "Ryker would kill me if I told you this but.." "come on Jackson just tell me". "Ryker has like you since the day you met." "What?!?" I practically scream. "I didn't even know he likes boys." I says pacing. "It's not something he really talks about. But Charlie that boy is in love with you." "Okay, so what?" "So.. I know you used to like him. Everyone knows except Ryker. You weren't exactly subtle." "What's your point" I ask Jackson. My face is hot and the butterflies are flying all over my stomach. Ryker is in love with you plays through my head. "He's always stepped back afraid that you'd choose Nick over him. But now he might have mentioned that he wants to take a chance." "RYKER WANTS TO DATE ME" I yell. Jackson stands up rushing over to me. "Sushhhh" he brings me over to the bed. "Ryker is only a few doors down. Be quite." I nod my head. "I'm just worried. I don't want you to hurt him" "I won't" I'm smiling for ear to ear. "Charlie" he says grabbing my attention. "Jackson, I promise you. Nick and I have always been just friends. If Ryker wants to be more.. I want to go for it." Jackson sighs and gets up towards the door. He puts his hand on the handle. He looks back at me "remember Ryker doesn't know I'm telling you any of this. Please don't say anything and don't hurt him." I nod my head as Jackson leaves. Ryker likes me, RYKER LIKES ME. I scream mentally. Is that why he was upset tonight? He thinks I like Nick. Oh shit. I gotta convince him, that I never have and never will like Nick as more than a friend.