Lovebirds

THE JORIE TOWNSHIP JAGUARS

He loves the sound of skates across the ice. The way it undertones the loud shouts of the crowds and cools the heat his body collects as he plays. Shiver down his spine, he stares down the opposing right forward with a smile they cannot see through the helmet. Leans into his ready position as the ref put the whistle to his lips.

The cacophony of the rink seems to hesitate as the puck is held between the centers. Vincent watches as Dion's stance grows deeper, stands steadier, ready to put their play into action.

One more glance at the scoreboard for reassurance, the score still has them leading. Hillsdale Harpies: 2; Jorie Jaguars: 0.

The whistle blows and the puck is dropped and Dion's lightning quick reflexes spring into action. Vincent catches the puck as the Jaguar's left forward begins to reach for it. Protecting it at the last second, Vince catches his opponent's eye and winks.

Then he's off.

Across the ice, eyes peeled for open teammates and paths through the defenders (who he must say really put up quite the fight). He fakes out the first before being greeted by the second. A wall of a dude, but he keeps his stance too wide, so Vincent need only send the puck to Carter, who stands behind.

Recovered, the defenders sprint closer to their goal, desperate to catch up before another goal is scored. Yet, just as they arrive, boxing Carter in, the puck comes sailing through their barricade. Right into the blade of Dion's stick.

Power shot, the puck lifts a little, but the speed is too great for the Jaguar's goalie to catch, so the air horn rings out as the scoreboard deepens the Harpy's lead.

Vincent celebrates silently, mouth guard muddying his exclamation of, "let's go!"

As the crowd's cries settles again into a blurry murmur, he hears his coach calling to switch out.

"Take a break, Arthur— Parker, get out there! And watch that center! He's just waiting to make a big move, I can see it in his stance."

Will Parker nods as he skates off to take Vincent's vacant position.

"Xavier! Green! Nice passing, boys. Keep it up!" Coach clapping his clipboard against his left hand. Dion and Carter exchange a conspiratory glance.

As the game continues on, Vincent collapses onto the bench. Rips off his helmet and downs three gulps of water before looking around the audience. Looking for her.

There's a knock on the plexiglass behind his head.

"Remind me again why I don't often come to your games?"

Grinning, he spins around. There she is. In all her gorgeous glory.

"You don't know when they are," he reminds her.

Spencer crosses her arms. "Your fault entirely. How dare you rob me of these games! Vince, this is better than an amusement park!"

It warms his heart to hear it.

"The loud crowds," she continues, "the quick pace, the inexpensive hot dogs— it gets the adrenaline going."

The crowd around her swells in volume as the Harpies make another goal. He hardly acknowledges it.

"If I'm all worked up just watching, I can't imagine the emotions you're going through. Jeez, to be actually playing, skating across the ice..."

"Can you skate?"

"Me?" Putting a hand to her chest for emphasis, "not really...but you've got that look in your eye."

His grin grows deeper, "would you stay?"

"Stay?"

"After the game; after the bleachers are cleared, stay here."

Giving one of her magnificent, soul-warming laughs, she touches the plexiglass between them.

"I'll be here."

The whistle blows as another round begins and Vincent returns to facing forward.

"Your slushy, Miss Sofia," and unfamiliar voice says in greeting.

"Thank you, Mr. Holley," he hears Spencer say.

"So what did I miss?" This 'Mr. Holley' asks and she begins to explain.

Vince looks over his shoulder—but doesn't quite see who it is before Coach grabs his arm, throws his helmet on his head, and pushes him back onto the ice.

The Jaguars got their first goal.