Meet Me at the Rink

Chapter 23

~ Allison ~

I watch nervously with the rest of the crowd as Alex takes his chance and shoots the puck on the net as the time on the clock ticks down with 20 seconds left in the game. "Come on, come on, come on." I whisper under my breath hoping that the game doesn't go into overtime. I close my eyes and pray that the puck goes into the net. "YES!" Jack shouts from beside me as I open my eyes to see the boys celebrating their win.

The announcer announces Alex's winning goal at the end of the game. The crowd begins to leave their seats to head home but we stay to see the three stars of tonight's game. "Ladies and gentlemen, Marlies fans of all ages, here are your three stars of tonight's game!" The announcer said before announcing the goalie as the third star. "Your second star of tonight's game... Number 24 Austin White!" He exclaims as the remaining fans in the stands clap and cheer as loud as they can. "Wooo! Yeah Austin!" Jack and I cheer as he skates around and laughs as he passes us. "Tonight's first star and your game-winning goal scorer, number 12 Alex Wright!" The announcer exclaims as Alex steps out onto the ice. "Go Alex!" We cheer before grabbing our stuff and getting ready to leave and wait for Austin down by the dressing room.

** Outside the Dressing Room **

"There they are! Our two stars of the game!" I exclaim as Austin and Alex come out of the dressing room and over to us. "Good game buds!" Jack says giving them both a bro shake. "Nice goals tonight boys!" I say as Austin comes over and hugs me. "Thanks!" They both reply before we continue to talk some more. "So Ally, what have you got planned for the rest of the night?" Alex asks as I look at Austin and then back to Alex. "Well, Austin told me to bring my skates to the game with me. So I think we're going skating?" I reply more as a question.

"Yeah, we're gonna go soon." Austin says with a hint of nervousness in his voice. "Well, it was nice to see you guys but I've gotta bounce. My parents came tonight and they just texted that they're looking for me." Alex says before we say our goodbyes. "I'm gonna head out too. I've gotta go pick up Lucy from her friend's house." Jack says checking the time on his phone. "Alright, I'll see you at home later. Drive safe and just put my car keys on my night table." I reply. "Will do. Good to see you again Austin." Jack says before leaving. Austin places his hand in mine as I look up at him. "Come on." He says as we walk through the empty and quiet hallway.

He opens the door to the silent and empty dressing room and leads me over to his locker bench. "Here, have a seat." He says gesturing to the bench. "Wow! The Austin White is letting me sit in his locker." I tease. "I only allow my favourite people to have those honours and you're one of those lucky ones." He smiles pulling his phone out of his pocket. "Hey, look here for a minute." He says as I look at him smiling.

"There." He says showing me the picture he had just taken of me. "Wow, quite the photographer you are." I say. "I try." He replies sitting down next to me before passing me my skates. "Thank you sir." I reply as I slip my shoes off my feet to slide them into my skates as he gets ready to put on his own. "Are we even allowed to be here after hours?" I ask. "Usually no, you need permission to do so but I got the okay from the boss man so everything's fine." He replies while tying up his skates.