Hayes (A Carolina Cyclones Story)

23.

Maggie

"Let's go Cyclones!" I yell out, finding it hard to contain myself with the energy that surrounds me right now. It's game one of the first round of the NHL playoffs and Hayes is playing great. It's the second period and we're up by one in a two to one game that's been hard fought.

It's been a great day. It started out with an ego boost when the new locker room had been revealed to the team. To say that the new look was a hit would be putting it lightly and to top it off I'd found flowers from Hayes in my workspace the arena had given me to store my things while I worked. He'd selected a pretty bouquet of wildflowers which I much prefer to something so expected like roses. The gesture was sweet which I am coming to expect from him.

I had been a little concerned about coming to the game without Rachel, who had to work again, and knowing that Layne had gone back to London. Sitting in the friends and family area is a little intimidating when I still don't really feel like I belong. I mean, I guess Hayes and I are kind of together at this point but it's still all so new and these people have clearly known each other for a while. I'm still working my way into the fold and so while they're all pleasant enough, I just am not quite comfortable enough in this situation yet to truly relax. I am working on it though, since I want to be supportive of Hayes and it gets a little bit easier when a girl who looks to be about my age drops into the seat to my left and introduces herself as Hailey Foster, big sister to the second line center, Atlas.

The conversation stays light and un-intimidating at first. She asks where I'm from and we mostly just make stray comments about the game until she turns to me, looking me straight in the eyes and then asks me if I'm here as friend or family. I blanche, momentarily unsure of what to say before finally as if on auto-pilot I say, "I'm Hayes Hansen's girlfriend."

It's the first time I've used the word and I have a momentary flash of panic that I've used it now when Hayes hasn't but I try to remind myself not to overthink. I'll talk to him about it later and I can always recant if I've overstepped.

When I look back to Hailey, she seems bummed and I worry for a second if my feelings are about to get hurt and she's going to reveal some deep dark secret about Hayes that will kill all my previously held good thoughts of him but then she speaks. "Damn, I was really hoping you were just someone's relative or friend. You're so pretty and I've been trying to set my stupid brother up."

I let out a relieved sigh. "How's your brother feel about that?"

"He'd probably kill me if he knew. Atlas, don't get me wrong he's a great guy but he's pretty reserved and just won't take the plunge to get out there and meet someone. Even if I think it would be really good for him."

"Hayes is kind of like that. Or I guess he was. We kind of stumbled into each other's lives and we've just been taking things slow." You know, aside from the raging orgasms but I leave that part out.

"I'm glad Hayes has found someone. I think he and Atlas are pretty similar so it gives me hope for my little brother. Bless his heart."

In front of me the Cyclones players are streaking past, swarming their opponents from New Jersey. Hayes is on the ice. He looks so big out there, I mean compared to me he always looks huge but this is more in an intimidation factor way and less about his stature. His movements are swift and sure, confidence backed by years of experience on the ice. He gets a big hit on a player from the opposition, pushing him against the boards and sweeping the puck away. He gets it to Jax who races down the ice towards the goal. He winds up and fires a one-timer, a term Hayes recently taught me when he made me watch hockey highlights on the phone during his last road trip. Jax scores and the siren sounds sending up cheers throughout the stadium.

The cheers are short lived however, quickly turning to boos as a player from New Jersey crashes into Hayes, slamming him against the boards before he falls to the ice long after the play has ended.

Mayhem ensues. The entirety of the Cyclones team that's on the ice dashing towards the player who hit Hayes. Jax throws his gloves down to the ice, his helmet flying off as well as he grabs the other guy and delivers a quick set of punches.

There's blood on the ice and the crowd applauds in appreciation for the way Jax is standing up for Hayes. But I can't bring myself to celebrate just yet. Because Hayes is still laying on the ice. And he isn't moving.

The fight is broken up. Jax and the player from Jersey are both sent to the penalty box. The opposing player is issued a major penalty for hitting from behind and Jax is given a minor for roughing.

With the discipline given out all attention turns to Hayes, still face down on the ice. The crowd quietens until a silence like I've never heard fills the whole space up. It's tense and panicked and I can hear my heartbeat in my eardrums as I find myself begging to whatever God is out there for him to just roll over and stand up. I wait desperately for him to get to his feet and wave to the crow to signal that he's okay but it doesn't happen.

Minutes pass slowly.

The athletic training staff make their way to the ice, crossing quickly and lowering down to him. I can't tell what they say. I can't tell if he responds so I wait. The staff rolls him over. My whole chest constricts. A back board is placed beneath him. I choke out a sob that echoes in the dead silence. He's placed on a stretcher and carted off the ice and I feel like I might die.

AN: Sorry it's been a few days! I was out of town and didn't get any chances to write. Also sorry for the cliffhanger but if you'e read my work before...are you really surprised I did it?

Will Hayes be okay?

What happens now?

ILY,

Sav