Pucker Up

Chapter 7: Hudson

Hudson Winters P.O.V.

~

It was now Wednesday morning and although I should have tried to get a couple more hours of sleep before Day 3 of tryouts started, I couldn't. The excitement of getting back on the ice and the nerves of proving myself in the third tryout had me fully alert. The coaches barely looked at me last time. So instead of sleeping in any more, I ate a hearty breakfast and headed straight to the sports complex early.

I could lift some weights or do light cardio— anything was better than lying in bed, overthinking.

In the parking lot, I noticed two other cars but didn't think much of it. They probably belonged to the arena maintenance guys. Someone else had to be here to open up shop.

On my way down into the locker rooms, I passed the large spectator windows that overlooked the ice. Someone stood halfway to the blue line firing pucks at the net. I watched in awe as each shot hit the crossbar and then fell into the net. I looked back at the player and realized very quickly it was probably Bobby. She wasn't wearing full equipment this time, just a black tracksuit and her braided brown hair spilling out of a beanie.

I could almost see the smile on her face, hidden discreetly behind the look of pure concentration and determination, as the satisfying ding rang out again. She was 6 for 6 right now and my pants tightened as I watched the accuracy of her shot pay off again.

Kovalev, her effortless talent would be such a turn-on... if she were anyone else. I'm sure other guys, weaker guys, allowed themselves to be distracted by her talent and beauty. 

I shook the thought away as I hiked my hockey bag higher on my shoulder and dashed down the stairs and into our locker room. 

I changed into my gear and joined her out there. As much as I hated admitting I needed help, clearly, there was something I was doing wrong since neither one of the Jackson Coaches looked my way last practice. Maybe she could teach me a few things that would make me stand out. As I fastened the chin strap on my helmet and glided out to the middle of the ice, I hoped she wouldn't be upset with me for inviting myself to join her session.

"Crossbar challenge?" I asked when I was close enough to her. She jumped at my voice and nearly fell backwards on her skates. I reached out quickly to steady her before she tumbled onto the ice. "Sorry. Guess it was my turn to startle you, huh?"

She gave me a funny look before shaking me off and standing on her own. I guess she didn't appreciate my comment in reference to her startling me yesterday.

"I must have been concentrating so hard I didn't notice you." She rolled her shoulders back. "Not your fault."

"That's really being in the zone," I laughed. I looked her over briefly, I couldn't believe any of us mistook her for anything other than a woman. Sure, she's taller than the average girl, probably standing at around 5'5, but still shorter than most guys... most hockey players. Even with all the pads on the other day, you could tell she was skinny—and while there was nothing wrong with short and skinny male hockey players, we were all idiots for not even considering the possibility that she was a girl. I could blame it on the unisex name... but to be honest, the thought that my assistant coach wasn't a guy didn't even cross my mind.

"What are you doing here anyways?" She interrupted my internal monologue, looking at me suspiciously. "Tryout doesn't start for another 45 minutes."

I shrugged, feeling stupid for suiting up and getting on the ice with her. I had no business being here— this was her time on the ice. "I've been told I'm pretty impulsive. Didn't really think past my need to get active. I was antsy at my apartment... Too excited to wait."