Chasin' You - Vince Dunn

2

Practice is always the longest part of my day, especially due to the fact that as the season continues the more coach plans on making them open to the public, not that I have an issue with our fans watching us, sometimes I'd just like some quiet without eyes following us around the ice, especially when I'm sporting a hangover. I find my eyes scanning the seats, they weren't too busy today, I've noticed it's more on the lead up to a home game that we seem to get more seats filled.  My eyes land on a head of red hair and I instantly get a rush of adrenaline that soon fades when they turn around and it's not who I thought it would be.

I can admit that for the first time in my life I think I've got an infatuation with a girl I've only seen once and even at that I didn't even have a conversation with her. I just stood there staring at her the whole concert, my eyes hardly ever watching the stage, and more engrossed in watching the way her body moved along with the music and how her smile light up those around her, she was intoxicating to look at.

Although Luke was the only one who mustered up the courage to approach her, the pinging of jealousy I felt watching them converse still pulls on me. I would usually be the one being confident enough to flirt with the hottest girl in town, but for some reason I couldn't move. It was like I was frozen, intimidated or just pure stupid not to. It's been a week since I became aware of her existence and as the days went by the harder it was not to think about her. I just assumed that she'd find me through Luke's instagram if she was really as interested as she seemed that night. I mean, she couldn't stop looking at me either and initially caught my eye first and from what I've heard in the locker room she's not been messaging Luke, he's playing the friend card so I can only assume it's been a rejection due to a boyfriend or she wasn't looking for anything.

Skating off the rink, I head back to the locker room and begin to take my gear off, my chest heavy and burning from the fast and tiring training session. I hit the showers after coaches pep talk for tomorrows away game and I find myself unmotivated from the travelling alone, however I keep my spirits up knowing it's not long until we play at home for a couple games.

It's my first season in Seattle and a few other of the guys too, so four of us splashed out on leasing a two penthouses in the city, so we can keep each other company for the lonely seasons. It sure was a long way from Ontario and a huge change from playing locally. It wasn't my first season in NHL, I've got a good four years under my belt, playing for the St. Louis Blues made it closer to home and familiarity. I bunked up with Jake, who was from Vancouver and across the road was Luke and Michael. We'd switch about depending on arrangements etc, there were more than enough bedrooms for us to plant into. We didn't care much - if one of the guys were throwing a party or having family over we'd head over the street for some quiet and let them use the house for guests. So far it's been a good dynamic.

Once I get in and settled into the rest of my day, I find myself playing video games with my buddies back home, my mind now and then being flooded by thoughts of the girl at the concert. I remember her name beginning with an S, however I couldn't remember clear what it actually was.

"Something on your mind Dunn?" My buddy Alec asks through  my headphones and I shake my head glancing back at the screen, continuing with my game.

"It sounds so middle school" I laugh, my thumbs and index fingers pressing buttons to shoot at an opponent.

He laughs softly, "Usually is, what's on your mind brother?"

I indulge into my small distraction, and tell Alec about the girl from the concert and he's not shy on telling me his thoughts, "Has Luke said anything else about her since?"

"Nah, just said they spoke for a bit but he thinks they'll be friends, he is kinda young too so you never know" I shrug, watching the game pause as we wait more players to join the next round.

"Have you found her at?"

Shaking my head as if he can see me I tell him, "I haven't actually, to be honest I've not looked. I don't usually chase after a girl, y'know? They usually find me"

"That's your problem there then," he states,  "you've found the girl that's not gonna chase you, probably why you can't stop thinking about her. I say fuck it dude, find her and shoot your shot? What's the worst that can happen she doesn't reply?"

"I guess you're right"

"Hey maybe it'll be good for your ego if she doesn't reply, I've been thinking you need to be taken down a peg or two recently, getting too cocky even on this bro"

I laugh loudly, "Oh y'know what buddy, you're fucking done in this next round"

After a few more rounds I keep Alec on speaker for some motivation in finding this girl in the mass of Luke's 3,000 following going only by the letter S it seems to be taking forever when Alec lobs the idea that, "Maybe she's blocked you already, that's potentially why it's taking so long"

"Fuck you man," I tell him laughing light before I eyes the last five profile pictures, before I click on the one I find more confidence in, "Sarah... she did look like a Sarah"

I eye her following to follower ratio and smirk, 13,231 followers and following 221. A girl who catches a lot of attention it seems. I quickly press follow before I scroll down posts. Good god, she's even prettier than I remember, those baby blue eyes too, jees. I'm not shy in liking a few of her posts before I click on the message button,

"Do I just go for it and send her a message?" I ask Alec, my fingers over if over my screen.

"You'd be a pussy not to," he laughs, "I wanna see this chick, especially knowing she's got your balls twisted"

"No way bro, she's all mine" I tell him smugly, before I send her a quick message,

Vince Dunn

Guess I gotta make the first move huh? Staring contest round two?

Instantly I see that she's read it and my hands become sweaty, I watch as she types and deletes her message a few times before one comes through

Sarah Bradford

Took you long enough, I'm pretty sure I won the last round are you prepared for another loss?

"Im assuming by your silence, she's responded or something, let me know how it plays out! I'm heading to bed" Alec tells me and I pull my headset off whilst saying bye, my hands quickly replying to the girl I've been waiting on.

Vince Dunn

Babe, I'm sure you broke before I did, since were both adamant were winners rematch to determine the real winner?

Sarah Bradford

I hope you're used to losing 😚