Rink-side romantics

Chapter 5

Something didn't feel right, then I realized that I forgot my book on my seat.

It was late and it kinda felt like trespassing to go back into the rink, even when I was just in there like five minutes ago.

I quietly pry the front door open and walk towards my seat where I see the book laying.

I pick it up and plop it into my bag before heading out.

On my way out, I kept hearing noises coming from a darker area of the rink.

I've watched about horror movies to know that this is always how the pretty girls die in the story.

They let their impulsive thoughts get the best of them and they decide to be dumb by choosing the more dangerous route.

Tonight, I am that girl.

My curiosity took over and I crept into the darkness of the area.

From what I could make out, it was some sort of open locker area.

I squinted my eyes harder and found a figure lying on the floor.

I scrambled to find the light switches, swinging my hands all around the walls until I found it.

Once the light settles in, I see it's the guy from before.

"Oh my god!" I scream before running to his side.

"What happened?"  I asked.

"It turns out I wasn't fine" he tries to laugh it off.

Hehe. Maybe I should be a doctor after all, given my excellent observation skills and diagnosis.

Wait? No. Pay attention to the concussed man in front of you.

"Um.. what can I do to help?"

"There's some pain meds in my bag." He lifts up a single finger to point to his duffel bag.

I root around in there until I hear a shake of a bottle and pour out some meds.

He practically inhales two of them at once before lifting up his shirt, revealing his bruises.

Damn. He's kinda ripped. Wait? No! Cait, be serious. The man has a bruised rib.

It takes me a moment to make out that his ribs aren't just bruised but there is also a flesh wound right on his eight-pack, I mean abdomen.

"Uh.. I'll go get an ice pack and some antibiotic cream." I say, not having a single clue where I can find either of those things.

"Second locker on your right" he croaks out, almost as if he's reading my mind "and the kitchen is down the hall to your left".

"Got it. Thanks."

A couple minutes later, I return holding both the items like I just came back from a treasure hunt.

I apply to ice pack to his ribs before I get starts on applying the antibiotic cream to a cotton ball dipped in saline solution before applying it to his wound.

He winces at the contact.

"Sorry."

"It's all good."

Awkward silence fills the air and I can tell how much pain he's in so I try to distract him by making conversation.

What is there to talk about?

"So, what's your name?"

"Nathan. Nathan Daniels"

"Nice to meet you Nathan Daniels, I'm Caitlyn Jones."

He smiles at me, probably knowing I'm trying to distract him from the sting of the antibiotics.

"So, um.. what.. like.. um.. position.. or -uh do you play?" What was I even saying at this point?

He holds back a small smile before saying "Center."

"Cool, cool, cool, cool."

Silence, yet again.

"Is this your first time?" He asks.

First time talking to a handsome guy like you, totally.

"Uh first time doing what?" I ask back.

"Watching a hockey game."

"It's that obvious huh?"

"Only a bit." He chuckles.

"What gave it away?"

"Well for starters, we're both wearing the same jersey."

My head whips to the jersey lying on the bench next to him and then to the shirt on my torso.

Shit.

"Secondly, you were the only person reading a book." I glance up in surprise. So he was looking at me. "So I'm guessing that you're not too keen on hockey."

"Guess I gotta work on my hockey enthusiast skills."

Time went by so quickly that by the time Nathan's wound was closed and his head was better enough to stand up again, it was already past midnight.

"So I should get going." I say in my typical awkward manner.

"Yeah sure and thanks for the help by the way. You're a natural at first aid."

"Oh yeah no problem at all."

We both just stand there for a good couple of seconds, in absolute silence.

I'm just about halfway out the door when I hear my name called out.

"Hey, Caitlyn?"

"Yeah?"

"How would you like to be the team's nurse?"
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Hope you guys enjoyed this chapter!

Thoughts?

Also please remember to vote and just comment on anything and everything. I really want to improve my writing.