A Hockey Player's Guide To Deception

Chapter Eleven

They had played a set number of games against schools in their division. The team had earned a strong regular season record, which meant they qualified for the playoffs. One loss, and their season would be over. No second chances. Kayla felt the weight of that pressure, the nervous energy thick among the players. But despite it, a small smile tugged at her lips. The chilly dawn air made Kayla stuff her hands into her pockets, her breath visible each time her lips parted. Everyone was on edge, and for good reason, it was single elimination now.  She sighed as waited in the line, watching the boys file into the bus.

It had been a month since her conversation with Louis, the one that left her anticipating the worst every time she saw Edward. But, to her surprise, he had left her alone, almost as if she had ceased to exist in his world, his dark eyes would glaze over like she wasn't even present. Not that she was complaining, she was more than grateful. The team had formed a rhythm, and Kayla found herself bonding with her teammates. She still had to watch her every word, making sure she fit in, but it wasn't as hard as it had been before. Most of the guys were laid-back, all about hockey, just like her. There were no more awkward stumbles or nervous slips in her conversations.

 She was just another guy on the team now, blending in, and the tension she'd carried around for so long had started to fade. Louis was still distant, but she was more than happy that he didn't ruin the small, foundational relationships she had built with the others. 

As she climbed onto the bus, the familiar scent of sweat and gear filled the air. The boys were already settling into their seats, some with headphones in, others staring out the window, lost in thought. Kayla took a seat near the back next to Junior, pulling her hoodie tighter around her. Tomorrow, they'd face another team in a different city, but tonight, they'd spend it in a hotel, preparing for the game. The playoff nerves were real, but there was something exhilarating about it, too. It reminded her why she was doing this in the first place. Hockey was her escape, her way of proving herself, even if no one knew the full story.

She leaned back, the hum of the engine vibrating through the seat as the bus pulled away from the school. Tomorrow was just another game, but in the back of her mind, Kayla knew it was also much more than that.

"Excited for the game?" Junior asked, turning to face her, a grin already tugging at his lips.

Kayla shook her head slightly. "More like nervous."

"Last year, we lost at this stage," Junior said with a sigh, "but I've got a good feeling about this one."

"Why?"

"Well, aside from the fact that we've been practicing harder than ever these last few weeks," Junior smirked, "we've got Nathan Kingston on our team."

Kayla rolled her eyes, brushing off the compliment. "C'mon, everyone on the team is great."

Junior nodded in agreement but nudged her shoulder playfully. "You're just trying to be humble. Admit it, you're our star player."

Kayla let out a soft laugh. "I've never been humble a day in my life."

"Yeah, right. Don't tell the others I said this," Junior leaned in as if sharing a secret, "but we're all really glad you joined the team."

Kayla's cheeks flushed, and she smiled at him, feeling a warm sense of belonging. "Thanks, that means a lot."

"Look at you, all red!" Junior teased, grinning as he nudged her again. Kayla gave his shoulder a playful shove, laughing.

"Shut up!" she said, her laughter bubbling up again.

They giggled together for a few moments until the conversation took a more serious turn. "So, what happened to the previous defender?" Kayla asked casually, still curious about the position she filled.