Between You and Me (A college hockey romance)

Twenty-three

Lennon

Oakwood Mass is 2-0 up at the end of second period. Greyson has scored both goals. Each time he scored he skated in a circle pointing to the name on his back, putting his hand up to the away fans that boo'ed. He knows how to play the crowd, I'll give him that. 

I'd rather be anywhere else right now but I promised Owen I'd make an effort to come watch his games so here we are. Arden and Jade forgot the no-hockey rule that was reinstated after our momentary lapse of judgement the other week, and are wearing full Oakwood Mass jerseys with yellow paint on their faces. 

I opted for something less... flashy and went with my own hoodie. 

The boys skate back out on the ice and lights flash signaling the start of third period. As much as I want to hate Greyson for what he's done, I can't deny that he's an amazing player. He skates effortlessly in a circle, high-fiving Justin as he lines up for the drop. The crowd cheers around us as he wins it. 

"He's a view isn't he" Arden drools at Greyson with the puck. "I can't believe you've had that" 

"Lower your voice" I hiss. I don't want it to be broadcasted to the world. I told them about what happened with him and dad, but I suppose I can't blame them for finding him attractive. I know I do, despite all. 

"Lennon could have anyone she wanted" Jade argues, smiling at me. "Look at her" 

"You're so right" Arden agrees and I laugh at them, fondly. 

The arena erupts in cheers as Owen nets the third goal of the night. They bundle together, celebrating before skating off to high-five the bench. I spot my dad next to Coach Jared, pointing at something on a clipboard. Then Owen takes a lap, celebrating in front of the crowd and as he reaches us we all cheer loudly. He gives us a wave and I swear his look linger on Arden. 

---

As the game finishes with a crushing four to one win in favor of our boys, we leave the stadium and wait outside in the parking lot. It's gone dark and alot more chill since the game ended. Most of the crowd has already left, only the occasional puck-bunny staying behind waiting for the players. I get it, I honestly do. In a different life I might have been one of them. Who doesn't like athletic men in suits who fight each other for a living? 

Jade is sitting on the hood of my car, which is something I wouldn't normally allow but she's tiny so I'm sure it'll be fine. Arden is pacing a couple feet away, underneath a lamp-light, on the phone with someone. I know her home life is troubled and that she rarely speaks to them, but she hasn't wanted to give any more information than that. I'll make a mental note to ask her about it later. 

A group exits the building, and I see that it's Justin, Shane and Owen. I go to wave to Owen but keep my hand down when I see his face. 

What the hell has happened to him? He spots me and says something to his friends before hauling his bag over his shoulder and walking over to us. He's wearing a black suit with a yellow tie and if it wasn't for his bruised face he might actually look professional. 

"What the hell happened to your face?" I ask him as he reaches my car. He greets Jade who gives him a tiny 'hello'. 

His nose is bruised, with blue and purple lines running up underneath his eyes. 

"Just an accident at practice" he shrugs, not looking at me. He nods towards Arden. "She alright?"

"Don't change the subject" I say. "She's fine." I lean up to touch his nose and he winces but I keep his head still with my other hand so I can properly assess his injury. 

"You know I have access to the best medical staff in the league, right?" he mutters, looking away from me. 

He can't keep eye contact with me. He's lying. 

"I'm aware. But I don't, and you're lying to me so let me check." Owen doesn't protest when I feel his face again. It doesn't feel like his nose is broken but it definetly feels swollen. I might not be a professional, but having four brothers in a hockey family makes you well studied in injuries. 

"What happened to you?" Arden asks when she comes over to us. 

"He doesn't want to tell me" I reply, giving Owen a stern look. He rolls his eyes. "Want to ride with me, Arden? I need a word" 

"Oh my god why am I being ignored" I say to Jade who jumps down from the hood of my car. 

"I don't know but better not question it. I see Evan, time to go" she replies, a little too quickly. Evan and Sam are walking out of the building towards our car as Arden waves goodbye and leaves with Owen. Our original plan was to get takeout with Evan and bring it back to the apartment, but he wanted Sam to join so we decided on fast-food. I haven't spoken to Sam much since that night outside my apartment, but according to Arden he's actually a lot nicer than he lets on. But then again she hooked up with him so that makes her judgement a little clouded.

 I walk to the drivers seat and get in as Jade mirrors me on the passenger side. 

This all feels like a fever dream. Is everyone acting weird and pretending they're not or am I going crazy? 

"What's wrong with you?" Evan teases when the two of them get in the car. 

"She's worried about Owen's nose" Jade says. "I don't know why because she's seen a million hockey injuries in her lifetime." 

"That's not a hockey injury" Sam scoffs. 

I watch them in the rearview mirror and just about catches Evan do a 'don't' motion towards Sam. 

"What?" I say, narrowing my eyes. 

Evan sighs. "Well, apparently..." 

"Just fucking spit it out, Evan" I am so tired of people beating around the bush. I don't have the energy for it any longer. Why do people think I'm so delicate I can't handle the truth? 

"According to Louis, Carter and Owen got in a fight yesterday." His face turns bright red. He looks like he's about to be scolded by his mother for stealing sweets from the kitchen. 

I nearly floor the breaks. "What?" 

The two of them holds their hands up in defence. "That's all we know I swear." 

Owen would tell me if they got in a fight over me. Right? 

"Do you pinky promise?" I ask. 

"Hard to pinky promise when you're driving" Sam replies. 

"I'm about to drive this car off the road if you don't answer, Harvey" I threathen. 

"You're a lot scarier than you look" he says. "They didn't want to dish the deets in the locker room but rumour has it they got into a fight about you" 

I hear Evan smack Sam in the arm but I'm glad he told me, because if it's true I need to have serious words with Owen. What the hell is he doing getting into fights like that? 

"Thank you for telling me" I say and return my focus on the road. 

I turn the music up on the radio and we drive in silence until we reach the fast-food restaurant where we decided to eat. We don't talk about the incident again that night, and when I finally go to bed, I have no intention to bring it up when I have to help Greyson tomorrow for his first day at the charity.