Bring it on

Chapter 18

The ice rink felt colder than usual as I skated off the surface, my muscles aching from the practice. The team had a game tomorrow, and I knew we needed to keep our momentum going. I grabbed my bag and threw it over my shoulder, glancing toward the stands. That's when I saw Natalie.

She was already off the ice, a little flushed from her own session, her movements graceful as always. There was something magnetic about the way she carried herself-an elegance I couldn't quite get used to, even after spending so much time together. But today was different. Today, I was about to meet the people who'd shaped her into the person she was, the figure skater I was slowly falling for.

Natalie had invited me over to meet her family after practice. She'd mentioned it casually once, like it was no big deal, but I knew it meant something to her. I wasn't exactly used to meeting the families of the women I was seeing, but something about Natalie made me want to step out of my comfort zone.

We drove together to her place, and as we neared her neighborhood, I started feeling a little nervous. I'd met plenty of parents-mostly my teammates' moms at games or after practices-but this was different. I was meeting the parents of the woman I liked, someone I didn't want to mess things up with.

We parked in the driveway, and Natalie smiled at me before grabbing her bag. "You ready?" she asked, her tone light, but I could hear the quiet excitement in it.

"As ready as I'll ever be," I said, trying to sound confident, but I felt like I was about to face a test I hadn't studied for.

We walked up to the front door, and as she knocked, I caught a glimpse of her nervousness too. She wasn't just introducing me to her family; she was bringing a hockey player home. I could feel the weight of it in the air, like we were both walking a fine line between two very different worlds.

The door opened with a cheerful creak, and an older woman appeared-her blonde hair just like Natalie's, though streaked with silver. "Natalie! So good to see you, sweetheart."

"Hi, Mom," Natalie said, her face lighting up as she stepped into the embrace of her mother. "I brought Ethan."

Her mother's gaze shifted to me, and I was suddenly hyper-aware of my hockey team hoodie and the way my hair was still damp from sweat. I stood a little taller, trying to look presentable.

"Ethan," her mother said, offering me a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "Nice to meet you." Her tone was polite, but there was a subtle curiosity there, as if she was trying to figure me out.

"Nice to meet you too, ma'am," I replied, holding my hand out. She shook it briefly before pulling Natalie inside.

As we stepped into the house, I could already feel the warmth radiating from it. The living room was cozy, decorated with family photos and a few framed awards-some of which I could guess were Natalie's from her skating career. I stood awkwardly by the door, trying to get a feel for the space.

"You're just in time," Natalie's mother said, "Dinner will be ready in a bit. Why don't you go on into the backyard? Your dad's out there with Kitzer."

"Kitzer?" I asked, not quite following.

"Oh, you'll see," Natalie said with a smirk, "He's a big dog. German Shepherd. You'll love him."

I wasn't much of a dog person, but if it was important to Natalie, I'd make an effort.

We stepped through the sliding door to the backyard, and I saw him immediately. Kitzer. The massive German Shepherd bounded toward me, tail wagging like a wrecking ball. His coat was sleek and well-groomed, his eyes alert and intelligent. Before I could even take a step back, the dog was on me, jumping up with surprising strength, knocking me slightly off balance.

"Hey!" I laughed, trying to get a grip on the dog's collar. "Easy there, buddy."

Kitzer's paws were all over me, but I wasn't exactly in a position to push him off-especially with how excited he was. I could feel Natalie's parents watching from the window, but I was too focused on keeping the dog from tackling me to care.

"Looks like he likes you," Natalie said, watching with an amused expression.

I didn't know what to do at first, but instinct took over. I crouched down, letting Kitzer sniff my hand, then gently petted his head. The dog seemed to appreciate that, his tail wagging even faster. I couldn't help but smile. I'd never been a huge fan of dogs, but there was something about Kitzer's energy that was infectious.

"He's a lot, isn't he?" Natalie said, laughing.

I nodded, still trying to keep my balance. "A little more than I expected. But he's not bad."

"Oh, he's bad alright. But only in the best ways. He's a good guard dog too," she said, leaning against the doorframe, her arms crossed. "Keeps everyone on their toes."

Kitzer sat back on his haunches, still staring at me with those sharp eyes, and I took a step back to give him some space. It was then that I noticed her father sitting on the porch, watching us. He had a relaxed expression, one hand resting on the arm of his chair as he looked between me and his dog.

"Ethan, this is my dad, James," Natalie said, her voice soft. "Dad, this is Ethan, the one I've told you about."

I turned to shake his hand, and for a moment, it felt like a silent challenge passed between us. James wasn't unfriendly, but I could see the protective vibe.

"You're a hockey player, huh?" he asked, his tone neutral but with a certain edge to it.

"Yeah, that's right," I said, feeling the need to add something more to the conversation. "I play for the Thunderhawks in the city."

His eyes flickered, maybe impressed, maybe skeptical-I couldn't tell. "Good to meet you. I'm sure we'll have plenty to talk about."

"Looking forward to it," I said, trying not to sound too nervous.

The moment stretched between us, and then Kitzer decided he'd had enough of standing still. He barked loudly and launched himself at me again, tail wagging furiously. I chuckled, caught off guard, but this time I was ready. I steadied myself, bracing for the full impact of the playful dog.

"Guess he likes you more than I thought," Natalie said, laughing.

I grinned. "Guess so."

Dinner went by in a blur. Her mom's cooking was incredible, and between bites, I did my best to keep the conversation going. Natalie's dad wasn't exactly warm, but I could tell he was sizing me up, gauging how serious I was about his daughter. Kitzer kept me on my toes, and at one point, he climbed up onto my lap as I sat on the couch, resting his head on my shoulder like he owned me. I didn't mind. It was kind of nice.

As the evening wound down, I found myself feeling strangely comfortable in their home, despite all the nerves I'd had earlier. Natalie's family was welcoming in their own way, and Kitzer-well, he seemed to have decided I was okay. That was a good start.