Love For The Sport

Part 9 - Sent Down

*Bo's POV*

"FUCK!!! " I yell out loud after I get off the phone with the general manager, who told me I was being sent down to the Manitoba Moose. It's ridiculous, I didn't even need to be sent down, but, I'm just a player, I sadly don't have a fucking say in where I play. Krystal comes out, asking what's wrong. "I just got sent down to the Moose. I thought I was playing good, but coach maurice says otherwise, fucking asshole." Krystal looks at me, sad and concerned about me. "Sweetie, it's ok, if you do good with the Moose, which I know you will, because you're an amazing hockey player, then they'll want to call you back up. Okay, baby?" she kisses my cheek and smiles, trying to cheer me up. I love seeing her beautiful smile, it makes me want to smile. "okay, I feel better about this idea. Thanks, baby." I kiss her on the head and make my way to the MTS centre for my first Moose practice.

I show up, seeing the coach of the Moose, Keith McCambridge, who smiles when he sees me. "Good to see you made it here, Bo. I'm coach Keith. Welcome to the Manitoba Moose Hockey Club. I'm sure you'll do amazing here." he says as he shakes my hand. I think to myself, "just fuckin shoot me now..." I can't believe I have no choice but to deal with this, I should be in the NHL where I belong, not this bloody league, but apparently I "need conditioning" and "am slacking down a bit", like give me a break. But, at the end of the day, it's a business. There's no screwing with business. I get to the dressing room and see faces I'm definitely not used to at all. I feel and look like such a fuckin outsider. This scares me. Like, a lot. I have no choice but to suck it up.

*skip to before warm ups*
I get to the arena, rested and ready, and make my way to the dressing room. I've made a few friends on the Moose, such as Josh Morrissey, Jan Kostalek, Connor Hellebuyck, John Albert and JC Lipon. Of course their stalls are luckily close to mine, so I won't have an anxiety induced meltdown. I look at my Moose jersey, thank God I got to keep 53. I put it on above my padding and head out to warm up with the rest of the team, which always feels fun. I make a few passes and warm up my shot with JC and Jan, while Connor rolls around to make the fans laugh.

After the buzzer goes, we head to the dressing room to wait for game time. Coach Keith comes in and says, "Alright, so there's a few changes in things, but we're confident this starting lineup will work. Starting goalie, is Connor, defense, we'll have Josh and Jan, forwards, tonight will be captain John, JC, and Bo making his Moose debut. Alright, let's get this show on the road!" and we all stand up and wait for the intro to start. It's so loud in this arena, and I could hear the music start, I just listened.

"As a child you would wait
And watch from far away
But you always knew that you'd be the one that work while they all play

In youth you'd lay awake at night and scheme
Of all the things that you would change, but it was just a dream!

Here we are.
Don't turn away now (don't turn away)
We are the warriors that built this town.
Here we are.
Don't turn away now (don't turn away)
We are the warriors that built this town from dust.

The time will come when you'll have to rise
Above the best, improve yourself
Your spirit never dies

Farewell, I've gone to take my throne above,
Don't weep for me
Cause this will be the labor of my love (my love)

Here we are.
Don't turn away now (don't turn away)
We are the warriors that built this town
Here we are.
Don't turn away now (don't turn away)
We are the warriors that built this town from dust.

Here we are, don't turn away now (don't turn away)
We are the warriors that built this town
Here we are, don't turn away now (don't turn away)
We are the warriors that built this town from dust"

Then I heard it, "please welcome your, MANITOBAAAAAA MOOOOOSSEEEE!!" and so I bolted out onto the ice and skated a few laps. After I did that, I joined the others at the blue line for the national anthem.

After that passed, we set up for face-off to start the game.

*post game*
My Moose debut was amazing! I got 2 goals and 4 assists, all from my linemates and friends. After getting my clothes back on, I head home and see Krystal laying on the couch, looking happy, but with a red face and puffy eyes. I drop my stuff down and she looks at me. "Hey babe, how'd the game go?" she asked, because they don't really show Moose games on TV. "it went great, I had a 6 point night!" she looks at me with a huge smile. "I'm so proud of you!! That's amazing!" she says as she plants a kiss on my lips. I look at her face, "why are your eyes so puffy?" "because... My ex... He stole the plates off my car and slashed the tires.. Now I can't drive to my game tomorrow.." she starts crying again. "no no no it's okay baby I'll drive you there tomorrow, I have no problem with that. I know it's tough, but I'm staying by your side, okay?" I ask "okay. I love you" she replies calmed down. I kiss her on the head then the lips, and bring her to bed with me. Wasn't too long and we were both out like a light.

Authors note

Well, here it is! The chapter that's taken me months to write 😅 it's trash, I know, but writer's block sucks, a lot, so I did my best. And since this was an all Bo chapter, I'll make sure that next chapter is all Krystal.
Until then, get as many people as possible to read this story! I'd appreciate it! Peace!

Song used - Warriors by Imagine Dragons