Sunset Boulevard-ON HOLD

Chapter 2- Practice & The Call

I stretch quickly on the bench and stand up and tower over Mallory as she forced a smile to my previous comment. I looked into the mirror across from Mal and I and I let out a sigh. My short, sweaty black hair hides under my Kings beanie, and my sky blue eyes have a look of someone who hasn't slept in a few weeks.

I roll my left arm around as much as I can as I see the snake shaped scar move around and flex my left leg as I see the scar that ran from my knee down to my ankle tighten up. It was kind of crazy, the different hurdles that life throws at you. Just a few years ago it seemed my hockey career was over when I was diagnosed with Stage 4 Bone and Lung cancer; however, after two years of chemotherapy and seven different surgeries later, I had kicked its ass, and was begging teams around St. Catherine's to put me back on the ice.

I looked over at Mal and a huge smile spread across my face. If not for her, I don't know if I would be where I'm at today. There was countless numbers of nights that she stayed by my hospital bedside and held my hand as I lost my hair or helped me through the other numerous effects that chemo had on the body. Even when all the treatment was over she was right there making calls to  or sending in videos of my highlights to try and get me a place on a team, and she was right by my side when my tryout for Boston University was a success.

We'd been friends for as long as I could remember. I don't think there was ever a time when we weren't by each other's side, nor a birthday party that went by without either one of us being there in the honorary "best friend seat"; in fact, I'm pretty sure that Mrs. Hamilton had pictures of Mal and I in diapers playing in the garden. She was definitely my best friend and I don't know where I'd be without her. We took the ice together for the first time, back when we had no clue how to skate. Every time we had a secret to tell or ears were open, or a shoulder to cry she was always there.

I told her everything. She did the same. We kept nothing behind each other's back. If there was a problem or something that was hurting us, we didn't keep it a secret, we told each other everything. Well, almost everything. I was in love with Mal. Not your best friend type of love, but like actual I'm dying to marry you love. There was just something about her. I mean, it was just a normal friendship for the longest time, but one morning when I woke up in the hospital bed and she was curled up next to me holding my hand, my heart belonged to her, and I knew that no one would ever be as good as she was.

I let out a sigh and looked over at Mallory, "I'll see you out there cage face."

I chuckled and handed her, her stick and as I made my way to turn the lights on and she let out a "Shut up"

I take my time working my way back down to the ice and see that the bucket of pucks has already been spilt and Mallory is finishing up her stretches and my skates hit the ice and my body instantly relaxes as the metal on ice sound enters my ears as I skate towards Mal.

"Boo!"

I let out a grin as I know she was making fun of my Kings jersey, "I could say the same to you. You're wearing a Bruins jersey.", I snicker.

"But it's my brother's jersey see?"

She spins around in a circle and lets out a giggle.

We chirp at each other as we practice and run drills for about two and half hours before we slowly make our way back into the locker room and slip into some more comfortable clothes.

Mallory begins to giggle as she nudges me and says, "I would appreciate a ride home."

"Follow me." I say as I grab her sleeve and pull her out the back door. I grab both of our bags and throw it into my trunk and pull out of the parking lot before any of the local town jocks can spot Mal and I.

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After making a quick stop over at Tim Horton's I decide to break the silence that we had shared for the past few minutes, "So, if you do play in the NHL, where do you want to play?"

"If not the Bruins, I honestly hope it's the Avalanche."

I let out a bit of a chuckle. Seeing her skate with Dougie on the B's I could see, but the Avs? That'd be something else. Especially since over the last few years the Kings and Avalanche had become playoff rivals, "Why the Avs? You have no relation to them."

Mal unfazed by my uneasiness towards the Avalanche replies, "I don't know. They're really talented. They're on the verge to win a championship"

"How do you even get on the team", I ask as I pull into Mallory's driveway.

Her body tensed up and she seemed to be in a hurry to get out of the car.

"I've sent in videos of me training and playing during games, I've also may have hidden the fact that I'm a girl."

I jump out of the car and make my way to grab her bag. Mallory was a good liar, but she wasn't good enough to hide the fact that she was a girl if she got an invite to camp.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa. How are you going to hide that you're a girl when you try out for them?"

Mallory shrugged and took her bag from me, "I haven't gotten that far in my plan yet. I've sent videos to every team in the NHL, even OHL teams. I guess we'll see"

I pull her into a hug and whisper, "I'll see you around Mallory."

She pulls away before I'm ready to let go and smiles while she waves, "Thanks for the ride."

She ran into her house and I let out a sigh and slowly made my way back to my house.

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I don't even remember falling asleep once I got home, or even hearing the phone ring, but when I looked down at my iPhone I had two voicemail notifications..

First unheard message- Hello Karson, this is Coach Sutter. I just wanted to inform you that we got your MRI results back and it seems that you're healing is ahead of schedule. I also wanted to let you know that after talking with our GM and assistant coaches that we've decided to not send you down to our AHL affiliate, and we're going to leave you on our active roster. So when possible, please fly back to LA as soon as possible so you can play in a few preseason games and we can get you accustomed to your line mates. Call me if you have any questions. Have a good day and we'll see you soon.

I let out a sigh of relief. When I first sustained my knee injury there was doubts about whether I'd be able to play come opening night. It was also nice to hear that coach had enough faith in me to not assign me to Manchester. My mind flashed back to what Mal had said about her sending her videos into every NHL team. If that was true, that must've meant Coach Sutter had seen her play. Maybe there was a chance I could have a team meeting and try to convince the team, and Coach to let her play for us. The Kings were already a major threat this season, and if you put Mal and I on a line together we may be unbeatable.

Second unheard message- Hey Blake. This is Freddie. Dougie and I need to meet with you. Meet us tomorrow for lunch. You know where. It's about Mal.