Worth The Wait

𝟎𝟐|𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐇 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐖𝐀𝐈𝐓

𝐑𝐈𝐕𝐄𝐑 𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐂𝐎𝐓𝐓

Hockey - One of the most intense sports in the world

Violent, technical, skillful, and that's only with practice. Sure, you can be naturally good at hockey, but still every hockey player needs to practice getting where they are today. Hours and hours on end, everyday aside from the days off that Coach gives us, but even then those days are spent in the gym conditioning our muscles. Most players dedicate their free time to their families if they have one or maybe take part in charities or if you are like the guys on my team, going to clubs, getting drunk and go home with puck bunnies.

Our social relationships and romantic relationships suffer. It's the main reason why a lot of hockey players do random hookups, because it's hard to find time in a relationship. I give props to the guys who can balance it out and find the women that are patient and understand our careers.

The harsh breathing of the team finds my ears, overcoming the loud and piercing ringing that's been in my head since the beginning of practice, when Kolton slammed me into the wall. All my senses are intensified as the sound of skate blades being sharpened at the metal scraping across the ice as the new players put the equipment away. Coach's yelling seems louder than it really is.

"You guys played good. Mike check up on River.He's acting strange." Coach praises the team, but says the last part, staring at me.

In his defense, I am acting strange. I feel strange. We all head into the locker room. As soon as we enter, our helmets are off and we're peeling our pads and jerseys off. The smell of the locker room is not for the weak; if someone who wasn't use to the smell entered the room right now, they'd probably faint. Mike gives me a once over, flashing a flashlight in my eyes to make sure I don't have a concussion. He gives me a nod, and then leaves me to shower and clean up.

"Want to hit up the bar?" Jackson questions as we both walk to the showers. "I think we deserve it. It's been a tough week so sure." I say, as I walk into an empty shower, and he does the same.

"If we do I'm not carrying your ass to your apartment." Zack shouts

"of course because Mr Virgin mary over there doesn't drink during the season." Jackson retorts. He's called Zack Virgin Mary ever since last year when Zack drunkenly confessed that he's waiting to get married to have sex.

"You should try it Jackson, maybe then you wont get in the penalty box so much." Jameson taunts him as Jackson walks out of one of the shower stalls.

"Hey just so you fucker's know. I enjoy being in the penalty box. It gives me breaks." he sasses

I finish up with my shower, taking my time because I didn't want to stink when I brought a girl home tonight. Plus, it meant that I wouldn't have to shower until tomorrow. I finished my shower and dressed at my locker. We've all seen each others dicks before, so it's nothing new.

"Maybe you should try to drink less during the season Jackson." Miles walks up to us all ready to go.

"Nope I enjoy drinking cheap booze blacking out and blowing a girls back out." we both roll our eyes at Jackson's response.

~~~

After an intense practice, every part of my body hurts from being repeatedly slammed into the walls. Of course, it's not as bad as after games, but my body is still in pain. I know I should skip on the bar and go take an ice bath, but I haven't had a drink in a while and a beer sounds damn good.

"See you coach," I tap the window, he gives me a wave before putting his head back down. I make my way to the main part of the arena.Black and silver hallways decorated with team pictures dating back to when the hockey team first came to be pass me by. I make my way to the front of the arena, walking past the bleachers to get to the exit. A group of puck bunnies awaits on the bleachers hoping to catch one of eyes. I roll my eyes at their antics and kept walking.