The Hockey Boy

Chapter 5

Chapter 5

TY

November 14

"I need help, Virtanen," we heard Easton say.

"I know," replied Virtanen. "You let Thomas skate past like you were a dummy or something. You can't let that happen again. You're just lucky James had a good game tonight. Yes, I realize that you weren't the only guy that had a bad game, and yes, I realize that Kemps missed the save, but things like that shouldn't happen."

"I know, that's why I'm asking for help," said Easton.

"Fine, I'll help you, but you know I'm on the same schedule as you, which means I have hardly any time off. When do you want me to help you?" asked Virtanen.

"Anytime that works for you," Easton replied coolly.

"I have time at five in the morning," smirked Virtanen.

"Five in the morning!" exclaimed Easton, but then he caught himself. "Works for me. When do we start?"

"Monday," replied Virtanen simply. "I'll see you then." Cal and I heard footsteps, so we knew that Virtanen had left.

"Let's go," I instructed Cal. Easton must've heard us talking because right at that moment, he turned his head to the left so he could see where we were sitting.

When Easton saw us, it looked like his eyes were going to pop out of his head. "Ty?" he asked confusedly. "What are you doing here?"

"I, uh, well, we were just..." I stuttered.

"Ty has something she'd like to say to you," started Cal as he elbowed my side.

"Yeah, I, uh, just wanted to say sorry, for the other day, you know," I added awkwardly. "Just because I don't like you doesn't mean I have the right to call you names and not feel bad for hitting you or anything like that."

"It's okay, you didn't actually hurt me, plus it was an accident. I'm pretty sure you apologized before anyway," replied Easton. His tone was wavering, so I knew that he was lying.

"How did that not hurt?" exclaimed Cal. "Ty's stronger than most of the guys at our school."

"Okay, fine, maybe it hurt a little," admitted Easton.

"Well, I'm glad that's over with. We'd better be going now, right, Cal?" I said, turning to leave.

"Yeah," he said, taking my hint. "We should really go. Nice seeing you again, good game." I elbowed Cal and gave him a look after that.

"Were you not listening to his conversation with Virtanen?" I whispered angrily, quiet enough so only Cal could hear me.

"Ow, you really need to be careful when you elbow people. I don't think you know your own strength," Cal grumbled, avoiding the subject, as he rubbed his side where I had elbowed him.

"Oh, shut up, you big baby," I laughed.

"You're borderline abusive," Cal huffed, but I knew he was joking.

"It was nice seeing you again, Ty," smiled Easton.

What's wrong with him? The last time I saw him I hit his face with a hockey stick, I thought to myself. "Didn't you learn your lesson last time we met? I'm not into arrogant assholes."

I didn't wait long enough to see his reaction to my comment, but I knew it was good. "Ty, wait!" he called.

I stopped and turned around. "What do you want, West?"

"I was just wondering if you'd ever want to, maybe, practice together sometime," he choked out.

"Thanks, but no thanks. I'd rather not workout with someone I can't stand," I smirked as I began walking again.