when the ice melts // jack hughes

part nine

Monday.
I sat at a table in the cafe, a romance novel in my hands. It was early. Much too early to be working, so I just read my book and drank a pumpkin spice latte. My parents were busy prepping for the week, they rushed around the cafe. Sweeping, restocking, wiping, dusting, baking, washing.
It was crazy to think that it'd been two months since Cameron started working here, I felt as if I'd known him for longer. Soon, the thought passed and my mind was back to being engrossed into my book.

Suddenly, the familiar noise of chimes came from the doorway of the cafe. It was 6:46. It couldn't be Cam, he started his shift around 7:30. Usually he came around 7.

"We don't open until seven-thirty, sorry." I sipped my latte, not looking up from my book. In the corner of my eye, I could see the figure come up to my table.
"If I were to walk into any other café, I'm pretty sure that not only would they open for me, but they'd give me a pretty good discount too."

My head shot up at the sound of the figure's voice, regretting doing so as soon as my eyes focused on him.

Him.

"Hey, Vi." He grinned, I grimaced at those words.

Jordan Prescott.

His dark brown hair was styled, it was pulled back in the front and looked recently cut. Obviously, somebody had changed. Last time I saw him, he didn't give a shit about his hair. He was wearing his hockey jacket, the Seattle Thunderbirds logo was visible. He had a pair of black sweatpants on. Everything slowly came back.

"Why are-" it was as if he was prepared for me to ask why he was here, because he cut me off with the answer.

"Here for the preseason, vi." I hated the way he called me that, his piercing green eyes met mine. I set my book down in front of me. It was obvious that he had come for another reason. I looked around for my parents, they weren't in sight.
"Hm, and why are you here?" I raised an eyebrow, nodding to the clock. 6:57.
"I'm basically a celebrity, it gives me a right to be served before opening time." he laughed. His laugh was far from sweet and heart-moving, it was wicked and cold. "You're not famous," I rolled my eyes. "and even if you get to the NHL, you probably won't be very well known." Jordan smirked and walked toward the register.
"You haven't changed a bit." He rested his elbow on the front counter.  "C'mon, Viola. Serve me. "

My breathing got heavy, I opened my book again and tried to ignore him.

The chimes went off again.
Jordan looked startled, he whipped his head towards the door. I looked up from my book,

it was Cam.

His face looked grim, his lips had formed a thin line.
He looked pissed.

"Well if it isn't Cameron," Jordan taunted. I looked back and forth from Cam to Jordan, wondering what was going on.

"It's been a while since I beat your ass on the rink."

"Jordan." Cameron greeted him in a low tone. He tried not to make eye contact with me or Jordan, I couldn't tell who he was pissed with.
I don't know why he would be ticked off at me, though. I didn't do anything.

He set his backpack down behind the register counter and took his phone from his pocket, trying to keep busy.

"So, Cam. Are you gonna greet your girlfriend or somethin?" Jordan was still at the front counter. My eyes widened, realizing Jordan was referring to me.
"I'm not his girlfriend," I muttered,
as much as I wish I was.
I looked at Cameron, I couldn't figure out his expression. "Good, means I won't be looked down upon for talking to you." Jordan swiftly moved from the counter to my table, soon he was sitting across from me.
"You lay a single hand on her-" Cameron's jaw stiffened. This didn't bother Jordan.
"Don't worry," Jordan snickered, my breathing had gotten heavy in the past ten minutes. "Those days of mine are over. I'm a changed person now," Jordan lowered his voice, his head turned towards Cam. "But I won't hesitate to beat your ass on the ice once more."

-

Jordan got up from his chair, he made his way towards the door.
"See you at the rink, failure." He snickers and walked out.

"He thinks he's funny, but he's really not." Cameron put on his cafe apron, I put my book down again. "I get it though. Koehler, failure, because you're last name is pronounced like 'Kayler'-" Cameron rolled his eyes. "Thanks for clarifying that,"

"So, what are you doing here so early?" I asked Cam, putting on my apron. "Finished practice early, but apparently it was just in time."
He muttered, obviously not in the best mood.

We got to work and a couple
hours later, it was lunch break.
"So, how do you know Jordan, anyway?" Cameron took a bite out of his ham and cheese sandwich, he had found a place to sit in a corner in the staff room. He seemed to have gotten over his bad mood.
I hated talking about Jordan, never mind having him show up at my work.
I lowered my eyes to my bagel, trying not to remember everything.
"Ex,"
Cameron nodded slowly, obviously feeling a little bothered.
"So, he's like your arch nemesis, huh?" I elbowed Cam's shoulder, he wasn't in a joking mood.
"So like, competition." I tried to elaborate on what I had said, Cameron was deep in his thoughts. I knew Cam well enough to know he was gonna come back with a joke.

Well, I've known him for a month, anyway.

"Hmm," Cam smirked. "competition as in hockey wise or like, girl wise?" it was my turn to roll my eyes.
Inside, though, I was totally wishing for girl-wise.

"Well, both I guess. But I'll have you know, I will never, and I repeat never, have anything to do with Jordan Prescott. Ever again." I shook my head, Cameron just grinned.

"Good, because if not, I'd have to do something about it." He teased.
I stopped chewing my bagel, gears in my mind were turning. "Of course, I'll set him straight on the ice. Don't worry." Cam smiled, and continued to finish his food. "Oh!" I remembered a question I was gonna ask, "when is your first game?" Of course I intended on being there.
It wasn't that I was jumping on the giants bandwagon or anything, like I've been going to games since I could walk. But something about knowing Cam made it more... special.
"This Friday," Cameron grinned,
"andddd-" he reached into his pocket and handed me two pieces of paper. "I got you tickets." My smile got bigger as I took the tickets, stuffing them into my jean pocket. "Oh my gosh, you're literally the best." I wrapped my arms around Cam, feeling a bit awkward once it was too late. Cameron seemed fine with it. "Eh, it was nothing." I let go, he ran his hands through his hair. I always thought it was adorable when he did that.

I couldn't wait for Friday.

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