Chapter 23:
Caleb's POV:
As we were ready to hit the ice, we heard a huge howl of excitement and laughter.
"What the hell was that?" Kadri asked. We all stuffed on our helmets and walked out to Juliet skating around the ice and doing jumps.
"God I haven't felt the ice beneath me in ages!" She said happily. We all laughed and coach watched shocked.
"I haven't seen a kid who missed hockey like that before." He said. As practice began Juliet was the one working the hardest. She was digging into the ice and flying around everyone. She didn't score on me though. No matter how hard she tried I did my best to stop her. She would get frustrated and groan and I would smile nicely.
At the end of practice coach blew his whistle.
"I can honestly say, this was a pretty poor effort practice. The regular season starts in one week and we will be making some cuts if things don't change. There are boys in the minors who are dying to be where you are. The only one working her ass has been McDavid, and she literally has a broken back. I'm not angry, but I want a better effort level, okay boys?" He said we all nodded and left the ice. It was Sunday and we usually all went out for dinner in the evening. It was just a boys night and it would allow the new guys to bond and unwind.
After we showered I drove to the restaurant with Juliet.
"Are you sore from practice?" I asked.
"A little bit. I mean I haven't been shooting or skating for three weeks so that should be normal." She shrugged as we went inside. We sat down at the table with some of the guys and ordered drinks.
"So are you guys coming tomorrow?" Lupul asked.
"To what?" Juliet asked curiously.
"Our annual Sick Kids Hospital charity. We go to the hospital and visit the little guys and donate jersey's, sign autographs and hang out with them for a while." Bozak explained. She looked to me because I hadn't told her.
"I didn't tell you because I didn't know if you would be better yet." I said. I didn't know if her brace would have been off yet.
"Aww, watching out for your girl." Kessel teased. I just smiled.
"Hey remember, Philly. At least I have one." I said. The guys all chuckled as Juliet hit my arm.
"Hey now, Kristen only left a month ago." He shrugged.
"Thank God." Bozak said. Bozak and Kessel lived together. They were best friends and did everything together.
"Why? Was she that bad?" Juliet asked.
"She was always at their condo. She was like a disease." JVR shivered. I remember Kristen. I talked to her once and I swear, watching paint dry was more interesting.
"She was annoying as anything. Always kept Phil from us." McClement said sadly.
"And when you take away our little hobo, you hurt the whole team." Gardiner sniffled.
"You guys suck ass, you know that?" Phil said shaking his head as we all laughed.
"Hey, demon will they allow you to play men's Olympic hockey this year?" Peter Holland asked.
"Probably not. First of all, I think it's against the rules and secondly, I doubt Babcock would take me." She said referring to the Detroit Red Wings coach and the coach of team Canada.
"But you will for sure make the women's team." Rielly said.
"Hey if you do, you will face my sister, Amanda." Phil said.
"I don't know if I can compete with girls like Natalie Spooner." Juliet sighed.
"Juliet, you're already in the NHL when none of them are." Bozak said.
"That's true...oh well I will focus on that later. All that matters is this team right now."
"That's the spirit. Just try not to break your back again." Phil said.
"I don't even know why he did that." Juliet said referring to Chris Neil.
"He did it to make me pissed. Chris Neil is a dick, and I said it to his face and he didn't like it. He's a coward and will go after the smaller guys. I said to come and fight me and he refused."
"Of course he would. His ass is mine." Dion Phaneuf said. Phaneuf was captain and he was quiet but when he was needed he was the loudest person on the team.
"A couple games in and already guys hate me, lovely." She sighed. I patted her shoulders.
"Don't worry. If anyone tries to do that shit again, they are going to have a few dozen angry guys coming at them."
"Except me." Phil said and the whole table stared at him.
"I don't fight." he shrugged and we all laughed.
Dinner went well and we chatted one the way home. It was late and she rolled down the windows and began singing songs. I watched as she sang away and I laughed and she smiled at me as I pulled into the underground parking. We got out and went into the elevator up to my pad and were greeted by Clarabelle and Tidus.
"Hey guys." I said petting them both. it was about midnight and I had a glass of water before getting ready for bed. I brushed my teeth next to Juliet and she purposely kept hitting my elbow to make me get toothpaste all over my face. I sighed rolling my eyes and wiped my face when I was finished.
She followed me into my bedroom and I stared at her oddly.
"What are you doing?" I asked.
"Sleepover!" She laughed getting in bed next to me. I sighed and turned off the light and it was just me and her in the darkness.
"Remember we used to nap on the couch together back in highschool?" She asked.
"Yea." I sighed remembering those times.
"I haven't had a good sleep like that since. I got so used to having someone next to me that I couldn't sleep fully anymore."
"Really?" I asked.
"Of course. You're my best friend. You mean the world to me and I feel safe and comfortable next to you. Like I'm not Demon McDavid who is the only female in the NHL and plays on the Toronto Maple Leafs...Im just...Juliet."
"You're Juliet to me either way." I said sitting up and looking down at her. I leaned down and pressed my lips to her softly. Not a make out, just a kiss. She didn't pull away and after a good few minutes. I did.
"Your kiss was way better than Jonathan Toews." She laughed. I smiled and kissed her head.
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