The Puck Drops

Chapter 8 - Jackson

"It was a great way to come back home and win the game that way."

I had one of the best games of my life. I didn't get a goal, but I was able to put some points under my name. We beat the Binghamton Devils by one goal. It was a tough game because they are projected to be one of the best teams in the league this year. Many of the members are young and have worked together for a few years. Our team doesn't have a lot of new people this year and it does have a lot of veterans returning. I got banged up into the boards a little, by one of their new players that was trying to prove himself to his teammates that he can take on big players.

"That was the most intense opening game I have seen here in a while."

"My blood is still rushing, and I can still feel my heartbeat."

She smiled and it brought a smile to me too. I was glad we still had something in common after so many years. I didn't know what to expect with Kenna when coming home because we talked but it wasn't the same as being with the person every day or almost every day like we were doing. By having this great first game and Kenna being there I know she is my good luck charm.

"Did you hear my gasp when you got checked into the board in front of me?"

I gave a little chuckle I heard something, but people always made an "oooo" sound when someone got hit hard. I hadn't even really noticed that the check took place in front of her.

"Yes, but I didn't know it was you. I always hate getting checked but it is part of the game and I made sure to give it back to him hard when I got back onto the ice with him."

"I did see that I was surprised that a fight didn't start because of that hit."

"Well he wanted to play in the big leagues you have to be able to handle the big leagues. I knew he was trying to get a fight going because then I would get nailed with a larger penalty and they could have gotten that goal that could have won them the game."

"Does it feel strange to be playing in our hometown again?"

"Yea it does feel a little weird to be back here."

"This game was strange to be able to sit in the stands and know someone out on the ice brought me back to high school when I would go and watch you play. Of course, the stakes weren't as high as going towards the Calder Cup. No pressure but this needs to be the year that we win."

"Geeze thanks no pressure."

I knew she was just busting on me because she knew how to get under my skin, but she was right, Syracuse was due to win the cup and I was hoping I could be on the team to help bring the cup home. Everyone in the city was waiting for the cup to come back to the barn but it was always in reach but taken away.

"It has been awhile since we have gotten the cup back here. Even when I was on other teams, I always wanted Syracuse to secretly win even though I wanted to win on my own too."

"Sounds like you had a lot of conflicts going on back then. Now it seems everything has worked out."

"The only thing I have to worry about now is that my best friend is wearing another guys jersey to my games. I never let that happen back in high school."

I gave her a look to try and act like I was being serious. I did see her wearing Andy's jersey and I would have been a little jealous if I didn't know that my jersey wasn't available for sale yet and she doesn't have the extra money to really buy it.

"Well not all of us make the money you do to be able to afford new jerseys every time a good player comes in the picture. I can make you this promise before the end of the season I will have your jersey. You can't be mad because I just don't have a random player jersey, I have one of the top scorers in the division."

"I know but it still isn't my name on the back of you."

After I said that I regretted it a little because it made me sound jealous and I didn't want her to think that. She did give me a little look when I said that, but I let it go and act like it wasn't a big deal. We continued out of the arena and I had an uber waiting for me to bring me back to my apartment it was one of the perks of being on the team. That one of the girls would get am uber for anyone who needed one. I knew she had a little walk to go until she made it to her works parking lot to go home and I really didn't want her walking along in the dark.

"Why don't you come back to my place tonight? We can have one of our sleepovers like we did after my high school games. I know you don't work tomorrow than we can pick your car up tomorrow morning."

I could see that she was thinking about it. I was hoping that she would take me up on my offer because I didn't like her being in that part of town. I know she couldn't get a place out of that area yet, but I was hoping that I could find ways to keep her out of it. If it would be having her stay at my place than I would do it.

"You know what that does sound like a good deal. Plus, I don't have the energy to go all the way to my apartment tonight. That game was intense, and it feels like I was in the game."

"You should have been playing in it. You will really be drained. My uber is this way we can catch a ride back to my place."

We made our way to the car that was parked on the side of the road. I opened the door and let Kenna slide into the back seat. Once she was in, I got in and shut the door. The driver gave us a hi and then started driving towards my place.

"Well this is different than the high school games. It was usually you driving home from the game, with your smelly gear in the back seat. I would have to beg you sometimes to want to hang out. "

"I guess I have done an upgrade since then."

She just shook her head and then looked out the window. We were quiet the rest of the way to my place. It wasn't an awkward silence it was a peaceful silence that I didn't have to worry about like I usually would. The drive was a little long but the traffic all leaving the arena. Would make it that sometimes it could take 10 minutes to get a couple blocks. It was one of the reasons why I was glad that I didn't have to drive through this traffic. We finally made it to the front of the apartment building. I knew that Greg would probably be home in his room studying. Mike would be at his bartending job or at least that is where he should be. I hadn't seen much of Mike because when I would get home from practice he would be leaving or already had left. With him being gone most nights it was an opportunity for Greg and myself to become closer. It was nice getting to know my younger brother, I thought I knew him, but it turns out there was still things I needed to learn about him. I opened the door to the car and we both got out and made our way to the building. I held the door open as she walked into the lobby. She was the first one to make it to the elevator and push the button to call the machine down to us.