the problem with tyler

i.

I was well aware that tyler was going to be at the ice rink, but I didn't know he was going to be playing with the usual teenage boys. he was playfully skating around, acting like he was just as bad as them. he would make horrible passes and shoot completely wide of the net, than get angry when it went a few feet wide. I chuckled to myself as I headed into the locker room, my skates in my hands.

I slid my foot into my skate, slowly tying it to make sure it wasn't too tight or too loose. I didn't want to look like a fool in front of the usual douche guys I played with, but I especially didn't want tyler to think I was bad.

I knew I was never going to get the opportunity to play alongside the men that I watched skate across the ice everyday in the NHL. I knew tyler, so it was different. he was the one who got me into the beautiful sport of hockey at such a young age. I had rarely played, but I took every opportunity I could get. I hadn't seen Tyler since he had been drafted to the Bruins in 2011; it was now 2015. he had gotten taller; his facial hair surrounded his sculptured jaw, but his cheeky smiled remained the same.

I walked out of the locker room, slightly stepping onto the ice. my skates laced, and my hair slightly falling out of the hair tye I'd put it in. the boys all stared at me, throwing insults my way. I turned my attention toward tyler. he was leaned up against the boards, laughing as I put my helmet on my head. a grin began to appear on my face. "what're you doing here, Carson?" one of the older boys said, making a quick stop, causing ice to spray into my face. I could see a hint of a smirk on his face. I stuck my tongue out and skated around him.

"who's ready to play some hockey?" my voice echoed across the rink as I picked a stick up off the bench. I could see tyler closely watching over me as I skated around. since tyler had been the most built out of all of us playing he had been forced into the position of defense. kegan and Jackson had decided they were going to be captains and I knew I was going to be picked last. tyler was one of the first picked, and he was placed on Kegans team. "I pick Duncan." Kegan had said, laughing as he looked over at me, Jackson groaned as he pointed toward me, "Carson my team."

I could hear the grunts and groans throughout the team as I skated in the direction of them. "Carson, you better play good or I swear." Jackson whispered into my ear, roughly grabbing my jersey by the neck. "or what Jackson?" I said pushing him away, slapping my stick against the ice. our team consisted of a bunch of try hards, who thought they were tough shit. Jackson had called us over to the bench we were going to be using. he began going on about the offensive lines and who was going to be subbing for who. "Carson, you're going to be on line one." I looked up astonished. "you want to prove yourself, this is your chance." he reached over the bench grabbing the green Gatorade bottle sitting in the rack. I watched closely as he squirted the water into his mouth, as the rest of the team skated around the ice.

our goalie stretched next to the net, his legs spread far apart into a split. I idolized goalies for their unbelievable strength. they were an extremely valuable player to a team; if they were good. nate Ryan would be the goalie in net for us. I let out a sigh of relief when I saw who the other team had chosen. they picked Henry knott and between talk, it was said he wasn't as good as nate. "get into position boys!"

I jumped over the bench placing myself next to the opposing teams left wing. I looked over to the right of him so see tyler slightly over. he was completely focused on the puck, which was held in the hands of our make do referee. I tightened my grip on the stick and shifted myself into position to go after the puck.

the whistle was blown and everything became tuned out. kegan had won the face off giving the puck over to the right wing of his team. my feet quickened under me and the sounds of ice crushing became louder as I saw tyler racing up next to me. (yes, he's out of postion. boo hoo) I picked up speed and shoulder checked the right wing with the puck into the board. I heard him moan as he realized it was me.

tyler had pinned me to the boards, his hips a couple of inches away from my back. I felt his glove reach my lower back, pulling slightly on my jersey. "so, why are you here, Carson?" his husky voice whispered into my ear as we fought for control of the puck against the boards. I managed to control the slight grin that was rapidly growing on my face. sharply, I turned my stick and edged the puck out of Tyler's grasp and skated around the net.

Jackson was smiling as he realized I'd made it out of the collision with the puck at the of my stick, I passed him the puck, and began skating up the ice alongside him. kegan was shaking his head in disbelief, yelling at tyler and the right wing. Jackson and me looked at each other, laughing as he passed the puck back to me.

I'd reached kegan's teams end when I wound up for a slap shot. "Carson, move!" I heard one of the boys yell, as my stick met the puck sharply. a large shove was given to me as my feet gave in under me. I felt a large hand grasp my forearm as my face was only inches away from the ice. "you okay?" there was a slight chuckle to the voice and I knew immediately it was tyler.

I pushed his hand away, giving him a glare. "did I get the goal?" I groaned, bending over to pick up my fallen stick. I heard tyler laughing, and swung around to see tyler still standing there. "just like I remember. always determined to get that goal." tyler was leaning on his stick, his chin resting on the handle.

I glared at him, sticking my tongue out. "is that the way I'm going to be greated after four years, Carseat?" tyler said, a smirk appearing on his face as mine began to blush a bright Crimson. Carseat had been my nickname, given to me by tyler, since I wasn't allowed to sit in a normal seat until I was 10. tyler skated closer to me, his arms stretched out. "can I get a hug?" a slight smile cascaded across my face as I opened my arms in return.