Thin Ice

chapter four

Practice that afternoon passes free of any instances. Though the drills we did lived up to the title of Hell Week- the core and cardio work had half of us sprawled on the floor and the other half standing on shaky legs-, that was down to the workout itself. Tristan and I mostly avoided each other, almost as if we were dogs shocked one two many times by an electric fence who decided to move carefully when in proximity with one another.

Still, leaving the building after practice ends is a relief. For the first time since Tristan transferred and we met— more so collided, like a pair of dueling wolves— I left practice feeling relaxed. Content.

"You're in a good mood," Hunter comments. I'm practically bouncing at his side, kicking a decent sized rock as I do. Hoping to draw him into my playful mood, I nudge the rock into his path. With an eye roll to accompany the movement, he knocks it back toward me, and I laugh.

"Of course I am. Practice was good. Hard, but really good." This time, I send the rock flying forward almost ten feet, keeping an eye on it as we walk leisurely across the parking lot toward Hunter's car. "Something about workouts like that really make me feel like an athlete, you know?" I grin up at him as he turns his head and glances down at me. "Like, we got better today. Tomorrow we'll be that much stronger, that much faster, that much more skilled."

Even the thought of the improvement we made collectively as a team makes my heart race. I'm practicing buzzing with excitement. Because of travel hockey, we know and are on varying terms with players at different schools, and our rivals, the Lincolnwood Lynxes, are especially determined to beat us this year.

But, despite our continued success over the past few seasons, we aren't going to roll over and expect victory. As seen today, my team is ready to put in the work.

I practically wriggle with excitement. If my legs weren't so shaky, I'd suggest going on a run out of adrenalin alone.

However, I would regret doing so immediately, and Hunter would force me in some way or another to follow through.

Now, he just looks at me. A partial smile tugs at his lips. At first, he doesn't say anything, and I encourage his response by asking, "What?"

Hunter shakes his head and turns his face away as he digs through his bag for his keys. "Nothing." After finding them, he meets my gaze again. "I know what you mean."

I beam up at him. "I know." Punching his bicep lightly, I break away from him to get to the passenger side of the car. "That's because you're just as crazy as me."

He shakes his head. "No, it's because we're both highly competitive athletes."

Laughing, I drop my bags into the backseat and slip into the passenger seat. "I know, but its funnier to think we're just crazy."

"You are crazy," Hunter scoffs. "Don't include me in it though."

A smirk spread across my face. "If you didn't want to get roped in with me and my crazy then you would have dropped me a long time ago."

"There's still time," he mutters. Putting the car in reverse, he rests his hand on the back of my seat and turns, looking out the rear window as he backs up the car. "Don't tempt me."

This time, I'm the one rolling my eyes. "Oh please Hunter, you would be lost without me. Who would accompany you on your long car rides each day without my sparkling personality to brighten the mood?"

The car stops. His head turns toward me, and he stares with a deadpan expression.

I grin extra hard at him.