Home Ice (17 page)

“You have smelled like strawberries from the first moment I saw you and now they’re gone.” Her strawberry scent was just a memory and now she smelled like his soap. He didn’t know which he liked better.

“Oh.” She was surprised he noticed. “It’s the shampoo I use.”

“Mmm. I miss it.”

“Now I smell like you.” She cuddled close to him in the closet surrounded by his clothes.

“There’s someplace I’d like to show you.”

“Are we going out on the patio again?” she asked, remembering the last time he told her he had something to show her.

“No. Somewhere different this time.”

After her clothes were dry and they were both dressed, Ben drove them out of town and up past August Lake to the park on the hill overlooking the dam.

Ben took each turn of the winding road with ease. He loved to drive fast and pushed his car to the edge, but she still felt safe and secure with him. He was always in control, but not in a controlling kind of way.

Once they arrived at the vista point and were out of the car, Ally looked around in awe. The lake was beautiful in the distance surrounded by Manzanita trees with their red bark and twisting branches and White Fir trees rooted in the red clay.

Ben stood behind her, watching her blonde hair flutter in the breeze.

“Wow. I haven’t been up here since I was a kid.”

“I come up here every chance I get. Usually on the day after a game so I can think about what went wrong. You really haven‘t been here since you were a kid?”

“Yeah. It’s a shame. I kind of forgot it was here. Izzy isn’t much of an outdoorsy type and it‘s too much of a drive for Gram. When I was little, my Gramps would take me out on his fishing boat and we would spend the day on the lake. It was fun even when we didn’t catch anything because it was so beautiful out here.”

“What happened to your parents, Ally? I know Gram raised you by herself after your Grandpa died, but where were your parents?”

“They died in a car accident when I was little.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Me too. I don’t remember them because I was only three. My Grandparents were watching me for the weekend while my parents went to Reno for their five year wedding anniversary. It was dark and they lost control of the car on the way there.”

They stood looking out at the lake in silence together. It was Ally who finally spoke first. “We’ve suffered a lot of loss, me and you.”

“Yeah,” he tightened his arm around her, “but look at how much we’ve gained along the way.”

She smiled at him because he was right. “I’m grateful. This is your special place and you’re sharing it with me.”

He circled his arms around her waist and pulled her back to his chest. “Now it’s our special place.”

“It’s perfect.”

He sighed. “I’d better take you back to my place to get your car so you can get back home to Gram.”

She smiled at his thoughtfulness. “Thank you. I wish this weekend didn’t have to end, but it’s time to get back to reality, I guess.”

“We can have weekends like this all the time after the season ends. We’ll have all summer to spend together and you’ll probably get sick of me.”

“Ah, that is too good to be true. And I could never get sick of you. Especially not after last night. Thank you.”

“For what?” he asked, resting his chin on her shoulder.

“For bringing me here. And sharing everything with me. Your life and yourself. I can’t remember the last time I was this happy.”

“I love you, Ally.”

When his words came from behind her, she turned to face him. Flecks of gold glistened in his brown eyes. “I love you, too, Benjamin Price.”

Then he kissed her while they stood on top of the world.

Chapter Eleven

Make or Break

It was game day in Red Valley. The town was abuzz with pre-game wagers and speculation. For a team riddled with injuries, the Razors were trying their damndest to claw their way into the playoffs. In order for them to make it to the playoffs, for a chance to win the coveted Gordie Prince Cup, they had to win tonight’s game. A lot was at stake tonight at the NorCal Center. Including the futures of the players and even the careers of the staff and coaches. If tonight’s game wasn’t won, fingers would be pointed and someone would have to take the blame. It just might cost someone their job.

That morning after Ben woke up, he went through the motions of his pre-game routine. He had his game day breakfast of cereal, toast and a banana. He grabbed a protein shake for the road and drove to the rink where he had a video session with the coaches, a thirty minute morning skate, which was a good way to get the players’ legs moving when they were stiff and tired, and then a shower. Then he went out for a bite to eat with the guys followed by his customary two hour nap. After that, he got up and dressed in a suit and tie and hit the drive-thru for coffee.

He had one more stop to make before going to the NorCal Center.

Good. She’s home.

Ally’s car was in the driveway and Izzy’s roadster was parked on the street. The gang was all there.

After he knocked, Izzy answered the front door.

“Well, if it isn’t Mr. GQ standing on our doorstep.” Izzy purred, fingering Ben’s Armani tie.

“Hi Izzy. I just came by to wish Gram a happy birthday before I head off to the game.”

“Come on in, handsome,” she motioned him inside. “I’ll tell Ally you’re here.”

A minute later, Ally came down the hall and found Ben studying the framed portraits on the mantle. Most were photos of Izzy and Ally together and the rest were of Gram and the girls and Ally’s old school photos.

“Oh good, Ben, it’s you.” Stopping mid-step, Ally ogled his debonair appearance. She was still caught of guard when she saw him dressed up before a game. The suit and tie was in contrast to his usual casual jeans and tee shirt or padded uniform, but he always managed to look handsome in either one. He could have made polyester look good if he wanted to.

Ben took her in his arms in a bear hug. “Are you going to be able to make it to the game tonight?”

She looked up at him, her eyes holding her apology. “I’m so sorry, buy I’m not going to make it.”

“That’s okay. I totally understand.”

Reluctantly, she pulled away from him. She looked tired. And drained. “Gram’s not feeling well.”

“How is she doing?” his eyes softened with concern. “Is everything all right?”

Ally lowered her voice as not to be heard by Gram in the other room. “She’s not doing very well at all, Ben. She’s getting weaker and her spirits are down.” Ally’s shoulders slumped. The weight of the world was on them.

Ben put his arm around her protectively. “What can I do? Do you need help taking her to the hospital? I still have some time before I have to be at the rink.”

“She won’t go. She says the doctors will just poke and prod at her and she wants to be left alone.” Ally shook her head as if to get rid of the thought of Gram in the hospital again. “What do you have there?” She was glad for the diversion and pointed to the gift bag Ben was holding.

“I come bearing gifts.” He thrust the bag at her that was as big as his grin.

“You can bare your gifts here anytime,” Izzy proclaimed from inside the kitchen.

“Jeez, Iz! Give us a minute, will ya?” Ally shooed Izzy out of earshot and into the other room.

Ben had asked Cody’s wife Laina to help him pick out a birthday gift for Gram. They had decided on a luxurious cashmere sweater he knew she would love and a new jigsaw puzzle to add to her collection.

“Oh, Ben, that’s so thoughtful of you. And on game day, too. I know you have other things on your mind besides us.”

He shrugged. “I can still manage to set aside some time for my girls.”

What on earth had she done to deserve a man like Ben?

She looked at the puzzle in the gift bag. It was a serene landscape featuring a lighthouse sitting on a wind-blown cliff. “Oooh, pretty. We don’t have this one.”

“Oh, good. I wasn’t sure. She has so many.”

“It’s perfect. I still can’t believe you stopped by on your way to the biggest game of the season.”

“And I can’t believe you still don’t understand how important you are to me.”

“Thank you for everything.”

“Are you sure you don’t need help with Gram?”

“I’m sure. We’ll just stick it out here and see if she feels better in the morning. You’d better get going. I don’t want you to be late to your important game because of us.”

“Fine. I’ll go. It’s obvious you want to get rid of me,” he sulked playfully.

“I love you,” she said seriously. “Good luck tonight. And be careful,” she added like a mother hen.

She gave him a peck on the lips, but that wasn’t enough for him. Yeah, it was his most important game of the year, but he wasn‘t leaving without doing one thing. He grabbed her hand and pulled her to him. He put his arms around her waist, pulled her close and kissed her long and hard.

“Now, that’s better,” he said satisfied.

“Come back to me in one piece. Leave the fights to Dom,” she outpoured her concern for his safety. Whenever she saw him take a hit on the ice, her heart stopped until she saw him get back up again. “We’ll be watching you on TV.”

“I love you and I’ll see you tomorrow. I can stop by after I get up in the morning.”

“Okay. I love you, too.
Be careful
,” she emphasized the last two words.

After Ben left, Ally went into the kitchen to make Gram some tea. Tea would make everything better. Meanwhile, Izzy flipped around the TV channels and found where the game would be broadcasted before announcing, “We’ve got ten minutes before the game starts.”

“Okay. I’ll be in there in a minute.” Ally dunked a tea bag into Gram’s favorite mug.

“I’ll be right back. I have to pee,” Izzy yelled and went down the hall.

Ally ignored her and stirred a squirt of honey into the tea.

A minute later Izzy cried out from down the hall and Ally dropped the spoon on the counter. “Ally come quick! Something is wrong with Gram!”

* * *

Ben pulled his truck into the arena players’ parking garage and parked in the same spot that he always did. He wasn’t overly superstitious like some of his teammates, but he liked a nice, solid routine. It helped him stay focused and make it easier to get into the zone. He went through the doors of the player’s entrance and strode down the red and white painted hallway in the direction of the players lounge and locker room. He passed under the motivational saying printed above the doorway in bold white letters.

TEAM, UNITY, DISCIPLINE, VICTORY.

Going into the lounge, he said hello to some of the guys in the players’ lounge and then went into the players’ personal locker room to change out of his suit before going into the actual team locker room. The personal locker room was where the guys kept their personal belongings such as their wallets, keys and cell phones. No reporters allowed.

After changing, Ben went into the team locker room to organize his equipment. Checking over his skates, he inspected the blades and laces. Next, he put on his gear which included an array of safety gear. Protective gloves, shin guards, elbow pads, shoulder pads, pants, padded shorts and helmet. Then, he taped his sticks as the other guys heckled each other.

The players sat at their respective stalls around the locker room. Some went through the motions of their pre-game rituals and others quietly battled invisible butterflies in their stomachs. Everyone had their own rituals before games but no one talked about what they were. It was sort of an unspoken code among players. They were a band of brothers preparing for war out on the ice. Superstitions were just a normal part of the sport.

Defenseman Patrik Levine was in charge of the locker room music and had chosen AC/DC’s
Highway to Hell
. The song seemed oddly fitting for the occasion. Thinking about their competition, an uneasy feeling sat in Ben’s gut.

Ben wasn’t the only one who was uneasy. The entire team was nervous with anticipation and couldn’t wait to take to the ice to battle it out with one of their fiercest rivals the Las Vegas Greenbacks. The Greenbacks were the envy of the UNHL. Putting aside their skill and fierceness on the ice, who wouldn’t want to live in Las Vegas and play hockey for a living?

“Is Ally coming tonight?” Cody asked Ben.

“No. Her grandma isn’t feeling well.”

“That’s too bad, Benny.”

“Hey,” Patrik Levine said from the next stall over from Cody. “Remember when Laina first came to a game to see you play? You were puking your guts out, you were so nervous.”

“Hey, I had a bad burrito!” Cody threw a roll of tape at Patrik and laced up his skates.

Ben smiled at the memory and looked up from his sticks in time to see his agent, Jerrold King walking towards him. Jerrold had played in both the UNHL and the minors, so Ben could easily relate to him. It was a plus working with a former player as his agent. Ben had worked with Jerrold for several years and he liked the personal attention he received with him.

Not unlike the stereotype, Jerrold looked and acted like someone out of the movie
Jerry McGuire
. He was arrogant and blunt at times, but he had taken good care of Ben over the years. Jerrold was tentative to Ben and he knew he had his best interests in mind. And that mattered the most when it came to having an agent.

Today, Jerrold was impeccably dressed from his expensive silk tie to his designer Italian shoes. Jerrold King, sports agent with wardrobe flair.

“Jerrold. It’s good to see you.” Ben stood up to shake his hand.

“I just wanted to come in and wish you luck before the game starts.”

“Thanks.”

“Do you need anything before I head on up to the box?”

“Nah, I’m good. Thanks for coming.”

“It’s my pleasure, Ben. Good luck out there.”

Jerrold left the locker room and Ben finished up a few pre-game interviews. Interviews weren’t his favorite thing in the world, but they were necessary. The reporters usually asked a lot of repetitive questions and it got old sometimes. They always probed for information he couldn’t give. Well, maybe if he had a crystal ball, he could tell them what they wanted to hear.

* * *

The NorCal Center was packed with dedicated fans cheering their team on in one last hurrah. Their screams brought the building to life and it pulsed with their excitement. After the players skated onto the rink, it looked like Christmas on ice. Red and green jerseys whizzed by each other in true holiday colors even though it was only mid-March.

Even though the Razors had the home ice advantage, the Greenbacks dominated early in the game. They had strong players who had no problem driving the puck deep into the Razors’ zone. By the end of first period, the Greenbacks had a 2-1 lead. Cody Lambert, the team’s soft spoken leader had scored and finally put the Razors on the scoreboard.

The ice was fresh and smooth after a once over by the Zamboni in between periods. When Ben took to the ice after the first intermission he was determined to help his team take the lead. He wasn’t about to have his ass handed to him by this cocky, young team from the desert.

At the face-off circle, J.D. Mason swatted his stick for control of the puck. He won the face-off for the Razors and took off towards the goal at the other end of the rink. A Las Vegas defenseman thought otherwise and slammed J.D. against the glass, but not before J.D. quickly passed the puck to Ben. The Vegas goaltender swiveled back and forth in front of the net trying to create a human barrier.

Ben blocked out all noise, except for the sound of his own breathing and the sound of his skate blades slicing through the ice. He focused on the puck and where his teammates were on the ice around him. Then, using a maneuver he had practiced hundreds of times, he swerved around an opposing player and smacked the puck through another players skates and into the goal.

Cheers erupted from the crowd and he raised his arms and pumped his fists into the air before joining his teammates in a group hug. All of his teammates on the bench stood up and Ben skated by them to high-five their outstretched gloves.

Ben was ecstatic from scoring the tying goal. Now, if only their luck would hold out into the third period.

After the face-off, Las Vegas regained control of the puck. Like a bullet, the Greenback’s powerhouse, Aleksi Nikkola broke away and took off towards Sebby, the Razors goaltender. Dom spun around in the direction of the puck. He wasn’t far behind Nikkola, vying for the opportunity to clear the puck out of their zone. Nikkola raced passed the center line and pulled the trigger, shooting the puck a hundred miles per hour at Sebby. Sebby squared himself against Nikkola and splayed his body out to block the incoming puck. Somehow, the puck zipped through and found its way between Sebby’s legs and into the net. Boos echoed in the building as the Greenbacks celebrated their goal.