Ice in My Veins (15 page)

My mind was a million miles away during the flight to Toronto. I replayed the entire visit with Alex in my head. At this moment I was the happiest girl in the world. I had everything I wanted.

Alex had given me cab money to get back to the Peats house. I was looking forward to seeing them. I missed them over the holidays.

I arrived a day before Moose did. He already knew about Alex and I going public. He had commented on my relationship status on facebook.

Over the holidays two players were traded. In return, we were getting a solid forward from Plymouth. I was just relieved that I wasn’t part of the trades.

Mrs. Peat ogled over my promise ring. She told me that she thought Alex and I would make a great couple. Moose ripped me bad about it. I had to hand it to him, he was great with the chirps.

Over the next few months I busted my butt. I was third in points on the team with 42 goals and 48 assists. I was really getting into the grove of it all. I was totally adsorbed in the hockey live style. Looks like we were heading to the playoffs, and my relationship with my teammates was stronger than ever.

Alex and I managed to maintain healthy communication. I felt confident in our relationship. I hadn’t heard anything to make me suspect he was anything but the perfect boyfriend.

I was looking forward to my first Playoffs. We faced Kingston in the first round. I knew we would take them. We just couldn’t go in overconfident because in Playoffs – anything can happen.

We were out of the playoffs in the second round. Belleville had knocked us off in five games. That was the end of the season for us.

Back in the beginning of March we had our team dinner, and I won fan favorite. To me it was a great honor. It made me feel accepted by all the fans. It was close between Joe and myself for OHL Rookie of the Year, but he got that one. I did get most improved player which made me happy. I was also mentioned as a consideration for CHL rookie of the year.

I was sad to say goodbye to my new family. I would miss them terribly. I now had a contract with Toronto, and was more confident in my future because of it. The Peats would be billeting me next season. Moose would be moving on to the ECHL. He was going to play for the South Carolina Stingrays. I was happy for him.

After our team party, I packed my things and sent them home. I didn’t accompany them. Instead I flew to Providence to stay with Alex. They still had games ahead of them. Their season always started later than the OHL. Alex was ecstatic that I was coming to stay with him. I wondered how it would affect our relationship.

It was weird sitting in the stands, game after game with the girlfriends and wives. Listening to them talk about the puck bunnies that were making their lives miserable. I did question them, if they had heard anything about Alex. They told me that he had been good. They had nothing bad to say. They did point out one girl in particular, who seemed to have her eye on him.

She noticed me looking at her and gave me the finger. Yup the middle finger! I gasped. Sarabella, Mike’s wife huffed when she saw what the girl had just done.

“Now there’s class for ya! And they wonder why everyone thinks they are trash.” She ranted.

I shook my head in disbelief. I had seen a lot on the road, but never once had I seen a puck bunny give a girlfriend the finger for no reason. I laughed in disbelief. She was some blonde, not a very attractive girl.

I turned back to Sarabella and whispered. “You know if you rearranged the letters in Love is Blind, you get Blonde is Evil.”

She busted a gut laughing. What made it more humorous is that her and I were both blondes. The others looked curious as to what we were laughing about.

Sarabella informed me that girl had a website dedicated to her hockey exploits. Guys she was targeting and her sexual fantasies for each of the players. She talked about guys she had slept with, but didn’t mention names. She would just describe them and the sex.

I couldn’t believe someone would be proud of things like that. Announce it to the world. People like that are obsessed and need some kind of therapy.

Then Megan pointed out there was another self proclaimed puck bunny who had a website. It was completely dedicated to hockey players and puck bunnies. She said the girl was not attractive, but boasted about how pretty she was. Then she would diss the puck bunnies in one breath and in the next stick up for them. She had this website, a twitter, Facebook, MySpace all dedicated to how she stalked hockey players and hockey rinks. She traveled around Canada and the United States just to hook up with hockey players. She declared herself hockey’s biggest fan and biggest hockey rink stalker. She probably knew more about them than the FBI or CIA.

I couldn’t understand how someone could be so consumed by what was happening in the world of hockey, that they would make it their life in that way. I suppose if you had no other talent other than being a professional stalker, and yearning for your 5 minutes of fame - then maybe that type of life would suit you fine.

I mean seriously, who wakes up one morning and says to themselves - today I have decided to devote my life to stalking hockey players and hockey rinks. Really! What kind of mental defect would you have to have to do that? I can understand young teens doing that, but adults? I’m not talking about devoted fans here. Not the fans that like to hit the road and cheer on the team and get right involved. I love those fans. We all love those fans. I’m talking about crazy people who would openly admit to the things the girls were telling me. As if this girl would announce she would be stalking a rink near you. Megan claimed that was a saying of hers. That to me, is just creepy. As creepy as the guy who stalked and wanted to kill me.

We all look up to celebrities, in a sense. We all have our heroes, our crushes, our mini fixations, but some people can take it a little too far.

I couldn’t see myself making my life about stalking Toby Chalke. That would be weird and psychotic. Just the thought was ridiculous. Delusional maybe, no that couldn’t cover that sort of thing. Schizophrenic maybe? Whatever it was, she certainly had some screws loose. That I was sure of.

I could just imagine my parents faces when they asked me what my goal in life was. Well Mom, father, I have decided to dedicate my life to stalking people. Oh, how proud they would be of me.

I burst out laughing loudly, absorbed in my thoughts about this professional stalker. The girls all looked at me. “I’m just processing what you told me about the professional stalker.”

“Seriously, she makes a living at it. She gets paid to promote things on her website.” Megan explained. “Just goes to show you, everyone can have their five minutes of fame, if they are willing to make a spectacle of themselves.”

“How can you justify that as a life?” I was laughing so hard I actually snorted which made me laugh harder.

“I am obsessed with hockey; I play it, but I have no clue what’s happening with anything that doesn’t concern me.” I couldn’t understand it. It was mind boggling.

The girls agreed with my thinking on the subject. There was something odd about Megan though. She was a little to enthusiastic about how she was talking about this professional stalker. There was just something unsettling about it. I liked Megan, but something about her seemed a little off.

Between periods Sarabella and I decided to walk around the rink and look at the souvenir stands. A little girl, about ten years old approached me with her camera.

“Are you Christine Matthews?” She asked meekly.

“Yes, I am.” I smiled warmly at her.

“Can I take a picture with you? You’re my hero.” she said shyly. She was adorable and completely touched my heart. No one had ever called me their hero before.

“Sure you can.” The girl handed me her camera and I turned to Sarabella. “Would you mind?” I asked, and handed her the girl’s camera. She snapped two pictures in case one didn’t turn out.

The girl asked if she could hug me and of course I said yes. Then I signed her jersey for her. She was wearing my number 16, and it was her team jersey. She told me she played hockey and one day wanted to be as good as me. I felt honored. I told the girl if she worked hard and never gave up, then she to could achieve her dreams.

“See that’s a life,” Sarabella reasoned. “You inspire young children and adults to follow their dreams.” She went on “What does the professional stalker do? Inspire crazy people to stalk for a living.”

I ignored her comment. I was over the subject now. Drama and me didn’t mix well.

“What a sweet little girl.” I was so touched. “See that’s what it’s all about, doing what you love and inspiring people.”

“I like you Christine, you are wise for your years,” she praised. “Alex is lucky to have you in his life.”

I smiled “Thanks Sarabella. I enjoy your company as well. I think you’re great.”

I decided I would mention my feelings about Megan to her. “Sar, what is your take on Megan?”

“She’s a little strange, I don’t trust her at all. She is a character. She has some issues, but she’s sometimes fun to hang out with. She’s dated quite a few players that I know of.” She informed me.

“Yeah, I got that feeling about her,” I said as we walked back to our seats to enjoy the rest of the game.

I told Alex about my encounter with the little girl after the game. He thought it was sweet.

If Providence lost their next game, they would be out of the playoffs also. He wanted me to fly to Sudbury with him for a week to meet his family. I agreed.

Surprises

When we arrived in Sudbury, Alex told me that his entire family was there. It was his parent’s 40th wedding anniversary, and his family from all across Canada had come. He admitted that he waited to tell me, so I couldn’t back out. God it was scary how well he knew me. I would have found a reason not to come.

His mother told him she had been concerned about him dating someone so young, that was until she met me. After meeting me she told him she approved. I didn’t see what the big deal with age was. I was seventeen and he had only just turned twenty. My parents were three years apart and they have a great marriage.

His family welcomed me with open arms. I didn’t realize that he came from money. He had never mentioned it. His family owned several businesses, and his father was a doctor. He had two older sisters and one older brother. Unlike me, he was the baby of the family. One of his sisters and his brother ran the family businesses. The other sister Sharon worked in a law office.

His sister, Maureen, the one who ran the family business; seemed to be the only family member who didn’t like me. She didn’t hide the fact either. I had overheard her telling her mother that she didn’t feel I was good enough for Alex. It made me a little uncomfortable. I didn’t say anything to Alex about what I had heard Maureen say, because I didn’t want to make waves.

The party went well. It was nice to meet his relatives. I found out lots about him and what kind of a trouble maker kid he had been. Some of the stories were hilarious. He was a little bad ass.

I suppose every one eventually grows up and matures. Well most people do. Alex’s mother liked the way he was now. Thinking more about the future instead of living in the moment as he usually did. She said it was because of his love for me. I wasn’t sure about that.

We stayed in Sudbury for the week. I wanted him to meet my family, as my boyfriend this time. Although at my parent’s house the rules would be much different. He would have to stay on the couch in the basement, and respect old fashion rules. He said he would have no issues with that. I was grateful he was so understanding.

Mom was excited to meet him again. Dad was guarded; although he liked Alex when he had met him in Michigan at the Saginaw game. He just didn’t want me dating at all. He thought I was too young to have a serious boyfriend. The only thing he was happy about, was that at least Alex was an athlete.

Alex was the perfect gentleman when we visited my parents. He never touched, caressed or kissed me inappropriately in front of my family. He even sat through dad’s ‘I played tight end for Michigan’ stories for two hours. He pretended to show an interest and even asked questions. After that of course my father was in love with him. It was hard for me to get my father to leave him alone. Poor Alex. He suffered a great deal to prove to me how much he did love me.

Dad was impressed with Alex’s old fashion sense of how he was handling our relationship with the promise ring. Of course my father was under the assumption that meant I was still a virgin. He thought Alex was waiting for our wedding day.

Mom on the other hand, was a little more perceptive. She could tell that I was not her little girl anymore. She hinted around the subject, but I conveniently was able to change it each time. Must have picked those diversion traits up from living with Moose for a year.

I told my parents that they had to accept the fact that I was an adult. Although I was not yet eighteen, I had always been more mature for my age. I reminded them that I had been living away from home for a year now and things had changed drastically for me in the area of independence. They would have to deal with it. They couldn’t really argue much with me about it. They knew it was true. I also never got into trouble and was working towards my goal.

I went with Alex up to Boston for training camp in the spring. When he wasn’t at camp we trained together daily. He was working really hard to prove he deserved a spot on the roster. I was proud of him.

Working with him and some of the other guys was beneficial to me as well. I was now a lot stronger and faster. I had picked up many new moves. I knew that this would be my year to prove myself. It would be my draft year.

The time was now for me. Hockey careers only last so long. Camp was open to everyone. I sat down near the bench so I could retain the information the training staff was giving to the players. I didn’t have to be out there on the ice with them to learn new things. Alex and I practiced together booking ice time at a local community rink.

Once his training camp was finished, he had a month off. I don’t come from money, so we never really took vacations. Alex was used to traveling all over. He wanted to take me on a nice vacation south.

I leaped into his arms when he told me that he was taking me to Aruba. I had always wanted to go there. This would be my dream vacation. I was so looking forward to it.

I went out and bought a cheap underwater camera so I could take pictures when we went snorkeling. I wanted to contribute something to the vacation so I offered up my $1200.00 in savings. He refused to accept any money from me. Alex was old fashioned in that sense. It was nice to be treated like a princess by him. I tried not to complain too much about it.

We left on vacation from Boston, which meant I didn’t have all the correct type of clothes. I told Alex I needed to hit the mall before we left.

“Who needs clothes in Aruba. Wear your birthday suit.” Alex teased.

This was partly true. All I needed was a bikini. I would want to spend all my time at the beach. I loved water. I had never been to the ocean. This was exciting for me.

The flight from Boston to Aruba was just under five hours. I thought it would have been longer than that. Alex had offered up the window seat so I could see everything. We had a seat just behind the left wing of the plane.

As we approached Aruba I nudged him to lean over me and look. We seemed to be flying in so low. We could see right through the crystal blue waters.

Alex laughed and pointed out the window. “Look a shark! Right there.” I rolled my eyes at him. I didn’t see it, but he swore there was one.

We could see the entire island. It was breathtaking. I thought we were heading in for a landing, but the plane turned and headed back out to sea. Then it banked a hard left. It felt and looked like the left wing tip, which, of course was the side of the plane we were on was about to touch the ocean swells. It wasn’t though, we weren’t that low, it just seemed that way.

Then the plane straighten up and headed back towards the island. It felt like we might only be about twenty feet above the water as we approached the landing strip. I could see everything and everyone on the beach we just flew over.

I wondered if the runway was long enough. It felt to me like maybe we might skid right off the other side of the island. It didn’t look that big from the air. Then the plane touched down.

It was a perfect landing and the flight attendant came on over the loud speaker.

“Thank you for flying Delta Airlines, and we welcome you to Aruba. Local time is currently 11:54 a.m. Please keep your seat belts fastened and carry on items stowed until the seat belt sign is turned off. Please have all your travel documents ready for passing through customs inspection. Cell phone usage is prohibited inside the customs and immigration area. Also a reminder that check in is three hours prior to departure for return flights to the United States. We hope you enjoy your stay in Aruba.”

We breezed through customs quickly. They didn’t even say much to us. Just asked us what we had brought into the country and things like that. I figured they would have an issue because I was only seventeen not considered an adult by law. Alex and I had that covered. He was twenty, acting as my guardian. He found that to be quite humorous. He kept telling me on the plane that I had to obey him, because he was the boss. I showed him fast who the boss was. He shut up about it after that.

In the cab on the way to the hotel we drove beside the ocean. It was breathtaking. The blue sky seemed to almost melt into the crystal blue water. The beaches were white sand and inviting. The island itself was only 42 miles. It was spectacular. Their historic looking town had designer stores! I couldn’t believe it when we passed a Gucci store.

I could see the cruise ships out in the bay. They looked humungous and there were so many of them. I always wanted to go on a cruise. At least now I could see the ships up close.

I tapped Alex on the shoulder. “Look at that cool looking tree, all bent over like that. Weird.”

The taxi driver commented “We call that tree Watapana or the Divi-divi tree. It’s our tree.” He continued “they are bent like that because of the trade winds.”

“Cool, they are very unique looking.” I said.

“Thank you.” He said as if he had a hand in the growing and designing of the tree. Alex snickered beside me. I hit him in the gut to shut him up.

“Ha ha, check that out Chrissy, we need to do that.” He said pointing up in the air to someone being towed behind a boat up in a parachute.

“Go ahead, you can try it.” I told him “I’ll supervise from the boat.”

“You’re no fun,” he pouted; “please?”

“We’ll see, maybe if you get me drunk enough.” I teased.

I couldn’t believe the hotel we were staying at. It was magnificent. It was the Westin Resort right on Palm Beach. I turned to Alex when we walked in “How are you affording all this?”

“I did get a signing bonus sweetie,” he pointed out. Holding my hand tighter.

“Yeah, but you shouldn’t spend the entire bonus on me.” I scolded.

“I didn’t Chrissy,” he chuckled. “I put all this on your credit card.” I had to laugh at that comment since I didn’t have one.

The hotel had nine restaurants to eat at, including one where you could eat right on the beach. He had booked us into a one bedroom ocean suite. It was the size of my parents house. Alright, maybe not, but it was huge.

I ran into the bedroom and jumped on the bed. He tipped the bellhop and ran into the room after me. I tackled him on the bed and actually ripped off his shirt.

I straddled him, and gave him the stink-eye “Now what were you saying on the plane about you being the boss?” I had him pinned down. “Looks like I am still the boss.”

“Kinky,” he laughed. He grabbed me and flipped me over onto my back. “But I don’t think so Love.” Needless to say we didn’t leave the room until morning.

In the morning during breakfast on our private balcony, he surprised me again giving me a present. It was a beautiful white gold chain and pendant of a hockey player. He said it was to bring me luck. As if he got me something else. Wasn’t Aruba enough?

“Are you trying to buy my love Alexander Reddrick?” I teased.

“But of course, I have to, I recall you telling me that you would never in a million years date a hockey player. I have to do something to get you to go out with me.” He teased.

“I would live with you in a hut in the middle of nowhere. As long as you and I could be together.” I kissed him. “I love my necklace Alex, I’ll wear it all the time.”

During our week in Aruba there was no limit to what he got me to try. Snorkeling, para-sailing, we skydived, I about lost my mind on that one. I screamed the entire jump. It was like I was living a fairy tale with my very own prince charming.

I didn’t want to leave. He had to get back to Boston for another camp. I had to prepare myself for my camp also. For us, our dreams were now at our finger tips. Together, we were unstoppable.