23. Game Time-Part Two

Game Time-Part Two

Macie

A fter our eventful walk to the rink, the team of course in full swing, pumped for a game as usual, except this time they get to watch.

Bree attached to one arm and Keri attached to the other as we walk into the rink, finally breaking apart due to the crowded lobby. People waiting in lines with their tickets, or the food concession stands. It's loud, the game atmosphere is starting to creep its way in. But this is no game at home. This is the big leagues, it's four times the amount of people, tv crews to show live feeds, it's wild and a dream come true for them.

Making our way through the side entrance, the way I was told to go by Coach Josh, having a little special treatment. I take everyone to the section we are to sit in before I tell them I'll be back, so I can go mess with Jax for a minute; Hey, he told me to. I'm only being a good girl.

The noise fades but still hums around me as I go into the back hallway and when I round the corner, I see Jax sitting on a bench with his elbows to his knees holding his head in his hands. It makes me pause for a moment, waiting and watching to see if maybe he's doing some pre-game prayer I don't know about, or mantra, I don't know so I just wait.

But he does nothing, so I make my way to him and squat in front of him, dropping my ass to my heels, my knees to my chest.

"Jax" I say his name softly and he looks up, meeting my gaze on him with a smile .

"You okay?"

He nods, "Yeah, just thinking."

I can see the worry in his eyes, I understand, this is a big deal, and he just started playing with this team, "Remember what I told you this morning Jax."

He nods, feeling that quiet, almost a coldness my brother also feeds off him. So, I give it my best shot, in hopes he will get his head right. This isn't Jax, he's normally pumped, headphones on vibing, feeling this energy, but right now, I know he's not, and in this moment, sex isn't going to do a damn thing for him.

Taking his hands in mine, "Jax, I've watched you play since I can remember, and you've carried the team at home through high school and college, leading them to victory every time. You can do it now."

He leans back as he pulls me into his lap and I straddle him, hooking my arms around his neck as I look into those bright greens, "Thank you, Angel. You're always here for me."

"And you're always here for me." I kiss his cheek before I tuck my head in the crease of his neck as he holds me straddling his lap, leaning back against the wall.

I say one more thing to him, knowing this will light a fire under his ass. He hated when he was beat on home ice, it fuels his energy, "This is your home ice now Jax, protect it."

He squeezes me tighter before he pulls my head from his shoulder, "You're right, this is our home."

I smile and nod before our lips meet instantly, like honey drawing a bee in. And when his tongue sweeps across mine just so soft and perfect, I feel like I'm the Queen in the honey hive.

He makes me feel everything with his touch, how he kisses me with meaning every time. It's not a kiss just to kiss. He tells me his story in his kiss, his story of loving me. And I embrace every damn minute of this moment with him.

He pulls his lips from mine, before I smile, "Now, go play some damn hockey, so you can see me in that dress."

He chuckles lifting a brow, "I can't fucking wait."

The locker room door flies open, Sully walking out looking over at us, then sits on the bench next to Jax, and I stay where I am.

"Would I sound like a pussy if I said I was a bit nervous?" Sully says playfully and I giggle; fucking Sully.

"No, someone once told me, it's good to be nervous." I shoot Jax a hard stare out of the corner of my eye and he smiles, catching onto that. That's what he told me last night.

"Yeah, you're right about that." Sully chuckles.

I slide from Jax's lap, stepping between them, before I give them both a good punch in the chest at the same time, "Now get your shit together."

"Have a good game." They both laugh as I turn and start to walk away, before I feel an arm wrap around my stomach, pulling me back. Jax starts planting playful kisses up my neck, tickling the shit out of me, causing me to laugh and curl into his arm.

"See, you guys are fine." I giggle out before Jax turns me, facing him and he cups my cheek, trailing the pad of his thumb across my cheek. My lips twist, getting a horrible idea in my head, but whatever.

I reach under my dress, Jax cocking his brow as his eyes drop to see what I am doing, and I wiggle my thong down, stepping out of it.

"Since this worked last time." I whisper, and put my panties in his hand, looking up with my seductive look.

He claims my lips, still telling me that story but harder, giving me that hungry kiss of his darkened desires, as he drags my bottom lip through his teeth, pulling back, "You are in so much trouble tonight."

I hum my smile, shooting him a wink, "I can't fucking wait."

He growls, tilting his head to the side, knowing my words to him have brought him out of his self-doubting slumber and back to himself.

I nod to the door that Coach Josh is now standing at looking at Jax, "Coach is behind you, don't let this pussy get you into trouble."

"Too fucking late."

I snort and he presses a quick kiss to my lips, "Enjoy the game, Angel."

I nod, "Love you Jax."

The smile on his face tells me how much those words coming from my mouth mean to him, "Love you too Angel."

He turns and walks into the locker room, and Josh gives me a nod, a nod I have received from Coaches, my father, Paul, my whole life.

The nod, of; it's game time. I return it with my smile, and he disappears.

As I make my way back to the stands, emotions surface inside me causing tears to begin pooling in my eyes, not because I'm sad, but, because I'm happy. For once in a long time I feel so at peace, and in a way, I don't know how, but I feel my dad here.

Blinking my eyes, taming the tears from fucking up my make-up, I get back out to the private section.

"You alright girl?" I meet Dax's gaze on me, and I nod, "Yeah."

He wraps his arm around my shoulders, leaning down as he whispers in my ear, "Don't worry about Jax. When he steps on that ice he's a totally different person."

Dax, was close with Jax, still is, and I think he knows probably by reading my face, Jax is nervous, "I know, Dax. "

The crowd begins to cheer as the lights go down and the guys start stepping out onto the ice, getting a little skate around and warm up. The ice is perfectly cleaned, shining brightly from the lights beating down on it.

The guys stand on the line, the crowd going wild as each of the first-string players get introduced. It fuels the energy they need, knowing they are on home ice. The crowd here for THEM; Like I said, it is an honor to be playing in these games, and they are intense.

The guys behind me as loud as they can be, Keri, Bree, beside me sharing this moment with me. Thank god, I have my girls to hang out with or I would be doing this with the team, and Paul, and my mother.

Taking a second to absorb this in, as I watch them all cheer, before I hear Jax's name being called. I look out at him on the ice, jumping and cheering as loud as I can.

Finishing the announcement of players of both teams, the energy still filling the rink, everyone getting antsy ready for the game to begin. Jax skates up to the glass in front of us and meets my gaze as he chews on his mouth guard, I give him a nod before I make a heart with my hands.

He blows me a kiss and I giggle, before I see him look up at Paul. Knowing what Paul being here means to him, his father and his coach. Before he's gone, skating off to center ice for the puck drop.

I look over at my brother, watching him scuff up the ice, like he always does. I step up to the glass, getting anxious, unable to sit down. Brayden steps beside me and Dax steps on the other side of me.

Jax faces off with Springfield, the team they are playing tonight, Sully off to his left, Wes off to his right, your forwards, and Tyler and Damon behind him as your defenseman.

It's almost like it's slow motion, but it's not. The puck drops and Jax's stick is on the puck, slapping it straight to Sully on his left. Wes works his way up the ice, and I haven't gotten to see much of how they work with the team, but it's a perfect play.

Sully sends the puck to Wes, Springfield just missing it, before Wes takes it in front of Jax, psyching Springfield, Wes let's the puck slide between his legs, and Jax takes it from him, sending the puck to Sully who is wide open by Springfield's net.

Sully with one connection of his stick to the puck, he sends the puck straight into the net!

"WHOA YES!"

Keri and Bree wrap their arms around me as we jump up and down with our scream of our cheers. Dax and Brayden are up on the glass, hanging from it, screaming at the top of their lungs. The roar of the crowd and vibration in my feet from the celebration as I watch the guys celebrate on the ice, giving me chills, the adrenaline I'm feeling, they have to be feeling it a million times more; This is like a rush.

The plays continue, up and down the ice. I see the fight in them all, how hard they push their skates across the ice, slamming into walls with checks by players, or just plain not being able to stop.

Springfield gets a good play going, making their way to Koda, watching him get into his stance tighter, tracking the puck, anticipating the move that's coming. Damon goes in to intercept the play, but Springfield make a move so swift, he gets around him and is in Koda's front yard.

"Come on Koda."

Springfield takes his shot, Koda blocking it with his goalie pad, it bounces and before Koda can get a grasp on it, another Springfield player takes a shot, sending the puck right under Koda's leg, "Damn it. They scored."

My brother's head rolls on his shoulders, knowing he is pissed, his famous irritated head roll, cracking his neck. Jax skates up to him, sharing a word, a typical Jax and Koda moment during the game, before Jax steals a glance over at me and I smile before I mouth, "It's okay."

He nods with his smile, reminding him, that shit happens and that was sneaky. I also know that goal will be very hard to make again on my brother. When a goal is made, it fuels a fire in my brother that only gets seen on the ice.

My brother is the nicest person, but he also is not when he is angry, and he scares the fuck out of me. He's got dad's temper. So, I know that goal fueled that fire, and they can have fun trying to score now; I giggle to myself with my thoughts.

The plays continue, the first period coming to an end with only a few minutes left, still 1-1. Up and down, up and down, both teams not letting the puck get anywhere near their nets, fighting for it, and the buzzer sounds out, Ending first period.

The guys skate from the ice, keeping their heads up, not showing defeat because well, there is no defeat here, at least not yet.

"Let's grab a beer." Keri suggests and I agree. Time for a beer, but knowing I need to watch myself too, I must behave tonight.

Locking arms with Keri, she and I walk out to the beer concession stand with Dax following behind. Bree stayed back with Brayden, apparently, they've been talking. I learned that last night, after they all came to the club and watched me.

I find that kind of funny. Brayden is shy, and believe it or not, but so is Bree on the outside. Keri's a bit my energy. And poor Dax, he knows I'm trouble.

As we stand in line for our beer Dax asks me, "You like living out here?"

I shrug, "I do, it's still new, but I like what's happening for myself and the guys."

"The team isn't the same." He states.

"I bet it's not."

"Jax treating you alright?"

"Yeah, I have him to thank for this all. "

He nods and searches my eyes and I furrow my brows, "What Dax? Say it?"

"Nothing, I'm pissed about the shit with Corey."

I roll my eyes with my sigh, "Let it go Dax."

"Oh, I did, when I watched that fucker get dragged out of the rink by Paul."

I giggle, "He did what?"

"After he got Jax away from him, he knocked Corey out, then drug him out of the rink. Corey was banned from the rink."

I laugh, I mean, I curl over hugging my stomach with my laugh; That is what you get asshole! Karma always gets ya.

"Why did you ask about Jax?" I ask him as I search his eyes.

"Because I know Jax can be a little" He tilts his head playfully as his lips twist to that knowing smile, "Rough."

I snort, "That's saying that lightly. And hold on, how do you know?"

Dax breaks my gaze before he shakes his head with his laugh, "You ask him that question."

"Well, fuck you, now that's all I can think about."

We get our beers, my mind is spinning so fast, intrigued at how he knows what Jax is capable of doing in the bedroom.

SECOND PERIOD

It's fast, a lot of players on and off the ice, switching, as they keep the puck in play. Shots are taken on both goalies, that energy I was talking about is feeding off my brother, and it's spread to the guys.

The checks are harder, the slicing of the ice is deafening, the yells back and forth between the guys almost clearly heard.

As the guys set up for a play, Jax works the puck back and forth with his stick, starting to move towards Springfield goalie. He passes to Wes, continuing to skate the puck up the ice before it is passed to Sully. But with no clear shot Sully sends it to Jax who has not slowed, those long legs get him across the ice quick, a fast skater, getting a clear shot, the speed of his skating and the power behind his stick, he sends the puck to the back of the net.

"YES!!"The vibration in the stands rockets up through my heels as the crowd goes wild. Jax and his famous blowing out his stick causes me to giggle, watching him celebrate, seeing the player I've seen my whole life. Confident, has never shown fear, earlier slightly shocked me.

I've never seen him that nervous. But he's not now! He jumps up on the glass in front of us at the same time Dax and Brayden do, along with the home team joining in. And it makes my heart swell that these guys came all this way to watch Jax, Koda, and Sully play their first pro game.

I shoot him a wink before he pulls up his jersey on his arm, revealing my thong wrapped around his wrist and I giggle.

Oh, tonight is going to be so much fun.

THIRD PERIOD

Second period ended 2-1, a few more shots were made in the final minutes, but no goals.

Now, starting third period watching the guy's skate around, getting ready for the faceoff in third period. Still seeing the fiery energy that was burning before. In a way, I'm glad Jax has kept his head in the game, and not texted me during intermission, taking that time for himself.

A worry I had. I did it. I texted him in the dressing room, but I will admit this is bigger than what I did.

Jax skates in front of the glass coming to a stop and I step up to the glass meeting his gaze as I kiss my hand then place my flattened hand on the glass and he smiles a laugh. His glove to the face of his helmet before his gloved hand comes to mine through the glass.

We share our stare for a moment before he's off.

Sucking in a deep breath, saying my own little end game prayer, before I sit back down; Come on guys.

Dax grips my shoulders from behind and I look back at him, and he laughs.

"What?" I ask.

"You've got him wrapped around your finger."

"Ha! That's funny." I laugh.

"I'm serious Macie, Jax only had one other serious relationship. "

"Why'd they break up?" I'm curious, he wants to bring it up, I'm going to dig a little.

"Because Jax couldn't let the one girl he wanted get away, you."

My stomach tightens with how tight my heart is, feeling that. Knowing Dax wouldn't lie to me, he never has. I look back out on the ice, my eyes finding Jax before they get blurry with tears.

I'm scared to death of love, but I've found it again, and I feel it more than I ever have; How could I have been so blind.

Faceoff begins as the puck drops and the play begins with Jax getting the puck to Tyler behind him to work the play differently than keeping it forward. Tyler sends the puck to Damon working back behind Koda in the net, Sully and Jax crossing in center ice, and the play begins.

Damon sends the puck to Wes, before the puck is taken down the ice, sent to Jax, to Sully, taking a shot on the goalie, but their goalie blocks it, keeping the puck in play, Jax gets the puck and makes another shot, sending the puck to the upper right corner, his favorite corner.

"YES! That's what I'm talking about!" Dax cheers.

"They are on fire!" I nod, agreeing with Keri with my smile as big as it can be watching the celebration, enjoying the celebration, and celebrating myself.

This goal only fuels the fire in these guys too, they skate harder. You would think in third period, only ten minutes to go now, they would be looking tired; Oh, no, not these guys. They skate harder than they did in the first period.

Tyler and Damon on it, doing well at defending the net and Koda, Sully and Jax working as the team they always have and Wes working in well with them. They all work like a well-oiled machine for just starting to play together.

Quick shift changes on and off the ice, the guys catching their breath, before they are sent back out on the ice. Keeping the puck in play and not so many damn icing calls; I sometimes find those calls annoyingly obnoxious and excessive at times, but hey, it's the game.

And then there is finally one of those icing calls I was talking about, causing the play to stop and another faceoff to be on our side of the ice, right in front of us.

Somewhat a disadvantage being that close to Koda in the net, already right there, but, Tyler, Damon, and Sully, all stay close to Koda defending him from the beginning as the puck is dropped and Jax gets the puck to Wes, and the teams spread out, all setting up for plays.

As the minutes pass, the louder the crowd gets, with us in the lead, only two minutes to go, you can't even hear yourself think in here.

The stands shake like an earthquake from people jumping and celebrating, so close to winning but also so much time left in the game. The louder the crowd, the more intense the game becomes.

Springfield players start getting dirty with their checks, doing a little bit of hooking, not making it noticeable. Doing whatever it takes to get the puck and score one more so we can go into overtime. The crowd may be encouraging that too, knowing it means more hockey to watch.

The timer past the one-minute mark, starting to dial down quickly and my smile spreads as Springfield takes a shot towards Koda, giving themselves one last shot, but Koda catches the puck in his glove and the buzzer goes off.

Jax and Sully tackle Koda, knocking him to the ice, their typical winning game celebration and I celebrate with the girls, the home team, Paul, my mom. Screaming at the top of our lungs, before the guy's skate to the glass and celebrate with the whole team new and old.

Dax and Brayden once again hanging from the glass before they are over top it and now on the ice. I almost piss myself laughing, that beer may be catching up, and I can't believe they just did that.

But it's a celebration I will never forget.