Tate sat in his goalie pads, strapping on his body vest as everyone else put on their own gear. Lucas sat beside him, lacing up his skates, while Erik sat on his other side, strapping up his own body vest. Everyone was quiet and in the zone, preparing for their game against the Ducks. Tate was hoping for another shutout. He was already up by four and another one would be great, and good for momentum for the rest of the road trip. Knowing that Audrey was going to be there, in the same seat she was last time, made the game that much more promising.
He felt like he was going to win, so that meant he would.
Standing, he jumped up and down, warming his body up. He was nice and loose, ready to play. He reached for his jersey and threw it over his head, fixing his pads as he pulled it down. After doing a quick warm-up on ice, they all came back to the locker room to mentally prepare. He was worried when he didn’t see Audrey, but he knew she would be there when the game started.
After a short speech from Coach Bacter, the boys started for the hall where they would go out on the ice. Standing in his spot, each player walked by Tate, smacking him in the leg pad before walking down the hall. When everyone had gone, he followed behind his captain. Shea glanced back at him and nodded, Tate did the same, and then both men headed out on the ice.
Tate skated to the goal, his eyes on the seat behind him where Audrey would sit, but she wasn’t there. After moving across the goal line, scratching the ice with his skates for a better grip, he dropped to his knees and then rose back up quickly. Then the guys were lining up for the National Anthem. Standing straight himself, Tate paid tribute to the flags before dropping his head and asking for strength and confidence to do what he knew best. Leaning against the goal, he started to sing in his head as everyone came toward him, tapping his leg pad again and wishing him good luck. As always, he didn’t answer. He sang to himself. As he was finishing his song, he turned around again, and this time saw Audrey grinning at him, her lips moving. It took him only a second to realize that she was singing “We Are the Champions” while pointing to him. He couldn’t help but grin.
He was falling in love with her.
Well, that was quick, he thought, turning to watch the face-off.
Later that night, after another shutout victory over the Anaheim Ducks, Tate sat in bed with Audrey, a plate of sushi between them as they ate. He couldn’t help but notice how gorgeous she was when he was in goal, but sitting across from her was ten times better. She looked playful, beautiful, and for the first time ever, he was able to call her, “his.”
“So, Mr. Five Game Shutout Goalie guy, how does it feel?”
Tate chuckled. “Great, but it isn’t all because I’m an awesome goalie.”
“Oh no?” she asked, holding a piece of sushi between a pair of chopsticks.
Tate shook his head, reaching across to cup her jaw. He loved her jawline and her chin, they were some of his favorite things about her face. “It has a lot to do with you.”
Audrey smiled as she popped the piece in her mouth. “I’m already planning on sleeping with you, babe. I even bought special panties, so no need trying to talk me out of them. They will be off sooner than later.”
Tate started to laugh. “I don’t have to try, like you said. I’m only speaking the truth, love.”
Audrey’s cheeks were dusted with color as she eyed him over a new piece of sushi. Tate leaned over and ate the sushi she held on the chopsticks for herself. “Hey!” she complained. “I don’t like sharing!”
“You better learn to, love. I love eating my woman’s food.”
Audrey giggled as she picked up another piece. “Your woman?”
“Oh yeah, you didn’t get the memo in the hall?”