One Shots
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins
Ryan smiled shyly at you from under his helmet, on the ice. You flashed one back with a quick wave. The Oilers weren’t your favorite team, but you’d stand them, if only for Nuge. They had a big game tonight, and you really shouldn’t be there, but you wanted to watch them practice. You liked watching them practice, almost more than watching their games, because you could focus on what they were doing, and they could focus on their gameplay. It was calming, in a sense, in that there was no outside distractions or noise from the fans.
They worked hard, stopping occasionally for water or rest. It seemed like every time they took a break, one of his teammates would nudge Ryan in your direction, ask ask him something and he would glance quickly over at you, then blush. You could see his cheeks redden, even more so than the pink they already were from the physical exertion.
By the time practice was over, you decided to head down to the bench to watch them practice whatever extra skills they liked to work on. For Nuge, it was always his dekes. He loved to fake, then shoot. Fake, then shoot, over and over again. “Nuge!” You called him over, and only then did he notice you were watching him. He blushed harder, but skated over anyways. “Why don’t you try a toe drag by the top of the circle, fake the slapshot, then go for the backhander, top right corner.”
He shrugged. “I could try that.”
“Do it, just once if you want. For me?” He smiled, and nodded, heading back out to the center of the ice surface. You watched him try it, exactly like you told him. He easily beat the goaltender with it. Eberle was still out on the ice. “Nice move, kid,” you heard him compliment Nuge. “If that was her idea, you better tell her. Make sure you do it before you forget.”
You thought, do what? You found out pretty quickly. Ryan moved back towards where you were standing. “Hey, uh, thanks for the new move. I might have to use that one tonight,” he beamed. He liked it, you knew. “Oh, I’ve got something to tell you, as well. Maybe later, though. I’ve got to go.”
“Tell me now.”
“Oh, uhh.. I.. I’m in love with you…”
You barely heard him. ”Say that again, please.”
“I.. I love you.”
You pulled his helmet off and ran your fingers through his soaking hair before hooking them around his neck and pulling him down to your level. “Good,” you replied, giving him one quick kiss. “Good luck tonight.”
