In the Heat of Hockey

I could already hear my mother getting in my ear about going out late. This wasn’t going to be any different than any other weekend. I would be running out late with Tanner, as I told a completely different story to my parents. Sure, I felt guilty. I just couldn’t stop seeing this guy if my life depended on it. Whenever he was around I got chills. It’s been a month since I met him and I always found myself working around his schedule. We were texting constantly, and I would be cheering him for the comfort of my bedroom. I just fell in love with his lifestyle, it was crazy.

“But please, mom,” I begged as I leaned on the island in the kitchen.

She let out a sigh and stared at her hands before saying anything. “Olivia, I just want you to spend time with your family a little more. Every weekend you’re gone out- the whole weekend. I understand that you’re just hanging out with your friends, but I worry, and so does your aunt.”

“I promise I’ll be around more. It’s just this last night,” I persuaded. I knew that if I was to keep bugging her about it, she’d soon break. Taking advantage of my mom wasn’t the plan, but it had come to this due to my disparity.

“Fine, alright. Just for tonight, Liv. You are not getting out of coming to your dad’s gala next weekend though,” she reminded. “He is really looking forward to it. He sure loves to gloat about you to everyone,” she continued with a small smile.

I embraced her into a quick and tight hug. “Thank you mom, love you,” I rushed out as I ran upstairs to get my things together for the night. I shoved a few things in my bag before picking up my phone and calling my friend Danica.

It rung two times before being answered. “Hey Dan,” I said.

“Did your mom say it was alright that you come out?” she asked.

“Yeah, she said it was fine. I don’t even know why I need permission anymore. I’m twenty years old. I think I can make a life decision on my own now,” I complained as I laid back on my bed. It was kind of silly that I still had to be babysat by my parents.

She chuckled in the phone. “Olivia, you’re their only daughter and you are the baby. Cut your parents some slack. They just don’t want to see you get hurt,” she explained as easy as she could. I sighed at the fact that she was defending my parents. It irritated me when Danica sounded much more logical than I did, which was usually ninety-nine percent of the time.

“I guess so, anyways, I’ll be over around seven.”

I finished packing my things. When I headed downstairs I could hear my mom talking to someone. I thought it was my dad of course, so I brushed it off. I walked by the kitchen not caring, but back tracked when I seen my brother, Steve. I smiled immediately and run up to him and gave him a hug. I could see the smile on my mother’s face as well, she always appreciated it when he would make time to stop by.

“What are you doing here?” I asked.

He smiled at me cheekily before replying, “I came to stop by and visit. I had nothing else to do today. I was thinking of inviting you and Tyson out to one of my games. It’s been awhile,” he admitted.

“Yeah you’re right. Well if you want the two of us out there that would be great. I haven’t gotten the opportunity to hang out with my older brothers in a while. Count me in,” I said as I picked my bag up again.

“You going out?” he asked pointing to my duffle bag.

“She’s going to Danica’s for the night. Just like every other weekend,” my mom said cheekily. I responded with an eye roll. I knew she was just upset that I already had plans made when Steve came over. I know that we hardly get to see him, seeing that he plays for the Lightning and all.

He forcefully smiled at the two of us not wanting to make it any worse. “I can drive you over there, Liv,” he offered and I nodded. We both walked into the driveway and slid into my car he had given me as a birthday gift two years ago. It still upset me that he never consulted me when buying it. I could also tell that my parents were a little frustrated by the act of kindness. The new vehicle just gave me an easier way to run away from this house.

As we pulled out of the drive way he broke the silence, “So how is basketball going?”

“It’s been fine, we moved up to the fourth spot now,” I informed.

He smiled at me quickly. “I saw that. Congratulations to you and your team, Liv,” he said. It got quiet again, but not for too long this time. “Are you being careful?” he asked, catching me off guard.

“What do you mean careful?” I was annoyed by this because he sounded just like our mom and dad. They were always hounding me for everything. They wanted me to be someone I was having a hard time pretending to be.

“They said the last month or so you’ve been just out at late hours and that they are worried. You and I both know that they always want me to check in with you because they are too scared to do it themselves,” he argued.

“Trust me Steve, they always check in with me. That’s all they do is ask questions about my life,” I retorted.

“Vinny was down in West Beach two weeks ago with Caroline and he said he seen you at David Booth’s beach party. You can’t be partying like that Olivia, you’re only twenty years old still. I don’t even want you to be around guys like that. I know the lifestyle guys like that live and it’s not always healthy. All they want is an easy lay and to drink,” his voice started to raise. I could tell he was upset with me.

“Yeah, well when will you realize that you’re just like them? All you used to do back in Windsor was drink, play hockey and chase after girls. You were what- sixteen at that time? You’re still doing the same thing now, Steve. All you do is play hockey, drink and chase after girls. It’s been eight years and nothing has changed. I just don’t think it’s fair that you talk to me like you’re an angel when we both know that you’re not,” I yelled back at him. He pulled over and stopped the car, leaving me worried of his reaction.

It got quiet with neither one of us talking or saying a word to each other. “I just don’t want to see you end up with someone like me,” he said with a shallow voice. It was almost like a whisper playing off his tongue it was so quiet.

I sighed knowing what I said was too far. Steve and I hardly ever got into arguments, and when we did it was always easy to say sorry. It just didn’t seem the same right now. “I’ll walk from here, its fine,” I said while opening the door.

“Be careful and please try to not do anything too crazy,” he said with a forced smile.
“I’m in Boca, the supposedly safest place in Florida. I can handle myself,” I said as I shut the door.

I watched the car drive off into the sun as I took a sit on the curb. My eyes started to water, even though I was trying to fight it with all my force. I didn’t mean for it to go that far. There was going to have to be some serious apologizing before our relationship to be the same. I basically just told him what I really think of him, which wasn’t fair to him. He was just trying to help me and make sure I was safe. I wiped away my tears and dialed the person I wanted to talk to right now.

“Hello?” the familiar voice said.

“Tanner?”

Notes