The Lights of Dallas

“Val…Val are you even listening to me?”
“Huh? What?”
I shook my head focusing back on Tyler who had his hand on his hips, like an angry girlfriend does when you don’t pay attention to what she said.
“Val, I said ‘Do you want to get in some more practice with me after we’re done here.’ But you’re too distracted by who knows what to answer.”
“I’m sorry. Um…yeah sure I’ll get in some more time with you. Is Jamie going to come to?”
I didn’t actually hear his response because I was too distracted by a brunette girl on the ice just skating around wearing some lightly faded jeans and a newer Dallas Stars jersey with “Neal” on the back. I couldn’t stop looking at her. By the way she skated I could tell she played hockey sometime in her life, which made her even more attractive. I caught a glimpse of the clock and made myself head to the locker room and get ready for an informal practice with Tyler and maybe Jamie.
When I got to the locker room Tyler was there with Jamie talking about tattoos, which normally would interest me but not today. Not with that girl on my mind. I got dressed as fast as I could in hopes that I could possibly run into that girl on the ice before Tyler or Jamie got out there. I finished lacing up my other skate then stood up and grabbed my sticks and headed out of the locker room without a single word to Tyler or Jamie just a nod.
I tried my best to keep my cool while I headed out to the ice so I didn’t look too eager to get out onto the ice. When the rink was in my sight I saw the girl still skating around watching her feet as she glided across the ice. As I stepped on the ice she noticed me in my grubby practice gear.
“Oh! Are you about to practice? ‘Cause I can leave…”
“Don’t worry about it. There are only three of us that are going to practice and the ice is big enough for all four of us.”
She smiled and continued skating and watching he feet as the glided on the ice. I was wondering what she was thinking about, but I was interrupted from my thoughts when Tyler came from behind me and made a low whistle.
“Damn that chic is hot…”
I just shot him a “don’t you even dare” look which made him back off. I shot some pucks into the net and decided to top shelf all of my shots ‘cause I just felt like it. I saw Jamie skate over to the girl and talk to her. For some reason I felt a little anger well up inside of me, I have no clue why since I didn’t even know her name. Tyler skated over to me and we both watched Jamie as he talked to the girl.
“How the hell does Jamie of all people know her?”
I just shrugged my shoulders and continued to shoot pucks into the net. I tried not to focus on her because if she saw me looking at her she might think I’m some creep. When Jamie finally came over near Tyler and I, I hadn’t had the intention of asking anything about her but a part of me just needed to know everything he knew about her.
“So umm Jamie how do you know…her?”
I asked trying to be calm, cool and collected about asking my question. Jamie seemed taken aback by my question about the girl.
“You mean Grace? She’s James Neal’s little sister. She’s studying communications over at DBU now. Why do you want to know?”
I was about to say something but Tyler cut me off.
“’Cause she’s hot Jamie. That’s why our little Russian wants to know about her.”
I shot a death glare at Tyler but he seemed to not notice.
“Well Val if you think she’s ‘hot’ go talk to her. I mean come on she’s s’cute.”
Jamie said this with a crooked smile that always won over the ladies but always made me sick to my stomach. I just shook my head and my way over to Grace. I could feel myself becoming gradually nervous as I got closer to her, but I just wanted to at least say hi to her.
“Hi. I’m Val.”
“I’m Grace. Nice to meet you Val.”

Notes