After my first game with St. Louis, the reporters attacked me in the locker room. I tried to answer all the questions I could, but was distracted. All the guys kept telling me good game and what to do next time. It was overwhelming.

I leaned over to Steen, while taking my shoulder pads off. “Hey could I ask you something?”

“Sure.” He smiled.

“This is going to sound weird, but who was that girl? In the private seating area?”
Steen just laughed, a half smirk appearing on his face. “Well the red head, that’s Natalie. I don’t know her last name, but she moves too fast for you to know, if you know what I mean.” He smiled like he was remembering something, but I didn’t care to ask. “Be careful. Since you’re new, and Swedish, she has a thing for Swedish men, she’ll probably jump all over you.”

I raised my eyebrows. “What about the other one?”

Steen laughed again, his eyes widening as he shook his head. “You don’t even want to go there.”

I was confused. “Why?”

“Two words. Coach’s daughter.” He grinned. I nodded. I realized why they were sitting where they were sitting. I didn’t understand what her being the coach’s daughter had to do with anything. Steen must have seen my confusion. “Let’s just say the last guy on the team that messed around with his daughter, wasn’t here for long. I advise go for the red head, if you’re looking for a bunny. Safer bet and I doubt she’ll say no.” He laughed, patting my shoulder. “See ya later, let me know how it goes.”

I shook my head, trying not to scoff. “Bye.” I laughed, packing up the rest of my gear. I wasn’t really interesting in the red head, but for some reason I felt the need to introduce myself to the darker haired one. It was probably a stupid idea, but it couldn’t hurt to do so.

---

I watched as the game ended and the guys left the ice and went back into the locker room. They had won the game, but that wasn’t surprising. I bit my lip and watched as the top players were mentioned and skated out. I sat in my seat for a while, kicking my feet. I watched as various crews picked up and did their jobs.

Once the arena was mostly cleared, I walked down the hallway that forked to the locker and to the coaches’ offices. I wondered into my dad’s office. I peeked my head in, but of course he wasn’t in there. I sighed, walking in and over to his desk. I grabbed his notepad and left him a quick note.

Dad,

Good game tonight. You’re probably with the boys, so I won’t come and bother you. Maybe we can make lunch plans sometime if you’re not too busy. Tell Jerry hi for me.

Love, Charlie

I stared at the note and dropped it over his keyboard. I scrunched my nose, trying to remember good memories of this arena, not the bad ones. However, the lingering stench of body odor interpreted my train of thought. I walked out of the office and down the hallway, toward an exit. I stopped and reached into my back pocket, pulling out my cellphone. I pulled up my contacts and scrolled down to Natalie, but by the time I managed to get to her, she had already had sent me a text. “Hey Char, don’t worry bout me. Got me a ride home. ;)” I rolled my eyes and smiled. She was one of a kind. I stuffed my phone back into my pocket and pivoted to leave, but collided with a rather large person.

“Sorry.” I blurted out, stepping back from the taller man. When I opened my eyes from flinching, I about died.

“It’s okay, I uhh…” The man started to speak but suddenly forgot what he was saying. “I’m Magnus.” He stuck out a hand and smiled.

I slowly took his hand and shook it. I eyed him carefully. He was a lot taller than I originally thought.

“Charlie.” I smirked. Natalie was right, he was cute. But that really didn’t mean anything to me. I looked at him for a moment, trying to think of why he looked so familiar. It didn’t make any sense because I had never met anyone who looked similar to him, nor could have I of ran into him anywhere because he was new to the area.

“Well Magnus, nice to meet you, but I really should go.” I bit my lip and turned to head to the exit. It felt rather rude so I turned my head and raised my hand to say goodbye. He smirked curiously, sticking his hands into his pockets. He probably wasn’t used to getting turned down after a game, but I wasn’t here to hook-up with anyone. I wasn’t into that.

I walked out to my truck, noting that the parking lot was now nearly empty. I crossed my arms as I walked out into the parking lot; it had gotten colder. I pulled my hood up and tried to blow the fuzzies from the hood out of my face, but failed. The hood to the coat was too big. I scuffled over to my old truck, unlocked the doors and jumped in. I pushed the keys into the ignition, only for it to not turn over. “You’ve got to be kidding me.” I threw my head back against the seat. With a dead battery, I wasn’t going anywhere. I got out of my truck and walked over to the hood. I pulled up the hood, not seeing anything specifically wrong. I put the hood back down, to go to the bed to search for jumper cables. I luckily found some, but now I needed someone else and their car. I looked around the parking lot and spotted 3 other cars. I pursed my lips and leaned up against my truck. When I went to pull out my phone, I heard the door squeak open. Magnus, of course.

He stopped in his tracks and called over to me.

“Are you okay?”

I nodded. “Dead battery.”

“Need a jump?” He asked, walking my direction.

I shook my head, “I was just about to call someone and…”

“It’s no problem.” He smiled, as he changed his direction to his car. I watched as he slid in and turned it on. He pulled over to my truck and got out. “Cables?” He asked. I handed them to him and stared at his car. I walked over to my driver’s side and turned my keys.

I let out a breath of air as the engine started. I left it running as I walked back over to his car to thank him. I grabbed the cables and shut the hoods. I stepped over to his door as he got out.

“Thanks.” I smiled as he nodded. “This is going to sound really weird, but you look really familiar.” I stated, cocking my head to the side. I walked around behind him, knowing it must be weird to have someone circle you like a shark. My eyes opened wide for a moment and I suddenly came too.

“This morning, did you pull over and…”

He turned around shocked, and if it was bright enough, I bet I could spot a blush on his face. “I-“
I leaned over, bursting with laughter. I couldn’t stop. “I’m sorry, I just…” I laughed so hard my guts hurt. “Why couldn’t you stop at a gas station?”

“I got lost.” He stared at me, horrified.

I started to laugh again, buckling over against his car, but slipping on a piece of black ice. He caught my arm as I almost fell. I stopped laughing and steadied myself. “I’m okay.” I bit my lip to withhold giggles. “Maybe I’ll have to show you around sometime, so you don’t get lost and get fined for public exposure.”

He grimaced. “Ha ha, thanks. I might have to take you up on that.”

“Well anyway,” I stuffed my cold fingers into my pockets and rocked on my toes. “Thanks Paajarvi. I’ll see you around.” I smiled, turning and getting into my car.

Notes

Sorry for not updating sooner. Sorry this chapter is short and rough.