Magic

The last week as been hell for me. Between trying not to pine over Lacey and trying to focus on the game, I'm wiped. The coaches and my teammates have noticed. Today is an optional skate and Johnston suggested (told me) to sit this one out. I go to the rink, just to see the boys because it's weird not being there. I outside the doors from the locker room and watch. I spot Lacey; she's carefully writing notes as she scans the ice. I watch for too long and she notices me watching her. She looks down at her papers, then back up. I can't seem to peel my eyes away, even though my brain is screaming: MISSION ABORT. Lacey holds my eyes for a moment and then gets up. Good job, I mentally scold myself.

I can't start this again, I think as I focus back in on the practice. Katherine already doesn't trust me, not like she used to. In my defence, all the rumours were false but Katherine won't ever believe that. I feel a tap on my right shoulder. I turn my head to the right, then feel the presence of someone to my left. I look over at a smirking Lacey. "Ha ha, you're funny." I snap. It's a total defense mechanism: be an ass so maybe she won't like me.

"Don't pretend to be an ass, I know you're not."

Plan A is a no. "I'm married."

"I know."

Sigh, Plan B is scratched. "What are you doing?"

"Taking notes over the practice to ask about after." I watch the way she watches my teammates. A focused, attentive gaze; she watches where the puck is going, not where it is. Part of me hopes she watches me that way. "What are you doing after?" She asks without her eyes leaving the ice. "I don't know. Probably go get something to eat."

"I think some of the guys are going to that diner place. I've been told I need to go experience it ASAP." She shrugs her shoulders.

"You do, they're amazing. Maybe I'll go..that is, if you don't mind." I stumble over my words. This feeling is so foreign. "I don't care." Lacey laughs. Guys start filtering off the ice. "I've gotta run. See you later?" She asks, backing towards the door. "Yeah, you will." I smile. She grins and pushes through the doors.

**************************************

An hour later, I'm sitting at a table with some of the guys at the diner. Lacey isn't here yet and I'm kind of dreading, yet anxious, for her arrival. The seat we saved is next to me. I hear the door ring as she walks in. All the guys greet her. She smiles and takes her seat next to me. "Hey, Tanger."

"Hey, Lacey."

"We need to come up with a nickname for you," Suttsy suggests. All the guys nod in agreement. "All of my family calls me 'Lace'." She says, examining the menu.

"What do your lovers call you?" Flower wiggles his eyebrows suggestively.

"Holy fuck." Lacey deadpanned.

All the boys erupted in laughter. I smile softly and look down, I watch her hand reach over. It slides across my left thigh, she grabs my hand, and gives it a tender squeeze. She lets her hand slide back over my thigh, and settles it back in her lap. Jesus, she's gonna kill me.

Notes