Unconditionally

Carly chirped excitedly as we drove to the University of Minnesota. I took in the landscape, mostly covered with snow despite it being October. Whatever she was saying was lost against the country music on the radio and the thoughts of Charlie in my mind. I ran into him this morning as I was getting ready to go. He was coming in from morning skate, sweaty and pure man. I let him pin me against the wall and mess up my hair in a quick makeout session, much more intense than the night before.
“Kale, are you even listening?” Carly laughed, snapping me out of my thoughts.
“Honestly, no.” I smiled, rolling my head towards her.
“Did you talk to Charlie?” She asked as we exited the highway.
“Um, I mean-”
“I can see the hickey.” She stated.
“Oh.” I blushed.
“He’s a good kid, Kailin. Just don’t rush into it, okay? Get to know him first. I’ve seen him break a few hearts before, and I’ll be damned if that happens to you.” Carly said.
“Is he player?” I asked.
“No, but when he’s with a girl, he’s only with her, but it seems like after a few weeks he shuts them out and they just disappear. He’s done it a few times and I got close to one of the girls and she was totally wrecked. I just-” she paused. “After Matt, I don’t want to see that happen to you again.”
“I know, I’ll be careful.” I promised. Carly flashed me a reassuring grin.
“You’re such a good egg.”

--

I listened intently as the President of the School of Arts and Sciences explained the rigorous course load I’d be taking on. I watched from the corner of my eye as Carly’s face twisted in confusion and concern.
“Sir, this seems like a lot, especially for a first semester freshman. What kind of resources are there for her for help?” She butted in.
“Well, Mrs. Zucker, we want to get Kailin as on track as possible and get her to on course to graduate in a spring semester despite taking one semester off. We do have resources available and would be more than willing to work with Kailin to see her thrive.” He smiled, an almost chesire cat-like grin. I shifted in my seat, second guessing even applying for college.
“Okay, I just don’t want to see her take on too much and not be able to function.” Carly reasoned.
“Understandable. If you don’t have anymore questions, would you like to see the campus?”

The campus was massive and the thought of getting lost harassed me constantly through the tour. Carly looked natural, walking across the grounds of her alma mater, while I looked like a fish out of water. We approached the training facilities and field house, a place where I’d be spending most of my time as an exercise science major.
“Did you know the boys practice here?” Carly whispered excitedly as we walked into the building.
“Really? Are they here today?” I asked. Carly winked, skipping ahead. I rolled my eyes knowing very well that they were in fact here.
I studied the walls, filled with photos of successful alum who went pro, or semi-pro. I peeked into classrooms, filled with students who would be my classmates. I was looking at the guys mostly, but I honestly felt guilty, thinking of Charlie. If I thought of him this much in the last two days, I was screwed if we became official.
As we entered the ice rink, the president said goodbye and wished me luck. Almost as soon as he had left, Carly squealed excitedly and dragged me to the bench where some of players sat. I watched as they skated around with impeccable speed and precision. When Jason caught sight of us, he waved. Charlie stopped in the middle of the drill to look at what Jason was waving at. I blushed as he nodded in my direction, but that quickly turned to horror when I watched him get laid out on the ice.
“Oh my god!” I shrieked loud enough to catch the attention of most of the team. I quickly sunk back down and hid my head. “I’m dying.”
“Charlie’s okay, Jason was being an ass. He probably overheard Charlie bragging about you or something.” Carly said nonchalantly.
“No, would he really?” I gasped. If I wasn’t still bright red from shouting out, I was now thinking of Charlie telling his teammates about us.
“Kailin, they gossip worse than teenage girls.”
About thirty minutes later, all the players came to the bench. Charlie skated closest to me and rested his gloveless hand on mine as I stood near him. The coach was talking about practice, prepping for the game tomorrow and what to expect as a team. As he left, the captain, began speaking.
“As all of you know, we had- well, Charlie had a new fan today. This is Kailin, Carly’s sister. She’ll probably be around a lot so think with your higher head, not your penis head.” Koivu smiled in my direction.
“Oh god, let me die.” I muttered, turning flushed again. The guys laughed and Charlie squeezed my hand.
“Wait for me? Jason and Carly can drive home together. We can go get lunch or something.” He asked, yet also ordered. I nodded, letting him kiss my cheek as he skated away.
“You have Coyle whipped day one. Tell me your secret.” Marco, who I recognized from last night, skated up to me.
“I don’t know what I did.” I laughed. I didn’t think I had him whipped. Maybe he was just trying to be flirty, especially in front of the guys.
“Well, whatever you did do, the whole team knows about it. Oh, nice hickey.” he winked, flipping back a lock of my hair. Some of the other players still on the ice laughed.
“Hey, don’t be a dick.” I tried to joke, but my voice wavered.
“You’re a good look for Charlie. A girl like you on his arm would be perfect.” Marco continued rambling. “I’m always here though if things don’t work out.”
“Marco, fuck off.” Jason laughed, coming to my defense. “She practically slept with Charlie at my wedding, I doubt you have a chance.”
“Jason!” Carly and I shrieked at the same time.
“It’s the truth!” he laughed. I rolled my eyes impatiently. Charlie was taking forever and I needed to get out of here.
“Where’s the locker room, I’m going to go wait for Charlie.” I mumbled.
“Down the hall, first right.” Carly smiled. “Have fun!”
I waved to the boys and grabbed my coat off the bench. One of them made a comment about Charlie and they all burst out laughing. I dipped my head as I left, embarrassed that they would just blatantly talk about their teammate like that.

Notes