Thin Ice by Niki Settimo Read Free Book Online Page A

equipment last night released some unnoticed muscle tension.
    When the buzzer goes off sounding that it’s time to start the game, I go to the bench into the group huddle. Coach gives us a quick brief and I go to my position. I play defense, so as I watch Anderson take the face off, I get my head in the game and prepare to play my heart out.
     

CHAPTER 10
    Elli

     
    Wow. Dylan really is Mr. Hockey. I mean I had a feeling he was good, but I didn't think he was this good. I watch as he blocks another shot from going to the goal. He has control of the puck, and sends it up the boards where the left wing takes possession and charges the net. His wrist shot reaches the back of the net and the team celebrates in a hug as the stands go crazy. Tegan and I are on our feet clapping and the crowd finally settles down when the next faceoff is underway. Watching how completely in the zone Dylan is, is like a breath of fresh air. To see someone so absorbed and focused reminds me of how into my work I get, and it's a nice feeling. It’s passion. And when you're passionate about something, the moments you let it completely take you over is truly a sight to behold.

    "Earth to Elli! Anybody in there?"
    Looking over to Tegan, I realize I must have just missed an entire conversation.
    “Sorry, what?”
    "What's going on in that mind of yours?"
    "Just thinking."
    "Well stop thinking and just enjoy yourself! Your boy is amazing!"
    Chuckling I say "He's not my boy Tegan."
    "Yea, uh-huh. Keep telling yourself that."
    Shaking my head, I take her advice and just enjoy watching the game. During the second period, I notice Chris making his way over to where Tegan and I are sitting.

    "Hey Elli! Made it out to the game I see! Hey Tegan! How'd you convince her to take off from work?"
    "I had nothing to do with it Chris!" Tegan says as she sends me a sideways smirk, along with a wink.
    "Well whatever the reason I'm glad you're here Elli! The rink is hosting a youth tournament for next month. Think your brothers team would make the trip down?"
    "I'm sure they would love that Chris."
    "Great! I'll call your dad and give him the details and we'll work it out. Enjoy the game ladies!"
    "Bye Chris!" Tegan and I say in unison. She turns her head to ask me a question, but it looks like she loses her train of thought when she looks at my hands.

    “Hey, you okay?” she asks.
    "Yea, why?”
    "Your hands."
    I look down to see that, yet again, I've torn my cuticles to shreds, and I'm bleeding.
    “Oh yea, that's nothing. I'll be right back.”
    I make my way to the bathroom to wash off the red coming from my thumb. While I'm in there, I glance up in the mirror and take a few deep breaths. That's when I notice Tegan in the doorway, watching me.

    "Ready to tell me what this is all about?”
    "What do you mean?"
    "Don't play with me Elli. I thought we decided last night you weren't going to be so closed off anymore."
    "Its nothing really. Just a nervous habit I've always had. I don't even realize I'm doing it."
    "Elli, when I said you weren't alone anymore I meant it okay?”

    She makes her way towards me and gives me a long hug before saying, "alright, time to get back out there before Mr. Hottie thinks you left. He looks at you every chance he gets."
    "Oh, please."
    "I'm serious El. I haven't even met him and I think he's amazing."

    Smiling as we walk out of the bathroom, we take our seats again. As soon as I look out on the bench, Dylan is staring at me, smiling. The butterflies in my stomach are a welcomed feeling.

CHAPTER 11
    Dylan

    Good, she didn’t leave. I’m seriously psyching myself out with this girl. I saw Chris go over to her and when she left and Tegan followed her, I thought something was wrong. But then they walked back out from the bathroom. Geez, I need to keep my head in the game.
    When the final buzzer goes off, and the scoreboard shows we won 3-0, my boys and I celebrate in a victory huddle, tapping each others shins with our sticks in