by Denise Bower
“I know who it is, moron. I’m Shelby Tomkins. It’s so nice to finally meet you,” she gushed.
“Nice to meet you too, Shelby,” I said. “Feel free to call me Vika.”
“You should have heard what Alex was calling you the other day.” She snickered. Alex tried to punch her, but she twisted away from him.
“Ignore her,” he said.
“This is a great place,” I said. “I love the light.”
“Feel free to wander around,” he said. “I need to sit down for a few minutes.”
“Okay.”
I wandered down the hall to check out the rest of the apartment.
The large bathrooms, the balcony, and the openness of the apartment sealed the deal for me. I was ready to hunt down the manager and sign on the dotted line.
Another thing I noticed was how clean and organized Alex kept the place. I seriously expected a mess with dirty dishes, unmade beds, and clothes strewn all over the floors. Even the carpets had been recently vacuumed, and the dark wood floors in the kitchen and living room were free of dust and debris.
“So do you like it?” Shelby asked when I returned to the kitchen area. She pushed a steaming cup of coffee toward me. “You look like you could use a little caffeine.”
“Thanks,” I said as I accepted the hot drink. “”Where did Alex go?”
“I don’t know? Probably his room.”
“Alex tells me you’re a figure skater.”
“Yeah. I’m trying, but moving here disrupted everything, and now I have a new coach who isn’t really interested in the whole coaching thing. She seems to enjoy her paycheck though.” She shrugged and twirled a piece of her hair around her finger. A few seconds later, she slammed the textbook closed she’d been reading and went to the fridge. She returned with a bowl of strawberries and set them on the counter.
“What’s Leo de Rossi like?” she asked as she popped a berry into her mouth.
“He’s tough but fair. Pushy but knows when to pull back and when to push harder. He’s demanding, yet soft spoken. He knows how to motivate people.”
“I bet he could help me with my double axel.”
“I might be able to give you a hand with your skating,” I said. “Your brother won a lesson from me, but he doesn’t need to learn how to do an axel. Would you be interested?”
She sucked in a huge breath of air, leaped off the stool, and raced around the island to hug me.
“Really!” she squealed. “Yes. For sure, yes!”
“I’ll have to figure out when the ice will be available, and I need to settle into my job. We might not be able to get together for a few weeks, but I think we can work something out. Hank told me I can use the rink when it’s open.”
“I love Hank. Who’s Hank?”
“Equipment manager for the Ravens.”
“Oh, you mean, Henry, the blond guy with the square head. He reminds me of a LEGO.” She giggled.
“Well, thanks for that image. Now I won’t be able to look at him without seeing a LEGO guy.”
Two cups of coffee later, we noticed Alex had never returned. We found him face down on his bed, snoring like a chainsaw.
“So are you thinking about getting a place here?” she asked.
“It’s perfect, so if anything is available, I’ll rent it. Alex said something about meeting the manager.”
“C’mon, I’m not waking him,” she said. “I’ll bring you down to the office.”
After touring several different floor plans, I settled on a one bedroom just down the hall from Alex and Shelby. The complex manager handed me a pile of papers to look over and sign, telling me that it was all a formality and she would hold the apartment for me. Then she grilled me about the Ravens. She wanted to know all the players, what I was going to do to make them competitive, and how excited she was that a woman was in charge of the players’ fitness.
“I’ll get these back to you tomorrow. Thanks for all your help,” I said.
Shelby squealed and hugged me while the manager shook my hand.
“Go Ravens,” the manager said as we left her office.
I felt my phone buzz again and glanced at it, selecting to ignore the seven unanswered calls and voice messages from my father. I had no desire to speak with him yet.
“Do you want to come hang out with me for a while?” I asked Shelby.
“Really?”
“Sure. Alex needs to sleep, and I’m starving.”
“Yeah, I’ll just leave him a note,” she said. “Even though he can’t remember anything, he freaks out if he doesn’t know where I am at all moments of my life.”
I cleared the front seat of my car, tossing everything into the back, so Shelby could get in. It would be nice not to have all my stuff crammed into my car and spread out on the floor of my hotel room. Shelby suggested a little café that served homemade soup and bread. We sat on the patio, enjoying the view of the lake and the crisp air of an early fall day. The food complemented the weather.
Without any prompting, Shelby launched into the story of losing her parents and how she and Alex ended up in Ritchfield.
“We’ve been here for six weeks. After the Hawks drafted Alex, he went to a rookie training camp and they assigned him here. They wanted him to work on his game and his fitness. I think that’s a nice way of asking him to bulk up a bit. It’s pretty exciting to think he may one day be playing in the NHL. My mom and dad would be so proud of him.”
“And what about you? What do you want?” I asked.
“Me? I love to skate, but I’m also a realist. Not many people make it to the top, so I study hard and keep up my grades. I at least want an opportunity to get into a good college when it comes time.”
“No matter how good you are at skating, getting an education is smart. You won’t always be a skater. I’m lucky the Ravens decided to take a chance on me because I certainly didn’t plan on retiring at twenty-two.”
“Alex warned me not to ask you about skating.”
I took a sip of water and looked across the lake, staring at the blue of the sky and the white fluffy clouds. Not talking about skating was safe, and I didn’t know if I was ready to discuss my retirement yet. I’d been dodging phone calls from the media since I quit, and the fiasco with my dad didn’t help.
“We’re not talking about my skating. And I asked you the question.”
“Still, I’m sorry,” she quickly said. “I shouldn’t have asked about Leo.”
“It’s okay. It’s still a little weird to me. Maybe it will always be strange, but people are going to ask no matter what.”
“If ever you want to talk, I can listen. I’m a great secret keeper.”
“Thanks, Shelby. I’ll remember that. I should get going. I need to head over to the arena.”
“Can I come with you? I don’t have anything else to do. I can sit in your office or help you with anything you want. I’m tired of being in the apartment.”
I shrugged. “Are you sure Alex won’t mind?”
“No, it will be one less thing for him to obsess over. He gets a little crazy on game day, so I’d rather not be around him. Plus I think he said something about going over to the arena for the meet and greet soon.”
“No one said anything to me about a meet and greet,” I said.
“They probably thought you had enough to do.”
Chapter 5
The arena was buzzing with activity when we pulled into the parking lot. Signs and banners announcing the beginning of the season and the fan appreciation event hung everywhere. People were milling around and taking part in different activities. Some were shooting pucks at a cardboard goalie. Others were trying their hand at stickhandling. A person dressed as a Raven was handing out foam pucks to kids and randomly dancing with anyone who showed interest.
People were taking pictures with cardboard cutouts of the team and a few of the actual team members were mingling with the fans. The captain was center stage, signing autographs and posing for p
ictures.
I pulled around back and parked. Usually when I came to an arena for an event, reporters and fans were there to greet me. This time no one paid any attention to me. It was odd and a little unsettling.
The activity level was just as crazy inside the building. Shelby said hello to everyone who walked by us. Most of the people greeted her by name.
I ushered Shelby up to Margo’s office to see about getting her some sort of identification so she would be allowed into the hallowed bowels of the arena.
“Hi, Margo,” Shelby said.
“Hi, Shelby,” Margo replied.
“Do you know everyone?” I asked Shelby.
“Almost,” she said. “I’ve spent a lot of time here. Alex didn’t want me sitting in the apartment by myself, so he made me come here. I usually do my homework in the press box or in here with Margo when she tolerates me. Not that I mind. I just wish I could be on the ice.”
Margo squinted but smiled widely when we moved closer to her desk.
“I thought that was you, Vika. I cannot find my glasses,” she said.
Shelby stifled a laugh and patted the top of her head.
“Uh, Margo, you’re wearing them as a hat,” I said.
“Oh, for crying out loud. I have spent the last fifteen minutes tearing apart my office looking for the damn things. God, I hate opening day.”
“How come no one told me about this event?”
“Everyone thought you had enough on your plate and didn’t want you to worry about it. And Johan didn’t know if you were ready to face the media. You know if they get a hold of you, they’re going to pepper you with questions about skating and not hockey.”
I smiled, because all of a sudden I was very thankful for the brilliant people I worked for.
“Now, let’s take a picture,” Margo said to Shelby.
Shelby fussed with her hair, unwrapping the band so her curls dropped to her shoulders. When she was sufficiently satisfied, Margo directed her where to stand and took a picture. Several minutes later, Shelby had her credentials around her neck.
“Just stay out of the locker room,” Margo warned.
“Ew,” Shelby squealed.
I heard Margo mumble something that sounded like “give it a few years.”
We backed out of her office when her phone rang. She picked up and shouted about jersey numbers and spelling errors in the program.
“She seems a bit tense,” I said.
Shelby nodded and followed me down to the weight room, where I was stunned to find several players stretching and doing some light band work.
“Am I late?” I asked Matt.
“Nah, we had that fan thing, and Cam wanted some of us in here early for extra work,” Matt said as he rolled on his side, stretching his hip. “Some guys seem to have a ton of lactic acid buildup in their muscles.”
“Lift your knee a little higher. Doing that will stretch your hip flexor more,” I said.
He did as instructed and then sat up, holding his hand out to me. I grasped it and helped him to his feet. Like most of the players, he towered over me.
“Welcome to the team,” he said. “Sorry for being an asshole, but I was following Captain’s orders. And you are a chick, which is sorta weird, but not in a bad way.”
I rolled my eyes.
“Yeah, I should just probably shut up and finish my workout.”
I told him to get on the bike and warm down. The clock on the wall reminded me it was almost time for the pregame meal, which meant I had to find Hank and see what else needed to be done before the game.
Hank kept Shelby and I jumping, asking us to fold towels and hang jerseys in the stalls. Shelby tried to tell Hank that Margo banned her from going into the locker room, but Hank pursed his lips and ordered her to pair the socks and place them in the stalls while I filled and labeled bottles. She’d finally had enough and told me she was going to see Margo.
“I need a break from hockey-player stink,” she said, wrinkling her nose.
“Breathing through your mouth is best,” I said.
“Blah,” she said and ran out of the room.
After I was satisfied I had everything ready for the players, Margo called me and told me to go to my office. A huge box was sitting on my chair. I ripped it open and several pieces of Raven clothing spilled on my desk. I sat down and touched the logo. Now instead of tulle and Lycra dresses studded with crystals, I was staring at polo shirts, hoodies, and three-quarter-zip jackets.
“Hi,” Alex said when he tapped on the open door. “I was sent by the captain to retrieve you.”
“For what?”
“I don’t know? He’s the captain. It’s better not to ask questions.”
“I’ll be there shortly,” I said.
“He said now.”
I grumbled and rose, quickly following Alex.
“Why are you wearing your jersey with dress pants?”
“I have to go. Ask the captain.”
Alex disappeared down the hallway without giving me any answers.
The captain came around the corner. “Oh good, you’re here,” he said.
I turned to see if anyone was standing behind me.
“I’m speaking to you,” he said.
“Why?”
“The team is having a red carpet for the fans. The cars are waiting for us in the parking garage. We’re going to drive around the block and then walk the red carpet.”
“No one told me, and why would I walk the carpet. I’m not a member of the team.”
“Sure you are,” he said and tossed a Raven’s jersey in my face. My name was sewn on the back in big block letters. “C’mon, everyone is wearing their jerseys so the fans get an idea of who we all are.”
I desperately tried to refuse, but he didn’t give me much choice after threatening to haul me out of the building slung over his shoulder. Instead of arguing with him, I let him take my arm and lead me to a car, and like he said, it took us around the block so we could get out amidst all the fans and walk the red carpet.
The car stopped and our driver slid out of his seat so he could act like a chauffeur and open our door. Which meant I was faced with a huge problem. Usually after the completion of a skating competition, a carpet was rolled on the ice for the announcer to use. Sometimes the medal winners used the carpet to get to the steps. The first time I medaled at a national competition, the carpet almost made me face plant on the ice. The stumble tweaked a muscle in my thigh, and I missed several competitions. Since that day, I was always superstitious about the carpet and chose to avoid them. Tonight I was wearing tennis shoes and trying to think of a way I could stay in the car.
Memories of Viktor laughing when we won a medal, and he’d have to lift me over that stupid carpet and set me down on the ice, assaulted me. I didn’t think I’d be able to get out of the car.
“What’s wrong?” Cam whispered.
I clenched my jaw. “Old silly superstition. It’s not a big deal.”
He raised his eyebrows. “In my experience, superstitions are not silly. What do I need to do?”
“Can I ride on your back?”
“Like a piggyback ride?”
“Er….” My face burned and I wanted to stay in the car and never come out. “Forget it.”
I climbed out of the car and balanced on the curb, keeping my toes off the carpet.
“Jump on,” Cam said, crouching down.
“Really?”
“Yeah, it might be one of the weirder things I’ve ever done, but I understand superstitions.”
“People are going to think you’re crazy.”
“Wouldn’t be the worst thing,” he said. “Now jump on.”
I did as he asked and held my breath when he stepped on the carpet. He waved to and high-fived the fans who were lining the carpet, held away from us by a black velvet rope. I probably looked totally insane.
“Gonna tell me what that was all about?” he asked as we neared the door.
“No
,” I said with a shaky voice.
Once inside I waited for the ceiling to crash on my head or some other terrible thing to happen since I’d almost broken with tradition. But all that happened was a stampede of guys, heading to the dressing room to strip out of their suits. Hank saved me from the tidal wave of players by begging for my help.
“Vika, help me sharpen these skates,” he said. “We don’t have much time.”
Working against a ticking clock made me calmer and helped me push my odd obsession to the back of my mind. After we finished the skates and delivered them to the players, Hank handed me a pile of sticks and showed me how to set up the extra lumber the guys would need in case they broke one during the game. Before I knew it, it was game time so I stayed near the bench. It was a silly place to be because I couldn’t see anything until Hank brought me a stool to stand on so I could see over the guys.
The game was exciting but disappointing when we ended up losing by one goal in the closing minutes of the third period. I hung out by the locker room door, fist-bumping the team as they filed off the ice. To my surprise, Cam dragged me into the room. The players ignored me and began to undress. I tried not to stare, but I must admit, it was difficult keeping my eyes above the waist. Sawyer would have died right on the spot.
The guys took a seat when Johan came into the room. He was actually pleased with the performance, talking about being the new kids on the block and competing with the team who currently held the Calder Cup. Cam took over and invigorated the guys by shouting about how more hard work would elevate the team to the top level in this game.
“Ignore the hype and work hard. Everyone is writing us off. Let’s prove them wrong,” Cam said. “And listen to Vika, she knows her shit.”
I wasn’t expecting him to mention me, but then the guys cheered, tossing their gross, game-worn jerseys at me. I gagged as Hank took the offensive garments and stuffed them into the laundry cart. My nose seemed to be in fine working order, and I understood why Shelby had needed fresh air.
The coach gave the guys the option of skating tomorrow, but Cam strongly suggested they all show up. I had been looking forward to a day off. I’d been going nonstop since I was hired, and I needed to take a breath and evaluate what had happened. I scurried out of the room before they started throwing the rest of their clothing at me. Cam grabbed my arm before I could escape.