Score on Me

by Melody Heck Gatto

  After the team paused for a little pep talk from Coach Walker, players slowly started to leave the ice. Dominic was the first to go. Matt Jasper continued to shoot pucks at Kaden O'Conner.

  Tyler Kidd, the team captain, was talking to Coach Walker by the bench as the crowd chanted his name. Tyler was always appreciative of his fans. He waved to the crowd before he left the ice.

  Kris was still shooting pucks at O'Conner.

  The girls continued to scream for him. Wondering if that cute brunette was still there, he took one last skate past where she was standing. His eyes met with hers. The young girls went crazy, screaming and banging on the glass for him. He just shook his head, laughing.

  Coach Walker skated towards him also laughing, "Oh those girls, Kris."

  He looked up at the brunette for just a second. Hoping she knew he was watching her. Were her seats along the glass? Or maybe behind the bench? He would certainly love to meet up with her later, but the chances he would ever see her again were not very good. He hoped if nothing else he would be able to get a glimpse of her during the game.

  Sighing, he followed Coach Walker off the ice. Hopping onto the runway, he disappeared into the locker room.

  ****

  Warm ups were over and all of the players had left the ice. Kat couldn't stop thinking about Kris Lafleur. Was he really looking at her? Was she insane for even thinking that he was? She was in a daze as she slowly made her way to her seat. Her seats were pretty good. She was in the upper bowl, but in the second row. Once she was all settled in, she took a look around the arena. The team had two championship banners hanging from the rafters. The scoreboard was lit up, playing video highlights and showing previously recorded player interviews. Music played it was low and up tempo. Snacking on her nachos, she finished them off just as the lights dimmed.

  The video on the scoreboard switched to live video feed of the players standing outside the locker room. In preparation for the game, they joked and tapped each other with their sticks, getting pumped as they did before every game. Kaden O'Conner, the goalie, had his mask resting on his head. He was the first one to head out onto the ice. As he passed the camera, he tapped the cameraman with his stick. Kaden then flashed a sexy smile into the camera followed by a goofy face sticking his tongue out. The crowd roared with laughter as Kaden flipped his mask on and headed down the runway to the ice.

  The camera followed them to the tunnel leading to the ice as the music changed to the Renegades entrance song. Kat felt the bass rumbling in her chest, lights flashed around the ice and sirens went off. The crowd yelled and screamed and the music became louder. The lights turned back on once the players poured out onto the ice again and the buzzer rang. Through all the noise the announcer yelled, "Your Pittsburgh Renegades!"

  They skated around to the loud music until it stopped. They either took their starting position on the ice, or on the bench. It was time for the national anthem. Kris Lafleur was on the ice, holding his helmet in his hand. He bowed his head while a small girl sang. Heck, that kid had one amazing voice. Kat watched as Lafleur's damp brown hair covered his face. She couldn't take her eyes off of that image.

  At ten after seven the puck dropped. She was glad to have the empty seat next to her she used it to hold her bulky Renegades winter jacket and the bag with Gia's jersey. Tyler Kidd took possession of the puck first, stealing it from Colorado and moving it clear into their end. Kidd spun around, passing the puck to Matt Jasper. He shot at the net, but the goalie deflected his shot. Lafleur skated across in front of the net catching the rebound and tossing it over the goalie's shoulder into the net. Score! The buzzer rang throughout the arena.

  Colorado didn't like the fact that the Renegades scored on them so quick. As Lafleur and Kidd were skating to the bench to change lines, a player from Colorado tried to slew foot Tyler Kidd, but he lost his balance and instead shoved Lafleur into the boards. Lafleur and Kidd waved their hands in the air, calling to the refs looking for a penalty, but nothing was called.

  When the second period started Lafleur skated right after the Colorado player who knocked him down. While trying to knock the puck away from him, Lafleur's stick got caught under the Colorado player's skate. The Colorado player stumbled, but instead of regaining his footing and continuing to skate, he looked back at Lafleur, then purposely sprawled on the ice, drawing a tripping penalty on Lafleur.

  Lafleur was sent to the penalty box for a two minute minor penalty. The arena erupted in disgust. Kat booed along with them. It was a bad call it should've been diving on Colorado! Kat had a good view of the penalty box. Lafleur took off his helmet and flipped his damp hair back with his hand. That same image appeared on the Jumbotron as the female fans cheered and made catcalls for the attractive player.

  His image faded off the screen and play continued. Kat could still see him in the box, checking the tape on his stick.

  Once his penalty expired, he flew back on to the ice, joining his line at the rush in front of the net. He grabbed the puck and passed it to Kidd, who launched it right into the net.

  Goal!

  Lafleur was two for two tonight so far. Colorado tried fighting back. Tyler Kidd scored a power play goal then Colorado scored two goals before the second period ended with the Renegades leading three to two.

  People shuffled around her, taking this opportunity to go get snacks or just take a much needed break. Sitting back Kat enjoyed her nachos. Stadium food was her favorite. Cheesy nachos, greasy fries, and anything in between. She has always loved food. She was Italian, and they loved to eat. Too bad everything she ate went to her ass. And her waist. And her hips.

  Her sister, Gia, was lucky. She was never overweight. The girl could eat anything she wanted and never gain an ounce. It's not like they had a choice as kids though. Junk food was not allowed in the house. Her mom ruled with an iron fist, and the kitchen was off limits. Period. She was pretty sure her mom had a silent alarm on the refrigerator, because every time she tried to sneak a treat her mom appeared out of nowhere to scold her.

  She spent plenty of summers at fat camp. Her mom worked as one of the counselors. She could still hear the echoes of classmates teasing her. The loud cheering of the crowd brought her attention back to the game, nibbling on her nachos. Nachos and hockey, that is all she needed. The spicy cheese and the crunch calmed her.

  "Go Renegades!" Kat cheered as her mind cleared of the nasty memories.

  Scanning the ice for Lafleur her heart beating quickly and her gaze finally settling on him. She sighed. He was beautiful. His strong physique gliding around the ice. His hair flowing in the breeze. She could only dream about getting a guy like him.

  But a guy like Lafleur doesn't go for fat girls. He was out of her league and she was wasting her time.

  Colorado started the third period with a goal, tying the game at three a piece. Kat was on the edge of her seat the entire third period. The Renegades kept getting great scoring opportunities, but since Colorado put in their backup goalie after the Renegades third goal, he hadn't let another goal in.

  Tyler Kidd had many opportunities to score, but he just couldn't get any of them in the net. The Colorado goalie seemed like a brick wall. Tonight just wasn't Kidd's night. Regulation ended in a 3-3 tie, and then it was time for sudden death overtime. Kat squealed, giddy with excitement and a ball of nerves all at the same time. She loved overtime.

  Everyone stood as Tyler Kidd went after the puck. Kat jumped out of her seat, stepping right in her empty nachos tray.

  "Oh crap," she complained, looking down at her feet. Luckily the cheese was empty so it didn't make a mess. Kicking it to the side she tucked it under the seat.

  Kat yelled and clapped as Tyler Kidd passed the puck from the face-off to Tanner MacAuley. Lafleur raced up the ice towards the net and MacAuley passed it to Lafleur. He shot it, flipping the puck right over the goaltender's shoulder.

  "Woo-hoo! Lafleur! Yay!" Kat cheered at the top of her lungs.

  The crowd roared. Al
l the fans stood with their hands in the air. Kris Lafleur scored the game winning goal for the Renegades in overtime.

  Kat giggled as they showed Lafleur on the scoreboard scoring the goal and throwing his fist in the air yelling. The other players piled around him hugging each other and giving him high-fives. The game was over and the Renegades won.

  The players piled on to the ice, congratulating each other, especially the goalie, Kaden O'Conner. Each tapped him on the helmet.

  Before the team could leave the ice people started to leave the arena. Kat's section was already almost empty.

  The announcer's voice filled the arena revealing the game's three stars.

  "Number three-Kaden O'Conner, number two-Tyler Kidd and tonight's number one star-Kris Lafleur!"

  Each player returned to the ice for a victory lap, lifting their stick to the crowd, before exiting the ice.

  Kat really didn't want the night to end she was having a great time. A shiver ran through her body. Rubbing her arms she tried to warm up. Gathering her things up she headed out to the concessions area. Walking by the coffee shop she noticed there wasn't anyone in line. She ordered the best Café Mocha. The warm aroma enticed her taste buds. Sitting down at a small table she sipped the delicious creamy drink as she people watched.

  People were always in a mad rush to get out of the arena. Kat was grateful to be able to sit and watch, while not being part of it. She would leave once it calmed down. Her mind kept going back to the warm up skate and Kris Lafleur. Did that really happen?

  Her phone buzzed. It was a text message from Gia. Hey sis, how was the game? Hope you had fun!

  Hey sis! It was Awesome! Kat texted back.

  Glad to hear it! I watched some of it online, Lafleur was on fire! Did you get my shirt?

  Yep, got it, and Lafleur was hot! And his game was good too-lol! Do I have story for you…

  She told her all about the nacho cheese all over her face and she swore Lafleur looked up at her. Gia didn't believe her until Kat went through the whole story. It was hard for her to even believe, especially in a crowd with so many puck bunnies just waiting to get their claws on a player. She actually saw a few walk by as she was texting Gia. They were hanging around the hallways until security asked them to leave. Kat had to chuckle as they were escorted out.

  They texted back and forth for a few minutes.

  She looked through the photos she took on her phone during warm ups. They came out pretty nice. She took a real good one of Kidd her sister was sure to like that. She got a close up of when Lafleur and Coach Walker skated over to the corner. She smiled when she thought about what an amazing night it turned out to be. She was sure to have pleasant dreams tonight.

  Kat was caught up in her thoughts and didn't realize the arena was practically empty now.

  Chapter 3

  Kat sipped her coffee and was daydreaming when she heard voices echo in the hallway. Trying to focus back on reality, she realized that she was the only one left in that part of the arena, and the only one in the coffee shop.

  Two men walked towards the coffee shop; both men were wearing suits. It was two Renegades players. Matt Jasper and Kris Lafleur.

  Kat froze in her seat as Kris Lafleur approached the counter. She did her best not to stare, yet she was failing miserably. She couldn't look away, she couldn't move, and the hockey hunk was walking her way.

  All she could focus on was the six foot hockey god, who was standing right in front of her. She nervously played with her hair as her heart raced. She could feel the warmth in her face as the blood rushed to her cheeks. She must've been turning some crazy shade of red. Her heart pounded so loud that it was deafening.

  Her hands began to shake. Grabbing her coffee cup with both hands she hoped to steady them or at least to hide the trembling. She knew he was a big guy, but damn, he towered over her. She saw his lips move. He was talking to her, but she couldn't hear anything over the pounding of her own heart.

  Kris Lafleur paused, watching her. Then he spoke again. "I said, nice sweater." He chuckled softly. He seemed amused with her.

  Kat realized he was referring to her Lafleur jersey. Her face had to be red it felt on fire.

  "Mind if I sit with you?"

  The way his French accent mixed with his English made Kat melt. She blinked numerous times, convinced she was seeing things. She thought for sure when she opened her eyes there would be no one standing there. But there he was.

  Struggling to find her voice, she tried not to let him see her tremble. She shifted in her seat.

  "Sure. Have a seat, Kris Lafleur…" She pointed to the empty chair. Her voice shook and she smiled uncontrollably. She was pretty sure that she looked like a fool. Maybe a circus clown. All she could do was stare into those amazing chocolate-brown eyes.

  "Kris. Please, just call me Kris," he said to her with a smirk. He sat down and mussed his damp hair, pushing it to one side.

  Kat sighed longingly as he tossed around his hair.

  "Wow, you are really decked out in fifty-eight stuff."

  If she wasn't beat red before, then she was sure that she was now.

  He looked like he hadn't shaved in a day or so. His beard and mustache were starting to fill in, just enough to frame his face. She liked the stubble, it was sexy. He smiled when he noticed her staring, and he rubbed at his facial hair. She had seen him do that in interviews and always wondered if it was a nervous habit.

  "I'm Kat," she introduced herself. Her heart skipped a beat as he tried to tuck his hair behind his ear and it flopped back down to his face again.

  "Nice to meet you, Kat." Reaching over the table he shook her hand. "Kat... I like that. Is that short for anything? Katrina? Or maybe Katherine?"

  "Um, thanks…" Kat tripped over her words. "Yes. It's short for Katherine. No one ever calls me Katherine though, I've just always been Kat." She smiled and shrugged. Only her mother ever called her Katherine.

  For a few moments they sat in silence, just sipping their coffee.

  Speak up, girl, Kat told herself. She hesitated and watched Kris sip his coffee. He had glanced away and she couldn't help herself from staring. He had on a light gray striped suit with a light pink colored shirt. Before she could glance away he looked up, catching her watching him. He simply smiled, giving her butterflies, and making her lady parts tingle.

  Girl, just speak up and stop staring! You're acting like a freak, she told herself. "That was a really great game, Kris," Kat said, finally breaking the silence. Her hands were still shaking and she felt tongue-tied. She couldn't think of anything else to say.

  "Thanks," Kris said as he ran his fingers through that sexy dark hair again. "Exhausting," he said chuckling. "But nothing some caffeine can't cure. Right?"

  "Caffeine, right," Kat said, scrambling for something else interesting to talk about. "This place has the best coffee." Obviously, he would know that, duh, she thought. Flipping her hair off of her shoulder, she smoothed a piece behind her ear. She crossed her legs, letting them peek out from under the table. She was never great at flirting but was trying her best. He was hot, and she had his attention, so why not?

  Fortunately she had his attention. She saw his eyes wander away from her face and down to her legs. She had on tight jeans and black high heel boots.

  She was doing her best to play it cool as she sat with him. She really didn't want to act like a crazy fan-girl. She was thankful that she hadn't made one of those "Marry Me Kris" signs. How embarrassing would that have been?

  He cleared his throat nervously and brought his gaze back to the table. This is fun, but I'm sure he has a gorgeous Barbie doll blonde waiting for him at home, she thought. She fumbled with her coffee as he leaned forward in his chair, both elbows on the table. He was grinning and looking interested in anything she had to say.

  "Obviously you're a big hockey fan," he said, motioning to her jersey.

  "Obviously," she said, giggling. She lifted her cup to take a sip. Shaking it she realized it w
as almost empty. She tried to drink what little was left and then set the cup back down on the table.

  "Do you need another one?" Reaching over he shook her cup to see if it was empty, and their hands met. His arm muscles flexed and bulged against his suit jacket. Kat swore she felt electricity shoot through her when his hand brushed against hers. It seemed like everything froze for a second.

  Then they both pulled away slowly and exchanged nervous smiles. She paused to compose herself, then noticed he was staring at her.

  ****

  Kris could not take his eyes off her, she was beautiful. Her crystal eyes sparkled. Her silken hair sat softly on her shoulder and the way she flirtingly flipped it around, the way she sipped her coffee then slowly licked her lips. He wanted to kiss those delicious lips. He had never been so completely fascinated with a girl before, and he didn't even know her yet; but he wanted to.

  He thought he was ruined when it came to relationships. He was sure his ex, Anna, had accomplished that before she left. No one felt trustworthy enough to deserve his love. Keeping his distance had served him best. The way his pulse was racing everytime he looked at this girl made him think she might just change that.

  His body trembled as he watched her lick her lips before she spoke. She had stunning, full lips. She intrigued him. This girl already had him sporting a nice hard-on. Observing the way her soft lips moved as she spoke only made his pants tighter. She made him nervous, but he had to know more about her. He'd like to know what she looked like under that jersey.

  It was cute how she was nervous and bashful. The way her hands shook uncontrollably, and her cheeks turned pink everytime he smiled at her. When his hand brushed against her soft skin his whole body tingled. He wasn't used to girls making him nervous. He was usually the confident one making the girls squirm. But she was different. He couldn't put his finger on why, but he knew that she was.