He Shoots, She Scores
Ice Skates and Kissy Faces
Day Rewind
As Carrie walked out of Lacey’s house and to her car she could hear the faint sounds of her phone
“Yellow”
“Carrie?”
“I have to teach you so much Nate”
“Okay, um anyway I’m home from practice are you on your way back yet?”
“Yeah I’m just now leaving the freaking out Lacey. I mean seriously only my best friend would make me come over at 9am I don’t think she realizes it’s a 40 minute drive between here and Clarence. What’s going on?”
“Well since I won a bet last night, I believe I owe you a date”
“You sir are a cheese ball”
“You’ll get used to it”
Carrie laughs at him before saying goodbye and taking off for Clarence. The 40 minute ride was a killer on her gas tank although Carrie had her parents to thank for making her quit her full time job, it gave her less money but she also didn’t have to drive between the Falls and Clarence every night. Finally reaching her street she turned into the driveway pulling her car to a stop in front of the house. She mentally made a note to ask Nate sometime when he had moved into a house since her parents did say she was moving into an apartment, which this clearly was not. She got out of her car and walked up the sidewalk and into the front door. She stepped out of her shoes and put her purse on the floor turning around she seen Nate coming down the stairs towel in his hand.
“How was practice?”
“Good, I think we’re ready for the Islanders tonight. How’s Lacey?”
“Good I can’t wait for the game, and Lacey, well Lacey is doing what she does best, freaking out”
Nate laughed causing Carrie to smile, she found that was her natural reaction to his laughter and she was more than okay with that.
“Oh, you better go get ready” he said noting she had gone to Lacey’s in her pajamas
“Where are we going?” she asked heading towards the stairs
“I can’t tell you. But dress warm and comfortable. And bring your jersey to change into before the game cause we aren’t coming back”
“Who said I wanted to wear my jersey tonight?” she asks smiling at him over her shoulder
“But it looks so cute on you” he says with a pout and Carrie finds herself giving into that pout even though she was fine with wearing her jersey anyway.
“You have a very convincing pout there Mr. Gerbe, fine I will wear my jersey”
“I will remember that my pout is convincing” he says with a wink and Carrie rolls her eyes making her way up the last of the stairs to her room. She showers quickly leaving her hair to curl whatever direction it wanted to she tosses on her long sleeved senior t-shirt and a zip up hoodie, figuring layering was best since she didn’t know where she was going. After putting on makeup and grabbing her jersey she heads down stairs.
“Ready?” She asks Nate turning into the living room
“I am if you are” he says getting off the couch and grabbing his jacket.
They head out the door and to his car. Their first stop a small diner for lunch, just simple enough to be perfect for Carrie’s and Nate’s taste. Getting back into the car Nate hands Carrie a blind fold.
“Why?” she whines and Nate rolls his eyes
“Just humor me ok?” he asks and Carrie smirks
“Ok, 2 men walk into a bar and say ouch” Nate laughs and gives her a confused look “You told me to humor you, you laughed therefore I have humored you”
“You’re a dork, put the blind fold on”
“But I don’t want to; it will mess up my hair”
“It will not, and I promise you won’t have it on long. But I am not moving this car until that blind fold is on”
“Fine” She sighed putting the blind fold on Nate started the car and drove for what seemed like a life time even though it was probably only a few minutes. He pulls the car to a stop in front of First Niagara Center turning off the engine and getting out. He opens the door for Carrie and she reaches for the blind fold “Not just yet” Nate says placing his hand on top of hers to help her out of the car
“Nate I look like an idiot”
“A cute one”
“That’s not funny! Come on I’m gonna fall on my face and die”
“No you won’t and yes it was funny. Come on now I promise I will not let you fall, or walk into a door or die” he says and she sighs letting him lead her into a building they walk for a while before Carrie notices the temperature change.
“Nate where are we?” she asks
“Take off your blind fold and find out” he says and she slowly lifts the blind fold.
“Whoa” she says admiring the view of the arena from ice level. She turns to notice Nate sitting on the bench lacing his skates
“Sit put your skates on”
“I don’t have skates”
“Yes you do, I asked your mom your size and bought you some” he says pulling a box out from under the bench
“I’ve never been ice skating before”
“Well if you would sit down I’ll tie your skates for you and teach you how” he says and she sits kicking off her shoes and sliding her feet into the skates.
“I’m going to fall”
“I’ll catch you” He says tying her right skate “Too tight?” she shakes her head “Can you move your ankle?” she shakes her head no again “Then it’s perfect, other foot”
“I’m scared” she says as he pulls her up and turns for the door
“Don’t be, I’m right here”
“That’s not really helping, all I see is me falling and having soaking wet pants for an entire hockey game”
“Carrie I got you, you are not going to fall”
“How do you know?”
“Because I won’t let you ok?” Carrie looks between him and the ice her grasp on the wall becoming tighter as he gently pulls her towards the ice “Do you trust me?” he asks and his words capture her attention. Carrie opens her mouth to give her final protest when Lacey’s words ring through her head
“You are going to push him away and not even know you’re doing it. He really cares about you”
“Well do you?” he asks and Carrie takes a deep breath
“Yeah I trust you” she says tightening her grasp on Nate’s hand
“Then skate with me”
His skates hit the ice and then slowly hers, her knuckles white with how tight she was holding his hand.
“Relax Carrie”
“I’m petrified”
“I got you, ok? You are not going to fall I am right here” he said next to her shaking one of his hands free from her grasp and placing it lightly around her waist. She could feel herself involuntarily relax into his touch as he started to move slowly around the ice.
“This is actually pretty fun. I think I’m getting the hang of this” she says after a few minutes of slow rounds. Nate stops briefly by the wall to check the time on his phone.
“Oh really?” he says with a smirk she nods “ok then, come here” he says skating away from her
“Wait! Come back!”
“Come on, you can do it”
“Nate, come back!” she whines
“If you want me you have to come to me”
“I’m gonna die”
“You will be fine now come here”
She slowly pushes off from the wall concentration evident on her face.
“You look adorable concentrating that hard” he says from across the ice
“If you think this is adorable you should see me do a physics problem” she says and he smiles at her. Slowly but surely she makes her way closer to Nate. He sticks his hand out for her to grab and she does tightly as he pulls her into him
“You did it!”
“I did!”
“Good job, I’m proud of you” She lets a smile spread across her face, he plants a soft kiss on her cheek before taking off again. Carrie’s jaw drops as he smoothly glides away from her he holds his hand up and motions for her to come again
“I don’t like this game” she says slowly skating after him
After a while of just skating around Carrie stops at the wall and Nate skids to a stop next to her
“What’s wrong?”
“My feet are killing me”
He reaches over the wall opening the door for them to go through Carrie hops up onto the wall letting her feet dangle the removal of pressure making them instantly feel better. Nate sits down in front of her unlacing his skates and putting back on his shoes he reaches for her feet and she gladly accepts the offer to take her skates off.
“How on earth can you wear those so long?” she asks as he unlaces hers and puts them carefully on the floor
“You just get conditioned to it” he says grabbing her foot and rubbing it
“Oh my God that feels amazing, you are now my personal foot masseuse” she says and he smiles
“Anytime” he grabs her sneakers sliding them on her feet and tying them for her
“Now I feel like a 3 year old”
“You are a very grown up 3 year old” he says standing in front of her.
“Good to know” she says jumping down from the wall “Now what?”
“That’s it, that’s all I had planned”
“Really?” she asks and he nods “Good” she says and he looks at her confused
“Why is that good?” he asks and she just smiles at him
“Cause I’ve been waiting to do this all day” she says pressing her lips to his. Breaking away he smiles at her, he wraps his arms tightly around her waist
“Well yeah there’s that too” he says and she lightly slaps him
“You are such a dork”
“As long as I’m your dork I’m not complaining” Carrie’s eyes soften at him and she smiles about to make a comment about how sweet that was when her phone rings.
“Yellow” she says into the phone Nate slightly chuckling and placing a kiss softly on her temple
“Purple” Its Lacey, not like Carrie would ever need caller ID to know that she had a personal ringtone for a reason
“Hey Lacey”
“Hi, can you do me a favor and take me home to get dry clothes”
“Dry clothes?”
“Don’t ask”
“Too late”
“I’ll explain on the car ride if you will take me home”
“I don’t have my car”
“Take mine” Nate says “Wait” she says to Lacey and looks towards him “What Nate?”
“Take mine it’s not like I need it”
“Are you kidding me I’m not driving that thing!”
“Why it’s just a car and besides I trust you”
“I’m glad you trust me but what if I get into an accident?”
“It’s a 20 minute ride you will not get into an accident”
“You don’t know that I won’t”
“And you don’t know that you will just take the car Carrie”
“okay fine!” she says taking the keys from his outstretched hand “Lacey, Nate said I can take his car, but have Tyler bring you to the arena cause I’m already here and I don’t want to drive his car more than I have to”
“Tell Nate I said thank you and I will see you in a few” She hangs up her phone and follows Nate towards the exit
“Lacey said thank you” he nods and grabs her hand casually “Please don’t make me take your beamer, it’s going to feel weird” Carrie takes a deep breath about to start a rant on reasons she doesn’t want to drive Nate’s car when she feels his hand clamp over her mouth
“Stop it! You are going to drive my car from the arena to Lacey’s, she’s going to change and you are going to drive back. Today you accomplished walking blind folded into the arena and ice skating I think you can handle a drive you have done dozens of times in someone elses car”
“But..”
“Don’t make me pout Carrie”
She lets out a sigh as he gently pushes her out the back door of the arena “Call me when you get back and someone will let you in okay?” she nods and walks towards his car. Tyler and Lacey pull up within minutes Tyler getting out of his truck frantically and Lacey right behind him
“Thank you” Tyler said giving Carrie a half hug
“No problem, but if I wreck his car I’m blaming you”
“You are not going to wreck his car Carrie”
“You hockey players are not psychic you don’t know that!”
“Ignore her she gets nervous driving anybody’s car with the exception of her own. Go before you are late I’ll see you later?” Lacey asked and Tyler nodded
“You will definitely see me later”
Lacey gets into the car and Carrie drives away.
With Lacey and Carrie
“So how was your date?” they asked each other at the same time “Whoa that’s creepy… and it keeps going… Oh my gosh shut up... seriously stop it…” they both crack up laughing Lacey being the first to gain composer
“My date was awesome yours?”
“If it had gone any better it would be a movie. But my interest is how you ended up wet Lacey?”
“We got into a water fight in his kitchen! I was innocently helping him with the dishes and he sprayed me so I soaked him with the sponge and then I had to use his dog as a shield it was a whole mess! And then we fell asleep on the couch and woke up at 4:30”
“Wow, at least you guys had fun, and you got a nap after being up at 7 in the morning!”
“Enough about my date what did you do today?”
“Well Nate took me out to lunch, and then we went back to the arena and he taught me how to ice skate”
“Aw, that is too cute! Did you fall or was it like a movie scene where he pretty much pulled you around the ice?”
“Now you and I both know it was the second one!”
They talk and laugh the entire way back to Lacey’s house her changing into her Ennis jersey to match Carrie’s Gerbe one and the two of them heading back to the arena
With Nate and Tyler
Nate walked into the locker room to see Derek
“She had to make the first move Gerbs? Come on”
“What? How long have you been here Roysy?”
“Long enough to see her kiss you, I mean come on Gerbs”
“Roysy, 1. It’s none of your business and 2. She did not make the first move”
“Yeah? Okay kid whatever you say” Derek tries to hold in a laugh as he starts making kissy faces at Nate who just turns red in embarrassment, Nate sighs in relief as he see’s Tyler and a few of the other guys enter the locker room
“Roysy what are you doing?” Christian Ehrhoff asks walking over to her locker to get his practice gear on
“I’m just teasing Gerbs about his girlfriend, he brought her skating today”
“Oh leave him alone Roysy, let him be young and happy” Coach Lindy Ruff says walking into the locker room nodding a hello at the other guys before walking back out.
“Hey Enzo, how was your date with Lacey?” Nate asks quietly as they stand outside the locker room waiting for the other guys to finish changing
“We got into a water fight and fell asleep on my couch. Not exactly what I had planned, not even close”
“Did she at least have fun?”
“She says she did. But I mean come on I haven’t even kissed her, there’s something void of this date”
“Enzo, buddy I really don’t need to know if you have or have not kissed Lacey”
“Hey I had to watch you kiss Carrie so you will deal with my words” Tyler says laughing at his friend who just shoots a smile his way.
“These girls are as different as they come. I’m sure Lacey didn’t even notice the missing kiss, so take a breath and concentrate on the game and not the girls”
“What girls?” Nate’s head snaps in the direction of Carrie’s voice
“I thought you were going to call me?”
“I did you didn’t have your phone, Lindy let us in. What girls?”
“Oh are you jealous?” Nate asks with a raised eyebrow
“No, what girls?”
“I think you’re jealous, but don’t worry we were only talking about you ladies only good things of course”
Carrie rolled her eyes at him noticing for the first time how much bigger he seemed with all his padding and skates on. He was now a good 3 inches taller than her which she wasn’t totally fond of there was something nice about standing next to a guy your height and not breaking your neck to look at him, his padding made him seem at least 40 pounds heavier. Even though there was something remarkably handsome about Nate, she couldn’t deny that there was just something about him in hockey gear that made her swoon a little more.
“You girls should probably head up to your seats we have to get to the ice to practice” Tyler says earning a nod of acknowledgment from Carrie and Lacey. Carrie almost laughs at the even more noticeable size difference between Lacey and Tyler as he wraps her in a hug; she shakes her head and steps into Nate for a tight hug
“Good luck” both girls chorus
Over Carrie’s head Nate could see Derek emerging from the locker room returning to his childish game of making kissy faces at Nate. Reaching his tolerance limit with Derek’s antics, he bends down slightly to capture Carrie’s lips with his.
Carrie steps away from Nate looking at him confused as to why he would all of a sudden kiss her so forcefully turning her head to follow his gaze she finds Derek with an innocent smile on his face. Sighing in irritation Carrie looks between the two of them she walks over to Derek pulling him by his arm closer to where Nate is standing. Debating whom to address first she plans her lecture. Deciding on Nate she reaches up and grabs his jersey pulling him slightly down to her level.
“One, do not ever kiss me like that again, it hurt. Two” she says averting her gaze and reaching up to grab hold if Derek’s jersey pulling him down to her height “Two, whatever little rivalry or whatever you have going on here stops now. You Derek will not flirt with me at post game don’t give me that surprised look I’m not stupid. And you Nathan are not going to get all uptight and pissy because this one can’t act like an adult. Do I make myself clear?” Both guys look at her with baffled and slightly frightened looks before she lets them both go “Good, now go play some hockey and beat the Islanders. I want Buffalo in the play offs”
Stepping away from them she walks over to Lacey who fails to hold in her laughter “Carrie I must commend you, I believe you scared the crap out of 2 hockey players” Lacey holds up her hand for a high five which Carrie returns.
“She scared me” Tyler says with a slight laugh “And I’ve done nothing wrong”
“I have that effect on people” Carrie says with a laugh turning to Lacey “We really gotta go” Lacey nods and gives Tyler one last hug. They turn to leave before both girls hear their names called. Lacey turns around to find Tyler right behind her
“What’s wrong?” she asks
“I told you I had a much more romantic day planned. But at least I can make it end better” he says bending to place a soft kiss on her lips. Lacey steps back stunned with a smile on her face
“You’re not mad at me again are you?” Nate asks reaching slowly for Carrie’s hand
“No I’m not” she says lacing her fingers with his
“You promise?”
“Nate I’m not mad” she says with a smile “Now concentrate on the game, I swear I am not mad at you”
“Ok I’ll see you after the game then” he says placing a soft kiss to her forehead
“You have no choice in that one” She says rocking onto her tip toes to gently kiss him.
Carrie and Lacey give Derek and a couple of the other guys quick hugs and wish them all luck before heading up to their seats. Waiting for the game to start Lacey rambles on and on about her kiss with Tyler, Carrie listening intently because that’s what best friends do. As the game starts the girls become enticed in the game, which seems to end way too quickly with a Sabres win exciting both girls at the small jump in the standings. After everyone else leaves the girls head back to the dressing room waiting for the guys, deciding that since they both have school in the morning the best place to be was at home in bed rather than at the post game party. Saying their goodbye’s to the rest of the team Tyler takes Lacey home and Nate and Carrie head home. The girls relive their eventful days with reminiscent texts before both of them fall asleep.
As Carrie walked out of Lacey’s house and to her car she could hear the faint sounds of her phone
“Yellow”
“Carrie?”
“I have to teach you so much Nate”
“Okay, um anyway I’m home from practice are you on your way back yet?”
“Yeah I’m just now leaving the freaking out Lacey. I mean seriously only my best friend would make me come over at 9am I don’t think she realizes it’s a 40 minute drive between here and Clarence. What’s going on?”
“Well since I won a bet last night, I believe I owe you a date”
“You sir are a cheese ball”
“You’ll get used to it”
Carrie laughs at him before saying goodbye and taking off for Clarence. The 40 minute ride was a killer on her gas tank although Carrie had her parents to thank for making her quit her full time job, it gave her less money but she also didn’t have to drive between the Falls and Clarence every night. Finally reaching her street she turned into the driveway pulling her car to a stop in front of the house. She mentally made a note to ask Nate sometime when he had moved into a house since her parents did say she was moving into an apartment, which this clearly was not. She got out of her car and walked up the sidewalk and into the front door. She stepped out of her shoes and put her purse on the floor turning around she seen Nate coming down the stairs towel in his hand.
“How was practice?”
“Good, I think we’re ready for the Islanders tonight. How’s Lacey?”
“Good I can’t wait for the game, and Lacey, well Lacey is doing what she does best, freaking out”
Nate laughed causing Carrie to smile, she found that was her natural reaction to his laughter and she was more than okay with that.
“Oh, you better go get ready” he said noting she had gone to Lacey’s in her pajamas
“Where are we going?” she asked heading towards the stairs
“I can’t tell you. But dress warm and comfortable. And bring your jersey to change into before the game cause we aren’t coming back”
“Who said I wanted to wear my jersey tonight?” she asks smiling at him over her shoulder
“But it looks so cute on you” he says with a pout and Carrie finds herself giving into that pout even though she was fine with wearing her jersey anyway.
“You have a very convincing pout there Mr. Gerbe, fine I will wear my jersey”
“I will remember that my pout is convincing” he says with a wink and Carrie rolls her eyes making her way up the last of the stairs to her room. She showers quickly leaving her hair to curl whatever direction it wanted to she tosses on her long sleeved senior t-shirt and a zip up hoodie, figuring layering was best since she didn’t know where she was going. After putting on makeup and grabbing her jersey she heads down stairs.
“Ready?” She asks Nate turning into the living room
“I am if you are” he says getting off the couch and grabbing his jacket.
They head out the door and to his car. Their first stop a small diner for lunch, just simple enough to be perfect for Carrie’s and Nate’s taste. Getting back into the car Nate hands Carrie a blind fold.
“Why?” she whines and Nate rolls his eyes
“Just humor me ok?” he asks and Carrie smirks
“Ok, 2 men walk into a bar and say ouch” Nate laughs and gives her a confused look “You told me to humor you, you laughed therefore I have humored you”
“You’re a dork, put the blind fold on”
“But I don’t want to; it will mess up my hair”
“It will not, and I promise you won’t have it on long. But I am not moving this car until that blind fold is on”
“Fine” She sighed putting the blind fold on Nate started the car and drove for what seemed like a life time even though it was probably only a few minutes. He pulls the car to a stop in front of First Niagara Center turning off the engine and getting out. He opens the door for Carrie and she reaches for the blind fold “Not just yet” Nate says placing his hand on top of hers to help her out of the car
“Nate I look like an idiot”
“A cute one”
“That’s not funny! Come on I’m gonna fall on my face and die”
“No you won’t and yes it was funny. Come on now I promise I will not let you fall, or walk into a door or die” he says and she sighs letting him lead her into a building they walk for a while before Carrie notices the temperature change.
“Nate where are we?” she asks
“Take off your blind fold and find out” he says and she slowly lifts the blind fold.
“Whoa” she says admiring the view of the arena from ice level. She turns to notice Nate sitting on the bench lacing his skates
“Sit put your skates on”
“I don’t have skates”
“Yes you do, I asked your mom your size and bought you some” he says pulling a box out from under the bench
“I’ve never been ice skating before”
“Well if you would sit down I’ll tie your skates for you and teach you how” he says and she sits kicking off her shoes and sliding her feet into the skates.
“I’m going to fall”
“I’ll catch you” He says tying her right skate “Too tight?” she shakes her head “Can you move your ankle?” she shakes her head no again “Then it’s perfect, other foot”
“I’m scared” she says as he pulls her up and turns for the door
“Don’t be, I’m right here”
“That’s not really helping, all I see is me falling and having soaking wet pants for an entire hockey game”
“Carrie I got you, you are not going to fall”
“How do you know?”
“Because I won’t let you ok?” Carrie looks between him and the ice her grasp on the wall becoming tighter as he gently pulls her towards the ice “Do you trust me?” he asks and his words capture her attention. Carrie opens her mouth to give her final protest when Lacey’s words ring through her head
“You are going to push him away and not even know you’re doing it. He really cares about you”
“Well do you?” he asks and Carrie takes a deep breath
“Yeah I trust you” she says tightening her grasp on Nate’s hand
“Then skate with me”
His skates hit the ice and then slowly hers, her knuckles white with how tight she was holding his hand.
“Relax Carrie”
“I’m petrified”
“I got you, ok? You are not going to fall I am right here” he said next to her shaking one of his hands free from her grasp and placing it lightly around her waist. She could feel herself involuntarily relax into his touch as he started to move slowly around the ice.
“This is actually pretty fun. I think I’m getting the hang of this” she says after a few minutes of slow rounds. Nate stops briefly by the wall to check the time on his phone.
“Oh really?” he says with a smirk she nods “ok then, come here” he says skating away from her
“Wait! Come back!”
“Come on, you can do it”
“Nate, come back!” she whines
“If you want me you have to come to me”
“I’m gonna die”
“You will be fine now come here”
She slowly pushes off from the wall concentration evident on her face.
“You look adorable concentrating that hard” he says from across the ice
“If you think this is adorable you should see me do a physics problem” she says and he smiles at her. Slowly but surely she makes her way closer to Nate. He sticks his hand out for her to grab and she does tightly as he pulls her into him
“You did it!”
“I did!”
“Good job, I’m proud of you” She lets a smile spread across her face, he plants a soft kiss on her cheek before taking off again. Carrie’s jaw drops as he smoothly glides away from her he holds his hand up and motions for her to come again
“I don’t like this game” she says slowly skating after him
After a while of just skating around Carrie stops at the wall and Nate skids to a stop next to her
“What’s wrong?”
“My feet are killing me”
He reaches over the wall opening the door for them to go through Carrie hops up onto the wall letting her feet dangle the removal of pressure making them instantly feel better. Nate sits down in front of her unlacing his skates and putting back on his shoes he reaches for her feet and she gladly accepts the offer to take her skates off.
“How on earth can you wear those so long?” she asks as he unlaces hers and puts them carefully on the floor
“You just get conditioned to it” he says grabbing her foot and rubbing it
“Oh my God that feels amazing, you are now my personal foot masseuse” she says and he smiles
“Anytime” he grabs her sneakers sliding them on her feet and tying them for her
“Now I feel like a 3 year old”
“You are a very grown up 3 year old” he says standing in front of her.
“Good to know” she says jumping down from the wall “Now what?”
“That’s it, that’s all I had planned”
“Really?” she asks and he nods “Good” she says and he looks at her confused
“Why is that good?” he asks and she just smiles at him
“Cause I’ve been waiting to do this all day” she says pressing her lips to his. Breaking away he smiles at her, he wraps his arms tightly around her waist
“Well yeah there’s that too” he says and she lightly slaps him
“You are such a dork”
“As long as I’m your dork I’m not complaining” Carrie’s eyes soften at him and she smiles about to make a comment about how sweet that was when her phone rings.
“Yellow” she says into the phone Nate slightly chuckling and placing a kiss softly on her temple
“Purple” Its Lacey, not like Carrie would ever need caller ID to know that she had a personal ringtone for a reason
“Hey Lacey”
“Hi, can you do me a favor and take me home to get dry clothes”
“Dry clothes?”
“Don’t ask”
“Too late”
“I’ll explain on the car ride if you will take me home”
“I don’t have my car”
“Take mine” Nate says “Wait” she says to Lacey and looks towards him “What Nate?”
“Take mine it’s not like I need it”
“Are you kidding me I’m not driving that thing!”
“Why it’s just a car and besides I trust you”
“I’m glad you trust me but what if I get into an accident?”
“It’s a 20 minute ride you will not get into an accident”
“You don’t know that I won’t”
“And you don’t know that you will just take the car Carrie”
“okay fine!” she says taking the keys from his outstretched hand “Lacey, Nate said I can take his car, but have Tyler bring you to the arena cause I’m already here and I don’t want to drive his car more than I have to”
“Tell Nate I said thank you and I will see you in a few” She hangs up her phone and follows Nate towards the exit
“Lacey said thank you” he nods and grabs her hand casually “Please don’t make me take your beamer, it’s going to feel weird” Carrie takes a deep breath about to start a rant on reasons she doesn’t want to drive Nate’s car when she feels his hand clamp over her mouth
“Stop it! You are going to drive my car from the arena to Lacey’s, she’s going to change and you are going to drive back. Today you accomplished walking blind folded into the arena and ice skating I think you can handle a drive you have done dozens of times in someone elses car”
“But..”
“Don’t make me pout Carrie”
She lets out a sigh as he gently pushes her out the back door of the arena “Call me when you get back and someone will let you in okay?” she nods and walks towards his car. Tyler and Lacey pull up within minutes Tyler getting out of his truck frantically and Lacey right behind him
“Thank you” Tyler said giving Carrie a half hug
“No problem, but if I wreck his car I’m blaming you”
“You are not going to wreck his car Carrie”
“You hockey players are not psychic you don’t know that!”
“Ignore her she gets nervous driving anybody’s car with the exception of her own. Go before you are late I’ll see you later?” Lacey asked and Tyler nodded
“You will definitely see me later”
Lacey gets into the car and Carrie drives away.
With Lacey and Carrie
“So how was your date?” they asked each other at the same time “Whoa that’s creepy… and it keeps going… Oh my gosh shut up... seriously stop it…” they both crack up laughing Lacey being the first to gain composer
“My date was awesome yours?”
“If it had gone any better it would be a movie. But my interest is how you ended up wet Lacey?”
“We got into a water fight in his kitchen! I was innocently helping him with the dishes and he sprayed me so I soaked him with the sponge and then I had to use his dog as a shield it was a whole mess! And then we fell asleep on the couch and woke up at 4:30”
“Wow, at least you guys had fun, and you got a nap after being up at 7 in the morning!”
“Enough about my date what did you do today?”
“Well Nate took me out to lunch, and then we went back to the arena and he taught me how to ice skate”
“Aw, that is too cute! Did you fall or was it like a movie scene where he pretty much pulled you around the ice?”
“Now you and I both know it was the second one!”
They talk and laugh the entire way back to Lacey’s house her changing into her Ennis jersey to match Carrie’s Gerbe one and the two of them heading back to the arena
With Nate and Tyler
Nate walked into the locker room to see Derek
“She had to make the first move Gerbs? Come on”
“What? How long have you been here Roysy?”
“Long enough to see her kiss you, I mean come on Gerbs”
“Roysy, 1. It’s none of your business and 2. She did not make the first move”
“Yeah? Okay kid whatever you say” Derek tries to hold in a laugh as he starts making kissy faces at Nate who just turns red in embarrassment, Nate sighs in relief as he see’s Tyler and a few of the other guys enter the locker room
“Roysy what are you doing?” Christian Ehrhoff asks walking over to her locker to get his practice gear on
“I’m just teasing Gerbs about his girlfriend, he brought her skating today”
“Oh leave him alone Roysy, let him be young and happy” Coach Lindy Ruff says walking into the locker room nodding a hello at the other guys before walking back out.
“Hey Enzo, how was your date with Lacey?” Nate asks quietly as they stand outside the locker room waiting for the other guys to finish changing
“We got into a water fight and fell asleep on my couch. Not exactly what I had planned, not even close”
“Did she at least have fun?”
“She says she did. But I mean come on I haven’t even kissed her, there’s something void of this date”
“Enzo, buddy I really don’t need to know if you have or have not kissed Lacey”
“Hey I had to watch you kiss Carrie so you will deal with my words” Tyler says laughing at his friend who just shoots a smile his way.
“These girls are as different as they come. I’m sure Lacey didn’t even notice the missing kiss, so take a breath and concentrate on the game and not the girls”
“What girls?” Nate’s head snaps in the direction of Carrie’s voice
“I thought you were going to call me?”
“I did you didn’t have your phone, Lindy let us in. What girls?”
“Oh are you jealous?” Nate asks with a raised eyebrow
“No, what girls?”
“I think you’re jealous, but don’t worry we were only talking about you ladies only good things of course”
Carrie rolled her eyes at him noticing for the first time how much bigger he seemed with all his padding and skates on. He was now a good 3 inches taller than her which she wasn’t totally fond of there was something nice about standing next to a guy your height and not breaking your neck to look at him, his padding made him seem at least 40 pounds heavier. Even though there was something remarkably handsome about Nate, she couldn’t deny that there was just something about him in hockey gear that made her swoon a little more.
“You girls should probably head up to your seats we have to get to the ice to practice” Tyler says earning a nod of acknowledgment from Carrie and Lacey. Carrie almost laughs at the even more noticeable size difference between Lacey and Tyler as he wraps her in a hug; she shakes her head and steps into Nate for a tight hug
“Good luck” both girls chorus
Over Carrie’s head Nate could see Derek emerging from the locker room returning to his childish game of making kissy faces at Nate. Reaching his tolerance limit with Derek’s antics, he bends down slightly to capture Carrie’s lips with his.
Carrie steps away from Nate looking at him confused as to why he would all of a sudden kiss her so forcefully turning her head to follow his gaze she finds Derek with an innocent smile on his face. Sighing in irritation Carrie looks between the two of them she walks over to Derek pulling him by his arm closer to where Nate is standing. Debating whom to address first she plans her lecture. Deciding on Nate she reaches up and grabs his jersey pulling him slightly down to her level.
“One, do not ever kiss me like that again, it hurt. Two” she says averting her gaze and reaching up to grab hold if Derek’s jersey pulling him down to her height “Two, whatever little rivalry or whatever you have going on here stops now. You Derek will not flirt with me at post game don’t give me that surprised look I’m not stupid. And you Nathan are not going to get all uptight and pissy because this one can’t act like an adult. Do I make myself clear?” Both guys look at her with baffled and slightly frightened looks before she lets them both go “Good, now go play some hockey and beat the Islanders. I want Buffalo in the play offs”
Stepping away from them she walks over to Lacey who fails to hold in her laughter “Carrie I must commend you, I believe you scared the crap out of 2 hockey players” Lacey holds up her hand for a high five which Carrie returns.
“She scared me” Tyler says with a slight laugh “And I’ve done nothing wrong”
“I have that effect on people” Carrie says with a laugh turning to Lacey “We really gotta go” Lacey nods and gives Tyler one last hug. They turn to leave before both girls hear their names called. Lacey turns around to find Tyler right behind her
“What’s wrong?” she asks
“I told you I had a much more romantic day planned. But at least I can make it end better” he says bending to place a soft kiss on her lips. Lacey steps back stunned with a smile on her face
“You’re not mad at me again are you?” Nate asks reaching slowly for Carrie’s hand
“No I’m not” she says lacing her fingers with his
“You promise?”
“Nate I’m not mad” she says with a smile “Now concentrate on the game, I swear I am not mad at you”
“Ok I’ll see you after the game then” he says placing a soft kiss to her forehead
“You have no choice in that one” She says rocking onto her tip toes to gently kiss him.
Carrie and Lacey give Derek and a couple of the other guys quick hugs and wish them all luck before heading up to their seats. Waiting for the game to start Lacey rambles on and on about her kiss with Tyler, Carrie listening intently because that’s what best friends do. As the game starts the girls become enticed in the game, which seems to end way too quickly with a Sabres win exciting both girls at the small jump in the standings. After everyone else leaves the girls head back to the dressing room waiting for the guys, deciding that since they both have school in the morning the best place to be was at home in bed rather than at the post game party. Saying their goodbye’s to the rest of the team Tyler takes Lacey home and Nate and Carrie head home. The girls relive their eventful days with reminiscent texts before both of them fall asleep.