Read Online Icing by Ashley Stanton - Free Book Online Page B

level with Di, Rosemary and this time they were joined by Stewie from hockey.  He was tan due to his recent trip down to Florida to spend Thanksgiving with his Mom.  He was involved in writing a psychology paper.  His grades were above average and he was working hard to keep them that way.  He had class.  You would think it all came easy to him but he had obstacles to overcome like everyone else.  He was one of the people often rooted for to make it far and it was suspected he would.
    Kyle was looking at numbers again.  He was not a natural and yearned to find his niche academically.  His Dad always told him that an NHL career presented a slim chance.  A diploma would offer security and a career beyond the ice.  He still had to plow through this calculus thing.  The girls were there to help him.  They couldn’t help his wandering eye though.  Kyle gazed around and guessed their stories.  A longer glance was directed at the women.  Sometimes they noticed.  He liked when they were lost in their own world.  He could turn them into anyone he wanted them to be.
    Taryn decided to take a break from the solitude and Miles Davis.  She would go down to the meat market on the first level and say hi to Maryann and Kim.  She deserved a break and knew they would have some candy.  She needed a little sugar rush.  She was down the elevator in her jeans and Irish knit sweater, something her parents picked up while visiting the British Isles last summer.  It was winter now and time to pull out her warm stuff.  Her hair was pulled up and secured by a pencil.  She always had a lipstick or balm in her pocket and treated her lips with a quick swipe.  She looked ready for the runway and could have cared less.
    She saw Maryann. On her way to the table she laid eyes on the athletic guy from months ago.  Passing him was necessary to get to Maryann so she plowed on.  Kyle laid eyes on Taryn.  He thought she was approaching him.  The soles of his feet and palms of his hands were dewy.  He smiled and the gesture was returned.  She didn’t stop and he didn’t follow.
    ****
     
    4:30 and he was up and out the door.  By now no alarm was necessary.  He saw the twins and they joined him on the now familiar walk to the rink.  They found the atmosphere in the locker room intense with a renewed sense of urgency.  They would hit the ice right away and warm up before scrimmage began.  Kyle had worked hard on his power.  Speed was one thing but power was something else.  It made all of the difference in hockey. Short bursts of power were asked to accommodate the quickly changing shifts.  The wind sprints both on and off the ice had paid off.  The hours in the weight room showed as well.
    Kyle spent a lot of the time on the bench.  It was expected as a freshman on a fairly deep club.  He had worthy competition for ice time with Patrick, Stewie and the twins.  Coach made sure no one grew cob webs waiting for his time.  Fresh legs mattered and he wanted to make sure we all got our chance to play for the scouts.  He was good this way but a win was always foremost in his mind. There was no pass or pity offered.  They were men and that type of treatment was for pee wee hockey.
    Coach was fair and dignified.  He demanded his players to be responsible men.  Flip the coin and you could see that he would tie himself in knots to help anyone of “his boys”.  Any good father followed this agenda.
    “Coach.  Can I have a minute?” Kyle stopped him in the hallway on the way back to the locker room.
    “Caldwell.  Feeling better?”  He winked.
    “Yeah great.  I will just come out and say it.  My Mom is sick.  Cancer.  I’m only telling you cuz I’m not sure what this might do to my schedule.  I don’t plan on ….”
    “Don’t say another word.  Its life, welcome to it.  I’m sorry about this Kyle.  We are your team, your family. We will provide support.  It starts with me and I’ve been there.  I can