Read Online The Tao of Hockey (Vancouver Vice #1) by Melanie Ting - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Melanie Ting
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“You can’t. And you shouldn’t. The best players have rage and unpredictability. And they do cross the line sometimes, because they want it so much.”
“But, once I cross that line—” Wouldn’t everything fall apart then? One lapse and I could be back at the bottom.
“It’s wrong to injure someone deliberately. But in hockey, a little fear will keep your opponents a bit unsettled, maybe they’ll give you that extra space you need to make a play. Our game has violence in it. That’s inherent. Sure, it’s going to be in direct contradiction to some of the philosophies you’ve studied, but that’s hockey.”
I didn’t have trouble hitting guys, and I wasn’t above a little stick work. And I had fought too. But Switzerland had been different—the bigger ice meant less crashing in the corners and a passing game that had suited me. Was I ready for the hard-driving North American style again?
“Besides, Eric, what is your true self? You played hockey for years without crossing any boundaries. Then after your accident, you began to have control problems—that’s what you need to examine.” He was right. But I hated going there. It was over, and the farther away it got, the less I had to remember.
8
A Very Particular Set of Skills
I was almost asleep when my phone dinged. I cursed myself for forgetting to mute it and reached over to the bedside table to shut it down. It was 11:30. I squinted at the screen.
Unknown caller. You still up?
I answered, Who is this?
Hoot.
I sat up in bed. Josie?
The one and only.
I’m up. Everything was up, including my hopes.
Want company?
Yes. God, yes. Fuck, yes. Yes! I did a fist pump.
I sent her my address and told her to come around to the back door. Joe was home, but he went to bed early and I didn’t want to disturb him. She didn’t answer. She must have been getting ready.
I sprung into action. First I took a quick shower, then I gathered up my clothes and threw them into the hamper. I didn’t have clean sheets, so I tried to smooth out the ones on the bed. The room wasn’t that messy, but it smelled a little like hockey gear, so I opened the back door. The night was warm, so I went up on the deck. I’d be able to hear Josie’s motorcycle better that way.
The moon was nearly full, and it glowed hazily through some clouds. I remembered when I had done my first night exploration in the desert. The moon had been so bright that it was like daylight. Although the desert was full of creatures, I had felt at one with them all. The spirituality in my soul was still so strong when I was out in nature, but it always became submerged when I was inside. It was that constant battle inside me—between the person I wanted to be and the person I was.
I felt a softness brushing against my arm. It was Misty. She wasn’t really supposed to be outside, but Joe let her onto the deck if he was there. I stroked her back, and she arched into my hand.
“That’s sickeningly adorable.”
I looked up. Josie was standing there.
I had this rush of satisfaction that she even showed up. She was wearing her usual outfit, but instead of a leather jacket she wore a short jacket with metal studs all over it.
“Hey, where did you come from? I didn’t hear your bike or anything.”
“That’s one of my superpowers, I appear and disappear at will.”
“I’ve seen the disappearing part enough times.”
She laughed. “So, did you set up that scene with the cat? As a panty-melter?”
I stood up and walked over to Josie. I lifted her chin and planted a hard kiss on her lips. “I don’t need props to melt underwear.”
“You’re a big talker.”
“Let me back it up.” I held her hand and led her down the stairs into my room. Misty followed us, and I shooed her back upstairs. Josie was looking around, but she didn’t say a word.
“No insults?” I wondered.
“Not really. It looks generic here. Nothing personal, except the health food.” She motioned towards the
“But, once I cross that line—” Wouldn’t everything fall apart then? One lapse and I could be back at the bottom.
“It’s wrong to injure someone deliberately. But in hockey, a little fear will keep your opponents a bit unsettled, maybe they’ll give you that extra space you need to make a play. Our game has violence in it. That’s inherent. Sure, it’s going to be in direct contradiction to some of the philosophies you’ve studied, but that’s hockey.”
I didn’t have trouble hitting guys, and I wasn’t above a little stick work. And I had fought too. But Switzerland had been different—the bigger ice meant less crashing in the corners and a passing game that had suited me. Was I ready for the hard-driving North American style again?
“Besides, Eric, what is your true self? You played hockey for years without crossing any boundaries. Then after your accident, you began to have control problems—that’s what you need to examine.” He was right. But I hated going there. It was over, and the farther away it got, the less I had to remember.
8
A Very Particular Set of Skills
I was almost asleep when my phone dinged. I cursed myself for forgetting to mute it and reached over to the bedside table to shut it down. It was 11:30. I squinted at the screen.
Unknown caller. You still up?
I answered, Who is this?
Hoot.
I sat up in bed. Josie?
The one and only.
I’m up. Everything was up, including my hopes.
Want company?
Yes. God, yes. Fuck, yes. Yes! I did a fist pump.
I sent her my address and told her to come around to the back door. Joe was home, but he went to bed early and I didn’t want to disturb him. She didn’t answer. She must have been getting ready.
I sprung into action. First I took a quick shower, then I gathered up my clothes and threw them into the hamper. I didn’t have clean sheets, so I tried to smooth out the ones on the bed. The room wasn’t that messy, but it smelled a little like hockey gear, so I opened the back door. The night was warm, so I went up on the deck. I’d be able to hear Josie’s motorcycle better that way.
The moon was nearly full, and it glowed hazily through some clouds. I remembered when I had done my first night exploration in the desert. The moon had been so bright that it was like daylight. Although the desert was full of creatures, I had felt at one with them all. The spirituality in my soul was still so strong when I was out in nature, but it always became submerged when I was inside. It was that constant battle inside me—between the person I wanted to be and the person I was.
I felt a softness brushing against my arm. It was Misty. She wasn’t really supposed to be outside, but Joe let her onto the deck if he was there. I stroked her back, and she arched into my hand.
“That’s sickeningly adorable.”
I looked up. Josie was standing there.
I had this rush of satisfaction that she even showed up. She was wearing her usual outfit, but instead of a leather jacket she wore a short jacket with metal studs all over it.
“Hey, where did you come from? I didn’t hear your bike or anything.”
“That’s one of my superpowers, I appear and disappear at will.”
“I’ve seen the disappearing part enough times.”
She laughed. “So, did you set up that scene with the cat? As a panty-melter?”
I stood up and walked over to Josie. I lifted her chin and planted a hard kiss on her lips. “I don’t need props to melt underwear.”
“You’re a big talker.”
“Let me back it up.” I held her hand and led her down the stairs into my room. Misty followed us, and I shooed her back upstairs. Josie was looking around, but she didn’t say a word.
“No insults?” I wondered.
“Not really. It looks generic here. Nothing personal, except the health food.” She motioned towards the
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