Sometimes Kendell liked the practice more than he actually liked the game.
He's quickly gained a reputation as the best right wing in Minnesota(quite a feat when you look at the competition) so when they played games the other team would double up on him. Kendell liked the challenge but sometimes just some simple wrist shots made him feel like a champ.
He re-adjusted his bag on his shoulder. Today he walked alone, with Logan at biology camp, Carlos out with a concussion, and James called in early for some extra drills. The sound of his shoes on the pavement the only thing to keep him company.
At least that he knew of.
Katie really, really, wanted to see her brother practice. She never got to watch. Mom always made her help out with sorting equipment, or organizing bake sales, or dig around for the lost hockey tape.
But today would be different.
Mom was caught up in her romance novel. If Katie's predictions were correct (which they usually were) she wouldn't come out of her room for at least 3 more hours.
She could sneak off to watch her big brother.
Keeping her footsteps quiet she trailed Kendell. She slipped into the door of the rink moments after he did.
Katie took a seat high in the bleachers. She took out a blanket and pulled it close. In the few times she'd been able to watch a game, or even get a look at the fans, she'd noticed most of them have blankets.
Kendall was the first one on the ice. He warmed up with fast strokes outside the red dots. After a few loops around he went to stretch at the boards. The rest of the team filtered onto the ice until the coach blew the whistle bring the team closer.
As much as she made fun of him for saying it Kendall was the best. He easily out stickhandled two defenders for a quick tap into the goal. A neatly aimed wrist shot sailed over the shoulder of a goalie in the next drill.
Katie smiled and sunk further into her blanket to watch the rest of the practice.
Kendall rushed through taking off his gear. He may just be a bit paranoid but he swore he say Katie up in the bleachers.
He dried off his skates and stuck them in his bag then burst out of the locker room only to find Katie trying to sneak out of the rink.
"Oh hi." Kendall raised an eyebrow. "I-mom-um-" Katie never liked lying to Kendall. "I just wanted to see you skate."
Kendall sighed.
"Allright."
Katie smiled as Kendall put an arm around her to walk her home. She jumped away when she caught the smell of his bag.
"You smell like milk in a hot car!"
Kendall laughed. On the way back Katie asked about what she saw, shocking Kendall with how observant she was. They arrived home and Kendall dumped his bag in the garage.
"We need to talk about you sneaking out baby sister."
Katie hung her head.
"Please don't tell mom."
Kendall placed a hand on her shoulder.
"I'm not going to tell her. If you want to do something with me just ask it's scary when you sneak out." She nodded. "Now it's time for your punishment." Katie's head snapped up, afraid of what he might do, but he smiled and reached for her.
"No!"
Kendall tickled her sides and Katie laughed.
"Have you learned your lesson baby sister?"
Katie let out a high pitched wine and Kendall doubled his efforts.
"Allright! I won't do it again!" Kendall rubbed Katie's hair but she pushed him away. "Ew, now go take a shower."
Kendall laughed. He and Katie were a pair no one could match.