Chapter 26 Ice Castle

Somehow, I make my way through the post game proceedings. The crowd went wild again as I was announced the first star of the game. The media at my stall were in a jovial mood so their questions are easier answered. My teammates are harder put off. They are set on a bunch of us heading out on the town. I pleaded exhaustion, which is true. Dan's handshake came with a 'have a rest tomorrow your practice is optional'. Everyone I meet congratulates me and yet I have to swallow the frustration that has been building in me. I just want to leave.

I have arranged that Jim and Louie will take 91 to a small café near here. They ran late and I wasn't able to meet up with them prior to the start of the game. But I have one more stop to make before I can actually exit the building.

'Hey, kid, your in an elite few now. Just don't think your going to do a repeat of this soon, eh?' Mario has racked up at 8 point games several times over his career.

'No, I'll be happy with today. It's been exhausting but fun. Laviolette looked like he was going to blow a gasket. After losing to them in the playoffs this spring, it was nice to give them a comeuppance.' I nod and smile remembering the Flyers coach frustration with his players.

'You headed out tonight with the boys?' Mario's feet are up on his desk and he's toying with a cigar.

'Not tonight. I'm tired and the Blackhawks will want to take advantage of that tomorrow night. I wouldn't light that thing up it I were you. Nathalie will have your hide.' He may be my boss but he's also a good friend. Mario chuckles and nods but doesn't put down the cigar.

'You're right about that. Sid, a word to the wise, you shouldn't annoy the archrivals without a back up plan. They'll be gunning for you next game.' He's looking at me concerned.

'I know, I know. I'm working on a plan. But I'm tired now and bed is calling my name.' Mario at me smiles knowingly, stands and shakes my hand. He has an odd look in his eye. Something wistful. I think he's missing being on the ice again.

Next, I head to the exit to sign for the autograph seekers.

…

By the time I pull into the parking lot of the café, an hour and half has passed since the end of the game. I see through the window 91 is sitting in a booth beside Jim. She's slumped slightly against him in sleep. If Jim wasn't old enough to be her father, I'd be jealous. Louie looks up and spots me. I give him a wave. I won't go in as there are still too many people but the gentlemen know this. I feel like a voyeur as I watch Jim wake up 91. Then they gather up their items and exit the building.

I'm leaning against the Rover when they cross the parking lot. 91 looks tired. She's carrying her book bag and despite her pretty black dress she looks like a schoolgirl. Louie's got the picnic basket and Jim is bringing up the rear. I open the back so the basket can go back there then cross to meet them.

'I'll take that Louie. Give me your bag, Tylyn. Jim. Louie. I can't thank you enough for all that you've done. Show me your handiwork.' 91 brightens when the little pair of skates are taken out of the basket. Well, they look like skates and are sharp.

'Your thanks to us was that show you put on. Reebok will be happy with it. We'll be able to tell our grandchildren about the game.' Jim is poking fun at Louie.

'Speak for yourself, you old geezer.' Louie looks older than Jim but looks can be deceiving. 'It was exciting hockey, Sid, a day for the record books.'

'It was, I'm told. These skates look great, Louie. Have you tried them, Tylyn?' She has moved close enough that I can tease a curl.

'Yes, they fit beautifully. Thank you so much.' She nods and stifles a yawn.

'Gentlemen, if you'll excuse us, I think we should be heading out.' I shake their hands and hustle 91 into the Rover.

It's not a far drive back to my place through the city streets. The traffic is basically nonexistent. I've put 91's seat warmer on and she's visibly melting back into the seat. I reach over and stroke her hair. She asks about the media scrum and I fill her on the post game fallout. The media has a 'new topic' surprise, surprise. Dan has made my skate tomorrow optional. And finally, Mario's warning. It's nice just being here with her. I feel her exhaustion. It's been a heck of a day. The garage is empty when we return.

'Come let's go up, 91.' I think she's gone back to sleep.

'Yup.' Her blue eyes look up at me. 'Yup, I'd race you up the stairs but I don't where they are.'

It's dark in the suite when we get up there but I don't bother with the lights. I guide her to the bedroom, into the walk in closet where there is the glow of a nightlight and we work at undressing. I unzip the pretty black dress as she unties the polka dot belt. She unbuttons my dress shirt as I deal with the tie and belt. 91 runs her hands up my naked chest and when they reach my neck rubs her face into my sternum and kisses a nipple. I lift up her face and kiss her lips. I deal with her bra, stockings and panties; putting them onto the cupboard shelf. She pops the button on my trousers , slides her hands under my jockeys and helps me step out of both them. Better. We part long enough for me to lose my sox and for her to find the chemise.

'Should I?' She looks up at me and I nod. 91 slips it over head and it falls into place.

Oh god, I'm tired but somehow it looks even more alluring than I remember. We take turns in the bathroom. We aren't shy of each other or are just too tired to care. And then, we fall exhausted into the middle of my bed.

I don't actually remember falling asleep. I did remember setting my watch earlier this evening to beep at 355 am.

'Really, is it morning already?' 91 has lifted her head and is looking around.

'Not really. But if you want to tryout your skates I have arranged for some ice time. Unfortunately, it had to before the weekend warriors get up. What do you say?' I really want to skate but will leave this choice up to her.

'In hockey gear with sticks?' She stretches her body across mine.

'Sure if you want?' I know I do. I'm fondling her bottom but I could get sidetracked.

'Okay, I'd like that. I'd like to see what all the fuss is about. I hear that you think your Sidney Crosby or something special.' Oh, she's got her sass back.

'I'll show you who I am.' And with that I flip her on her back and lay with my full weight on her. I know this isn't getting us moving but it feels good to have her beneath me.

'When is the ice time and for how long?'

'430 to 530am.' I'm nuzzling her neck with my face in her hair.

'Soon then.' Her hands on are my back drawing circles that feels very erotic. I roll off her. If we want that ice time we better get going.

'If we get into our underwear here with warmups over top it will take less time at the rink dressing.' I haven't done this early morning journey for years. 'I'll make us a snack to eat on the way, okay'

She calls back an okay as she streaks across to the bathroom the chemise fluttering enticingly around her hips. I head to the laundry room, get into gear I have there and then make us pb and j's for the road. I grab a couple of water bottles. There is coffee on the road. She joins me in the brightest pink under armour I have ever seen. The skintight layer accentuates the size difference between her narrow waist and the ample swell of her hips.

'Don't laugh, I can't help my bum.' 91 sounds upset. 'It's huge and these don't help.'

'I am not laughing trust me. It's a thing of beauty your rump. I was just thinking how enticing it looks. I like your curves, Chickadee. Your apple bottom is two perfect handfuls.' I have her in my arms with my hands on her bum to show her what I mean. I press her against my erection. I raise an eyebrow at her.

'Oh.' She blushes so prettily tipping her face down shyly into my chest.

'Let's get this show on the road before I go all caveman on you, throw you over my shoulder and carry you back to the cave.' This makes her laugh.

…..

We are back at the rink from earlier today or was that yesterday. The night guard is by the door when we get there. It doesn't take us long to finish getting our gear on. 91 is able to tie her skates but I check them just in case.

The ice is the only thing lit when we get out on it. Having a fresh sheet of ice, a bucket of pucks, and a goal net set up is one of my favorite things. I do my usual deep carving stretches, even though every fibre of my body is tired. I turn to watch 91 take to the ice. She's tentative at first. She steps and glides. Steps and glides. Then picks up the speed adding crossovers. The smile on her face is large enough to light up the stands. She changes direction and is trying going backwards. When I watched her in Vancouver, 91 had to slow down to go from forwards to backward but not now that she has the confidence in her skates.

'They're wonderful. Thank you, thank you.' She jumps up and hugs me. I spin us around. Her enthusiasm is infectious. 'Now who do you think are, Sidney Crosby, eh?'

I set her down, grab a puck and pass it to her gently. I get it snapped back at me. Yep, that's the stick work I remember. We pass the puck back and forth then taking shots on net. I'm surprised how quickly the time goes in. The skates have been totally worth every penny. I'm having a great time. No, we are having a great time. 91 has good hockey sense and decent stick skills. The iceman is watching from the Zamboni end so I guess it's time to pack it up.

'I think he wants to clean the ice before the rink day really starts.' I call to her. We gather up the pucks into the bucket getting ready to leave the ice. When she picks up a puck, then heads to the far end of the ice. I'm confused I thought I said we were winding up. I watch her as she hunkers down into a defensive position and coyly teases me with the puck moving from her forehand to her backhand. Oh, this is a 'come get it' challenge if I've ever seen one.

'Let's see what you got, Sher-wood Hockey Puck?' 91 chirps at me. This is the start of a game of keep away that I actually have to work at. We are serious but laughing all the same. She's giving it her all but so am I. My reach is longer and although I'm tired I flick the puck off her stick and she has to chase me the length of the ice at full flight. I get showered in ice shavings when she stops. I catch her, toss her on my shoulder and give the iceman a wink as we leave the ice. 91 calls a thank you to him.

…..

After thanking the night guard and slipping him a pair of tickets for tonight's game, we are walking out to the Rover into the dark as sunrise is still an hour away. The parking lot has only a couple of more cars here from when we went in. 91 wanted to take a few minutes to stretch out. Don't blame her after the Vancouver incident. The air is cool but refreshing. We only toweled down with no shower access. I haven't planned that we'd do much more than skate around. As we approach the vehicle, I unlock it with the fob. We throw the bags into the back when 91 turns to me and says.

'Sherwood Hockey Puck, I'd like to see you in my office' She is speaking in what I believe to be her best teacher voice. You know the one, you've been caught in the schoolyard breaking the rules. Her voice is firm, stern basically no nonsense. She gestures to the back seat of the SUV. I hop in through the driver's side rear door and look at her.

I get tackled into the door that just closed. Her cold hands are inside my jacket, her cold nose is pressed into mine and her crotch is hard against me applying a pressure that is getting an involuntary response from me. She kisses me long and slowly, licking and nipping at my lips. Her tongue that is probably the warmest thing about her is teasing mine. I wrap my arms around her trying to cover as much of her back as I can. This gets her snuggling in closer.

'Thank you for everything, Sid. You are the most generous person I know. This has been truly the best 24 hour period this month.' She is so sincere she's almost crying. I wipe her eyes. 'They're happy tears honest.'

'I believe you. And what's this month thing?' I pull back from her so I can look at her face.

'August 21 to 28th was meeting you at Madrona, September 19 to 20 was our time in Vancouver, and now this is being October's' her head is cocked to one side as she's talking.

'Hmmm, I enjoyed those other times too, Miss Chickadee.' I get a 87-91 special for my reward. 'Can I ask you a favour?'

'Anything, you can have anything?' She is so excited she's vibrating again.

'Tomorrow's going to be Thanksgiving right? Would you mind if I invited some for dinner? It won't feel like Thanksgiving without friends. I can buy the groceries but I suck at cooking. Would you make a Thanksgiving dinner for a few of my friends? ' She cuts me off.

'Absolutely, I can do that. How many people? Do they eat as much as you? ' she's wiggled back onto my knees and is looking at me intently.

'Four friends. And what do you mean by eat as much as me? What are you saying?' I like to tease her. I do know I eat easily 4000 to 5000 calories a day during the season. I get slitty eyes.

'You know what I mean. I can handle volume. I've got four brothers, Dad, Gerry and sometimes other farm hands to cook for. I need to know for volume.'

'I thought to invite Harv, Morty, Alice and Jean. Do remember the picnic basket auction? When Alice and Jean have had us to dinner so Alice was telling me that she was born in Canada but moved to the States when she was very young. None of these folks have much, I think it would be nice to share a Canadian Thanksgiving with them.' I really do.

'You are a generous guy. Okay so five normal eaters and you. So I should plan food for maybe eight eaters. I can make a shopping list while you drive to the store. I have brought lots of things from the farm we can use. If you want a big turkey it's going to have to start thawing soon.' Gosh, she's cute when she's excited.