The next day, I didn't get to spend any time with Rizzo, even though I just wanted to be near him more than anything. There was this strong urge to just be in his arms. However, Herb was running the boys ragged on some new drill he was teaching them. I can still hear him out on the ice.

"Blue line back, red line back, far blue line back far red line back. And you have 45 seconds to do it. Get used to this drill; you'll be doing it a lot. Because the legs feed the wolf gentlemen. I can't promise you that we will be the best team in Lake Placid next February. But we will be the best conditioned team, that I can promise you."

And he skated those boys till I though their legs would fall off. Then immediately after practice dad and I went to the Brooks' for dinner. Patti is wonderful company and a great hostess. But all this meant that I hadn't talked to Rizzo and had only seen him skating hard at practice.

Two days after the amazing night in the bar Rizzo pulled me aside at the end of practice as the rest of the boys filed into the locker room. All the boys looked tired and Herb had them skating that drill again.

"Are you busy tonight?" Rizzo asked me.

"No, dad and Herb have to meet with some kind of committee tonight." I told him.

I swear Rizzo almost blushed. "A bunch of us are going to the movies tonight. Bah and Coxie have been wanting to see that new movie 'Alien'. So we're going to see it at the theater. You want to come?"

"Why, Mike Eruzione, is that a date?" I asked with a wink.

Rizzo gave me that smile that made me melt, "Sure, as long as you don't mind a date with half the team tagging along." He said and we both laughed.

"I don't mind, you being there is the important thing. I missed not hanging out with you yesterday." I told him.

"Me too, but all you really missed was us being tired from all these drills."

"Herb is working you hard. What time are we leaving?" I asked him.

"After the team dinner, we want to catch the early show so we can rest up for practice." Rizzo said.

"Okay, I'll see you at dinner." I said.

It was an awkward moment between Rizzo and me because it was easy to see that we both wanted to embrace each other but the team was just a few feet away in the locker room, and dad and Herb were still on the ice. We just smiled and went our own way. Rizzo went into the locker room to get showered up. I rushed to the apartment to get ready. This would be my first date with Rizzo.

I checked the clock; I had about an hour before the team dinner. Herb insisted that the boys eat one meal a week as a team. Dinner was being served in the lounge of the dorm they were staying in at the U. I rushed to shower, so excited I could hardly stand it.

I jumped out of the shower and quickly dressed in a pair of flare leg jeans, a red t-shirt and sandals. I Ferrah-ed up my hair and did my make-up. I was nervous but at the same time couldn't wait to be with Rizzo. I checked the clock again. I was going to be about five minutes late, but that was okay.

I rushed back over to the campus and found the lounge the boys were in. I walked in and Rizzo already had a huge plate of food. I smiled as I walked over to sit with him, OC, Silk and Cox.

"Rizzo, where do you put all that food?" Cox asked him.

"I am hungry after all those skating drills." Rizzo said. I sat close to him. He looked up at me and smiled. I felt my head spin just a bit.

We talked throughout dinner and I noticed that Rizzo kept his knee against mine. It was a simple act but it made me warm from head to toe.

"Did any of you hear about what is going on in Nicaragua?" Cox asked

I nodded, "The Sandinistas have taken control of the country. I heard it on the radio while I was in the shower."

"Well what is up with Iraq? I heard something about it the other night on the news but was only half listening." OC asked.

"Iraqi President Hasan al-Bakr resigned and some guy, oh what's his name… Saddam Hussein replaced him." I told them.

"So are we going to see this movie or not?" Bah asked as he walked over to our table.

"Sure, thing. I hope the bus isn't crowded." OC said as we stood up. Buzz and Mac also came over to where we were standing.

"Jimmy Craig and a few others are outside waiting for us." Buzz said. "Chev, you're going to watch this? I figured you wouldn't like it."

"Are you kidding? I love a good scare." I said as we walked out of the dorm and towards the bus stop. Rizzo walked right next to me but we didn't touch. I glanced over at him and he smiled at me.

"Can you believe Herb and these drills?" Silk asked. "My legs are still sore."

"Herb has a reason for everything he does. Whether we understand it or not, he has his reasons." I said.

The ride to the theater was uneventful. We were all able to sit. Rizzo sat next to me; once again our knees were touching. He smiled at me and I wanted nothing more than to kiss him. We all lined up to buy our tickets. I looked up at the marquee sign; it read 'Alien starring Sigourney Weaver'.

"Two, please." Rizzo said.

"You didn't have to do that." I said. I looked around to see if anyone had noticed but no one was paying us any attention.

"Yes, I did. It's a date, and I don't care how liberated women get, you're not paying for anything as long as you're with me." Rizzo said with a smile and wink. I giggled remembering that I had told him the story about that horrible blind date I had.

We walked into the theater and found us some seats. Of course Rizzo and I sat next to one another. Bah sat on the other side of me, Buzz, Mac and Jimmy Craig were in front of us and Silk was on the other side of Rizzo. Cox was somewhere beside Silk.

"No popcorn for you, Rizzo?" OC asked.

"No, that's okay." Rizzo said.

The movie finally started. I couldn't believe the special effects. Rizzo leaned back and relaxed in his seat. I was so caught up in watching Sigourney Weaver on the screen that it took me a second to realize that Rizzo had reach across the arm rest and linked his fingers with mine. I looked down at our hands together and again felt a warm sensation run through my body. I looked up at Rizzo and he smiled at me. I smiled back and turned back to the movie. It was dark in the theater and everyone was focused on the screen, so I didn't mind or think that anyone would see us holding hands.

I soon discovered a good side to seeing to a horror movie. I could pretend that I was afraid or grossed out and jump into Rizzo's arms. He chuckled softly and would hold me tight. It felt so good to be close to him, even if it was just for a few seconds during a 'graphic' scene.

When the movie was over, we all stood up to leave the theater. Rizzo and I let go of each other's hands. Bah and Buzz were busy talking about how great the movie was, and saying they wanted to come see it again. OC stated it was the first time in three years he had been to a movie and actually watched it. Mac was complaining that he was tired. This was the conversation as we walked back to the bus stop. I was hoping the bus would be empty; I hated the feeling of being boxed in when the bus was full of people.

When the bus arrived it was empty. Rizzo and I took a couple of seats in the back; it seemed more private. Since we were seated behind everyone, Rizzo reach over and took my hand. I smiled at him.

"Did you enjoy the movie?" Rizzo asked.

"Yeah, it wasn't bad. Better than what I expected." I said.

"Some first date huh? We can hardly touch and had ten other people with us!"

"I still had fun. If you would rather tell the team now, I'll go along with it. For both our sakes we should keep Herb and dad from knowing. At least until the roster is finalized." I said. Rizzo let go of my hand. I looked up and saw Silk walking towards us. He sat in front of us and turned to face us.

"Can I ask you something Rizzo?" Silk asked.

"Silky, you have been my teammate and friend for how long? Spit out whatever you're thinking." Rizzo said.

"Is there something going on between you and Chevon?" Silk asked.

"Why would you think that?" I asked.

"I noticed you guys holding hands during the movie, and you kept jumping into his arms and the movie wasn't THAT scary." Silk said.

"Yea, we're together Silky. Just keep it quiet." Rizzo said. "Herb and her dad can't know. They would cut me, or work me so hard I would want to quit. You know how Herb is. And I don't want Coach Patrick giving Chev a hard time for dating one of the players."

"I understand that, Herb would blow his stack to know one of us was dating the assistant coach's daughter." Silk said. "But Rizzo, don't you think you're going to need to tell the team?"

"We're just going to let things happen as it happens and deal with it as it does." I told him. "Can you keep quiet, Silky?"

"Yeah, I won't tell anyone." Silk said. "But Rizzo, be good to her. The wrath of an angry coach's daughter could do us all in, if Herb doesn't first."

We all chuckled. Rizzo took my hand again. I knew we could trust Silky, and I felt a little relieved that now someone knew, like I was being more honest or something. When the bus stopped, we all lined up and got off the bus.

"I can't wait to go to sleep." Cox said as we walked back to the dorms.

"I know how you feel." Buzz said. "Are we allowed to call in sick?"

"Hey you guys go on ahead, I can walk Chev home." Rizzo said.

"Night, Chev. See you tomorrow." Chorused from the boys as I waved goodnight to them.

When they were out of sight I took Rizzo's hand and leaned against him as we walked towards the apartment. "They're going to need that sleep. Herb is big on conditioning." I told him.

"Yeah. Are you upset Silky figured things out?" Rizzo asked me.

"No, not at all. " I said as we walked under the deck of the apartment. I noticed dad was still out. Must've went somewhere with Herb after the meeting. "I wish they all knew because all night I wanted to kiss you."

"Well the team isn't here now." Rizzo said stopping me.

I leaned up on tiptoe and barely kissed him. He smiled then leaned down and gently kissed me. As Rizzo deepened the kiss, I pulled him closer to me and rubbed his shoulders. The world seemed to stop and I was aware of nothing but Rizzo. His arms were tight around my waist and his lips were soft on mine. Neither one of us seemed to want to let go.

Finally I broke the kiss so I could breathe. I leaned my head against his shoulder. "I take it there is going to be a second date?" Rizzo asked me.

"If not, I'll blow that whistle and make you skate drills myself." I told him.

We stayed under that deck for a long time just holding each other. Finally we said goodnight so that my dad didn't come home and catch us. I smiled and waved at Rizzo as I walked into the apartment. I felt so warm and fuzzy-corny I know, but true!