Chapter 10
Emily's POV
"Red line, back. Blue line, back. Far blue line, back. Far red line, back. And you have 45 seconds to do it," Herb announced as he skated back and forth in front of a row of hockey players. "Get used to this drill. You'll be doing it a lot. Why? Because the legs feed the wolf, gentlemen. I can't promise you we'll be the best team at Lake Placid next February. But we will be the best conditioned. That I can promise you."
What does that mean, the legs feed the wolf? And what is so hard about this? Skate from one line to the next. That can't be so bad.
"Again," Herb called, causing Craig to blow the whistle.
Note to self—don't sit so close to Craig when he blows said whistle.
"Ten more, then hit the showers," Herb declared, receiving a chorus of relieved sighs from the guys.
"I don't remember ever seeing these before," I said to Craig after he blew the whistle for the last time.
"Doc said he's never seen Herb like this. Guess he wants it that badly, though," Craig replied.
"Can't…feel…my…legs," Robbie said through panted breaths.
"Suck it up, Mac," Jack told him as he tried to catch his breath. "I got a feeling we'll be doing that a lot."
"I get the feeling these poor guys did not know what they signed themselves up for," I told Craig, who laughed while the players walking past me shot me dirty looks.
As I started to walk towards the locker room, I heard Craig call out, "You might not want to go in there. Don't want to piss off any more of the boys!"
You'd think Craig wouldn't be funny, but he surprises you every once in awhile. I sort of took his advice about not going in. Waiting outside seemed like the better option. I'm not sure who I was waiting for since Jack and I were keeping our relationship a secret, but I waited anyway.
"Hey Emily," Mac greeted in a slightly uneasy tone.
"Hey Robbie. How are your legs?" I asked. Anything to make small talk.
"Not as bad as they'll be tomorrow," he muttered.
"I can imagine. I mean I went skating the other night, and my legs were sore from that. I can't imagine doing that drill Herb had you guys doing," I stated.
"You? Skating? I'm having a really hard time picturing that," Robbie replied with a loud laugh. "What moron put you on ice?"
"It was just with a friend. And I don't think I did all that bad," I said defensively. Just need to not slip and tell him it was with Jack. They actually, surprisingly, seem to be getting along. I don't want to be the killjoy.
"I'm sure it wasn't that bad, but I have to imagine it was entertaining to watch," Robbie responded. "I would have sold front row tickets and popcorn to see that event."
"Are you done making fun of me yet?" I inquired, glancing over his shoulder to see Bah and Pav walk out of the locker room. Thank god it wasn't Jack.
"For now, maybe," he stated. "Just stop giving me ammo."
"This is starting to feel like four years ago," I mumbled.
"Oh come on, you gotta admit we had fun," Robbie said.
"Says who?" I shot back.
"Says me," he replied, moving closer to me. Uncomfortably closer.
"So…are you ready for tomorrow's practice?" I asked, sounding stupid and grammar schoolish.
"We just finished this practice. I'd rather not think about the next one yet," Mac responded, inching closer and closer until I could feel his warm breath on my face.
"Ya know, I missed you the last couple years," he stated.
Then he did something I never would have thought. He kissed me. Right there, outside the locker room. This is not the kind of fun, sneaking around, hoping to get caught kind of feeling that it was with Jack. This is like Mac's gonna die when Jack finds out.
"Robbie, we can't do this," I stated, breaking the kiss.
"Why not?" he asked, crossing his arms over his chest.
"Because…I'm with Jack," I replied, seeing him walk over.
a/n: If anyone's interested, I started a fan fiction site s9. Thanks Emador for letting me know it didn't work the first time. If it doesn't work this time, you can go to my profile. The link is on the page.
