Chapter 13
Emily's POV
"So, Em, let me ask you something," Silk said, taking his seat next to me on the plane. We were on our way to Norway to play their national team.
"Shoot," I replied, pulling "The Bell Jar" out of my carry-on.
"Why aren't you sitting with OC?" he asked, glancing over at Jack who was seated next to Verchota. Jack actually had a pained look on his face as Verchota talked a mile a minute about something inane.
"Because…I've already gotten to know Jack," I told him. Not a lie by any means, just not the truth in this particular situation. "I thought it would be a good idea to spend some time with you and the other guys."
"If you say so," Silk muttered, but seemed content with the answer.
Every time I got past a couple pages of my book, I'd catch Jack out of the corner of my eye. I hate not talking to him, but I couldn't help but think that I should be mad at him for what happened between him and Robbie. Sure, maybe I jumped to conclusions, but Jack is amazing at provoking people.
"Emily," Herb said, breaking me from my thoughts. "Bench or seat?"
"Chocolate or vanilla?" I asked back.
"What?" he asked, giving me that look like I needed my head examined.
"I thought it was a game," I replied. The look didn't go away, and now Silky was giving it to me too. "Sorry. What was the question?"
"I need to know if you want to sit on the bench with the guys or take a regular seat," Herb repeated.
"Bench is good," I replied, sinking into the seat as Herb walked away.
"Chocolate or vanilla?" Silk inquired, with a hint of mocking in his voice.
"It's a good question," I shot back.
"How does OC put up with you?" Silk muttered, shaking his head.
"Good question," I mumbled, my eyes connecting with Jack's before putting my head back down to read.
When we landed, a good 10 hours later, Herb started making announcements about where to go and what needed to be done.
"Make sure you get your room assignments and schedules from Emily," he stated. "I won't tolerate tardiness or truancy. And any fighting, I will stick your ass on a plane back to the states, and you'll be off this team," he added, glaring at Robbie and Jack who stood next to each other.
"Why does he always single us out?" Robbie asked when Herb walked away.
"I could be wrong, but it could be because you two are the only ones who have fought," I answered, handing him a small envelope that held his room key and itinerary.
"Nah, I doubt that's it," Robbie said, laughing at Jack. Jack just let a small grin creep onto his face that quickly disappeared.
"Still not talking to me?" he asked when I gave handed him his paperwork.
"Anyone seen Strobel?" I inquired, turning away from the dejected hockey player. "He's the only one I haven't given information to."
"Yeah, right here, Emily," Strobel said, coming forward a bit sheepishly. "Sorry."
"Not a problem," I told him with a smile. "Okay, you guys have an hour before you have to be on the ice for practice. Game time is at six sharp, be here half an hour before."
The game wasn't too terrible. Three-three tie. They could have done better. They'll have to do better if they expect to get anywhere at the Games.
"Oh wow, dynamite!" Bah said to Verchota. "Look over there, section 2, four rows up. Blonde."
"Man, they're gorgeous!" Verchota exclaimed.
Herb does not look happy. Sure, he won't say anything to them, but you'd better believe they aren't gonna get away with this kind of behavior. Especially when they're playing the way they are.
"What row?" Buzzy asked. I just wanted to ask why he's checking girls out, what with a wife at home and a baby on the way. But I didn't.
"About seventh row up," Verchota informed him.
"Lovely blonde girls," Bah mused.
"Maybe we can take some home," Silk suggested.
"Must be something in the water," Verchota said, giving me a look like "why don't you look like that?"
Then the buzzer sounded indicating the end of the game.
"Get a whistle," Herb angrily told Craig.
"What's he gonna make them do?" I asked Doc, worry filling my voice.
"I think only Herb knows," he replied, the same amount of concern in his voice.
"Get back on the ice," Craig instructed, much to the chagrin of the players.
"What for?" Bah asked, annoyed.
"You'll find out in a minute. Come on, let's go, back on the ice," Craig said.
Herb walked out to the center and waited for the guys to form around him.
"You guys don't wanna work during the game?" Herb asked, though rhetorically. "Not a problem, we'll work now. Goal line. That one."
The boys, frustrated, skated towards the line Herb pointed to, and lined up for further instructions.
Craig blew the whistle with the nod from Herb, and the players took off doing sprints.
"Hustle!" Herb yelled at Jimmy and Jannie, who took a bit more time due to their heavy padding. "You think you can win on talent alone? Gentlemen, you don't have enough talent to win on talent alone. Again!"
And the whistle blew. Over and over and over again. And all the while, Herb yelled and belittled and reprimanded them.
I looked over and saw Doc talking to the rink manager, then walk across the ice to talk to Herb.
"The rink manager. He wants to clean the ice and then go home," Doc relayed the manager's message.
"Tell him to leave me the keys. I'll lock up," Herb replied. "Again!"
Then we were in total darkness.
"Think we're getting out of here?" voices said, hope swimming in the worn out tone.
"Where do you think you're going?" Herb asked skeptically. "Back on the line."
I could only imagine how they could see the lines, between the pitch black arena, the sweat dripping down their faces, and their sheer exhaustion.
"Again!" was shouted numerous times and the whistle blew with each one. Every time though, you could see the pain in Craig's face at having to put his team through this pain.
"How bout you, Silky, gonna be the first one to quit on me?" Herb taunted. "What about you, OC, you ready to go down? No, I think I got my money on you, Verchota. Course, you have a hot date in an hour, but you're not looking too good for that, are you?"
"How much longer is this gonna go on?" I asked Craig. Looking at these boys was about to reduce me to tears.
"When Herb's got a point to prove, he'll keep going until they get it," Doc replied.
"This cannot be a team of common men, because common men go nowhere. You have to be uncommon. Again," Herb said, more subdued.
Players dropped to the ice, heaving and sweating and out of breath. I doubt they could do much more.
"Herb, this has gone on long enough!" Doc yelled. "Someone's going to get hurt."
"Everyone get on that line," Herb instructed. The boys pulled themselves up using every ounce of strength in their drained bodies. "Come on, Craig, blow the whistle."
And just as he was about to blow it for the umpteenth time, a voice yelled out.
"Mike Eruzione, Winthrop, Massachusetts."
"Who do you play for?" Herb questioned the weary player.
"I play for…The United States…of America."
"That's all Gentlemen," Herb replied, walking off the ice.
Those who could pull themselves up, skated away, leaving other players to Craig, Doc, and me to help off. One by one every player was picked up and walked to the locker room. Jack was last.
"Hey stranger. Need a hand?" I asked, kneeling down next to his hunch over figure, head in hands, trying desperately to catch a breath.
"Thanks," he panted, wrapping an arm around my shoulder. I struggled to get him to the locker room. He was tired and limp and had at least sixty pounds on me.
"Okay, come on, sit down," I coaxed, getting him onto the bench. I unlaced his skated, pulled off his jersey and pads, and undressed him until he was in his undergarments. "Wanna shower?"
"Yeah. Wait for me?" he asked, struggling to stand.
"Of course," I replied, sitting down in his vacated seat.
After ten minutes, Jack slowly walked over to his locker with a towel wrapped around his waist.
"Take your time getting dressed. I'll be right outside," I told him, walking out the door. once I got outside, I put my head in my hands and let the tears flow. I'm not sure what I was crying about, but it felt right.
"What's wrong?" a soft voice asked. I looked up to see Jack standing in front of me.
"It's nothing. Let's go back to the hotel."
I walked Jack to his room. God was he in pain.
"Tuck me in?" he asked, sounding like a five year old.
"Fine," I said, rolling my eyes at him. He was just too cute to turn down.
I pulled the sheets back and he laid down, allowing me to pull the covers over him.
"Good night, OC," I said, kissing his forehead.
"What about me?" Morrow asked from the bed next to him.
"Good night, Kenny," I said, kissing his forehead.
"Em, stay tonight," Jack said, catching the back of my shirt.
"I really doubt Kenny wants me in here," I replied uneasily.
"I don't mind," Morrow replied.
Jack held the blanket up welcomingly to allow me access to the bed. I slid in next to him and felt his warm arms wrap around me, and then his lips on mine.
I gotta say, it felt good to fall asleep in his arms again.
Lia06: I can't ever find it either. I actually tried to convince the doctor once that I didn't have one. He found it, but I still can't.
Emador and Meadow567: Thanks, I'm so glad you're liking it!
Miraclegirl: She got over it!
killerkeanegirl: hey chica! Thanks for the review.
Klinoa: I gotta figure out how to make things better between Robbie and Emily. But she and Jack are better now! Or at least for now.
