After we beat the Hornets 5-3 it was time to play the Cardinals. It was the first time Bombay put me and Adam on the ice at the same time. It was me, Adam, Charlie, Guy and Connie. Connie stole the puck away from a Cardinals player right before he was going to take a shot at Goldberg. Connie quickly passed the puck to Charlie who took t into the Cardinal zone. Two Cardinals skated hard towards him and he passed the puck to Adam. I quickly cleared his way but to my surprise he passed the puck to me. He goalie was caught off guard and I made my shot. The puck hit the edge of the goalie's glove but still made it. Adam came up behind me and lifted me into the air. When he put me down I turned around and hugged him.
"That was your shot! Why did you give it up to me?" I asked letting him go. "I cleared the way for you."
Adam simply pointed up to the stands where his dad and brother were sitting. To my surprise Jason was sitting with them. The boys were cheering happily, but Phillip didn't look to happy that Adam had given up his shot. I didn't mind. I was just happy to see my brother had finally made it to one of my games. The next face off Adam took it. I was on his right and Averman on his left. When the puck was dropped Adam got it and quickly passed it to me. I beat two Cardinals players but there was one coming fast and hard. He was at least three times my size and I knew I wasn't going to get past him. I quickly passed to Adam. The Cardinals player checked me hard into the board. He had no time to stop before hitting me and his blade ran over my left arm. I let out a cry of pain and held my arm tightly to me. I heard the goal siren and knew Adam and made the goal. The Ducks began to cheer, that is till they noticed that I wasn't getting up. Adam was the first on to my side. He took my helmet off and put my head in his lap. Charlie was the next one by my side.
"Amore, are you ok?" Adam asked worriedly. Charlie took my hand in his and forced me to show my injury. Adam turned his head away when he saw it. He wasn't good with blood.
"Back up boys, give her space." The ref said. When I wouldn't let them go the ref reluctantly let them stay. Bombay was soon at my side. The medic and Bombay quickly lifted the sleeve of my jersey so they could have a look. It wasn't as bad as they had all believed.
"Lets get her off the ice." The medic said and Adam and Bombay helped me to my feet.
"Sorry dad." I said with out thinking. I also wasn't good with blood and was starting to get very woozy.
"You played good. I'm so proud of you Amore." Bombay said allowing Adam and Charlie escort me off the ice considering how short I was. Even the boys had to bend down a little to help me.
"Dad?" Charlie asked me but I couldn't answer I was starting to get weak.
"Don't say anything." Adam said for me. "I'll explain later or when the time is right."
"Thanks boys." The medic said taking me off the ice. I waved goodbye to my two best friends as the medic took me towards the exit where the ambulance waited. Jason was waiting for us when we got there.
I ended up getting six stitches. The doctor said I was very lucky that it wasn't deeper, but he also warned me not to stress my arm. That meant that hockey was only ok if I watched what I was doing. When Jason took me home the Ducks were waiting for me on my front steps.
"Its about time Slick." Jesse said giving me a big hug. "We won…just for you."
"Slick?" Adam asked holding back laughter.
"You cant be a Duck with out having a nickname, Cake-eater." Charlie said playfully nudging Adam's arm.
"That's right Spaz-way." I said giving him a hug. I then hugged Adam. "Don't worry Cake-eater, I'll always know you as All-star."
"That's good Slick." Adam said with a smirk. "I'll always know you as All-star."
The tam started laughing and one by one gave me a hug. We went inside and quickly raced down stairs to the basement. We all decided to watch a movie, but picking out the movie was a nightmare. Connie, Tammy and I wanted to watch a chick flick, but we were quickly out voted by the boys. After about fifteen minutes of arguing, Jason came down and stuck in whatever movie he picked up from the new DVDs. It ended up being Saved. I sat between Charlie and Adam. During the first five to ten minutes the Ducks all had different reactions. The Oreo line made gagging noises. Tammy quickly covered Tommy's eyes while she and Connie squealed and looked away. Averman made some kind of comment that sent him, Karp and Peter into a frenzy. Fulton just stared, looking disgusted. Goldberg didn't seem bothered by it. Both Adam and Charlie started to turn red as they were unsure how to act so I took the opportunity to pock both of them in the side and tease them a bit. After that scene was done, the movie seemed to get better with every one. Adam leaned over to me at one point and laughed.
"Do you remember when you used to be like that blond girl." Adam asked. Peter paused the movie when he heard that.
"You used to kidnap people and try to exercise them?" He asked in surprise.
"Yes Mini Reed, and if you don't watch it, you'll be next." I said sarcastically and Adam laughed.
"No, she used to be the most popular girl in school." Adam said and I nudged him but he ignored me. "Every girl in our grade wanted to be her friend. But she only hung out with me and some of the other Hawks."
"Ha, the girls only wanted to be my friend because I was friends with…" I said then mimicked the girls in my class with a high pitched girly wail. "The Hawks."
Adam rolled his eyes. He never believed me when I told him that.
"No, its true. I one got an invitation to Brittney Warmack's 11th birthday party and inside she wrote. 'bring some of the Hawks.'" I said and Adam laughed. I had showed him the card so when I went I only took Adam. I made it up to her by giving her a team picture signed by the whole team.
"And if you noticed I was no longer popular after you guys became jerks to me." I reminded him. Adam gave me an apologetic look. "You just watch your back at school. They'll be worse to you."
"Thanks for the heads up." Adam said an soon Jason came down the stairs with some of this friends. Alex, Cole and Rick.
"Dad wants you home after the movie." Alex told Adam. Adam simply nodded his reply. He seemed really distant from his brother lately. Alex walked up behind me and ruffled up my hair. "So how's the arm, Squirt?"
I rolled up my sleeve and pulled the bandage aside so he and Jason's friends could see. Cole and Rick were on the JV team. Alex was on the varsity team along with Jason. Cole gave me a high five.
"First hockey scar." Cole said with a smile. "You still going to play after this?"
"Like a little scratch like this could keep me from it." I said kind of snobbishly.
"Spoken like a true hockey player." Rick said also messing up my hair. I glared at him. but he didn't seem to notice. I hated him and Cole. Hey were like older versions of Larson and McGill.
We finished the movie while Jason and his friends played pool. When it was finished the Ducks were forced to leave by Cole and Rick who wanted the TV. The Ducks left disappointedly, but I promised to hold a victory party after we beat the Hawks. I knew they'd hold me to that promise. I went up to my room and once again I noticed that Adam was signaling that he wanted to talk. This time I took out my strobe light and placed it in my window. I then snuck out to the back yard under a large tree that would shelter us from the house so we wouldn't get caught. I found Adam waiting for me.
"What's up?" I asked. He looked a little nervous.
"So are we friends again." Adam asked as he held onto the chain linked fence separating our yards. I smiled at him.
"Adam anybody who would give up a goal for some one because her brother was at the game, plus was he first person at her side when they got hurt is definitely best friend worthy for this girl." I said and Adam's face brightened. "But your going to have to share the best friend spot with Charlie."
"I'm used to that." Adam said, but I wasn't sure what he really meant by that. "So are you going to tell Charlie why you called Bombay Dad."
I slapped my forehead. I had totally forgotten that I had done that. "Some day. I'm not ready for the team to know yet."
"I understand." Adam said. We froze when we heard Adam's back door open.
"Adam?" it was Alex. Adam peaked out of the shadow to let Adam know he was there. He didn't turn back to me but we already knew Alex knew I was there. I waved goodbye.
"See you Squirt." Alex said just loud enough for me to hear, but not for his father to hear. I knew Alex couldn't see me but there was no one else who would be talking to Adam in our spot. "Come on Adam. Dad's about read to go to bed."