Fire & Ice - Chapter 17: Chapter 17

The next morning Cassie and I were woken up by Sunny jumping onto her bed. Both of us tried to push her off but Sunny wouldn't let up. So Cassie finally got up out of bed and Sunny ran after her as they left the room. Just as I was starting to falling asleep again I felt Cassie climb back into bed with me and she pressed a kiss to my shoulder. I sighed and turned around and cuddled into her neck.
"What time is it?" I asked not wanting to get up.
"It's after 11 already. I was thinking we could go and get some coffee and pastries before we drive back up to campus." Cassie said.
"I veto that plan; I actually have a surprise for you." I said and lifted my head from her neck and looked at Cassie.
"You have a surprise for me?" Cassie asked surprised.
"I do, we should actually get ready and go otherwise we are going to be late. You need to wear something warm but comfortable." I said and slowly pulled myself away from Cassie to get dressed.
Cassie wasn't happy I left the bed and just sat up against her headboard watching me pull a pair of sweatpants over my shorts. I turned around took my t-shirt off so I could put on a sports bra before I pulled on the same t-shirt. When I turned back around Cassie was biting her lip and I flashed her a smile before pulling on my sweatshirt.
"Come on Cass, get up and lets get moving." I said slipped on a pair of socks.
With a few more grunts Cassie got up out of bed and started pulling things out of her draws before walking off to the bathroom to change. While she was getting ready I sent Chad a text message to make sure he was able to get everything together for today. When he responded a yes I thanked him again and packed away everything I brought with me to Cassie's house. I wasn't sure if she would want to come back before going back to campus but I figured I should be prepared if we went straight there.
Cassie came out of the bathroom in an outfit basically matching mine and we were ready to go. When I asked her about going back to campus right after the surprise she said yea we should because she wanted to have some study time. So I grabbed my bag and followed behind Cassie as she said bye to her parents and Sunny before we left her house.
As we got outside I held my hand out and Cassie gave me the keys to the Jeep and I climbed into the driver's seat before we took off. It didn't take long to get to the ice rink and Cassie just raised an eyebrow at me as we got out to go inside.
"So what are we doing here?" Cassie asked as I opened the door.
"I told you, it's a surprise." I said and followed Chad's instructions and found he set everything up.
"What is this stuff?" Cassie asked as we got to the bench that leads to the ice.
"This is a hockey sled. When I was recovering from the concussion I couldn't be on actual skates. I was dizzy all the time and had a lot of balance issues that made walking on two feet a challenge. As it started to get better, my doctors still wouldn't let me on skates but I still went to the rink at home and watch any and every game. That's when I saw a game between veterans who were disabled. They played sled hockey. It's all upper body and I knew that this was my way to ease back into hockey.
"When I talked to my mom about it she was nervous at first. She didn't want to let me back out onto the ice. But I took her to a game and she watched them play and saw how much I wanted to do it. So she let me. Her and Travis got me everything I needed to play and I started practicing.
"With a lot of practice I ended up getting good. The reason why I wear eye black all the time now is because of the concussion. When I first started playing again on the sled, the lights in the rink were so bright that I had to wear sunglasses when I played because I ended up having to go lay down in the dark afterwards from the migraines I would get. Someone suggested eye black to help with the glare and it was like a little miracle.
"Of course when my doctors found out I was playing they wanted to kill me. It didn't matter it was just me on the ice with myself and I was wearing a really padded helmet. I still played and even got into a game with one of veteran teams when they were down a player. I kind of became their back up player if someone couldn't play. That's how I supplemented my almost zero playing time for my high school and club team for college scouts during my junior year. Travis came and filmed me and we sent it in along with my other highlights from my other years of playing.
"But I'm getting away from surprise. I know that you can't put skates on anymore along with now knowing about you being a gymnast, I thought you might like an alternative to hitting the vault table. I have a sneaking suspicion you are going to be really good at this. So I figured I would show you a bit of sled hockey." I said and finally capped my rambling.
Cassie didn't say anything for a few moments as she took everything in before she bit her lip and nodded at me. Her eyes are watering when they met mine and I moved closer to her. I wrapped my arms around her waist and kissed her temple.
"I even got us a goalie." I said quietly to Cassie. She looked up at me and I nodded my head down the tunnel where I saw Chad coming out in Wisconsin Hockey sweats.
"You really planned this all out didn't you?" Cassie asked and wiped away the few tears that slipped down her cheeks.
"Yea, I know it would never replace gymnasts but I thought it might be nice for you to feel that competitive spirit again." I said and watched as Chad slowed at the end of the tunnel once he got to the bench.
"You guys okay?" He asked after taking in Cassies appearance.
"Yea, so how good of a goalie are you?" Cassie asked him.
"Oh I'm horrible so this really isn't going to be much of a contest." Chad said and chuckled a little.
Cassie and Chad both looked at me for guidance to get into the sleds and it took a minute to get them both strapped inside. Once they were both secure and not going to fall out, I got myself inside my own sled and grabbed my sticks.
"So do either of you guys know what you are doing?" I asked and watched as they were turning around in circles.
"Does it look like we know what we are doing?" Chad asked and turned himself around to face me.
"No, so the hockey sticks are like little ice picks, dig them into the ice and push yourself forward. This is all upper body and abs so if they aren't burning in a few minutes you're probably doing something wrong, ready?" I asked and looking at them both.
"No, but no time like the present." Cassie said and tried to dig the sticks into the ice but didn't push them in hard enough and she went a few inches.
"Like this." I said and showed them both how to do it. I ended up skating around the rink a little to warm up a bit and then came back to meet them almost in the same spot as I left them.
That's when I went after one of the pucks and started to move around the ice with it. Chad picked up the motion with the hockey sticks quickly and met me over by the net. We passed the puck around for a minute before Cassie came racing in between us and stole the puck. She took it and Chad and I both watched as Cassie shot it towards the net and it went right in. I smiled at my girl and went and got the puck out of the net.
Just like I thought, Cassie was very good at sled hockey. With a bit more practice she could get on a team if she wanted too. Chad tried to stick it out in goal for a little bit but after taking a puck to the stomach he was out. I tried to apologize but he wouldn't take it and said he deserved it after being such an ass to me. After that shot Chad got off the ice and left Cassie and I alone with a warning we only had another half an hour before he needed to cut the ice for public skate that was going to take place this afternoon.
Cassie wanted me to teach her all my tricks I used when I played sled hockey and I was happy to show her. I didn't have enough time to show her everything now but I showed her some basic stuff like easy ways to recover if she tipped over or some checks that are easy to deliver. I tried to keep this first little lesson more about skating and all things about it, puck work will come when Cassie is more stable on the sled.
Our half hour was up when Chad came out and started to move the net out of the way and opened up the Zamboni entrance. I got myself out of the sled and then helped Cassie out hers before taking all the equipment up to the bench to clear the ice for Chad.
"Chad, where do you want me to leave it?" I yelled across the ice.
"On the bench, I'll put it all away." Chad said as he started up the Zamboni.
"You sure?" I yelled over the Zamboni.
"Positive!" Chad yelled and started to cut the ice.
"You ready to go?" I asked and turned to find Cassie shaking her arms out, I couldn't help but laugh at her. "You okay?"
"It's not funny, my arms are burning and my abs. We are going to stop for coffee and pastries on our way back to campus and you are going to drive because I need a nap." Cassie said and stopped shaking her arms out.
"Whatever you want babe." I said and offered her my hand. Cassie took my hand and we walked down the tunnel.
Before we left the rink Cassie and I stopped in the bathroom before we would be in the car for the next hour on the way back to campus. As we finished up and left the bathroom a group of girls who look around middle school age were waiting to get into the skate session. Just as we past them one of the girls mouths dropped open and she grabbed her friends arm. That friend looked at me and she called out my name. I looked at Cassie and she gave me a soft smile before she nodded at the girl who called my name.
I stopped and turned to the girls and saw them almost jumping up and down that I stopped. The girls' dad tried to get me out of talking to his daughters but I said it was okay. So I sat with the two girls for a few minutes and answered all their questions about hockey. I quickly found out the pair were sisters and just as I was finishing up our conversation Chad came over and comped their skate session. Their father was super grateful as Chad gave the girls the wrist bands.
After the girls got onto the ice I said bye to their father and met Cassie at the front desk. She was sitting up on the counter waiting for me to finish up.
"I'm sorry, I didn't think it would take so long." I said and placed my hands on Cassie's waist.
"It's okay babe, it was really cute to watch you with them." Cassie said and wrapped her hands around my neck.
"You ready to go?" I asked.
"Yes, can you help me down?" Cassie asked. I just nodded and wrapped my arms around her waist and lifted Cassie off the counter. Cassie put her feet down on the floor and we made our way to the Jeep.
When we got there I opened the passenger door for her and Cassie hopped right in. Once she was settled I went around to the driver's side and got in myself. Cassie gave me directions to the coffee shop and a list of what she wanted me to order for her while she waited in the car. I went into the coffee shop and got everything she wanted and some stuff for myself and it looked like we got enough food to feed an army.
It didn't take long to get back to the car and I found Cassie scrolling through her phone when I got back. She took the coffee's while I put all the food in the back seat for the drive. Once she settled the drinks I pulled up maps on my phone and set the navigation to get us back to campus and we hit the road.
After I pulled onto the highway I felt Cassie pulled my hand off the gear shift and into her own. I gave her a quick glance and found her smiling at me.
"What?" I asked and turned my attention to the road.
"Just thank you for today. It was the first time since the fire that I felt, like normal. Sunday mornings were always spent at the rink with Chad just playing around. The fire took that from me and you just gave it back, so thank you Mac." Cassie said choked up.
I didn't know what to say in responses so I just pulled our joint hands to my mouth and gave her hand a kiss. After that Cassie didn't say anything for the rest of the trip home. We listened to the radio play some random pop station and feed me the directions to campus. When I looked over at Cassie every once in a while I found her eyes closed. Looks like she wasn't kidding when she said that she wanted to nap on the way home.
During the drive I kept looking over at Cassie. Every time I did my heart felt so full. I drove carefully, making sure not to hit any large potholes in the road and drove a little over the speed limit. The radio faded to my ears and it was more like background music. The only thing that matter is Cassie's hand in mine and driving smoothly to not wake her up until we got back to campus. Is this was falling in love felt like? Wait, love? The thought sat with me the entire rest of the drive back to campus. When I pulled into a parking spot I had to wake Cassie up as I needed help carrying everything inside. I tried not to rush around the room when we got into our dorm and it helped that Cassie went to shower. I told her I was going to Becca's room for a little bit to over some homework before grabbing a random textbook and rushing out of our dorm.
I walked down the hall and pound on the door to my friends room and waited. It didn't take long for Becca to open the door and it looked like she was still half asleep as I pushed my way inside. That's when I saw Stacey sitting on Becca's couch wearing nothing but a sports bra and boxers.
"I totally just interrupted something didn't I?" I asked and turned away from Stacey and looked at Becca again. She is just wearing a big t-shirt and I'm hoping some underwear underneath it.
"If you pounded on the door about an hour ago then yea, you would have interrupted something. We just didn't want to move from the couch after we were done, so thanks for that motivation. So what's so important that you almost beat my door down?" Becca asked and pulled on a pair of shorts Stacey threw at her.
"Are you two a thing or is this like a friend's with benefits hookup?" I asked.
"McKenna! Door, beating, explain, now!" Becca said and pushed me a little so my eyes snapped back to hers.
"I think I might be in love with Cassie." I said. It was the first time I was saying it out loud and it felt like a weight came right off my shoulders.
"That's it?" Stacey asked coming to stand behind Becca.
"Seriously, that's why you were pounding on my door for?" Becca asked and smiled at me.
"Forget it." I said and turned to leave her dorm.
"That's not happening" I heard Stacey say behind me and she pulled my arm. Becca followed her lead and they led me both to the couch and forced me to sit down.
"If you're just going to tease me about it I'm going to leave." I said and tried to get up off the couch. Before I got far both girls pushed me back down.
"No you aren't going anywhere. This obviously means a lot to you and you feel comfortable enough coming to me, well us, with it. So tell us, what's going on." Becca said and took a seat on the coffee table in front of me.
"So I went home with Cassie this weekend and I learned a lot about her. Did you know she was on track to go the Olympics for gymnasts? After her accident that was all gone. I got to go with her to a PT appointment and to see her in the much pain after it was heartbreaking. When I was recovering from my concussion I played sled hockey because I couldn't be on skates. So with some help from Chad, I set up sled hockey for her to try and she was a natural. Like so good. To get to watch her have fun like that was something I don't think I'll ever forget.
"Along with meeting her parents it was just so nice to get to know Cassie more. To finally have a few more pieces of the puzzle filled in. On the drive back all I could think about was wow, I think this relationship could be something real between us, something so good. I don't want to mess it up and it's not like I had a good home life or parents who could stand to be in the same room with each other longer than five minutes before someone started to throw something at the other.
"I think I love her and I don't want to mess it up." I said and clenched my jaw to try and stop my eyes from watering. I didn't want to cry about this. This should be a happy moment; tears right now aren't helping.
"I don't think, I know you do. Hell anybody with eyes can see how much you care about Cassie, Mckenna." Becca said and turned to Stacey.
"Seriously, all your love is kind of gross. You guys are like perfect for each other and it kind of sets a standard so high for the rest of us that's really hard to reach." Stacey said and nudged my knee with hers.
"My advice, just give it some time. There is no rush on you making a love declaration. Take some time and give yourself the space to really come around to the feelings. We don't know about what happened with Cassie's accident or all the details about what happened with you at home. So don't rush yourself. The right moment will come." Becca said and gave me a smile.
I couldn't stop a tear escaping from my eye. Once both girls saw it they tackled me into a hug forcing me back into the couch. I'm just happy I sat on top of a blanket and not the couch directly after their morning activities. They didn't hold me down for long as they started to complain about being hungry. After they got off of me they told me that a few girls from the team are going to meet at the rink in the afternoon to skate around if I wanted to join. I told them to text me the details and I went back to my room to leave the girls to their late brunch.
When I got back to my dorm room I found Cassie sitting on the couch with a blanket thrown over her lap and text book in hand. I was quiet not wanting to disrupt her studying only to realize when I got closer that Cassie was asleep. My heart warmed as I pulled the heavy law book from her hand and placed it down on the coffee table. I made sure the blanket covered up her legs and stomach and took a seat on the arm chair and looked over at my girlfriend. God, I really do think I love her.