Chapter 11: well played

-SIENNA-

In the first game of the season, the Rangers played unbalanced. Passes were missed, sometimes because the players were either too slow or too fast to intercept them. And the puck kept coming back to the other team’s sticks.

Somehow, we managed to win. Maybe because Hank scored 3 points, but most likely because Matt barricaded the goal in a way that not even air passed through.

By the end of the game, the guys were eager to celebrate the victory. Hank was one of the first players to get out, and he came rushing Michelle and me to go to O’Malleys.

O’Malleys was an Irish pub located within walking distance of the arena, which makes it a good place to chill after a game. It was a kind of sports bar, with a cool vibe and a large beer selection.

The place was big, with a bar at the entrance, an area with tables, billiards and darts at the back, and the band stage downstairs. Upstairs, it has a more reserved area where the players like to stay.

We got ourselves a quiet corner table upstairs. Mike Trivino, one of Hank’s teammates, came to sit with us, along with his date.

I met Mike before. He was somehow cute before he decided to grow a mustache. Now he looked like a bad actor playing the role of a police officer in a cliché movie.

His date was a petite brunette with bright blue eyes. She was wearing a very tight and very short dress. She seemed nice, though, and she kept blinking very hard when we were talking, as if we were trying to discuss quantum physics. Which we were not. We were only trying to decide what to order.

"I'll have a cheeseburger", Michelle decided, and closed the menu. She always takes at least ten minutes to read all the options before choosing the same thing. "And a light beer".

"I want mine with bacon and a beer from the tap. Are we all ordering burgers?" Hank asked, and Mike and the blinking girl nodded.

"Nothing for me. I’m not hungry. I’ll just have a soda". After the massive hangover that I got last Tuesday, it will be a while before I put alcohol inside my body again.

We placed our orders, and the blinking girl broke the silence. I think her name starts with a B, but I was not sure.

"So, good game today. Well played," she started. I didn't know if she was just being polite or if she was just plain stupid.

"Sure, baby, but it was going to be a disaster if my buddy Lewis here didn’t score. You played well, man", Mike said, tapping Hank's shoulder.

"Thanks, but it was just because of my lucky charm here," Hank replied and kissed Michelle at the temple. "Don’t forget Gruber. Without him, Dallas would have scored a lot of points. The guy blocked the goal with concrete today. Not even a breeze was passing through."

"I know! I just think Gruber should hang out with us more. He’s so reserved. And grumpy all the time. He doesn’t laugh at my jokes!", Mike complained, his mouth twisting.

"Nobody laughs at your jokes, Mike! They are awful," Michelle replied.

"Ouch! You hurt my feelings!" Mike put his right hand over his heart and made a puppy-dog face. Then, turning to the blinking girl, he added, "Baby, you think I am funny, right?"

"Yes, baby, you are hystericus," the blinking girl answered him. The girl might be beautiful, but not smart.

Hank was about to correct her, but Michelle sent him a face, making him quiet.

Thankfully, the waiter came with our orders, and they started to eat in silence.

Hank finished his burger in two minutes, and, apparently, the topic about hockey was not finished.

"Seriously, Trivino. You should play more with Gruber. He is a great player, and he is very cool also. Way better than Miller".

"But that won't be hard. Miller is a d.ick. I won’t be missing him". Mike answered, looking around at the bar. "Where is Gruber, by the way? You said that he would come around this time."

"Matt is coming?" I asked out loud, unable to stop my mouth. I didn't know why I was anxious about seeing him. The thought alone made my stomach feel funny.

"He should be here already, but I haven’t seen him." He replied, taking a glance at his giant watch. "He probably decided to go home after the game instead, as usual".

I felt disappointed and started to play with my noodle straw to hide my feelings from others.

Luckily, everyone was busy with their partners, noticing the emotions swirling around my face.

I stayed there for some moments and started to feel tired of being the fifth wheel present. So I decided to move around the bar instead.

"I’m going to the restroom", I announced to no one in particular, standing up from my chair.

"Do you want some company?" Michelle offered but didn’t move a muscle, clearly wanting to stay where she was.

"Nah, I’m good, thanks", I said and left, making my way around the tables.

There were probably restrooms upstairs, but I decided to search for the ones downstairs, just to make my way longer.

I was about to enter the corridor to the restroom when a tall guy with a terrible buzz cut stepped in front of me to block my path.

"Where are you going, gorgeous?" He asked, and I sighed, annoyed by him using his dark frame as an intimidation technique.

"I’m going to the restroom. Is there a problem?", I said, and tried to walk around him.

"Yes, you should stay here and have a drink with me instead. What can I get you?" He offered and stood in my way with his body again.

"Nothing, thanks, and I really need to get going". I made another attempt to move around him, but now my back was almost against the wall, and he stopped me.

"Come on, just have a drink. I know you’ll enjoy it", he said, as if he was not talking about the drink but himself, and now I wanted to puke.

"I said no. Now, please move!" I tried to push him out of my way, but he didn’t budge.

He touched my hair, and I was truly disgusted. I’ll have to wash it again when I come home. "I know you want me, blondie. I can see in your eyes. Don’t play hard to get".

When I am about to kick him in the shins, I hear a deep, gruff voice behind us.

"The lady said no."