Page 51 of Put a Rink on It

“Travel expenses.” I blurt the first thing popping into my head, needing her to know I want her to spend my money. It’s a weird need I feel deep in my core. “Gas money. Spa and nail days. Haircuts. Pamper yourself on me, Ships.”

A joyful light shines behind her eyes when I mention her nails, but she quickly schools her features. “We’ll put it on the list to discuss over dinner.”

“I need my notebook. Be right back.” I slide my feet into my boots, but am stopped by Marina’s, “I’ve got one.” She reaches into a drawer of the coffee table and pulls out a notebook, the Centennial University logo on the front. It’s larger than the ones I normally use for notes.

“When did you get this?” I take the proffered notebook and pen from her.

“I bought it before I left campus freshman year, but could never bring myself to use it.” A wave of unreadable emotion passes over her face. “It was a little too raw the first semester home, and then I kinda forgot about it until I was packing to move here. Figured it’s fitting for now.”

“More like ironic, but also perfect.” I flip to the first page, the smell of fresh paper igniting my senses. It’s one reason I use paper notebooks and not my phone’s Notes section or some other digital app. I also love starting a notebook, the first marks on the page so ceremonious. Chalk it up to a quirkiness associated with hockey, though I have notebooks from before I started hockey. Perhaps the reverse is true—I love hockey because I’m quirky, not the other way around. “Okay, what’s on the list?” I title the page “Marina and Nero’s To-Do list” and hover the pen over the first line.

“Wedding date. When and how to tell your family. Where I’m going to live.”

I glance up at her. “Whoa, slow down. I can’t write that fast.”

She giggles, a sound I can’t get enough of. “Wedding date.” She pauses for me to jot it down. “When and how to tell your family.” I scribble that one.

“Where Ships is going to live,” I say aloud as the pen marks the letters on the page. “Okay, what else?”

“Finances.”

We go back and forth, a list emerging of about twenty-five items, before there’s a knock on the door. When I throw it open, a high school kid holds a warmer bag and gapes at me from the stoop.

“Nero Champion?”

“Sure am.” I hold my hand out, but he’s so flustered, he nearly drops the bag when he reaches his out to meet mine.

“I’m a huge fan. I watch as many games as I can. Your breakaway goal in the game against Seattle was amazing. I thought for sure the goalie was going to block it.”

I chuckle, knowing exactly which game and shot he’s talking about. “Same. I was shocked when the lamp lit up.”

“What are you doing in Vermont? It’s kinda far from Connecticut.”

“Yet closer than Minnesota.”

He ponders it for a moment. “That’s true.”

“I’m visiting my fi-friend,” I manage, remembering at the last minute our upgraded status isn’t public yet. He’s unlikely to spread the rumor, but I’ve already made a mess of my personal life. I don’t need to do the same with my career.

“That’s cool.”

Marina approaches my side. “Hey, Trevor. How’s it going?”

Trevor’s gaze slides to Marina. “Marina, hey.” He snaps his fingers. “Oh, right. I knew you guys were friends. You were at the fundraiser for the Aspenridge player last summer, right?”

“I was.”

He removes the boxes from the insulated bag. “It was a pleasant surprise getting to see you here in Havenwood. I’m hoping to make it to Connecticut soon for a game.”

“Let Marina know, and I’ll make sure there are two tickets waiting for you at will call.”

His mouth opens, but nothing emerges for a full minute. He pulls himself together. “That would be amazing. Thank you, Mr. Champion.”

“Nero’s fine. And you’re welcome. Thanks for the pizza.”

“My pleasure.” He stands on the stoop for several more seconds, the smile never leaving his face. The joy of young fans never gets old.

Marina holds open the door for me to step through and closes it once I’m inside. “Bet that’s the highlight of his year. Even if he doesn’t follow through with tickets, delivering pizza to Nero Champion won’t be something he forgets. You’re so good like that. That’s who you are.”