Chapter 20 I know practically nothing about dance. My entire life has been wrapped up in athletics, and I've been constantly surrounded by athletes. But I can confidently say I've never once seen someone move as gracefully and passionately as Ally just did. She's talented. Incredibly so. I could have watched her all day. This woman was meant to dance, meant to tell a story through her art. I now have two goals: having the best NHL rookie season I can...and getting Ally to dance again. In public. She can't hide this talent away from the world. I don't know why she left her dance program at USG, or why she no longer dances aside from teaching classes, but whatever the reason is, it can't keep her from doing what she was clearly born to do. I won't let it. "What are you doing here?" she asks, wiping a bead of sweat from her brow. Her tone is carefully neutral, but there's a flush painting her cheekbones, like she's embarrassed. I shove my hands into my suit pockets, feeling suddenly shy that I'm here right now instead of driving to the game like I should be. "When you texted saying you were still at the dance studio, I noticed it was raining and didn't want you walking in this weather." She blinks up at me with those big brown eyes of hers. "Noah Downsby, you're just a big softy, aren't you?" Only for beautiful dancers who bake delicious cookies. "Just being a good roommate," I answer with a shrug. She smiles. "More like just being a gentleman." "Are you about ready to go?" I ask, dodging the compliment, even as my cheeks heat. "Yeah, let me grab my bag." She disappears behind a door that has a staff sign on it then appears again a moment later with a sweatshirt pulled over her leo. She looks tiny in the baggy garment, and it has a smile tugging at my mouth. "Ready." When we walk out the door of the dance studio, we both break into a run for my car. It's pouring rain. By the time we slide into the car, we're both laughing and wiping our wet faces. "I'm glad you picked me up," she says through her laughter. "Thank you, Noah." "It's nothing." I start the car and turn out of the parking lot to begin the short drive back to the loft. I keep my eyes focused on the road ahead as I say, "You're really talented, Ally." In my peripheral vision, I see her glance at me before her gaze turns down to her lap. "Thank you," she says softly. "You should start dancing more...like outside of our kitchen." I sneak a look at her and I'm surprised to see an expression of determination on her pretty face. "Maybe," she says quietly, like she's saying it more to herself than to me, and once again, I find myself sure there's more to the story here than meets the eye. And again, I feel almost magnetically drawn to the idea of peeling back those layers of Ally's, discovering more about the person she is under her bubbly and sassy but sweet surface. When we reach our building, I pull right up to the door and stop the car. "I'll see you later tonight, I guess." She opens her door to get out, but peers at me over her shoulder with a smile. "Nah, I'll see you at the game. Good luck, Downsby." She winks at me and then before I know it, she's out of the car and striding into the building. Meanwhile, I sit there stunned. Did she really just wink at me? And did I really like it? Yep, I'm pretty sure on both accounts. During pregame warmup I experience a sense of deja vu when I see Ally behind the plexiglass. Only this time, she's chatting with Andie and my nieces, who are crawling all over her trying to win her attention. The sight of them together makes me smile. The night of our first game, I was frustrated to see Ally in the crowd, but tonight I'm not annoyed to see her. Not in the least. This time, it feels like she belongs here. I like knowing she's here at the game and not home alone. I know she's safe if she's here, and if she wasn't I'd worry about her. Something about losing people you love in a car accident is that you always worry about it happening again. Car accidents happen every day, every hour, every second. It's hard to let go of the fact that twelve years ago my parents got into a car and never came back home. The anxiety of keeping the people I care about safe is a weight always pressing on my chest. It's the main reason I stayed close to home for college, close to Mitch and Andie. It's why I was so relieved when I heard they were coming here for Mitch to coach. My logical brain realizes that living close to them won't protect them from harm, but there's a false sense of control somewhere in there that makes my heart feel lighter all the same. And I can't deny my growing feelings for Ally when I feel the same strong protective instinct toward her. This is exactly why I've always held girls at arm's length-why I've held everyone at arm's length. Even Penn doesn't know me the way I know him, and we've been roommates and teammates for four years now. Getting close to people is terrifying...because it means more people you can lose. It means more opportunities for your heart to shatter. Allowing Ally to truly know me feels more terrifying than anything I've ever done, but it's something I can't help but lean into right now, despite the potential cost. Maybe it's a case of more risk, more reward... I swallow, the thought making me itchy. How did I go from her presence distracting me to her absence distracting me? I'm honestly not sure. But in three short weeks she's gone from being in my loft to being in my head, under my skin, and all around me. And the strangest part is...I don't even mind. The opposite, in fact. I probably need to schedule a therapy session. It's been a while. Shooting a puck into the empty net while the goalie stretches, I skate around the boards and tap my gloved hand against the glass. Harlow, Laini, and Paige blow me kisses through the glass, and I blow three kisses back. I don't even think as I do it, but when I turn, I see Ally watching me with soft eyes. For a moment, all I can think about is how pretty she looks, how I was the one to put that expression on her face...but then I see the Lions' social media team eating up the scene and aiming their fancy ass camera at me. I grit my teeth, trying not to look annoyed. I was simply enjoying a moment with my family, and I hate being watched all the time, but I know being in the spotlight is a part of this job. I just have to suck it up and deal with it. Andie bangs on the glass with her palm, distracting me from my irritation. She points down to the girls and directs them to turn around. All three of them have their hair up in messy buns so I can see the back of their jerseys. Uncle Noah is written on the back of all three. I shoot my older sister a smile, and she mouths, kick ass tonight. I nod in response then turn toward Ally almost reflexively. She waves and yells, "good luck." Holding her gaze through the glass, I say, "thank you." When I skate back over toward my teammates, Penn and Fisher are waiting for me with matching smirks on their faces. "What?" "You're going to be all over the internet tomorrow, man," Penn says with a low whistle. Fisher nods, widening his eyes. "Be prepared for women to fill your DMs." I snort. "Why?" Penn rolls his eyes. "You're so oblivious. Chicks live for that shit. Big broody hockey player interacting with his adorable nieces." "While they're wearing Uncle Noah jerseys," Fisher adds. "That's pucking cute, man. Hell, I might try to crawl into bed with you tonight." "Don't you dare," I say, but can't keep the laughter out of my voice. The only roommate I want crawling into bed with me is Ally. Soon, warmups are over, Coach Anderson has given us our pregame pep talk, and it's time to kick ass like my sister told me to. The first period is fast paced, as we're well-matched against the Texas Spurs. They were in the Stanley Cup finals last season, and although they didn't take the cup home, they're a tough team to beat. The Spurs' captain is the first line right winger, same position as me, and won't let me out of his sight. Am I flattered he thinks I'm such a threat? Maybe a little. I'm able to fake him out and score a goal during the last minute of the first period. I hear him mutter something that sounds like damned energetic young kids. The second period is slower, with Penn getting a two-minute penalty for roughing-typical-and Fisher scoring a goal and doing an outlandish celebration around the arena, blowing kisses to the fans. I find Ally during the ordeal, and she's laughing but rolling her eyes. Fisher playfully blows her a kiss, and she sticks her tongue out at him. That's my girl. Wait, no. She's not my girl. But knowing she didn't blow Fisher a kiss back has me energized and ready for the third period. After our final break, the third period begins, and the score is two to one. Too close of a score for me. Sandine gets a call for icing, and we face off on the defensive end. I'm chosen, along with the Spurs captain, for the face off and find myself looking past my opponent and meeting Ally's gaze from behind the glass. She smiles, biting her bottom lip, then gives me a thumbs up. I blink, reminding myself to stay focused. But this time, I want to focus so I can impress Ally. When the whistle blows, I grab the puck easily and shoot it straight through the goalie's legs. The crowd goes wild, and I skate past the glass where Ally and my sister are cheering. For a moment, I wonder what Ally would do if I blew her a kiss. Would she blow me one back? The whole idea is absurd, something I would never do. Plus, if I really wanted Ally's attention, I'd wait until we were alone. I'd walk toward her slowly, watching her body language and making sure she wanted me closer. Then I'd close the distance, gripping her waist in my hands, and pulling her body against mine. Then I'd kiss her for real, my mouth on hers, teasing and tasting. No, Ally wouldn't get any silly air kisses from me. Only real ones. We win the game four to two and the guys are amped up in the locker room. Coach Anderson and Coach Slater stride inside, both smiling wide for once. Mitch whistles loudly and the room quiets down. "Great work out there tonight, boys. The Spurs were a tough team to beat, but you made it look like a piece of cake. Get some rest tonight; you earned it." He nods, turning to exit the dressing room, but Fisher stops him. "You see my goal, Coach?" He looks at my brother-in-law, eyes shiny with hero worship. Coach Anderson smacks him hard on the shoulder. "Yep. Good job, Fishy." He exits the room, and my teammates erupt in laughter. "Fishy?" Fisher asks, his voice sounding strangled. "What the hell." "Suits you," Coach Slater says with a chuckle as he, too, makes his way out of the room. I shake my head, laughing to myself. "Don't take it too hard; that's what my nieces call you." Fisher's head swivels toward me, his eyes wide. "Shut. Up. They talk about me?" I sigh heavily. "Yeah, Fishy, they do." "This is the best news I've heard all day," he says with an airy smile. Penn looks offended. "What do they call me?" I shrug. "I haven't heard them call you anything man, sorry." He brings a hand to his chest in outrage. "But they've known me four years longer than Fishy." I snort a laugh and continue removing my pads, wanting to be quick in the showers so I can see Ally. And my nieces and sister, of course. Yeah, just excited to see everyone. I'm lying to myself, and I know it. Someone nudges my shoulder pad, and I look up to find Sandine in my space. "Not bad out there today." He lifts one shoulder in a careless shrug. "You did okay, Kid." I'm so shocked by his compliment, I'm almost struck speechless, and I mumble a delayed, "thanks," in response. Sandine stalks off toward the showers and Penn and Fisher mimic silent screaming and dance around like little girls. "He totally complimented you," Fisher whispers. "He loves you," Penn says in a hushed tone. I roll my eyes but can't wipe the smile from my face. Because I feel like letting someone in for the first time in a long time, I played my best tonight, and I wasn't distracted. Maybe all these things can coexist. Maybe I can allow people into my life-into my heart. And maybe everything will be okay. Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!