My Hockey Alpha

The next morning was my first day at my new internship. I woke up feeling both nervous and excited for what was to come. Hopefully I wouldn’t have to interact with the hockey team too much.

It was raining and chilly, so I wore something warm. I put on my usual skinny jeans, a knit sweater that I thought would be appropriate for work, comfortable boots to keep my feet and ankles dry and my leather jacket. I pulled my hair into my two long braids and was ready to go.

I was supposed to meet Tiffany in her office, but when I arrived, she wasn’t there. There was a note on the desk.

“Sorry to say this, but there was indeed an injury on the hockey team already. Meet me at the arena -Tiffany”

I groaned and made my way to the hockey arena. Why did it feel like the universe just wanted me to be miserable lately? Why couldn’t I have just stayed in Tiffany’s office today and dealt with paperwork?

When I entered the arena, the whole team was already there in their full gear. They were circled around someone on the floor — two people, actually. Tiffany and one of the team members.

The team member was on the floor, groaning and holding his ankle while Tiffany prodded at it.

“Yep, looks like you rolled your ankle nice and good,” I could hear her say as I approached.

Several heads jerked up when they heard me coming. Enzo and Justin both looked at me; Justin seemed confused, while Enzo seemed somewhat pleased.

Tiffany looked up and smiled. “Oh, Nina!” she said, pointing to her medical bag on the bench. “Can you grab the ace bandages?”

I nervously walked over to her bag and rifled through it until I found the ace bandages, trying my best to ignore Justin and Enzo’s eyes on me, then handed the roll to Tiffany.

“Everyone, if you don’t know already, this is Nina,” she said as she wrapped the hockey player’s ankle. “She’s my intern this semester.”

hockey player stand. He couldn’t put weight on his ankle and

a bit,” she said, cringing at the sight of his ankle. ” Tony, will you help me bring Matt to the infirmary? Nina, I’ll be

spending more time with the hockey team. Was this a plan of hers to get me to face my fears? I felt almost

players left the arena, leaving me alone with the rest

not wanting to draw attention, ” let’s get

team went to get back on the ice, with Enzo leading, but Justin stayed. His eyes were fixed on me as

called, stepping out onto the ice and

tried apologizing to you. I know what I did was fucked up,

heart catch in my throat as the entire team

is not the time,” I said. ”

his voice. It almost felt like he wanted

bit my lip as I felt the entire team’s eyes on me, waiting for my

guys are dating?” one teammate

team erupted into a chorus of gossip. I heard snippets of “I told you so” and “She Chapter Team Doctor should

me sternly, his eyebrows knit. I could see

silent and turned to look at their captain, but he was

practiced, Tiffany and I pulled out the players one by one for their physicals in the locker rooms. Justin gave me puppy

to examine

in front of me, removing his shirt for the examination. His muscles were tight and pronounced from how hard he was practicing, and as I stood nearby while Tiffany examined him, I could smell the sweet odors of his sweat emanating from his body.

contact the whole time. I could tell he