Flamingos

This is insanity. Complete and utter insanity.

The two players collide again like bulls and the referee is actually letting them. The crowd cheers as the players absolutely deck each other. The lady beside me leaps off her seat screaming her lungs out like a crazy woman. Said crazy woman is the reason I am here tonight, surrounded by utter chaos. Dakota, my best friend of all my nineteen years had decided to forgo movie night and drag me along to her boyfriend's hockey game. They have been going out for two weeks, two weeks, and she has already abandoned our traditions.

Dee screams even louder as if the players can hear her over the crowd and I scoot to my left and pretend I don't know her.

"That idiot is going to cost us the game." she finally settles back into her seat and playfully smacks my shoulder. "I saw that." She narrows her eyes as I scoot back in place.

"Well, if you scream any louder you might burst my eardrums." I tilt the popcorn toward her.

"Sorry." She winces as she grabs a few and shoves them in her mouth.

"You could have warned me it could get this loud. I could have brought ear plugs." I wince as the ref whistles and the players are pulled away from each other. I know that red smudge on the glass is not ketchup.

"I don't think it's usually like this," she speculates, sipping her soda. "It's only our first game, we'll adjust after a couple." A. Couple?

Is this our life now? I spent the whole day prepping tissues, making snacks, getting ready to cry my lungs out and as soon as I arrived on her doorstep with a pizza ready to pop in the oven, she announced the change of plans, flung a jacket at me, shoved everything into the fridge and dragged me off. I was not mentally or emotionally prepared for any of it.

"Are you still mad?" Her voice is soft. I guess I was in shock and still am, perhaps even a little angry at her for not giving me a heads up. The crowd roar in objection, some of them cheer. It seems they are as conflicted as I am.

"It's just a lot." I say truthfully.

"I'm sorry. Marv told me last week and I didn't know what to do." Her eyes down cast, fingers fidgeting the hem of her jacket before tucking a blonde strand of hair behind her ear. No wonder why she was in a funk.

"I am happy you brought me with," I reason, "at least you didn't leave me behind on my own, then we would really have to reevaluate our relationship. I know love makes people do crazy things bu-"

"Never. I would never leave you," She looks me in the eye dead serious. "I could be stranded on an island and I would still pick you to be with me. Forget Bear Grylls."

"So you want us both to starve to death?" I ask perplexed.

"Yes. We starve together." At that I can't help myself, I laugh. A proper belly laugh and feel the tension in my body slowly loosen up.

"I really am sorry." she says sincerely.

"I know. Just next time, how about a little heads up?"

"You know when I know." She swears, her hand over her heart.

Hockey is not something I am used to. I know little to no, okay nothing about it but I foresee a significant expansion of my knowledge in the field in the near future. The loud crowd and rough sport may not be my scene exactly but it is a good change of pace. Something different and new.

"This was not what I was expecting," I say slowly, she fidgets some more, "but...to heck with it?" I hold my hand out.

She grins and slaps her palm over mine. "To heck with it."

Own personal equivalent to 'F It' has become our motto for the past few years. Its also a reminder that even when faced with situations that can be overwhelming and entirely new, we always have each other. So buck up the courage and do it anyway.

"Now," I settle into my seat and study the rink below, "what the heck is going on?"

Dee laughs before launching into a full blown explanation while I munch on popcorn.

"You see that guy over there? Number 59? That's Marv and... he's got the biscuit! Go Marv!!" Biscuit?

Dee leaps of her seat again and this time I stand too, to get a better look and sure enough 'Ellis 59' is weaving his way to the opposition's goalkeeper. It looks like he is heading straight for him before he swiftly ducks to the right and takes a shot before he swoops around the back of the net. The puck slips in the red light flashes.

He scored. I breath. I hadn't realized I was holding my breathe. Dee jumps up and down before grabbing me in a hug and I laugh with her. Some popcorn spills but no one seems to care. The excitement is contagious and I am surprised to find that I'm enjoying myself too. The people around us cheer as his team skates past him patting his back.

We take our seats again as the players get in position. I fold the top of the popcorn bag to make sure nothing spills.

"Crap. His penalty is almost up." Dee grabs the bag

"Who?" I ask confused.

"You see that box on the other side? That's the penalty box. Its basically like a timeout corner for the naughty kids. Aiden started that fight earlier and got a major penalty. So he's been on timeout for five minutes." I spot him then, sitting in a small cubicle by himself watching the game. His hand moves up and clutches his stick to his shoulder as if he is ready to pounce.

"Who replaced him?" I ask scanning the players.

"No one. The team has been down a man since he was boxed." No way. I count the jerseys and find that yes, aside from the goalkeeper, there are only four players when there were five. That just makes their goal more impressive.

"So are we blaming him or something?"

"Oh no, if anything we want him to stay there. He's been messing up the whole game and we'll be lucky if we can catch up in the last round. I honestly don't know why he's not benched already."

"There's another round?" I ask shocked. "I thought we had half time ten minutes ago." Dee laughs.

"No silly. Hockey is a little different. The game is split into three periods of twenty minutes each," she explains calmly, "so we have a short break of fifteen minutes between each period. So total game time is usually sixty minutes."

"For someone who has never been to a game before, you sure know a lot about hockey." I quirk a brow.

"I picked up a few things from Marv," she blushes. "I watched a few practices but this is my first official game."

"A few?" I tease.

"I have been reading up on it a little too. I just found it really interesting." She confesses.

"Hmm, maybe I will join you." I admit, as we turn back to the game. Marv has the puck again but my attention is on the penalty box.

Aiden stand up and walks to the door and simply slips back into the rink while the game is in play. He moves seamlessly across the ice and starts kicking harder picking speed. Aiden is heading straight for another player who was approaching Marv from the side. The player spots him and tries to swerve away, straight into the boards in front of us. Aiden comes to a complete stop before him, never making contact. Everyone jumps from their seats as if to get a better look.

The buzzer goes off again and the crowd cheers, Marv scored another goal and Aiden does not move from his spot. His breathing heavy, and gaze cast up into the crowd. My breathe catches in my chest. For a moment it feels like he is looking directly at me but he turns away as the ref blows his whistle, and follows the players leaving the rink. That's when I notice the number on his back. 'Quinn 42'.

"I was a bit peeved about it too." Dee begrudgingly admits. I didn't realize I read it aloud but I can't help but agree.

The people around us start milling out to get more snacks and sneak in quick bathroom breaks. I drop my gaze back to where he stood.

"I hope he gets benched." Dee munches on popcorn. I look down at my empty hands. When did she take the popcorn?

He did not in fact get benched. Once the final twenty minutes started, Aiden made no mistakes. He scored three goals bringing them up to a 5-3 victory. It was absolutely crazy the way the crowd shifted, even Dee was cheering him on at the end though she kept reminding me it was just so Marv's team could win and Aiden was, as she so delicately put it, still an ass.

The game ended after ten. We waited for the massive crowd to leave first before joining the stragglers out the door. Dee texting Marv to meet us outside.

"That was surprisingly..." I scramble for a word before settling on "Good." I admit as we make our way to Dee's car.

Dee pokes fun at my lack of vocabulary. But if I'm being honest... Contrary to my initial skepticism, once I started paying attention to the game itself with Dee explaining a few of the rules here and there, it was fun. I wouldn't mind joining her for a couple more.

"I didn't think they were going to make that save in the last round and they swept the floor with them. Three goals and no penalties. It's a miracle. And here I was hoping for a tie at best." Dee exclaims.

"DeeDee!!" A male voice shouts from behind. DeeDee? I fight off the cringe and honestly feel slightly betrayed.

"Not one word." Dee warns before turning around and meeting Marv in an embrace.

This is the first time I've seen seen Marv in the flesh. Dee has been trying to get us to meet for the entirety of their two week relationship but our schedules always clashed. He had practice to prepare for the upcoming game and I had been busy with my submissions. Even when one was free, the other was busy. Aah, so that's why we cancelled movie night.

I fold my arms and watch the two embrace and have to admit they look good together. Dee relaxes into him and he tightens his hold. He is taller and envelopes her completely, his brown hair still wet and jacket in hand. Something tells me he came running as fast as he could.

"I missed you." He whispers into her hair and my heart flutters for them. I can't help the smile on my face when they part just before it would get too awkward. Dee tenses then whispers "Don't mess this up," before slowly turning toward me, no doubt worried about how we will interact.

Marv suddenly seems nervous as he takes the smallest of steps behind Dee.

"So this is the great Marvin Ellis." I adopt an English accent and stretch my hand out.

"In the flesh." He takes my hand in a firm shake. A smooth smile gracing his face. "And this must be the wonderful Lara Thatcher that I have heard so much about."

"Oh what a gentleman," I gasp, "It's a pleasure to finally meet you Mr. Ellis."

"Likewise Ms. Thatcher."

I fan myself. "Oh, please call me Lara."

"You can call me Marv."

I glance at Dee who is holding back a laugh. "Tell me Marv, do you boil potatoes?" At this, Dee bursts out laughing.

Marv seems confused for a moment before realization dawns on him. "Yes ma'am and I can assure you, they are excellent." So he has at least watched Pride and Prejudice.

"They are an exemplary vegetable," I agree as Dee buckles over grabbing my shoulder. "Though, I cannot imagine that it is something easily mastered."

"It has been difficult," Marv continues, "and I have been advised that we have a long ways to go, perhaps longer I fear." I pat his shoulder, nodding my head in sympathy. Dee's face is as red as a tomato at this point and I worry that she might pass out from oxygen deprivation.

"Oh for heaven's sake, breathe DeeDee." I pull her upright. Marv balances her on the other side.

"And to think you were worried that we wouldn't get along." Marv says unsurprised, losing the accent.

I am surprised though. Dee talks about Marv all the time and I guess she must have done the same with him about me. She must have done some practice and prep of her own for tonight and it paid off. Letting go of all that tension must have been relieving.

"We do have you in common," Marv makes a good point. "Though I'm not gonna lie," he addresses me, "when I saw you guys earlier I was worried. You looked really uncomfortable but I'm glad you eased in towards the end."

He must have known I would be coming and been disappointed by my reaction. Not the best of first impressions. “Sorry. I spent the whole day preparing to meet Fitzwilliam Darcy and ended up here. It took some time to adjust.” I say feeling awkward and guilty.

"It's movie night," Dee explains to Marv, "I took her by surprise because I was scared she would back out." She turns to me then, "and I did not want you to think that I just wanted to spend time with my boyfriend."

I give her that. I would have definitely worried that I would get in the way and make it awkward. At some point, I would have backed out.

"Dude! Marv! You left your stuff." We turn to see the rest of the team walking out to the few cars parked by the entrance. One of the players waves as he jogs up to us, a wallet and phone in hand. This guy is whipped. Well done Dee!

"Aiden's got your gear in the van." The player says. He is slightly taller than Marv with brown short curly hair with highlights. Marv takes his stuff and shoves them in his pocket, nodding a thanks. "Hey Dee!"

"Hey Dex." I can practically feel my eyeballs pop out when Dee gives him a half hug and gestures to me. No way. When she sees my face, she sighs and gestures between us. "Dex, this is my best friend, Lara. Lara this is Dexter."

"Hi." I give him a small wave and smile. He smiles back.

"Hey," Dex tucks his hands in his pockets, "some of us are going to get something to eat and celebrate. You guys want to join?" I spot a few team members with their partners by the cars but Dee grabs my hand before I can say anything.

"We would love too." She squeezes my hand, assuring me.

I hadn't eaten much all day and I felt starved. I was so nervous I did not eat a thing during the game. A burger after eleven in the night seems like a delicious idea so I confess, "I'm starving."

At that they all laugh and that's when I feel the distinct pull of my stomach contracting. Please keep quiet.

"Great," Marv slaps Dex's shoulder, " I can hitch a ride with you guys. I came with Aiden but he will be fine on his own." He nods, briefly casts his gaze toward the others by the entrance. Only one of them is watching us casually leaning against a black rover. Even at this distance, I can feel the same tug I felt during the game. Quinn 42. That must be Aiden. "Dex, can you tell him I'm going with the girls? Maybe you can hop in with him."

"Not a chance. He's not in a good mood. I'd sooner sit alone with a bear. I will meet you at the diner." He pats Marv's shoulder and backs away. "See you soon, Lara." He waves with a grin and I return the gesture.

"Oh. My. Gosh." Dee stares at me, mouth agape.

I give her a questioning look. "What?"

"He is so into you."

"No he is not." We barely spoke a word to each other.

"He was staring at you the entire time and there was absolutely no reason for him to ask us to join," Dee continues as we head to the silver Nissan and fishes out her keys. "I'm Marv's girlfriend, he would have obviously invited us."

"I feel like you're reading too much into this," I caution.

Marv silently jumps in the backseat, giving me the front as Dee gets behind the wheel. Somehow it feels assuring that even when they're together, they will always include me and the gnawing insecurity slowly shrinks back.