Looking for You (Oh Captain, My Captain 1)

“I know that. It works quite nicely for you, but I want to know when you plan on telling her.”

“Don’t say it like that.”

“Like what?” She asks.

“Like I’m using her personality to my advantage. I’m not using her at all.”

My sister is quiet for a moment before she says, “You never answered my question.”

“Soon. Did you like her or not?” My words are clipped more than I intended.

“Hey, don’t get ill with me. You, and you alone, got yourself into this mess. I wanted to meet her so I could give you advice. Do you want to hear what I think or not?” Whitney sure isn’t one to be pushed around.

“Fine. Go ahead.”

“Underneath her nervous tendency and that personality of hers, which I like, is an innocent girl. That much was clear to me. This is why I’m so worried about you and this corner you’ve put yourself in, Hudson. She’s like the personification of innocence. How she made it this far in life, I don’t know. Be careful with her, okay? She might be fragile underneath. As far as the whole kissing thing, you’re going to have to be slower than slow and wait for her to make the move to let you know how to proceed. With caution,” she adds.

“Well, thanks for your input, Whit. I really do appreciate it.”

“You’re welcome, Hudsy.” I roll my eyes even though she can’t see me. “I got to go. I’ll talk to you soon. Love you.”

“Love you too.”

We hang up, and I toss my phone into the passenger seat. As my mind swirls too rapidly with all these thoughts my sister inserted, I decide that what I need tonight is to hang out with the guys. It’s a busy hockey day with working out, practice, and training. In fact, the next few days are going to be busy with back to back games. Tonight, we’re at home, but the next two are away. When I get home after today’s activities, I stop and really take in my house.

Hockey touches every room in some way, whether it’s equipment, pictures, or trophies. As long as I keep this from Ellie, I can’t even bring her here. To my home. I sigh, shove it to the side, and take a nap before the game. It’s just the thing I need to renew me for tonight. I don’t notice a text from Ellie until I’m about to head out, but I send her a quick reply that I’m about to be busy with work.

~

Tonight’s game was overloaded with energy and tension. We pulled through with a win, and now a load of us are at Jim’s. Some of the younger guys went to a club down the street, but that wasn’t the kind of mood I was in. Gerald and I are playing darts.

“Are you ready for your interview tomorrow, your Highness?” He grins.

“I nearly forgot to be honest.” The league wants me to do an interview with one of the reporters on the network. We’re a hot contender for the Cup this season, so as the season comes to an end, there’s going to be more publicity around those teams entering the playoffs.

Gerald throws his dart and then looks at me. “You almost forgot? What have you been doing, man?”

He steps aside for my turn. Simply, as if it’s not a big deal, I say, “I’ve been seeing this girl who knows nothing about hockey.”

When I turn to look at him, his jaw is almost on the floor. “Why would you want to date a girl who doesn’t know about hockey? How does she not know?”

“Just because it’s ingrained in our life, doesn’t mean it is in everyone else’s. Hockey is our passion, not hers. That’s all.”

He nods and then asks with a smirk, “So what does she think about one of the league’s most famous captains?”

“Will you quit that?” Gerald just laughs. “The point is between her and my sister getting on my case, I’ve been a little distracted.”

Gerald’s attention piques at the mention of my sister. “What’s little Whitney King been doing to ya?”

“Nothing I can’t handle.”

Just then two girls walk up to us as our game of darts end. Gerald’s smile nearly overtakes his face.

“You two play for the Portland Vikings, right?” The blonde closest to me asks. She’s looking at me like I could fulfill her every fantasy if she plays her cards just right.

Gerald puts his arms over my shoulders. “Yes. Yes, we do, ladies. This here is our captain,” he shakes me a little, “and I just wear a little A on my jersey. Are you fans?” Gerald loves this stuff. He eats it up like it’s forbidden fruit.

“I am,” the blonde says. “My friend is a newbie. We were at the game tonight and you two were exceptionally fabulous. It’s so great to actually meet you guys.”