Chapter Text
Frank Langdon has loved hockey since he was little. He was basically born and raised a Penguins fan, which came with years of on and off teasing and suffering. There were times though where it was worth it. He grew up wanting to be just like Sydney Crosby, arguably one of the best players on the team and the reason why they won the Stanley cup three times with him. Unfortunately, in high school he suffered a back injury his senior year that prevented him from continuing with that dream.
So watching hockey was the next best thing. He should be studying, or preparing for his next rotation in the ER tomorrow, but instead he was dragging his friends and girlfriend to their school's hockey game. He was graduating medical school this year, and he wanted to continue his career in the ER, so he always worked hard to be the best that he could be. He deserved a break though.
As soon as he walked into the rink, the familiar chill immediately calmed him down. Music played from the speakers above and every now and then, the speaker would test the microphone. It was just like how he remembered it. He missed it. He felt like some jack ass football player bragging how he could have gone into the NFL if he didn't get injured, but Langdon truly believes he could have at least gone big in college.
"I'm cold," his girlfriend, Abby, complained, shuffling so that she was pressed up against him.
Langdon handed his jacket to her, hardly even looking at her. He and Abby had been together since undergrad, and there was a time when he truly believed that they were going to get married. Their relationship has turned stale though. He thought that it was just because they had fallen into a familiar, boring routine. They fight every day though, and it seems like everything he does isn't good enough for her. So he always just ends up doing what she wants, sometimes without her having to ask to avoid another fight.
Everyone took their seats in the front, they were easier to get since they came early. Soon though, the seats would be filling up quickly for the game. And to watch one player in particular. It was a bit of a scandal when the school announced the new player on the team. It brought it a lot of traction for their small D2 school, catching the attention of ESPN. Everyone was hating on it at first, as if they gave a single fuck about hockey in the first place. Their minds were slowly changed though when they saw the skill level of the new player.
Melissa King.
Or, Mel for short. She was an insane hockey player, one that the other team would mistakingly doubt until they went head to head with her. She was skilled, fast, and strong. Langdon was mesmerized with her on the ice, as if she were a figure skater doing gracious tricks instead of shoulder checking men almost double her size. He searched for her warming up on the ice, feeling himself freeze up when he finally spotted her.
She was on the other side of the rink doing drills to warm up. She usually pins her blond hair back up in her helmet during games, but now it was swaying back and forth, almost covering up her jersey number. 13. He doesn't know why that number sends chills down his spine, he knows it's just a silly superstition. Maybe it's meant for the opposing player and the people that doubt her. That they will be the unlucky ones.
"You think she's a natural blond," Langdon heard one of his friends ask.
"I'd love to know," another laughed obnoxiously, "I heard she's fucking stacked underneath that uniform."
Langdon could feel Abby's eyes staring into him, almost daring him to join in on the conversation. He wrapped an assuring arm around her shoulders. He thought it would be the end of the conversation as the warm up stopped and the team made their way to the locker room.
"Well I'm sure we know how she got on the team," Langdon stiffened up when he heard Abby speak up.
Langdon slowly pulled away from Abby, keeping his eyes off of her. She quickly noticed this, scooching in so she was pressed against him, but he didn’t put his arm back around her.
"She got on the team just like everyone else did," Langson defended.
If he were on a game show, there would be a loud buzzer indicating that he just said the wrong thing. He was probably better off staying silent.
"There's probably a rec team that she could of joined instead," Abby fully turned to him, "Why the actual team?"
Langdon squeezed his eyes shut, trying to figure out the right thing to say. No matter what he said though, it would stipo upset Abby. More people started to file in, taking their seats around them. He didn't want to fight in front of everyone.
"Not sure babe," Langdon finally responded, "She's obviously really good, one of the best on the team."
Surprisingly, this seemed like an okay answer for now. The topic moved on to classes they were taking and internships, but as soon as the lights went down, they turned their attention to the rink. The players had already made their way to the bench, waiting for their names to be called by the announcer. Mel was always one of the last ones called. She was the star player, so of course she was going to get the most attention out of everyone.
Langdon felt a strange feeling in his chest when she was finally called up. The crowd was so loud, and her walk up song blared through the speaker. He looked it up before, Humble by Kendrick Lamar. He never pegged her to be the type to listen to rap, so it was a surprise the first time. As she took her position, the music died down but the cheering continued. Langdon couldn't peel his eyes away from her though. He watched Mel tuck her braid into her helmet, adjust her gloves, and get ready to play.
As soon as the puck dropped, Langdon was immediately locked in. Sitting on the edge of the seat, leg bouncing up and down, face practically pressed up against the glass. He always felt a pang of jealousy seeing them play, wishing that he was on the ice with them. His back hurt just watching them though as they slammed into each other against the wall. This was enough even though part of it still hurt.
He kept his eyes on Mel for most of the game. She was so quick and skillful. From his seat, he could see her eyes darting around as she weaved through thr opposing team. When she scored, the whole building felt like it would crumble. As she did a victory lap around the rink, she immediately stopped directly in front of Langdon.
His entire world felt like it had stopped. Mel wasn't looking directly at him at first, but as her eyes scanned the crowd, their eyes met for a couple seconds longer than they did with anyone else. Her features softened, her bright smile faltered, and he could have sworn he saw her flinch. He could have sworn her smile faltered slightly to a much softer one. She was absolutely mesmerizing.
"Frank," he felt Abby grab his shoulder and shake him.
Langdon nearly jumped out of his seat and turned his attention to Abby. He glaced back on the ice for a moment and watched Mel skate away. When he turned back to Abby, her arms were crossed over her chest with an agitated look on her face.
"Sorry," why was he apologizing, "What's up?"
"Is this why you wanted to come," she had to shout over the crowd, "To see some blonde tramp skate around?"
Langdon knew that he should be choosing his words carefully, but sometimes it just gets to a point where he doesn't want to.
"She's not a tramp," Langdon defended, "Can we not do this?"
"Can we just go," Abby argued, grabbing the attention to the people surrounding them, "I don't want to see you gauking at some weirdo!"
"Abby," Langdon went to reach for her hand.
"No," Abby pulled away, "If you don't come with me, this is over."
Langdon sat there, frozen in shock. He and Abby have gotten into plenty of fights before, but this ultimatum has never come out. They've always just given each other time and space, then came back. Langdon would always be the one to apologize, Abby would forgive him, and then the cycle would continue. It was vicious, and he hated that it became the new normal for them.
"I just want to watch the game," Langdon said, "I'm sorry Abby."
Abby stared down at him for a beat. Langdon knew that she was hoping that he would eventually stand to follow her. It would feel like the walk of shame, and he knew his friends would make fun of him about it later. Langdon looked back to the ice before taking a deep breath.
"I'm sorry," Langdon said again, "I just want to watch the game.
Abby blinked, "Okay."
She turned on her heel before storming out of the stadium, his jacket still on her so he would have to see her to get it back. A ploy that she would use later on. He didn't want to worry about that right now though. He was in his true happy place. He ignored his friends laughing and their comments and set his attention back to the game. Back to Mel.