Hockey trip

Val paced nervously near the small café nestled in the quiet outskirts of town. The place was a hidden gem, tucked away from the usual crowds, with a rustic charm that made it perfect for a low-key evening. String lights strung between wooden posts cast a soft golden glow over the cobblestone patio. A gentle breeze rustled through the nearby trees, carrying with it the faint scent of blooming flowers. It was picturesque, peaceful, and the kind of place where you could lose yourself in conversation without worrying about who might overhear.
But for Val, it was also the perfect storm of nerves. She glanced at her phone for the umpteenth time, the screen lighting up to reveal no new messages. Her thumb hovered over the messaging app, debating whether to send Tyler another quick “Are you on your way?” text.
What if she changed her mind? What if this whole thing is a mistake?
Val shook her head, frustrated with herself. She was used to being confident—on the ice, she faced down opponents twice her size without a second thought. But here, in the quiet anticipation of this… date… she felt entirely out of her depth.
She was so lost in her thoughts that she didn’t notice the approaching figure until a familiar voice broke through her mental spiral.
“You’re early.”
Val snapped her head up, her breath catching at the sight of Tyler strolling toward her. She was effortlessly cool, as always, with her hands stuffed casually into the pockets of her leather jacket and that signature smirk that seemed permanently etched on her face. Her dark hair fell loosely around her shoulders, and the dim light of the café made her green eyes seem even more striking.
“Had to make sure you didn’t chicken out,” Val shot back, grateful her voice sounded steadier than she felt.
Tyler chuckled, her laugh low and easy as she came to a stop in front of Val. “Me? Chicken out? Please.” She brushed a strand of hair out of her face, her teasing smile softening into something warmer. “You’re the one pacing like we’re about to play in the championship.”
Val rolled her eyes, but her lips tugged into a grin despite herself. “You’re late.”
“I’m fashionably late,” Tyler countered, leaning in just slightly.
Their eyes met, and for a moment, everything else seemed to fade away. Val felt her heartbeat quicken as they stood there, an unspoken tension crackling in the air between them. Tyler tilted her head toward the café door, breaking the silence with a simple, “Shall we?”
Val nodded, swallowing her nerves as she followed Tyler inside.

Across the Street
Just a block away, a group of curious figures huddled together in the shadow of a parked van, their voices low and urgent as they tried to stay hidden.
“I told you something was up,” Steph whispered, peeking out from their poorly chosen hiding spot to get a better look at the café. Her eyes were locked on the large front window, where she could clearly see Val and Tyler stepping inside.
“You didn’t say it was this,” muttered one of Tyler’s teammates, her voice tinged with disbelief. She crouched lower behind the van, careful to stay out of sight. “What are they even doing together? They’re supposed to hate each other.”
“Looks like a date to me,” another teammate chimed in, her tone low but undeniably intrigued.
Steph turned to glare at her. “No way. Val wouldn’t…” She trailed off, her expression shifting as she caught sight of Tyler holding the café door open for Val, a soft smile on her face. Inside, Val said something that made Tyler laugh—a sound that felt shockingly unfamiliar given Tyler’s usual demeanor around them.
“Uh, yeah, she would,” Tyler’s teammate quipped, raising an eyebrow as if to say, Are you really that blind?
“What’s the plan, Steph?” one of Val’s teammates asked, her voice hushed but tinged with excitement.
Steph frowned, her mind racing. “We watch. That’s the plan.”
“And if they see us?”
Steph hesitated, glancing back toward the café. Her lips pressed into a thin line. “We improvise.”

Inside the Café
The interior of the café was as cozy as Val had hoped. Warm wood accents and soft lighting created an intimate atmosphere, while the quiet hum of conversation and the occasional clink of coffee cups filled the space. The smell of freshly brewed espresso mingled with the faint sweetness of baked goods, making the whole place feel inviting.
Val tried to focus on the menu, her eyes scanning the handwritten chalkboard mounted on the wall, but her thoughts kept drifting to Tyler. She wasn’t sure what surprised her more—the fact that Tyler had agreed to this in the first place or the way Tyler seemed so relaxed, like this was the most natural thing in the world.
“So,” Tyler said, breaking the silence as they sat down at a small table near the window. “What’s good here?”
Val shrugged, grateful for the distraction. “I usually just get whatever special they’re running. It’s all good, though.”
Tyler nodded, her eyes flicking over the menu before landing back on Val. “You come here a lot?”
“Sometimes,” Val admitted. “It’s quiet. Nice to get away from everything for a bit.”
Tyler smiled, a soft, almost knowing look crossing her face. “Yeah. I get that.”
As the evening went on, the conversation flowed more easily. Tyler launched into a story about a disastrous road trip with her team—something involving a broken-down bus, a rogue raccoon, and an unfortunate encounter with a vending machine.
By the time she finished, Val was laughing so hard she nearly spilled her drink.
“Okay, but seriously,” Tyler said, leaning back in her chair with a grin. “The way you took down Rachel in that last game? Absolutely legendary. You made it look so easy.”
Val shook her head, her cheeks flushing. “It wasn’t easy. She hits like a freight train.”
“Still,” Tyler said, her tone softening as her eyes lingered on Val. “You held your own. Pretty impressive, Ortiz.”
“Thanks,” Val murmured, her gaze dropping to her drink as her cheeks warmed even more.
For a moment, the world around them seemed to blur, leaving just the two of them in their own little bubble. But the moment was broken when Val caught a flicker of movement outside the window.
She frowned, craning her neck slightly. “Wait a second… Is that Steph?”
Tyler turned, her sharp eyes immediately spotting the group of poorly hidden figures across the street.
“Unbelievable,” she muttered, dragging a hand down her face.
“They’re spying on us?” Val asked, half-annoyed, half-amused.
“Looks like it,” Tyler said, already pushing her chair back. “Stay here. I’ll take care of it.”

The Confrontation
Tyler stormed across the street, her leather jacket flaring slightly behind her as she approached the group.
“Alright, you idiots,” she hissed, her voice low but forceful. “What the hell are you doing?”
Steph straightened, crossing her arms in defiance. “What are you doing? With her?”
“That’s none of your business,” Tyler shot back.
“It is when you’ve been acting all weird for weeks,” Steph countered.
Before things could escalate further, Val appeared behind Tyler, her arms crossed and her expression one of pure exasperation.
“Seriously, Steph?” Val said. “You brought everyone?”
Steph shrugged unapologetically. “We were curious.”
“Well, now you know. Go home,” Val snapped.
When Steph hesitated, Tyler added, “Unless you want us to give you the play-by-play, you’re done here.”
Finally, after a few more grumbles, the group dispersed, leaving Tyler and Val to return to their table—though not without a few lingering stares.

Back at the Table
“Well, that was fun,” Tyler said, her smirk returning as she slid back into her chair.
Val groaned, dropping her head into her hands. “They’re never going to let me live this down.”
Tyler reached across the table, her hand brushing against Val’s. “Who cares? Let them talk. I’m not going anywhere.”
Val looked up, her expression softening. “You sure about that?”
“Positive,” Tyler said with a grin.
And for the rest of the night, the world outside the café faded away.