Icy Start
Hockey player! Chloe Price (LIS Reunion) x Figure skater! Fem! Reader
CW: N/A
WC: ~11k
A/N: This is my longest one shot to date aside from my Junker Queen "One Night Stand" that was around 8k words. This is the censored version. You can find the uncensored version at the very bottom!
"You've got to be shitting me," I sighed as I dropped my duffel bag on the bench.
Someone was already skating on the ice when I had booked the rink for two hours for myself and my trainer. My trainer walked over to me and she almost flipped her shit.
"Not right now," I held my hand up.
"Who is this?" she asked.
"One of the hockey players from the local team," I pointed out the gear they were in.
The coach for the team came out from the locker room and found us there.
"Oh, were you also booked today?" she asked politely.
"Y-Yes," I said. "We were supposed to be here from two to four."
She checked her watch. Two o'clock. On the dot.
"Weird. We were scheduled for two to four."
"Where the hell is she?" I turned around and walked out to the front.
There she was in the lobby. The manager of the ice rink. She picked her head up and smiled, waving at me. If she wasn't one of my best friends, she would be six feet under right now. I quickly rushed over to her.
"H-Hey, so we've got a problem."
"What's up?"
"You double booked the rink for today."
"No I didn't," she pulled out her phone, but her eyes went wide. Her mouth dropped open and she covered it with her hand.
"Yeah, you did."
"I am so sorry, Y/N."
"I-It's fine. We can just reschedule," I said.
"I'm sure you two can work something out. Maybe you two share the rink?"
"I can suggest that, but you know how hockey players are," I was about to turn around.
"Do you not know who that hockey player is?"
"Number 19 on the Arcadia Sharks."
"Name?"
"All I know is their last name: Price."
"You've been going to their games for how long now?" my friend asked.
"Since I can remember. My dad and I used to go and watch the team."
"You do realize that the Arcadia Sharks are an all women's team?"
"They are?"
"Yes."
"I never knew that."
My friend chuckled, "Yeah. They've been an all women's team since they were created. The owners are two sisters."
"Huh," I whispered.
"The more you know."
I went back into the rink to find my trainer and the coach talking. Price was skating around the rink slowly. It was odd to know she was a woman. I always thought they were guys since they said the last name of the players only.
"Anything?" my trainer asked.
"The manager completely screwed up. I love her, but she's gotta get a booking assistant. Anyway, her solution was to share the rink."
"It's doable. Is that alright with you?" the coach asked.
My trainer wasn't too happy, but she nodded in agreement. I grabbed my bag and headed into the locker room. I sat down on one of the benches and pulled out my skates. Once I was laced up and ready, I headed out to the rink. The door was being held open and I removed the guards on my skates before stepping out onto the ice. My trainer carefully walked out and I handed her my skate guards.
Price's coach came out as well and directed her to the other side of the ice. Even with as big of a rink as this one, it still was pretty small when there were two people sharing it for two different reasons. I had to ensure my jumps and everything we kept to one side and Price knew the drill as well.
"Ready for some stretches?" my trainer asked.
"Yeah," I skated over to the board and started to warm up and stretch.
Every now and then, I'd eye over at Price who appeared to be watching me. She was practicing her movement and sometimes her shooting on the net. She was pretty accurate, but this was an empty net.
"Y/N, you good?" my trainer asked.
"S-Sorry. Got lost there for a moment."
I skated around a bit before I got in the center of the half I was at. I put one of my earbuds in and started the song I was using for my short program. I started to go through the movement, but with this limited space, this wasn't going to help.
"This isn't going to work," my trainer knew what was going on in my mind. "Just practice the jumps more than the routine right now. We can get the foot work later."
I nodded and proceeded. As I was finishing one of the jumps, I landed, but immediately bumped into Price. Shit. However, she was quick. Before I could land on my back on the ice, her arm wrapped around my waist and I was face to face with her. Well, as much as I can with a helmet on her head. Although, I could see her blue eyes and charismatic smile behind that protective cage.
"Slippery, isn't it?"
I couldn't help but laugh. She steadied me and removed her helmet. She had short green hair and piercings. They weren't in right now, but I could tell by the holes.
"You're pretty solid in that gear," I patted her shoulder, only it felt like I was patting a wall.
"I've got to, ya know. Protection and all."
"Why don't we take a break," my trainer said.
"Good idea," Price's coach said and the two walked off the ice.
"So, you know this place?" Price asked.
"Yeah. One of my close friends manages it."
"That's cool. And sorry for the mix up that happened today."
"It's not your fault. I love my friend to death, but sometimes she needs help running this place. She won't admit it. It's hard for her to ask for help sometimes."
"I get that."
"Why the number 19?"
"Why not?"
"Is it supposed to mean something?"
"No. They just gave me a random number and I've had it since."
"How long have you been on the team?"
"About four years now."
"Wow. Ever thought about going national?"
"No. My coach says I have the potential to make it to the national level, even global if I wanted to, but I don't want to."
"So you hide it?"
"Yeah," she nodded her head.
"Why?"
"Expectations, I guess. I was never one that reached those expectations, just disappointed those."
"You disappoint those who see the potential in you, Price."
She chuckled, which turned to a full on laugh.
"What? I only know your last name."
"Where are my manners?" she asked through her laughter.
She stuck her hand out and I shook it. They were warm, and surprisingly a bit big.
"Price. Chloe Price."
"L/N. Y/N L/N."
I entered the rink and heard all the commotion from not only the players, but from everyone else. It was a full night tonight and it made my heart swell. It felt like my first hockey game with my dad all those years ago.
"This one's for you, dad," I said to myself as I entered.
I found my friends waiting for me and they flagged me down. I waved to them and came over, sitting beside one of them.
"Flowers?" one of them asked.
"Y-Yeah. Like a great game kind of gift."
"Don't you think it's weird?"
"What's weird?"
"A guy receiving flowers?"
They didn't know. How many other people here didn't know that the entire team were women. Wait. The coach. It was a guy. The entire staff were men. Why would they hide who they truly are? Are they worried that no one would show up? Or since they're already in too deep, might as well keep up the lie. But how long can this go on? Don't the players want to show who they truly are instead of hiding? Maybe they don't want the recognition.
"Y-You never know. Some times guys like this sort of thing."
"Who are they for?"
"Player 19. Mind if I take a look?" I gestured to the pamphlet.
My friend holding it handed it to me. I went through the list of names and landed on Chloe's. Here, she was known as Connor. Connor Price. Maybe Chloe knows why they go by guys names. Do they also go against other male teams? Or women who are also disguising themselves as men?
Once the game was over, everyone shook hands and headed into the locker room. The crowd was leaving, their remarks filling the air. They commented on how good they were playing and how some of them were even improving. However, Chloe's name kept popping up. They were saying how they noticed a shift in how she played. She played like she wanted to win now, like she had a reason to give it her all.
I headed out into the lobby area and Chloe came over to me, gesturing me to follow her. I was then led into the locker room. Everyone was gone, even the coach.
"Hey, can I ask you something?"
"What's up?"
"Also, these are for you."
Chloe smiled and took the flowers, "You didn't have to do anything."
"Well, today is our first date, isn't it?"
"Yeah, which I didn't expect would happen so soon. N-Not that I am complaining or anything. But it was just that, I-I don't know," she let out a nervous laugh.
"I get what you're saying. We've only known each other for a few weeks now."
"Y-Yeah. And I thought you'd turn down the date since it's after my game."
"I don't mind it. I watched these games when I was growing up."
"Really?"
"Yeah. Ever since I was a kid."
"Who'd you go with?"
"My dad, who is sadly no longer with us. But I am sure he loves watching me still come to these games."
"What was the question you were going to ask?"
She was getting her things ready as she awaited my answer.
"The team. Do they know about everyone basically hiding your true identity?"
"Yes. They do know."
"Why? Why hide who you are?"
"This team has been around a lot longer than I have. I don't know the full story of it. But I know someone who does."
The two of us left the locker room and found the building was completely empty. Well, except for one lone soul. The person who owned the place. Not my friend who manages it. She found us and waved, making her way over to us.
"You guys seem to have something on your mind," she said.
"I just had a question about the Arcadia Sharks," I said.
"Ask away."
"Why hide them? Why hide the fact that they're women?"
The smile dropped from her face as she turned slightly to face the doors to the ice rink.
"I-I haven't told many people this story. Come with me."
We followed her into her office and she closed the door and blinds. She walked over to a cabinet and unlocked one side of it. She grabbed a huge, thick binder and set it on her desk.
"This place was built long before I was born, before any of us were born. It was built by two women who had to hide themselves from the other construction workers. The company they worked for was set to build this as a new and upcoming project. They dragged their feet when building this rink. So much so that the women who were wives of two men in the company, grabbed their gear, and built it themselves.
"Can you take a guess at who got the credit?"
"Their husbands," Chloe and I said.
"Correct. Without the credit they deserved, they took it out on the construction company. But silently. When it came time to unveil the building, the two women came back and wrote something only they'd notice. On a ceiling beam above center ice, they wrote the first letter of their first name and their last name.
"When they were doing maintenance, they came across the names. They assumed those were the men's names and they carried that tradition onto the hockey team. The hockey team was originally called the Arcadia Firestorms. But after a huge storm that nearly destroyed this rink, they renamed it to the Arcadia Sharks.
"When it came time to rebuild, no one could replicate what the women had created. They were long gone by this point. So they had a whole team of men and women."
"I don't mean to be a bit of an asshole here, but what does this have to do with the hockey team?" I was growing a bit impatient.
She just chuckled and flipped the binder to the hockey team.
"There was one lone woman player when they rebranded the team. She was constantly targeted when they were playing against other teams and even her own team members bullied her. So much so that she took her own life."
"Oh shit," we both whispered.
"So after those news came out, the head of the team took to the media and lied about the dynamic of the team. Saying they were supportive of her and all that bullshit. He was then caught a few years later with tax fraud as well as using the team's money for his own personal finances.
"So the new head of the team completely reworked everything. She basically fired every team member on there and brought on a team of talented and young women players. The first game they announced it was a full team of women, they lost horribly. Everyone blamed it on the fact they were women going against men. So she trained them harder, made them stronger, and they saw more and more wins after that. However, no one would give them the credit they deserved. Not yet at least until they won numerous titles and championships. Some even went on to the national level.
"However, it doesn't stop there. They were harassed by any one and everyone. The women were the harshest of them all. So judgemental on these women playing a sport that was typically for men. The team took about a few years off and a new head replaced the previous one. She kept the entire team roster under wraps and even had fake names and a fake coach to fool everyone. And it's been that way ever since."
"But you're basically doing what history has done: erasing these women."
"It's for their own safety."
"That was, what, almost ten years ago? Things have changed. I've seen people, a lot of them, too, go to professional women sports events."
"Arcadia hasn't changed their views."
"You don't know that. You never even thought to ask how the hockey players feel about hiding behind a man's name. A name that will never be who they're known as. Like," I turned to face Chloe. "Connor Price? I-I'm going to be honest, I wouldn't want to hide behind a name like that."
"It's not my decision to make, Y/N," Chloe said.
"It is your decision, now, Chloe. Think about it, four years you've been on the team and you're being called Connor. You can't even do press and interviews because they'd know. There is no publicity for you, any of you. And I think it's time you deserve it," I walked out of the office and then the building.
Chloe came out and stood beside me.
"I-I'm sorry," I shook my head. "I-I just, I am a firm believer that no matter who you are, man or woman, non-binary or trans, you deserve recognition."
"It did bother me when I first signed on," Chloe said. "They said that I'd have to go by Connor and that I'd have to react to it when called that. It took a lot of time to get used to not being called Chloe. But now, it's like I am being called Chloe."
"Why didn't you push back?"
"Because if I did, I wouldn't be on the team."
"You deserve for your voice to be heard, Chloe. They were talking about you today."
"Who?"
"The people watching. They were talking about how this Connor Price looked great today. That he seemed to be playing like he wanted to win. But all I heard was 'Chloe Price looked great today. That she seemed to be playing like she wanted to win.' Don't you want to hear your own name? Not Connor?"
She was silent for a moment, the thoughts rolling around in her head.
"I do," she finally responded.
I reached down and grabbed her hand, "Then do it. Change starts with one person."
"It'll be a long road before things might actually change."
"But you'd be the start of it. And you deserve that recognition, too."
"Thanks, Y/N."
My face started to grow warmer by the second.
"Sorry this first date wasn't all that was cracked up to be," she rubbed the back of her neck.
"The night is still young."
"That it is," she said.
"Chloe!" I waved to her.
She waved back and walked over to the door, as it was still open.
"What are you doing here?"
"Came to watch you practice. Is that alright?"
"Yeah. I'm still waiting on my trainer."
She stepped out onto the ice and slowly made her way over to the benches.
"Just imagine I am not even here."
My trainer walked out onto the ice and she immediately caught Chloe. Her green hair kind of gives her away.
"Price?" she asked.
"Heyo," Chloe waved.
"You do know this is a private training session?"
"It's fine. I said she could watch."
"Are you sure, Y/N? I know how you get when I watch you."
"Because you're my trainer. This is Chloe."
"You two seem to be getting along quite rather, quickly."
"What can I say? Everyone loves me," Chloe chuckled, which caused me to chuckle.
"Did you warm up?" my trainer asked.
"No."
"Go do it," she gestured to the open ice as she closed the door.
I skated around the rink for a bit before I did my stretches. Chloe whistled as I went into the splits.
"Damn, girl," she smiled.
"Not like you don't do this when you warm up," I said.
"You've seen us warm up, haven't you?"
"No. I don't get here early enough."
She snickered and turned away from me.
"What?"
"I-It's nothing."
"Chloe, if you're going to distract Y/N, I suggest you leave."
"No, no, it was my fault," I said.
"Let's run through the foot work today," my trainer said.
I ran the foot work in my head before I slowly started to do it on the ice.
"Missed a step, do it over."
I restarted and did it over and over until I got it down.
"Alright, take a break before we do the jumps. Once you've got a solid run on the jumps, we'll add everything together."
I skated over to Chloe and leaned against the wall.
"Practicing for an event?"
"Yeah. There's one coming up in about two months. I've been preparing for this for a while now."
"Is this just a short program?"
"Yeah, it is. I'm surprised you know the term."
"I didn't at first."
"What made you learn it?"
"You."
My heart skipped a beat and my mouth slowly opened wide in shock. Chloe just chuckled and placed her hand under my chin. She pushed my jaw back up before she cupped my cheek.
"Since you've been a fan of hockey for a while, figured I'd learn what you like."
I giggled. It was a shy one. My face grew warmer by the second and I had to physically skate away from her. I cleared my throat and tried not to think back to that moment. I skated back out onto the ice and went through my jump routine.
It was fall after fall for the first few handful of times. Why was I slipping and falling? I'm usually not like this. Was it because Chloe was here? Was she making me nervous?
"Stop, stop," my trainer checked her watch.
I took in a deep breath and she handed me a hand towel.
"Our rink time is almost up. What's wrong, Y/N?"
"I-I don't know."
"I hope it had nothing--"
"It's not Chloe's fault. It's all mine."
My trainer eyed Chloe before turning back to me.
"Alright. I-I just hope you're better Saturday."
My trainer opened the door and I skated off. Chloe followed suit and followed me into the locker room.
"Are you sure I wasn't the problem?"
"I promise, you weren't," I said as I untied my skates.
"Hey," her voice got low and soft, reassuring.
She placed a hand on my shoulder, "If I was."
"You weren't, Chloe. I promise," I turned and faced her.
She nodded her head, "Alright."
We left the locker room and headed out of the building.
"Thanks for stopping by today. I-I wanted to give you a show. But you just watched me fall over and over."
"I don't mind. I got to see you, didn't I?"
"I-I guess so."
"Are you ok if I stop by Saturday?"
"U-Uh, yeah. I-I don't mind at all."
She smiled, "See you then."
She winked to me before heading to her truck. Was I the reason I fell today?
"Is this a good idea?" I asked as I laced up some hockey skates.
"You were the one who suggested it," Chloe said as she tied on the skates figure skaters use. "These feel super fucking tight."
"They're supposed to be."
I stood up and immediately felt, not only taller, but bottom heavy.
"Shit, these things are super fucking heavy."
"Well, with a puck that can be going up to a hundred miles an hour, we need some protection."
"Some," I repeated.
"It's better than these skates," she gestured to the ones she was wearing.
"Since you did some research on figure skating, then you know why it's not like the hockey skates."
Chloe was about to say something, but didn't. I just laughed. I slowly made my way onto the ice and I felt myself physically push off instead of gliding like how I am used to due to the weight. Chloe seemed to be struggling just a bit.
"This is...different," she said. "I-It doesn't feel like I have to balance as much on these."
"Yeah, I feel like I need to like get closer to the ground on these," I said.
"Skate around in them," Chloe said as she got her bearings quickly.
I pushed off, my feet getting used to the bit of extra weight. Chloe came up beside me as we went around the rink. It was a day where neither of us were doing anything, which was great considering she's been playing a lot more games and my trainer was upping the training sessions. The event was now only a few weeks away and while there was a lot of areas to be improved, I was still nervous about it. Even with my routine down and was a solid performance.
"Are you nervous?" Chloe asked.
"How could you tell?"
"You're usually more fluid when skating. You're kind of stiff. And I can't tell if it's because of the hockey skates."
"I'm getting used to them now. But yes, I am nervous."
"You got nothing to worry about, Y/N. You're going to knock them dead."
"This event means a lot," I said.
"What are the stakes?"
"If I don't perform well at this event, this could be my last shot at going national. Even global."
"To like the Olympics?"
"It would put me on track to the Olympics. But if I don't do well here, my career is over."
"It's not all doom and gloom."
"I've skated ever since I could remember. I fell in love with figure skating. I've won many awards, trophies, and other competitions. But I could never make it to the Olympics. I'd always get past the first few trials, but right when it came down the most important ones, I-I just choked. I don't know why."
"This time, it's going to be different."
"What makes it any different than the other times?"
"I'll be there to watch you."
I smiled and took her hand, "Don't you have a game that day?"
"Your event is more important than a game. Besides, they can miss me for one day."
"Are you sure, Chloe?"
She skated in front of me and placed her hands on my shoulders. "I am coming one way or another. Hell, if I have to come crawling, I will."
I chuckled and pulled her into a hug. It was hard to believe that Chloe and I were complete strangers a few months ago. Now, it felt like she was everything. Someone I couldn't afford to lose.
"Thanks, Chloe."
"I'll race ya."
"Are you serious?"
She pulled away from the hug and tore off down the ice. I skated after her and I was catching up. Right when we reached the other side of the rink, she quickly turned and went back down.
"Hey, no fair!" I laughed and raced after her.
She turned over her shoulder to find I was gaining on her, but I wasn't used to this kind of speed. I fell backwards and she stopped, coming back towards me.
"You ok?" she asked.
"Y-Yeah. I-I'm fine," I slowly got into a sitting position.
She held out her hand and lifted me up. I wiped off the ice from my jacket and pants I was wearing.
"We should probably get going. The building is going to close soon," I said.
We skated off the ice and removed our skates. We walked into the main area to find my friend was there, the one who manages the building.
"Hey, you two," she smiled at us.
"Hey, thanks for letting us stay a bit late tonight," I said.
"No problem. I'd do anything for my favorite skaters. Be safe and have a good night."
"You as well," Chloe and I said.
We left and we said good night to one another.
"Where's Y/N?" Chloe asked.
"In the locker room," my trainer said.
"Doesn't she go on next?"
"She does."
I was pacing back and forth in the locker room when the doors burst open. I jumped and placed my hand over my heart. The fast paced beating slowed down as I found Chloe was rushing towards me. She pulled me into her arms and held me tightly.
"You're ok," she whispered. "You're going to be ok."
"I-I don't think I can do this, Chloe."
"Hey, look at me," she pulled away. "Sit."
I sat down and she knelt down in front of me, on one knee. Like she was going to propose. She took my hand into hers and held them tightly.
"You're going to be ok. Why? Because you have the talent to do this. I've seen you practice. You're talented, wonderful, and amazing. Beautiful, too. And you can't let your nerves get the better of you. I know it's easier said than done, but right now, you've gotta think of this. This is your chance to prove you're the best of the best. And what better way than showing it on the ice at the Olympics."
"Y-You think I'm beautiful?"
"Have since the first day I met you."
I smiled, tears about to form. But I couldn't cry now. The makeup took almost two hours to put on. Not to mention the sparkles that were put on.
"Chloe, I can't thank you enough."
She smiled and leaned towards me, placing a kiss to my cheek.
"Knock 'em dead."
I stood up and hugged her once more. We walked out of the locker room together, her hand intertwined with mine. It was my turn. I skated onto the ice and bowed to the judges before I got to center ice. I turned and found Chloe was standing beside my trainer. She gave me a thumbs up before I focused. I stood at center ice and got into my opening stance. As soon as the music came on, my feet moved like they had done a million times during practice.
"You know," my trainer said. "She seems to have an affinity with you."
Chloe chuckled, "I know."
"When did that start?"
"When her friend double booked the rink."
"That day?"
"Yeah. That day."
I finished and I bowed once more before skating off. Chloe met me with a super tight hug. My trainer patted my shoulder and handed me the guards to my skates. I put them on and the others who were there went. I watched every single one of them, watched how the nerves got to them.
"H-How do you think I did?" I asked after I got changed.
I was sitting with my trainer and Chloe in the lobby area.
"You didn't miss a single step in your foot work and your jumps were spot on," my trainer said. "How?"
"What?"
"How did you do it? More like," she turned towards Chloe. "How did you do it?"
"I just told her what she needed to hear in that moment."
"I've gone through every motivational pep talk, every inspirational speech I could think of, and not one of them worked. Sorry, Y/N, but you know it didn't work. You didn't believe it to be true. What made you believe Chloe's words?"
"It's probably because you're my trainer and have seen me grow as a skater. You knew exactly what to say in that moment and it just became second nature. It became dull. It felt rehearsed. Chloe, it felt like it wasn't. And it came from a deeper place," I reached over and took her hand.
"I see," my trainer connected the dots.
We re-entered the rink as the judges were announcing the leader board. Chloe reached down and took my hand once more, squeezing tightly. The air in the entire rink became tight and thin as everyone held their breath. Then, they revealed the names. I frantically looked for mine and found mine not at the bottom, but at the top. First even. My mouth hit the floor and tears filled my eyes. My trainer clapped me on the shoulder a few times. As for Chloe, she wrapped her arms around me and lifted me into the air.
"You did it!" she smiled widely, her eyes squinting slightly. "You fucking did it, Y/N!"
She set me down and the tears started to slide down my face. I couldn't believe it. One step closer to my dream.
"Drinks are on me," my trainer called as she left.
It finally hit me. Everything at once. I turned to face Chloe who had tears in her eyes.
"You fucking did it," she smiled.
"I-I couldn't have done it without you," I hugged her once more.
I happily sobbed into her jacket as she held me tightly.
"I'm proud of you, Y/N," she said, her hand stroking my hair.
"You wanted me stop by?" I stepped into the rink to find most of the lights were off, aside from the ones that were the over head lights, creating a spotlight mood.
"Yeah," Chloe said as she stopped shooting at the empty net.
Some sweat lined her forehead, which she wiped with the back of her hand. I walked over to the door and opened it, skating out onto the ice.
"Tomorrow is an important game," she said. "It's the last one of the season."
"You didn't make it to any of the playoffs?"
She shook her head, "No. Even though we were doing really well towards the end, we had a rough start. So looks like it's early off season for us."
"What are you going to do during that period?"
"Work with the head coach and owner of the team to do some changes."
"Changes?"
She nodded her head and lined up a shot. She pulled the stick back and slapped it. Right into the net it went.
"Tomorrow, I'm letting everyone know."
"Everyone?"
She nodded again. Another shot. Another goal.
"It's time people start recognizing us as who we are, not what we should be."
"W-What will the others think?"
"I don't give a damn about what the others think, Y/N. I just know I am tired of living by 'Connor Price' on the ice. People should know Chloe Price on and off the ice. And know that she's a badass on the ice. And won't be afraid to shoulder check you if you're in the way."
I chuckled, "Sounds like the Chloe Price I know."
She turned to face me and smiled, "I want you to be there tomorrow when I do this."
"I wouldn't miss it for the world."
"J-Just promise me one thing," she said as she shot another puck.
"Anything, Chloe."
"P-Promise me that this won't change anything between us."
"How is this going to change what's between us?"
"I-I don't know. The backlash, the criticism. All the negativity that might outweigh the positive. If you find me losing myself a bit."
"Chloe," I reached over and placed my hand over her gloved one. "I promise you, nothing is going to change between us."
"How can you keep that promise?"
"What? You want me to seal it with something? Like a pinky promise."
"It needs to be more than just a pinky promise. Besides, we're adults. That's a bit childish."
"Hey, pinky promises are never childish. I still do them with my mom."
Chloe chuckled, "Alright. Whatever you say."
"But seriously, how do you want me to seal this promise?"
"Well, what's worth the risk of breaking this promise?" Chloe's full body finally turned towards me.
She dug the toe of the stick into the ice and leaned against butt end of it.
"I-I don't know. I was thinking of something that does with ice skating. Like I take your blades and you take mine. But that's stupid. Any ideas."
"I do have one," she leaned towards me.
"Oh? W-What is it?" my face grew warmer by the second.
She was about to say something, but she shook her head and backed away.
"Oh, I see," I said.
I reached over and grabbed the collar of her jersey. I yanked her towards me and since both of us were on skates, it was easier to pull her towards me. My lips met hers as they pressed together firmly. Chloe dropped her stick and her arms wrapped around my waist. I wrapped my arms around her neck and dug my one hand into her hair. I pulled away, both of us breathless.
"Does that seal the promise?" I asked.
"Fuck ye--"
I didn't let her finish as I pulled her in for another kiss, this time, it was slow and deliberate. My tongue ran along her bottom lip. She happily let me in. Our tongues slid over one another's. Chloe pushed off and lead us to the wall that was behind us. I was pressed up against the glass and Chloe's leg wedged in between mine, her knee brushing up against my crotch. She dropped her gloves and her hands found mine, intertwining her fingers with mine. Her arms raised above her head and pressed my hands against the glass as well.
"Chloe," I breathed out as she pulled away to kiss at my neck.
"Fuck," she said and pulled away.
"W-We probably shouldn't do this here."
"No," I giggled.
She bent down and grabbed her gloves. I skated around and picked up the pucks. She grabbed her stick and moved the goal to where it would be easier to store in the morning. Once we reached the locker room, she haphazardly put the pucks away and took off her skates. I took mine off and once she was changed out of her gear, I was led out and towards the lobby. My friend was there, since Chloe was technically there after hours. She saw us and waved, but took a closer look at us. She just smirked before we left.
"Have a goodnight you two," she said.
"Goodnight," we both said.
We left the building and I followed Chloe to her truck. She said it would be easier since we'd be coming here tomorrow anyway. We drove off and headed towards where she lived. When we reached her apartment, we went inside and the minute we stepped foot in and locked the door, our hands were all over one another.
Chloe broke the kiss in order to lead us towards her bedroom. As soon as we reached it, she closed the door and pinned me to the bed, my hands above my head. Chloe held them there by the wrists, only using her right hand. Her left hand trailed underneath my shirt and hiked it up a bit, exposing skin.
"Fuck me, Chloe."
"Only for the right price," she smirked.
I tried not to laugh, but I rolled my eyes.
"Of course you'd make a joke like that."
"You know you love it."
"I do," I wrapped my legs around her waist and pulled her towards me.
I could get used to this. Waking up wrapped in Chloe's embrace. Her the big spoon while I'm the little one. Her forehead pressed in between my shoulder blades. The pads of her fingers were lazily rubbing up and down the skin of my stomach. I smiled and pulled her closed to me. I was about to fall back asleep, but Chloe's alarm went off. She pulled her one arm away to turn it off before returning to me. I turned to face her and she pressed a kiss to my lips.
"Good morning," she whispered.
"Good morning," I nuzzled into the crook of her neck.
"I've gotta get up soon."
"Are you sure you're going to be ok with doing this today?"
"It's the end of the season. No better time to do it than today. It gives people time to comprehend the truth. And it gives us time to make the necessary changes that follow."
I nodded my head. I raised my hand up and placed it on her cheek, caressing the skin with the pad of my thumb.
"I'm going to be right beside you when you do it."
She reached up and took my hand, kissing the palm of it.
"Thank you."
We got up soon after and got ready. I wasn't expecting to come to her place last night, so I had to wear a few things she had. She showered first and I went in when she was done. Damn. She really did a number on my neck last night. I didn't do nearly as much as this. However, they could be covered up easily. When I came out, she had a towel and a change of clothes ready for me in the bathroom. It was one of her shirts, jeans, and a hoodie with the hockey team logo on it. I assumed on the back it had her number and last name.
I walked out into the kitchen area to find she had made us breakfast. I sat down across from her and ate.
"That hoodie looks good on you," she said.
"It's a bit big," I said. "I shouldn't really be surprised since you're a bit taller than me."
"If my posture wasn't so fucked up, I'd be a lot taller than you," she chuckled.
"Let me guess, you were hunched over a lot when you were younger."
"What can I say?" she chuckled.
After we had finished, I helped Chloe clean up and I gathered my things as did she. We left the apartment, hand in hand, and back to her truck. We made it to the rink and I dropped my things off in my car before heading inside. She took me back to the locker room and she was the first one there, aside from the coach.
"Hey, coach," she set her things down by her designated area and walked over to her.
"Morning, Chloe. Seems like you had an eventful night."
"What gave it away?" she rubbed the back of her neck.
"Afterglow. Anyway, what's up? You're usually not this chipper in the morning."
"After the game," she said.
"Go on."
"There's something I want to do."
"Alright. Do I get to know what this something is?"
"It should be a reveal everyone gets to know. At the same time."
The coach looked a bit skeptical.
"You know you're doing this at the end of the season, right?"
"I do know. It couldn't be a more perfect time."
"Alright, Chloe. I'm trusting you," she said with anything but confidence.
Chloe walked back over to her bench and glanced over at me.
"We still have a couple hours before the game," Chloe said.
"I'll probably stop by my house to drop off my clothes."
"Alright. I'll see you later," she pecked my lips.
I walked out of the locker room and the building, heading to my car. As soon as I reached it, I got in and drove home real quick to change. Although, she's not getting her shirt or hoodie back. I hope she knows that. Everything else she does. I drove back to the rink and headed inside. People were already congregating for the game today. It was a big one so it was the talk of the town. Even though we weren't going anywhere after this season, it was still a big game no matter if we won or lost.
I headed into the rink and got a seat that was close to the glass. As the time got closer to the game, the other team came out and started to skate around half of the ice. They started to do their warm ups and stretches. Our team came out and started to do the same thing. My heart was beating so rapidly that I thought it was going to burst. I don't know how well these people are going to take with Chloe revealing that the entire team was made up of women. But it will show them something: they can exceed expectations. They can go beyond what was thought of them.
As Chloe was skating around, she caught my eye and waved. I smiled and waved back, a few people noticing. I caught some were whispering, asking if we knew one another. That Connor must have a girlfriend. Those who were close to my age grew jealous that I was able to catch his attention. I chuckled. Oh if only they knew. My friend who manages the building came over and sat down beside me.
"Hey, Y/N."
"Hey, F/N (friend's name)."
"Going to be an interesting day," she said.
"Yeah."
"Did," she checked her surroundings before leaning towards me. "Did Chloe tell you?"
I nodded and she pulled away.
"Excited?"
"Very. A bit nervous."
"Same here."
"H-Hey, can I ask you something?"
"What's up?"
"The day you double booked the rink, that hasn't happened before and after, has it?"
"Yeah, it has," she nodded her head.
"Which is weird because when I was in the office with the owner the other day, I noticed something on her calendar."
"What was that?"
"A concise calendar of every single event that was happening that day. From when the rink needed to be booked, to when it was closed for regular maintenance. Literally everything that had to do with the rink and bookings."
She was silent.
"Did you intentionally set us up?" I asked her.
"Would you be mad if I said yes?"
"Why?" I asked.
"It was actually her idea."
"It was?"
"Yeah. She came in on your training one day by accident. She thought it was the team's day for training. When she realized her mistake, she was about to leave, but didn't. She secretly watched you. Before your trainer could catch her, she left. She's been watching you in secret."
"It would be weird if we weren't together knowing that information."
"So she asked me to help with the set up."
"Which I thought was unlike you. You're usually on top of things."
"Yeah. That was actually what happened."
"So she fell for me?"
"Hard."
I chuckled, because here I thought, that we fell for each other the day we met.
"Are you going to be mad at her?"
"Why would I be mad at her? Her setting everything up, led us to where we are."
"I figured, with how you two were practically rushing out of here last night."
I chuckled and rubbed the back of my neck. She leaned towards me and whispered in my ear.
"Must have been a good night considering that afterglow."
"Shut up!" I smacked her shoulder as she laughed.
The game started and it was high energy. It was so fast paced that I couldn't believe the first period was already over. We were up two goals to nothing. Our team gave them no room to score. All the action was over on their side of the ice. It was all thanks to Chloe. She was leading them down there, passing the puck, setting everything into motion. Making everything on her today while also making sure the team got noticed.
As the game was winding down, tensions were starting to get high. The other team hadn't scored a goal yet and it made them super aggressive. There was a lot more penalties called on them, a lot of almost fights after the whistle blew. I could understand their frustration, but taking it out on another human wasn't right. But it was part of the game, right? What got people excited and cheered. With two minutes left, and down two goals, they pulled their goalie to get another player on the ice. Right as that sixth player was coming onto the ice, Chloe seized her moment. She darted right past him and shot at the goal. Empty netter. The goal horn went off and we cheered. Her and the team celebrated on the ice, which pissed off the sixth player. He skated over and shoved Chloe. That is the last person you want to piss off.
Chloe stood tall, maybe a few inches taller than this guy, but she glanced my way. I could see it in her eyes. The want to put this guy in his place. The way she wanted to prove she was better than him. But there was no better way than not getting involved. Not yet anyway. She took in a deep breath and skated to the bench, switching lines as they went to center ice again.
The game ended with a 3-0 win. The other team, still frustrated, went straight to Chloe. Especially the guy she skated right past to secure the win. During the handshake, he put her in a headlock. Our team tried to get him off of her, but the other team started a fight, too. The coaches and refs rushed to the ice to break everyone apart. Chloe was able to get the guy off of her after she threw a few hard punches. He pulled away from her, but took her helmet with him. She stood up and right there, the entire rink froze.
"Yeah," Chloe said to everyone. "Yeah, I'm a woman. You just got your ass beat by a woman. An entire team of women."
The other team looked at everyone else, waiting for them to take their helmets off. Instead, they did something I didn't expect. The other team backed away as our team skated beside Chloe. They said their numbers, their last name, and the name they were associated with. It was then followed up by their actual names. Once the last team member revealed their name, they all took off their helmets.
The rink stayed quiet. No one dared to even move or say anything. Everyone was in shock that the team they were rooting for, loyal to, were all women. They didn't suspect a thing. It also shouldn't change their expectations.
The captain of the other team came over and took off his helmet, extending his hand to Chloe.
"Good game out there," he smiled, genuinely.
Chloe smiled back and shook his hand, "Good game. You played a hell of a last period."
They soon started to talk to one another, like this didn't bother them. It shouldn't. The other team left the ice and so did our team. One by one, everyone filed out of the rink and into the lobby. Still, everyone was silent. I couldn't tell if this was a good or bad thing.
I made my way into the locker room to find Chloe was sitting on the bench as the head coach was pacing back and forth. The other women were beside or behind her.
"That was what you wanted to do?"
"Yes," Chloe said. "Because if I said something to you before I did it, you'd stop me. That wasn't exactly what I had in mind, but it got the message across."
The head coach turned to see I had entered and just laughed.
"It was you, wasn't it?"
"What?"
"The owner mentioned something to me a few weeks ago. How you two asked her why we hid the team. That is the reason why we hid them."
"What good does that do for them?" I gestured towards the team. "They're hiding behind a name that isn't theirs. An identity that isn't theirs. They have a story to tell just as much as the other people on any and all teams. They deserve to tell theirs."
"We were told that if we defied them, we'd be kicked off the team," one of the players said.
"Seems like you're going to need a new team next season," I said.
The head coach sighed and shook her head, "You're the reason Chloe is different, went out of line, didn't do as she was told."
"And for the better. She changed drastically for the better of the sport, the team. Look at how we progressed ever since we knew one another. Ever since that day the manager accidentally double booked the rink. She changed for the better and it just takes one person to set off a whole trail of dominoes."
Chloe stood up, about a head taller than the coach since she was still in her skates.
"Do not get Y/N involved. It was my decision. She didn't say anything about it. She was just there as someone who supported me. Unlike you and the entire management team."
"We will discuss this later."
She left the locker room and stormed out. I suppose she was looking for the owner of the building. Chloe turned towards me, a wide smile on her face. I returned the smile and jumped into her arms. She lifted me up, my legs wrapping around her waist and my arms wrapping around her neck.
"Hell of a game, right?" she asked.
"I couldn't keep my eyes off you," I said and kissed her, the entire locker room roaring with cheers.
She set me down and got changed. The others changed as well and left, saying goodbye to me. Once Chloe was done, we left the locker room and stood outside the building.
"I don't know what will happen, but things might get hectic from here on out. If I suddenly feel like I disappeared from the face of the Earth, just know it has nothing to do with you."
"I know, Chloe," I said and rubbed the back of her hand with my thumb. "We'll get through this."
She smiled and kissed my forehead.
"I'll text you later."
"Be safe, Chloe."
We parted ways for the night, ready to wake up to a new tomorrow.
"You wanted to see me?" I sat down in the office I was all too familiar with.
The owner was sitting at her desk across from me.
"Yes, Y/N."
"Does this have anything to do with what happened about a week ago?"
"It does."
"It wasn't my decision."
"I know it wasn't. I'm here to thank you."
"T-Thank me?"
"Yes. It is time the women who made this building's history deserve to be recognized. The women who built it, maintained it, preserved it, and became a household name, they all deserve their recognition. That is why a new head coach will be named soon. The team will still be kept the way it was, same roster, same group of women. However, their names will be on the program. And it won't change no matter what."
I smiled, my heart leaping for joy. To finally see Chloe Price instead of Connor Price.
"There is something else that I wanted to share with you."
"Oh? What is it?"
"I will be stepping down as owner."
"W-What?"
"Yes. I feel like with how I handled everything when it was passed down to me, it felt inadequate. How I was told to erase the history, just like how they tried to in the past."
"Who is going to be the new owner?"
As soon as I asked that, the door swung open and confetti flew into the air. I turned and found it was my friend.
"That will be me!" she smiled.
"No way."
"Yes way."
"Congrats!" I stood up and hugged her.
"Thank you. What you and Chloe did, set everything in motion."
"Mostly Chloe," I said.
"And she hasn't told you her side of the news."
"I'm going to be meeting up with her later."
"She's got some exciting stuff to tell you!"
"Y/N," the owner called to me and I turned to face her.
"Thank you again."
"You're welcome. But I'm not the only one to thank."
"Don't worry, we thanked Chloe as well."
"Good, because I had nothing to do with this."
"You had everything to do with it," my friend said.
"Actually, you had everything to do with it. If you didn't set Chloe and I up, none of this would have happened."
"We all had a part to play."
"I guess so. I gotta run."
"Thank you for stopping by," they both said as I left.
I walked out of the building to find Chloe's truck parked right beside mine. I smiled, my heart skipping a beat as I walked towards her truck. The door opened up and she stepped out, a huge smile on her face. I'd do anything to protect it. I rushed up to her and jumped into her arms. She spun me around before setting me on the ground, placing a long kiss to my lips.
"Ready?"
"Yeah," I giggled.
"I got you that smitten over me?"
"Yes."
"Damn. I am a chick magnet," she chuckled.
I smiled and hugged her tightly, listening to her heart beat. She hugged me tightly as well, resting her head on top of mine.
"I love you," she whispered.
That was the first time she's said it to me. Not that I didn't mind it. But it was the way she said it. So soft, so tender, so full of love. I got a bit teary eyed as I squeezed her tighter.
"I love you, too," I said.
She pulled away and found my watery eyes. She cupped my face and held it softly, rubbing my cheek with her thumb.
"Did I do something wrong?"
"No, no, Chloe," I smiled as I held onto her one hand, leaning into her touch. "It was just how you said 'I love you' to me."
She chuckled, "You're a goopy mess."
"I am a goop."
"You're my goop," she kissed me once more.
I got into her truck and we drove off to a nearby restaurant to hear her side of this story. Once we got there, we were sat immediately.
"So, tell me everything," I said.
"Well," she was about to speak, but something popped into her mind. "Actually, I wanted to tell you something."
"What?"
"You know the day we were double booked?"
"Yeah."
"That was my doing."
"I know."
"Y-You know?"
"Yeah."
"How?"
"At your last game, my friend told me."
She let out a laugh, "Really?"
"Yeah."
"She couldn't keep it to herself for about another month?"
"I guess not."
"Well, uhm, yeah. I-It was my idea."
I reached across the table and held her hand.
"I just find it funny that the badass hockey player couldn't pull enough courage out of her ass to ask me out."
"Shut up!"
She tried not to smile, but she couldn't help it.
"Make me."
"Later."
"Back to the topic."
"Yes. Well, as you know, there will be a new head of the hockey team. They're going to kind of rebrand a little bit."
"How so?"
"We're going to do a third name change. Basically a complete rework without getting rid of the team."
"That's good. I was worried they'd get rid of all the players."
"One good and bad thing about living in a small ass town. Word travels fast and I don't think they want that kind of word traveling around. So it was smart on their part. Although, the captain did step down."
"She did?"
"Yeah. She was getting a lot of heat after what happened. She had to take a break from hockey as a whole. She understands why it needed to happen, she was just a bit pissed it happened the way it did. Without warning."
"I don't blame her. But also if there was a warning, the previous coach might have done something to prevent it."
"I don't think she wants an entire team of angry women on her ass."
"True."
"That brings us to who the new captain will be."
"Yes, do tell," I smiled. I had a feeling it would be her, but I didn't want to say anything.
Chloe pulled out her phone and turned it to face me. It was her new jersey for the new season. Still number 19. Still same Price on the back. But this time, there was a 'C' embroidered on the front.
"No way!" I took her phone and zoomed in, looking at all the details.
"Yep. It's official. I will be the captain starting next season."
"Chloe, that's amazing!" I smiled and handed her phone back.
"It's all thanks to you," she said.
"I still can't believe we're together. Not saying it's a bad thing, but I would have never guessed how it would happen."
"I know right. I find myself starting to think what it would be like if I hadn't accidentally stepped in on your practice. Numerous times."
"Well, at least you didn't stalk me back to my apartment."
"I'd never. I just wanted to wait until you gave me the key. You never know, I could still be a murderer."
"Chloe," I gave her a stern look.
"I don't think I'd have it in me to do that."
"I hope not. Unless it's necessary. I saw that the jersey had a 'Logo Pending' on the front."
"Yeah, we can't really focus on what to call the new team and what the logo is going to be."
"Has the new head coach done anything?"
"That's the other thing."
"What?"
"We're having issues finding a new head coach."
"I might have someone."
"Who?"
"Alright, ladies!"
All of the heads were picked up and turned in the direction of where the voice was coming from. I was there as well at the bench. I was leaning against the wall talking to Chloe. I smiled and Chloe's jaw dropped. She turned towards me and I nodded.
"No way!" Chloe exclaimed.
"Do you know her?" one of the team members asked.
"She trains Y/N," Chloe skated over to her as she stepped onto the ice.
"That I do."
"I-I didn't think you'd want to do this," Chloe said.
"Well, after what I was told from Y/N, I'd love to train a team such as all of you."
"You've got your hands full with us," the goalie said.
"I trained Y/N and plenty of other figure skaters. I think I'll be alright."
"And if Chloe gives you any shit, coach," I called out to her. "Let me know. I'll kick her ass into shape."
The team laughed along with the coach.
"Will do, Y/N," she said. "Now, let's get warmed up. Y/N, if you're going to stay, might as well get your skates on and join them."
"I'll see you later, Chloe," I jumped over the wall.
"See you later," she said and pecked my lips real quick. "I love you."
"I love you, too."
"Lover girl," the team joked as they skated around the rink for warm ups.
"Oh, Y/N, before you go," my trainer called out to me.
"Yeah?"
She handed me a piece of paper, "Read this over. I want to know your thoughts before we get the go ahead."
I took the paper and nodded, "Will do."
Before I left, I waved to Chloe and headed out of the rink. When I was in the lobby, I took a look at the paper. It was a pending team name and logo. I couldn't help but smile. Whoever thought of this was a genius.
"Alright, ladies," their coach said as she entered the locker room.
Everyone perked up and Chloe turned towards her. I was sitting beside her.
"Your new jerseys are here. Chloe, want to show everyone what this year's jersey is going to be?"
Chloe stood up and walked towards the giant box she brought in. She opened the flaps and removed the jersey. On the front was the head of a doe. The name wasn't on it, which was standard. So the reveal was going to be a bit of an interesting one. Chloe turned and faced the team, showing off the doe.
"A doe?" one asked.
Their coach walked over to a white board that was flipped over. She flipped it to the correct side and revealed the name.
"Arcadia Baes?" Chloe asked.
"It's a play on Arcadia Bay."
"Not sure how this is going to go, but that's cool," Chloe said.
"Alright, let's get everyone geared up. We have a pre-season game we need to get prepared for," the coach said.
Everyone got up and looked for their jersey. Once everyone found theirs, they all got dressed and ready. Chloe stepped towards me with a big smile on her face.
"You look great, Chloe," I said and kissed her cheek.
"Thank you."
"Knock 'em dead."
She smiled and pressed a kiss to my forehead, "I'll see you out there, yeah?"
"Wouldn't miss it for the world."
"H-Hey, can you do one more thing for me?"
"What's that?"
She reached her hand out and I took it.
"Walk out there with me."
"Are you that nervous?" I joked.
"N-No," she said. "I-I just want you beside me every step of the way."
"Of course, Chloe."
The others left the locker room and I walked out with Chloe, hand in hand. Before we reached the doors she lifted up my arm and spun me around, like I was spinning on the ice. I chuckled and we left the locker room. Even if it was a pre-season game, there was still a huge number of people out there. I think both of us were surprised considering the reception they got when the entire team revealed themselves.
"Good luck out there," I said once more and pecked Chloe's lips.
"Thanks, Y/N. I love you."
"I love you, too."
Our hands slipped away from one another and Chloe stepped onto the ice, while I went to go find a seat to watch them. I sat down on a bench near the glass and it wasn't before long when they skated towards center ice for the face off. And Chloe was right there in the center.
"First game of the season. You nervous?" I asked Chloe as we were heading into the rink.
"No. Not really," she said. "After so long you kind of just get used to it."
"I guess you have a point."
"But it is nice to not worry about getting our asses beat badly. I mean, we still do. Some women can really throw a punch."
"I just don't want them messing up this pretty face," I smiled.
"Don't worry. If they do, I know who will be swinging first."
"Good luck out there, Chloe," I said as we entered the rink.
"Thanks, Y/N," she said and pecked my lips. "I love you."
"I love you, too."
I headed in and there was quite the crowd. A lot of people had the new jerseys on. Of course I was wearing one with Chloe's name and number on it. A few of my friends were there and saved me a seat. I came over and sat down beside them.
"Did you know they were an all women's team?" my one friend asked.
"Yep," I said.
"How?"
"You know my other friend, the one who used to manage the building but is now the new owner?"
"Yeah."
"She had accidentally double booked Chloe and I the same day for a private two hour skating session. She had told me then."
"They've kept this secret for how long?"
"Quite some time now," I said.
"I take it Chloe is your favorite player?" another friend asked.
"You clearly are not on social media," one chuckled.
"Why?"
"That's the majority of Y/N's posts now. Chloe and her are together."
"No way! You got someone like Chloe? Dude, I may be straight, but I can admire a woman and say she's hot," she chuckled.
"Yes, I did get together with Chloe," I said.
"Good on you," she patted my shoulder.
"Game's starting," I said as the other team was coming out onto the ice.
"Ladies and gentlemen," an announcer came over the loud speakers. Finally, they were using this sound system. I remember Chloe having issues with the people who had to repair it.
"Please welcome your Arcadia Baes!"
Our team skated out onto the ice and the entire rink erupted into cheers. This was such a wonderful experience. The entire town accepting our team as they are.
"Please welcome your starting line up," the announcer read through the list of names as the players skated onto the ice.
"And your captain, Chloe Price!"
I screamed as loud as I could, clapping as well as Chloe skated around before stopping at center ice, waving to some people in the crowd.
"Wasn't she the one who started the changes of the team?" a friend asked.
"She was."
"Damn. She must have had some impact on the team. And everyone here in management."
I smiled at her as she got ready for the face off.
"She sure did."
Uncensored Version
