To Call My Own

Chapter Twelve

"West Kelly, my man." Kent exclaimed as soon as he saw West emerge from the locker room.

West looked tired but a joyful expression covered his face. His hair was wet and messy as his hockey bag hung from his right arm. He and Kent exchanged some sort of bro hug in form of celebration of the game.

"Someone call 911, West is on fire!" Kennedy cheered tackling her brother in a hug.

"Come on, guys." He sheepishly replied to their comments. "And Mr. Michael Gordie Howe Hat trick." West announced as Michael made his way out.

"Sorry bud, but my hat trick was better." Michael teasingly responded clapping his back.

"I think the Wolves have found themselves a new number one fan. Man you should have heard how loud this girl was cheering." Carmen said with a laugh, flinging her arm over my shoulder. Both West and Michael just laughed and smiled at her comment.

Soon, I saw Piper make her way through the coridoor and spot our group, she waved at me to get my attention. I just motioned her over to meet up with everyone else. She was wearing cute dark jeans, along with her 'Brandon' jersey. It appeared like West had informed everyone on the plan because no one looked too shocked when Piper showed up.

"You must be Mila's friend." Brynn said sweetly, reaching out her hand to shake it. Piper plastered a smile on her face and shook Brynn's out stretched one. "I guess it's time for introductions again." She giggled.

"Uh, everyone this is Piper. Piper I want you to meet Brynn, Shea, Kent, Carmen, Daniel, Luna, Kennedy, Michael and West." I said, motioning towards each of them as I mentioned their names.

"So nice to finally meet you guys." Piper said, putting on her most fake, sweet tone.

Everyone stood relative silence. I could tell Piper's presence had thrown off the feel of the group, but knowing my friends, they would soon fall back into place. Thankfully, things were off to a good start. We had gotten through the introductions without anything tragic taking place.

"So where does everyone want to eat?" West asked, breaking the silence and trying to pick up conversation once again.

There were greatly mixed answers in response to West's question. Luna voted for Mexican, taking after her older brother. Michael once again had been craving a burger and fries while Carmen completely objected and wanted pizza.

Throughout the discussion, everyone had regained their former spark. Playfully bantering and talking like usual. While no one could agree on a place, Brynn presented an idea that everyone could settle on. We decided to go out for breakfast at ten at night. IHOP it was.

Soon, Logan finally showed up, claiming his place next to Piper. His appearance was like Wests and Michael's was. Tired and wet. He had just played a solid game and he looked like it too.

"Hey, good game man." West said to him, reaching out his hand to shake it. Rather than accept or return the complement, or mention West's hat trick, he just nodded leaving West's hand hanging.

West awkwardly retracted his out stretched hand and returned his arm to hang by his side. Logan didn't make any attempt to converse with the rest of us as we discussed the details of who was going to go with who.

It was finally decided that I would just jump in with West, Luna Daniel and Kennedy. While the rest of the group drove over together. Logan and Piper had vouched to ride alone even though West had asked if they wanted to join us. Logan seemed rather uneasy and uncomfortable with the entire situation, but he had his lovely girlfriend to thank for any discomfort or embarrassment.

As the five of us stepped out of the arena, we were met by a swift northern wind. The gusts rushed past us leaving their icy shadow hanging on us. It was the coldest and snowiest season I had seen in years. The last winter like this was when I was six, and I remember not being able to step a foot outside without being wrapped head to toe by my mother.