by baseballhockeywriter
Rating: PG
Summary: Park stumbles across an internet article and Chris and Park go on their first date.
Notes: Dumb part. Really. The article is dumb, the conversation between Billy, Dame, and Park is dumb, the date idea is dumb. I'll try to do better next time, really.
I stared at my computer screen for like a full minute before I could get past the headline. We'd only played two games, and someone had already written something about us? Finally, I was able to scroll through the entire story.
Southeast Team Storms Onto US Hockey Scene
(Sacramento, California) They're made up entirely of players in the Carolinas, Tennessee, and Georgia. Most have grown up there and had very little experience playing other regions of the country. They've played just two league games. But already, they're making an impression. After defeating a relatively weak Florida team 7-1, they moved on to face a team ranked fifth in the nation. Anyone watching, myself included, would expect a blowout.
Apparently someone forgot to tell the southerners, because they pulled off a 2-0 victory, scoring early and holding off a big and brutal California offense. The team itself is very good, and works together very well, but there are some surprising players coming out of this region now, it seems.
We'll start in the goal. A recent Atlanta transplant, Kevyn Reynolds grew up playing in Vermont. He was a highly accredited goalie there, and he showed his worth against California, calmly shutting down any chance of a comeback. His technique, flexibility, and puck-handling skills are all top of the line, and he has that goalie sense that makes you wonder if he even needs to see the puck to stop it.
The defense is certainly solid, though no one stands out. But the Southeast has about 5 defenders that could play for any other team in this country, including some offensive threats in Chris Storm and Luke Pryor and stay-at-home defensemen Michael and Austin Fischer.
But the real reason I think this team has a shot at becoming one of the best in the country is their first line. I only got to see them in action for a few minutes, since left wing Billy Morris left the game with a concussion and right wing Damon Reilly with a game misconduct, but the line is a thing of beauty. They work together like they've been playing together forever, and as it turns out, they have. Coach Frank Brown tells me Damon Reilly, Parker Addison, and Billy Morris have been on the same line since age 6, and it shows. They never miss passes to each other, they develop plays better than some NHLers, and they get back on defense.
Which leads me to my finale. The real standout on this team is the captain. He centers the first line. He leads the power play unit and the penalty kill unit. He talks to his players on the bench, avoids stupid penalties, and stands up for his players to the other team and referees. And you should see him skate. In the 60 minutes of hockey I watched, Parker Addison made 7 or 8 phenomenal plays. He set up the first goal, and led four penalty kills by his team to keep the lead. He took a lot of abuse from the California defense, especially after his linemates both had to leave the game (Reilly with a game misconduct for fighting), but he continued to fool them with his playmaking and puckhandling skills.
He is a player to watch. And watch closely. And this is a team to watch.
I could feel myself blushing as I finished. Was I really that good? Good enough that a sportswriter would single me out as the best on the team? Well, still, it was a good article. I copied it into an e-mail and sent it to the distribution list consisting of my teammates. A few minutes later, Damon wondered into my room. I turned to him quickly, eager to see his reaction, but his expression stopped me. "What's wrong, Dame?"
He ignored my question and suddenly forced a smile. "That article's great, Park!"
"Damon. What's wrong?"
He sighed and sat down on my bed. "It's Billy, Parker. He and I...we talked last night, and he finally told me. Everything. Why he has the nightmares and what happened to him. It's so horrible, Park. I don't know what I can do for him."
He looked so distraught it hurt. "Dame, I'd say the same thing you did before you knew. I think it's enough for him. He's dealt with a lot of his issues on his own, because he's strong enough to do that. I think supporting him after the dreams is all we can do."
"But - Park...he watched his mom and brother be murdered in front of him! Surely there's something else that should be done?" He suddenly realized what he'd said and directed his eyes downward. "Damn," he muttered.
I felt a shiver run through me. "He...he -"
Damon nodded. "Please, Park, don't tell him I told you. I was supposed to keep it a secret, and I don't want him to be mad at me on top of everything else."
"It's ok," said a voice from the door. "We've always been a trio, after all." Damon watched Billy enter, looking apprehensive.
The forward frowned. "Don't look at me like that, Damon. I still love you." He messed up Damon's hair, and I could see my friend relax.
"I'm sorry, Billy."
"It's ok. Really. And really, I'm ok. You keep doing what you've been doing, and I'll be fine."
Damon sighed. "Whatever you say."
Billy grinned at both of us, sitting beside Damon. "The critics love you already, Parker."
"They love US."
"Did you read the same article I did? They love you. You're the star."
I shook my head but didn't reply to Billy's assessment. "We have Boston in 5 days," I said, instead. "Number one in the nation."
"We'll need Billy for that one," Damon muttered.
"I'll be ok," he said decisively.
"Good," Damon said. "Because Parker plays just as well without us, but I know I don't play as well unless all three of us are together."
"Guys..." I muttered.
"What? Chris agrees with me, right?" Stormy was standing in the doorway now, looking amused.
"Absolutely. Parker's the best."
"Knock it off," I told them, standing and running my fingers through my hair to straighten it.
"Ready?" Chris asked me.
"Ooh, where are you two going?" Billy asked, his eyes sparkling.
"Nowhere," I replied with a pointed stare, and he giggled.
"Bye, guys," Damon said with a smile. I shook my head as I followed Chris down the hall.
"So, where do you want to go?" I asked him.
He looked kind of nervous. "Well...we are in Atlanta. Where there is a hockey team."
"Yeah..." I said.
"I know you've probably been to a thousand pro games in your life, but I did an internship at FoxSportsNetSouth in Nashville with the Preds last year, and made some friends. I got tickets to the Thrashers game tonight. Right by the visitor's bench. Since they're playing Carolina tonight and everything, I though you-"
"You got us good seats for the Hurricanes game tonight, Chris?"
He smiled apprehensively. "Um, yeah?"
I felt a grin spreading across my face. "That's so cool!"
He looked relieved. "I'm glad you think so."
If there was one thing I could talk incessantly about, it was my hometown team. I proceeded to tell Chris everything about them - like he didn't already know - but I think I amused him, so he let me talk. I had a feeling it was going to be a good first date.