Hunter

I don't like letting go of Galen.

I know it's stupid. He is 18 years old and on the verge of being a man. He is not a baby, he is not timid, and he is far from weak, and yet...

It's natural for Jax to want to introduce him to the guys he'll be training with, and that is what we're here for, after all. Galen needs to meet people. I reluctantly give Jax a thumbs up when he gives me a questioning look to see if I'm okay.

I'm not going to get in the middle of that particular set of introductions. Galen needs some male bonding, and having me cling to his arm will just be weird. Still, there is just something about the guy that makes me feel protective.

It's nuts!

Looking at him from across the room, where I'm standing at the snack table, stuffing my face with mini quiches, he seems so confident and cocky. He exudes the kind of manliness that makes me feel weak in the knees. There's nothing vulnerable about him... on the surface...

Whenever I look into his eyes, I see something else, though. Something I cannot quite put my finger on, but it makes me want to wrap my arms around him and never let go. Earlier, I searched the internet for possible answers to why I could feel so connected to a guy I'd just met.

There were a few varying answers, from possible digestive abnormalities to soulmates. My favourite was the one where we were both abducted by aliens and subjected to experiments together. Though we don't remember it, our souls do... something like that.

It seemed the most plausible. I'm sticking with it.

The lighting is bad in here, just dusky enough for guys like Denny and girls like the one in his lap to hide in the corners playing doctor. I sigh, looking at him. That was fast. He might've broken his own record tonight, especially since she's not a regular in hockey circles.

I wish he would value himself more. I wish he would allow himself to love a really great girl and be truly loved in return. Denny is an awesome guy, but he makes the worst, self-destructive choices all the time.

Still, I love him, and he has been doing a lot better since he came to live with us. He trains really hard and is fast becoming a force to be reckoned with. His ship is turning around. It is slow going, but we'll persevere. I believe, with all my heart, that he will one day be the strong, successful man he is meant to be.

"Hey. I'm glad to see you—though I'm starting to question my life choices." The gentle voice speaking close to me and the arms wrapping around one of mine belong to my best friend in the whole world, Miko Saunders. She's the daughter of a dainty Japanese-descended woman and a burly NWT lumberjack. We grew up together, and if there's one person in this world that I trust beyond all others, even Bren, then it's the dark-haired, brown-eyed beauty resting her head on my shoulder.

"Miko?! Why are you here?" I'm surprised to see her here; she doesn't enjoy the company of the ice hockey players remotely as much as I do. Fine, that's an understatement. Miko avoids them as much as she can. I don't blame her for feeling wary of them; she is rather delicate in comparison with most of them, and they never hide their interest in her.

On the other hand, I also do not blame the guys for taking notice of her. She is beautiful, and her introverted nature gives her a certain air of mystery that intrigues them. I, on the other hand, cannot shut up long enough to be mysterious.

"These guys are like golden retrievers in people form. Loud, enthusiastic, and covered in snow, but I couldn't let you show up solo, eh?" she smiles when I stop hugging her. I messaged her earlier to tell her we're bringing our new housemate to the mixer, and Jax coerced me into coming out. "I've got your back, obviously. Plus, you've been acting weird," she adds with a grimace.

"How am I acting weird?" She hadn't seen me since Friday morning when we were practising together on the figure skating rink. I definitely wasn't acting anything except normal on Friday. I've only been a strange giggle girl since last night when I met Galen McKenna with his flaming hair, devilish smile and sassy wit.

"Emojis, Hunter," she laughs. "You never send a gazillion emojis in your texts. I got a winky face, three sparkles, and a penguin. A penguin! All in one message!"

"I was trying to be upbeat..."

"Don't even get me started on all the hearts," she chuckles, rolling her lovely eyes. "You sent anxiety in sticker form. So here I am."

"You came!" Ginny Thornleigh has appeared from somewhere, grabbing the arm not currently occupied by Miko. Now, her I did expect. "Oh my gosh, you look so cute I can't even deal!" she exclaims, stepping back to give me a once-over, curling one of my ponytails around her hand and letting it go.

"Thanks, Gin. So do you!" She always does, even when she's not trying to, especially when she's laughing, turning her eyes into half-moons. "You look like glitter got jealous of your whole vibe."

"Right?" Ginny giggles, giving me a twirl to show off her bouncing curls and cute sweater with the cheeky cat on the front that comes alive in colourful flashes when the light catches its glittery surface. "Not bad for a girl from Tuk, eh?"

Ginny - Virginia Paniqtuq Thornleigh - was born and raised in Snowglen, right along with me. Her maternal grandmother, from whom she inherited her pretty middle name, is the one living in Tuktoyaktuk. She moved back to be with her family when Ginny's French Canadian grandfather passed away five years ago.

Ginny loves to visit her Inuit family. It feels like home to her, and she often talks about how much she wants to move to Tuk to be with her beloved grandmother and her family when she graduates from high school... unless she pursues a career in synchronised skating, which she is becoming increasingly passionate about.

"I went full sparkle bomb tonight. Skaters gotta represent! So, which one is your guy?" she wants to know enthusiastically, making my hackles rise.

Ginny likes hockey players as much as Miko avoids them. She is not a typical puck bunny, though. She mostly just admires them from afar, since she's too shy to actually talk to most of them, but she has had her share of heartbreak due to falling for the wrong guys. Still, she loves hanging around with our boys, so she can hear them talk about the game she loves to watch.

She never misses any of the district's games. Ginny is a true men's ice hockey junkie.

I look into her sparkling hazel eyes and brilliant smile and realise that I don't want her anywhere near Galen. It's not because she will be bad for him. Not at all. Where Miko is steeped in mystery, Ginny is saturated with energy and cheerfulness. She's a great person, with a huge heart, and he definitely would enjoy hanging out with her. I just don't like the idea at all.

"You'll know him. He's the one with the giant sign around his neck," I tell her, motioning over my chest to make my meaning clear. "It says Off Limits in flashing red lights."

I'm as surprised by my words as Miko is. She's gaping at me, and there I go, giggling again. Seriously! What is up with that? I permanently feel like I'm being tickled in my ribs!

"Hunter! Are you staking a claim?! Oh my gosh, that's a first!" Ginny gasps, blinking at me like I'm a stranger.

"No, I'm just..." Just what? Oof, I don't know!

"What are you three gossiping about so happily, eh?"

We turn in unison to see Libra Carmichael standing by the table. She picks up a cherry tomato and pops it between her lips as if she's eating the most exquisite delicacy. I frown at her soft blond hair flowing over her shoulders, her pouty lips and lucid green eyes, and I'm finally not giggling any more.

Threats! That's what they are! Big, pretty threats!

I hate this!

Normally, I'm the girl who hands out welcome stickers and affectionate hugs; I'm never the girl who looks at all her closest friends with eyes clouded by jealousy. I know from experience - I've seen it a gazillion times – that Galen will spend five minutes in Libra's company, and then he'll have a crush bigger than the smile he is currently directing at... Xavier?

What's he smiling at Xavier for?!

My heart reflexively jumps in my chest when I see the dark-haired boy, but I'm not feeling the melancholic disappointment that has become normal whenever I see Xav. It's just a small wobble, a tiny blip in space and time. My attention slides from his miserable expression to devour the warm highlights sparkling in Galen's auburn hair.

Hold on! Why is Xav so miserable?

I really hope the guys are not giving him a hard time again. I don't know how many times and in how many languages I have to tell them that I'm fine and to leave Xavier alone. Only Denny gets it, probably because he knows me the best and trains very closely with Xav as one half of their defence pair.

Perhaps if I can shake this numbing loneliness eating me inside, it would convince the others that I'm fine and Xav is not the enemy.

What loneliness?

The loneliness I felt the last time I was at a social. The loneliness I'm definitely not feeling now. Tonight, I only feel the urge to giggle each time I catch a glimpse of Galen, and my heart fills with warmth.

Holy heck!

"Hunter staked a claim on the new guy living with them," I hear Ginny say, plucking me out of the fantasy where I was running my fingers through that thick, wavy hair while I try to spell the word loneliness, but happily fail.

"Really? You?" Libra is frowning, looking at me like I'm an alien, and I don't blame her. I never do things like that. The fact that she is going to have the man of my dreams wrapped around her little finger is not her fault. She doesn't go out of her way to seduce boys or anything like that.

Libra is just one of those spontaneous, sparkling girls boys are drawn to. She is just pretty enough, cheeky enough and mysterious enough to keep them intrigued, but unlike Miko, she loves the attention.

She might even break Galen's heart! Noooooooooooo!

"I'm not staking a claim," I scoff, nervously giggling again, and reach out to grab something edible from the table to help me out with my embarrassing problem. Great, it's a small tea candle, and it is lit. I swear I will still stuff it in my mouth if I giggle again.

"He's not a piece of real estate, y'know; he's a human being, eh?" I grumble, keeping the candle ready just in case.

"Still, it's hands-off, right?" Ginny asks, narrowing her eyes at my face. She is cheekily grinning at me, enjoying my discomfort.

"I... uhm... no..." This is all new to me, and I'm handling it beautifully eloquently. I'm so proud of myself. "He's his own person."

"And yet, somehow, I think you'd throw that candle at anyone who got too close, eh?"

"I said he's his own person..." I whimper, and laughing, Miko hugs my arm tighter.

"So noble," Libra chuckles, tugging on one of my ponytails. "Are you at least going to introduce us to Mr. Off Limits, or should we just grab a sturdy box and some packing peanuts before someone steals him?"

"Oh, shush!" I laugh, putting the candle back on the table before I set something on fire by accident. I look around, searching the crowd for Galen so I can introduce him to people other than his future training mates. People like my three former friends, here, laughing at me. I've lost track of him now.

"I don't see him," I inform them, walking towards where I'd seen him last, with the girls trailing me, making me feel like royalty with an entourage of ladies in waiting. Technically, the four of us are each other's greatest competition when it comes to the figure skating academy, but after many years of training together, we're a united front against outside competition.

Besides, Ginny is taking a different route now, focusing solely on synchronised skating with 19 other team members. She told me that she's no longer interested in taking part in women's singles. In fact, Libra is leaning into pairs skating more as well, and is also not all that keen on doing singles anymore.

"Alright, boys—new recruits, up on the stage for me, will ya?" Uncle Harvey Manson, the senior coach at the academy, saves me from having to sacrifice my heart on the altar of being a good host to Galen by making the announcement from the dais where the sound system is set up.

Shrugging and smiling way too widely for a girl who is only postponing the inevitable, I redirect my posse to an area where we can see the low wooden platform clearly. Two boys are already taking their places there, standing tall, broad-shouldered and filled with confidence and nervous energy.

"Oof! Number One is hot," Ginny observes, and Libra grunts, shaking her head.

Number One, as he will be called until further notice, has two-toned blond-brown hair cut into a longish mullet-like style popular among many of the boys here at the farm.

"Nice lettuce," I observe, laughing when Miko rolls her eyes. She hates hockey lingo. She's often heard saying things like: 'Flow, lettuce... what happened to just calling it hair, eh?'

The boy with the pretty hair is square-jawed and handsome in the self-assured Prince Charming way of someone who is used to being praised. I think I've seen him play once or twice, but not the guy next to him with curly blond hair and a fierce expression on his face. 

I'm always curious about new recruits I've never seen in action before. I might not like the violence, but I do love watching the game itself, especially if I know the players.

"Hot air," Libra says decisively. "Talked to him earlier. If I'd been in a basket while he was talking, I would've floated off over Snowglen, eh? I've met him before—he's from Yellowknife. Firmly lodged up my brother's rear."

That's not good news. I can't stand Libra's entitled, arrogant brother.

"I've always wanted to ride a hot air balloon," Ginny mutters, sounding a bit sulky now. All it took was a mental image of a hot air balloon floating above the trees to make her forget what we're talking about. She has no idea how badly that statement could be interpreted.

"So... is your guy up there?" Miko asks, and I shake my head, looking around me to see if anybody heard that rather possessive statement made on my behalf.

"He's not my guy..."

"I meant the one living in your house," Miko chuckles, making me blush. She's right; Ginny referred to him in the same way earlier, before my affliction became known.

"It's definitely not those first two..." Libra observes when Galen steps into view, and I start giggling again, trying to suppress it and ending up coughing instead. "It's that one. You just glitched," she laughs, and the other two give me amused looks, clearly enjoying my fall into pre-teen-crushing embarrassment.

"I... uhm... oh..." Yup, I'm extremely smooth today.

Interested in seeing who has me acting completely out of character, the three girls turn their attention to the platform where Galen is standing, looking like he accidentally stepped into the limelight and cannot be bothered by the attention. He seems so defiant and cocky that I cannot stop another happy giggle from bubbling up inside me.

Seriously! I'm going to muzzle myself!

"Yep! I can see those bright red lights you were talking about!" Ginny says, turning her head slowly, tilting it almost upside down to give me a rather bird-like side look. "I get it now! Better hammer those stakes in good and deep, Hunt."

"If you don't, I'm getting the packaging material for myself," Libra agrees, laughing when I glare at her. "Please tell me he has a personality in there too... or don't because then we might have to become enemies."

"He's a person..." I sob, half trying to remind them (and myself) of the fact and half to confirm that he definitely has a personality. A personality I really like so far.

A blur of colour unexpectedly flies onto the dais from the side, sliding on socked feet, losing its direction and crashing into Galen. He automatically reaches out to steady the newcomer, and there is that smile I've come to look for wherever I go. I'm not the only one sighing now, seeing that beautiful smile.

"Oh, no! It's all over for you, Hunter-girl," Libra says dramatically while Miko hugs my arm again, not saying a word. Even she cannot deny Galen's obvious charm.

"Isn't Mick Wallace the cutest thing you've ever seen?" Ginny asks, smiling dreamily while she gazes at the boy wearing pyjama pants and a car-covered Oodie. She's been an avid fan of his since the first game she saw him playing. She watches whenever he has a match on TV, and when Dad and I travel to see games that will have him in them, she tags along. My father is always scouting for boys like Galen, Jax and Denny who would not easily be discovered and need a hand up. Sometimes, I go with him to keep him company.

I met Mick a few times, and he is probably the most quirky yet easy-going person I've ever come across. He has an odd way of using a strange version of the F-bomb as a noun, verb, adjective, adverb, preposition, determiner, pronoun and conjunction... all in one sentence. In fact, he could probably have an entire conversation without any other words in it. Still, I really like him, and now that he's joining the Farm, perhaps Ginny's dreams of saying even one word to him can finally come true.

She turns into a giggling mess every time she's in his presence. A bit like I do with Galen, just without saying things. I at least say some stuff to the boy... which makes my chances of scaring him off a lot bigger.

"He sure is," Libra says, but she seems to be looking at Galen. I'm so going to fetch that box she was talking about... so I can stuff her in it.

"Hey! Hands off, sister! I play like the ice—quiet till you fall through," Ginny warns and laughing, Libra affectionately wraps an arm around her neck.

Good to know I'm not the only one gettin' hit with the jealousy bug tonight.

"Now, I'll try not to drag this out longer than a December night, seein' as tomorrow's a Monday and some of us don't bounce back like we used to—especially me," Coach Manson says, making me very happy. I want the speeches and stuff to be over quickly. Galen looks chilled and nonchalant standing on the stage, but there is a subtle muscle jumping in his jaw. I've seen it before when he was grilled by the guys about his training. He is not enjoying this attention as much as it seems.

In the short time I've known him, I've noticed that he tends to withdraw in crowds. It could be just because he is still jetlagged, but there is something a bit distant in the way he acts in general when we're all together. My heart is contracting in empathy, seeing his chin lift and his head turn to give Coach Manson a startled look when he says that he's going to hand the mic to them for introductions.

The look was there and gone in an instant, but I saw it.

Given the mic, Number One introduces himself as Miles Everton, the guy many high school team members have suffered against during matches. He is too self-absorbed to notice the mood shift and hear the grumbled insults aimed at him. Then again, he might thrive on it.

Listening to him pounding through a list of hockey achievements, I think he would like our original name for him much more than the one his parents gave him.

I get it, though. Being the new guy here at the Farm is daunting, especially when the guys don't know anybody here and come with the understanding that everything is a competition. It's not a bad mindset to have, as competition can become brutal here, especially for newcomers.

Many of our guys, like Galen, haven't had any formal training or opportunities and, therefore, don't have achievements to list. Listening to speeches like Miles' is harrowing for them. I cannot look away from Galen, wondering how he is feeling. He is not giving anything away. He is really hard to read when he wants to hide his feelings.

"When my guy... when Galen says hi, let's say hi back, okay?" I ask the girls, and they're in, just as I knew they would be. They're good sports like that, and maybe if we greet him, he'll feel more at home and less like an outsider.

"Hi," says Number Two, and I'm hoping that he will not follow Miles' cringy example and shower himself with praise. Though handsome, he doesn't have the same polished good looks as Miles; he is a bit more rugged and unshaven, with soft-looking blond hair curling at the nape of his neck. Something about him seems slightly angry and defensive. It's vague, but it shines through, making me wonder if he is feeling less confident than he looks.

I wonder which route through life brought him here? I'm always curious about new recruits' backstories. Their stories are often heartbreaking, and then I know to give them extra grace when they act like jerks.

"I'm Zane Matthews, right wing. I've been with Oshawa Minor and spent the last couple seasons with the U18 triple-A team..."

I'm disappointed that Zane feels intimidated (or irritated) enough by Miles' illustriously boring list of achievements to string one of his own together. He is at least not going into as much tedious detail as Miles did, and his delivery seems almost disinterested, rather than braggy.

He speaks as if he's completing a task he doesn't care about, even finds distasteful.

I don't mean to diminish these guys' amazing accomplishments. They are definitely impressive, and I cannot wait to see them on the ice. It's just that, though the things they'd done in the past certainly helped to secure them a spot here when they applied for it, once here, it becomes of little consequence. I've seen boys with outstanding pasts crumble under the pressure to perform here, while others who barely made it in outshine them in brilliance.

The Farm is an equaliser.

Trained newcomers have an advantage at first, but it quickly loses its strength as other players who might not have had the same training and opportunities start to develop and come into their own. It soon becomes visible who is good because they have had great training, and who has raw talent for their training here to build on. It also soon becomes apparent who is willing to work hard towards their goal and who is not.

I see Mick whisper something to Galen, causing him to turn red, trying not to laugh. He is so cute! I'm glad he seems to hit it off with Mick. He is going to need all the allies he can get, and Mick is a guy with a sweet soul.

My heart beats faster with nervous tension when Zane ends his tale of fortitude and winning teams and hands the mic to Galen.

"Howya," Gan says in that voice that makes my legs turn into limp spaghetti covered in warm sauce each time I hear it.

"Howya, Galen!" The girls and I couldn't have done it more synchronised if we'd practised. Our chorused greeting sends a ripple of laughter through the crowd that was becoming increasingly restless, ready for the formalities to be over and the party to go on.

Galen is squinting, looking in our direction, but I don't think he can see us outside the circle of bright light shining onto the dais where he's standing. He looks so adorably startled that I... yup... giggle again.

"Seriously! Please stuff a sock in my mouth," I mutter, receiving a side hug from Miko in response.

"It's actually kinda sweet seeing you like this," she says. "Terrifying, yeah—but sweet. I just hope he's worth it."

"I'm Galen McKenna from the cla... from Briar Cove," Galen picks up his speech again, and I hear Libra groan, slapping a hand over her mouth and giving me a guilty look. I don't blame her. Galen oozes effortless charm. I'm feeling a little dizzy now, and it's not just because I'm nervous for him.

"It's a place most of ye've probably never heard of, and that's just fine because I'm here in Thermbarrow now," he says, and he's either holding back laughter, or he's really happy to be here.

Jax, Kame and Denny must've had the same idea I had because they break into cheers, along with a few of the guys they introduced Galen to earlier.

I love it.

"I'm leavin' the past behind me as I look to the future. I'm fierce grateful for this opportunity and lookin' forward to trainin' with all of ye and learnin' everythin' that I can stuff into me noodle."

"Pervert!" Denny shouts, causing some laughter.

I am stunned by Galen's beautiful, heartfelt introduction, and looking around me, I can see smiles on the faces of many of the people who heard that bold declaration. ′I'm leavin' the past behind me as I look to the future.′

Good for you, Galen!

Some of the people gathered here might think he's humble and feel a bit intimidated by what he said, wondering just how great his achievements are. In contrast, others will recognise themselves and their own humble beginnings in that speech. A large number of the players in this room have pasts they want to forget.

It was perfect. He endeared himself to many of the hearts gathered here.

"It's goin' to be deadly," he adds, ending his introduction and confusing his audience. My heart is so full right now that I could pass out. It might also be because I'm fiercely holding my breath.

Please don't giggle! Please don't giggle!

"Not the murderin' kind... just the... good kind... that's... uhm... good... Oh, bollox!"

"He is so flippen' cute," Ginny giggles for me.

"And hot!" Libra agrees, laughing too.

"Don't go stuffing deadly stuff in the noodles, you savage!" Jax's voice rings out, and I can finally let go of the giggle fighting in my airways as everybody around me is laughing, cheering and clapping. Even Zane is laughing, clapping his hands, while Miles looks on with chilly disapproval.

That was the best speech ever!

"Ah, dry yer arse!" Galen laughs, turning to Mick, getting ready to hand him the mic.

"I'll be dryin' yer arse instead, ye spanner. Right after I roll ye on the ice!" Jax shouts in the worst Irish accent ever. He is close enough for us to hear him above the din, and when he sees the four of us giving him amused, somewhat startled looks, he laughs, shrugs, and just owns his bad choice of words.

"Yelp! That went off the rails quick, eh?" Libra laughs, brushing her hair off her shoulder and turning her attention back to the dais.

"Things usually do in the Fairlane house," Miko grins, squeezing my arm.

"So, Galen McKenna of Briar Cove," I hear a voice when the laughter dies down in anticipation of Mick's introduction. It's the last voice I wanted to hear tonight, and I can feel Libra tense beside me, resting a hand on my arm. Looking away from Galen to where the voice came from, I see dark blond hair sparkling golden where the light aimed at the dais touches Wade Carmichael, and my stomach plunges to my feet.

Trust him to try to steal the spotlight!

"Guess we're keepin' it humble tonight, eh? You sure you have nothing to add, bud?" he asks, smirking. His one eyebrow arches above his brown eye in an arrogant expression I know all too well. I swear I can feel his malice all the way over here.

"Bloody Wade," I grumble. "Sorry, Libra," I hurry to add, but she squeezes my arm. "Does he know that Gan didn't have any formal training?"

"Don't be sorry," she huffs. "If Wade's pulling this kind of stunt, it means my father sees Galen as a serious threat."

"Your father?"

"Come on. You know, Wade hasn't had an original thought since birth. This has Dad's fingerprints all over it. If he's targeting Galen this early, he probably tried to block his spot at the Farm—and failed. Which means he's scared. So now I really want to know: just how good is that guy?"

I'm not surprised to hear the bitter edge to Libra's voice. Her mother is a Snowglen Lumber Corp heiress, and her father is an administrator and one of the main shareholders in the Crystalcrest Ice Hockey Academy. Their divorce a few years ago was not amicable, and the relationship got even worse when Wade Senior married a gold-digger half his age.

Wade lives with his father in Snowglen and is one of the ice hockey academy's top prospects, while Libra lives with her mother in Shivermore. The animosity between their parents has spread to the siblings, each choosing a parent's side.

If Wade Carmichael Senior tried to block Galen's acceptance, and he still managed to get in, it's a really big deal. The Carmichaels usually get what they want. Libra is right; for Wade to go after Galen publicly like this, especially in such a petty way, he must be motivated by his father. I nervously clutch her hand, still holding onto my arm, while I furiously try to think of a way to get Galen out of this awkward encounter.

"Well, I really wanted to sing," I hear him say before I can even react properly to defend him and put Wade in his place. I snap my head up to see him smirk at Wade as if he were an annoying bug buzzing in his face. "But I forgot me guitar, so..."

That reply was clearly off-script and unexpected, and I can see Wade clenching his teeth, grinning like a skull at the people around him, laughing, enjoying Galen's flippant reply. It was a good response to shut Wade up... for now... but it was also the kind of response that he might pay for later.

"Okay... he's got teeth," Ginny laughs, impressed, while my stomach boils with dread and pride. The strong urge to protect the boy once again leaves me breathless. When Mick's introduction is over, I hurry to the dais even before the applause in answer to his abrupt departure has ended

~~~