I Could Be Yours (Toronto Terror)

by Helena Hunting

Resigned, he moves into position, bends backwards at the waist, and edges forward. His knees make it under, and so do his thighs, but the problem in his shorts isn’t deflating despite the growing crowd of onlookers and high potential for embarrassment. He attempts to drop his hips so his problem clears the bar, but that sets him off-balance. His special parts skim the stick. Someone snaps a picture. He lands on his back in the sand and jabs an angry finger in my direction. “You cheated!” I bat my lashes and offer him a hand. “How could I possibly have cheated?”

“You don’t have to defile the lawn mower. We have plenty of more comfortable spots available, which you can use like civilized folk.”

“You’re still young, though. You’ve got time and a lot of years of hockey left to play,” Hollis assures him. “I know, but Lavender’s happiness is more important than anything else. She’s my world. Has been since I could say her name.” He smiles fondly. “I’ve loved her my entire life. I want what she wants.” “Even if that means you end your hockey career prematurely?” I can’t fathom having that kind of faith in someone else’s love. He nods. “Nothing is as important as she is.”