Ice in My Veins Read Online Free PDF Page A

I brushed my hair out of the makeshift bun it was in. I threw it up into a ponytail. I was ready to go. We went to a nice restaurant to eat.
    “What did you do today?” Dad asked me with a mouthful of steak. It drove me crazy that he always talked with food in his mouth. One of my many pet peeves.
    “I went to check out the rink today.” I took a sip of my coke. “It’s huge, probably holds about 8000 people in there. Kind of intimidating,” I added. I intentionally did not tell him about my encounter with Alex. He would probably agree with the verbal diarrhea Alex was spewing.
    “We can leave if you want Christine. If you think it’s going to be to tough for you.” He tried to coax me. “You are a girl and those boys are probably going to get tough with you, try and make you quit.” He worried too much about me in all the wrong ways. I was tougher than he gave me credit for.
    “Dad, I’m going to be fine. You know I am tough - the more they throw at me, the tougher I get.” I assured him. “Besides if I can survive dealing with you and my lame brothers, I can survive anything right?” I snapped.
    I took another sip of my coke and started to feast on the rest of my steak. I was a steak and potatoes girl. Bring on the cow, I’ll eat the whole damn thing.
    Dad shook his head. “Alright Christine. I won’t be going to watch you this week. I don’t think I can handle watching you take that kind of beating. I will make sure I have ice for after your camp every day. I am sure you will need it.” He mocked me. “Those boys are going get rough, trust me.”
    We didn’t talk much for the rest of the meal. I didn’t want to argue with him. This wouldn’t be any different to me. I was used to not having my friends or family around for my games and practices. It was probably for the best. Having my father in the stands might make me nervous.

Challenges
    I showed up at the rink about fifteen minutes early. I was suppose to talk to Coach before the training camp started. I walked down the stairs to his office and knocked on the door. “Come in,” he called through the closed door.
    When he saw me he smiled warmly. “Oh Christine. I am glad you came early. I wanted to talk to you about the changing arrangements. For today, and the rest of camp, I thought it would be best to have you suit up in the visitor’s locker room. You will have full privacy in there.”
    He began shifting through papers on his desk and then continued. “I don’t know how this is going to go over with all the guys, it’s going to be a hard adjustment for them. They are teenage boys with raging hormones. I know that you are only sixteen, and if you have any concerns, or feel uncomfortable in any way come to me immediately. If you do happen to make the team, then we can all discuss this as a team. For now, for camp anyway - the boys will all be on their best behavior. I promise you this or they will be off the team. We try and teach our players respect and if they don’t learn to respect others, then that is the consequence they face.” He assured me, as he walked out from behind his desk.
    “Thanks Coach, I will be fine.” I tried to reassure him with a smile; he wasn’t buying it.
    “Don’t be nervous, you will be fine. Just remember that all those guys are in the same boat and as nervous as you out there,” he admitted.
    “I also want you to meet Mr. Allan Richmond from the CHL.” He motioned towards the man leaning against the wall. I hadn’t noticed him before this moment. Mr. Richmond reached out to shake my hand.
    “Nice to meet you Mr. Richmond.” I greeted.
    He smiled as he shook my hand. His smile was warm and inviting. It sent an instant calm through me. However, I still suspected he was there with an agenda.
    “Christine, I am here today, and will be throughout camp. Before a player is allowed to play in the CHL, they need approval from the League. This is standard practice. Nothing to worry about. I am hear to