Slap Shot Book 1: A Hockey Romance
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Jessica Rocha
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Molly and Aster have spent years side by side, growing from childhood best friends into fierce university hockey teammates with Olympic dreams shining ahead. They share everything: early practices, late-night laughs, and a bond that feels unbreakable. But one impulsive night tilts the balance they’ve always trusted. Suddenly, every glance lingers a little longer, every touch feels louder, and the lines between friendship and something more begin to blur. Just as emotions start skating into risky territory, an unsettling shadow creeps into their world, forcing them closer than ever. Between ambition, loyalty, and rising tension, Molly must face a truth she’s long avoided. Because when hearts and dreams collide, staying safe might mean risking everything she thought she knew.
Chapter 1
It all started on that fateful day. I’d just turned ten, and my dad bought me a new hockey stick and net. We started playing street hockey in front of our house to break them in.
I noticed a moving truck in the driveway of the house down the road that had recently sold. They were unloading furniture into the house.
“Pay attention, Molly.”
I snapped back to attention. While I wasn’t paying attention, my dad scored a goal.
“Whoops, sorry, Dad.”
“My turn, honey.” We swapped places, and he ran over to the net. “And keep your head in the game,” he teased.
I groaned in response, which made him laugh.
Facing forward, I started toward the net, and when I saw an opening, I slap-shotted the ball. It went between my dad’s legs and into the net.
“That’s my girl,” my dad praised.
For as long as I could remember, I would watch hockey with my dad, and now we played together.
“Nice shot.” I turned around to see a boy about my age. I hadn’t seen him before. He must be from the family moving in.
“Thanks.”
“I’m Aster Knight. We just moved in down the road.”
I smiled. “I’m Molly Cooper, and this is my dad, Everett. Do you like hockey too?”
Aster nodded.
“Nice to meet you. Did you want to join us?” my dad asked.
“Sure. I’ll be right back—I’ll grab my hockey stick.”
He returned in a few minutes with his hockey stick.
“It’ll be nice to have another member for our team, though we’re still a few players short,” my dad sighed.
We went on to play hockey at least once a week. Sometimes the other kids in the neighborhood joined in.
I liked playing with Aster the best. He was one of the few boys around who didn’t tell me to put down the stick and go play with dolls. Not that there’s anything wrong with that either. I played with dolls with my sister; you can like both dolls and hockey.
In the winter, my dad would make an ice rink, and we would play ice hockey. That was always my favorite—gliding across the ice.
Aster’s dad loved hockey too and would come over to play a game with Aster sometimes. Our families became close friends. They also came over to watch the playoffs.
His mom was not a hockey fan but would come out and cheer us on when we played. My mom would join in sometimes. She liked hockey, but she was busy with my little sister, who was not a hockey fan.
My sister tried to play a few times at my dad’s encouragement, but she didn’t enjoy it and would complain it was too hot or too cold out.
As the years went by, our friendship grew. We still played hockey together for fun and even joined the local coed hockey team.
What started as just a game turned into much more…
TEN YEARS LATER
“Why can’t you wear some makeup and maybe a nice dress, do your hair. You are so obsessed with hockey. My buddies…”
“Stop, Brian, just stop. I don’t care about your friends’ opinions of me. I play hockey—it’s not my whole life, but it’s a big part of it. You knew that when we started dating. If you want a girl with flashy nails, hair, and makeup, that’s not me, and I won’t be changing for you. I’m done. We’re over.”
“Wait, babe, no, I didn’t mean—”
“Leave, Brian. It’s over.”
I pass him his bag and gesture toward the door.
“Whatever, you’re such a whore. What kind of girl has a guy as a roommate? You’re going to be calling me back later, begging me to be your boyfriend again, just you wait.”
I laugh at his words. “Sure I will. Leave, Brian.”
“Whatever, you’re a prude anyway.”
He slams the door as he leaves.
I open the door and call out after him. “Either I’m a prude or a whore, which one is it?”
He looks back at me with a confused expression. I just laugh and shut the door.
I had to get my two cents in. Some guys are just…a huge headache, and he seemed so nice at first…
I hear Aster’s bedroom door open and he walks over to me.
“Hey, you okay? I just heard the tail end of your conversation…didn’t mean to eavesdrop… But damn, that guy is a dick. What did you ever see in him?” Aster asks.
“Yeah, I’m okay. Thanks. He started out nice, but his attitude changed pretty quickly. I kind of saw this coming.”
“I get it…” He pauses for a minute, then continues. “What do you say we go out tonight? Celebrate our newfound singleness.”
“Wait, what? Since when?”
“Last week. I broke it off.”
I put a hand on his shoulder. “Are you okay, Aster?”
“Yeah, just…we weren’t that into each other. It was an amicable breakup on both sides.”
I nod in response. I can’t see someone not being into him, but maybe he wasn’t serious about her.
I haven’t actually met any of his girlfriends, so I can’t really say. I’ve just heard of them from others.
“Well, it is Saturday, so I guess we can. Give me a few minutes and I’ll get changed.”
I quickly go into my room and sift through some clothes. I decide on a black tank top, a jacket, and some tight jeans.
I quickly brush my hair, leaving it down. My dark brown hair goes down past my shoulders.
I add a bit of eyeliner to make my green eyes pop, then a touch of red lipstick, and I’m ready to go.
Contrary to what my ex said, I do wear light makeup sometimes, but apparently that was not good enough.
Ah well, it is what it is. I’m not changing myself for anyone.
I grab my shit-kicking boots, as I call them, and carry them out to the front door before putting them on.
When I come out, Aster whistles at me.
“Really?” I ask.
“What? You look good.” He smiles.
“Sure… Thanks.” I shrug.
I know he’s just flattering me. Just trying to be nice.
He holds open the door.
“Ladies first.”
I laugh at his words. “Thank you, Aster.”
We go to the bar to have some drinks and dance. It’s nice having Aster with me—all the sleazy guys back off as soon as they see him, so I just have a good time out with him, usually.
I’m not very good at dancing, but I can still drop it like it’s hot.
When we get to the bar, it’s busy, filled with college and university students. Luckily, we snag a table before it’s taken.
Aster leaves to grab us some drinks. While he’s gone, I check my phone.
There’s a text from my sister and one from Brian.
I open the one from my sister first.
Ruby
Hi Molly! I’m so tired from school. 😩 Please send me some memes to help keep me going! Who would have thought becoming a nurse would be so exhausting!!!! I just wanted to meet some hot doctors uhhhhg
I smile as I type.
Molly
Some memes to keep you going.
I send her a few memes I had saved on my phone.
Molly
I’m out right now so I’ll message you later!
Ruby
Bish, you get to go out? I’m super jealous…well, have enough fun for the both of us. I’ll get back to my homework. Thank you for the memes, they helped.
Molly
Cya, sis.
Ruby
❤️❤️❤️
I smile at the hearts. Though she jokes around, she’s actually serious about becoming a nurse and helping people.
Ruby is a couple years younger than me, and she’s in her first year of nursing. I’m in my second year of kinesiology.
Sadly, we go to different schools, but we try to keep in touch.
I swap over to the message from Brian.
Brian
Bitch.
I type a quick reply.
Molly
Don’t contact me again.
Then I block him.
I’ll still have to see him around school sometimes and at my part-time job on occasion, but I don’t need him texting me.
I put my phone down and scan the bar, looking for Aster. Looks like he’s still waiting for our drinks, but there’s a girl trying to get his attention.
He turns heads wherever he goes. He doesn’t seem to be giving her the time of day, though, which secretly makes me happy.
As I watch Aster, someone walks in front of me.
“Hey, did you need some company? I see you don’t have a drink yet.”
I look up, and there’s a tall guy wearing a baseball shirt blocking my view. He has a cocky grin on his face.
“I’m actually here with a friend, and he’s grabbing me a drink already.”
He leans closer and says, “You know, you could ditch that friend and come have some fun with me.”
I politely decline, and he seems to get agitated.
“Listen, I was just trying to be nice. Why do you have to go and be a bi—”
“Bitch?” I interrupt him. “Seems that’s what I am. Now leave me alone.”
“Whatever, you are probably a fucking sl—” he starts, raising his voice.
“A fucking what?” I hear Aster’s voice.
The guy cuts off what he was saying and turns around to look at Aster.
He says nothing in reply, looking like a deer caught in the headlights.
“Care to repeat yourself?” Aster cocks an eyebrow.
“Fuck, man, whatever. I’m out of here.”
The guy quickly leaves as Aster glares at him.
“Want me to beat him up? I could beat up your ex too.” He smiles as he sits down.
Aster slides me my drink.
“Thank you,” I say, taking a sip before answering. “No, I don’t want you to beat them up. They aren’t worth it, and Brian is in school to be a lawyer, so I don’t think it would be a great idea.” I laugh.
“True, sorry. We came here to let off some steam and you had to deal with another asshole.”
“Well, we can still have a good time. Unfortunately, life is full of assholes.”
“True enough.”
The rest of the night, no more assholes approach me, thankfully. We order some food, drinks, and even dance together.
Aster’s sole focus is on me, and it feels really nice. While we dance, we bump into each other a bit, laughing.
At one point, he holds out his hand and says, “My lady.”
I place my hand in his, and he brings it to his lips, kissing my hand.
Then he twirls me and leads me into a dip. When I stumble, he catches me.
“Why, thank you, kind sir.” I start laughing.
When I drink, I tend to get a bit giggly… We go back to our table and have another drink each.
“Hey Molly, we should probably head back now.”
“Aw, reallllyyyyy?” I whine.
“Yes.” He laughs. “I think we have had enough to drink…probably more than enough.”
“Okay, you’re right.”
Aster helps me walk out of the bar, hails a taxi, and we head home.
I lean my head on his shoulder on the ride back to our apartment.
“Why are you so good to me?”
“Because you deserve it, Molly.”
We sit in silence the rest of the ride. I can tell he’s pretty drunk too.
We haven’t gone out drinking for quite a while, and I think we both went overboard.
I pay the taxi driver, making sure I leave him a tip.
“Thank you for getting us back safely.”
“No worries, I’m just glad you guys didn’t puke back there… I remember being in college.” He laughs.
We both stumble up the stairs to our place, laughing quietly.
“Shhh! We don’t want to disturb the neighbors,” he whispers in my ear.
Which just makes me laugh even more.
After we open our apartment door, we both collapse on the couch.
I turn to Aster and grab his chin so he’s facing me. “You’re drunk!”
He smiles. “So are you, Molly. More than I am, I think.”
I give him a hug. “Aster, you are my best friend, you know that?”
When I start to pull away from the hug, I notice our faces are so close. Aster’s arms wrap around me.
I lick my lips, suddenly wanting to kiss him. We’re both single. What could it hurt?
I lean forward and kiss him. His arm snakes around the back of my head, and he deepens the kiss.
His whole body feels tense against me. Just as we’re both getting into it, he suddenly breaks our kiss and backs away.
Dammit… I shouldn’t have kissed him.
“I’m sorry, Aster… I shouldn’t have done that. I’m drunk and should just sleep it off. I’m heading to bed.”
“Yeah… Sorry, Molly. And it’s okay, we’re both drunk.”
I close my door with a sigh… Dammit! I kick off my jeans and take off my shirt, tossing them in my laundry basket before I flop onto my bed.
Why did I do that? Why? I scoot under the covers, and it doesn’t take me long to fall asleep.
I dream of Aster and the first kiss we shared in high school. We were interrupted when a teacher came by… He ended up acting like the kiss never happened… Will he do that again?
The entire time we’ve been roommates, nothing like this has happened before. I went and messed things up…
