Sometime in a pre-teen or early teen season, at a tournament, both of the team's goalies were out sick and he'd been stuck in on a whim. On the promise they'd switch goalies every game so it was fair, because none of them were goalies. Win after win, he'd shown an aptitude for the position and had stuck there, despite his skill as a forward.
Kip was happy as a goalie. He had a natural skill for it and he didn't have to work his ass off to make his father happy. He played on provincial champion teams and travelled throughout Canada, playing the game he loved.
After he graduated, he had the option to play in Saskatoon for the Blades. At the time he was in love with Mandy, and she was going to University in Saskatoon, so he followed her. For a whole year they played house down there. But it was there in Saskatoon that he was scouted and ultimately drafted to the NHL.
He hesitated when he learned the news. He'd dreamed of playing professionally. He also had dreamed of marrying Mandy. Suddenly, he felt torn between two worlds. Mandy, being mature beyond her years, sat him down. "You have to sign, Kip. You have to play hockey."
"I want to. I really do. But, not if I have to leave you behind. Come with me. Go to school out east, where ever I play."
She shook her head, hiding her sadness. She always hid that. Even the first day they met. She hid her sadness at having no friends. "We have to," she swallowed hard, the words sticking in her throat. "We have to let go. We have to grow up. There are things we have to do for ourselves. Maybe it's the way it's meant to be."
He rubbed his eyes, wishing he could hide his tears. He grabbed her and hugged her hard. "We have a few months before you have to go. Let's just enjoy that. And, we'll meet again. If it's meant to be, we'll be together again."
He kissed her; the tears streaming down both of their faces. He picked her up and carried her to their bedroom. What would be her bedroom in a matter of months. He undressed her slowly, kissing and licking the skin as it was exposed. He teased her with his hands and his mouth until she was squirming under him, begging him. He guided his cock into her, taking them both to a spiralling climax.
He kissed her, as they held close in the aftermath. He whispered to her how much he loved her. He would always love her. The sadness he thought was erased, but it was only pushed to the side. It would always be there as long as they knew there was an end date. It would always be there as long as they were apart.