But seeing the unapologetically brutish skaters in the box gave me tingles. Each had their own body shape, size, look, and demeanor, but all had one thing in common: they looked tough as hell. Even the smallest skaters, who were more finesse than muscle on the track, seemed to be made of steel. The skinniest arms were built of sinewy muscles, the thickest legs seemed to have no trouble crouching low or moving fast. The folks with heavy makeup on their faces sweat just as much as the rest and were equally as fierce.

The crowd’s energy around me was almost as frenzied as the action on the track—people rose and dropped doing the wave, kids bounced in their seats like Santa had arrived, folks lining the track reached out like they just wanted to touch some magic as skaters tore past them.

I tried my best to keep up with the rules, and I thought I was getting the gist of things. Each game consisted of a bunch of “jams” or rounds, which could last up to two minutes. It looked like the jammer had to break through the pack first to become the “lead jammer” before she could score any points. She could stop the jam whenever she wanted. I also gathered you couldn’t use your elbows, but lots of hitting happened above the waist and at the hips, which I could easily make do with.

By halftime, the Honeys were up 27–19, and my skin was hot and sticky just from watching them. A bunch of people left the Crash Zone to grab drinks and snacks, and as I hovered around behind the rope, my phone pinged. I pulled it out of my back pocket and checked the message. Fee.

I see you down there. Having fun?

I looked up to where they and Cai were sitting, and they both waved. I waved back, noticing the asshole behind them wasn’t in his seat anymore. I texted back: Where’s Dickhead?

He went to get us snacks.

???!!!!

J/K. He started talking smack again and everyone around us basically told him to suck it before I even had a chance to myself. He huffed off. Poor pumpkin. ;)

Obviously these roller derby folks were my kind of people. I kind of wished I’d been there to join in and was a little frustrated at myself for making Fee have to basically escort me away, like some uncontrollable brat. But I was glad Dickface got ousted. I sent Fee a little brown thumbs-up emoji.