Because of You || Gavin Lux

Lots of Questions

Amelia's POV- February 2020
"That's a lot of food"

"Is it though?" I asked looking away from the food.

I honestly thought it would not be enough. A few of my old teammates were in the area for a tournament, and they were coming over.

"Honestly? Probably not"

Alex raised an eyebrow as he reached over and stole a carrot stick.

"Are you feeding a small army?"

I mean, kinda.

"Some old teammates" I replied.

"Oh"

As he ate the carrot, he hummed.

"I take back my statement then"

Jon chimed in,

"There's enough food, Lia"

My phone started ringing,

"They're here," I said.

Which meant it was time for Jon and Alex to head to work. 

"We're going, we're going"

I chose not to answer the call, and instead followed Jon and Alex out. Once they were gone, two cars parked in their spots in the driveway. Many bone-crushing hugs and teary hellos later, I led them inside.

"Anyone home?"

I shook my head,

"Jon and Alex have work, Rosie and Leo are out of town at a dance competition, and Missy is out volunteering at a soup kitchen" I responded.

I gestured for them to follow me to the backyard where we'd all fit comfortably. Everyone quickly filled a plate with food and grabbed a drink before settling. 

"So Miss Vogel"

I looked up at Emily who grinned at me,

"How have you been?"

I gestured at her to give me a second as I chewed. 

"I've been good" I responded with a shrug.

I was hit with a,

"Have you now?"

From Dani,

"Yes" I answered.

"Gavin treating you well?"

I looked at Jocelyne, my old defensive partner,

"He is" I answered shortly.

She raised an eyebrow,

"I was hoping we'd meet him"

"He's in Arizona," I told her.

She frowned,

"Why?"

Hilary chimed in,

"I thought players didn't have to report for another week?"

She was right,

"He will be here tomorrow" I stated.

I was supposed to pick him up from the airport after work tomorrow,

 "You never answered the question, Sass"

I rolled my eyes,

"He had to figure out his living arrangement," I said.

"I see"

I nodded,

"So why can't we have dinner here?"

"Because you all behave when you're out in public" I responded.

"We have to ask tough questions to know his intentions"

"My parents already asked those" I replied.

Amanda spoke up,

"He's met your parents?"

I nodded,

"And I've met his" I disclosed.

After the New Year, I traveled to Kenosha for that purpose.

"So this is serious?"

I'd like to think that.

"So who said it first?"

Yeah, about that.

"One of you has said it, right?"

I looked at Emily,

"No" I mumbled.

"Sass!"

"Do I just blurt it out?" I questioned.

They all nodded while replying,

"Yes!"

Oh,

"Are you waiting for him to say it first?"

I shrugged,

"I don't know" I admitted.

I pursed my lips,

"There have been times I've thought he was going to say it" I mentioned.

"What do you mean?"

"He has a habit of just staring at me" I noted.

"I mean, you are pretty"

I rolled my eyes at the comment.

"But it's different" I continued.

I was used to Gavin staring because he did it all the time,

"How so?"

"The first time, his eyes got super wide and he looked like he was about to burst into tears. The recent times I've caught him staring, he just smiles and gets super flustered" I explained.

"Do you love him?"

Without any form of hesitation,

"Of course I do, I just haven't gotten the courage to say it to him in person" I answered.

"What are you afraid of?"

I bit my lip,

"What if my feelings aren't matched? It's happened before" I noted.

"Lia, don't go comparing relationships"

Hilary snorted,

"Would you consider that a relationship though?"

I shook my head,

"We just messed around" I stated.

"But you wanted to date him"

"I did" I admitted.

I grimaced,

"Until I didn't" I added.

At first, I was okay with it. When we met in Sochi, we were 19 years old. He was at the beginning of his NHL career, and I was a second-year college student. When I was offered the chance to play women's professional hockey, the tables turned. Suddenly he wanted to date me, but I had made up my mind and decided it was best for us to go our separate ways.

"Wait"

I looked at Emily,

"Isn't Gavin technically your first and only boyfriend?"

I nodded.

"You've met his family, Lia. Just tell him, I can assure you he will either confess his feelings to you right after or he'll cry of happiness"

I took a deep breath as most of them nodded in agreement.

"So" I slowly said.

I smiled.

"Enough about me, how are you all doing?" I asked before shoving a forkful of Chowmein into my mouth.

Even if it was just for a bit, it was nice to catch up with them and learn what was going on in their lives.