Game of Stromes

Back to the 6

It's been a few days since I've been back home from graduation college which I still can't believe I did. It's been great getting to spend time with my parents. When we all get back after the hockey season is over, my parents are going to throw me a small late graduation party with some of my friends and family who will be coming into town and that I haven't seen in forever. I'm looking forward to that a lot.
Tonight (Thursday) I will be going back to Toronto and will be staying there until Sunday to watch Friday and Saturday's Maple Leafs game which will be loads of fun since the playoffs are starting next week. I don't remember the last time I've been to a game that my brothers weren't playing in since I also played and had a similar schedule.

*knock, knock, knock*
"Come in mom" I say knowing she's the only one home.
My door opens and it's most definitely not my mom.
"Hi Pay" that little laugh of hers following the sentence.
"Stephanie! What the hell are you doing here?" I confusingly say looking at her sitting down on my bed.
"Thought I'd come see Trish ya know and hang out with you guys until I drive you to Toronto. Help you pack because I know you'll just pack sweatshirts and leggings"

She knows me so well. I will wait until the last minute to pack and I never know what to wear or I'll literally bring everything.
I get ready for the day and my mom, Steph and I head out of the house to do some errands and get lunch.

"I forgot to ask you Monday how did you like meeting Auston?" Steph questions as we wait for our food to come in the McDonald's parking lot.
My mom turns around to me as I got seated in the back seat, "Ooh as in Auston Matthews?"
We all laugh. No matter how famous her own kids could be, she'll always be stars trucked.
"Yes mom, it was good, he was very nice and seems like a cool guy!"
"It's like I'm third wheeling all the time but he really is a great guy. And... that's why I kind of gave him you're number." Steph adds.
"What! Stephanie-"
"He asked me for it!"

Many things come in my mind like why would he want my number? It felt like we knew each other but we didn't and we just met a couple days ago. I just shrug it off and say whatever but I'm still curious as to why he would ask for it.

We take the McDonald's back home, eat, chill out for a bit and Stephanie packs my weekend bag as it's now 4:30pm. We've been out all day and I'm very tired so glad she's driving to Toronto and not me.
"Bye girls, be careful and let me know when you get there. Wish the boys good luck for me. Have fun! Love you."
"See ya Sunday, love you too." We wave as we pull away.
It's only about a 35 minute drive which isn't bad at all.

After stopping once for coffee, we make it to Mitch and Wills' apartment where I'll be staying for the time I'm here. I didn't get a nap on the way here due to Stephanie's obnoxious loud horrible singing and the bumpy road so I couldn't get comfy.
The guys had morning skate so they were already home when we got there.
"Aw you got this dressed up for me?" I notice Mitch dressing nicer than usual.
"I forget to tell you we're going on a dinner date tonight. We're going to be staying at my parents tonight and I'll drop him off at the arena." Steph tells me.

"Pay.. Payton. Payton!!" I feel a nudge and my name being called fairly loud hundreds of times. I'm a heavy sleeper so it takes a lot to wake me up.
My eyes flutter open, seeing Will right in my face, "whattt" I moan and put my head into the couch where I fell asleep watching my brother Ryan's game.
Five minutes later I finally am awake, hair a mess, eye makeup smudged.
"Hey! Devils awake" Will remarks and all I can do is roll my eyes.
I hear people talking somewhat quiet in the back coming from the kitchen area so I look around and see Auston standing at the stove cooking and some other man who I didn't really recognize at all.

"Hi Payton!" Auston says as I stand beside him to see what's cooking. He gives me a little side hug and I can see a look in Williams eyes.
"Hey." I smile. "Whatcha cookin"
"Steak, Burgers, broccoli, noodles." He points out.
It smells and looks so good and I'm not just saying that because I'm hungry.
"I'm not even going to introduce you two because you probably know him eh?" Will says.
"Actually no." I look over to the man. "Hi, nice to meet you. I'm Payton."
"Morgan Rielly."
It comes to mind. Now I can put a face and name together.
"This is the Strome sister." Auston adds.

I put my bag and unpack a little of my things I'll need in the morning in the guest bedroom until the food was done. I grab a plate with a bit of everything on it and go back to the couch to watch the game as they stay in the kitchen.
"Care if I join?" Auston asks.
"No, no. Go ahead come sit. I'm just watching the Rangers game, you can turn it if you want. They aren't doing great" I inform him.
We just sit and talk alone which was very nice until he asks, "can I ask you something". That question always scares me a little.
My phone started going off and it was my brother Matthew FaceTiming me.

"Hiii Matty. What's up?" I answer.
"Ohh nothing just you better bring your flyers gear when you come.."
"Oh my gosh! What!! Yay congrats brother. I can't wait to watch you. I'm so happy for you!"
"Little Stromer git called up to the big leagues? My guy congrats. Can't wait to put up a fight when I see you out there" Will joins the call.
"Shut up Nylander. Where are you? Why are you with him? You guys dating again? I'm telling Dyl."
"I'm in Toronto for the weekend. Mitch and Steph are out so I'm stuck here with him. And no we never dated." I say the ending in a serious 'stop it' 'shut up' face.
"I have to go but I'll see you in a couple weeks. Tell everyone I said hi. Love you, bye."

We hang up. "Sorry." I look over to Auston for cutting him off by answering. "What were you going to ask"
"I didn't know you and Willy dated.."
"We didn't." Will and I say in unison as he heard from the kitchen. "Everyone makes fun of us and messes with us by saying that." I tell him which kind of is true and kind of a lie.

I know when people lie and I knew that he was. I know he had something to ask me but he didn't once he learned Will was listening.

"Im going over to Morgs to play Xbox. Leave the door unlocked if you go to bed. Matthews you coming?" Will let's me know.
They leave but Auston stays to clean up some so I wouldn't have to do it knowing I wanted to go to bed.
After I take a shower and am done getting ready for bed, I hear a small knock at my door and he comes in.
"Okay I'm just going to be straight up and ask you. What I wanted to say earlier was about Saturday after the game, I was wondering if you would like to go out to dinner or something since you're leaving Sunday." He looked so nervous.
"As in a date?" I smile nervously.
"Yes?" He questions his own answer.
"I would love to. Just don't tell Mitch because we'd never hear the end of it. I know you have my number so just text me!" We both smile and say goodnight as he goes next door to play video games with the boys.