Game of Stromes

The morning after

     Waking up the next morning was a little strange to say the least.  I woke up next to Auston Matthews... in his bed.  I also woke up to like a million texts from different people wondering where I was.
     "Morning, did you wake up to hundreds of texts like I did?" I ask Auston as I notice him awake and on his phone.
     "Sure did. They were probably worried on your end but threatening towards me" we laugh about it and share what some of them said.

Steph-
"Where are you going?  What are you wearing? Did he pick you up yet? Have fun!"
"How's it going? Helllooo."
"Is this a date?? Or just a dinner. Why didn't he ask me if he could ask you out?"

Mitch-
"Wtf Payton where the hell are you it's almost 11. You know it's passed your curfew."
"Are you still there? Bring me back steak and potatoes."
"You guys better not being doing anything. I'm coming up there if you don't answer me P."

Will-
"I heard you and Auston are on a date. Have fun.. but not too much fun."
"Are you coming to the party when you guys get back?? Bring pizza."
"Maybe I need to get all the goals in the game to take you out eh?"

There were plenty more. It was like reading a
book.
They've all are pretty protective friends in each of their ways. Steph is like a sister and a best friend to me, Mitch is just another brother while my brothers are away in another country, and Will, I really don't know how to explain this one. We became best friends from the start of meeting but everyone knew we liked each other so we had a dating vibe without actually confirming it so I guess you could say we had a different relationship rather than best friends. 

     I didn't have any of my stuff due to not going back to Mitch's last night so I couldn't really get ready at all. Luckily he did have an unopened toothbrush in the drawer so I could brush my teeth and I tried my best to do my hair to make it look like I just didn't roll out of bed.
I started to smell bacon coming from the kitchen which is my favorite to smell in the morning. I walk out to see he was cooking us both breakfast: pancakes, sausage, and bacon. And also had Tim Hortons coffee delivered which is the most Canadian thing to have done.

     "Who's driving you back home?" He questions knowing Steph picked me up and drove me here.
     "Probably everyone. You can come if you want. Well prob be packed in Wills car but that's okay."  He didn't really say anything but nod his head so I think that means that he'll come along. I just hope it goes well and not awkward when we're all in the car.

     After breakfast was ate, I helped clean up and wait for him to get ready which was quick.
We take the short walk down the hall to the stairs and head to the apartment.
I don't even knock but open the door slowly and quietly but the door gets grabbed and flies open.

     "Well hello there you two." A mysterious voice escapes Mitch that I never heard before. I was a little nervous because it felt like I was coming home from a boys house to my dad or even my brothers.
I walk in first with Auston trailing me with Mitch and Will just staring.
     "We didn't do anything guys. Just dinner then went back and watched a movie and fell asleep. I promise." I break the silence in explaining why I didn't come back last night.
     "Why didn't either of you answer your phones?" Steph speaks up coming out of the bathroom. I didn't even know she was here.
Auston and I looked over at each other which was kind of suspicious to them.
     "We literally weren't on our phones the whole night mom" Auston jokes calling Steph mom.
     "You two act like the same person and that's not a good thing" Steph adds and honestly we do and maybe that's why we get along so good.
I can tell Will is being quiet and more to him self than he is. Last night Auston asked about us so I explained it all to him and afterwards, Auston expressed how he felt towards me even though we've only known each other for a week.

     I went into my room to pack my things and officially get ready for the day. 
     To: Nylander 1 💙- "can you come in here please"
I text Will so we could maybe have a little chat. A few seconds later my door opens and I pat next to me so he could take a seat on the bed.
Instead he lays down of course. That's how he is but I love it.
     "Yess" he says pulling me in a playful way to get me to lay down with him.
     "Before we leave later do you want to go get some food or walk around downtown? Just us."
     "Yeah why? Something wrong?  Is it just going to be us or is Auston coming" he remarks.
     "No, shut up Will. Austons not coming. I feel like we haven't done anything since I've came but I had my days with Steph and Mitch separately."
     "And you had your day fully with Auston too. I'm not saying you can't but it just kind of hurt. I'm glad you asked to because I missed us hanging out like we used to. I seen Stephs story last night and you celebrating big time when Matthews scored those goals."
     "Will. You know if it was anyone on that team or you and Mitch especially I would've done the same exact thing. I just wasn't cheering for him.  Let me get ready and we can go."
     "Can I come shower with you" he smirks like we just didn't have a real conversation.     "Payton. You're going to be living with my brother next season. That just sunk in you guys might be seeing each other naked oh my gosh"
     "No William." I laugh and push him away. "Hopefully he's better living with than you eh"

     By the time we were both ready it was 1:30. We decided to walk downtown to grab a bite of eat and do some shopping. Along with a lot of talking and saying things that we needed to get out there to each other.

"I'm glad we did this. Like old times eh" I reach over to Will and we pull each other in for a side hug and continue to walk down the street with his arm around my neck and mine around his waist.
"Me too Pay. I'm going to miss ya- still can't believe my brother will get to see you all the time"

We were out for a couple hours and now I'm getting sad that I have to head back home in a couple hours to Mississauga and then Philadelphia in just a few short weeks.
I know I didn't really get to spend much time with my parents either but I'll be here for a couple months in the summer and they took vacation time to be with all of their kids!

"You kids ready?" Stephanie stands at the door ready to go.
It's time to take me back home and I'm so grateful to have these amazing people in my life to do so. I know I only live half an hour away which is a short drive but it's nice to have them do this.
We of course stopped at Timmies to get a little snack and arrive at my house only a few minutes than expected due to traffic.
I give everyone hugs and say my goodbyes then get out to grab my bag.
"It's not a goodbye yet, I'm coming in to say hi to mama and papa Strome." Mitch says getting out of the car going to my front door before me. I bet my parents will be very happy to see him.
William grabs my bag- "what do you think Payton? We drove 40 minutes just to drop you off and turn back around?" I smile. I love these guys. I spend the whole week almost with them and they still want to hang out with me.
"Already meeting my parents eh" I joke towards Auston.
"I kind of spilt the tea on you two when I came to pick Payton up. Told her mom you asked me for her number so be prepared" Stephanie adds and runs inside my house.

"Hey guys" I see my parents already greeting Mitch, Will, and Steph who beat me inside.
"Auston Matthews- nice to meet you man, come on in. Have a seat. Anyone want a drink?" My dad shakes Austons hand before giving me a hug which I didn't mind, it was kind of funny.

They stay for over an hour just hanging out and finally leave but I miss them already.