Until We Bleed - Matthew Tkachuk [Calgary Flames]

Chapter 2: Kickstart My Heart

After calling Michelle to warn her we might be bringing some other guests and waiting out the last half hour until we could leave we found ourselves back at mine and Michelle's place ushering not only Matthew, but also his teammate Johnny Gaudreau in before closing the door.

"Make yourselves comfortable guys, look through the movies if you want to pick some. I'm so sorry I have to change I can't stand this dress anymore" I laughed running to my room.

"Told you he'd come" Sasha pushed my door open before pulling her hair down from its style.

"Please" I rolled my eyes at her "I'm sure it was just an excuse to get out of there. I bet they don't even stay long" I shrugged pulling pajama shorts and an oversized shirt on.

"Really?" She rose her eyebrow at me as Michelle opened the door, walking in.

"What?" I asked confused.

"You have two NHL players out there sitting on your couch, one that I might add seems to be all about you, and that is what you're gonna wear?" She looked at me shocked.

"I want to be comfortable, one. Two, so what? They're just people and three...you're completely reading the situation wrong" I explained.

"I think she might be right about this" Michelle said softly.

"What?" I rose an eyebrow at her.

"They're out there picking movies based on what they think we would like too..." she trailed off.

"They are?" I questioned.

"Told you" Sasha grinned.

"Whatever, I have a date" I giggled moving to walk out the door. "With cookies" I turned back pointing my finger at the girls before turning to leave again.

"There she is, horror movie?" Matthew looked at me with a smile.

"Whatever everyone's fine with" I returned the smile moving to the kitchen. "Popcorn?" I grinned walking to the kitchen while Matthew watched me with an amused smile.

"I'll help" I heard Matthew's voice as I pulled out the popcorn.

I got bowls out while I pointed Matthew in the direction of the seasonings we had stocked up for popcorn.

"So" I turned to Matthew "Was coming here tonight a way to get out of staying at that charity event?" I laughed pulling myself to sit on the counter.

"Not exactly" he smirked over at me leaning against the counter.

"You must like some weird forms of self torture then" I giggled.

"I like you" he said softly before my eyes caught his.

Before I could say anything the popcorn was done. I felt Matthew's eyes on me the whole time I prepared the popcorn. It brought a slight smile to my face.

"Can you take this? I'm going to grab some waters and I'll be over" I smiled.

"Of course" he took the bowl from my hand with a smile and walked to the living room.

I quickly grabbed some waters and headed to the living room myself. I was still flustered about what Matthew had said and I hated to admit the girls were right so I figured it was best to try and just forget about it.

I put the water on the table and sat on the couch next to Matthew...but not without looks from Michelle and Sasha.

"Matthew, did you guys get cookies?" I asked as I grabbed the container of cookies.

"You can call him Matty" Johnny laughed as Matthew smiled at me before reaching for the cookies.

"I did not but I would love some" he took a cookie and passed on the container.

"Are you sure these are healthy?" Johnny rose an eyebrow. "They're amazing, you made these?"

"Michelle did" I smiled over at her.

"Well Michelle, they're amazing" he smiled at her as she blushed looking away.

I breathed a laugh looking towards Matty who gave me a knowing look.

"Looks like Michelle's got a crush" I said softly.

"What gave it away?" Matty said sarcastically.

I giggled reaching back for the cookies as they were being passed back.

"So what movie are we watching?" I asked taking a cookie and handing the container back to Sasha.

"Umm...what did we decide again?" Matty turned to Johnny as his hand fell to my thigh.

Even the simple touch of his hand resting against my leg made my skin heat up. I didn't even want to see the look that the girls were giving me.

"It's not a big deal" I smiled at him shifting to sit closer to him.

They started the movie and I let my head rest against his shoulder. When he didn't immediately move me away or shift away himself, I got more comfortable and tried to rest against him.

He grinned at me before lifting his arm and letting me climb under. His arm came to rest behind me and his hand found a resting spot on my hip as I pulled my legs up on the couch.

"Better?" He spoke pressing his face to the side of my head, keeping his voice low to not disturb anyone.

"Much" I smiled letting my hand rest against his knee.

The movie was about three quarters of the way through and it seemed everyone had fallen asleep but Matty and I.

"I think we're the only two still going strong" I giggled pulling my head off his chest to look around.

"They've all been out for a little while" he rubbed the top of my head gently.

"I'm not going to lie, I'm confused by this movie too" I giggled sitting up straighter.

"I really wasn't paying attention" he chuckled nervously.

"Maybe we should wake them up. We have an early class" I groaned, stretching my arms.

"Raincheck on finishing this movie?" He smiled over at me.

"I thought you weren't paying attention?" I breathed a laugh.

"I'll try really hard next time" he grinned handing out his phone to me.

I quickly put my number in and handed it back with a smile.

"Deal" I pulled myself off the couch to wake up the girls and Matty woke up Johnny.

Michelle went to her room while Sasha sprawled on the couch and Johnny walked out groggily after saying thank you and goodnight.

"Thanks again for everything" Matty pulled me into a hug when I walked him out to the hallway.

"Anytime, I'll make sure we start the movie earlier when we use our raincheck, that might help with paying attention and not falling asleep" I giggled pulling away from him. "Text me when you get home? So I know you guys are safe?"

"Definitely" he leaned forward and pressed a gentle kiss to my cheek slowly. "I'll text you when I'm home" his smile widened as he pulled away.

"I'll be waiting" I returned the smile before turning to walk back inside as Matty turned to leave.

"Still think he's not into you?" Sasha groaned half asleep from the couch.

"Shut it Sasha and get some sleep" I lightly laughed walking past her.

My cheek still tingled from his kiss and my belly still swarmed with butterflies as I laid in bed waiting to hear that he was safe.

It felt like an eternity before I got a text from an unknown number.

'I'm home beautiful. Can't wait to see you again already'

Reading the words made me smile to myself.

'Me either, goodnight handsome' I answered before closing my phone and attempting to sleep.

At least it seemed like one good thing would come out of having to attend that horrible charity event.