Behind Blue Eyes

Chapter Twenty-Seven - Keep On Keeping On

Gabe's POV

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I knew this was going to happen. There was no way Kaja's arrival could be kept secret for very long. it was only a matter of time, I guess.

"How did you--"

"Gabe," Matt interrupted, "Are you kidding? She's all you talked about during training camp."

He looked over to Kaja, "Oh, by the way, I'm Matt Duchene; Gabe's teammate." he shook her hand.

"Nice to meet you," Kaja smiled, "I'm Kaja Jansson."

"Pleasure's all mine."

"Alright, alright," I said, stepping between the two, "I think it's time we all go to bed."

"I agree."

"Good night, Matt," Kaja whispered, "And good night to you, babe." she muttered between our kisses.

"Good night, beautiful."

The door closed moments later.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" Matt whipered angrily, "What happened to 'I love Reagan'? Where'd that Gabe go?"

"Look, I was lonely, and I felt like shit after walking out on her like that..." I growled, "I've also come to the realization that Reagan does not, nor will she ever, want me!"

"That's what you think," Matt mumbled under his breath.

"What?"

"Nothing."

"Whatever," I sighed, "Good night, Matt."

---

I thought about what Matt said for hours. All night, to be exact. He was right, days prior to today, I had just been crying about how much I loved Reagan, and then I invite some woman I had a fling with back in Sweden months earlier. I had to stop it before anything else became of this error of judgement.

"Good morning, Gabe," Kaja's sweet voice awoke me from my slumber, "How was your sleep?"

Limited.

"Not too bad," I replied modestly, "How was yours?"

"Good."

She began to nuzzle her face deep into my chest as a smile formed upon her face slowly. She truly was beautiful, but it all came down to this. I had to choose... Kaja or Reagan?

Today was Kaja's last day in Colorado, before she had to go back to Stockholm. Though, that couldn't stop us from maintaining a long-distance relationship.

And as for Reagan, she hadn't really been a part of my life. Quite frankly, I even began to slowly let go of her... Until now, that is.

"You know, I'm going to miss you, Gabe," she frowned, her voice breaking in the process, "What we had back home was something special."

What we had. In the past. Distant memories that were no longer a reality. Only a vision of the past. Kaja was no longer my future, nor my present. My heart now lies with Reagan, and I'll do anything to share my life with her.

I just didn't know how to tell her.

"I guess I should get up," she said, pushing her weight off me and onto the edge of the bed.

"Yeah, me too," I smiled.

We each got dressed slowly, Kaja in the bathroom, and I in my room, changing from our pyjamas to our everyday wear. It became clear to me that this little while we spent together, will be our last.