Shadows (Patrick Kane)

(32) Big Time

Sophia

I never imagined myself a working woman. Not a full time job at least. The very concept of being a functioning member of society makes me sick but I was enjoying this life I made for myself. Things have gone smoothly as I get into the hang of my new life. Going to work every day, seeing myself on tv is crazy but it was pretty cool. I'm starting to think that maybe this is what I should have been doing all along.

This morning was a off day so I roll out of bed and into the shower. I spend a few extra songs in there just singing not really thinking about anything. Once I was done I treat my hair so my curls stay in tact and pull on some cute leggings and a black oversized hoodie. I go to jump back into bed until I see my phone going off on by nightstand. Just my luck.

I see Patrick calling and a smile crawls on my face. Seems to be one of the few I don't mind being bothered by.

"What's the word" I wonder as I answer my phone.

"Turn on the tv" he demands without so much as a hello and I furrow my eyebrows.

"Care to elaborate" I ask.

"No time. Turn on the tv and turn to ESPN" he says again.

I roll my eyes as I grab the remote for the tv in my room. Once the tv was turned on I get to espn and see my face on there. I was not expecting to see that this morning.

"What is this" I ask.

"They're talking about you. Not your brother and not your dad. You" he claims.

I pause for a moment as a smile crawls on my face. Seeing me on NBCSN is one thing but seeing me on ESPN is a whole another. I grew up on this tv channel, I've been around the studios and my dad was a regular. But now it was me who was on there not because I was my fathers daughter or my brothers sister but for being me. They talk about my work in the sports business and how women are becoming more prominate in men's sports. They show the other women leading the charge and go into detail about how you didn't have to play the sport to have that same passion and mind for the game. All it takes is heart to know a sport and us women have plenty of it.

"That was so cool" I whisper into the phone.

"I had nothing to do with it" Patrick defends as I shake my head.

"I know Pat, but thanks for calling. That means a lot to me" I insist.

"Of course. You still want to come over to go over film" he wonders.

"I'll bring some food" I assure him.

I make us dinner then drive on over to his place. We fix our plates and sit down on his couch as we watch some of the Blackhawks preseason games. Their season starts in October and that's when I officially start and I wanted to make sure I knew everything I needed to know.

"We should go over penalty calls" he claims.

"I'm not doing live calls. I'm a field reporter not play by play" I remind him.

"I know, but it is still good to know. You're on ESPN now, you gotta know your stuff" he insists.

"Alright" I sigh as I set my drink down. I sit up and tuck my legs under me. He starts going the calls and I do my best to recall what they mean.

"Slashing, two minutes. Holding two minutes. Delay of game two minutes. High sticking two minutes no blood and four if there is blood" I list off.

"Okay football girl, not bad. Nope let's go over whistles" he insists.

"Pat I know this stuff" I whine.

"Then why did you come over here to watch film with me if you know this stuff" he accuses.

"Maybe I just wanted a excuse to come hang out with you" I smirk.

"We don't have to watch hockey if you just wanted to hang out" he claims.

"I was killing two birds with one stone" I shrug.

"Well they're killed. Now what" he asks.

I crawl across the couch and straddle him so I was sitting in his lap. He just smiles up at me as I softly hold his face. His hands grip my hips as he pulls me into him.

"I was thinking we can spend some time in your room" I whisper against his skin.

"Say less" he smiles.

I feel myself be lifted as Patrick picks me up. He throws me over his shoulder a little too easily as he walks back to the bedroom.

"Oh how romantic" I tease.

"You know me. A modern day Romeo" he claims.

"I don't think Romeo carried Juliet like this" I claim.

He softly sets me down on his bed before quickly crawling back on top of me. "And where's the fun in that" he teases.

I quickly grab his shirt and pull it over his his head. He gladly returns the favors before he jumps on the bed. I know this probably wasn't the best idea for the two of us but neither of us were going to stop.

As the sun starts to set I knew it was time for me to go. I wasn't meant to be here, not for long, and if I stayed much longer it would've makes it that much harder to leave. So I sit up in Patrick's bed and toss my feet over the side. He slowly runs his hand down my bare back as I collect my things.

"Stay" he starts.

"You know I can't stay" I insist as I pull on my shirt. He keeps his hand on my skin not making this any easier.

"I know why you shouldn't" he admits and I stop. I turn to him as I shake my head. "But I'm not sure why you can't."

"Say I stay. The sun comes up tomorrow and a new day starts with me in your bed. We share a breakfast, we kiss a few times. And what do you want to happen after that? When do I leave" I question.

"Who said you had to leave" he counters.

A soft sigh passes my lips as I grab my underwear and my shorts. "That's the thing Pat. Where is the line? How are we going to know when to stop" I wonder.

"I... I don't know" he admits. "Maybe things are different. Maybe you don't have to go" he begs.

Once I get my clothes on I reach over and softly press my lips to his. "I'm be back. I promise" I say.

He silently nods as I crawl out of bed. I do everything I can not to turn around because if I did there is no way I am leaving. Even if I know I don't belong here I still want to stay.