Shadows (Patrick Kane)

(35) Shaped

Patrick

Now that October is here we were into hockey season. This city has become a hockey town as of recently and I always loved the atmosphere in the United Center this time of year. Fall was here and the holidays were around the corner. People hit the streets with their Blackhawks sweater on stocking up on hot tea and cookies. I couldn't wait to have another chance at winning the cup again, find myself in this game again and have some fun along the way.

And with it being opening night we had a red carpet and interviews and I was lucky that my best friend was conducting them. I never cared much for talking, I was more of a action kind of guy. What I do on the ice says way more than what could ever come from my mouth. It's better that way for my mouth tends to get me in trouble. But at least I know now that this was going to be a little easier.

After I change into my suit and do my hair up real nice I pull on my best shoes and head on out. We get to the red carpet where I get to meet up with a bunch of the guys. The Blackhawks make opening night such a big deal but the fans love these kinds of things. Hockey was a show and I was one to always put on a show.

"Your girlfriend in tonight" Jonny asks as I furrow my eyebrows.

"Who's that" I ask. Having a girlfriend is news to me.

"You know who I'm talking about" he accuses, a mischievous smirk written on his face.

"Sophia" I ask.

"Of course her" he claims.

"She's not my girlfriend. She's a girl. She's my friend. That's all" I defend.

"Then how did you know I was talking about her when I said girlfriend" he asks me.

I roll my eyes as I try not to yell at one of my few friends.

"Why are you patronizing me Jonny" I ask.

"Nothing better to do" he shrugs.

"Yeah. Like our whole season doesn't start tonight" I say.

"I'm never worried about hockey. I give it my all every time my blade is on the ice. And when I'm not on the ice I like to spend my spare time with my girlfriend, reading books, and bothering you" he explains.

"Doing a cut up job" I tell him. 

Finally it comes time for him to leave me the hell alone. They start the red carpet walk but unfortunately for me I come out just a few guys before him. So I still have to deal with him but Sharpy and Duncs were back here since they have a letter. So we mess around before I finally get away from them. I walk the red carpet and sign autographs. Take pictures with the young Blackhawks fans not knowing if the next Patrick Kane is there wanting to see me.

Finally I make it to Sophia who was looking stunning in a fitted black dress. She had on the bracelet I got for her birthday still and I smile. She never takes it off. It really made the outfit come together for her first night on the job.

I walk over to her and she smiles big. I stop right next to her trying not to make it most obvious that we were probably a little too comfortable with each other. But it's hard to see her and not just want to make jokes or touch her skin. I guess I didn't really think this part through.

"Good afternoon Patrick" she starts and I try not to laugh.

"Sophia, it's great to see you" I smile.

"You too. Welcome to your eighth opening night. How are you feeling ahead of this season" she asks.

"Like it's my first opening night. This kind of stuff never gets old. The excitement you feel waking up today knowing the seasons starts. A lot of these guys have been with me all eight years. Guys like Seab's and Hammer and Sharpy that I have grown with and talk to a lot are still around and I know how lucky I am that they are. It's hard to have a core group of guys in professional sports but we figured it out. Throw in some guys like Corey and Bickell who are newer but won with us in 2013 and top it off with the prospects and there's no reason to believe we won't be really good this year. I'm really excited" I admit.

"We're excited to watch you guys. I know you've put a lot of work in over the summer and changed up your diet a little. Are you planning on repeating what you've been able to do in your past years or adding on to what you bring to this team" she wonders.

"Getting better always the plan. I don't focus on myself as much as I focus on the team but how I make the team better is by playing my part. Whether it's the power play or puck possession there's always little things I like to adjust in game to help the team. It's never about personal numbers but the goal is to always be better. Know that growth isn't linear but it's important to keep going. Keep moving forward. This summer I wanted to have optimum progress going into this season. I want to be who this team counts on in crunch time so I'm hoping the changes I made does just that" I say.

"Well I speak for everyone when I say we cannot wait to see what you have in store for us. We will be cheering you on" she assures me.

"Thank you" I smirk.

We say our goodbyes as I walk into the United Center ready for the season to start. I get to my locker and change and do my pre game rituals. I loosen up as they play the coverage on the tv in the locker room. I see Sophie appear on the screen and the smile on my face was immediate. I was so proud of her, she really liked this job and I hope it works out for her. The fans here can be pretty ruthless but she's got thick skin and I know we all got her back in here. No ones gonna give her too hard a time and my dad did everything he could to prepare her.

"Stop smiling" Sharpy says and I roll my eyes. Leave it up to him to ruin a good moment.

"Sorry for being happy" I joke.

"I don't get why you don't just ask this girl out. She likes you and you more than obviously like her. What's the deal" he asks.

A long sigh passes my lips as I shake my head. "I don't know. I feel like we're too far in at this point. Our relationship is shaped and there's no going back" I shrug.

"There's no such thing. Maybe the past is shaped but the futures fluid. Forever changing. This time next year we can be three time Stanley cup champions. We can be in different locker rooms. I could retire, who knows? The only thing certain about the future is that we can shape it. Chose what shape you're going to make" he tries.

"I don't know if I can" I try.

"You're not the same guy you were this time last year. Yet you've been shaped every day since then and now look at you. You got the nicest hands in the league, use them" he encourages.

"I'll see what I can do" I smile.