Queen II Barzal

Chapter Forty: Tyler

Zack had his arm around me as we went back to the parking lot.

"Need a ride?" I asked him.

"Sure," He said, getting into the driver's seat. "You're gonna drive?"

"Don't worry, I'm a better driver than I was in high school," He said.

"Why do I doubt that very much?" I smirked at him. "Just don't total my car,"

When we both got in the car, it was quiet. I cleared my throat before starting a conversation.

"Hey, thanks for comforting me before," I said. "It was really sweet and I really needed someone to talk to,"

"I didn't know how much shit you went through," He said. "You're so tough,"

"I have to be," I smiled. "I'm a hockey player,"

"Have you played against Fuller?" He asked.

"Yeah," I told him. "We played a few games against the Sabres this season,"

"Does he know that you and Nick broke up?" He asked.

"It's really none of his business," I said. "Plus, he was the one who told me that Nick cheated,"

"Damn," Zack said. "So you found out from an asshole that your boyfriend was an asshole?"

"Correct," I shook my head and laughed.

"What is it?" He asked.

"I have the worst history with guys, but I literally grew up with so many," I started. "Literally all of my problems revolve around toxic men,"

"I know, I'm sorry," Zack said with caring eyes.

"No, don't be sorry, none of this is your fault," I said. "You made it a hundred times better, actually... you're one of the better of the men that I've been around,"

He smiled.

"Thanks," I told him.

"Whenever you need to talk, I'm here," He said.

I took out my phone from my purse and put it off silent.

"Shit," I said as I pulled up my NHL app.

"What?" Zack asked.

"Nothing, really," I said. "We're losing to the fucking Rangers,"

"That sounds like more than nothing, Tyler," He slightly laughed.

"It is," I said. "There are five minutes left and we're down four to two,"

"Hey, teams can do a lot in five minutes," Zack said.

"Well I fucking hope so," I said. "How else are we supposed to win for Taylor?"

"Just take a breath and relax," Zack put the hand that wasn't on his steering wheel on my shoulder. "You're gonna be back for the next game and kick some Rangers' ass,"

I laughed.

"How do you always manage to make me feel better?" I asked.

"I've got some good motivation," He looked at me and smiled.

I felt a way that I've never felt before with Zack. It was different. Good different.

"Do you have a place to stay?" I asked him.

"I was going to get a hotel," He said.

"Now?" I asked.

"Yeah, why not," He said.

"Because I said so," I told him. "You can stay with me tonight,"

"I thought we weren't allowed to have sleepovers," He smirked.

"Technically it's not a sleepover if you stay in my guest room," I said. "Unless you feel comfortable somewhere else,"

"Thanks, Ty," He said.

"Anytime," I smiled.

We got to my house and went inside.

"Are you tired?" I asked him.

"Not really, actually," He said.

"Me neither," I told him. "Wanna talk?"

"Sounds great," He smiled.

We got out of our funeral clothes and we changed into comfier outfits. I made popcorn and set it on the coffee table as we met on the couch.

"What do you want to talk about?" He asked.

"You've listened to me talk for too long," I said. "How's your life?"

"It's alright," He said. "Our team isn't too good this year, but I've got scouts watching me. I could really be an NHLer,"

"Really? That's amazing," I said with a smile.

"As much as I would love to be in the NHL, I think I want to go to college instead," He said.

"Wait, are you serious?" I asked.

"I've got plenty of hockey experience, and I've wanted to be an announcer more than anything," He said.

"So you're going to college to be an announcer?" I asked.

"Yeah," He smiled. "It's what I want to do,"

"That's awesome," I hugged him. "So you're going to quit the juniors?"

"I could do both, right?" He said to himself.

"Where would you go to school?" I asked.

"I'd love to be here... with you," He said. "And Finn and Max, like how it was supposed to be,"

"That'd be awesome," I said.

"And I could go to the Islanders games and stuff," He smiled.

"When are you applying?" I asked.

"I already did," He said. "I got into Stonybrook,"

"Wait, already?" I asked. "That's amazing!"

"I'm going to finish the season with the Silvertips and come to Long Island,"

"So you're not going to do both," I said.

"I don't know," He said. "I'm already looking for places here,"

"Wow, all of this was just inside you, waiting to tell me," I said.

"How do you feel about it?" He asked.

"Zack, you're such a smart person and I know you'll do great in whatever you do," I said. "I support you one hundred percent,"

"That's just what I wanted to hear," He smiled. "And we could go back to being best friends again,"

"Who said we ever stopped being best friends?" I smiled. "Anything else going on? Getting any girls after you?"

"After me?" He laughed.

"C'mon, you probably have tons of girls after you," I said. "You're a young hockey player, not to mention handsome,"

"Well, I am handsome," He smiled. "I had a girlfriend going back a few months ago, but it didn't work out,"

"What happened?" I asked.

"I broke up with her," He told me. "She wasn't right for me,"

"Oh," I said. "You'll find the right person,"

"I think I will," He said.