Shadows (Patrick Kane)

(68) Something Else

Patrick

Now that I had no more restrictions for my collar bone I was able to get back to training. I can be on the ice as long as it's no contact and I can hit the gym. But with the team out playing in games across the country still and no one being around I get to work out with Hank. He was already working for the next season even though he's months out from OTA's. His family is one of very hard workers. Though they might have things easier because of their names, Henry still has to make one for himself. So I get to workout with him while Sophia and my friends were off in Minnesota.

"Your scar is healing nice" he notices as we move to the weights. I look across at the mirrors as I admire the scar.

"I always liked scars. There's a lot of those in the world of hockey. Missing teeth and face dents and surgery marks. It shows that you're battle tested and strong enough to overcome anything" I say.

"Didn't you get your tooth knocked out because you ran into your own teammate" he chuckles as I furrow my eyebrows.

"Did Posey tell you this" I accuse.

"She did" he nods.

"Oh I'm gonna kill her" I mumble making him chuckle some more.

"You two are something else man" he insists.

"Your sister is impossible at times. Loud and imposing and impulsive. She scares the shit out of me because I never know what to expect. What she's thinking. And she just carries herself in a way that you always knows she's around. Can't go anywhere with her and feel like somehow someway all eyes are up on her. Don't get me started on the fact that she looks at life like a game. Like at any moment she can up and leave because she is strong enough to do so. Scares the shit out of me.

But those things that make me want to pull my hair out, it's also my favorite things about her. She's loud but she's funny. And she deserves to be heard because most times what she is saying is true and important. I'm so proud that she uses her voice for good and is unapologetic about the way she is. And her imposing has saved my ass so many times. She helped me move on from losing my grandpa, she helped me reconnect with my family and find my purpose beyond hockey. No one else has done that because they didn't try. She walked right into my life and looked and me and said this isn't the best version of me but she'll help me find that. And those impulses, those are the most fun times I've ever had. All the thrills in Melbourne to late night escapades in the city. She brought me from the land of existing to the land of living and I couldn't thank her enough" I admit.

He just smiles at me as he sets a weight down. "That was quite a soap box moment. I hope you tell her this stuff too" he accuses.

"I try. But talking to her is hard because she's literally me if I was who I wanted to be. And it's not like it gives her power over me, I'm not threatened by her. But in every way she is what I dream of and telling her has alluded me" I sigh.

"So you're just gonna come tell me? That's your plan" he questions.

"No. My plan is to marry her" I claim.

At this point Henry nearly falls over before stabilizing himself on a rack of dumbbells. Even I was taken aback by the declaration. But I would be lying if I said it came from nowhere or that I haven't thought about it before. Sometimes it's all I can think about.

"What the fuck happened on this vacation" he asks me.

"To me, it was perfect. We got to see life so different from what we knew but yet it felt like we were supposed to be there. I swam with sharks and it was the most comfortable I had felt in such a long time. Because Sophia was there and she assured me that nothing was going to happen because she had me. And she wasn't letting go. Even when we were just laying in bed snacking on cheese watching the sun set everything seemed to be right where it needs to be" I explain.

"Wait. You sleep with my sister? Does this happen often" he asks.

"No, not really. She tries to run away before she gets too far in. But recently it's not that simple. She comes to bed and neither of us leave" I shrug.

"I don't know if I'm happy... or if I want to punch you in the face" he claims as I laugh.

"I know I've messed up. I've made mistakes that I am not proud of. But I know that she makes me want to be better. Because of her I stopped drinking, I've opened up and I was playing the best hockey of my carrer. Under her care I am on schedule to return for the playoffs and she doesn't even realize it. Because she's not doing it so I owe her, she's helping me because she genuinely wants to see me happy. I've... I've never had a relationship like this before. And if I don't marry that girl I don't see a very good future" I insist.

"I guess I just don't get why you guys never talk to each other? I'm not saying my sister has gone this far but she tells me all this shit about you and her too. Why can't you sit down and talk" he wonders.

"Have you met us" I challenge making him laugh.

"I have. And I haven't seen a pair like you guys in my entire life. I don't think that's a bad thing either. There's no status quo or path for you two to walk. You guys can do whatever you want however you want. You know, once you get the balls to talk about it" he shrugs.

"We have a plan. Or part of the plan" I admit.

"You're planning your feelings" he raises his eyebrow.

"Not exactly. The feelings are already here, have been for a while. We're planning on how to act on those feelings. Making sure it's what is best for both of us and we're still able to be best friends" I admit.

"I think you guys will always be best friends. No matter what. No one else will put up with you guys" he teases.

Fair enough.