Sincerely Sutter

Chapter 8

I sat at my desk before the game started. I did some organizing of some of the tape and stuff that the players always used and misplaced. I liked my workspace to be organized.

"Come on Becca it's time for the game," The team doctor said as we went to give the boys fist pounds and say good luck.

Brandon walked by and bumped my fist as I smiled,"Good luck B go kill it," I said winking as he beamed.

All the starters stood on the ice and I stood behind Brandon on the bench as we all had our hands over our hearts for the American national anthem. For some reason that I can't really explain the national anthem was always my favorite part of the game. The Canadian national anthem was then sung since we were playing the Vancouver Canucks.

The first period went well. Sidney Crosby and Chris Kunitz both scored to put us ahead 2-0 against the Canucks. I stood in my office stretching out Sid while Geno iced his knee after coach gave them critiques and compliments as well.

"You feeling okay G?" I asked making sure his knee felt okay.

"Yes. I feel like thousand bucks," Geno said in his broken English smiling the whole time. I smiled back and finished stretching out Sid before I moved on to stretching Fleury.

"You're doing great out there flower. Just like a brick wall," I said smiling at him.

"Thanks," he said smiling his French-Canadian accent coming through.

"You're very welcome," I said smiling which caused him to smile as well.

"Alright B I'm expecting a goal this period," I said smiling at Brandon Sutter as the guys ran out to the ice.

"Will do," he called out to me smiling.

I stood on the bench and watched as Brandon carried the puck up the ice to Eddie lack. Brandon shot the puck and the red light went off but, Brandon had gotten slashed by one of the Vancouver defenseman and he fell after he shot the puck going leg first into the boards. He got up a minute later and slowly skated to the bench. The Consol Energy Center was roaring because we were now up 3-0, but I knew Brandon was hurt you could see the pain all over his face. Brandon sat on the bench and I signaled for him to follow me down to the locker room and he complied limping to the training office with me trying to support his weight.

"What hurts B?" I asked as he laid on the table.

"Left knee," he said trying to mask how much pain he was really in. I went and closed the training room door and walked over to Brandon.

"It's okay B. You don't have to act tough," I told him patting his shoulder as I then slowly took off his left skate. I untapped his socks and pulled them off and then carefully removed his shin pads. I pulled up his leggings to see his knee cap was out of place.

"Alright this might hurt B," I said handing him a towel to chew on as I pushed his knee cap back into place.

"Damn it!" Brandon yelled as I moved it.

"There. Let me grab some ice," I told him smiling sympathetically.

I grabbed ice and then went and grabbed a knee brace. I knew much to my displeasure Brandon would want to play again and I wasn't going to tell him he couldn't.

"I scored," Brandon said smiling a small smile.

"You sure did B," I said smiling brightly at him and kissing his cheek. Which caused Brandon to blush slightly making me smile. "You better go get ready so you can keep playing," I told him leaning on the other medical table.

"I can play?!" Brandon asked beaming excitedly.

"Yup. Just be careful also you will have to come in early to do exercises with me," I told him. He hopped off the table and went to go get dressed for the rest of the second.

I walked out to the bench and told Dan that everything was fine and he could continue playing which made Dan very happy.

Brandon finished the game scoring another goal and being the first star of the game. the boys won 4-1 against the Canucks which resulted in of course plenty of smiling faces. After the media and Dan were done talking to the boys I went and made sure everyone was okay.

"How's your knee feel?" I asked Brandon smiling.

"Good," he said smiling back and then handed me a folded up piece of paper without anyone smiling.

"Have a good night boys and great job," I told them all walking out of the locker room and then grabbed my stuff before leaving the Igloo.

I laid in bed and opened the note Brandon had written for me.

Dear Becca,

What to say..... First I want to say thank you. Thanks for taking care of me and I scored just like you said :p the other night with you was one of the best nights ever and I'll remember it forever. Becca there's so many things I want to say... If I said everything I wanted to and wish I could then this letter would be miles long. You'd be reading forever. Anyways Becca I guess my main point in writing this letter while all the guys buzz around about going clubbing to celebrate is that I don't want to do any of that. I want you. I want to be with you so we can learn about each other and grow together. I just need you to let me show you that I'm different. That I can be what you need. Please give me a chance please.

Yours Sincerely,
-Brandon

I put the date on the letter and set it in the dresser with the other letters. I heard a knock on the door and walked down stairs slowly. I opened it and a huge smile instantly formed across my face.

"Please?" Brandon said smiling holding flowers.

"Yes," I said beaming hugging him. Brandon hugged me tightly back before coming in and laying on the couch with me watching movies.