NHL Imagines 2

Mat Barzal

It had been two months since you and Mat broke up, you didn't time your breakup quite right, but there is no way you could have possibly known he would be in your hometown when you were in your breakup was hitting you the hardest. You had already planned on going to the Flyers Islanders game with some old friends, but you didn't realize you and Mat wouldn't be together at this point. Your seats were on the Islanders' side of the ice, and they were low seats too. You met up with your friends in the parking lot of the arena. You focused on catching up with them to keep your mind occupied instead of worrying about what would happen when you saw Mat again and if he would even see you. You and your friends all went separate ways for college, you ended up in New York, another Went west and another went south. You had kept in touch but never got to talk due to you all having busy schedules. It was great seeing your two best friends after so long. The three of you walked into the arena wearing your Flyers gear,

"Y/N, what's that necklace for?" Your friend asked you, and quickly you reached for what was around your neck. It was the necklace Mat had given you after being together for 3 months it had become so part of your routine that after wearing it for the next 3 months of being with Mat you had forgotten you put it on.

"Oh uh, I must have put it on by mistake," you said clutching the 13 around your neck.

"What's the 13 for?"

"Mat..." you mumbled.

"Y/N you have to move on," your friend put their hand on your shoulder.

"I know I just miss him, even if he was leaving me home alone most nights, I miss the time we did have together you know?" They nodded. You had gotten into your seats for warmups against the glass waiting for the teams to come out. The Islanders skated out and immediately the team started looking at you. You saw Mat he looked at you and you both had the same reaction to seeing each other. Your heart stopped, you still loved him and you wanted to apologize so badly to him for yelling at him for not having his priorities right, you felt bad, he did still spend most nights next to you in bed unless he was away, but you were just upset of how much time he would spend having nights with the guys where he could have spent time with you. You two felt like you were growing apart and needed some time to think.

Mat spent most of the warmup skating around in front of you glancing at you every so often. You smiled watching him and even waved. He smiled at your wave, you hoped it would break the tension. Your friends watched you smile and smiled too, they want to take you to this game to help you be happy again, but they didn't think it was going to be Mat that made you smile. You went through the game watching your home team play Mat and it remained a close game. The game had gone into overtime and there was extreme pressure from the Islanders, Mat had the puck and was charging at Carter Hart on a breakaway, he danced with the puck and shot it right over Carter's glove, the Islanders had won in overtime over the Flyers. After the goal was scored Mat slammed himself into the glass right in front of where you were seated. A little part of you cheered inside, he turned around to look at you and saw your smile. Mat was already smiling but your smile made it wider. You and your teammates walked out of the arena waiting for the Uber to take you back to where you were staying. It was getting late and the parking traffic was making your Uber even later than it already was. The three of you were standing there when you felt a tap on your shoulder. You turned around to see Mat standing there.

"Hey, can we talk?" he said softly. Your Uber pulled up at that exact moment, you told your friends you'd meet them back there and catch another ride.

"Yeah I think we should," you answered. Your heart was racing as you quickly thought of what to say to Mat.

"I'm really sorry Y/N, you were right about me not spending time with you, it was damaging our relationship I really messed up-"

"No I messed up, we should have had this talk instead of breaking up," you cut him off, "I was wrong to end things without talking, I just felt so alone,"

"Which was my fault Y/N, I made you feel that way, I was not being a good boyfriend, but I would have changed,"

"I know Matty I feel horrible, I've regretted it since I did it, I miss you,"

"I really miss you too Y/N, I've wanted to call you, but I've been too nervous, you still wear your necklace," he pointed to it as you were playing with it out of nerves.

"Oh, yeah," you said quickly letting go of it. Mat shuffled the sleeve on his suit, to reveal the watch you had given him on his wrist.

"I still keep this too," he smiled

"Mat, I am so stupid for breaking up with you,"

"Hey, don't say that, you are the smartest girl I know, and still the prettiest, and I still love you Y/N and always will," you blushed at his compliments. He took your hands in his, and you felt your eyes begin to water.

"Mat-" he cut you off,

"Please give me a second chance Y/N, I will treat you so much better than before, and I understand if you don't want to" he was beginning to ramble, you quickly pressed your lips into his, cutting him off. He moved his hand to the back of your head, running his hand through your hair. You missed those lips and that hand. He pulled you in closer with his other hand slightly above your back.

"Is that a good answer for you?" you smiled. He laughed and pulled your face to his once again.

"I'll take that as a yes," you said.

"Absolutely, but why do you have to be wearing that when we get back together," you laughed looking down at your Flyers jersey.

"You love me no matter what right?"

"Of course I do, it's just hard to when you're wearing that," he sighed. You let go of him and crossed your arms.

"Matty, what am I gonna do with you," you shook your head.

"I don't know we will have to find out when you get back to New York," he smiled. You pulled out your phone to call another Uber. Mat waited with you until it got there, you hugged goodbye.

"One more for the trip ahead?" He smirked, you placed another kiss on his lips.

"Love you Matty,"

"Love you too Y/N."