Hustle and Heart

Ch. 12

*Brianna's POV*
"What the hell took you so long?!" Ben screamed.
"Ben, shush. People are sleeping and we have a plane tomorrow." I said, trying to calm him down.
"I don't care Brianna." Ben said, using my full name. You knew Ben was mad when he used your full name.
"What took you so long? I said 12, didn't I?" He said coming closer to you.
"I'm sorry okay! We lost track of time and I got here as soon as I could!" I said. I hated when Ben was like this.
"Well sorry doesn't cut it. I told you 12 and you didn't listen. Like always." He said. Ben really pissed me off now.
"You know what!? Screw you. I'm done with this! You're not my father, so stop acting like it." I said while walking over to my suitcase and quickly throwing everything in. I went into the bathroom and grabbed all of my things, putting them into my bag. I put on my shoes and grabbed my bag. Right then, Ben stopped me from opening the door.
"What do you want now? Lay it on me Ben. Oh wait let me help you, I'm a horrible sister, I suck at hockey, I'll never find love because of how stubborn I am. Anything I missed Benjamin?" I said. I hated fighting with him.
"B I'm sorry! It's okay, seriously. I was just scared and being overprotective." He said. Oh really Ben.
"Sorry doesn't cut it." I said with a smirk. He really wanted to play this game with me.
"Really?" He said.
"Yea really. I'm sleeping in Kucherov's room tonight. I'll see you in the morning, Benjamin." I said while slamming the door on my way out. I made the quick walk down the hall from my room to his. I can't believe Ben. He is so annoying! I'm 25! I'm pretty sure I can handle myself. I made it to Kucherov's room and slowly knocked on the door. There was an answer almost right away.
"Hey, what are you doing here at like almost 2?" Kucherov said.
"Ben and I got into a fight. I honestly can't stand him sometimes! Can I stay with you tonight?" I said.
"Yea sure! I understand." He said with a smile. I quickly walked through the door dropped my stuff on the floor. I plopped onto the bed without even bothering to change.
"Uh you gonna change B?" Kucherov asked with a laugh.
"Nope, perfectly fine here." I said with my face shoved into a pillow.
"Okay, whatever floats your boat." He said. He turned off the lights and went into his own bed.
***
I woke up the next morning at 6:30 and let me tell you, I did not want to get up. I got an early good morning text from Carey, which definitely made me smile. Our flights were the same time and our gates were somewhat close to one another. We decided on meeting each other somewhere. I woke up Kucherov and made my way to the bathroom. I applied very minimal makeup and through my hair up into a perfect topnot. I walked out of the bathroom to get dressed. Kucherov was in the bathroom and told me to let him know when I was ready. I decided on a plain white t-shirt, some leather pants and my timberlands.(outfit above). I let Kucherov know I was ready and grabbed all of my things. We walked together to the elevator, talking about the upcoming games. We go into the elevator and waited for it to descend into the lobby. Once the doors to the elevator were open, I was out. In the lobby was a majority of the team. The only one missing? Ben. I groaned and remember I was his alarm clock. I told the boys about the situation and they all laughed.
"Typical Ben!" Said Ryan. I just laughed at that comment. I told the boys not to wait up for us and that we would get there on time. I went into the elevator and clicked the button for the 15th floor. I ran down the hall to Ben's room and slid my key into the slot. There he was frantically trying to get all of his stuff together and get ready for the flight.
"Here, let me help you." I said. I was still pretty mad at him but he really needed my help. "You go get ready and I'll get everything. Go." I quickly ran around his room grabbing everything. We were done at about 7:20 and the ride to the airport was about 10 minutes. We got down to the lobby in about 3 mins and quickly ran over to where our car was parked. We both jumped in and made our way to the airport, in complete silence.
***
We arrived in Tampa at around 11:30 a.m. Carey and I never got to meet up because of how late Ben and I got to the airport. I apologized I think a million times and every single time he told me it was alright and that he wasn't mad. Myself, being who I am, thought completely different. We talked for a little, while we were waiting for our luggage. Carey texted me, telling me to meet him at the gift shop by McDonald's. I was hesitating to say yes, because of all the people around us. Someone could easily spot us and start something, or worse one of our teammates could see us. I could deal with a fan but one of my teammates? That would definitely suck. I couldn't even begin to think at how mad they would be if they found out. I quickly texted Carey yes and told Ben where I was going.
"Why are you going to a gift shop? We live here." Ben asked confused.
"Because I told the girls that I would find them a cute souvenir, and to be honest the best place to look is a gift shop in an airport." I said, hopping I would convince him.
"Okay...? But just be back soon." He said. I loved days like this when we didn't have practice, they were so relaxing and I could do whatever I wanted without having a schedule. I quickly walked away and went straight towards the souvenir shop that Carey told me to go to. I quickly walked in and started to look around at all of the souvenirs. I found a few things incase Ben asked to see what I got. While I was looking around I heard an all to familiar voice.
"Hey beautiful." Carey said while kissing my cheek.
"Hey handsome." I said with a smile.
We moved over to a less crowded area and that's when Carey cupped my face and moved me closer. He kissed me. His lips felt amazing against mine and yet again I felt the sparks. We pulled away slowly and looked into each others eyes.
"I've been waiting all day to do that." Carey said with a smile.
"Me too." I said with a blush slowly creeping onto my face. We stayed and talked for awhile about the next few games and predicting what the outcome might be.
"You know, I think you're the reason why your team is still in the playoffs." He said. I couldn't tell if he was joking or not.
"And why do you say that?" I asked.
"Because think about it. Last year we swept you guys and you weren't on the team. This is your first year and you're dominating everything." He said. That's when I knew he was serious.
"Thanks Carey. It means a lot coming from you." I said with a smile. "Well I should get going. I have a lunch with Kucherov and Steven."
"You do? Uh okay..." He said. I could hear the disappointment in his voice.
"No, not like that silly, like teammates! Steven and Nikita are like brothers to me. I could never even contemplate dating them." I said. In all honesty everyone on that team are like brothers.
"Oh! Well text me when you're done? We can hangout or something." He said.
"I would like that!" I was about to walk away when Carey pulled me back over to him, giving me a quick kiss on the lips.
"I could get used to that." He said with a wink.
"Me too." I said while laughing. "See you tonight!" I said and walked away. I walked out of the airport and towards my car. My stuff was already in there because I had asked Ben to take it to my car for me. I through the bag of souvenirs in my backseat and started up my car. I texted Steven and asked where we were going for lunch and he texted back almost immediately saying Olive Garden and that he was already there with Nik. I pulled out of the airport parking lot and made my way to Olive Garden. The drive wasn't that long considering that Olive Garden was about 10 minutes away from the airport. I pulled into the parking lot trying to find either Nik or Steven's car. I gave up and parked into the nearest parking spot. I walked in and told the hostess that I was looking for my friends. I spotted Nik and Steven at a booth towards the back. I walked over and sat beside Steven.
"Hey guys, sorry I'm late!" I said.
"It's all good little B. What took you so long anyway?" He asked.
"Uh I was looking for a few gifts for a few of the girls." I said, telling him the same thing I told Ben.
"So are you and Ben still pissed at each other?" Kucherov asked.
"Uh yea I guess. I am but he's not. It's a long story actually." I said, growing nervous at what they would ask next.
"Well come on tell us, we've got enough time." Steven said. He always cared for me when I was in a horrible mood.
"Well I came home late and he was mad because he said 12 and I wasn't home till 1:30 and he was just being overprotective like he always is. Then we got into an argument and I guess I over reacted somewhat but honestly he just really made me mad." I said finishing my story. "I said a few harsh things about myself that he's said before and I don't know I somewhat feel bad but then I don't."
"What did you say?" Nik asked.
"Well um... I said I was a horrible sister, I sucked at hockey and that I will never find love..." I said.
"B you can't say that... You're not horrible, I know for a fact that you don't suck at hockey and you will find love, you just gotta be patient." Steven said. Right when he said that Carey came to mind. I don't know if I loved him but it sure felt like it...
***
We finished lunch at around 1:20 and I made my way home. Ben and I lived in a somewhat large apartment in downtown Tampa. Our apartment was considered a penthouse by the owners but honestly it really wasn't. I've been thinking about moving out for awhile I've just never had the guts to tell Ben. I have the money to do it but I just feel as though Ben would be angry with me. I think I will start looking after the playoffs are over. I made it home at about 1:40 and was exhausted. I parked into my designated parking spot and went straight to the elevator that was connected to the parking garage. I clicked the button for the highest floor and waited. The elevator dinged and the doors slowly opened, revealing the door at the end of the small hallway. I walked over to the door and pulled out my key to unlock the door. I opened the door to see Ben and his girlfriend Andrea sitting on the couch waiting some stupid tv show.
"Hey Bree, nice job at the game last night! You played amazing!" Andrea said. See this is why I love Andrea. She is so supportive of mine and Ben's career, even when we are away for weeks. She stays loyal and supportive, and she is our number one fan at games.
"So you... When are you going to start dating? You can't stay single forever! You're a hot young hockey player that can have anyone! So who were you thinking?"
I was kinda nervous at this question.
"I know! What about Tyler! He's cute and you guys have a great bond, you guys would be adorable!" Andrea said. Right when she said Tyler I spit up the water I was drinking and looked over to Ben whose eyes were wide open.
"Uh I don't think so." I said.
"Oh come on!" She said, trying to persuade me. "We can do a double date!"
"I don't think so, she is not dating Tyler." Ben said. Thank god for that.
"Yea no, that would not work at all. To close for that." I said. "Well I'm going to go unpack and maybe just chill with a few of the girls." I said walking up the stairs to my room. I pulled out my phone and texted Carey.

Hey, wanna hangout?

I waited for a few minutes, finishing up my unpacking.

Sure where? -Carey

Now to think about this. I am a star hockey player in Tampa and all around and so is Carey. How would this work out? I thought maybe is hotel room?

What about your hotel room? Ben is home so we can't hangout here.

Yea that works! Let me just quick out PK.

Sounds good. I'll leave in like 5?

That works. See you soon😘

😘 see you then.

I just through on some black leggings with a VS hoodie and some nike shoes. I ran down the hall and went down the stairs to be greeted by Andrea in the kitchen.
"Hey, where are you going?" Andrea asked.
"Uh out with some of my friends. We are going to have a movie night."
"Okay don't stay out to late!" She said while I walked out of the door. I hated living here. They were like me parents and I didn't need two sets of parents, one set was enough. I went down to my car and jumped in to make my way to Carey's hotel. His hotel was literally probably 5 minutes from where I lived. I quickly texted Carey letting him know I was here. He texted me his room number and floor so I went in to the elevator. He was on one of the last floors so the elevator ride was longer then others. I quickly walked out of the elevator and went to find his room. Of course his room was the last one at the end of the hall. I was about to knock when I heard a very loud voice.
"Come on Carey lets go out!"
"No PK, I want to stay in tonight and just rest for the game." Omg PK was here still. What was I supposed to do?! I quickly ran down the hall when I heard the door click open. I stopped at a random room and pretended to wait for someone.
"Hey, excuse me...Wait you're Brianna Bishop."PK said.