Hustle and Heart

Ch.14

*Brianna's POV*
I woke up to some very loud knocking on Carey's hotel room door and I right away started freaking out. I shook Carey until he woke up and he also was freaking out a little. He quickly ushered me to the bathroom and told me to wait here until he dealt with the person knocking on his door. I quickly ran over to the bathroom door and tried to make out who was talking to Carey. I knew this was a bad idea! I should've just left and we wouldn't have to worry about this! I placed my ear on the door and listened to the conversation that was taking place just outside. I couldn't exactly make out the voice but I knew it was one of Carey's teammates.
"Come on Carey! Let's all go out for breakfast as a team! All the other boys are down." Said his teammate.
"Uh what time?" Carey asked.
"Well it's 8 now so how about 9:30? Does that work?" His teammate asked.
"Uh yea sure that's fine..." Carey said a little unsure.
"Hey are you okay? Everyone is worried about ya." His teammate asked. Was I changing Carey? No I couldn't be... He would tell me right...?
"Uh yea I'm good just stressed out that's all." Carey said.
"Well okay. See you at breakfast."
I quickly opened the bathroom once I heard the click of the front door and went over to where my shoes were. I slid on my Nike's and quickly fixed my hair in all of a matter of 1 minute. I looked over to a very confused Carey.
"Why are you in such a rush?" Carey asked me taking both of my hands into his. I quickly pulled away and saw the pain in his eyes. "What's wrong babe? Did I do something wrong?" He asked. I couldn't put the words together, I couldn't express my feelings like I wanted to so I just shrugged it off.
"I'm fine! Come on you have to get ready and I have practice at 10, so that means that I have to go back to my place." I said all to quickly.
"Okay... I'll see you before the game." He said.
"See you then!" I said placing one last kiss on his cheek. I opened the door and quickly made it over to the elevator. Lucky for me, I did not bump into anymore of Carey's teammates. It defiantly hurt leaving Carey like that but I just had too... I can't ruin his life like this... I made the crazy and hurtful decision on my own and decided on ending my little romance with Carey. By the time I reached my car it looked like I had been hit by a bus. I quickly unlocked my car and just sat there and cried and cried until I had no tears left. I pulled out of the parking lot and made my way home. I knew I would get yelled at by Ben for not being home last night but quite frankly I didn't care anymore and I decided that I would tell Ben today that I was going to move out into my own apartment. I reached our apartment at about 8:15 and went straight to my room without stoping to say hi to Ben or Andrea. Once I reached my room at the end of the hall I slammed the door and just sat there, crying. I've never never have ever cried like this for any boy. My parents always taught me that crying about boys wouldn't change anything but this time was different. He was different. I've only known Carey for a week and I think I'm starting to really really like Carey... I know it's wrong to like someone from another team and coach and my father have made sure to tell me this over and over again but I just couldn't stop myself from feeling these things. I was startled when I heard a knock at my door. It was Ben and Andrea continuously knocking on my door.
"Come on B. Let's us in." I heard Ben plead. I couldn't let them see me like this. They would know to much...
"Ben let me talk to her. I understand what's going through her head and right now all she needs is someone who can relate." I heard Andrea say to Ben. There was no way I was even going to let her come in.
"No just both of you go away. I'm fine." I said, with my voice cracking at the end.
"No you're not. Come on talk to me, I can help." Andrea stated. No she couldn't, no one can. After a few more pleads by the both of them, they finally gave up. It was now 9:30 and I had to start getting ready for practice. I truly didn't want to go but I knew I had to. I quickly through everything into my hockey bag and went over to the bathroom attached to my room too brush my hair and teeth. When I looked in the mirror I didn't see the fun loving Brianna, I saw a dull version of myself. My once sparkling hazel eyes were now red and the bags under my eyes were very noticeable. I huffed and just washed my face, knowing I couldn't do anything to change my appearance. I grabbed my phone, seeing all the text from Carey, Ben, Andrea, Steven, Nik, Tyler, and a few of the girls. I only looked at the ones from the girls saying that they were coming to my game tonight. I took quick glances at the ones from my teammates and most of them were consisted of them asking questions about what was going on. I turned off my phone not bothering to look at the texts from Carey. I made my way down stairs and saw that no one was home. I figured that Ben had already left to the arena and that Andrea was out so I just grabbed an apple and made my way to the elevator. The ride down to the lobby seemed slower then usual. I was going back and fourth on a few decisions that have been lingering and in all honesty I really didn't know what I wanted to do... Should I go with my heart or what I think is right for the sake of my team? I know I should go with my heart but if I do then I might as well be traded because none of my teammates will ever trust me again and I honestly couldn't cope with that. After what seemed like forever, I finally made it to the arena at about 9:45 and went straight to the dressing rooms. In there was Steven and Ryan just talking about tonight's game. I looked over to them, trying to hold in the tears. Why was this all happening to me? Steven gave me a concerning look and I just shrugged him off while trying to finish getting ready. I really didn't need anyone's sympathy, especially right now. I quickly finished lacing up my skates but didn't even bother waiting up for Steven because then he would ask me what was going on. I skated onto the ice and did my laps alone. Even when Nik or Ben would try and skate with me I would just speed up to be alone. Today's practice would definitely not be fun...
***
My assumptions were definitely right. Coach made sure to single me out when I would do something wrong, I wouldn't skate with any of my teammates and I just wouldn't talk. I've gotten so many questions throughout practice from teammates and staff and I honestly didn't know how to answer any of them... Once I got home I went straight to my bathroom and jumped into the shower. It was 12:30 now and our game was at 8 pm. I didn't know what to do until then so I decided on texting my friend, Natalie. We talked for awhile until I fell asleep.
***
It was now 5:30 and I had a hour until I have to be at the arena. It was game 3 tonight and I was honestly so nervous; in previous games I haven't played the greatest but tonight, I plan on playing to my fullest potential. Since I haven't eaten really anything all day, I decided on going down to my kitchen and making myself some dinner. I slowly open my door and run down to the kitchen. I look around the apartment and see that no one is home, so I assume that Ben and Andrea are out for dinner or something. Since it is just myself eating tonight and I'm not all that hungry, I decide on a light salad. I scroll through my phone and answer a few emails and texts while trying to pass the time. By the time I am finished with my dinner it's about 6:20 and I should probably head down to the arena. I run upstairs, grab my game bag and throw on a quick and simple outfit(outfit above). I head down stairs and make my way to the arena. I arrive at the arena at 6:30 and I am greeted by a few fans outside. I stopped for a few pictures and autographs but not as many as I usually do. I walk into the arena and make my way to the locker rooms. I go past the away locker room and it takes every bit of me not to barge into that room and just kiss Carey. It's only been a few hours and I already miss him like crazy... I push the thoughts out of my head and keep walking towards my locker room. Once I get in there, I am greeted by everyone but I don't say anything; I just sit at my cubby and get ready. I am one of the first ready so I just go and warm up my legs while I wait for the rest of my team. I am walking around until I see the Canadiens players, but one stands out and that one is Carey. I quickly run the other direction before he sees me. Once I get down to my end, I see the rest of the boys waiting. I stand at my usual place in front of Steven and behind Ben. I'm for sure ready for this game...
***
It's the 3rd period and there is 1 minute left. This whole game Carey's been in my head and I couldn't get him out. I haven't made any goals and I haven't done anything very impressing. We were tied with the Canadiens at 1 and I definitely did not want to go into an overtime. Coach decided on changing our line ups last minute so that means I was now playing with Nik, Tyler, Victor, and Garrison. It was nearing 10 seconds left and now I was nervous. Nik stole the puck from one of the Canadiens player and passed it down to Hedman. I was standing by the net when Hedman passed the puck to me and almost right away shot the puck towards the net and... IT WENT IN! I scored the game winning goal. It all happened in a blur... We watched the replay and the goal counted! I went over and fist bumped all the guys. I skated over to center ice to finish the .1 seconds that were left of the 3rd period. Right when that buzzer went off signaling the end of the period, I was engulfed with an enormous hug consisting of all my teammates. I just scored the game winning goal... I looked over to the Canadiens bench and made eye contact with Carey... Everything in me wanted to look away but I just couldn't... He meant so much to me but I just couldn't be with him... I couldn't ruin Carey's life... After what seemed like forever, I finally looked away. I skated over to the tunnel and made my way to the locker room. I was greeted by my teammates cheering and blasting music but in all honesty I wasn't in the partying mood. I changed back into my previous outfit and threw all of my stuff into my hockey bag. Once I was done getting all of my stuff together, I made my way out of the locker room and towards the parking lot. I threw everything into my car, and was about to leave, when all of the sudden I was stopped. I turned around to be met by Tyler.
"Hey, are you alright?" Tyler asked.
"Yea I'm good! Just a little stressed." I said. I couldn't tell if he knew I was lying or not.
"Well I was thinking... You know it seems like you've been down and I was just wondering if you know, maybe you would want to take me up on my offer?" Tyler asked. I was confused at first but then I put the pieces together... Tyler was asking me out on a date.
"Well? What do you say?" Tyler asked. What am I going to do? I can't go out with someone I don't truly like but if it means getting over Carey then...
"Yea, I would like that."

*Authors note*
I cried while writing this chapter but a lot more crazy things are set to happen!