Bound by Love and Rivalry: Auston Matthews

Chapter 14

Auston's POV

The humming of the team bus wheels and the distant chatter of everyone on the team filled my ears. This road trip had been long and a mix of highs and lows. I usually have no problem being on long road trips but for once I couldn't wait to get home to see Brooklyn.

Tonight was the last stop on the road trip and it just so happened to be the fucking Dallas Stars. If life couldn't get any crazier now I have to face Tyler agian. I don't even think Brooklyn knows we are playing them tonight. She has been so busy with the house I usually just catch her up on the games when I call her.

The arena lights illuminated hitting the ice. I stepped out onto the ice and immediately nothing outside of hockey mattered.

As the puck dropped, the intensity of the game escalated. Midway through the second period, I got checked against the boards hard. It was Tyler. He stared down at me with a glint or pure anger in his eyes.

"You think you can just waltz in here like nothing happened" He yelled his voice carrying the anger in his eyes

I got up off the ice and skated towards him "Tyler I know I messed up but I am trying to make things right"

He turned at me and shoved his stick into my chest multiple times speaking as he did so

"You hurt my fucking sister. Auston you don't know the damage you fucking did"

The refs separated the two of us and we skated off.

The game finally ended and we won but I felt terrible. The locker room air was thick with the mix of victory and tension. Mitch came up and clapped his hands on my shoulder

"Man, her brother hates you! What the hell did you do to him" he laughed

I shrugged my shoulder and then headed for the shower and to change quickly and headed towards the home locker room and waited for Tyler to come out

As the door of their locker room swung open, Tyler emerged. The air grew tenese and heavy as our eyes locked it felt like the silent acknowledgment of what needed to happen.

Tyler crossed his arms, waiting for me to speak. His expression was one I can only describe as wanting to kick my ass.

"I need to talk to you Tyler," I began "About Brooklyn"

Tyler's eyes narrowed "What more is there to say? You hurt my little sister, I warned her you were like everyone else and look you are." He turned and began to walk away

I took a deep breath. I didn't even care that I looked like an absolute wimp doing this "I know I messed up, Tyler. I betrayed her trust, and I can't change that. But I want you to know that I love Brooklyn more than anything. I am doing everything to make things right, I'll never hurt her again"

Tyler turned to face me again, his expression had softened, there was a flicker of understanding in his eyes "You better mean that Auston. She deserves to be with someone who will cherish and protect her not end up with some douchebag"

I nodded "I do mean it, I'll spend the rest of my life making it up to her if I have too. I'll never let her down or hurt her again"

Tyler sighed, the tension in the air began to dissipate slightly. "She loves you, you know. But love alone won't fix what you broke. It's the actions that matter."

"I get that," I cleared my throat to make sure he knew I was going to do everything I could "I want to be the man she deserves"

We stood in the hallway, the weight of the conversation lingering between the two of us. Tyler let a hint of acceptance break though

"Just don't let her down again," Tyler said finally, it was a stern warning. "She's been through enough"

I nodded at him and we both went our separate ways. I got on the bus to finally get onto the plane to return home. I took my seat next to Mitch and put my headphones on to cancel out all the noise.

I was practically trembling on the inside but I felt like I needed to talk to Tyler. I pulled out my phone and texted Brooklyn

Me: Missing you so much! Can't wait to get home to you

Brooklyn: "come home faster! I miss you so much"

I smiled at my phone knowing I would be home again tomorrow and be able to see Brookyn aging. I honestly couldn't wait any longer.