Love in the Shadows ~ Dean Portman x OC

Ch. 3: Like a Chihuahua

Pov: Morgan June 30th, 1994, Los Angeles
We check out the stadium and it's nothing too big. My dad is currently on the phone with my screaming mother. She's trying to convince my father to get me to my next tour stop which is San Diego, CA because they apparently just remembered canceling a concert because the artist does something wrong is even worse for their pockets than the media backlash. I mean I wouldn't really mind going back because it would get me away from the LA fan girls. I mean LA is the stop after San Diego but who really cares?

The team is staying in the Goodwill Games provided dorms while I'm staying in the Four Seasons in Downtown. Not bad. When we all get settled Coach calls us for a meeting after our first game and before their first ever press conferences. He briefs us on etiquette and what not but I'm not listening. I've done this sort of thing for years so this informational meeting is pointless to me.
"Morgan? Are you listening" Coach calls me out
"Not really Coach. I've been doing conferences and celebrity stuff since I was 9. I'm golden"
"Oh really? Is that why you told a reporter and I quote 'No, but doctors are looking for a cure for your extreme ugliness so based on your botched nose job I'd say they haven't made much progress'?"
The team laughs and makes comments like "damn you really got her" when I feel a hand on my shoulder saying "If I didn't know any better I'd say you were a mega bitch!"
"Dean! Watch your language" Coach reprimands him. Of course it's Dean
"And if I didn't know any better I'd say you're a jerk who uses his big voice to compensate for his small penis!" Connie gives me a high five while all the guys are oohing and freaking out. I look back at Dean and give him and smug grin.

"Alright, settle down guys. Morgan, Dean, apologize to each other right now"
I'm sorry, I didn't realize I got into a time machine and went back to preschool?!
"I'm sorry babe it's just my small penis and I get so worked up with such a smokin girl around" He gets a couple laughs before coach yells at him to take a lap.

God he's so revolting.

Coach finishes his spiel and walks us to the podium where dozens of reporters are murmuring and photographing. Oh goodie just what I missed. Portman rejoins us and pulls Fulton aside and whispers something to him. They both look at me and Fulton pushes him slightly and says "Dude really?"

I don't even want to begin to think of what crude comment Portman made about me.

After a couple rounds of hockey questions the moment I've been dreading comes. Me questions
"So Maple, are you abandoning your tour to play hockey?"
"No, my agent, my parents and I all agree that I needed to step away from the tour for a moment to defuse the situation that took place after my last New York concert.
"Maple why hockey? Why join Team USA in the Junior Goodwill Games?"
"My father wanted me to be close to him while him and Hendricks Hockey sponser and support Team USA and what better way than to join the team?"
When the reporters were finally getting back to hockey questions, Doug "the Dentist" Stanton walks in with Team Iceland trailing him. God they are massive. What are those weirdos feeding these kids, steroids?

Stanton makes a bold statement along the lines of "Team USA will never beat me and my Icelandic thugs so suck it".

Honestly, I kinda believe him, their equipment looks better, their jerseys look better, and to be completely transparent, their team members look better. I mean sure we beat some rag tag team from some random country but Iceland is like said to be the favorite 5 to 1. To put that in perspective, we have about a 20% chance of beating this team. Fun.

Cut to that night...
Without my dad's knowledge, I sneak Julie and Connie into my suite at the Four Seasons. We get room service and enjoy the wonderful features this luxury hotel has to offer. Spas, pools, and the TV. Once again though, we find ourselves sitting on the bed with comfy robes on and quality ice cream being shoved down our throats as we gossip about the team.
"Ok ok, Morgan out of Portman, Goldberg, and Bombay, which would you rather kiss?" Connie asks me hoping to get a rise out of me. It worked
"Omg none of them! Goldberg is so full of himself, Portman is basically a caveman, and Coach is like 20 years older than me! If I have to pick I'd say Portman because at least he's semi attractive and isn't a full blown adult, no matter how big and tall he is" We all laugh and I ask the next question.
"Julie, between Luis and Fulton who's the hottest?"
"Love Fulton but come on, no one can deny that Luis is muy caliente" We all laugh again while Julie goes on a whole tangent just about Luis's face and how perfectly sculpted it is. She's not wrong. He has better lashes and skin than me and he doesn't even do anything to make them that way!
"So what's the sitch between you and Guy? Still no move yet?" Julie breaks her rant to ask Connie.
"Nothing yet but he says after our next game he has a surprise for me"
"Oooh I wonder what it could be" I say even though I know exactly what it is. I went in the locker room early today and I overheard Guy and Charlie talking about how he's gonna take Connie to some park and have a picnic overlooking the LA sunset. As much as I'd love to tell her I owe it to the one decent guy on the team to keep it a secret.

I let them sleep over in my room which I forgot about when my dad knocks on my door in the morning.
"Morning dad" I let him in as Connie and Julie are just waking up
"Who's that in your room?" He runs to turn on the lights and sees the girls. Happy is not a word I'd use to describe him in that situation
"What are they doing here? They're supposed to be getting ready for today's game against Italy back at the dorms!"
"Yea but they have their gear and we're just gonna get ready with me here. It's fine I let them stay"
"Fine. Whatever. Anyways, I came here to tell you that today you won't be playing"
"What why?" I mean like I know I'm a shit player but I didn't know I was that bad
"Because you'll need to rest before your show tonight"
"What show? I thought we canceled the tour?"
"It's officially uncanceled we drive down to San Diego today. We'll meet your mother and Ester there"
"So what am I off team USA?"
"No. You'll just be 'benched' when you have a concert. Fortunately, California is the last state in your tour until December when you do the second leg of your tour in the midwest so you won't have to fly out to your concerts during the games"
"Great"
"Be happy people still wanna go to your concerts and you get to skip the game. I know joining the team wasn't ideal for you and now you're back to preforming" Well that was me like a week ago but I actually kinda like playing hockey. I don't have to diet to stay skinny or put on pounds of makeup and hairspray or deal with as many fans begging for autographs.

Even though I won't be playing, I still have to attend the game because otherwise it looks like I quit. I'm benched to preserve my face and vital organs so I'm still in my jersey but not my pads and stuff. During the games, I hang back with Julie who hasn't gotten play time at all yet and we watch the now called "bash bros" completely demolish the other team. Eventually karma catches up to Dean and he eats boards while trying to check someone. He and Fulton switch with Adam and Charlie while me and Julie can't help but laugh. He sits next to me while Fulton sits by Coach.
"You ok? You took a pretty nasty hit into the boards. You really showed them what you're made of" I tease.
"Yea well at least I'm playing. What, did your fragile little face get hit or something?" Dean retorts
"No, for your information, I have a concert in San Diego tonight so I can't play in case I get injured"
"You actually preform? I thought you were just some underground nobody whose got a rich daddy"
"Ok first of all, I've charted top 20 internationally, and second of all I've preformed in the White House, the National Anthem during the Stanley Cup Finals, and in Madison Square Garden multiple times!"
"Average"
"Bitch"
"Oh I'm sorry," he stands up, "you have to be this tall to call me names" he mimics to just under his chin. I stand up and sure enough I don't even reach past his shoulders. I lightly slap him in the face and sit down. And I will bet millions but I swear I heard him mutter "short and feisty like a chihuahua" under his breath.

Dean thankfully gets called back into the game and Fulton slide over on the bench to talk to me and Julie.
"So how are you guys liking the Ducks so far?"
"Fine but I wish Coach actually put me in. I mean Goldberg is fine and all but anyone can see I'm the better goalie" Julie answers
"Yea plus I know he's your friends but I could do without Portman" I add
"Yea seriously he's kinda obnoxious" Julie agrees with me
"Oh come on, I know he can be rude but you just gotta hang out with him. You'll see he's actually really cool. Me and him were thinking about hitting the town tomorrow, why don't you two tag along and if you still hate him then I'll make sure you never see him again. Sounds good?"
"It's a date" Julie replies. Why date Julie. You could've said ANYTHING ELSE but noooo you said date. Fulton heard it too because he lit up like a kid in a candy store, winked at Julie, then said "great! I'll stop by your dorm around 6"
"As much as I'd love to go I have a concert that night sorry" No I didn't. I only have one show in San Diego and it was tonight but I seriously do not wanna go. Apparently Julie knew this and blurted out "No you don't. You're going and it'll be fun" which she followed up with the he's cute so do me a solid look.
"Fine" I tell Fulton "You're lucky we're friends or I'd kill you" I angrily whisper to Julie.

Maybe if I pray really hard I'll get the flu. Or polio either way I get to get out of spending hours with Portman.

WC: 1890