games operations | jamie drysdale

Chapter Ten

I woke up to my phone ringing at 10:30am. I have learned over the past month to start sleeping with my ringer on just in case Jamie calls. He's out in Red Deer Alberta for the World Juniors, and he's been out there since November 15th. We've spoken on the phone every night, just like we did when he was in Erie, but it wasn't the same. Gary and Tina said I could stay with them whilst he was gone, but it didn't feel right. I tried to sleep in our bed twice and I just couldn't do it. It wasn't the same without him beside me anymore. I've been back with my family since then. I didn't even look at the caller ID, just answered it.

"Happy birthday, my love!" Jamie shouted through the phone.

"Happy birthday, Skyler!" Was said by a whole bunch of voices in the background. 

"Oh jheez, thank you!" I said. I barely even realized it was FaceTime, until I turned the phone to me to see Jamie and a whole bunch of his teammates. Some of them I recognized, some I didn't. I wiped the dried mascara of which I clearly didn't do a good job at taking off last night. 

"Are you only just waking up?" Jack Quinn asked, one of the few players I recognized. 

"Yep, it's only 10:30, it's my birthday let me sleep in." I laughed. 

"It's 8:30, Sky." Connor McMichael said, with a confused look on his face. Jamie smacked him lightly in the arm.

"We're two hours behind Ontario, dumb-dumb." He said, making me laugh. The boys continued to talk and Jamie took his phone, going out into the hall. "I can't stay on the phone for long, but I couldn't leave without calling you and making sure I talked to you. I hope you have the best day ever. I'm so, so sorry I can't spend it with you, but when we get out of here I promise that I will make it up to you." He said. His voice was gentle, and I could tell he was genuinely upset that he wasn't with me today. 

"That's okay, baby, I'll see you in a couple weeks still!" I said. I would've loved to go out to Red Deer to be with him, but because of COVID I wouldn't be able to be with him at all with the bubble. 

"There's still something coming to you today though. I've got meetings and practice until I think 2 but I'll talk to you after that." 

"That's okay, baby, do what you gotta do! I might see about dragging one of the girls out for my birthday Starbucks." I said, smiling.

"Do it! Let me know what you get!" He said. 

"I will," I laughed out. "Wanna call again tonight?"

"Baby, I'm calling you as soon as we can. I wanna spend the day with you the best I can." I smiled happily at him. 

"I love you, J." 

"I love you more, Sky." He said. I wanted nothing more than to hold him right now. I hated being away from him for this long, and still longer yet. 

"Sky!" My mom called from downstairs. 

"Hold on, my moms calling me." I said. "Wanna come with?" I asked him. He nodded happily with a smirk. I got out of bed and slid my slippers on, walking down the stairs to my mom in the living room. 

"What's up?" I asked her. 

"First and foremost, happy birthday!" She said, pulling me into a hug. "And secondly, there's something here for you." She moved to the side to show the most beautiful pink lily bouquet I have ever seen in my entire life. 

"Oh my god." Was all I could muster out. "Did you do this?" I asked her. She shook her head. 

"There's a card." She said, pointing at the white card attached to the flowers. I propped my phone up against the table decorations and pulled the card off.