Netting Crow (Blackhawks Fan-Fiction)

Chapter 9

As I drove home from Navy Pier, I kept replaying everything in my mind.  I still couldn't believe it.  I had met Corey Crawford, spent the day with him and some of his teammates, he had asked me to dinner, and kissed me.  No.  There's no way that actually happened.  Is there?

I got home and got Nathan into bed, and I sat down to relax and catch-up on social media happenings.  My phone buzzed, and it was a number I didn't know.  I opened the text message to find my picture with Corey and a message.

"Hope you made it home okay.  Looking forward to dinner on Saturday."

It was Corey.  Okay, so the day actually did happen...how am I going to play this?  I can't be super crazy fan girl, but I don't want to be nonchalant.

"I got home fine, thanks.  What's for dinner on Saturday?" I replied.

"Whatever you want.  You're the birthday girl."

"Hmm, I'm not sure.  Can you make some suggestions?"

"Sure.  I'll get back to you on that.  Are you going to watch the game tomorrow?"

"I have to work, but I will be watching there."

"Work?  It's Sunday.  There's no school on Sunday."

Aww, he listened and remembered when I told him I was a teacher. "I work part-time at a bar/restaurant.  It's a good summer job, so I have to take a day here or there in the winter."

"Oh, that makes more sense.  Okay, I will talk to you tomorrow.  Good night, Danelle."

"Good night, Corey."

I went to bed that night with the biggest smile on my face.  Maybe 2015 wouldn't be so bad, maybe things would be turning around for me. 

Sunday passed in a blur.  We are always super busy on game days especially when both the Hawks and Bears are playing.  I caught bits and pieces of the game; I couldn't even tell you who won.  When I got home that night I was exhausted.  I put Nathan to bed and was planning on getting to bed early since I had school the next day.  I was getting things ready for Monday when my phone rang.  It was Corey.

He and I spent nearly three hours on the phone.  We talked about the game, his plans for his day off, what my day at school looked like, and what my plans were for the week, he told me about where he lived in Chicago, and a little bit about his life outside of hockey. It was so easy talking to him.  He was mostly quiet and let me carry most of the conversation, but it was okay because I already knew a lot about him, and I wanted him to know about me.  He needed to know what he was getting himself into with me.  I have a lot of baggage and not that I let him in on it during our first real conversation, but I still wanted him to know that I had a lot of responsibility with school, Nathan, my part-time job and what not.  I also wanted him to realize that I worked hard and didn't have any intention of taking advantage of him or his money.  We wrapped up that conversation later than I had been planning on going to bed, but it was worth.  He called me.  He was still interested.

Monday went on as a normal day back to school.  I kept to myself about meeting Corey Crawford.  I didn't even tell Amanda.  I didn't want to tell anyone until I really knew what it was I was doing with Corey.  I was sitting at lunch debating about whether or not to text him.  He did call me yesterday.  I shouldn't always expect him to start the communication.  I took the chance and grabbed my phone.  I typed out a simple message.

"Hey!  How is your day off?" I sent him.

Immediately I received a response back, "Not as good as my last day off."

"LOL! I'm sure you had a blast following around two kids while they went on ride after ride."

"I did actually.  The company was what I enjoyed the most.  How's your day?"