Netting Crow (Blackhawks Fan-Fiction)

Chapter 12

"Happy Birthday," Corey whispered in my ear the next morning.  His arms were wrapped around me, and my back was snug against him.  I truly thought I was dreaming.  This can't actually be happening to me, but then it all came back to me...spa day, the jersey, dinner, and now this morning.

"Thank you. And thank you again for everything yesterday."

"You are more than welcome.  I was glad to do it.  Are you excited about the game tonight?"

"I am.  You see there's this hockey player that I have a crush on, so I can't wait to see him in action."

"It's Tazer, isn't it?"  He says in all seriousness.

"Nah, I'm more into the bad boys."

"Kaner, eh?" He says smiling.

"I'd rather not say.  It may cause division amongst the team."

He laughs. "Okay, well if you want his autograph, just let me know. And I will see what I can do."  He kisses me.  "I'm going to make some coffee and breakfast before I have to head in for morning skate. Do you want something?"

"Sure, I will help."

"No.  No helping; it's your birthday.  Relax.  I make great toast, remember?"

"Okay.  But I will come running if I hear the fire alarm."

He swatted at me and headed downstairs laughing.  I rolled over and tried to think of a time when I had felt more at ease with someone.  I couldn't think of one.  I hadn't had a ton of boyfriends before I met and married my husband, but the comfort that I felt with Corey was something totally new.  

It made me wonder a lot about his ex-fiancee and his rumored friend with benefits.  We would eventually have to have the previous relationships conversation, but hopefully that could wait until further along in our relationship.  I'm not even sure if that's what this is; we hadn't discussed it or labeled it, so I guess for now it was going to go undeclared.

"Here ya go. Breakfast a la, Corey."  Corey was standing there with two cups of coffee and a plate of bagels. His voice had startled me out of my ponderings.  "Sorry, did I scare you?"

"I just didn't hear you come back in."

"Where were you?  What were you thinking about?" He asked as he sat on the bed and handed me the cup of coffee.

"Nothing.  Just thinking through the day."

"Me too.  I have a game plan for today.  Ready?  Why don't you come to morning skate with me?  Watch us practice, meet some of the guys and then we can get lunch before we have to get back for the game."

"It's not an open practice, so how can I go?"  I asked profoundly confused.

"We can bring people in that we know.  People do it all the time."

"I won't be ready in time for all that, plus I have to come back and get my car to go to the game."

"Okay you're the birthday girl.  I have plan B then.  How about I bring lunch here after morning skate, and then we drive to the game together, so I can introduce you to some people before the game.  You're staying here tonight anyway, right?  So no sense in having two cars at the UC."

"That sounds perfect."

"Awesome.  Enjoy the rest of your morning.  I have to head in.  Jimmy wants to work on some drills before tonight."

I look at him confused.  "Jimmy?"

"Jimmy Waite.  My goalie coach." He explained.

"Got it.  The name sounded familiar.  Have a great practice."