Netting Crow (Blackhawks Fan-Fiction)

Chapter 15

"What..." I begin to say. I never told him where I lived "how?..." I was so surprised I couldn't even put together a sentence.

"I thought you wanted an explanation." He says. "So I am here to explain. Can I come in?"

I cross my arms in a gesture meant to imply no.

"Fine. I will stand out here in the cold and get sick. You get to explain to the guys why I can't play."

He was right I couldn't let him get sick. "Come in." I opened the door for him. I was very self-conscious as he came in. My house wasn't as nice as his house, plus I had a five-year-old who likes to leave his toys all over.

"Why are you here, Corey?" I ask him.

"To explain." He said. "But after I do, I have some questions for you."

"How did you find out where I live?"

"Internet. It's not hard. Do you want to small talk or would like an explanation for this picture you sent me?"

"I'm not sure I want to hear it." I told him honestly.

"You are already nailing my ass to the wall for a picture. Let me at least offer you the explanation you asked for before you write me off." He said angrily. I felt bad for passing judgment on him without allowing him the option to tell me his side. I wasn't any better than those fans that called for his trade after a bad game.

"You're right. I asked for an explanation and I want it." I think...I thought to myself.

"Can I sit?" He asks gesturing toward the couch.

"Of course. Would like something to drink?" I ask. I don't know why.

"No, thank you." I sit down near enough to him, but not too close. He then begins his explanation. "Yesterday, I was supposed to have lunch with a friend. I told you that. My friend, Anthony..he is Dom's brother. After morning skate, I went to his apartment to pick him up. Dom was there. Anthony had invited her to lunch because she happened to be in town from Vegas. She is or at least was my friend too, so she came along. We had lunch, and on the way back Anthony ran into a store. Apparently, Dom felt the need to take a picture of her shoes in my car. After Anthony was done, I dropped them off at his apartment and went home." He finished and looked at me...waiting for my reaction.

It made enough sense. I mean she was sitting in the backseat. It's not like they took a picture together or anything. Amanda had been right; I should've given him the benefit of the doubt.

"I'm sorry, Corey. I should have given you the benefit of the doubt, but after she approached me at the game on Sunday I have been on edge about her ever since." I explained.

"She approached you at the game?!" I was sure he was mad now. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"I don't know. I handled it. I didn't want to tell you, and you talk to her about it because then she would know that I ran to you about it."

"Danelle, you have to talk to me. What else has been bothering you that you've been keeping from me?"

Do I ask him about his fiancee? I guess it is now or never. "Will you tell me about your fiancee?"

"Of course, but then I get to ask you some questions."

"Deal."

"She and I had been together since we were 18. She followed me as I traveled around the AHL and other minor league teams. During the 2011-2012 season when I finally got my place on the roster as a Blackhawk, we got an apartment in Chicago. Things were okay. I was finding my comfort zone in the net and was looking onward and upward. After that season, she started talking about wanting more. We spent the off-season apart so she could figure out what exactly more was, and when I came back to Chicago for the start of the 2012-2013 season, she came with me." He paused to look at me.