Netting Crow (Blackhawks Fan-Fiction)

Chapter 16

I wake up  with a new outlook on everything.  Corey and I had shared the dark, scary parts of ourselves, and we were surviving.  Probably even stronger than before.  I go through my morning routine knowing that Corey is upstairs asleep in my bed.  It's actually the most comforting feeling.  As I think back to the fact that I have only known Corey ten days, I can't believe it.  It feels like so much longer.

At lunch that day, I tell Amanda what happened with him the night before.  I even tell her what he said as I was falling asleep.

"I still can't believe it.  Corey. Crawford.  That's awesome, D.  I am so happy for you.  I am also happy for me because this means more Blackhawks game.  It does mean more Blackhawks games, right?"

"Probably."  I say laughing.  "Don't forget we have tickets to Sunday's game."

"I know.  My dad will meet us at your house."

"Umm, about that...I will probably just drive with Corey and meet you guys there. If that's okay?"

"It's fine, but remember when we start going regularly, I don't drive in the city."

"I'll remember, but you should learn because I'm not going be your chauffeur forever."

"That's what best friends are for!" She says as she throws her napkin at me.

I finish out the day happily.  It's funny how many people commented that I looked so much better today than yesterday.  I texted Corey as I headed to pick up Nathan from pre-school.

"Hey.  How was your day?  Whatcha doing?"  I ask.

"My day was okay.  Didn't do much.  I'm watching some game footage now. What about you?"

"It was good.  Busy.  I'm leaving now to get Nathan.  Then heading home to make dinner and what not."

"What's for dinner?"

"Spaghetti.  I thawed out some sauce, so I will heat that and make some noodles."

"Sounds great!  Don't text and drive." He warned.

As I pull into my driveway, I see Corey's black Chevy still parked in front of my house.  He's still here, I think, and my heart speeds up.  As Nathan and I walk inside, Nathan sees Corey first.

"Corey!" He yells as he runs into Corey at full steam.

"Hey, buddy!  How was school?" He asks as he squats down to Nathan's eye level.

Nathan begins to rattle on about his day, which was interesting because when I asked him in the car the boy couldn't remember a thing.  Then I notice that it smells of garlic...I look around and see two pots on the stove: one with the pasta sauce heating up and the other with the water for the noodles.  The oven is on and there is garlic bread in the oven.

"You started dinner?" I asked with shock in voice.

A hurt look forms on his face as he answers, "Yea, I thought I would help."

"Thank you.  That's awesome."  I smile warmly at him.  He pulls me into an embrace, and even though I had a good day nothing beats this moment.

"Why don't you and Nathan come to the game on Friday?  Sit in the box.  Sharpie said Abby will be there with the girls."

"Go talk to Nathan about it while I finish dinner."

Corey walks out of the kitchen toward the living room.  About 90 seconds later Nathan comes running into the kitchen.  "Mommy!! Guess what?" He exclaims out of breath.

"What?"

"Corey said we can go watch the Blackhawks play on Friday!  And he said that he will get me a Patrick Kane jersey." He face is lit up like a Christmas tree.

"No way.  That sounds like so much fun."

"I know."  He says matter-of-factly as he heads back toward the living room.

Once dinner is nearing completion, I begin setting the table.  I can see the living room from the dining room, and I watch Corey and Nathan and they both melt my heart.  Nathan hasn't ever had the full attention of guy, and he is living this up.  They are playing legos and Corey is acting like he has no idea how to put legos together, so Nathan is patiently helping him.

"Dinner, guys." I yell into the living room.

We spend the remainder of the evening doing normal family stuff.  If someone were to look into my house, they would never guess that Corey was a famous athlete because he didn't carry that persona or attitude.  It was refreshing.

After Nathan went to bed, we had a bit of time to ourselves.  We decided to watch a movie in bed, but we mainly ended up talking through the rest of week.  He had practice tomorrow, so he would stay in Chicago.  Nathan and I would drive up there Friday night and catch the game.  Then we would stay with him, and Saturday we would all do something because he had the whole day off.  Sunday morning, I would drive Nathan to my mother-in-law's and then drive back to Chicago to catch the game and stay with Corey.

The AllStar game was coming up; as was the Hawks very long 'Disney on Ice' road trip.  It made me nervous to think about him being gone so long.  He would be gone longer than we had known each other; would what we feel change with time and distance apart?  Would he find someone on the road?  Does that happen?  Do athletes really hook up while on road trips?  So many concerns rolled through my mind as I went to sleep that night.

I tried to remember that he deserved the benefit of the doubt.  He hadn't hurt me, and if I was to believe what he told me...he had no intention to hurt me.  I struggled with my self-doubt, which made me question everything about us.  I would have to work on that because it shouldn't have to be Corey's job to make me feel at ease every time we had to be apart.

Hmm, well that's easier said than done.