Living Proof (NHL)

Chapter Ten

Standing in front of the door, where I had been for the last ten minutes, I felt like I was going to freak out. I couldn't stand still; running my hands through my hair, bouncing on the heels of my feet, and continuously biting my lip.

Beau had come back from the hospital early this morning and the second I heard, I knew I had to see him. I had to see for myself that he was actually okay.

That's the problem though; I didn't know if I could see him without everything pouring out of me like a hose. And that brings me to where I am now, stuck outside of his hotel room with no strength to knock.

I felt a presence behind me but before I could see who it was, they reached around me and knocked. To shocked to do anything, I heard them take off back down the hall.

The door opened a few seconds later but I was to nervous to look at him so I continued to look at my feet like an idiot.

"Kolby, hey." His voice was scratchy but soft and it was probably they hottest sound I'd ever heard.

Finally getting the courage to look up, my eyes went directly to the cut on his forehead.

"Oh my gosh. Sid made it seem like a small cut. That's not a small cut!" Before I realized what I was doing, I was on my tippy toes, both hands on the side of his head, examining the cut.

"I'm fine, really." He made no move to push me away and instead put both his hands on top of mine which were still cradling the sides of his face.

"Oh right, sorry." I quickly pulled away from him and shoved my hands in my pockets.

He laughed and gestured into his room. My eyes widened as I realized we were still in the hallway and I automatically felt my face getting hot.

Not wanting him to see how embarrassed I was, I made my way into his room and sat on the chair next to the desk.

"I just wanted to see that you were okay for myself." A smile crawled onto his face as he lay on his bed.

"Oh, so you were worried about me?"

You have no idea.

"Yeah, of course. It was a bad hit. I would've hated to see any of you guys get hit like that." I could see his smile fall right before he looked away. "I did feel like I got hit when you did but with emotions I never thought I'd feel." He looked back at me and waited for me too continue. I swallowed the lump in my throat and looked down at my lap. I wouldn't be able to say it while looking at him.

"Listen Beau, I like you, a lot and it scares me. I feel like a thirteen year old, who has her first crush and I hate it. I hate that I like you so much and I feel like we haven't known each other long enough for me to feel how I feel. Plus, I have a daughter and I don't know how you would feel being with someone with a kid and-"

I was too distracted by my own words that I didn't notice Beau getting up from the bed and making his way to me.

Hands were placed on the sides of my face and before I could ask what he was doing, he was kissing me.

This kiss was so unlike the first but I still felt the same butterflies swarming my stomach. Beau was more confident as he smoothly pulled me up from the chair without breaking the kiss.

One hand stayed on my face, thumb rubbing my cheek, as the other one traveled behind my neck causing my lips to press more into his.

"Do I kiss good?" Beau muttered into the kiss and I automatically pulled away and started laughing.

"Really? You couldn't wait until after?" He shrugged his shoulders with a sly smile adoring his face.

"I felt like it was going to good so I wanted to be the one to ruin it before something, or someone, else did." He pulled my face close to him and pecked me one more time on the lips before sitting on the bed in front of the chair.

"So um, what does this mean? I mean, I still don't know how you feel about me having a daughter and all. And-"

"Kolby," he laughed as my eyes shot back to him and I muttered a 'huh', "did that kiss not mean anything? I want to be with you. I don't care what people say. When it comes to you having a kid, I don't care. I can tell that Lily is the best thing that happened to you and I wouldn't change you having a kid even if I could. Just because I'm dating you doesn't mean I automatically become her step father. At some point, if we do get there, I'd be honored to have that role."

Him saying that to me instantly brought tears to my eyes. I had met guys here and there that had showed interest until they found out I had a daughter then they were gone faster than I could count to ten.

Not knowing what to say, I launched myself into his arms but that probably wasn't the best idea.

In the heat of the moment I had forgotten he was hurt so the second I heard his gasp, I was off his lap and on the floor, literally.

"Oh my gosh, I am so so sorry. I totally forgot."

"Calm down, you didn't hurt me. Well you did but it's fine, my necks just sore."

Standing up from the floor, I walked over to his bed and pulled the covers down. As I gestured for him to get into bed, he turned his head and laughed.

"Oh geez, you're going to be one of those girlfriends?" My heart jumped when he said girlfriend but I ignored it and pointed to the bed again. "Fine, I'm coming."

"You should be resting." With a laugh and a shake of his head, he crawled into bed. I put the covers back over him and smiled. "I'll be back later. Text me if you get hungry or need anything."

"Wait that's it?" I was already on my way to the door when he called out to me. I turned back around and looked at him, eyebrows raised.

In response, he puckered his lips and gave me puppy eyes.

"Oh geez, you're going to be one of those boyfriends?" I joked as I pecked him on the lips. He tried to deepen the kiss but I shook my head and pushed him back onto the bed. "Rest." Jokingly, he rolled his eyes but nodded his head.

Stepping out of the room, I wasn't surprised to see Olli, Sutter, and Downie standing there, wide smiles spread on each of their faces. Rolling my eyes, I turned away from them and made my way to my room.

"Come on Cub. You can't come out of Beau's room with a smile like that and not tell us what happened!" Downie whined as they followed me.

"Oh yes, I can and I will." Sticking my key card into the slot, the light turned green and I opened my door. Each of them stepped forward like they were going to come into my room. "No you don't."

"Don't be like that! That's not fair." Sutter yelled as I shut my door.

Smiling, I opened it again knowing they'd get their hopes up but all I did was stick my tongue out and slam the door again.

"How rude. I thought we were friends!" I peeked through the peephole and laughed as Olli stomped his foot and crossed his arms.

It took them about ten seconds to realize I wasn't going to open the door and with a grunt they were out of sight.

"Geez, they're like a bunch of gossiping teenage girls." I muttered as I crawled into bed.

I needed to pack but I definitely didn't feel like it so instead, I put on Netflix and watched my addiction, American Horror Story.