Living Proof (NHL)

Chapter Seventeen

"I'm tired." I whinned for what seemed like the hundredth time. "Someone carry me."

There was laughing but I was to lazy to open my eyes and see who it was.

We were standing in the hotel lobby, six hours later and I only slept one of them. I wasn't thinking at the time of my fun that I would regret not going back to sleep.

"Nope. That's your fault." Duper laughed and patted my head. We were currently sitting in the hotel lobby waiting for our keys and I was spread out on one of the couches.

After I had been scolded for my pranks, they admitted it was funny. I wasn't let off the hook that easily though. I was left to clean up the plane on my own and they even made me scrub the stuff off their faces.

When I was finally done, I gave them my best puppy face and they all forgave me.

"Please." I begged but no one was paying attention to me. "Babe?"

Beau glanced at me and when I made a sad face, he almost gave in.

"No you don't Sunshine. Stay away." Beau mouthed 'I'm sorry' as Downie pulled him away from me.

"You guys suck!" I grumbled and slowly stood up.

The second I was handed my key, I grabbed my suit case and ran to the elevator. Hitting the button repeatedly, it opened and I dragged myself into it.

Being that I was tired, I was cranky so when I saw some of the guys coming, including Beau and Olli, I hit the button to close the doors. I did a small smirk as they slide shut in their faces.

"That'll show you; never mess with a tired girl."

****

It was the next morning and we were all sitting in the locker room of the Staples Center, waiting to go out and practice.

It had been a hard morning for me from the second I woke up. I got plenty of sleep but my body felt different.

When we got to the Staples Center, I was the last off the bus and in the building; it was hard even doing simple things like that.

"The ice should be ready. Let's go."

"Coach, do you mind if I stay back for a few minutes?" I didn't take my eyes off the floor as I said this, knowing that all attention would shift to me.

"You guys go out and do a few laps. We'll be out in a few."

As the locker room cleared out, Coach stayed behind. He set down his clip board and gloves before walking over to me.

"The guys may not realize why you're acting different but I do." I sighed and finally looked up from my skates. "If you don't want to go out and practice, you don't have too. Just know that your father would want you too. He wouldn't want you to be sad. You're living your dream Kolby. Be happy."

I didn't say anything, I just nodded my head with a sigh. He waited another minute before patting my glove covered hands, grabbing his stuff, and leaving. Just like that, I was left in silence.

No matter how much I hated to admit it, he was right. My dad was probably up in heaven yelling at me to stop being such a softy. I let out a small laugh at that, knowing that's what he would be saying if he was here.

With a deep breath, I grabbed my helmet and started my slow walk out to the ice.

When I was behind the bench, I glanced over at the other one, where the Kings sit. Biting my lip, I looked into the stands behind it and found the seat I was sitting in, 9 years ago.

Even though things were different and had changed in the arena, it still felt like it was just yesterday. My eyes flicked to the spot of ice that I last saw my dad alive and they instantly started to burn.

No crying Kolby, no crying.

"Kolby, you coming?" Glancing at Beau, I nodded my head and skated out onto the ice.

It was weird that whenever something was wrong, all the guys knew about it not five minutes later. Everyone was serious during practice and no one messed about.

I knew it was so that practice would go faster and I could get off the ice, I appreciated it but it also wasn't helping get my mind off of it.

"Olli, I think you should stay on Sutter's line. You and Kolby seem like you connect more." I bit my lip and glanced at Beau who's mouth was wide open. "Beau, we'll get you on another line."

I felt bad but I couldn't let our relationship come out onto the ice so I left it; it was just a part of the game. We were all playing to win and if me and Olli could get us more points then oh well.

After we practiced for a little while longer, we were free to do as we wanted as long as we stayed here. There was about two hours until the game and Coach didn't see the point in leaving and then coming back so we were going to stay.

"Beau, I'm sorry you got moved-"

"No, don't Kolby. It's not your fault you and Maatta connect more." He spat the word 'connect' and it was weird of his to say Olli's last name.

"You can't be mad. You just said it yourself. It's neither of our faults."

"Yeah. Look, I'm going to go practice more. I'll see you later." He didn't look at me once, as he kissed my forehead and walked away.

Is he seriously mad? Ugh, now I'm mad.

Walking into the locker room, I quickly changed into shorts, a penguins shirt, and vans. Grabbing my phone and earphones I walked back out and down the hallway. I found an exercise bike randomly and decided just to use that to get my anger out.

Twenty minutes later, I was feeling better. As I started slowing down, there was a tap on my shoulder. I was surprised to see Kings captain, Dustin Brown standing next to me.

"Hi." I was out of breath as I pulled my earphones out of my ears.

"Hey, Kolby Bair right?" I nodded my head and he continued. "I know this might be weird but I just wanted to see you. I played with your dad for two years and he was an amazing player. I looked up to him a lot."

"Oh, yeah. That's weird, I remember you being there sometimes when I went to your practices."

"Yeah, you were like 8 the first time I met you." He laughed.

Although it was weird, it was oddly nice talking to someone that knew my dad just from being on the same team as him.

"I can't believe it's already been nine years." He looked lost in thought for a moment before he came back to. "It was hard for me and most of the guys to play after he passed but we knew that he would have wanted us to. I know it's probably hard for you; you haven't been here since that day but just know that he would want you to play with a smile on your face. Knowing him too, he would want you to kick our butts in tonights game."

"Thanks Dustin. That really means a lot. I'm happy we're getting to see eachother again even though the last time wasn't as planned. You're right, he probably would want me too and that's what's going to happen."

"When we're on the ice, this conversation will be forgotten. We'll be coming for the win Kolby, just know that." We both laughed and said our goodbyes before he left.

It was weird how much that conversation changed my attitude. I felt happier and more prepared to get onto the ice.

Now we just needed the win so I can make my dad proud even though he would be proud either way.

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