Living Proof (NHL)

Chapter Eighteen

The second the puck hit the back of the net, my arms were in the air. We were in overtime against the Kings and I had just scored the game winning goal.

My heart felt like it was going to explode as my teammates skated onto the ice and pulled me in for a group hug. Without thinking, I kissed my glove and pointed up, dedicating the goal to my dad.

"He'd be proud of you Cub." Duper quickly hugged me before skating off towards Flower.

I couldn't get the smile off my face as we hit gloves and congratulated each other before skating off the ice. Back in the locker room, everyone was radiating with happiness. They were all happy with the win but it was much more for me.

Getting a goal, no matter if it's your first, second, or third, is the best feeling. For me to be able to get a goal on the ice in which my dad used to play, is way more than anything I've ever felt; I felt proud of myself.

My mood started to deteriorate though, as I realized Beau was the only one not smiling. He had been on the ice when the Kings scored a goal and I could tell he thought it was his fault.

"Don't beat yourself up Sunshine. We won the game, that's all that matters."

He nodded his head and gave me a small smile but I knew he was still mad at himself. It's hard not to be mad at yourself when something like that happens. I was just glad he got over not being on the same line anymore.

"Who wants to go to dinner?"

"Me, me! I'm starving!" I yelled, the second Sid asked. A few of the other guys agreed to go but Beau still stayed quiet. "Beau, want to go?"

"No, think I'm just gonna go back to the hotel." He grabbed his bag, got up, and left the room.

Sighing, I continued to pack up, glad no one heard our conversation. While we were leaving, I gave my backpack to Geno and asked him to take it back to the hotel since he wasn't coming to dinner.

Sid, Duper, Olli, Sutter, and I were the only ones going to dinner so we decided to get a cab. I was up for anything so I let the guys pick where they wanted to go. When we pulled up to Outback my stomach started to growl.

"I love you guys!" My mouth was watering as we walked in the door; the smell of steak waffled through the air.

Being that we were all starving, no one wanted to wait to order so we gave our food and drink orders at the same time. Me, Olli, and Sid got the sirloin while Duper and Sutter got the ribeye.

"Are you going to be able to eat that all?" Olli questioned as my plate was sat in front of me.

"Heck yes. Watch me." I may be a small girl but I could eat; especially when it came to steak.

"Beau's mad at me huh?"

"No, I mean he's mad that he got switched lines but it happens." Olli nodded his head and the table went silent as we started eating.

It was nice being able to hangout and joke with some of the guys outside of games. Yeah, we had time on the plane rides but that's the time everyone sleeps. I felt like I was able to get to know them more off the ice.

"Wait, so you're telling me that you guys watched videos of me before I was on the team? I thought only coaches and assistant coaches did that."

"Well yeah they did." Sid explained. "When they would watch a game of you where you made a good play, they would show us. Me and Geno got a goal using a play we saw you do."

"No way! That's crazy. I can't believe you guys actually used some of the plays I created." My mouth was open in surprise.

None of us felt like going back to the hotel yet so we stayed at the restaurant for a little while longer. I wasn't sure how we got on the subject of before I was on the team but I was happy we did. It was interesting to find out that talented people like them used some of the plays I made.

"Don't tell him we told you, but Beau had the biggest crush on you." Duper gasped and hit Sutter on the shoulder. "What?! It's the truth!"

"Yeah but he made us all promise we wouldn't say anything."

"Like it matters now. They're already together."

"So wait." I set my cup of water back on the table and leaned in. "Beau had a crush on me? Before we even met?"

"Don't act like you didn't like him either." Duper said casually.

"What are you talking about?" My face started too heat up and his smile grew.

"I knew you did! I could tell the way you acted when you first met him! How many games did you watch of ours just to see him?"

"It wasn't only to see him thank you!"

They all laughed but didn't agree. They knew I was lying and that I did watch most of their games to see him play. That wasn't a complete lie. Everyone has a crush, I just happened to meet mine and now be dating him.

"Well I think it's good that you guys liked each other before you met. Just, be careful. If you know what I mean."

"Really Sid? Trust me, I don't see any kids in the near future." With a shake of my head, I laughed.

It was the truth. There were many different reasons why I wouldn't want a kid now or within the next few years; I wouldn't be able to play, I'm still really young, and I want to be married or engaged before I have my next kid. Thinking about kids right now was weird considering I was with Beau and we had only been together for a couple weeks.

I didn't know what was going to be happening in the next few years but I knew having another kid wasn't going to be a part of it.

****

Finally getting back to the hotel, I was dead. We had stayed out until midnight which was easier than I thought being that I usually went to sleep at ten.

Everyone else was sleep so we had to be quiet as we walked down the hallway. That proved to be harder than I thought since we were all delirious.

"Be quiet!" I whispered for the third time.

Olli and Sutter had been laughing since we walked into the hotel lobby. While getting off the bus, Olli had tripped down the stairs and face planted. It was funny at first but they continued to laugh at it even after a couple minutes.

Grabbing the key from Sutter's hand, I opened their door and pushed them in the room. "Go to sleep. We have a flight at seven am."

I felt like I was taking care of two children as I stayed and made sure they actually went to sleep. I wouldn't have cared so much if we didn't have a game against Philadelphia tomorrow. It was back to back games and we all needed as much rest as we could get.

Once I got in my room, all I wanted to do was sleep but I needed a shower because I wouldn't have enough time tomorrow. After showering, I packed up my stuff and made sure I had everything. Climbing into bed, the second I got comfortable, I was out.