Living Proof (NHL)

Chapter Twenty-Four

The day out with Beau had been amazing. He had sent me an address of a restaurant that I had never been to and bought me breakfast.

After we ate, he made me leave my car at the restaurant so he could surprise me with where we were going. It felt like he was driving for forever before he finally pulled to a stop.

"We're here." Just from his voice, I could tell he was happy and eager for me to see.

When I finally looked up, I gasped in surprise.

We were at a small park that was right next to river but that wasn't the only thing that was stunning. The whole city stood infront of us.

"This is the West End Overlook. From here you can see the city and where the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers meet."

"It's beautiful Beau. You know the best places."

"I just know how much you love nature and places with a view."

We spent hours there talking and at times, sitting in silence, watching the river move slowly in front of us. We had to leave around five so Beau could get to the arena on time.

"Are you coming to the game?" He asked as he pulled back into the restaurant parking lot.

"Of course, I can't miss it."

We said our goodbye's, him heading off to the arena and me home to see Lily, my dad, and uncle. I had decided to take them to the game with me.

****

"Mommy, when is it going to start?"

"Lily, just a few more minutes, I promise."

With a big huff, she fell back into her seat and crossed her arms.

Coach had saved us a private booth so we could watch the game in peace.

They were all excited but sad at the same time because I wasn't playing. When they voiced this to coach, he promised them another booth the second I could play again.

"Look, look! There's my penguins!"

I laughed and shook my head as Lily got up and started clapping her hands frantically. When the Stars came out onto the ice a minute later, Lily's attitude completely changed and she started booing.

"Lily! Don't do that!" I tried to keep my tone stern but I couldn't help but laugh a little. She was a committed girl.

"Sorry mommy, I just don't like them. They are going to try to beat up my friends."

"They'll be fine Lily."

The whole game, I was on the edge of my seat. Everytime the Penguins scored, the Stars would score within a couple minutes.

By third period it was 4-4 and I could tell the guys were tired. I hated sitting up in the stands and not being able to play next to them.

"Please watch Lily for me!"

Right before the third period was about to start, I decided to go talk to the guys. Maybe I could give them some courage.

No one gave me problems as I ran to the back of the building and into the changing room.

"Cub, what are you doing here?" Duper asked, furrowing his eyebrows.

"I've been up in the booth the whole time." I thought that they knew I had been but I guess only coach and Beau did. "Anyways, I just wanted to tell you guys that you're doing good and you should keep it up. I know you're all probably tired but just one final push and it'll all pay off."

"Do you have any ideas Cub?" Coach smiled at me and handed me the white board marker.

I stayed in the locker room for a couple minutes going over things they could do and helping them come up with plays. I tried to use what I had saw from sitting in the stands and contributed that to some of their ideas.

After a few minutes, I decided I should go back to my seats before the third started so I left with a loud 'thank you' from everyone on the team, following me out the door.

When the guys got back onto the ice, they all looked like they were ready to kick butt. I could tell the Star's were tired because they were making sloppy mistakes.

A turn over in the middle of the ice lead to the Penguins being able to use one of the plays we disscussed and they ended up getting the game winning goal. I didn't think anyone was as happy as Lily; I thought she was going to lose her voice from screaming so much.

"Can we go see them? Please, please, please!"

"Okay Lily," I laughed, grabbing her hand, "let's go see them."

We allowed coach to talk to the guys and let them get finished changing before we went in. Lily automatically ran around the room congratulating everyone and telling them she booed for the Star's.

As Beau walked towards me, my dad, and Uncle, I realized that this was the first time he was going to actually meet them as my boyfriend.

"Hi, I'm Beau. It's so nice to finally actually meet you guys." Beau polietly shook my dad and uncles hand with a smile. He didn't seem nervous at all even though he had no warning.

"Hey, if it isn't the one and only, Mr. Bennett. We've heard so much about you, it's nice to finally meet you too son."

My eyes were wide and I could feel my face turning red from embarrassment.

"Justin stop, we don't want to embarrass our little Kolby here. I'm her uncle, you can call me John."

"I'm not embarrassing her John." With one glance at me, he realized he was and quickly continued. "Oh, I mean, we haven't heard much about you, just that Kolby is happy..."

Thanks dad, because that was any better.

Beau didn't pay any attention to it and just laughed as they started up a conversation about the game.

I left them to it, not wanting to be in the line of fire any more, and walked towards Lily, who was sitting on Down's lap next to Sid.

"Look what Sid's gave me mommy!" Her mouth was full of food and she held up a granola bar wrapper in my face.

"I hope you don't mind, she kept saying how hungry she was."

"It's fine Sid, thank you. You're still hungry Lily?! You had a corndog and a bag of chips to yourself!"

"I don't know where it went. It's not in my tummy because it was telling me it was hungry." Her little face looked so confused but she shrugged and went back to munching on her food.

"Tell everyone goodbye Lil's, we have to go."

She sadly got up and started giving everyone hugs goodbye, Beau being the last one. She was tired, so she leaned against his legs and reached her arms up.

He smiled softly and picked her up, still talking to my dad and uncle. She put her head down on his shoulder and was out within minutes.

"Dad, we should probably get going. Lily needs to get to bed."

My dad took Lily from Beau, who kissed her gently on the head before handing her over.

"It was so nice meeting you guys. I'll see you tomorrow."

I waited until they left to turn to Beau. "Tomorrow?"

"They invited me for dinner."

I didn't know how to feel about it. Did they like him or did they just want to interrogate him?

Either way, this is was going to be interesting.

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