Hero {Brendan Gallagher}

11 - Far From Here

Ever since I picked up the last of my clothes from Sarah's, I felt like a new person. I got rid of her toxic, so-called friendship, and through that process, I gained Brendan. 

"How's your boy?" Maxie asked me as she came into the salon. I looked up at her and smiled. She was, obviously, the first person I told about me and Brendan. She was looking at me with an eager look on her face, and I couldn't help but laugh. "What?? I'm just happy that you're happy!"

I smiled and felt my cheeks turn pink. Sarah never took the time of day to care about me or my happiness. The more I thought about our friendship, the more I began to realize exactly how horrible it really was.

"Well, are you going to answer the question?" Maxie urged as she took a sip of her coffee.

"He's good, I guess," I replied with a shrug. "I miss him, though."

The Canadiens were on a two-week road trip out west to play against other Canadian teams. Even though Brendan and I had known each other for months, we had started being a "thing." Whatever that meant.

Maybe I was overthinking it, but I was almost scared to tell him that I missed him. Was that too clingy? Normal?

I had no idea. I had never been well-versed in relationships, especially ones with former sex buddies.

Plus, Brendan hadn't said anything about missing me, so that just added to my insecurity about the whole thing. Why did I always have to go and make things that are painfully simple, complicated?

"Let me guess," Maxie began, tapping her stiletto nail on the countertop. "You haven't told him yet."

It amazed me how well Maxie knew me sometimes.

"You would be correct," I told her as I ran my fingers through my hair. She rolled her dark eyes at me.

"Stella, you've gotten soft on me!" she exclaimed. If she was trying to be intimidating, she failed miserably as her lips curled into a smile.

"I have not gotten soft," I defended myself, giving her a fake scowl. She sticks her lower lip out.

"It's actually kind of cute, you being all mushy and wound up over him," she informed me. Once again, I felt my cheeks turn pink.

"Shut up," I retorted. It was a weak comeback, but it was the best I could come up with.

"Have I mentioned the fact that you look like one hot mama today?" Maxie questioned, another smirk playing on her lips. I roll my eyes at her. "Don't be so modest. You and I both know you took countless selfies before you left this morning."

I didn't want to admit it, but she was right. I had waken up feeling like looking like a boss, and I looked like a damn boss. Of course, I had to send a few Brendan's way, just to tease him.

"You bet your ass I did," I replied, beginning to laugh. I wondered why I hadn't gotten closer to Maxie sooner. She was an amazing person, and she would definitely never in a million years judge me in the countless ways Sarah had.

"Stella, your first client is here," the monotone voice called over the speaker. I wiggled my eyebrows at Maxie before heading towards the lobby to grab my client.

My eyes felt like they were going to pop out of their sockets when I saw who was standing there. I wanted to turn around and tell the receptionist that there was no way I would cut this idiot's hair, but I figured my boss wouldn't be happy if she found out.

"Hi, Lucas," I said, plastering a fake cheerful expression on my face. It was a shallow attempt to make this appointment quick and painless.

"Stella."