Reflection (Artemi Panarin)

Vegas

Lesson 21: Be the reason someone smiles.

-Artemis POV-

I haven't been to Vegas since the rookie dinner. That... Was rough. Taylor doesn't drink and no one could make her so she was safe. Me? That's the last time I drank like that. Holy shit. Taylor still gives me shit from that night. And I still owe Tink money. Shout out to this bonus money though.

We got here early cause I was doing promos but I honestly was just really excited to see Pat. I got my WC Russia jersey and took some pics and did a little bit of video promo. As it lagged on I was starting to get tired. That was until I heard that familiar voice.

"There's the best thing since sliced bread" Patrick's voice rings out. I might have been too excited as I perked up and see him standing in shorts and a t-shirt with that stupid smirk on his face. I give him a bro hug and we sit and talk about the summer so far.

"How's Taylor" he asks.

"She's great. My grandparents adore her. They joined the crowd of people asking when I'm going to marry her" I chuckle. They were pressing hard, too.

"Well, when are you" he teases and I shake my head.

"It's been 7 months man, don't you think it's too soon?" I question as he laughs at me. Like actually laughs at me.

"Dude, you can't put a time table on love" he argues. He had a point.

"What if I told you I already have a ring" I ask looking over at my bag. Ever since Greg have it to me I've been carrying it around. 

"How" he asks obviously confused.

"When Nancy died she told Greg to give it to me to give to Taylor and if I don't she'll come back to life to kick my ass" I laugh with Patrick.

"Yup, sounds like Nancy".

We continue to talk and Taylor comes through the door with lunch and Brian already had his face stuffed in a hamburger.

"Okay, somehow they didn't have a salad so I just got you a-" she stops when she sees Patrick and runs into his arms. I let them have their moment and go to Brian.

"Slow down there kid, you're gonna make yourself sick" I tell him. He nods his head and takes a small bite. Only 8 years old and such a smart ass. He gets it from Taylor...

After promo was done I found a bashful looking Patrick and the angriest Taylor I have ever seen. This ought to be good. "I was gonna see if you guys wanted to go sight seeing but it looks like Taylor is gonna kill you..." I say to Pat as rubs the back of his neck.

"I think Taylor's mad at me" he says.

"I don't get mad Patrick, but I'm pretty fucking close" she calmly replies.

"What did you do" I laugh. Seeing Taylor try to be mad was kinda funny.

"I got a girlfriend and didn't tell her" he says and I stand there shocked. Who knew he had it in him?

"That's great buddy, what's her name" I wonder.

"Amanda. She's actually here with my family" he explains. I ask if they would like to join Tay, Brian, and I around the city. He goes to get them and they all agree. After introductions we went to all the things we could go to with Brian and had a great time.

"So Amanda, since our dear friend Patrick here failed to tell us anything, tell us about yourself" Taylor remarks never ceasing to send Patrick a glare.

"Well I'm an only child, 25. I'm into journalism and I just cover athletes around the Chicago area. I got assigned Patrick and found out he was a great guy. We went out a few times and here I am" she says and I can tell Taylor is reading her like a book.

"You're so pretty and Patrick why didn't you tell me you had a amazing girl" Taylor says obviously still frustrated. He shrugs and I let out a laugh I've been holding in.

"I've heard so much about you. I thought he was in love with you the way he talks about you" Amanda says. Well this is awkward. It's silent for a little before Pat Sr breaks in.

"It's getting late. How about we grab some dinner" he asks and we all agree. We find a little burger joint and decide to go there.

"I was trying so hard not to laugh. I really was. But I mean... I was dragged to a country concert when there were a dozen other ones I would rather be at. And this chick wouldn't stop asking me to dance so I finally got on the seat with her and she just fell off. Not my fault she was drunk and couldn't handle my dance moves" Taylor finishes. She's had us rolling all night with her stories. For someone who has literally never drank or been in trouble before she had the funniest stories. And she wasn't ashamed of any of them.

"Oh my god Taylor stop. My stomach hurts so bad" Amanda cries out from across from her.

Pats parents were infatuated with Taylor. They kept asking her things and she kept telling. Eventually it started to get real late and Brian was nearly asleep at the booth so we decided to go back to the hotel.

"Hey Taylor can we hang tomorrow before the awards" she asks. She paused for a second.

"Yeah I should be able to do that. I have a act of kindness to perform in the morning but I should be good to go after that" she replies and they exchange numbers. I didn't know she has a act of kindness for tomorrow...