The Boy, The Girl, and The Game (Artemi Panarin)

New Guys

-Artemis POV-

I walk into the UC more than excited to be back. All the memories came flooding back and I couldn't help but smile. I make my way to the locker room saying hi to everyone on the way and walk up to my stall. I set my things down and look at the familiar sight. My name up in black and red and all my things still there.

"Hey guys! Breadman is here" someone cheers as I turn around to see Patrick coming towards me.

"There's my favorite liney" I say pulling him into a bro hug.

We catch up a little while putting our gear on, talking about WCoH and other things.

"How are the new guys" I ask taping my stick.

"Pretty good. They're not you, but good" he laughs standing up. "The finest piece of fresh meat is actually the new sports therapist" he says wiggling his eyebrows.

"Did someone forget he has a girlfriend" I ask joining him on his way out to practice.

"Hey, I can look. Plus her and Amanda are already best friends" he defends causing me to laugh.

We walk through the tunnel and were about to hit the ice when Patrick stops. "There's my favorite new person" he yells pulling a small girl into a hug. She groans and smacks his chest. I like her already.

"Hey Patrick. How's it going" she says trying to pry herself from his grip. She sounded mighty familiar.

"Good. Amanda wants to hang out with you again" he says finally letting go.

"I would love to hang out with Amanda again, she's great. Unlike you" she mumbles earning a gasp from Patrick.

"Hey, I am not that bad" he defends.

"Not that good either" she says back and Patrick throws his head back laughing. I swear this girl sounded so familiar.

"So rude. Anyway, I would like for you to meet Artemi" he says moving to the side. We were about to be late to practice and I was in no mood to meet one of his lady friends he tries to hook me up with.

"We've actually met before" she responds. I raise my eyebrow and move so I could see the girl.

"Annabelle" I whisper.

She smiles as Pat looks between the two of us with a questioning look. "How do you guys know each other" he asks still trying to figure it out.

"I uh... ran into her grocery shopping" I stutter causing Patrick to giggle. She hits him again a little bit harder than last time.

"Damn girl. I'm not trying to be out before the season even starts" he whines rubbing his arm.

"Then be nice" she threatens and he sighs in defeat.

"Fine" he mumbles and heads to the ice then she turns to me with a smile.

We stand there smiling at each other before I finally speak up. "So... you work here" I say a little shocked she was actually here.

"Yup. This season Q wanted a bass on sports therapist and found me through the publications on my book, so here I am" she shrugs.

I couldn't hold in my happiness, I'm pretty sure it's seeping off me. I wanted to jump up and down but that wasn't about to happen.

"I'm happy you're here" I say then regret it as soon as it comes out of my mouth.

"Are you now" she asks with a smile. I nod not trying to make myself look like a bigger fool.

"Hey lover boy, practice time" Patrick yells from the ice. I shake my head and look back to Annabelle.

"I guess that's my cue. I would like to talk to you again, maybe later" I say walking backwards to the ice.

"I think we can make that happen" she says watching me. I hop on the ice and regain my focus. It's go time.

Practice ends and I'm exhausted. I shower and change back into normal cloths then search for Annabelle.

"Hey Pat, where's Annabelle" I ask the man standing next to me.

"We're about to go to lunch, wanna come" he offers.

My eyes light up and he lets out a laugh. I put my stuff in my car and meet Annabelle and Patrick out front as we walk to Panera.

"So, what exactly does a sports therapist do" I ask walking besides her.

"I'm here when you don't have answers to your own questions, whether it's about sports or about life.  I can help you find the solution or if there isn't one find another way to go about things. If you get hurt I'll be your hype man. Basically any problems that you have once you step off that ice, I'm your girl" she exclaims. She sure was a happy girl.

"And that's what your book is about" I continue.

"Kinda. That's basically about the importance of being part of the team, meeting expectations, the lessons sports teaches, things along those lines" she explains. I nod and continue to stroll along side her.

"What you did at Walgreens yesterday was really cool" I state trying to make conversation.

"That was nothing. The smallest good deed can make the grandest good impression. Giving people a reason to smile is the reason I get up in the morning" she says.

I watch her as she talks and I can't help but feel so much passion. "You're a interesting little thing, you know that" I say.

She laughs and it's one of the most beautiful sounds I've ever heard. "I hope that's a good thing" she says looking up at me.

"It is. I like interesting. Interesting is good" I stumble.

"If you two are going to flirt the whole time can you at least do it quieter" Patrick complains from behind us. We stop and Annabelle turns to him.

"If your going to bitch the whole time will you at least wait until I get some alcohol" she snaps back. Patrick grows a smile and catches up to us.

"See... I knew I liked you" he says as he walks into Panera.

We order our food and find Amanda in the back. "Hey babe" Patrick says sitting next to her giving her a kiss. That forced Annabelle and I to sit on the same side of the booth but I didn't mind any.

We all talked like old friends and for the first time in a long time I feel really comfortable. Something about Annabelle made me feel safe and happy and I was addicted.