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

The Ex-Boyfriend

-Artemi's POV-

Annabelle's book was amazing. It's like she is one of us. The insight and details she has of different games and teams, it was incredible. Everything she said was true but even the shitty stuff she made seem not that bad.

The season opener was Friday and practices are becoming shorter and shorter. Most of us weren't going to Detroit for the last preseason game so we would have rest before the season starts.

"Okay, so this book is amazing" Seab's says standing in front of me with Annabelles book in his hand.

"I know Seabs. Even I was shocked" I say putting on my pads.

"How is it that she noticed things I haven't and I've been here for over a decade" he laughs finishing his pre-skate routine.

"I don't know. She just has a knack of seeing things most people over look" I shrug.

I stop by her office before heading out to the ice. "Hey babe" I call out sticking my head in her office.

"Hey Art, how are you" she laughs.

"Better now that I saw you" I smile and she starts to blush. "I just wanted to see you blush. See you after practice" I say leaving.

"You're a bitch" she yells and I just shake my head. That's my girl.

After practice I take a shower and wait outside of Annabelle's office so we could go to lunch. She soon emerges and I find myself smiling like I only do when she's around.

"You ready" she asks happy as ever, it was contagious.

"Yup. Where we going" I wonder.

"I'm feeling like Portillos if that's okay with you" she asks.

"As long as I'm with you I don't care where we go" I admit. She laced her fingers through mine and we took off.

After ordering and having her explain why this place was so special I started getting into it. I see a picture of Crow that was signed hanging up and I smile to myself. This city sure loves its hockey players. We sit down with our food and talk about whatever comes to mind. Halfway through lunch I see a guy my age approach the table and assume he wanted a picture or something. He wasn't big but he was fit, light brown curly hair and baby blue eyes. Looked like something out of a magazine.

"Belle" he says loudly and I cringe. Only I can call her that.

She turns around and jumps out her seat. "Trent! Oh my god I haven't seen you in forever! How have you been" she asks hugging him. His large arms wrap around her as his eyes never left mine. Yeah, already don't like this bitch.

"I've been good. You look really good" he says holding onto her hands. Yup, really don't like this bitch.

She tries to get him to stop touching her which made me feel a little better but he kept touching her. "Thank you. Trent, this is my boyfriend Artemi, Art this is my college friend Trent" she says with a smile. Not her usual smile but a smile none the less.

"That's how you introduce the guy you dated for three years" he asks her and she shrugs.

"More into the guy I have now" she says pointing to me.

"Artemi... is that German" he asks. I tried my best not to laugh but wasn't doing a good job.

"Russian" I say and he nods.

"So what are you up to now? Have you conquered the whole world yet" he asks her.

"You know I would never be able to tell people what to do" she says rolling her eyes. "But I just released a book and I work for the Blackhawks as the sports therapist" she replies nodding her head.

"Always impressive. Can we catch up sometime" he asks as I clench my fists on the table.

"I don't know. I don't think Artemi would like that" she answers. He turns to me with a smirk on his lips and it took everything in me not to jump across the table and punch him in his stupid face.

"He wouldn't mind, would you big guy" he says looking at me.

"Actually, I do" I say and he lets out a laugh.

"Come on Belle. Just a movie or dinner" he tries again and I finally stand up and move to her. She puts her hand on my chest to give me a "I got this" look and I nod.

"First of all Artemi is only one that has the right to call me Belle, you lost your right to call me that, second, I understand you want to catch up with me so here's a update. The only thing that's changed about me is that the book I was writing is out now and I have a boyfriend who has treated me better these past few weeks than you did in three years" she says calm as ever. She was trying to tell this guy off yet she still looked so sweet.

"What does he have that I don't have, besides money" he scoffs.

"For your information my multi million dollar home more than supports my needs, I don't need his money. Money, by the way, he earned because he went above and beyond in something he was already great at. You're a good person, Trent. But that's all you'll ever be. You like to point fingers at other people for not getting what you want but until you point at yourself you will never move on to bigger and better things. I kept moving and you're still stuck in college. Again, you're not a bad guy. Just a good guy stuck in a bad place" she finishes. This is why I like her so much. Always knows what to say.

Before he could say anymore a man in the workers outfit comes up with my picture in the frame like all the other famous people hanging up with the biggest smile on his face. "Mr. Panarin, can you sign this" he asks and I give him a smile.

"Of course, and you can call me Artemi" I say signing the picture.

We took a picture before he went back to work and I wrap my arm around Annabelle.

"So you like him because he's famous" Trent starts again as she rolls her eyes.

"No point in arguing if you don't want to understand, but I'll leave you with this. The only way to be the best is to surround yourself with the best. Artemi is the best. He reminds me every day to appreciate what I had, focus on what I have, and look forward to what's next. I know he's going places and I'm going with him" she says before turning to me.

"Movie night" she asks with a smile.

"Yeah but I want to go to your place because it's nicer" I laugh. With that we leave and head to her place for a nice night