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

Mini Golf

-Annabelle's POV-

The Hawks are struggling early this season. There's no hiding that fact. Penalty kill is historically terrible, they're playing sloppy, and injuries are just seeming to mount up. They needed a break, that's why mini golf and a nice lunch is just what we needed. I rented out a nice mini golf course so the boys don't have to worry about anything and can relax and have fun. Artemi and I meet Lindsey and Jon and Pat and Amanda at the course and quickly find ourselves having fun.

"I bet you can't make a hole in one on the first shot" Patrick says over my shoulder.

"Okay, and if I make it you have to pay for lunch" I say with a smirk.

"Okay, and if you don't you have to do whatever I ask for the next week at work" he says matching my smile.

"Deal" I decide sticking my hand out for him to shake. I place my feet how I wanted them and take a practice spring. I look down the hole at the obstacles and plan out how to approach them. With one swing of the club the ball misses most the obstacles or bounces of them and my pretty blue ball finds the bottom of hole. I raise my arms in triumph and turn to Patrick with playfulness in my eyes.

"Lucky shot" he mumbles as he steps up to shoot. He recklessly swings his club and the ball hops into the water.

"That's harsh" I giggle and he mumbles incoherent cuss words while going to retrieve another one.

"How's the book coming along" Lindsey asks watching Jon carefully tap the ball into the hole.

"Pretty good. I'm lucky I have such great things to write about. Makes my job a lot easier" I admit as she approaches her ball.

"Are we in it" Amanda asks from under Patrick's arm.

"Do you want to be" I wonder. I never really thought about using names. But if I wanted quotes I guess I would have to use their names.

"I do. What about you Linds" Amanda asks.

"That would be really cool" she smiles at me and I nod.

"Okay, I'll see what I can do" I say and we keep playing.

"I think you should just write a book about me" Patrick says as we approach the last hole.

"Yes, because America needs to know what their hockey sweethearts go to music choices are" I scoff as I set my ball down.

"Hey, I'm just saying that Taylor Swift is better than everyone else" he says throwing his hands in the air.

"Whatever you say" I roll my eyes about to hit my ball.

"Wait" Jonny yells and I freeze. "Do it with your eyes closed" he challenges as Lindsey smacks his chest.

"Okay, I can do that" I say shutting my eyes.

"How do we know you're not cheating" Patrick joins in. I pull Artemi behind me and place his hands over my eyes. I take a hard hit and it goes dead silent.

"You've got to be fucking kidding me" Jonny says and Artemi takes his hands off. My ball was nowhere to be seen because I had actually made it. Not even I thought I could do it.

"That's my girl" Artemi says before kissing my temple and I feel a blush come on.

"I love you" I tell him with truth in my voice.

"I love you more" he replies causing me to roll my eyes. We finish playing and finally head off for a nice lunch.

Since I won I decided Chicago Cut would be good to relax and have a nice meal, and Patrick was paying so I didn't mind any. "I can't believe you guys already said that you love each other" Lindsey says sipping wine.

"Emotions don't have a time table. After a hard loss a player can be upset for days. It's not something we can control too much, it just happens" I shrug as Artemi wraps his arm around me securely. I look up into his beautiful eyes as he stares back down at me and everything stops. All the background noise dies down and it's just him and I. I like to have a reason for everything but I was falling hard and I couldn't tell you why. But I didn't mind any, I knew I loved Artemi, who he was and what he stood for. He was a smart guy and I was lucky to call him mine.

"Earth to love birds, food is here" Patrick says snapping his fingers in front of our face bringing us back to reality much too soon. Amanda slaps his arm and earns a glare from Jon, Lindsey, and Amanda.

"What" he wines rubbing his arm.

"They were having a moment you imbecile" Jonny exclaims and I couldn't help but laugh. We were a odd bunch. We finish up lunch and chill for a little before heading out.

"Thanks for hanging out guys, I had a great time" I say giving everyone a hug.

"We need a girls night soon" Lindsey says hugging me and I nod.

"Most defiantly. See you guys" I wave walking away.

"You know, every day you amaze me" Artemi says hopping in my car.

"How so" I wonder pulling out.

"You just can't do anything wrong. Even when you do you make it seem okay and I just can't figure you out" he says.

lThat's very sweet but I'm wrong a lot more than you are led to believe. I usually fix myself before anyone notices. The most important part of fixing a problem is accepting that there is a problem" I mention pulling into my driveway.

"Do you ever say the wrong thing" he laughs getting out the car.

"If you could hear what I say in my head I promise you wouldn't be saying that" I laugh.