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

Promise ring

-Annabelle's POV-

"Knock knock. You can breathe again, I'm here" Jonny says letting himself in and situating himself on my couch. These weekly meetings get easier as time goes and he's becoming a close friend of mine.

"That's cute, you actually thought I was waiting for you" I laugh putting my stuff away and heading to the couch.

"Come on, you know you missed me" he jokes.

"You were at my house eating my food... this morning" I remind him.

"Yeah, but so was Artemi" he defends.

"Artemi is my boyfriend, he has that right" I explain. He lets out a long gasp and places his hand over his heart in fake hurt. I roll my eyes and he finally lets out a laugh. "Okay, lets be productive. What's on your mind" I ask.

"The circus trip, its kind of the the turning point of the season and I would like to turn in the right direction" he says tapping his finger on his chin.

"Okay, so we'll be out for two weeks correct" I ask and he nods.

"Got it, I know you're worried about all the young guys, but they're going to be okay. Tyler won't be in the first part of the trip and the other guys already worship the veterans and what you have done so far in your careers. I suggest reconnecting with your core. You guys have been together forever and it will get old sometimes, but you have the best core in all of professional sports. What you have is special, don't lose the magic" I suggest.

"I guess we've been so focused on a good start that we forgot why we're so hot in the first place. I can't tell you the last time I thanked Hammer for blocking a shot knowing there's no way in hell I'm crazy enough to do so" he laughs.

"Everyone in that room knows they're good, but they need to know they're appreciated. Going into this trip on a good note will make it so much easier" I say. We talk about how to rekindle some of that fire while still having fun. Hossa has been hot so far this season and defense is impressive so we had no more worries about that.

"I need to ask you one more thing" he says and I return my attention to him.

"Shoot" I encourage.

"Do you think Artemi wants to stay in Chicago? I mean, it would be insane for him to go anywhere else, but all the talks of contracts, it's hard not to hear them" he says.

"Jon, you know better than to listen to the static. I know you love Artemi being on this team and trust me when I say that there's no place he would rather be. He wants to win a championship with Blackhawks and no one else, he doesn't want his contract to get the way in his play and that's all there is to it. Don't read into something that isn't there" I say and he lets out a sigh.

"Okay, I just don't want to lose him" he says and I feel a knot form in my chest. There is a chance he could leave but I wouldn't be going with him.

"I don't want to lose him either".

"Tyler, we're home" I yell into the apartment but it falls silent. Artemi trailed close behind me but I had a special guest with me. My parents took him to and from chemo today so I didn't have to worry.

"I'm the living room" he finally yells and I walk in to find him watching TV.

"I have someone who wants to talk to you" I say and Anthony Rizzo appears from behind Artemi and I.

Tyler won't show it, but he's struggling right now and I was about to go on the Circus trip and he would be by himself for the first time since the surgery.