Dream On (Jonathan Toews)

Chapter Seven| New Day Old Faces

Jonathan

I wake up to the smell of breakfast as a smile spread across my face. I follow my nose and walk out my room to see Mary Kate dancing around the kitchen making food in nothing but a shirt and underwear, damn. "I'm assuming you're a morning person" I say siting on a stool at the island. "You can say that. But I'm a day person and a night person too" she claims. I don't doubt it. She sets a plate in front of me with chocolate chip pancakes, eggs, and Canadian bacon. She scoots a glass of orange juice towards me and silverwear. How did she know I liked this food? "I'm going to hop in the shower then I'll do whatever you need me to" she says brightly and I just stare at her blankly. Is this real life? "Um sure" I say before she skips off down the hallway. I finish off my food and clean up a little then enjoy some quiet time before Patrick comes home.

As if on cue the door swings open and my small talented friend stands in the doorway. "Jonny boy" he yells running inside throwing his stuff everywhere. "Hey Pat. I've actually missed you" I joke bringing him in for a hug. "I've missed you too. I really missed playing with you. They're good over there but have nothing on you" he laughs retrieving his stuff. He disappears into his room and I find myself actually enjoy being in his presence. Weird huh? Mary Kate appears in the hallway with a towel tightly wrapped around her body, her bare legs and toned arms out for the world to see. Her light brown hair now looks a bit darker as her damp waves go every which way. "Hey Jonny, do you happen to have lotion? I seemed to have forgotten mine" she giggles. Before I could answer Patrick emerges from his room rambling on about something. "Okay so when's the first prac... woah" he says stopping in front of Mary Kate. I watch as his eyes scan her over and I couldn't help but feel angry. I love Pat, but there was no way in hell this was happening. "I'm Mary Kate, you must be Patrick. You're quite an impressive player" she says shaking his hand. "Holy shit, you got a nice grip" he says letting her hand go. "I will love to continue this conversation when I'm a little more decent. Jonathan, the lotion" she asks and I toss her the bottle that I keep in the living room. She scampers off to her room and Patrick finally picks his jaw up off the ground.

"Holy fuck dude" he says watching her leave. "I love you man, but over my dead body" I say pointing at him. "Is she single" he asks. I couldn't lie to him... "well yeah" I start and he grows a smirk. "Listen, she's a great girl and I really like her. I'm just not sure how to tell her" I say pouring everything out there and the smirk on his face turns into a grin. "That's all you had to say Jon, I respect that. But if you don't make a move soon I will" he warns and I roll my eyes. Why do I feel like he's not joking?

Mary Kate comes out a little while later with a black V neck and dark skinny jeans on. I swear this girl could do no wrong. "Okay, so what's up" she asks sitting next to me and looking into my eyes. "Pat and I were going to go to the UC to meet up with some of the guys on the team. Then we can go talk to Stan" I suggest. "Okay, do I need to change" she asks checking her outfit. "You look great! I mean you look really good... I mean" I stutter and she gives me a smile. What is this girl doing to me? "Thanks" she blushes and I nod.

We get to the UC and I see a bunch of the guys there. Crow, Leddy, Kruger, Duncs, Shaw, Sharp and Bollig were all there waiting for us. "What's up guys" I call out and they all greet us. I go around and say hi to everyone trying not to show that I missed them so much. "Damn Jonny, who's the girl" Crow whispers into my ear, I almost forgot she hasn't met everyone. "Right, guys this is Mary Kate. She helped us end the lockout and is looking for a job around here" I explain. I wrap my arm around her as she looks up to me with a smile. I was pretty sure she liked me back but never really talked about our relationship. Or whatever you would call this.

Eventually she goes off with Stan and I'm left with my boys once again. "Damn Tazer, I wasn't sure we were going to play this year" Sharp says punching my arm. "Me either. I'm just happy it's over and we can get shit done" I admit. "Yeah. I can't wait to start" Pat adds. "Since the season is so short we are gonna need a good start. Because the less struggling we do now the better off we would be for a long playoff run" I say earning some nods from the boys. "Hear you there Cap" Shaw says. We talk for a little before Mary Kate returns shining bright like always. "Hi" I say with a cheesy grin and she couldn't help but laugh. "Hi" she responds with a arm punch. "So, how'd it go" I ask like a little kid asking what they got for Christmas. "You're looking at the new assistant coach of the Chicago Blackhawks" she announces and I couldn't hide my happiness. I pull her into a hug and I feel my stomach do flips. Her touch was intoxicating and her scent filled my head. I've never felt this was before but I never want it to end. "I'm so happy for you" I say and I squeeze her tighter. "Thanks Jon. Happy to be a part of the team" she says and I let go enough so we weren't hugging but kept ahold of her close enough that she was still perfectly placed in my arms. We each study each other as if we weren't in a room full of hockey players. I see something in her I've never seen before, I see best combination of kindness and compassion. Strength and humility. I saw everything I wanted in a girl and here she sat in my arms.

"Why does Jonny get the girl too" Shaw yells causing us to break apart. I needed to kick his ass later. After that little scene we all decide to go out to dinner and celebrate the new season.

"Did you ever get in fights" Shaw asks Mary Kate because that was all he really cared about. "Only like one or two, if someone intentionally hurt my teammate I was going to intentionally stick my skate down their throat" she shrugs and everyone erupts in laughter. "So what made you come here" Duncan asks. "I knew I wanted to do something in hockey, and for a while there wasn't any so I had to get that fixed first. But I've always been drawn to Chicago, being a Wisconsin girl and all. Jonny here gave me a offer I couldn't refuse" she says patting my leg causing me to jump. "Did he offer sex" Patrick asks and I nearly spew my water everywhere. "Nope. Doesn't need to... unlike some people" she says and everyone lets out a "ohhhh". "We're going to be great friends" Patrick says giving her a high five, what a weird duo.