Gabe POV
I changed quickly, distracted as I half ran for my car, my phone in hand and then pressed to my ear.
"Hey, you've reached Raiyne, text me, you'll have a better chance of a reply, and if it's you, I'm sorry."
I groaned and slammed my door shut, something blue fluttering on the windshield and I got out, grabbed it and got back in.
Gabriel (Gabe) Landeskog (Landy)
Was written in a neat cursive font and I ripped it open.
Gabriel, Gabe, Landy;
I have no idea what I should call you anymore, and my heart is in my throat writing this but I have to somehow get it out. It kills me to see the pain written across your face, and I guess that's the point to this. Gabriel, I'm always around, a passing face, another 'cheerleader' anything you need me to be, and I'm trying so hard to let you go but I can't shake the way your laugh sounds, or how it felt to be in your arms, and those ice blue eyes that have now turned to stone. So what I'm trying to say is I'm sorry, I am so sorry for hurting you. -Raiyne
I re-read it, then read it again so I memorized the harsh lines drawn through some of the words, the tear stains that had fallen on the page and the way that her cursive writing had turned shaky. Then suddenly I was angry again, the burn in the back of my eyes threatening even more sudden sadness to rip through my chest, the familiar excruciating pain searing my chest as I punched the steering wheel.
"I still fucking love her!" I yelled, my shoulders shaking as I broke down over the only girl that would ever completely have my heart.
Raiyne POV
I sat curled up on the front seat of my car, with my head tipped onto the head rest as I watched Gabe's shoulders shake, my heart shattering as he got out and slammed the door, kicking the tire and running mad hands through his hair.
'Leave Raiyne!' My thoughts yelled at me, 'he's gonna see you dumbass!'
I pressed the clutch and turned the key, the audible sound of the engine catching disturbed the perfect silence as Gabe's head snapped up, and I pulled quickly over a snow pile and down the street.
"What the fuck did I do?" I whispered, my voice cracking.
--
My phone rang, the screen lighting up the living room. Matt was displayed on the screen and I picked it up, pressing it to my ear.
"Raiyne?" He asked.
I couldn't reply, my vocal chords were frozen.
"I know you're there baby, you gotta come back. He needs you, I need you, the team needs you. Carmin is trying but Gabe is in a hell hole." He began. "Raiyne, if you really still care come to the dressing room. When you're ready just come."
"Matt." I choked out.
"Yes?"
"I am so sorry." I sobbed.
"Baby it's gonna be alright."
--
I gulped, and reached for the handle laughter floated out and I jumped back into the shadows, blending like I had learned to do so well as all the guys poured out so close I could touch, Matt being the last and I grabbed his wrist.
"Don't make a noise." I whispered, hoarsely.
"Raiyne!" He exclaimed.
"Duchene what the fuck?" Gabe growled and I pressed myself tighter to the wall.
"Nothing, I uhh." Matt rambled and I slipped out silently deciding I wasn't ready, not yet. Not now.
--
I helped another costumer, and checked the time, 15 minutes. I had to survive for 15 minutes, and my phone buzzed in my pocket.
Gabriel Landeskog
-raiyne, it's me. tonight is jerseys off our back, are you coming? fuck I just need to see you, Raiyne I miss you, please reply.
Me
-i haven't missed a game Gabriel
I sent it without a second thought and then finished my shift, going home to change.
Gabe POV
My hands shook as I pulled on my jersey.
"What's got you so nervous?" Tyson asked.
"I don't know, I just have a weird feeling tonight." I replied.
"Cool it, maybe you'll see some banging chick and you'll take her home." He laughed, shoving my shoulder. "Loosen up Landy, she's been gone for what, six months?"
"It still hurts man." I breathed, running my hands over my face.
--
We won and the crowd roared, and my heart thudded and my hands shook, I was nervous, what if I saw her, what would I do? What would she do?
"Matt Duchene, number 9." I gulped two more people.
"Ryan O'Reilly, number 90." One more person.
"Tyson Barrie, number 4."
And now it was me.
"Gabriel Landeskog, number 92. Raiyne Spears."
The whole team froze and my heart stopped and suddenly Raiyne was in the door way of the arena, her blue eyes shocked and she shook her head suddenly.
I skated up and held out my hand and she looked at me, then my hand slipping hers onto mine and I scooped her up and stopped at the carpet they had put over the ice, setting her down.
"Hey, I'm Gabriel." I whispered, pulling my jersey over my head.
She nodded, and handed over her pen and then smiled for a picture.
I scanned her, the blue jeans fit perfectly, signature cowboy boots scarred and muddy, one of my old shirts tucked in.
"I'm Raiyne." She whispered, her voice shaky. The arena was emptying out and she took a step back, "It was nice meeting you."
"Raiyne." Matt said.
"Spears." Tyson started.
"Babe." I whispered and she broke, her calm demeanour smashed to shards.
"Don't call me that." She sobbed, slipping slightly as she took a few more steps back. "This was the game I should have missed."
"Don't leave." Ryan stated.
"I can't stay Ry, it hurts so much." She whispered. "Once again, I am so sorry."
Her blue eyes were stormy and grey and I skated forward, "Five minutes, please."
"Gabriel."
"Stop calling me that!" I exclaimed.
"That's your name Landeskog." She laughed.
"But you never call me that, you shouldn't call me that. It's so formal, that's not you." I argued.
"Gabr- Gabe, you have other places to be." Raiyne said quietly, jogging off the ice.
"But I still love you!" I half screamed, throwing a glove.
"But you shouldn't." She sobbed, "You need someone good. I'm broken Gabriel, I'm not worth it."
Then she disappeared completely, a slam of a door the only thing to be heard.
