Dream On (Jonathan Toews)

Chapter Fifteen| Rookie

Mary Kate

"Alright boys, warm up with five laps" coach Q calls out as everyone takes the ice. I take a deep breath and warm up my legs going around Jonny's Ice House alongside the best hockey players on the earth. This is insane, what am I doing? I'm not even supposed to be walking let alone skating. I shouldn't even be alive let alone skating. "Hey" someone says and I stop suddenly as they come up behind me. I take off my helmet and they do so too. "Don't freak yourself out okay. Despite what you think, you belong here. Don't try to do too much, let your skill and talent guide you and your instincts will do the rest. Always remember to take deep breaths and have fun" Sharpy says and I give him a smile. I have a lot of guys to look up to, and Sharpy was definitely one of them. "Thanks Sharp, I needed that" I admit. "Alright rookie, lets see what you're made of" he says putting his helmet back on. "Let's do this" I say also putting on my helmet and follow him to center ice.

We start practice with working on face off drills. Of course I start with Jonny and decide to have Patrick drop the puck. "Don't think I'm going to take it easy on you rookie" he says skating up to me. I feel the competitive side of me make its way out and I grow a grin before getting set, it's on. Pat drops the first puck and I win easily. He looks up and me and I shrug. "Beginners luck I guess" I smirk and he gets set again. This goes on for five more draws and he wins just two of the battles. "You're cheating" he claims. "Oh really, and how am I doing that" I ask skating a circle around him. "I don't know... you just are" he says. He stops me in front of him and I tap his helmet. "You're so lucky you're adorable" he laughs fixing his helmet.

I work on passes with the master passer himself, Sir Patrick Kane. It was amazing to learn from these guys. Q's practices never run too long and today's was no exception. We end practice with a shoot out and the loser has to pick up pucks. Naturally Jonny goes first on Crow and he tries five hole which Corey quickly covers. Next up was Patrick who stickhandles and slips the puck behind Corey on the backhand. Hossa was next and gets rejected blocker side. This goes on and Corey stop them all except Patrick's . "Okay rookie, show us those shoot out moves" coach Q calls and I head to the blue line. Out of all my skills, my shootout skills were my favorite ones. I pick up the puck and carry it down the ice. About ten feet away I throw in a few stick handles until going Marek Malik and go between the legs top shelf before giving my best Jonathan Toews celly impersonation. "How the hell do you know how to do that move" Crow asks skating up to me. "I'm a quick learner, I've seen the videos" I shrug. "That was insane" Shaw yells as a group of the guys give my helmet a tap before heading to the locker room. I give my thanks and stay on the ice for a little. I love them, but don't want to see them all taking a shower, I'm sure Jonny wouldn't enjoy that too much either. Once the ice is clear I do a few a suicides to work on my stopping and acceleration. Then I do some stick handling drills, I felt great to be honest. We haven't done any contact drills but I didn't once think about my back during the practice.

I wait for the boys to clear out the locker room before heading in there where Jonny was the only one left. "Were you waiting for me" I laugh. "Well yeah, I don't know if you know this but I kinda really like you" he says with a blush. "Let me change and shower then we can do something together" I say and he nods. I removed my pads and tape and get down to a sports bra and spandex. I let my hair run free and it honestly feels so good. I grab my stuff for the shower and turn to see Jon staring. "I um... I swear I wasn't just... this is awkward" he stumbles and I laugh. "You do know we're in a relationship, right" I laugh and he rubs the back of his neck. "Yeah... I mean of course I do... I just" he stutters again and I stop him by pressing his lips to mine. His hands start at my back but quickly fall to grip my butt. I press my body closer to his as I tangle my fingers in his hair. After making out for a solid minute we break apart breathless. "This would be so sexy if I didn't smell like a dirty jock strap" I say causing him to laugh. "I don't know, you're still really hot" he says moving a piece of hair off my forehead. "That's nice to know but I feel disgusting" I say before making my way to the showers.

"Are you positive your back doesn't hurt" Jon asks for what feels like the 100th time. "Jonathan, I'm fine" I say grabbing his face. He nods and I let go so he could continue eating. We were having lunch at home and enjoying the quiet. And by that I mean Patrick wasn't here. "So, did you enjoy practicing with us" he asks taking another bite of his pizza. "It was honestly amazing. You guys are so relaxed yet focus. I miss being a part of a team like that" I admit. "So you'll try out for the woman's team" he asks sticking out his bottom lip. Why the fuck does he do that? "Yes. I will try out for the woman's team" I say and he smiles big. "You're gonna make it" he claims and I raise a eyebrow. "How do you know that" I wonder. "Because you're really fucking good. They would be ridiculous not to take you" he claims. "I'm not supposed to be doing any of this though. Taking me would be risky" I inform him. "That's true. But most risks are worth taking" he comments.

I think about what he said and he was right. It was a risk to drop everything and follow a man I barley knew to one of the busiest cities in the world. It was a risk to move in with two of the biggest stars in the NHL. It was a risk to get a job in the best organization in the league. It was a risk to date a co-worker... but man. It was so worth it.