Can't Help || Auston Matthews

Ch. 23

Esmeralda's POV- October 2016

I glanced up when I heard a sigh come from the living room.

"I see the smell of food woke you up" I said as Auston shifted on his side and looked at me.

"How long was I asleep?"

"About an hour" I replied.

I smiled as he slowly sat up and yawned.

"I feel like all I do around you is sleep"

I laughed and shrugged.

"I don't mind" I admitted.

He stood up and made his way over.

"Where are your roommates?"

"Andres is next door, Alyssa had sorority business, and Gael is asleep" I answered.

"So it's just us two"

I nodded and smiled as he snaked his arms around me. I turned around and looked up at him.

"The food smells really good"

"Well let's eat then" I said.

He smiled and gave me a quick kiss before letting me go.

"I'll take this to the table"

I handed him the oven mittens and watched as he picked up the glass-baking dish.

"I'm excited to try this"

I grabbed two plates and followed him to the dining table.

"What time is your flight tomorrow?" I asked.

He would be making his NHL debut in two days.

"Noon"

I nodded and watched as he plated the dish on the table.

"I packed before coming here actually that way I don't have to rush home to pack after"

"Smart" I stated.

"Do you know how to ice skate?"

I shook my head.

"Really?"

"I'm from California" I defended.

"So? I'm from Arizona"

He had a point there.

"I never really had the time with gymnastics, and when I did I was usually eating or sleeping" I admitted.

"How many hours did you train a day?"

"I would train 2 hours before school and after school I would train 6 hours" I told him.

"When did you have time to do homework?"

"I would do it all Sunday night" I answered.

"Wow"

I shrugged.

"I wanted to learn, but I couldn't exactly strain my knee and foot" I admitted.

"What about now? I could teach you"

I looked at him.

"Really?" I asked.

He nodded.

"Yeah, I don't mind"

"You're busy with hockey, I don't want to intrude there" I said.

He smiled.

"I don't mind, I'll ask if I could use the rink for a bit and I'm sure they won't mind"

"That's be nice" I admitted.

I set both plates on the table and smiled at him.

"Let's eat" I told him.

"You do not need to tell me twice here"

I laughed and quickly served him up a plate.

"Are you nervous?" I asked him as I began doing the same for me.

"A little bit, but that's normal"

I nodded and smiled.

"It's nice that your parents are going to be there" I said.

He nodded.

"Did your parents make it to your meets?"

"They were there when it mattered" I told him.

I took a seat next to him just as he began eating.

"This is so good"

I smiled and reached for my fork.

"What exactly do your parents do? You always say they're busy people"

"My mom is a Forensic Anthropologist, and my dad is a surgeon" I told him.

He hummed.

"Mitch mentioned that you chose not to go pro"

I nodded.

"I never really had a choice, my parents decided for me. Every gymnast dreams of going to the Olympics and in 2011 it became a possibility for me. I won my first world Vault title and I had just turned 16 years old. I was approached, but since I was underage they talked with my parents who turned down all the sponsorship offers. My parents told me they could buy me anything I wanted, and that I did not need that money. Right before the Olympic Trials I signed my letter of intent with UCLA and commited with them. I made the Olympic team and everyone thought that I was going to go pro shortly after" I said.

"But you never competed in NCAA gymnastics"

I smiled.

"That was my fault though, I was stubborn" I admitted.

"What do you mean?"

I took a bite of my food and covered my mouth with my hand.

"The pressure got to me at the Olympics" I stated.

I shifted a bit so I was facing him.

"I was supposed to be the first America women to win Gold on Vault because that's why I made the team" I said.

I leaned against the chair and smiled at Auston who had stopped eating and was looking at me.

"The gasp that was heard throughout the arena when I fell on my butt. I wanted to crawl in a hole and die right after it happened but instead I had to hold in my emotions because I had a medal ceremony to participate in. I was supposed to retire from Elite gymnastics there, but I was stubborn and I red shirt my freshmen year in order to compete for the US" I told him.

I shrugged.

"I defended my world Title, but that was the last time I competed" I stated.

"Do you regret it?"

I looked at him.

"No" I admitted.

"Really?"

I nodded.

"I wouldn't change anything from my life, and I'm really content with that" I told him.

He smiled.

"Now eat your food" I added.

He laughed and turned his attention back to his food.

"Will you be watching the game?"

"Of course, it's your NHL debut" I said.

I took a sip of my drink and smiled.

"It's going to be a memorable game, you'll probably break an NHL record" I told him.

He laughed.

"How about we make tonight a memorable night"

"What do you have in mind?" I asked.

"Be my girlfriend?"

A/N: Anotha update at 1:30AM! Night