The Hockey Life - A Patrick Kane Fanfic

Part Fifty - Trade Offs

PART FIFTY: TRADE OFFS

October was filled with plenty of excitement, but November was equally as fun, it seemed. Since I was now a trainer, I was always with the Hawks, and I knew basically everything that happened to them when they were playing or practicing. In mid-November, there was a trade. Normally, I would be extremely upset about a trade, and I was mad about this one, but when I found out who the team was acquiring, it wasn’t as bad.

If there was anything I remembered from the 2010 Stanley Cup parade and rally, it was Kris Versteeg and his famous rap parody of the LMFAO song Yes. It was by far the most entertaining part of the whole thing, and Tess and I of course memorized it quickly by watching it so many times. We got to know Steeger through Blackhawks TV videos, and he seemed like a super cool guy, plus he was a talent, of course. Naturally, when I found out that he was returning to the Blackhawks in November, I was excited. If anything, I just wanted to get to know him. Luckily for me, it was easy for a trainer to get to know the players.

“Steeger’s going to be at today’s practice, right?” I asked Patrick on the way to a practice one morning.

“Yeah, why?”

“I was just wondering. I’m excited to meet him,” I answered.

“Oh, great,” Patrick rolled his eyes.

“What?”

“You and your Kris Versteeg fangirling,” he sighed.

“I’m pretty positive that I’ve never fangirled over him in my life, actually. I just think he seems like a cool guy. I’ve been wanting to meet him for years. Remember how I was when I met you and the rest of the team for the first time?”

“Hey, if you want to fan girl, that’s fine. Just remember that you’ve already chosen me. You’re stuck with me now,” Patrick smiled.

“I never said I was going to choose Versteeg! I’m never telling you anything ever again if you’re going to make up lies like this,” I grumbled.

“Fine, I’ll stop,” he decided. I grinned. “For now,” he added. I sent a glare his way, but he kept his eyes on the road.

We arrived at practice a few minutes later and sure enough, Kris Versteeg showed up. I didn’t try to talk to him before or even during practice. I didn’t want to seem too eager or even annoying, so I decided I’d wait until I was introduced to him, which happened after practice was over. I was called into the locker room when all of the guys were decent enough and Brad introduced me to him.

“Kris, this is our youngest and newest addition to our trainers, Lena. She’ll be working with you if any injuries occur,” he told Steeger.

“Nice to meet you Lena,” he said as he shook my hand rather professionally. It felt strange to shake a player’s hand. I was so used to being around the rest of the team that my relationship with them was very casual, even during work.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you too. You’re my favorite rapper,” I smiled. He seemed to enjoy the last comment.

“I’m just waiting for someone to sign me. I think I’m due for an album,” he chuckled.

“Definitely!”

“If I heard correctly, you’re Kaner’s girl…is that right?” he asked.

“Yeah, she is, so stop flirting Kris,” Patrick interrupted. He tried to sound intimidating, but it was obvious that he was only messing with him.

“Hey man, I can’t always help it. They don’t call me Verbeauty for nothing.”

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