Like Perfection || Adrian Kempe

Ch. 43

Adrian's POV- February 2017

I let out a sigh of relief when I spotted Sophia the second I walked into the family room. She was talking with Tyler Toffoli's girlfriend, Cat. 

"When is your next home game?"

I slowly approached them.

"This Monday actually at 1PM"

If I had not been called up, I would have gone to that meet. She made it to my games, and I had yet to make it to any of her meets. I felt like an incredibly shitty boyfriend, and to makes matters worse I  had a game Saturday at the same time the Kings played the Panthers meaning I couldn't watch the meet. I'd watch it after, but it honestly wasn't the same. She made time for me, and I couldn't do the same for her.

"Well I will be there"

I couldn't make it to Monday's meet because the team was traveling to Colorado for a game against the Avalanche on Tuesday.

"Hey" I said getting their attention.

Cat offered me a smile as Soph squeezed my bicep.

"Well let me know, maybe we can all go to dinner after"

Cat nodded and turned to look at me.

"Congrats"

"Thanks" I told her.

"Well Ty is here so I'll see you two around"

I nodded and looked down at Soph once Cat was gone.

"Ready to head out?" I asked.

She nodded and waved goodbye to some of the Wives and Girlfriends as we made our way out.

"Ready for bed?"

I chuckled and nodded.

"Yeah" I replied. 

I was exhausted considering I didn't sleep last night. The day had finally come, I had just played my first game in the NHL. 

"It sucks we lost" I admitted.

"It does, but it was a team effort. You could only do so much"

The Kings weren't doing so well at the moment. There was a chance they wouldn't make playoffs because they lacked offense, and for some reason they though I could help with that. I was not playing my best hockey at the moment, so the pressure was on.

"Thanks for making it, I know it was last minute" I told her.

She waved me off and smiled.

"I wouldn't have missed this, I'm just glad I didn't have to fake an injury"

I chuckled.

"You will not believe what my mom had for me"

I hummed and raised an eyebrow as she handed me her purse. I stopped walking and watched as she slipped off her jacket.

"A Kings jersey" I noted.

She grinned and stretched out her arm. I smiled when I noticed the number 39 on the arm.

"I was going to give you my game worn one, you know after it was washed" I stated.

"You can give it to your mom, or you can frame it"

She moved her hair, so I could see my last name on her back. This wasn't the first time she had worn my jersey. I had given her a jersey when we started dating, and she wore that jersey to every game she went to. 

"You're the best" I told her.

"Nonsense, come on let's get you back to the hotel so I can give you a foot massage"

I honestly didn't deserve her.

"Are you spending the night?" I asked.

"I shouldn't I've got an early flight"

I nodded slowly, and I watched as she looked behind me. Her eyes darted around the parking structure before she looked at me.

"I'll spend the night"

I was getting a good night's sleep tonight. When Soph's dad, Dina thought it would be nice to get some of the ashes and put it in a locket. I personally thought it was creepy, but I guess everyone had their own beliefs and who was I to judge...although I low-key judged. Anyways, Dina was able to get a DNA sample from those ashes and determine that none of that was Drew, Sophia's dad. I was a bit freaked out when Dina explained to me that more that one person was usually burned and then ashes were placed in urns after. Like there was more than one person in that urn at the cemetery. There was a chance Sophia's dad was alive, like a real high chance. Why fake his own death though? It made no sense. 

"Can I get a foot massage?" I wondered.

"Of course"

She kissed my cheek before I opened the car door for her. Once the door was closed I made my way around. I stopped walking and turned around to see a figure on the other side of the structure. I smiled at Jeff Carter, and his wife who was holding their son.

"Good game"

"Thanks, see you tomorrow" I stated.

I opened the car door and took a seat in the passenger door.

"Did you bring your flashcards?" I asked.

"I did"

I smiled.

"I'll help you review for your midterm" I told her.

It was the least I could do. 

"That's nice of your, are you trying to get more a massage?"

"A back massage" I admitted.

She laughed.

"You don't need to help me review"

"I don't mind" I stated.

"I know you don't, and you don't need to make anything up to me"

She turned to me and smiled.

"Remember, you're an open book" 

I nodded.

"Things happen for a reason, and I've got two seasons left. You will make it to one of my meets eventually. Don't beat yourself up because of it"

"I don't deserve you" I blurted out.

"You're stuck with me though"

I chuckled as she winked at me.

"We're celebrating tonight, so end of conversation"

"You're perfect" I told her.

"I am far from perfect darling, but I'm glad I can boost that ego of yours every now and then"

She reached over and squeezed my thigh. When we got to the hotel she gave me a foot rub, and back massage while I helped her study. I slept like a baby, and did not wake up during the night. I made Soph promise to wake me when she was heading out because I had practice.

"I'll call you after practice" I said.

She nodded and I leaned down to give her a quick peck.

"Love you" I stated.

She smiled.

"Love you too, and I should go before I get yelled at for missing my flight"

I chuckled and closed the door to her car once she was inside.

"Text me when you're on campus" I told her.

"Of course"

I pecked her lips and watched as her car drove away.  I let out a sigh once she was gone and  turned around to see a guy standing across from me. He adjusted his cap and I stuffed my hands into the pockets of my hoodie. Soph mentioned her dad was tall, but I always figured it was because she's small. Guess she was right because the person across from me had to be no taller than 6'4.

"Hi" I began saying.

I raised an eyebrow as I smiled.

"I'm Adrian, your daughter's boyfriend" I said.