My Number Twenty

Chapter Four

Chapter 4
I woke up around 8:00ish the next morning. I quickly checked my phone to see if there were any messages from Brandon which there were. They were all reminders of our get together. Yet, they were all sent around 3:00ish. There was then a pounding at the door and as I got closer I could hear footsteps running away. I opened the door slowly, checking to see if it was some idiot or someone I knew. I looked down to see a medium iced coffee from Dunkin Donuts. I smiled. Next to it, there was a note.

"Dear Sarah,
I'm guessing you were goin to be tired from last night so I grabbed you a coffee to kick start your day. It's cookie dough, cream, and sugar. I hope you like it! Can't wait for our date, if you want to call it that, later on.
xoxo,
Brandon :)"

I thought to myself that I need to thank Andrew big time. If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't be with Brandon. I grabbed a seat on my couch and turned on the tv as I enjoyed my coffee. I kept checking my phone to see if Brandon sent any other messages but I knew he was at practice. I pulled up The Heat, a favorite movie of mine and just relaxed. About half way through I started to get ready to meet up with Brandon. I didn't get super fancied up; just loosely curled my hair, threw on a sweatshirt, leggings, and boots. I checked the time, it was 9:45. I left with my coffee and purse.
After I locked up my apartment, I walked up to Chaunette's door. I was about to knock but then thought she was sleeping because she was up as late as I was. I went downstairs and walked out the doors. I had some time because their morning skate started at 9:00 and went to 10:30. It would take somewhere between 20 to a half an hour to walk over there. I walked in the cold passing the noisy streets but few pedestrians.
I finally arrived and made my way to the field. I was stopped a couple times because they wanted to know if I had a pass which I did. Finally I made it to the field where the boys were almost finished with practice. Brandon saw me and immediately smiled.
When they finished and started to walk out, I caught up with Brandon and gave him a hug. "Thanks for the coffee."
"Anything for you!" He grabbed my hand. "I need to go to the locker room and get freshened up. Coach Q also needs to talk to us. But then, I'll make my way out."
"How long?"
"20 minutes tops." He slightly cringed. I'm guessing he thought I'd be mad.
"That's fine. Where should I wait?"
"Inside near the front doors to the stadium."
"Okay, I'll see you later." I kissed him on the cheek and made my way to the front
I waited about 35 minutes for Brandon. I passed time by sitting down and playing on my phone. He finally came rushing out. "I'm so sorry! It's just that-" I kissed him so he'd quiet down. When I pulled away, I smiled.
"There's absolutely nothing to be sorry about. Let's just go." I grabbed his hand and pulled him forward out the doors.
"Car garage!" He exclaimed. "It'll be easier to get around in a car."
"Okay! Anything works!" Brandon stopped and I fell backwards into him. I looked up to see an upside down smirk.
"Why are you being so forgiving and agreeable?"
"I'm just happy to be here with you!" We got to his car which felt so much better compared to being outside. Then the heat started up. Amazing. After we pulled out, he squeezed my hand.
"Geez! Your hands are ice!" He squeezed my hand tighter.
"We'll your hands are warm!" I then wrapped my free hand around his hand that wasn't on the wheel. "So, how was your morning skate?"
"Good! I gotta feeling that we are beat those Penguins!"
"Is it going to be fun to play against the team you grew up being a fan of?"
"Yeah. Well I like this game because it's outside and I get to see all of my family and friends from Pittsburgh."
"I can't wait to meet your parents!"
"Yeah...I guess."
"What's wrong?"
"My..uh...parents don't know I broke up with my other girlfriend yet. Sorry. I shouldn't be talking about her."
"When did you break up?" He seem surprised by how calm my voice was. I guess it's the stereotypical thing that girls get angry when their boyfriend's ex(s) comes up in conversation.
"A couple days after Valentine's day. We...uh...got into a big argument and it just ended. We were together since the Stanley Cup Playoffs. I never told my parents because she became a close family friend and all that." I looked over at him to see a nervous expression.
"Call them up when we park. It's better that you tell them now compared to them finding out tomorrow. Just say that you were nervous about how they'd react or be disappointed."
"You're not mad?"
"Of course not! Dude, there's nothing you did wrong. A relationship is a relationship; failed or successful."
We parked and then just looked at each. He leaned in and so did I; a light kiss on the lips. Still leaned in, he said "You're like no other girl I have ever met."
Brandon grabbed his phone and called him parent's. I could hear a voice then two but I couldn't make out any words. He then explained his breakup with his past girlfriend and talked about me. At first there was an anxious face then an excited face on Brandon. "Okay, see you in a little bit! Love you, too!" He hung up and turned to me. "They're excited to meet you! They actually asked if we could grab lunch with them. Are you cool with that?"
"Of course! After the game it'll just be us, right?"
"Exactly." He smiled and kissed me on the forehead. "Let's go." I hopped out of the car and made my way over to Brandon. He grabbed me and pulled me in as we walked on the vacant sidewalk.