Sweet Caroline (Corey Crawford)

Just Maybe

Corey

I sit on the bench at a game watching the boys battle on the ice. It was my third straight game not starting and I have to admit, this is kind of boring. Not that the game wasn't exciting, but not being in the game wasn't.

I kinda space out and look out to the ice. It was a tv timeout and no one was out there. The boys were with their teams trying to figure out a plan of how to attack. Meanwhile I was lost in a train of thought.

I was thinking about all the minor league games I played in. It was over five full seasons before I got called up for good last year. And after the rookie season I had I never would have thought I would be riding the bench already. After all the games I've been in, sitting here sucks. I didn't think it would be easy but I didn't think it would be this hard either.

Suddenly I hear the horn sound and I look up. The game was over and the guys had pulled out a win here at home. I skate out there and go over to Emery. I head butt him and congratulate him on a good game, from when I was paying attention at least. Although I'm not happy I'm not starting, I was more than happy for Ray. He was almost as nice as Caroline was and I loved having him as my goalie partner. He always talks about fundamentals with me and we have a good time. He was one of my better friends on the team after all.

We all skate off and the guys do interviews. Since I didn't play I didn't have to do them which is one of the very few perks about this. So I change and gather up my things and get out of everyone's way. I say goodbye to the guys and the equipment managers and head home.

I get back to my place and decide to take a shower. After thirty minutes of sulking in the shower I mope out. I pull on some underwear and shorts and decide to call it a night. I walk into the kitchen and grab a beer and fall onto the couch. I finish the bottle quicker than expected and decide to treat myself to another one.

Once the alcohol hits my system I pick up my phone. I dial Julie's Number and stop myself when I see that her name and picture was deleted off my phone. It hits me that I can't just have her come over and screw around anymore. I needed to cut her out of my life completely, but she was a body to hold during times like this when I was so lonely. All I had to keep me company right now was empty beer bottles and it simply wasn't enough.

I delete her number and type in the other number running through my head right now. I press call and hold my breath.

"Hello" Caroline answers and I smile.

"Can you come over" I ask and she sighs.

"Crawford... it's 2 in the morning" she claims. I look at my phone and low and behold it was 2 am.

"But I'm lonely" I claim.

"What do you want me to do" she asks.

"Come cuddle with me" I claim.

"I... Okay. Fine. I'm coming" she huffs and I smile.

"You're the best" I insist.

"Yeah yeah, whatever" she mumbles.

About 30 minutes later she arrives at me door. I take her jacket and welcome her in.

"Do you know how scary it was to walk here this early in the morning, I thought I was going to get taken about ten times" she insists.

"I honestly forgot you don't have your car here" I slur. She steps closer to me and looks me over, reading me like a first grade book.

"Are you drunk" she asks.

"Just a little" I say pinching my fingers together.

"Why the hell are you drinking" she asks picking up the empty bottles and disposing of them. I feel like she's my mom shunning me right now.

"That's what I do when I don't know what to do" I shrug.

"I thought you said you quit" she says handing me a water bottle to sober up a little.

"I did, but when all else fails I know beer will always be here for me" I admit.

"I'm right here" she argues.

"I know, and I'm not worthy of you" I insist.

We head over to the couch and I turn the tv on. I sit on the couch and she sits next to me. I pull her closer and she just looks up to me. She doesn't say anything and ends up turning towards the tv. I wrap my arm around her and tuck her into my side. She rests her hand on my chest and I fight the smile from coming on my face. She pushes her glasses onto nose before snuggling her face into my side. She lets out a long sigh as she continues to watch tv.

"Are you tired" I ask.

"You woke me up at 2 am then made me walk two miles just so you weren't lonely... what do you think" she giggles.

"Wow, you're sassy when you're tired" I tease.

"I'm sorry" she says.

"You don't have to apologize. I kind of like it" I admit and she laughs.

We sit there for a little and watch late night television. We end up watching George Lopez which we both enjoyed a little too much. Slowly I was becoming addicted to the way she felt in my arms, how every time she laughed it vibrated through my body.

Eventually the laughs stop and I look down to see she was fast asleep, her chest slowly rising and falling. I was pretty much sober by now and was back to being clueless as to what I was trying to do, but I enjoyed this nonetheless.

I softly lay down and pull her on top of me. I take her glasses off and set them on the table by us so they don't get broken. I pull the blanket that was over the couch on top of us before wrapping my arm around her. I pull her close so her body fit perfectly with mine. She wraps her arms around me and I smile down at her. She rests her cheek on my chest as my fingers grip her shirt. I start to run my fingers through her soft hair. I place a soft kiss on the top of her head and I feel her cheeks pull into a smile on my chest.

Maybe I was wrong. Maybe us together isn't such a bad idea. Maybe I'm over thinking things like I always do. Maybe... just maybe... she loves me too.