Love Game

Chapter Eighteen - Jealousy

"I'm the only one allowed to love you. Let's keep it that way."

Gabe's words had been running through my mind since he left to take his nap earlier. I was in fear that something was going to happen. I couldn't sleep because his words were just that haunting. I hadn't seen him since, even though we were on the bus ride to Staples Center.

I was seated next to Varly, hoping and praying that Gabe wasn't up to something. I was a nervous wreck and Varly sensed my apprehension.

"Hey, are you alright?" Varly asks, his Russian accent thick.

"Gabe's been acting weird," I whisper.

"Mallory, of course he's acting weird. He still isn't one hundred percent there with me, either," he replies. 

"No, Varly. He's acting overly jealous. I'm scared something is going to happen." I whimper, looking down at my hands.

"Hey," he whispers, grabbing a hold of my hand. "Whatever happens, just know I am here for you no matter what."

I squeeze his hand and then I release it from my grasp. If Gabe saw Varly and I holding hands, World War III would have started. I love Gabe to death, but he gets jealous very easily. Maybe after that episode I had with Varly, he just feels the need to be like a guard dog. I really wish he would loosen up, though.

I hear the bus come to a screeching halt as the sound of poorly maintained breaks echoed through out the vehicle. I stand up from my seat, following the rest of the guys out of the bus one-by-one. As I stepped foot out of the bus, I looked around at my surroundings. No doubt Staples Center was an iconic place to play. I was excitied to square off against my best friend, Karson; but I was deathly afraid  that Gabe would do something intentionally to hurt Karson. Ever since Gabe said those words to me today, I've been afraid to talk to any of the guys on the team. I guess the only guys I'm allowed to talk to without Gabe being jealous are Dougie and Freddie.

I followed the team into the visitors locker room, seeing my white away jersey hanging up in my locker. It had gotten to the point now where I felt comfortable changing in front of the guys, but I also had a way of making sure they didn't see me naked. I was a speedy, and sneaky, changer.

I sat there tightening my skates as my eyes desperately searched the room for Gabriel Landeskog. He was nowhere to be found, and I instantly felt a lump in my throat. Where are you, Gabe?

The team was ready to go out for warm ups and I still couldn't find Gabe. I ran out of the tunnel, feeling myself bump into somebody. I looked up and I saw him, the blue eyed boy from Sweden looking down at me.

"Where have you been? I've been looking for you everywhere!" I exclaim, pushing him slightly.

No answer.

"Gabe, you're up to something. I can sense it," I say sternly, looking directly into his eyes.

Still no response.

"I swear to God, if you intentionally hurt Karson-."

"Shut up, Mallory! For God's sake, just shut up!"  Gabe snaps at me, causing my eyes to grow wide and my mouth to drop open.

Gabe pushes past me as I feel tears form in my eyes. I quickly palm the tears away with my jersey sleeve, soon following him to the tunnel where the rest of the team stands. I strap my helmet on as I refuse to look at him. He was annoyed with me, but now I was scared of him. What was he going to do? I had to warn Karson, or at least try to.

We skate out onto the ice and my eyes immediately scan the ice for number 69. Finally, I saw the glimmer of the silver lining on the black jersey and I skated up to center ice, signaling Karson to come talk to me.