Avalanche Territory (NHL Gabe Landeskog)

Chapter 16: Distance

Being alone really isn't that bad, you have space, you get to walk around in your bra and underwear and you can even leave the door wide open when you change. The only thing was, I wasn't used to being alone. This silent time gave my head more than enough chances to wander, think of different scenarios and remind myself of why I wasn't good at being alone.

I am positive people began to notice because I now stood in an antique barn with lots of rustic wood and gorgeous decorations with Sage pulling on my sleeve.

"Heaven." She breathed, and my wide eyes answered when my voice couldn't.

I immediately drifted towards the boots, trailing my fingertips over perfectly stitched leather before taking a pair down. I sat on the bench in front of the mirror, pulling on the boots and looking up.

I caught my reflection and slightly winced, the bruising had gotten better but it had expanded along the length of my cheek bone. I averted my gaze back to the black boots and pulled them off, keeping them in my hand as I went in search of my curious friend in the large store.

Like the kid I was my eyes caught the colourful display of candy on the opposite wall from where I stood, so I easily weaved myself around running kids and ladies pushing strollers before grabbing my favourite Green Apple Pop Rocks and turning for the counter to pay, once again getting distracted by the light catching a mirror.

The wood around the edges looked burned, and it stood at least seven feet tall. It was gorgeous with cork around it to pin things to the wood and I immediately fell in love.

"That's where you are!" Sage gasped, arms full of t-shirts as she glanced at the mirror as well.

"I call dibs." I stated.

--

I sat bouncing my leg as the music played lowly through the speakers at the optometrist. I was slowly growing impatient, annoyed and thoroughly uncomfortable by the looks that people kept giving me as they walked in and out of the revolving door that chimed with each arrival and departure.

"Miss Spears." The secretary finally stated and I practically jumped from the chair, anxious to get out of the sight of hungry eyes and hidden cameras trying to get a good picture.

The middle aged women lead me into a room, smiling sweetly before waving me towards the chair, "He should be in in about five minutes." She stated, closing the door as she left, not giving me a chance to say thank you or how I liked the cute paper flower she had tucked behind her ear from a small girl that had been in earlier.

I turned my attention to the vibrant screen in my hands, smiling at the picture that stared back up at me. It was from the ice rink date, Gabe loosely had his arms wrapped around my waist, lips pressed to my temple as my hair fell over my opposite shoulder the shadow of dimples appearing. It was simple, both of us in sweats, both of us uncaring in the fact that we could pass for a high school couple.

I didn't have time to dwell over the fact that there had been no contact between us since he had left four days ago considering the door knob twisted and in walked a surprisingly young man, not what I had expected at all. He was average, tall and not lanky but not built either, warm hazel eyes and a comforting smile as he took a seat in front of me.

"Hello Miss Spears, I'm Jake. Or Dr Charles but I like going by my first name better." He smiled, the quirkiness in his voice charming as I laughed.

"Then please, call me Raiyne." I replied, unable to keep the easy smile off my face in response.

"How about we check them baby blues and see if we need to get you a pair of rockin' glasses?" He suggested and I shrugged.

"Let's do it doc." I laughed.