When No One Would | Danny Amendola

Chapter 3

"I can't believe we won," I exclaimed as Julian and I made our ways down toward the locker room where we'd be meeting the players. "I know it's only preseason... But it was still super exciting!"  

Julian laughed and nodded in agreement. "Yeah, it was! Was this your first game?"

"My first Bruins game, yes, but I went to a lot of Nashville games when I lived in Tennessee," I replied with a smile.

He draped his arm over my shoulder and smiled. "That's awesome. I'm glad you got to experience your first game with someone so awesome," Julian joked.

I rolled my eyes. "Shut up, Jules." I bumped my shoulder into him.

Julian glanced at his watch and then took a second. "They should be coming out any minute... Now... Do me a favor... And don't freak out. I know how exciting it can be to meet your favorite people... I mean I didn't exactly play it cool when I met Tom."

"You're acting like I've never met a famous person before," I shot back and titled my head at him.

"Yeah? Who have you met?" Julian raised an eyebrow as his blue eyes looked at me with amusement.

"You! Duh!" I smiled at him and shook my head.

"Nuh uh! Danny and I don't count! Now name a real celebrity you've met!" He had a big, goofy, smile playing on his face.

I rolled my eyes. "Pekka Rinne! Anders Lindback! I met them like two years ago when I was chilling in downtown Nashville," I replied and shot him a 'hah!' look.

"Okay, okay... I get it," Julian mumbled as he put his hands up in surrender.

Just as I was about to say something in response, the doors to the locker room opened, and two players walked out: Brad Marchand, and Patrice Bergeron.

Julian quickly moved forward and shook their hands. "Hey guys, it's great to see you again," he greeted. Julian then turned around and motioned to me. "This is Jess, Jess... You already know who they are..."

I nodded and leaned forward to shake all of their hands. "Hi," I squeaked out with a large smile on my face. "I'm a huge fan!"

The two men laughed, and Brad Marchand moved forward after noticing my jersey. "You have such a great jersey... Would you like me to sign it for you," Brad asked as he pulled a sharpie out of his pocket.

I nodded. "Would you," I asked as I turned around. As I stood there I looked at Julian with an excited look on my face. I could feel Brad signing it, and then him lifting his marker. "Thank you so much!"

"It's no problem. Milan got a little side tracked with his wife, so he couldn't come out here. I guess it worked out well because you're wearing my jersey."

I jumped back next to Julian and smiled at Bergy and Marchy. "Y'all played an awesome game! And I know it's like two years later.... But my goodness! I still can't believe you guys won the Stanley Cup! I was so heartbroken this past year when you guys lost this past year! But I know you'll win it within the next few seasons!"

"Thank you! So, how long have you been a fan," Bergy spoke up with a small smile on his face.

"Since I started watching hockey! My dad got me into it," I exclaimed with a smile. "That had to be like.... Oh god... 20 years ago?!"

"That's awesome," both Brad and Patrice said at the same time with smiles.

"Thank you for being a fan, Jess," Patrice commented. I nearly fainted at him saying my name. "Would you like a picture?"

"Yes! Jules, will you take a picture," I asked as I quickly slid my phone out of my pocket and handed it to Julian.

"What? You don't want me to be in the photo? I'm hurt," Julian joked as he shook his head and took my phone anyway.

I moved over so I was in between both of them and then we all wrapped our arms around each other. We all smiled, and Julian took a few photos. "Thank you, Jules," I thanked and took my phone back. I turned to Brad and Patrice, "It was so great to meet you guys! Thank you!"

"It was no problem," Brad replied with a smile on his face. I returned it.

"Thanks for coming today, Jules," Patrice leaned forward to shake Julian's hand. "You're a lucky man."

I began to blush as Julian raised an eyebrow. "Thank you... But we're not..."

"Oh... Well... Thanks for coming then. It was nice to meet you, Jess," Patrice mumbled before he and Brad began to slowly back away-- toward the locker room.

I looked at Julian with my eyebrows scrunched together. "That's awkward," I commented as Julian and I began to make our ways out of TD Garden.

"It was, wasn't it?" Julian stifled a laugh as he draped an arm over my shoulder. When we walked out, the cold air hit us.

"Why are you so special that you get to park where all the players park," I questioned and raised an eyebrow.

"Because I am a player," Julian joked as he shook his head.

"You're an idiot, I swear," I told him as I shook my head in response. He unlocked the car, and opened the passenger door for me. "Thank you."

He moved over to the drivers side and slid into the driver's seat. Jules pulled out and began to drive. "I've got a question," Julian stated as he kept his eyes on the road.

"And what is that question," I asked as I looked over at him and raised an eyebrow.

"Well... Danny... He's taking that girl to the season-start dinner with a bunch of the guys... Will you go with me? As friends I mean? I don't want to go alone," Julian mumbled and let out a sigh.

Danny? I didn't know if I could stand to watch Danny with that... that... girl... I needed to distance myself... This wasn't the way to do that.

"Jess?" Julian looked over at me with a concerned face. "You okay there?"

"When is it," I let out. I have to say no-- I have to say no.

"Friday night... at like seven," Julian replied as he turned his attention back to the road.

"I-I..." I sucked in a breath and finally shook my head. "I don't think I can. The new edition of the magazine is due... and we'll all be working on final touches."

"Oh... well... okay... that's fine," Julian replied sadly as he let out a small sigh.

"Sorry... I just... Yeah," I replied with a sigh.

"What's up with you lately, Jess? You're like really acting weird. Is everything alright," He asked was his eyebrows furrowed.

"Stress is just a bitch," I mumbled in response. I didn't want to speak about it. "Besides, you were so sure that they're not gonna last... So they'll probably break up before Friday," I deflected.

"Yeah, I really hope so." Julian replied. "I don't want to lose my best friend."

I let out a shaky sigh and nodded. "Yeah, I agree, Jules."