Brother's Best Friend ~ Auston Matthews

Chapter 18

Abby's POV
I wake up wrapped in Auston's arms, I smile and get out of bed heading to the kitchen. I take out my diabetes bag and check my sugar and I was low, I quickly start making waffles for Auston and me. Ten minutes later Auston comes downstairs rubbing his eyes out. He smiles and sits down at the island smiling,

"Did you enjoy last night?" I nod my head,

"Yes thank you so much for helping Mitch and Steph put it together,"

"It was no problem," I place the strawberry waffle in front of him and he digs in. I quickly make myself one too. We sit in silence and eat our food. Auston finishes before me and asks me,

"Are you coming to practice?" I nod my head,

"Yes, I don't know if I want to get on the ice but I will come," his face lights up and he smiles. I start smiling along with him and I stand up and kiss him. We make out for a little then I hear a sniffling come from the living room. I pull away from Auston and turn around to see Mitch standing there crying, but before Auston or I could say anything Mitch says,

"Auston will you please leave?" Auston turns to me and gives me a confused look. I just nod my head and give him a small smile. He nods grabs his car keys and leaves the apartment grabbing his hockey stuff on the way out. I turn back around to find Mitch hysterically crying on the couch. I quickly walk over to him observing him in a fetal position hyperventilating. I immediately know he is having a bad panic attack. I sigh,

"Oh Mitchy you went so long without one," I lay down next to him and whisper, "Try to match my breathing," I say in hopes to calm him down. I start taking really deep breaths not getting much of a response. I rub his back and let him know that I'm here without overwhelming him. I feel him relax but there is no sign of calming him down. I decide to call Babcock because I have a feeling he won't be up to do practice today.

"Hello?" I hear Mike say,

"Hey, Babs! It's Abby Marner. I was just calling to let you know that Mitch won't be coming to practice today,"

"Why isn't he coming?" He asks skeptical of my undetailed story,

"I don't know if I should be telling you this but he is currently having a giant panic attack on the couch right now and I think it might be awhile before he calms down,"

"Ah yes ok take care of Marner Abs! And congrats on the white coat" I smile,

"Thanks, coach. I will keep you updated on Mitch. Bye!"

"Bye," He says before the line goes dead. I look back at Mitch and lay back down on the couch next to him. I put my ear on his back hearing nice long breaths signaling that he has fallen asleep. I quickly text Steph,

Steph
Mitch won't be at practice today. He had a pretty bad panic attack and he is now passed out. I am laying with him and will probably fall asleep too. 

I put my phone down and fall asleep cuddling with him. 

I open my eyes with Mitch still in my arms. I smile noticing he is still asleep, I check my phone 11:45 a nice nap but it's time to get up for the second time. I climb over Mitch and answer my texts,

Aust ❤️
How's Mitch? Is he ok?

Abs ❤️
He fell asleep before I could talk to him but he had a pretty bad panic attack.

I also got a text from Steph,

Steph
Aw, my poor baby! Do you need me to come over?

Abby
He's passed out and I have a feeling that he will wake up in a terrible mood, so when he is feeling better I will let you know.

Steph
Text me when he's up and is feeling better.

Abby
Of course

I head into the kitchen and use the rest of the waffle mix and make Mitch a chocolate chip waffle and top it with some whipped cream. I pour some orange juice for him, I head over to the couch and shake him awake.

"Mitch wake up, I have some breakfast for you," he groans and opens his eyes,

"I don't want to eat, I just want to lay here," I sigh,

"A couple of bites that's all I ask. I will bring it to you," he nods as I get up to go get his food. I grab the plate and place it in front of him. He sighs,

"You know I can't resist waffles," he says rolling his eyes sitting up and taking a couple of bites. Once he is done he lays back on the couch and sighs,

"I don't want to talk about it," he says looking down,

"Understandable,"

"Can we just cuddle?" I nod as we lay down together on the couch both of us falling asleep.

1:00 pm
"Aw they look so cute," I hear someone say,

"Ssshhh Steph we shouldn't wake them up, they look so peaceful," someone whispers. I internally roll my eyes and tune whoever is in my apartment out and fall back asleep.

3:00 pm
"THEY HAVE BEEN ASLEEP FOR LIKE 5 HOURS! CAN WE JUST WAKE THEM UP?" I hear a loud man scream,

"That unnecessary yelling has already woken me up," I hear Mitch mumble,

"Same," I whisper. Mitch sighs and sits up,

"Can you guys please get out?" he looks down. I feel him getting tense and his breathing becoming short. I don't know what is going on in his head but this is concerning me, I look up at Steph and sigh. She nods her head and says,

"Boys, I think Mitch has a little bit of a fever and isn't feeling too good so how about we check in tomorrow?" they all nod and follow Steph out the door. I sit next to Mitch and put my arm around him,

"What's wrong?" 

"I don't know Abby, I just feel like I have the whole world on my shoulders and that I'm not performing to the standards that people expect of me," I sigh,

"Mitch you are getting out of your sophomore slump and leading the team really well. You don't need to worry about disappointing anyone including yourself," he looks at me,

"I just feel really shitty," 

"I understand what you are feeling and anxiety is a real thing that many people deal with, do you want me to get you an appointment with my old therapist? We don't have to tell anyone just someone for you to talk to," he nods his head, 

"Mitch you don't need to feel ashamed tons of athletes deal with this and it's totally natural. Babcock is a huge supporter of getting rid of the stigma around mental health, so he can help you and support you," he smiles and hugs me,

"I love you Abs,"

"I love you too Mitchy and I will do anything to make sure that you are ok," he smiles, 

"I am going to call my therapist and see if I can get you an appointment, and you should call Babs and let him know what is going on," he nods and takes out his phone. I head into the other room and call my therapists office hoping there is room for Mitch in her schedule. 

Once I was done and got Mitch an appointment I text Steph,

Abs
Hey! Mitch and I talked and he is feeling much better. I think you can come over now.

Steph
I will be there in 5

"MITCH STEPH IS ON HER WAY OVER"

"OK" he screams, I look back down at my phone and text Auston,

Abs ❤️
Can we go skating?

Aust ❤️
Of course. How's Mitchell?

Abs ❤️
He's ok. He just needed to talk.

Aust ❤️
Understandable. I will pick you up in 10

Abs ❤️

Sounds good

Hey guys!!! Long time not edit. THis summer has been crazy and I deleted like half of the book because I didn't like where the story was going... I hope you enjoy this chapter!