Liquid Courage

After a disappointing game against the New York Islanders my friend Kelsey and I decided to head over to the local bar, it was semi-close to the American Airlines Arena. I was sporting my beloved Tyler Seguin jersey and Kelsey was wearing her Jamie Benn jersey. She never paid attention to the NHL until she met me. Now it takes up most of her life, so henceforth it's only fair I remind her she'd be lost without me.

We decided to sit at the bar and watch the high lights of the game we just saw.

"I swear if I have to listen to them talk about how disappointing this game was I'm going to turn it into a drinking game," I said with a little bit of sass in my voice.

"I'll drink to that" Kelsey replied, raising her glass of beer.

There we sat for who knows how long drinking beers together talking about everything from the game to anything in our personal lives. Never in my mind would I think this night would change my life.

Kelsey leaned in a whispered, "(Y/N) Don't freak out but I'm like  99.9999% sure Tyler Seguin is sitting in that corner booth"

I could barely process what she was saying before I instinctively whipped my head around to see the Tyler Seguin drinking with some friends and teammates. Before I knew it I had made eye contact with him. Feeling embarrassed that he caught me staring, I quickly flashed a blushed smile and turned my head back to tv. Trying to act as chill and unbothered as I could.

"Earth to (y/n)," Kelsey said as she waved her hand in front of my face.

Finally, I took my eyes off the tv and looked at her, trying to read her expression on her face.

"He's staring at you, probably because you're wearing his jersey but still he's not taking his eyes off you." Kelsey quietly squealed. she could barely keep her enthusiasm down.

"Kels he's probably looking at someone else don't be so naive." I retorted, not willing to be fooled by a simple gesture.

"You should go ask him to sign your jersey or something, I'm sure he wouldn't mind." Nudging my shoulder she was really trying to convince me.

"If you really think he wouldn't mind I'm gonna need some liquid courage," I said while calling the bartender over. "Some shots of vodka and another beer please" Asking as calmly as I could. I knew right now I'd never had the nerve to go up to him, but tipsy or drunk me, on the other hand, was a whole different story.

Some amount of shots later and a beer or two I found myself walking over to where Tyler was sitting. I knew he had noticed me walking towards him, I felt the eyes of him and his table.

C'mon y/n you can do this, all you gotta do is ask for a picture, no big deal. I kept repeating that in my head over and over again. Finally reaching the table I prayed I wouldn't do or say anything stupid.

"Uhm Hi, I was uh, wondering if I could get a picture with you?" I asked shifting my weight from foot to foot. "I mean if you're not too busy, I don't want to interrupt or bother you" I added quickly, I didn't want him to feel obligated to take a picture with a fan.

"Sure, I can even sign your jersey if you want." Flashing that stupid smile of his as he spoke, all I could do was nod, knowing my voice would fail me if I tried.

He grabbed a sharpie from one of his friends and signed my jersey right by my collarbone. Soon after we took the picture, he had his hand resting on my lower back. Him being six one and me being a mere five-five it was odd but naturally placed. I quickly thanked him and practically ran back to Kelsey.

"See that wasn't so hard was it?" she teasingly asked.

"shut up!" I said trying to wipe off the stupid grin I had on my face. "But I'd really like to leave now" grabbing my things quickly and hoping she'd agree.

"Sure but since your place is closer I'm staying in your guest room." Which came out as more of a question than a statement.

"No biggie, the quest room is practically your room anyways" Saying as we linked arms and headed towards the street to hail a taxi.

~~~ Finally home~~~

Getting home was the best feeling in the world. I changed into some shorts and a loose t-shirt and set off to turn on the tv and get cozy in bed. Scrolling through my camera roll, looking at the few pictures I have with Tyler, trying to find the best one to post on the gram. finally deciding on one I uploaded it with the caption "3 shots and 2 beers later I finally mustered up the courage to ask for a picture." Before I hit submit I tagged Tyler, with no real hope that he'd actually see it.

Plugging in my phone and getting ready to fall asleep, my phone lit up signaling a notification. Me being too tired to look at it, let it sit waiting for me in the morning, not knowing that single notification would change my life.