Out of the Blue {Jonathan Toews}

Chapter 31

{Christine}

It didn't take long for us to unpack and get settled into Jon's house by the lake. It didn't take more than five minutes after we were settled for Jon to get a phone call and he went inside to answer it. I stood on the deck, looking out at the water.

Being here was amazing. I was so excited to be here and meet Jonathan's family and spend time with him.

"Babe?" I turned around when I heard his voice. He walked up to me and rested his hands on my hips. "Remember my buddies from high school? Mason, Alex, and Zack? I told you a long time ago."

"Yes I do," I replied with a smile.

"It's a nice day, and the wanted to know if we'd want to go out on the boat or something," he explained. I involuntarily smiled bigger. For some odd reason, I loved hearing the words 'we' come out of his mouth.

"Yeah, I'd love to, if you're up for it?" I replied, reaching out and putting my hands on his biceps.

"I'm always up for it," he replied, pulling me closer and pressing his lips against mine. I smiled into him and gripped his arms a bit tighter.

He pulled away after a few minutes of bliss and gave me a quick peck on the lips as he let me go.

"Now go get yourself all sexyfied," he teased. "So I can show off what a babe I picked up."

"Shut up," I replied, lightly smacking his arm.

"I love you!" he called out as I opened the door to the house. I smiled again.

"Yeah, yeah, I love you, too," I called back with a grin. He shot me a wink as I closed the door behind me. I let myself feel like a teenage girl for a moment and squealed as I ran upstairs into our room. It felt amazing to finally be loved. Absolutely amazing.

I quickly changed into my hot pink bikini, and I threw on some ripped up shorts and a loose white tank top. I braided my hair down and pulled it over my shoulder before I grabbed one of Jon's Blackhawks' ball caps over my head.

"That's my hat," he commented with a laugh as I came downstairs. He stood up, dressed in his swim trunks and a Cubs t-shirt. "It's cuter on you anyway," he said with a shrug. I smiled at him, feeling nothing but happiness.

I reached out and gripped Jonathan's hand as he knocked on his friend, Mason's, door. This would technically be the first time I met someone from his hometown and I was nervous.

"You've got nothing to worry about," he insisted, giving my hand a squeeze. I smiled, but I didn't really believe him. I swore he could've heard my heart pounding in my chest.

"Hey, man!" I heard a voice say. I snapped out of whatever daydream I had been and noticed Jon had let go of my hand because Mason was hugging him. "Long time no see!"

"Things got busy, as you could tell," Jon laughed, patting his back before they released each other. I took a deep breath as Jonathan turned to me. He shot me an encouraging smile.

"So this is the pretty lady I've heard so much about," Mason said, reaching out give me a quick hug.

"This is my girlfriend," Jon told him. I still felt butterflies whenever he introduced me as that.

"Christine," I informed Mason.

"And as you probably know, I'm Mason," he said with a laugh. "We can go inside." He stepped out of the way so we could walk inside. I was greeted by a huge yellow lab barking excitedly and jumping all over me.

"Hey there," I cooed, trying to pet him as he bounced around.

"Mac, stop it," Mason said, but he didn't have the sternness to get him to settle down. I squatted down and he sat still long enough for me to pet him.

"She's crazy about dogs," Jonathan explained to Mason with a laugh.

"They're all so cute and lovable," I defended myself. Mac rolled over so scratched up and down his belly.

"Alex, Zack, Katie, Mel, Rach, Ashley, Sarah, and Ian should be here in about ten minutes. They decided to carpool."

Damn, that was a lot of names to remember.

"Sounds good man," Jon replied. We all took a seat on the couch and Jon put his arm around me. Mason tilted his beer bottle towards us.

"Now how did you guys happen?" he asked with a smile. I looked at Jonathan and nodded before he launched into our story.