Friends Don't, But We Do

15. Dreamworks

"Don't go," he mumbles, and tightens his arms around my hips. My alarm went off, I have to get ready for work. His affection is new but welcome.

I groan. I'm tired and don't wanna go to work and would much rather stay with Nolan in bed. "Hey don't you have to go to the rink anyway?"

He nuzzles his head into my shoulder, not answering. I pat his forearms and he loosens up enough for me to climb out of bed. "I know you do, c'mon get up so I'm not blamed for you skipping practice," I say as I head into the bathroom to get ready.

After I get dressed and do my hair and makeup, I go back to my room for shoes and Nolan is still in my bed. "C'mon Nol, at least say bye to me," I pout.

At that, he sits up, hair an absolute disaster and eyes basically shut. He groans and reaches out for me with both arms. I lean down and hug him, breathing him in. "Are you leaving now?"

"Yes," I sigh and stand back up. He groans, "I'll go too, I gotta grab my hockey stuff at home."

We walk outside together and as I get in my car, he leans on my window from the outside. "Wanna hang out tonight? I think the boys wanna see some movie if you wanna come."

I nod and tell him I'm done work at 5, so as long as they're going later I'm free. Nolan nods, telling me he'll pick me up around 7. I start my car- I'm gonna be late if I don't leave soon. "Have fun today," I say.

"You too. And by the way, you look cute in your lawyer clothes."

I roll my eyes. "My secretary clothes," I correct.

"Oh c'mon Teegs."

"I gotta go, okay? See you later."

It's gonna be a long day at work.

As I walk into the office building in downtown Winnipeg and enter the elevator to the eleventh floor, my phone buzzes with a text.

Miss you bestie

I laugh; it's funny picturing those words coming out of Nolan's mouth. And the word bestie is funny anyway.

Back at ya

Shaking my head and stepping off the elevator, I'm quickly reminded why I rarely smile at work. It's bleak, I mean it shouldn't be to an aspiring lawyer, but it is to me. I'm standing just outside the world I wanna be in, looking from behind a glass window.

I sigh and get settled at the front desk, noticing that I arrived a few minutes later than I usually do. I blame Nolan and his cute bedhead for that.

The day actually doesn't drag as much as I expected. I'm out by 5pm on the dot, and call Nolan once I'm in my car. He's the only person I talk to consistently, and he puts me in a good mood.

"Hey you," he answers.

"Hi, I'm done work and I don't wanna quit today," I say and laugh. Usually after work, I wanna change career paths as a whole. "Hey progress!" He says, and we both laugh. "After hockey today I didn't wanna quit either."

"Yeah but you love hockey," I counter.

"Lemme try to relate to you, alright?"

It's a sweet sentiment, he's always been sweet to me and I really appreciate it. In the background of the call, I can hear Aimee's voice. "Who are you talking to?"

"No one," Nolan says to her and I can hear a door slam, probably his bedroom door. "Sorry," he says to me. "So I'm no one?" I tease.

He scoffs. "No it's just- Aimee is annoying," he huffs.