As You Please || Auston Matthews

008

Life was back to normal.

The day after the Maple Leafs game, Brett and I were back in work drowning in new projects and pitch ideas. The dark cloud that was hanging over my head last week was gone. A smile was on my face, the light was back on in my office, and the door was always open. Coworkers filtered in and out, I jumped on conference calls and status meetings. There was a purpose to my life again. I felt wanted. I felt needed.

Every night I was working late. Anywhere between eight to ten at night, I would be bundled up, walking home through the chilly streets of Toronto. Every night, I would feel the same knot in the pit of my stomach.

I was over Hunter. I was over the failed relationship and all of the strings attached. I knew it had only been a week, and Auston was soaking up much of that time, but when I was alone again, I felt fine.. When I was faced with putting our sheets back on the bed. I didn't feel anything. They were sheets. They were clean.

I was better off without him. I was happier than I'd been in months. My bank account was quiet. My mind was at ease. I didn't constantly worry affording our lifestyle. I didn't think about walking into the apartment and having to clean. I was happy not to hear him scream at the television while he played a game on his Playstation. I was happy I could watch hockey again.

Every night, there was a new hockey game on my television. I didn't care who was playing or what the score was, I was utterly infatuated with whatever was going on during the plays.

Auston called me every night. We talked about meaningless things, simple things. He would ask me how I was doing, I would tell him how happy I was, and the conversation would continue. We would talk about traveling. He would tell me about his parents and his friends. I would tell him about mine. He would ask me about his games, about his playing and mistakes. He would ask when he could see me again.

When he could cash in the winnings of the bet.

Even with my new found independence, there were some nights I would wake up and wish that his arm was wrapped around me and his face was pressed into the back of my head.

I would think about him constantly. The way his eyes met mine during the game still made my heart flutter. I could still remember the world falling silent when he pointed to me from center ice and blew me a kiss.

I was head over heels and terrified.

"Hey Tess," Robyn, the CEO of the agency, poked his head into my office and frowned when he noticed the papers scattered across my desk, a clear indication that I was nowhere near the endpoint for the night. "Should I get a pullout bed for the couch in the break room or what?"

Robyn leaned against the doorframe, crossing his arms against his chest as he watched me shuffle through a few things before running a hand through my hair and letting out a deep sigh. "I'm so close to finishing the mock ups for these proposals, Robyn. I can't leave yet."

The man sighed, knowing how stubborn and dedicated I was. Ever since I had started working here I was usually the last one out of the office. It wasn't because I wanted to suck up. I wasn't trying to impress anyone. I just loved what I did.