Avalanche Territory (NHL Gabe Landeskog)

Chapter 21: Changes

I turned quickly, spraying snow from the sides of my skates and rushing to the other end of the arena, stopping again and racing to the other side.

I had been at this for the past hour and a half, the same repeating drills non-stop until my lungs felt like they were going to explode.

I gulped water and stripped off my jersey and pads, picking a puck and flicking it around my stick before going behind my back and flicking it between my feet to net the black rubber.

Whistles rang out and I slid to a sudden stop, a little too sudden because my feet fell from under me on the slippery surface and my shoulder connected hard with the boards.

"Shit." I swore, taking a deep breath and pushing myself to my feet.

"That's not good." MacKinnon stated and I glared.

"Shut the fuck up." I growled, retrieving my puck and hauling all my weight behind the slapshot I sent at the bench full of Avalanche players.

Matt laughed and Gabe shook his head as Erik held up his hands, "Easy killer." Erik smirked.

"Pipe down pretty boy, not in the mood." I stated simply, pushing my way through them and untying my skates as I went.

"Come on Raiyne, relax." Matt stated, hands landing on my shoulders as his thumbs moved soothingly into the muscle.

"Oh my god." I gasped, freezing as his hands continued to travel down my back.

His thumbs worked circles into my muscles and moved until the knots released, laughter escaping his body as my shoulders sagged and my head tipped forward.

"Matt Duchene I love you." I stated and he messed my hair, before smirking.

"Yeah, yeah I know."

I undressed, then grabbed my keys and headed towards the door only stopping when Gabe grabbed my wrist.

"Huh?" I asked, or grunted, it was a confusing sound that had everyone giving me a weird look.

"Lunch?" He asked this time slower.

"I need a shower." I replied.

"Then after your shower." He laughed.

--

I flipped my hair back and watched it fall down my back, glaring at the waves as I pulled it into a ponytail and swiped on mascara.

"Time for a hair cut." I muttered as I added eye liner and tossed my red lipstick into my purse I rarely used. "Something different. "

--

Gabe POV

I checked my phone again and rolled my eyes as no message showed, Matt shifted in his chair and Erik crossed his arms.

"Where is she?" MacKinnon muttered.

"Dunno." I sighed, swiping open my phone and scrolling through social media. "But she's tweeting."

"Tweeting what?" Matt asked, taking my phone before I could see myself. "New changes, what the hell is that supposed to mean?"

"I think that's what it's supposed to mean." Erik gaped, pointing as the chair beside me was pulled out.

"What did you do to your hair?" I asked, more like gasped as I reached for the brunette waves that had been chopped off.

Instead of going well past her chest it fell an inch or two past her shoulders, the waves natural as her eye brows raised and her tainted dark red lips tipped into a smirk.

"I like it." Raiyne stated, shaking her head side to side. "Easy to handle."

"Where did Raiyne go?" Matt asked and I nodded.

"She's gonna leave in twenty minutes." Raiyne muttered.

"Why?" Erik mumbled.

"Courtney." She stated.

--

Lunch had come and gone in as few words as possible, Raiyne blowing in and out like the wind in the trees, and I found myself sitting at home alone.

The door handle clicked and I barely turned my head as I heard laughter, then bags being the out down at the bottom of the stairs as Raiyne appeared.

"Hey babe." She smiled simply, pressing her lips to my cheek as she flopped on the couch. "What're you watching?"

I blinked at the girl beside me, once again taking in the hair she had cut off and the brand new jeans she wore. It was some how the same woman, her Apple shampoo and vanilla body spray hadn't changed, but the smile and the way her eyes danced did.

"Why'd you cut it off?" I asked, running my fingers through her still silky smooth brunette locks.

"I wanted a change, it'll grow back." Raiyne smiled slightly, crossing her legs on the sofa. "You don't like it?"

I smirked slightly and shook my head, "That's not what I said, you still look gorgeous."

Raiyne shook her head, leaning forward and she wrapped her arms around my neck, "I love you." She stated simply. "But I have a ton of stuff

to put away."

I groaned at the statement and her chuckle escaped her chest as she stood, shrugging as she went.

"You'll love it." She laughed.