The Puck Drops

Chapter 4 - Kenna

I woke up this morning before my alarm went off. I knew today was a big day for Jackson and was sure that was why I was awake early. I knew when he was out with the Kings he told me that he was nervous and wished someone could be there for him and I had a feeling he would have those same feelings for today, so before I went to bed I sent him a text to make sure that he was relaxed and calm before he went to bed. I laid in bed listening to m alarms go off just silencing them. I waited for my last alarm to go off before I knew that I had to get out of bed and get ready for the day. I jumped in the shower and did a quick rinse of the shampoo and conditioner before getting out and brushing my teeth and hair. I made my way to my closet and started looking through to see if there was anything I wanted to wear as I was going through the whole closet and it just seemed like nothing was good enough to wear today. I finally settled on a light blue sun dress and got dressed and grabbed my tan sandals and slipped them on. While walking out the door I grabbed an apple from the bowl on the counter and started my commute to work. My commute to work wasn't bad, I hopped into my car and started my way through the downtown traffic. Depending on when I left would determine if I hit a ton of traffic or if it was a normal amount. I worked in downtown Syracuse as a junior account for a local accounting firm. It was a nice little place to work and I got along with everyone. I walked through the office and saw the receptionist.

"Hey Kenna how are you this morning?"

"Hey Macy I am doing well. I have a half day today just so you know."

She gave me a nod as I made my way past her to my desk. I put all my things down and logged onto my computer. I started my day to day tasks to make sure I didn't fall behind with me leaving work early. I was lucky to be able to take a half day today but when Jackson called me the other day, I wanted to surprise him at his practice once it was over. I wanted to be there for him because I couldn't be there for him on his first official day and I felt bad about him not having anyone there. I knew that I would be able to make it up to him this time. I rushed through everything to be able to make it out on time and I was shutting down my computer just as it hit noon. I grabbed my purse and made my way out of the office and gave Macy a wave as I passed by her.

"Bye Macy I will see you tomorrow."

"Bye"

I started to make my way over to the War Memorial. I was hoping I would make it in time to catch him before he left. I wasn't totally sure how long his practice would be, and I knew the surprise would be ruined if he was gone already. My office was a few blocks away so I decided I would just walk to the rink instead of trying to take my car out and make it through traffic and then find parking again. I think the fact I kept glancing at my watch and seeing the time move closer to 12:30 was making me anxious. I finally reached the rink right before 12:30 and I made my way through the doors; a security guard was sitting in front of the doors to the rink.

"Hello miss, can I help you?"

"Hello I am here to watch the rest of practice and to pick up Jackson Thompson."

"I need to make sure you are on the list. What is your name?"

"Kenna White"

He walked over to his desk and started looking through a file. I started panicking a little because I didn't think of this part of doing my surprise for Jackson and I was hoping I would be able to make in. I wasn't planning on disturbing practice I was going to sit at the top where no one could see me and when practice was over make my way over to the hall where they would leave. I kept watching him as he searched through the file some more and after what felt like forever, he finally came back over to me.

"I found your name. You are free to go in."

I smiled and walked through the door that he opened. I made my way to sit at the top of the lower level of the arena and watched the players come out of the tunnel. I was looking for Jackson but didn't see him coming out of the tunnel but when I looked at the middle of the ice, he was standing there looking around. I shrunk down in the seat a little more so he couldn't see me. Looking around the arena I saw the wives and girlfriends sitting on the other side, but I didn't want to join them. I knew being a new person into the group could cause a distraction and distracting Jackson was the last thing I wanted to do plus I wasn't a girlfriend. I was a friend and felt I didn't belong in that circle because that circle was inclusive of a certain life I didn't live. I watched the coach walk onto the ice and blow his whistle and for the next two hours I watched the guys bust their asses to get the results that the coach wanted. I could see that Jackson would get frustrated occasionally because he would miss the puck or would fall behind on a rush. I knew how great he could be if he would just stay out of his own head.

The final whistle blew, and the coach told them to hit the showers. I watched them all move slowly back to the locker room. I knew this was my sign to make my way down the arena to go to the hallway that lead to the locker room. I saw the wives and girlfriends get up and start heading the way I was going, and I could see that they kept looking over at me, but I didn't say or look at them much. I knew in time I would probably meet them but until I was introduced, I didn't want to make myself know. I got to the entrance of the hallway and just leaned against the wall and waited to see him come out. I watched most of the players come out and find their significant other if they had one and the guys that didn't have a girl waiting would just keep on walking. They smiled at me as the continued out of the building. I thought Jackson was going to be the last one of the doors, but I finally saw the door open and Jackson walked out the door.

"Wow you look tired."

I smiled and watched him look around. I couldn't help but give a little laugh that it was taking him a minute to be able to see who was talking to him. Of course, there was a few other people in the hallway too but there wasn't a ton to have me hidden.

"Over here Jackson."

I got his attention at that one. He gave me a smile back when our eyes met, and I couldn't help but feel glad that I was able to be here for him on his second first big day.

"What are you doing here?"

He started walking over to me and gave me a little hug as he stood in front of me.

"I wanted to see you on your first day at work. Seeing how I couldn't be there when you were in LA so I figured this would be just as nice."

"It is even better than when I started with the Kings. I love having you here with me."

I gave him a smile, which I was sure made him think I was up to something. He gave me a look as I grabbed his hand and started to pull him down the sidewalk.

"Where are you taking me?"

'To my favorite place to eat."

We continued down the road and I could see that he was looking around trying to figure out where we were going. I hoped he wouldn't care about this because it wasn't the nicest place that we could go to, but it was going to be like how it use to be growing up. We went down a few more streets to get to the heart of downtown where they had food trucks lined up no matter what time of year.

"There it is the best place to get hot dogs and next to it is the best tacos in the city. I know it's nothing fancy like you are used to, but I figured this would be nice. I love eating here and it is where I come all the time when the weather permits me."

Jackson gave me a smile as we stood in front of the food trucks.

"This is perfect. Authentic street food is just what I need."

We walked over to the area that had tables set up and we placed our food down and I sat down in my chair as Jackson started to walk off. I watched as he went to the cooler to grab the drinks that we ordered.

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He ate the food in no time, and I couldn't help but laugh. I couldn't eat another bite of taco, so I handed my dish over to him and he ate mine like it was nothing. I rolled my eyes and he gave me a questioning look.

"Things just never change. You did that growing up too."

"Yea I guess I did. Things change but we stay the same which I am glad about. Will you be at all my practices?"

"Sorry to break your heart but no. I took off from work today to be able to be here for your first day. I still feel bad about not being there during your real first day."

"Don't beat yourself up. Things in life don't always seem to go the way we would like but in the end, they work out. I am glad you were here for this day."

Sitting at the little table in the square was a great thing to just be here with Jackson. We talked about everything that happened during practice and I couldn't help but laugh when he was talking about how sore he was. I could see it from up high in the arena so I could only imagine what he felt like.