Mat Barzal Imagines

Love and Karaoke

Warnings: Two swear words, alcohol, mentions of bullying, insecurity

Word Count: 2k

"Alright, guys, who's up for a little competition?" Johnny Boychuk said.

It was the beginning of training camp, and the Isles players decided to rent a private room in a karaoke bar for some "bonding time." They invited their SO's, and while you were not dating any of the players, you didn't feel out of place. You came to events like this all the time because Sydney, Matt Martin's wife, was one of your best friends. You met her shortly after you started working for the Islanders social media department. Your boss had called Sydney into the office one day for help with an Instagram overhaul, and since you had just been put in charge of the team's Instagram, you were the one to meet her. The two of you became fast friends, so it was only natural to become closer to the players.

"Let's do a karaoke competition!" Tito shouted from his seat at the table next to yours. You liked all of the guys, but most of them were at least a few years older than you, so you naturally became closest to Tito and Mat. Tito was goofy and super fun to hang out with. Mat was funny, too, but you could also have serious conversations with him.

"Who are our victims tonight?" Marty had a wicked grin on his face, and you knew right away that you were in trouble. Sydney's husband was like an older brother to you, and he liked to embarrass you like one.

"Mat!" Tito yelled, and Mat glared at him from his seat at the bar. Generally, Mat sat with you and Tito, but he was sitting with Jordan because Lauren couldn't make it tonight.

"You just gave me an idea. Mat, I dare you to sing a Bieber song."

Everyone, including you, cracked up in laughter. Mat loved Justin Bieber, and he knew all of the words to his songs, even the old ones. You especially loved teasing him about it because you detested Justin Bieber. While every other girl in your middle school obsessed over him, you groaned whenever you heard his voice. He seemed completely fake, and it didn't help that the popular girls who made your days living hell were his number one fans; what they loved, you hated. Once you reached high school, you changed your mind about almost everything except Bieber. His arrest for drag racing confirmed every thought you had about him: that he was a delinquent.

"And I dare (Y/N) to sing a Taylor Swift song."

You stopped laughing immediately. "I'm sorry, what?"

"I said, after Mat sings Bieber, you're going to sing Swift. Pun not intended," Marty broke out into laughter again, only this time, you weren't laughing. Whatever buzz the rum and coke had given you wore off in that instant. You felt like a deer in headlights.

After glancing over at you, Sydney interjected, "Marty, cut it out."

"Come on, Syd, we're just trying to have some fun here..."

"Fine," you said, breaking your silence. "I'll do it."

"That's the spirit, (Y/N)!" Johnny shouted, and the team joined in, cheering.

"I'm gonna need two more drinks before I go on stage," you muttered to Sydney before making a beeline for the bar.

You were greeted with a sympathetic-looking Mat and the bartender, who had two rum and cokes waiting for you.

"Thanks, Larry," you said to the bartender, who nodded once in response.

You then turned your attention to Mat. "We're in quite the predicament, aren't we?" you said before downing your first drink.