Ice In My Veins

Chapter Five

We arrive back in Chicago late at night, correction in the morning. I got to my condo by almost six in the morning. Time zones suck, I didn't have to deal with that problem with the Knights. I get a phone call from Tyler when I was on the plane but I was too tired to call him back. When the guys said they would look after me like I'm their younger sister. It hit me in the heart, hard. After being with these guys for only a couple of weeks, they have treated me like any other guy on the team, which means the world to me. 

I go into my condo, leaving my luggage on the first floor, not bothering to say hi to Thea or Hazel if they are still here. I crash onto my bed, and I don't wake up until almost eleven. I look around my room seeing a note on my night table. I grab it and begin reading it.

Hey girl, congrats last night! You were amazing again! I went to work, and Hazel came with me, to work ahead on college work, the week she is gone for. All for you girly. Tyler called again, trying to wish you good luck. See you at two or sooner. Love you, Thea.

I go and fix my hair and face before putting on multiple layers on, remembering the cold crisp weather of Chicago. I grab my keys, wallet, and phone before heading out to Meli's Cafe where the two would be. I walk the fourteen minutes down south, heading into the cafe, I see Hazel with her computer at our usual table. I sit in the booth with her. She lifts her head noticing me.

"Hey sleeping head," she greets me.

"That doesn't even begin to cover it,"

"What time did you get in last night?"

"I didn't even come in last night. I got to my place at six, this morning. Being exhausted doesn't begin to explain."

"Did you talk with Tyler?"

"Yeah, on the way here, he just finished morning practice. Playing against the Jets tonight, not entirely worried about it. Though always expect the unexpected."

"Will we watch it tonight?" I nod, as Thea brings us our usuals without even ordering it from us. We ate, taking our time, catching up after the couple weeks we haven't seen each other since the holidays. I've missed her since she has been in Los Angeles with her boyfriend Drew Doughty. Thea was getting jealous because she was still living the single life. But us being great friends, support her, and tell her that she'll find someone.

After Hazel and I finished the food we went to Millennium Park, across from our condo. Thea had one more hour at work when we left, saying she will meet up with us. We walked around, absorbing the winter weather we missed in Montreal. A couple of people recognized me asking for photos and autographs and saying I am amazing. Some mention that it doesn't matter whether I am a girl or not, that I have the skills for the NHL level that can't be put to waste. Which made my day so much better.

When Thea joined us, we spent half an hour more outside before heading back to our place. We did the classic thing and binged watched some Netflix, then we changed it to the Bruins game. We cheered and booed on some calls. It leads into a shootout which was my favorite part of a game but Thea and Hazel like to call it a near-death experience. How that it could go any way, but that is what a game is. We cheer as Boston wins the shootout.

I text him, good job and that he had nothing to worry about the game. I knew he wouldn't respond before heading out, so I crash with Thea and Hazel, we all have an early morning.

I wake up to my annoying alarm, I change into warm clothes, heading to the United Center for breakfast and morning practice. After practice we have a meeting going over St. Louis Blues strategies and things they've done in the last games they have won. Coach Q said I was in charge of covering TJ Oshie, one of their star players. I happily oblige, seeing as Oshie and I had similar moves and he is amazing in shootouts, like me, but nobody knows that yet since we haven't had the chance yet.