Bridge over troubled waters

28| Super Powers

Corey

I've always hated Valentine's Day. And not just the years I was alone, I always hated the concept of the thing. All that mushy gushy stuff is gross and unnecessary, for you should love your partner with that much passion every chance you get, not just one day a year. Usually Bailey and I do something special for the occasion so it wasn't all that bad. But in this current situation I'm in it kinda sucked because she was working through a hard time with her boyfriend and probably didn't want to do anything for the holiday. She probably despised it more than I did at the moment. But I still went out and got her some flowers and chocolate covered strawberries because no matter how I feel about this day I know I want to make her happy one way or another. I just don't know if this is what she wants.

So I set the flowers down beside me and fall on my couch. I close my eyes as I rub my head that was overthinking everything. This day is giving me a damn headache. We didn't have any hockey obligations so the guys who had plans could go with their loved ones and have a nice day. But I just wanted this day to be over really.

I get jolted up when I hear my door open up. I see Bailey there in a red and white floral dress and I smile big. She smiles back as she sees the flowers and chocolates next to me on the couch.

"Hey, what are you doing over here" I wonder.

She nervously shift in her spot as she tries not to look at her gifts sitting next to me. "I came over to take you out for lunch" she claims and I smile at her.

"You're taking me out" I question.

"I might be emotionally unstable but let's be honest... I wear the pants in this relationship" she insists.

"Never doubted you did" I smirk.

"So go throw on something pretty and we can get going" she insists.

"Alright. But first, here are your flowers and chocolates. I know you probably don't want this crap right now but I figured you still deserve some flowers to remind you how beautiful you are and some chocolates to remind you how sweet you are" I say.

I hand her the flower and the chocolates and I see a little blush on those pale Canadian cheeks of hers. Her eyes meet mine and I could see the love she felt right now, and suddenly this day wasn't as shitty as I originally thought it would be. "I'm gonna go change" I say breaking the silence.

"Okay. I'm going to go set these over at my place and I'll be back here in a minute" she says.

So I shamelessly watch her leave before going into my room. I frantically look for something nice to wear but I haven't done laundry or went to the dry cleaners in a while. But I find a good pair of jeans and a nice red sweater that didn't say blackhawks on it. I add a little bit of gel to my hair and spray on the cologne but make sure I don't over do it. Once I was satisfied I run out of my room to find Bailey so I don't keep her waiting.

Once I get out of my room I find her at the window watching the city as it hustles and bustles. It really never does sleep, I know because even all the way up here I hear honking any hour of the day. But it comes with the love and respect I have for this city, so I don't mind it. And neither did she, because even though this wasn't her home, she felt right at home here. And that's all I wanted.

"You ready" I ask and she turns around. She smiles big as she nods her head. She walks over to me and puts her hand out. I slip mine in hers and that feeling that only she gives me takes over. My heart starts beating faster and I couldn't get the smile off my face if I wanted to.

We head to our favorite restaurant and order some food. It was kinda awkward because it looked like a date and felt like one but it wasn't a date. Just two friends out on Valentine's Day refusing to share feelings.

"What a beautiful day it is for February" she asks and I smile.

"Any day in February that's over 40 degrees is beautiful for a Canadian" I tease and she laughs.

"I guess you're right. But even the sun is out and the snow is melting. I can't wait to see what the city is like in spring" she admits.

"Well if it's anything like Rockford I'm sure you're going to love it" I admit.

"Do you ever miss Rockford" she wonders and I smile.

"In a way, yeah. Rockford is a lot closer to feeling like home than this place is. I can walk around there without people staring at me and I wasn't so overwhelmed. I grew so much as a player and as a person there and I kinda miss it. But my dream is to play here and this team just won a cup, I want to do that. And we have a chance to do that too, I'm happy I'm getting my chance to prove myself here" I shrug.

"I love watching you play" she claims and I smile. "I know I know. I say I don't like hockey anymore and that my dad ruined it for me. But you're the one person the rules of life never seem to apply to anyway" she insists.

"Is that so" I smirk.

"Hey now, use your powers for good" she teases making me laugh.

"I will. I haven't abused them before have I" I ask and she scoffs loudly.

"Are you kidding me? Did you forget about the time you made me ditch school to ride roller coasters? Or when you pulled me into all your other ignorant teenage shenanigans" she accuses.

"Oh come on, you love roller coaster and you could have stolen money from the bank and your parents would still think you're innocent" I scoff.

"Not the point! The point is that you would be the worst superhero ever because you would abuse your powers" she claims.

"You are not wrong" I laugh.

She laughs along with me as she just shakes her head. "I know things have been rough lately, but I'm happy you're here. I might have been upset with you but I'm always going to be here for you. You know that right" she asks.

"Although I was scared as hell when you wouldn't talk to me I always knew that if I needed you here with me you would be right here" I admit.

"Good" she smiles.