Not everyone gets lucky enough to find their soul mates. Even fewer people are lucky enough to keep them around. Corey and bailey have been inseparable since 1993 and after a few years of having to be apart they don't themselves in a new city living...
The end of the Blackhawks regular season was here and they barley snuck into the playoffs. But they were still pretty confident that they will be good to go and ready to take on the mighty Canucks for the third straight year. Anything can happen in the playoffs and they won it all last year so it's hard to bet against this team.
Until then the team had end of the season awards and Corey was up for a lot of things within the club for his outstanding year. Although this was just his first full year in the big leagues he did really well for himself. He had the longest shutout streak by a Blackhawks rookie and most wins by a Blackhawks rookie since... well since a long time. He had himself a good year personally even if all together the team wasn't what it was a year before when they won the cup.
And I was very proud of him. I've watched him play this exact position for years and I watched him grow at what he does. My dad still coaches him to this day to a certain extent. I don't think there's much for him to learn but they still go over stances and other hockey related things. I've watched this man from the very beginning and now look at him. He's... he's incredible and even with whatever award he gets tonight he won't care. He just wants to win and that's a good thing for him. Goalies have short memories and they move on easier than anyone. But he should at least be able to enjoy what he's done before moving on.
"Are you about ready" he yells into my apartment. I finish putting in my earrings as I stare into the mirror. I let out a sigh as I look at myself. Who am I even kidding at this point?
"Yeah! I'll be right out" I assure him.
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I took one last look at myself and I realized that I looked like a hockey wife. A trophy wife. Someone who can give their life to a man who plays a game. But I know I can't be that person. I can't spend another part of my life dedicating it to hockey only. I'm meant for more than that. But part of me will always belong to hockey. It will always be around it and that's not a bad thing. I just don't think hockey wife is a part of my future.
I finally pull on my heels and leave the bathroom. I grab my clutch before heading to go find Corey. But he was already in my kitchen eating some leftovers from dinner I made last night. Just spooning the noodles and vegetables out of the container into his mouth.
I'm not going to lie, he looked incredible in his suit. His big eyebrows made his eyes pop and even through the beard he was growing his smile was still the sexiest thing I've ever seen. Every time he wears a suit I feel like I'm going to pass out. And now I'm feeling less and less like this was a good idea.
"Couldn't wait until we got to dinner eh" I tease making him stop eating.
He turns to me and spits the food out as his eyes get big. It sprays across the room as he quickly tries to clean it up. "Oh gross" I laugh as he wipes up his mouth with his sleeve. I just shake my head because I've seen this man at his best and his worst... and this was pretty bad.
"Sorry" he grumbles as he tries to clean up his mess.
"You good there" I ask as I walk over to help him. I grab a napkin to help him clean up because he was still dressed nice even if he spewed like a 4 year old at dinner.
"Yeah I just..." he trails off.
I use the napkin to wipe some food off the side of his mouth causing him to stop talking. He grabs my hand and I freeze as he pulls me closer. "You just what" I stutter as my voice waivers.
"I was just thinking that you were the most incredible sight I have ever seen" he says softly.
We both stand frozen as we just stare at each other. Both of us not knowing what to say anymore. Stuff like this keeps happening and we still don't know where we stand or why we stand there. Why we don't keep walking. Why we always get stuck in these moment and can't move foreword and see what happens next.
"We should probably get going" I whisper.
He silently nods his head as his grips on me loosens. I wish he didn't listen. I wish he would have just kissed me and I can stop questioning everything when it comes to him. But he respects my wishes and helps me clean up.
We drive all the way over to the ballroom in silence. Not a word between us as we try to forget what happened in there. But both of us know those feelings aren't going anywhere. Not the way we handle them at least.
We arrive at the confrence center and he helps me out of the car. He keeps my hand in his and closes the door behind me. We walk in together before we get to where we need to be. He stands in front of the door to the ball room and I just look at him.
"You okay" I ask him.
He lets out a long sigh as he shakes his head. "I'm confused" he starts.
"About what" I wonder.
"About life, about hockey, about who I am, about love" he says.
I hold his hand tighter as I pull myself into his side. I wrap my other hand around his arm as I look up at him. "You don't need a award like these to know you're a great player. You don't need people like me to tell you you're an amazing person. Sure the awards and the comfort helps. But it doesn't mean anything until you know your worth. Your feelings. Who you are" I say softly.
His head falls as he closes his eyes. I reach up and grab his chin as I press a soft kiss to his cheek. "Please" he says softly. "Never leave me again" he begs.
I feel a tear come up in my eyes because I could feel how sad he was right now. I don't understand why, he was about to get recognized for all the good he's done. He's about to have his chance to play for the Stanley cup. He looks so painfully good right now. What could be wrong?
"I'm right here Corey" I promise him.
"Forever" he asks as he looks down at me. I give him a small but real smile as I nod my head.
