One Last Shot

21, Houston

Twenty-One – Houston

I walked up to the door and knocked lightly. I was overly excited to see my girl, I haven't seen her since my birthday, like two weeks ago, besides our fight, and the one night we got to sneak away. I wasn't even supposed to get here for another 2 days, the morning of the wedding specifically, because we had a ton of press and shoots for the cup and for next year, but I had a secret.

Colin answered right away, doing a quick double take when he realized it was me.

"Wait what are you doing here? I thought you weren't going to make it in till Saturday morning? I'm not complaining that you are two days early for best man duties, but after I saw your post, I really didn't think you were going to be." He shook his head a few times giving me a hug and I just laughed. "Didn't you have a shit load of interviews, and shit for next season to deal with?" Before I could answer Ava ran into the living room, we were now standing in.

"Oh My God! Let me see it!" She whisper yelled, Colin gave her a strange look as I pulled the box out of my pocket, holding it close not knowing where Addison was at in the house. "Don't worry she's upstairs showering." She grabbed it from my hands, when she opened the box Colin's eyes went wide.

"How'd I do?" I shrugged asking them both. Colin blinked a few times and looked back and forth between the ring and me.

"Holy shit." Was all he could say. I smiled and nodded.

"Houston, it is beautiful, it is so perfectly her. You did amazing!" Ava whisper yelled before hugging me. I took the ring back and put it back into my pocket.

"I had no idea."

"I know." I nodded. "Ava is the only one I told, sorry."

"I'm going to let you two talk." She smiled kissing Colin before walking out of the room.

"You were the first person I told when I was asking Ava." I laughed.

"I know, I couldn't tell you until I knew for sure."

"Knew for sure what? That you were really in love with her and wanted to spend your life with her or something? Why are you here so soon?" I could tell his irritation was growing, though I was trying not to laugh at him.

"I can leave if you want." I pointed back at the door again still trying not to laugh. He just gave me a look and I laughed. "They didn't need me there anymore."

"That doesn't make any sense, it was all press for next year and the win."

"Except I'm not going to be with them next year."

"What? I thought everything with Addison cleaned up your image and everything was going to work out to extend your contract..." I put my hand on his shoulder.

"Oh, it did, thanks to her completely for making me look like a better man, I just got traded." I smiled, but he looked pissed. I couldn't help but continue to try not to laugh at him.

"What the fuck. Where? You won them that cup! How are you smiling about this man! This is insanely stupid, that they would allow a trade to even fucking happen right now." I just kept smiling.

"Some team wanted me more, offered me an eight-year $78.8 mill contract. I signed this morning right before heading here. Haven't you watched SN at all?" His jaw dropped and eyes were wide.

"No, and where?"

"Some team that wears a shit load of Victory Green. Good thing it won't clash too bad with my eyes." I laughed waiting for him to put the pieces together.

"Victory Green, who wears Victory...holy shit you signed with the Stars!?" I nodded laughing and he was more excited than I was, jumping up to hug me, both of us almost falling in the process. Finally, he and I were back on the same team. "Why didn't you tell me?"