Collision // Freddie Andersen

vi

Lydia and Freddie didn't get a chance to go out again before Lydia attended her first home game. She had started her internship with the Blue Jays and had made sure to manage her workload for the week so that she could make it home in plenty of time on that Wednesday to get ready and head to the arena. 

She had texted Auston and Freddie earlier in the day, knowing they would likely be taking post-practice pre-game naps, and wished them both luck. Freddie had responded quickly, following his text with a snapchat of him looking way too cuddly for his own good, clearly just laying down. Auston had cheekily replied that he didn't need luck, but that he had left her a gift in her room. 

When she had gotten home and gone into her room to see a blue gift bag on her bed, she was slightly apprehensive. There was a note on top of the tissue paper. It pains me to get this for you, but I don't think I'm your number one anymore was written in Auston's chicken scratch, and Lydia giggled as she pulled a number 31 jersey out of the bag, only to see a beanie on the bottom with the number 34 on it. 

Lydia sent Auston a simple thanks with a heart as she began to get ready to meet up with Steph to head to the game. She was happy to be in Freddie's number but even happier that she was able to also continue to visually support her best friend as well. Lydia even took a snapchat for Freddie, angling herself in a way that he could see the 3 on her one sleeve and barely a glance of the 1 on the other. As she sent it and grabbed her bag, she even wondered if Freddie would think twice about the jersey she was wearing.

*

Steph took Lydia down to the boards so that the girls could watch warmups. Lydia's heart warmed when she saw her best friend and her something more kneeling together and talking on the ice. Steph and Lydia talked and sipped on their drinks, watching the boys do drills and interact with the fans. Lydia had to hold herself back from audibly cooing when she saw Freddie flip a little girl a puck and stand there while the girl's mother took a photo. 

 As the boys headed down the tunnel, the girls headed up to the WAGS box, making Lydia's heartbeat accelerate. "Is it weird that I'm nervous?" she questioned the blonde, pouting as Steph giggled at her question. 

"Of course not," Steph reassured. "I was so nervous my first time here, but a lot of the older ladies are so nice." As the elevator doors opened and Lydia spotted the other women, Steph made one last comment. "Just watch out for the puck bunnies."

Lydia felt silly for being nervous after meeting a lot of the girls. Alannah and Audrey were sweet as can be. Lydia found that she really connected with Emma, as she was one of the newest women in the room. By the end of the third period, the Leafs had bested the Canucks 3-1 and Lydia was cradling little Jace Tavares while chatting with Aryne and looking to set up a lunch date the following weekend. 

Throughout Lydia's laps around the box, trying to meet everyone and also being dragged around by Steph who refused to let Lydia stay in one spot for too long, she noticed that Steph ignored a group of girls in the corner who kept their eyes on Lydia throughout the game. She could only assume these were the girls that Steph had mentioned. They all were glaring at the other women and were very dressed up compared to a lot of the girls who were wearing a jersey and jeans or sweaters, these girls in club dresses and stilettos. 

One blonde, in particular, had watched Lydia all night. She couldn't decide if that was because of the number on her jersey, or the number on her hat, but she was able to find out when they all headed to wait for the boys outside of the locker room. Steph, Alannah, and Lydia stood in a corner, as many of the girls with kids had headed home, leaving a small group waiting, many of them sporting tight dresses. 

Freddie was out a lot quicker than Lydia expected, and she enjoyed the way that Freddie scanned the hall before locking eyes with the grinning blonde.  "Hi," he smiled as he wrapped his arm around her waist and pressed a kiss dangerously close to the corner of her lips. "I like the jersey," he winked down at her as he plucked at the 31 on her shoulder. 

"Oh do you? It was just something I found laying around," she smiled coyly, sinking into his embrace as he chuckled and wrapped her in another hug and pressed a kiss to her head. The two were broken out of their bubble by the high pitched scream coming from behind Lydia.

"Aussy," a screech sounded as Lydia looked at her best friend get attacked by a shiny blonde projectile. "You did so good," the blonde simpered, gazing at Auston with money signs in her eyes. Seeing the uncomfortable look on Auston's face and hearing the scolding voice of Ema Matthews in her head, Lydia squeezed Fred's side, releasing him to head for the brunette and hearing him chuckle behind her.

"Hey Aus," Lydia said calmly, sliding her way between Auston and the blonde, feeling him sigh in relief. "Good game, although your slap shot was lacking a little tonight." Lydia tensed as she heard a scoff from beside her. 

"Can I help you?" Lydia turned and smiled sweetly at the girl who was glaring at her. 

"I just don't know who you are to be judging his game, he's the best player in the league and you haven't even been to a game before and-" Lydia cut the girl off with a laugh, enjoying the startled look on the girls face as Auston settled an arm over her shoulders as well. 

"One: I'm his best friend. Two: I know you've never actually watched hockey because as much as I love this idiot, I would never call him the best player in the NHL right now. Three: considering I watched as he learned that slap shot, I think I'm allowed to critique it. But hey, nice to meet you!"

"What are you doing here Eliza," Auston sighed, interrupting the girl's response. "I told you we were done."

"Oh you didn't mean that Aussy!" Eliza cooed, again trying to snuggle up to the brunette who just moved further away from her advances. 

"Considering you were sleeping with another player, I think I did," Auston rolled his eyes as the blonde gasped dramatically, crocodile tears welling in her eyes. "Just go, I don't want this drama." Auston turned around, leading Lydia back to Freddie who was leaning against the wall looking stupidly attractive in his suit. 

"Who wants to go out?" Auston's eyes shined with mischief as Lydia groaned, huffing into Freddie's chest as he hugged her laughing at her annoyance with her best friend.