Mat Barzal Imagines

Through the Flames

Warnings: Swearing/language, mentions of FWB and sex

Word Count: 1.5k

"I don't know if I should be here," you said to your best friend, Caroline, as you walked into the VIP section of the club.

Caroline's blue eyes flashed with indignation. "You're my best friend, of course you should be here! And Beau wants you here, too."

"That's very nice of him, but..."

"Oh no, you'd better not be talking about who I think you're talking about." You tried to make your face stay neutral, but your eyes betrayed you. "So this is about Mat, isn't it?" Caroline crowed triumphantly.

"Yes, but..."

"But nothing! He's not gonna be here tonight, and you shouldn't waste your time on him, Y/N—there are way better guys out there."

"Easy for you to say. You're dating an NHL player, for fuck's sake!"

"True, but Beau is working on setting you up with one of his friends. He has someone great in mind, they're just trying to work out schedules."

"Who's trying to work out schedules?" Anthony Beauvillier appeared out of nowhere and put his arms around you and Caroline. He kissed Caroline on the cheek and patted your shoulder. "How are my two favorite girls?"

You chuckled, shoving his arm off playfully. "Careful, Beau, Caroline doesn't like to share."

"That's generally true, but I dragged you here," Caroline giggled, then whipped her head around at the live band. "They're playing our song! Let's dance!" She grabbed her boyfriend's hand and hauled him off to the dance floor, Beau shooting you an apologetic look as they went.

You groaned. Not five minutes in to the party and Caroline had already left you alone. Moments like this made you regret setting her up with Beau last year. It seemed like a good idea at the time—she was your best friend since kindergarten, and you met him during your stint working at the Isles social media department—but they were disgustingly cute and so obsessed with each other that they tended to forget about others whenever they were together. Not to mention that they both had terrible timing.

You stomped over to the bar and waved over the bartender.

"Hi, what can I get you?" the bartender asked.

"An Old Fashioned, please."

"You got it!" He turned on his heel and went to work. The bartender was gorgeous—he had thick blonde hair and the most beautiful green eyes you'd ever seen. You didn't do hook-ups, but there was nothing wrong with looking.

"An Old Fashioned for...I didn't get your name," he said, returning quickly.

"Y/N. And you are?"

"Jake. So what's a beautiful girl like yourself doing here alone in the VIP room? The Isles reserved this room."

"My best friend is dating one of the players and invited me to come along."

"I'm glad she did." Jake winked at you and started making a drink at the blender closest to you while you took a sip of your drink and stirred the toothpick. "Penny for your thoughts."

You looked up at Jake and did a double take. His green eyes really were something. "Uh...nothing."

"It's not nothing," he insisted, his eyes taking on a sympathetic expression. "What is it—school? An ex?"