Three years…

Three long, drawn out years since they had seen one another. Nicole didn't even know if he would remember her. Her sad hazel eyes stared out the airplane window as she watched the plane quickly pull up and away from the ground, leaving Hershey, Pennsylvania and heading for Washington D.C. She had not determined yet whether or not this was the smartest or the stupidest decision of her life. She had just graduated from college and should be looking for a job but instead she was on a plane, desperate to find the one man who had ever meant anything to her…the one man she had once upon a time loved with all of her heart…and in some ways still did. That was why she was here after all right? Love…love made you do stupid things. That was what Nicole found herself doing that cold, January morning as she reminisced on the events in her past that had brought her to this point in her life…

Nicole felt her heart skip a beat when she saw that unbelievable smile. Her friends had just introduced her to a hockey player…not just any hockey player…one who played for the AHL team: The Hershey Bears. Nicole had been to a few Bears games in the past with her friends and enjoyed hockey, but never took an obsessive interest in it like they did…but now she was starting to think she could learn to truly love the sport.

The chemistry between Nicole and Mathieu was instant. It was literally palpable to all of their friends and before they knew what was happening, they found themselves falling hopelessly in love with one another. Nicole never missed a game Mathieu played in. She bought his jersey and wore it constantly, much to her friends' amusement. The first couple years of college flew by in a whirlwind of love, passion, and happiness for the young couple.

As Nicole's junior year drew to a close, she and Mathieu had begun to fight. It wasn't much to begin with…minor things that got under each others' skin…but it soon developed into more serious issues. Mathieu was informed that he could find himself playing for the Washington Capitals. With that prospect in mind, he threw himself body and soul into the sport of hockey, desperate for the coveted position. Nicole supported him at first but as Mathieu's obsession with the NHL grew, their relationship became more and more strained. Mathieu began cancelling dates and events with Nicole so that he could practice at the rink more or work out at the gym or go for an extra run.

In October of Nicole's senior year in college Mathieu was called up to the Washington Capitals to replace an injured player. It was a temporary position, one that wouldn't last much longer than six games at the most, but it was Mathieu's first step into the NHL. After returning from an unbelievably successful six games with the Capitals, Mathieu became completely and totally obsessed with his potential future, leaving Nicole out of the process all together. In December Perreault was officially signed with the Washington Capitals and Nicole had finally had enough. Four years of the best relationship imaginable had come to an unhappy end, and with a heavy heart and full of regret, Nicole ended it with Mathieu Perreault.

I go back to December all the time.
It turns out freedom ain't nothing but missing you.
Wishing I'd realized what I had when you were mine.
I'd go back to December, turn around and make it all right.
I go back to December all the time.

Mathieu hadn't taken the breakup well. He was infuriated with Nicole for not supporting him or being there for him when he needed her the most. Right when he was in the middle of the most important time in his life, she chose to walk away. It devastated him, but more than anything else, it infuriated the normally calm, easy-going young hockey player. He left Hershey, never looking back, and headed off to D.C. to start his new life…

Now, three years later, Nicole was regretting the decision she had made. She mentally kicked herself for not sticking with it despite the difficulties they were going through. The first year without Mathieu she stayed single, but for the past two years she had begun dating again. After two bad relationships with men who paled in comparison to her Mathieu, she knew that she still loved him deeply and wished that he would come back to her. She had long ago deleted his number from her phone and had no way of contacting him…the only hope she had was to go to D.C. and hope to catch him at a Capitals' practice skate.

As the plane began to descend into Washington D.C. Nicole found herself trembling with anxiety. What was going to happen when he saw her again? Would he ignore her? Would he stop and talk to her? Would he yell at her and tell her to never show her face around here again? Or would he break down and wrap her in his arms and forget the past? One could only dream…

…

The next morning Nicole stood outside of the Kettler Iceplex, shivering in the chilly January air, waiting for the team to head out of the locker room. About a dozen or so fans hung around outside, despite the chilly conditions, waiting with baited breath for their heroes to emerge from the massive building on top of the tall parking garage in Arlington, Virginia.

The first player to emerge was Brooks Laich, closely followed by best friend and teammate, Mike Green. The two offered kind smiles, autographs and a few pictures with fans as they maneuvered around the crowd, trying to get to their cars.

"Excuse me?" called out Nicole as she stepped out in front of them.

Both Brooks and Mike were floored by the gorgeous brunette with the stunning, big hazel eyes standing in front of them.

"Do you know if Mathieu Perreault skated today?" she asked, biting her lower lip nervously.

Mike exchanged a glance with Brooks before he answered, "Uh, yeah…yeah he always skates. He should be out soon."

"Oh, okay…thank you," said Nicole as she quickly side-stepped out of their way.

"What the hell was that about?" muttered Mike as he and Brooks climbed into Brooks' SUV. Mike normally drove his white Lamborghini but the icy road conditions forced him to hitch a ride with his best friend.

"No clue," said Brooks with a confused look, "She didn't care about us at all…maybe we're getting too old, Mikey. Maybe the girls all go for the younger men nowadays."

Mike frowned at that, "No, it wasn't that…it was that look in her eyes. She looked scared all most. Like she didn't want to see Perreault but she had to."

Brooks pondered over that for a moment, "Think she's an ex?"

"Think she's the ex?" asked Mike, his eyes wide as he contemplated that idea. It was plausible. Perreault had told them a story about a girl he had loved, the only girl he had loved, and he had described her as an unbelievable beauty with gorgeous, heart-stopping eyes. That matched the description of the girl they had just run into.

"Text Perreault," said Brooks as they pulled away from Kettler, "Tell him a pretty brunette is looking for him outside. We'll ask him later if it's her."

Mike nodded as he pulled out his iphone and began typing away.

…

Perreault raised an eyebrow as he glanced down at his phone. He had just finished showering and cleaning his gear when he got the text from Mike. Why were they telling him about a brunette? There were always girls outside of Kettler after practice…what was so special about this one that made Mike feel like he needed to tell him about her?

He shrugged as he put the phone in his pocket and headed out of the locker room. He threw on his winter coat and stepped out into the frigid morning air. A few fans began saying his name and begging for autographs, but their pleas fell on deaf ears.

Mathieu Perreault's attention was elsewhere. His eyes were opened wide and his mouth gaped in shock as he tried to comprehend what was happening.

It was her…

…

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