Chapter 7

My lack of sleep and all consuming guilt had run me ragged and i was looking like a haggard mess by the time I dragged my ass onto the team bus we were taking to our next game. We were on the road for the next 2 games in 4 days. I tossed my bus bag on a seat and collapsed next to it, in a window seat. I was plugged into my iPod trying to zone out when Buche decked my arm and sat in the seat next to me. Before he could rip the ear bud out of my ear I faced him and pulled them out myself. Wrapping the cords around the iPod, I waited for Buche to say whatever what was on his mind.

"What's eating you kid. I can tell more than a concussion is wrong with you. Hell you don't look like you've slept a wink." The old man was right, I hadn't slept a wink and I knew I looked it.

"Nah just rocking my zombie look today. I'll sleep on the bus anyways, lord knows Coach ain't gonna let me play tomorrow anyways." Buche just shook his head ruffled my spikes and moved back to his place at the front of the bus. I was the team baby, I had been here for a few years but they had yet to move up any kids from "the ranch" that were younger than I was. I knew it wouldn't be too long until I was no longer the baby, but until then I was glad to play the part. It was just a reminder about how much I should treasure this moment while it was still mine.

I pulled out my pillow and throw blanket, plugged back into my music and let the world fade to black.

. . . .

There was only so much music, reading and catching up on social media one could do before their mind numbs more than their ass. Thank god the coaching staff knew this and finally stopped us for what was supposed to be food and leg stretching, but as usual ended up with a majority of us going for a quick jog, some rough housing and the inevitable throwing of food. We were after all, kids at heart. I think I even saw Buche flick a french fry at Buckmeyer. By the time the coaches had herded us back onto the bus everyone had successfully burned off the pent up energy and the bus was not nearly as tense as it had been.

I went back to catching up on my snapchat streaks and updating instagram and facebook. Posting everything from my fucked up pillow hair to the dorks sleeping in the back. I'd update everyone on the now black bruise that consumed the back of my thigh once we hit the hotel. I noticed I had a new follower across all my Mitchell Andrus social media websites. ManInBlack4, accepting the request as it was not on my secret page. Lester's cocky smile graced the full size of my screen, i couldn't help but smile back. Just as the gossip girl of the NHL plopped down next to me. In my surprise I dropped my phone into my lap, making it look like I was having more of a reaction than I wanted.

Of course considering it was the weekend Lester would choose just this moment to send me a message. LeCroix just laughed and smiled knowing he had his new juicy gossip "That your new boyfriend Andrus? I didn't know you swung it that way?" He was just fishing and I refused to respond, but by now he had the whole busses attention. Of course right at that moment i heard my phone ding. LeCroix took my lack of paying attention to him and swiped the phone from my grasp, taking off running to the back of the bus with it like a trophy. "Andrus had a boyfriend, Andrus has boyfriend." There was literally no way to stop this so it was better to roll with it.

"You're just jealous Matt can't get a girl half that good looking to give you the time of the day" "ooooooooooooooo" was the chorus around the bus and so now the burns started and we were all razzing each other as we pulled up the hotel we would be staying at for the night. MY phone somehow made it's way back to my pocket and as we all got our keys and I joined the shuffle to find our rooms, the message from Lester was forgotten.

After bedding down in my single room, I jumped in the shower because I was still a little crusty from running my nightmares into the ground on the dark Boston streets. We had a few hours to relax before we were meeting for a quick ice fix and then dinner. Opening my phone to message me dad, my screen opened directly to the message that I had forgotten about.

Hope your butt's not too sore from the trip up there :) Les

One sentence was all it took to reduce me to smiles and gooey insides.

Can't feel it so I wouldn't know :/ Andrus

I also shot of a message to my parents, let them know I got in safe. MY mother always worried when we travelled. She had sent a care package with my dad the other night so my bags were chock full of goodies only a mother could provide!

Sounds about like my ass sitting in this damn office chair! Les

I take it you don't like the office work? Andrus

Absolutely not, in fact I am running away to the gym because I can't stand it any longer. What are you guys up too? Les

I'm just relaxing before our quick ice session tonight, too sore to do much else. I'm probably going to sit out tomorrow's game anyhow. Andrus

Well no shit, that was a gnarly hit you took last night into the boards, and your leg probably doesn't look much better. How are you feeling? Les

I'm not too bad, didn't sleep well last night ended up pounding the Boston streets this morning before sunrise. My thigh is not happy about it. Andrus

Am I allowed to call you an idiot? Is that against policy? Lol sorry to hear you didn't sleep well. Sounds like we may have been running at the same time, maybe we could start running together in the mornings if you wanted? Les

I know it wasn't smart, so yes you can lol. But one of the trainers will work it out for me. When I get baka running partner would definitely be welcome, i'm still getting used to this new art of town. Andrus

Especially since your new found crazy is back on the loose. You should be ok while you are up there since we have tabs on her, but you're in control if you want a body guard with you. Les

This is where I opened my figurative mouth and inserted my big fat foot. My lack of filter may be biting me in the ass

Only if you are the one guarding my body… ;) Andrus

As I am loosing my mind trying to take back that stupid stupid sentence and that damn winky face, there is a knock on my door that signals it is time to hit the ice. I leave my phone plugged into the wall, and doomed myself to look at it later and let the chips fall where they may.

Meanwhile in Boston:

I was now staring at a ceiling, a blank white ceiling, where I had just been staring blankly at the screen of my phone, oh and running, yeah that's right I had been running. Before my brain shut down and refused to continue to allow my feet to move along the treadmill belt. So I found myself flat on my back gasping for air.

Had he really just said what I thought he said, what I thought he was implying, was that a winky face?!

Yes, yes it was. I let the smile explode in my face and my head thunk to the floor just laying there.