Chapter Twelve
Tobias was in too good of a mood that night to spoil it by talking. We needed to talk about things, but he was so happy that I would never forgive myself for taking that happiness away.
After we left the arena, we walked to Tobias's car and he opened the door for me and then hurried over to his side. The drive back to his apartment was sort of quiet, the most sound coming from Tobias's humming along to the radio, and he held my hand the entire drive back.
When we're back at his apartment, he heads straight for the shower and I wander over to the couch while he's gone. I kick off my shoes and pull my legs up under me, pretzel style, and turn the TV on. The television is still on ESPN and the reporters are talking about tonight's game with the Blackhawks and Penguins. They start to discuss the terrible first period, then Tobias's fight. One of the men starts to talk, cutting the other three guys off. "But then Eaton bounces back after he serves his penalty and it's like he can't get enough time on the ice! It's incredible the way he flew out of the penalty box to score a goal. Whatever went on in the locker room after he was escorted off the ice, it needs to happen more often because this guy may be able to lift the cup in his first year in the NHL."
"Even the experts think you're my good luck charm." Tobias is suddenly behind the couch, startling me. He's smirking and the cuts on his face from the fight still look bad.
"Are you sure you're okay?" I ask, referencing his injuries, as he sits down next to me and pulls me onto his lap. One of his arms wrap tightly around my waist and the other brushes a strand of hair out of my face. My fingers brush lightly against the cuts.
He nods, still smirking. "I'm more than fine. I've never been happier."
And then he's kissing me and I melt against him, losing myself in him. His lips are strong against mine, but it's slow and sensual and warms me from the inside out. "Tobias…" I whisper when he pulls away to take a breath.
He must have heard the tone of my voice because he starts to shake his head. "No. Look, I know we should talk and we will, I swear that we will, but right now…God, I am just so happy that we're going to the playoffs and that you're here with me and talking to me and not shutting me out. I'm just so goddamn happy and just want to be happy with you for a few moments more before the fighting starts."
I shrug, placing my legs on either side of his thighs and wrapping my arms around his neck. "There doesn't have to be fighting…" I murmur.
Tobias quirks an eyebrow at me, both his hands resting on the sides of my thighs. "So…no fighting?"
I shake my head. "No. No fighting. I don't want to fight with you anymore – at least not about…what happened. Neither of us could have controlled what happened or changed what happened. There's no reason that we need to fight." He smiles and I narrow my eyes at him. "Well, except for that fight you got into."
His smile drops and his shoulders hunch over slightly, and he holds his head in shame. "I know, but on the bright side – I kicked his ass."
I roll my eyes and fight the urge to smile at him. I hated to admit it, as much as him fighting scared the shit out of me, it was kind of hot. "But you got hurt and if you had been seriously injured it would've killed me."
"I'm sorry." He apologizes. "And since we're not fighting…there's a party tomorrow, for making the playoffs. Do you want to go?" He looks excited again, the joy over winning returning. "I mean, we don't have to if you don't want to. But it's the whole team and it may be the only celebrating we're doing for the playoffs."
Rolling my eyes again, I laugh. "I'll go with you."
His lips are, once again, on mine and his hands are sliding up my thighs, to my waist and pulling me as close to him as physically possible.
After a few minutes of just making out, Tobias pulls away and takes a deep breath, a smirk playing on his face. "As much fun as I'm currently having, I'm exhausted and really need some sleep."
I get to my feet and hold my hand out to him. He looks surprised for a second, like he didn't expect me to spend the night, but then stands up and takes my hand.
Tobias changes into a pair of maroon flannel pajama bottoms and a black t-shirt, tossing me a t-shirt from his drawer. I pull his shirt on over my head, ignoring the way he stares at my bare legs, and then climb under his covers.
A moment of panic sets in – the last time I was in his bed was a terrible night – but then he's sliding in next to me and wraps his arms around me, pulling me into his chest.
The next day, neither of us wake up until noon. It felt good to sleep in late, it was something I hadn't done in a while. Even after we woke up, we still didn't move from bed. Tobias said that we needed to leave by five for the party, so we lounged in bed until about three after which Tobias got dressed and ready and then we headed to my apartment so I could get some clothes and get ready.
I changed into a pair of dark blue jeans with black riding boots that came up to my knee and then I threw on an army green blouse with bell sleeves. I kept my hair down, running a brush through it and then applying pale pink lipstick and some mascara.
We headed into the center of Chicago, into a fancy hi-rise apartment building. As soon as Tobias and I stepped off the elevator we could hear the music pounding through the walls, and once we stepped into the apartment – owned by the Blackhawks' goalie, Corey Crawford – the music was louder and people were laughing and drinking all around the spacious apartment.
Back in college, I had always been so nervous to go to parties with Tobias and his hockey team. But now, I was used to it and felt comfortable at the party – so long as Tobias stayed with me. It also helped that I knew a few of the girlfriends and wives of the players and considered they weren't all that terrible to hang out with.
Everyone cheered when they noticed Tobias come in and his team surrounded him, slapping him on the back and bragging about what the game the night before.
"This party wouldn't be possible if it weren't for you!" Crawford cheered loudly, his Canadian accent seeming to have thickened with alcohol. The crowded room seemed to agree with him and cheered, raising their drinks to Tobias.
I looked up at Tobias, unable to ignore his reaction. He was beaming – and it wasn't just out of pride for himself, he looked so proud when he started to talk about the team and their efforts and for letting him into their family, about how he never would have been able to get this far if it weren't for their help and their dedication to the team and making the team work as one unit.
The rest of the night was spent walking around the party, talking to different people, eating and drinking. It took me a bit to notice, but I realized Tobias hadn't had any alcohol to drink. I, on the other hand, was happily taking advantage of the free alcohol – expensive alcohol, that is.
Tobias was preoccupied with his teammates and a few other people so I ended up hanging around the players' wives and girlfriends. But after some of the party-goers started to clear out, I made my way back over to Tobias.
"…We're facing off against Arizona for the first round. It should be easy; their goalie has big weak spots and their defense sucks. I don't even know how they made it into the playoffs." One of the guys said, sounding enthusiastic.
Tobias nodded, barely noticing my arrival. "They clinched the spot because Tampa Bay lost their last game. They were tied for points."
His arm wraps around my waist, pulling me into his side, while he continues his conversation. They all talk about team rankings and who's facing who – how the final might turn out. They're all hoping to make it to the final round, but the second round is either against the Washington Capitals or the New York Rangers. They're betting more on the Capitals, as they're the top ranked team in the NHL and the Rangers just barely made it into the playoffs.
"And it seems like Tris is your good luck charm, Tobias." One of the other players, I don't recognize him, winks at me.
Tobias looks down at me. "Are you ready to go?" He asks and I nod. He says goodbye to all his teammates and then we're heading out. The car ride is quiet, both of us tired from the long party.
Once we're back at his apartment, I make my way over towards the couch and collapse onto it, face first. "I'm so tired." I mumble into the couch cushions. I hear Tobias laugh and then the couch shifts where he sits down.
"Come on, let's go to bed." His hand rubs my back.
Shaking my head, I turn my face to look at him. "I'm too tired." I whine, pouting.
"I know from experience that the couch is not a very comfortable place to sleep for an entire night – especially in jeans."
Still pouting, I stand up and let him pull me towards the bedroom. He rummages through his drawers and tosses me a t-shirt. I change out of my party clothes and into his t-shirt, climbing under the covers of his bed.
"Thank you for coming with me tonight." Tobias says, climbing into bed next to me. He lays on his side, propping his head up with the palm of his hand and looks down at me.
I smile at him, my eyelids feeling heavy. "It was…fun." I shrug.
He laughs, pushing a strand of hair out of my face with his free hand. "I know it wasn't your ideal party, but I'm happy you came. And a lot of my teammates really like you – Panarin isn't the only one who thinks you're my good luck charm."
"If I'm going to go to all your playoff games, you know I'm going to need tickets for Will and Christina, right?" I joke. "Will was pissed when we were on a break."
Tobias sighs, his full smile turning into a half smile. "Speaking of which…that's still something we need to talk about."
I shake my head. "No, we already talked about it. I messed up and I was stupid and I have a big problem of pushing people I love away when I'm hurting. It's not going to happen again. I can't lose you…I can't lose anyone else I love." My throat feels tight and Tobias is pulling me into his chest, squeezing me tightly.
"You won't lose me. I promise." He says and then kisses the top of my head.
AHHHH! Okay, you guys, I am SO SORRY that this was posted so late and that it's so short. It's the end of the semester, I'm drowning in papers and projects and studying, I've been looking for a second job and have just been too stressed to write anything. But it is posted and the last chapter was not the last chapter (chapter 15 will be the last chapter)!
