A.N. I own nothing. *sigh*
I love you, his beautiful voice whispered in her ear, making her heart pound so viciously that she thought it was trying to burst.
Trying to internalize it all, she wasn't sure if she should believe it. It was hard to comprehend the idea of all her hopes being fulfilled after wishing for so long. Do you mean it? she asked shakily.
You have to believe me, he said, a desperate pitch to his voice. I've loved you since the Junior Goodwill Games, Julie.
Oh, Adam, she breathed. She felt her throat constrict as he pulled her closer... closer... leaning down... she shut her eyes and waited for that first blissful touch...
A loud screeching jostled Julie from her amazing dream. Sitting straight up in bed and looking around wildly, she realized the horrible noise was coming from her alarm clock. Rubbing her eyes, she looked at it again before smacking the button. Blurry numbers blinked at her, announcing the inhumane hour of 5:15 AM.
she muttered, stumbling to the bathroom. Staring in the mirror, she thought back to the dream. Adam had been about to kiss her.
Why do I always have to wake up right then? she thought with frustration.
Grabbing her toothbrush, she viciously squeezed the toothpaste onto her brush. Then she walked out, brushing her teeth, to wake up Connie and Guy. Briefly wondering how they managed to sleep through the alarm from hell, she shook Guy's shoulder.
Unintelligible mumbling came from under the pillow. Julie just shook him harder until his head emerged. he asked, obviously not knowing where he was.
We have practice at six thirty. Wake up Connie and give her two Tylenol. Dropping the bottle she had grabbed from the bathroom on his stomach, she headed back to the bathroom, flicking the light on as she went. She ignored the groans she heard coming from the bed.
Taking a quick shower, she came back out into the room fully dressed. Guy was holding Connie up by the shoulders while she finished a bottle of water.
Shower's free, she announced quietly in deference to Connie's hangover. Guy nodded at her vaguely.
I'm gonna run by Dwayne's room and see if he has any clothes I can borrow, he murmured. Can you make sure she gets in the shower? He jerked his head at Connie.
No problem. Connie looked more than willing to soak in the shower for a while.
Kissing the top of Connie's head, he exited the room as quietly as possible. Connie smiled wanly at Julie, wincing as she stood.
Julie said with a smile. Go ahead and get in the shower, I left some clothes in the bathroom for you and you know where the towels are.
Nodding, Connie crossed the room with mincing steps and disappeared into the bathroom. Seconds later, Julie heard the water running, and a moan echoed in the bathroom. Julie bustled around the room gathering things she and Connie would need for practice that morning.
Surprisingly, Connie emerged from the shower less than ten minutes later, and looked almost perky considering her condition. she said.
Julie smirked in response. That good, huh?
Connie make a face at her and continued to towel dry her hair. So... why was Guy here?
Not daring to look at Connie, Julie bent down to grab three apples from the mini-fridge. I called him, she said nervously.
The silence was damning to Julie and she looked up to find Connie staring at her. Thankfully, she merely looked curious, not angry.
Julie started slowly, I just thought that he would be the one you wanted to wake up to this morning.
Connie's eyebrows flew upward.
Sitting on the edge of the bed, Julie began to put on her sneakers. What do you remember about last night?
Connie sat down next to her, trying to pull a comb through her hair as she thought. Nothing much after that shot I took with Fulton. When was that?
Around ten.
Wincing, Connie began to look nervous. How bad was I?
Pretty bad, Julie admitted. You threatened to proposition some guy so that it would get back to Guy and make him jealous.
Connie looked aghast. I did what? she shrieked.
Yeah. Not one of your shining moments. But don't worry, Banks and I didn't let you.
Her head collapsed into her hands. Banks knew? she moaned.
Well, I needed help getting you out of there and he offered earlier in the evening, so... Julie trailed off, unsure how to explain.
Oh he did, huh? Connie's muffled voice came from inside her hands.
Julie watched her friend for a minute. I'm sorry, Connie, but I needed help. No one else knows, I promise. We didn't even tell Guy the whole story. And you know Banks, he won't tell a soul.
Connie's head rose from her hands and she looked at Julie. I know. It's just embarrassing that he knows what I was planning.
Julie smiled slightly. Do you forgive me for calling Guy?
Connie snorted delicately. From the sounds of it, I don't have anything to forgive. I'm really sorry I was such a pain last night.
Laughing, Julie put her arm around Connie's shoulders. Hey, what are best friends for if not to keep you from seducing a complete stranger?
Connie said wryly. So how did we get back here, anyway?
Adam drove us.
Connie turned wide eyes to Julie. I rode in Banks' Porsche and I can't even remember? she whined.
A mischievous look crossed Julie's face. Yep. The top was down and everything.
Connie's head fell back to her hands. Why me? she wailed.
Laughing, Julie stood and walked to her dresser. Opening a drawer she pulled out a sweatshirt, then turned to find Connie staring at her. she asked cautiously.
There was a pause as Connie tilted her head, studying Julie. Then she asked bluntly, Do you have feelings for Banks?
Julie jumped at the suddenness of the question.
You heard me. Connie got up and walked towards her. You do, don't you?
Julie straightened her shoulders and tried to look annoyed. Don't be silly, she said, pulling the sweatshirt over her head. How in the world did you come up with that theory?
Connie shrugged. The way you look at him. Julie panicked as she heard the same logic she had used on Connie being thrown back at her. And the way you said his name last night. I just remembered.
I don't know what-- Julie began, but was interrupted.
Yeah, you do. I said that Banks was cute, and you agreed and you sounded almost... wistful. I don't know why I didn't notice before. Connie's eyes narrowed as she studied Julie's face. More importantly, I don't know why you didn't tell me before.
Julie knew that she looked guilty, and decided to just tell the truth. Okay, fine. Yes, I have feelings for Banks. Yes, I kept it from you and I'm sorry. I just didn't want to admit it to you, cuz I've been trying to get rid of it.
Why would you do that? Connie asked, leading Julie to the bed.
Team dynamics, Julie answered desperately.
Come again? Connie stared at her as if she'd expected any answer but that one.
It would screw up the team, Julie stated.
What are you talking about, Jules? I, personally, think it's great! An excited gleam came to Connie's eyes.
What if we broke up? We'd want to avoid each other, Julie pointed out logically.
So? You're goalie and he's a scorer. You could avoid all you wanted. You don't even have to pass the puck to each other.
It would make everyone else uncomfortable during practice and games. It would throw everyone off, she insisted.
Julie, I really don't think it's healthy to think about the bitter end of a fledgling relationship.
Fledgling relation...Connie, we aren't even dating! Why are we even discussing this? Julie jumped up from the bed and threw an apple to Connie. Better eat fast, it's already six ten. Where's Guy, anyway? Frowning, she picked up her practice bag.
Connie sighed loudly as she grabbed her own bag, swinging the strap onto her shoulder and taking a bite of her apple. You're avoiding the subject, she pointed out as she swallowed.
I'm not avoiding anything cuz there's nothing to talk about. Banks and I are just friends, Julie said, locking the door and then starting off down the hall.
Well, no, Connie said around a mouthful of apple. You're teammates, that's much closer than just friends.'
Exactly my point, Julie said triumphantly. We'd ruin that closeness. At Connie's confused frown, Julie shook her head, sighing in exasperation. There's no point in discussing this, Connie. Banks has never even looked at me as anything but a teammate.
A pensive look settled over Connie's features. Just as she opened her mouth to speak, Guy opened the doors leading outside and grinned when he saw them. Morning, sunshine. How's the head? Kissing Connie on the cheek, he held the doors open for them and they stepped out into the dim, early morning light.
It's okay, Connie said, shrugging. It felt a lot better after my shower.
As they hurried along the path towards the ice rink, any talk of Banks was left in the hallway.
A.N. I hope you liked it! I'll try and post again tonight.
