"Are you okay?"
Gunnar nodded before sighing as her hands worked out the tension in his shoulders. He and Julie were in his room, he was sitting on the floor with his back against the end of the bed while she was lying behind him and gifting him with a massage, "You are amazing, do you know that?"
Julie smiled and kept working her hands over his shoulders and neck, "You played really well today, three points in the first period is quite the statement." His silence let her know that he was thoroughly enjoying her handiwork, "I was worried when that guy checked you into the glass, the spineless jerk."
He was going to say something, really he was, but then her nimble fingers moved from his neck up to his scalp and all words were lost at the pleasure he was receiving. She giggled when she felt his head roll easily wherever her hands directed him. This was exactly what he needed without even knowing, this girl was just incredible.
"Come on Stahl, get up here and I'll work on your back," she offered.
His eyes opened lazily and leaned his head back to see her now on her knees and looking down at him. One of his hands came up to cover hers resting on his shoulder and they simply eyed each other for a long moment. Could she see, could she tell just how much she meant to him? Gunnar felt utterly content when she leaned further down and placed a kiss to his forehead. What did he do so right to deserve her? He wasn't sure but he was glad she was his all the same.
Soon he was taking her up on her offer and was sprawled out on his assigned bed lying on his stomach. Julie was next to him, frowning as her hands could feel just how strained the muscles in his back were. Coach Bombay and Miss McKay had joined up with most of the Ducks to watch the first game between Iceland and France. Partly to observe the two teams and also to give a show of support, it was strange to see the two coaches getting along this year. As the game progressed Julie was captivated by Gunnar, it had nothing to do with her personal attachment to him and everything to do with his level of skill. He commanded attention as the captain of his team; he was creative in his plays and constantly threw his body around.
Gunnar didn't even realize the moaning sound of appreciation that escaped his throat as her hands worked along his spine. His back had definitely been aching after being boarded illegally by that enforcer from France. And he didn't even mention that he'd been hurting when Julie forced him to sit down so she could rub his shoulders. Now she was successfully alleviating all the pain and aches to his back.
Even after she figured out he had fallen asleep she continued to work on him. As soon as she saw him she could see he was in pain. He was a strong guy but anyone would feel the hurt from being hit so viciously. And as they walked together to his room Julie noticed just how stiff his back and shoulders were. Gunnar had done so much for her so if she could make him feel better just by a simple back massage then she would gladly do it for him.
She heard the sounds of Olaf outside the room as he searched for his hotel room key. Julie took this time to distance herself away from her boyfriend and was grabbing for her purse when Olaf let himself into the room.
Julie smiled over at him in greeting but put a hand to her lips and quietly spoke, "Hey Olaf. I was just leaving, Gunnar fell asleep and I need to meet up with my team for practice."
He nodded and returned her smile, "He okay? That French goon was suspended for a game, he's lucky he was tossed out today."
Julie knew if that guy had remained in the game Sanderson would have hounded him until he learned his lesson, "And you guys will win your next game and take the series so you probably won't see him again in the tournament," he sighed in disappointment and she held back a laugh. Her eyes moved to look over her guy one last time before stating, "I think he'll be fine, but maybe see if you can convince him to get some heat on his back for me?"
"Yah, no problem, I'll let him sleep for now."
"Thanks Olaf, well I better get going, see you later."
He opened the door for her and made a point to place a comforting hand on her shoulder, he stared with his light blue eyes and the message was received. It was his small way of thanking her for taking care of his best friend and captain and also that he approved of their relationship. Julie smiled up at him happy to have earned his trust and friendship. She discovered that under all that ego and toughness he was a really great guy.
She joined up with Connie in her own room. Her brunette friend braided her hair for her and teased her relentlessly about Gunnar. Shaking her head but amused all the same, the two girls grabbed their hockey bags and went as fast as they could to the arena. They entered the locker room and found most of the teammates there, so the girls joined them in getting ready.
The USA Ducks flew around the rink to warm up and get muscles ready for the workout they were about to endure. After a while Julie went to her net and started taking random shots from her teammates. She hated to be scored on even when her team was only practicing, so she made it difficult for her friends to get the goal on her. Bombay had commented earlier in the trials that she was helping the team to be creative and look for new ways to score. As they improved so did she.
Goldberg was paired with Tyler on defense and the team was split, one half tried to get through traffic. It used to be the way they had a mock-up game but with only one goalie they shifted it for one side to focus on defense and the other on offense then switched roles. Greg was doing pretty well, he was a little slow on his skates compared to the others but he was great at keeping the puck away from the opposing side and getting it to the others. It was clear that Goldberg needed work when the Ducks were on the rush towards the net. He was much better at defending his own zone than jumping in and providing any offense. He adapted well overall as a stay-at-home defenseman.
Bombay then had them skate hard through sprints in an effort to maintain and improve on their stamina. Everyone was sweaty and tired from the brutal exercises but the coach wasn't done with them yet.
He ordered Julie back to her net after the Ducks got their breathing under control. Gordon then lined up his team and told them to work on their shoot-out attempts. This was mainly because in the first game against Italy the Ducks missed out on two breakaway chances. Sure, they won the game 4-0 but they also need to capitalize on given opportunities like that.
Banks & Robertson were the only ones that managed to slip the puck pass Cat to hit the back of the net. It was a matter of her being able to read her friends and teammates too well for them to out maneuver her. From the look on their coach's face this was something they would continue working on in practices.
Back in the locker room their coach went over a few things he'd observed during the practice then left them alone as he had a meeting with the people from Hendrix. At least he hadn't turned back into 'Captain Blood' this time around, that had been downright annoying.
"Cat," she stilled as did the rest of the Ducks when Portman had spoken her nick-name, "guys, look I'm sorry for what happened last week. Julie sweetie, I didn't mean to hurt you like that I hope you can believe me."
Julie swallowed but before she could speak up Adam angrily stood and took a step towards Dean, "You pushed her to the ground, she still has scabs on her arm because of you!"
Portman sighed from his spot on the bench, "I didn't realize what I was doing, I was just so mad and wanted to punch Stahl's face in."
"But why?" Julie finally asked in a hurt voice, "What has Gunnar done to you? Why can't you leave the past where it belongs?"
"He's the enemy Cat, can't you see that? You all think he and Sanderson are actually sorry for what they did but you're all wrong. He's playing you, they all are. That prick made sure to get his hands on you as soon as he could. And what happens when the game is over and he leaves you high and dry? Look babe, I'm sorry but I can't sit back and watch him break you in the end."
Julie flinched at his stinging words, she swallowed heavily as the reality he spun could end up being real, "It's not up to you though Dean," she was now trying to fight away sudden tears, "even if what you say is true it's not any of your business. What I do with my free time and who I spend it with doesn't concern you."
Charlie scooted closer to her and wrapped an arm around her thickly padded shoulders and quietly told her, "If it helps I don't see that happening. Gunnar's crazy about you, everyone can see it."
A single tear ran down her cheek and she placed her head on her captain's chest. Portman gulped at seeing how upset he'd made her and stood to move towards her. Only Adam pushed back at him roughly causing more tension in the room.
"You don't go near her," Banks scowled, "I saw the marks you left on her Portman, how could you do that? Pushing her away before starting a fight, maybe I can understand. But actually choking her!? Putting your hands on a girl so hard you leave bruises!? That's abuse!"
"I know alright! I know," Portman sat back down looking defeated, "And I apologized as soon as it happened, she knows I didn't mean it, that I wouldn't hurt her like that."
"But you did," Fulton butted in, "dude what were you thinking?"
"I wasn't," the enforcer nodded, "and I'm so freaking sorry."
With his arm around his star goalie and friend, Charlie sighed and spoke up loud enough for everyone to hear him, "I know it's uncomfortable but Dean, I'm glad you started this conversation. Guys, we need to get past this as a team. We are representing our country and have a title to defend. Portman," Charlie briefly closed his eyes to gear up for what needed to be said, "you are invaluable to us, we need you. But this has to stop, Julie is the one suffering and she hasn't done anything wrong. As a friend I'm worried about you, this isn't like you man."
It seemed everyone in the locker room relaxed a little and Adam took a seat on the other side of Julie, his hand automatically going to her back to comfort his distressed friend. Dean glanced at his fellow bash brother and Fulton nodded to him, indicating that he should share with the others.
"My mom died two months before we met up in Minnesota," everyone gasped and sent sympathy-filled gazes towards Dean but he brushed them off, "she was in a car accident." He then stared directly at Julie, "It's no excuse but I've been a mess ever since, doing things I know is wrong but it's like I can't stop myself. I'm sorry."
"And I'm sorry to hear that, but man, you gotta talk to us," Guy spoke up and there were several resounding 'yeahs' of agreement, "we're here for you. You and Fulton protect us every game, the least we can do is be there for you guys to."
Sensing that things were getting a little too emotional Charlie stated, "Let's get out of here and think about what happened today. We are a team and as a team we'll get through this. It's going to take some time but we're the Ducks, we don't stay down for long."
Everyone agreed and finished gathering their stuff up and headed out in small groups. Charlie, Adam, and Connie took their still clearly upset star goaltender for some ice cream.
The three friends managed to slightly cheer Julie up but she couldn't get Dean's words out of her head. She was really falling for Gunnar, who was she kidding she was already in love with him. Portman was right, when the tournament ended and the victor was decided she would head back to Maine and he would be half a world away in Iceland. Even if they did agree to do the whole long-distance thing, would that really last? Could letters and calls make up for not seeing each other face to face?
It was late into the night and her mind kept swirling around the possibilities and probabilities of what will happen when they said goodbye. Just as she fell asleep she made a decision.
When this was all over, they would be to. So she would savor the rest of their time together, he was so amazing and she will never forget him. But it wasn't fair to either of them to hold on to something that could just never be outside of California.
Her heart was already breaking.
A/N **Blu: I think I'm at the halfway point with this story, let me know what you guys think so far, I love the feedback!