Opposites Attract
Game 3 in Toronto
10:20 and Tuukka was standing outside Katie's apartment, still. He had begun to walk home, he needed to get ready for his flight... but he saw her through the window again.
She had changed into sweatpants and a sports bra and was just sitting on her bed. He looked at her for a few minutes, trying to save her image in his head to take to Toronto. He didn't want to leave her there, alone on her bed by herself.
But he had to make his flight. He needed to get to Toronto and the first step was Logan Airport.
10:30. Katie had been sitting on her bed for the past 15 minutes, twisting a strand of hair.
She didn't know Tuukka had been standing outside, looking at her for a few minutes until he left to walk home.
Does this make me a puck slut? I didn't have sex with him... we just kissed, and it wasn't on the first date.. I told myself I wouldn't fall for his tricks.
But he really is a nice guy, and I'd be lying to myself if I said I wasn't falling for him.
Tuukka boarded the plane at 11:15. Everybody else was already on board and ready to go at 10:55.
"Bout fuckin' time," Marchand grumbled, sitting in his seat.
"Sorry guys," Tuukka said, "won't happen again."
He began to put his stuff in the overhead container and then sat down next to Lucic. "Date night, eh? Where to?"
"Regina Pizzeria in the North End."
"I live in the North End, should've stopped by with her."
"Nah, it was only our second date."
The plane began to take off. Lucic faced forward and sat there for a minute and began to unravel his headphones. Soon the plane was in the air and they were on their way to Toronto.
He then said, "Look, kid. I'm sorry if I'm coming across as a dick, but if this girl is going to distract you during the most important time of the year, I recommend you hold it off. She's all you've been talking about in the locker room... Also nobody here is happy you've delayed a flight that was already late enough. This girl better be worth it, 'cause nobody here wants to be late, especially in playoffs. It gives us a bad rep, you know?"
"Yeah, I know. And I'm sorry."
"I get it, trust me. It was the same with me and Brittany. But what's better? One girl, or another Stanley Cup?"
Lucic had a point. Tuukka had been selfish, he'd put all his focus into Katie and none into the playoffs. He was carrying the team and an entire fanbase square on his shoulders. He needed to focus on his game a lot more than his romantic life, and as he came to this realization, he couldn't help but feel bad for Katie. He needed to let her go... but he just couldn't think of doing that.
Tuukka was quiet the rest of the flight.
It was 5:30 pm and the game was set to start in an hour and a half.
Katie texted Tuukka:
good luck tonight! you'll do fine, text me when its over if youre not too tired
Tuukka didn't reply. Whatever... he's probably practicing and focusing for the game, she thought.
Tuukka had just gotten in the locker room from a pre-game skate and stretch. He had a few minutes to himself, so he looked at his phone.
He saw a text from Katie and read it. He didn't reply. I can't get in a conversation with her now, I'd get too distracted. Hell, I'm already getting off topic just thinking about her.
But the fact that she had texted him before his game really meant a lot to him. Fuck it, I'll text her after, he decided. But for now, he needed to focus and remember who and what he was playing for.
The game was over after 3 periods and the Bruins had come out on top 5-2.
After a bunch of interviews and showers, Tuukka and the rest of the Bruins were on the bus back to the hotel. The bus was really lively, it had been a good game for everyone.
Tuukka got back to his room around 11 and texted Katie:
what's up, goodfella
She replied a minute later:
nothing really, 'finnished' watching a hockey game
Tuukka laughed at the pun she put in and responded:
haha that game 'finnished' pretty well for the bruins
He got a text back:
you really did do a good job today tho. cara says hi to you and tyler
Tuukka:
thanks, hi cara & whats the deal between them anyways
Katie:
i have no idea, idk if they're friends w benefits or dating... idk
Tuukka kind of wanted to ask what the deal between he and Katie was, but not over text.
He responded:
yikes
Katie:
when are you coming back to boston?
Tuukka:
either late weds night or thursday morning
Katie:
:(
Tuukka:
job's a job, wait for me to come home before you watch goodfellas though;) ... it's been a long night, can i facetime you tomorrow sometime
Katie:
no guarantees :) & yeah, i have 3 classes from 9 to 4 so anytime after
Tuukka:
ok, i'll talk to you tomorrowwwwww
Katie:
goooooooooooooodnight
She's so goofy, he thought, smiling to himself. He got up from the bed he was laying down on and changed into sweatpants and a t-shirt. He got ready for bed and was out cold by 11:30.
She had changed into sweatpants and a sports bra and was just sitting on her bed. He looked at her for a few minutes, trying to save her image in his head to take to Toronto. He didn't want to leave her there, alone on her bed by herself.
But he had to make his flight. He needed to get to Toronto and the first step was Logan Airport.
10:30. Katie had been sitting on her bed for the past 15 minutes, twisting a strand of hair.
She didn't know Tuukka had been standing outside, looking at her for a few minutes until he left to walk home.
Does this make me a puck slut? I didn't have sex with him... we just kissed, and it wasn't on the first date.. I told myself I wouldn't fall for his tricks.
But he really is a nice guy, and I'd be lying to myself if I said I wasn't falling for him.
Tuukka boarded the plane at 11:15. Everybody else was already on board and ready to go at 10:55.
"Bout fuckin' time," Marchand grumbled, sitting in his seat.
"Sorry guys," Tuukka said, "won't happen again."
He began to put his stuff in the overhead container and then sat down next to Lucic. "Date night, eh? Where to?"
"Regina Pizzeria in the North End."
"I live in the North End, should've stopped by with her."
"Nah, it was only our second date."
The plane began to take off. Lucic faced forward and sat there for a minute and began to unravel his headphones. Soon the plane was in the air and they were on their way to Toronto.
He then said, "Look, kid. I'm sorry if I'm coming across as a dick, but if this girl is going to distract you during the most important time of the year, I recommend you hold it off. She's all you've been talking about in the locker room... Also nobody here is happy you've delayed a flight that was already late enough. This girl better be worth it, 'cause nobody here wants to be late, especially in playoffs. It gives us a bad rep, you know?"
"Yeah, I know. And I'm sorry."
"I get it, trust me. It was the same with me and Brittany. But what's better? One girl, or another Stanley Cup?"
Lucic had a point. Tuukka had been selfish, he'd put all his focus into Katie and none into the playoffs. He was carrying the team and an entire fanbase square on his shoulders. He needed to focus on his game a lot more than his romantic life, and as he came to this realization, he couldn't help but feel bad for Katie. He needed to let her go... but he just couldn't think of doing that.
Tuukka was quiet the rest of the flight.
It was 5:30 pm and the game was set to start in an hour and a half.
Katie texted Tuukka:
good luck tonight! you'll do fine, text me when its over if youre not too tired
Tuukka didn't reply. Whatever... he's probably practicing and focusing for the game, she thought.
Tuukka had just gotten in the locker room from a pre-game skate and stretch. He had a few minutes to himself, so he looked at his phone.
He saw a text from Katie and read it. He didn't reply. I can't get in a conversation with her now, I'd get too distracted. Hell, I'm already getting off topic just thinking about her.
But the fact that she had texted him before his game really meant a lot to him. Fuck it, I'll text her after, he decided. But for now, he needed to focus and remember who and what he was playing for.
The game was over after 3 periods and the Bruins had come out on top 5-2.
After a bunch of interviews and showers, Tuukka and the rest of the Bruins were on the bus back to the hotel. The bus was really lively, it had been a good game for everyone.
Tuukka got back to his room around 11 and texted Katie:
what's up, goodfella
She replied a minute later:
nothing really, 'finnished' watching a hockey game
Tuukka laughed at the pun she put in and responded:
haha that game 'finnished' pretty well for the bruins
He got a text back:
you really did do a good job today tho. cara says hi to you and tyler
Tuukka:
thanks, hi cara & whats the deal between them anyways
Katie:
i have no idea, idk if they're friends w benefits or dating... idk
Tuukka kind of wanted to ask what the deal between he and Katie was, but not over text.
He responded:
yikes
Katie:
when are you coming back to boston?
Tuukka:
either late weds night or thursday morning
Katie:
:(
Tuukka:
job's a job, wait for me to come home before you watch goodfellas though;) ... it's been a long night, can i facetime you tomorrow sometime
Katie:
no guarantees :) & yeah, i have 3 classes from 9 to 4 so anytime after
Tuukka:
ok, i'll talk to you tomorrowwwwww
Katie:
goooooooooooooodnight
She's so goofy, he thought, smiling to himself. He got up from the bed he was laying down on and changed into sweatpants and a t-shirt. He got ready for bed and was out cold by 11:30.
Notes
my puns are really bad i'm so sorrynothing big happened in this chapter, just a transition from this one to the next one and a bit of foreshadowing (just a bit) (stuff willl actually happen next chapter i promise)
ow owww gettin frisky over text though
Love this!!! Tuukka is super sexy.
4/26/14