Love in Boston

“So what are we doing for our date?” I asked as we sat in Nathan’s truck.
“It’s a surprise, now shush!” Tuukka laughed from the drivers seat. I huffed and looked out the window for any clue of where we were going. Suddenly Fenway Park came into view and I turned to face him with wide eyes. He nodded grinning.

“We’re going to a red sox game?” I asked. He nodded and I grinned happily.

“Who are they playing?” I asked. I waited patiently as he paid for parking and as we drove around the lot looking for parking.

“The Colorado Rockies.” He grinned and my mouth fell open.

“Who am I supposed to root for?” I asked. He merely shrugged and laughed at me.

“I don’t know babe. Couldn’t make it easy on you now could I?” he grinned. We got out and I looked around, smiling at people having a good time laughing with their friends.

“What are they doing?” Tuukka asked as we walked past.

“They’re tailgating.” He looked confused. “Before sporting events, fans come early and tailgate. Fire up the grill, pop open a cold one and you’re set for a good time.” I laughed.

“I see…weird Americans.” He joked. I gasped and slapped his shoulder.

“You cannot say that here! This is America’s past time! Just because you don’t have baseball in Finland, no need to insult us.”

“Pardon you, we have Pesäpallo in Finland. It’s very much like baseball.” He defended. I shook my head as he handed over the tickets.

“Alright Finn, where are we sitting.” I asked looping my arm through his. He grinned at me and led me up to the upper deck, just below the boxes.

“Not bad. You got good seats.” I joked and he tossed his head back as he laughed.

“Of course! Expect anything less?” he laughed. We talked idly until the game started.

“Do you want anything to eat?” he asked as we sat down after the National Anthem.

“You wait until now to ask? The game just started!” I exclaimed.

“Less people in the lines.” He shrugged.

“Crazy man. Some nachos and soda please.” He nodded, kissed my cheek, and was off. I decided I would root for the Rockies instead of the Sox, home team and all.

“Hey pretty lady.” A guy said sitting in Tuukka’s seat. I looked him over, he looked to be in his late 20’s, a beer gut, and he reeked of beer, clearly drunk.

“Hello.” I said politely. I scanned the entrance, waiting, hoping, for Tuukka to return.

“Why are you here all by yourself?” he asked, followed by a burp.

“I’m not here alone. I’m on a date.” I said. I didn’t want to be rude but I really wanted him to go away.

“Yeah?” Where is he? Or she?” he asked wiggling is eyebrows.

“He is getting food. Please leave, you’re in his eat.” I said. Suddenly three guys showed up looking down at this drunken man. I really hope they’re here to take him away.

“Chris! What are you doing?” a guy asked. He sounded sober and unhappy.

“Oh hey Aaron. I’m sitting,” he burped again, “next to a pretty lady.” He said. I cringed at him as he continued to let out little burps.

“Doesn’t look like she wants you near her. How about we get back to our seats.” Aaron said. His other buddies, one who only had one available hand as he had a full beer in the other, tried to lift him out of the seat.

“Fuck you man! I can get up myself.” Chris, drunken man, yelled standing up. I leaned away from him in an attempt to not get hit by his flailing arms. I looked over and saw Tuukka walking towards us. Suddenly I saw liquid coming towards me and landed on my jeans and shirt. People around us gasped at the exchange between the men beside me.

“Dude what the fuck? Miss I’m so so sorry.” The guy who previously had a beer in his hand said. It dawned at me that his beer was now all over my clothes and that’s why I was all wet.

“What’s going on here?” Tuukka asked coming up to us. The woman next to me feebly offered some of her napkins and I thanked her as I wiped at my clothes but it was no use, there was too much.

“We were just leaving man.” Aaron said.

“Did you spill your beer on her?” Tuukka asked, his eyebrows furrowed in confused and anger. I shook my head, begging him to drop it; I didn’t want us to get kicked out.

“Yeah I’m sorry. I was trying to get my drunken friend away from her, his arm hit mine and it slipped.” He said apologizing.

“Did you apologize?” Tuukka asked. He probably would’ve looked more menacing but it’s hard to look menacing with nachos and fries in your hand.

“Yeah. I’m sorry again miss?” he said. They grabbed their friend and scurried off leaving us. Tuukka frowned at me and sat down. I smiled weakly at him.

“I see you got the food okay.” I said smiling. He looked at me before leaning forward and removing his sweater and shirt.

“What are you doing?” I asked shocked. However he was not the only shirtless man here.

“Your shirt will get sticky. I can’t help you with your pants but I can help with your shirt.” He said. The girls behind us awed softly at his gesture, making me smile.

“Thank you Tuukka.” I said. He stood up to let me out and I kissed his cheek before heading to the bathroom to change shirt. Upon putting on the too big shirt, warmth surrounding me along with his scent made me smile. I quickly wrapped my soaked shirt in paper towels before heading back to my seat. Tuukka once again stood and let me back in my seat, his hoodie back on.

“Chilly?” I asked. He looked at me and laughed before shaking his head.

“That shirt is huge on you. No I’m not chilly, I burn in direct sunlight.” He popped a fry in his mouth.

“Ah so you’re secretly a vampire, I see.” he laughed.

“Fry?” he asked holding one up. I nodded and he pushed it towards my face, completely missing my mouth and poking me with it.

“Hey!” I said. I took the fry from him and ate it. I looked to the field and saw the Rockies were ahead a few runs.

“Look at that, we’re beating you!” I said leaning into him. He threw his arm around my shoulder, bringing me closer.

“Not for long. We’ll come back, don’t worry.” He responded.

“Keep dreaming Finn.” We continued to watch the game but as time went on Tuukka was getting more and more sweaty in his jacket.

“You’re getting awfully sweaty.” I mumbled. To emphasize my point I dragged my finger along the exposed skin of his chest, collecting sweat, before showing him.

“I know, but I’ll burn otherwise.” He shook his head.

“You’ll get heat stroke otherwise.” I commented. I tugged at his jacket and he sighed before removing it. He moved to lean back but jumped forward with a slight yelp.

“It’s hot.” He mumbled.

“I’m sorry.” I apologized before giggling at his yelp. He rolled his eyes and threw his arm around my shoulder again. I squeaked and pushed him away.

“You’re super sweaty.” I said. He playfully grinned and tugged me closer again.

“Come on, like my sweat! I’m sweaty because I was being gentlemanly and gave you my shirt. The least you can do is like my sweat.” He laughed. We probably looked weird to everyone around us.

“I like your sweat but I don’t want it on me.” I laughed.

“Fine. Have it your way. By the way, if I get sunburnt you have to take care of me.” He held his pinky up and I playfully rolled my eyes before hooking my pinky with his. We got back to watching the game, making comments here and there.

“That looks like a home run to me babe. What’s that, 4 runs?” he gloated. I rolled my eyes and shushed him as he laughed.

“We’ll catch up.” I said.

Notes

FINALLY updated...only took half a year :)