Rougher and Tougher

Hampus gazed at me like he knew something was wrong. He'd only known me for barely four hours, and he'd already got a read on me that no one I've ever known had. He watched my moves as I picked up my fork and knife, then dug into my steak and potatoes that I'd ordered at the hotel's restaurant. He shook his head, then picked up his own utensils and begun cutting the pasta he'd ordered.

"So, what's up?" He asked, I should've known he wouldn't have dropped it just like that. The four hours had shown that he never dropped anything that interested him.

Cursing myself, and him; I answered, knowing he'd know if I was lying, "Roommate troubles." I sighed, stuffing a piece of the top sirloin in my mouth, "And roommate's bestfriend troubles." I quickly added, he just smiled.

"What did they hit on you too quickly?" He joked, and I gave him a millisecond glare. He knew I wasn't like that, but I couldn't help but smile at his obvious joke.

"No," I gave him a sarcastic smile, then rolled my eyes, "Alex Galchenyuk and Nail Yakupov are easily one of my biggest haters right now." I said, as I reached for my iced tea, washing down the amazing medium steak.

"Alex Galchenyuk?" He asked, his voice seeming to register distaste with Alex, I nodded to him in response, "I was going to tell you that he was watching you at the on-ice evaluation. He seemed pretty creepy..." He trailed off, his gaze resting on a booth just on the other side of the restaurant.
When I turned around to see what he was looking at, I quickly snapped around; not wanting them to see me. Nail, and Alex were sitting in the booth, and judging by the look on Hampus's face when I snapped around, he recognized at least Alex.

"Creepy, no. Assholes, yes." I corrected, letting my tense muscles relax- reaching for my steak again. I didn't care who was there, I was still hungry enough to eat a horse. Hampus's eyes soon returned to me, and the meal in front of him- leaving the glaring for another day.

"Let's not talk about them." I suggested, while he grinned for no apparent reason.

He sighed, letting his smile falter, "I think, he" He paused, searching for the word in English, "Jealous." He finished, and I shrugged; he had nothing to be jealous about. I wasn't one of the best players here. He was. I was just some girl.

"About what?" I asked, and he rolled his eyes, like it was obvious and I was totally missing it. I gave him a confused look, which made him make a noise between a gasp and a scoff.

"You are the best defensive player here." He said, looking straight into my eyes. I noticed when we first met that he had the nicest blueish grayish eyes I'd seen, not like mine that were just flat blue.
He had greased his blonde hair down, and was wearing a nice suit that apparently his mom had picked out- I had laughed at that, since he was an eighteen-year-old boy that still relied on his mom to pick out his suits. I nearly burst out just at the thought of him telling me that with the most serious tone ever.

"Sure," I rolled my eyes, trying to stay modest about my talents. I hated when people boasted about their achievements, especially when you knew they were trying to be discreet about it.

"You are....." Hampus trailed off, focusing on his food instead of me. I sighed, finishing up my steak with one large bite. I wiped my mouth with the napkin, and set it down on the table.

I suddenly began to yawn, and wipe my eyes. It was only seven thirty and I was already so tired I could pass out at any moment. I reached into my purse and pulled out a ten and a twenty. I set them on the table, and began to get up.

"Sorry, dude, I'm about to pass out; I'll see you tomorrow." I said, and leaned over the table to give him a one handed hug, "Thank you for eating with me." I whispered in his ear, as I got up giving him a large smile.

"You're welcome, are we on for breakfast too?" He asked, and I chuckled, like I had anyone else to have breakfast with.

"Yeah," I paused, waving to him as I retreated towards the door of the restaurant, "See you, Hampus." He gave a loud 'bye' and returned to his meal. I felt bad for leaving him in the middle of his meal but, I would feel even worse if I drifted off while in a conversation with him.

I walked past Nail, and Alex's table without even glancing at them. I wasn't prepared to give either of them the time of day after what they did.

As soon as I pushed open the door to the restaurant, and stepped through a hand caught my elbow, and whirled me around. I wasn't surprised to see who I saw, but I wasn't too thrilled either. Alex Galchenyuk, the guy who stood me up at breakfast was actually coming after me. How good was my luck? I wanted to slap him for even touching me.

"What do you want, Galchenyuk?" I snapped, my voice as cold as Canada itself. I deep hate had installed itself on Alexander the minute he left me in that room, all alone with no one to turn to. He was just lucky Hampus found me, and we became friends, or I'd be suspended from the draft for slapping him.

"That's who you stand me up for?" He snarled, seeming displeased with my choice in friends, "A Swedish defencemen?" I set my jaw, and let my emotions go. The loud snap of my hand against his face was loud enough to even surprise me. I had slapped him. With the full force of my hand. It left a small red mark, and deep in my gut under all the shame- I found pride in what i did, however, I did not show it.

"Yes, a Swedish defencemen," I whisper-yelled as he stared in shock, "And he is the sweetest, most caring person I've met here. A better person than you, and Nail. So, if you excuse me, I need to catch some sleep not that I will be losing any because of a narcissistic, condescending, jackass like yourself!" I turned around, and stormed away from him.

I heard his loud footsteps behind me. For the second time within five minutes, he grabbed my arm and whipped me around. Only this time, instead of starting a fight....This time, he grabbed my waist, and pulled me close. Without warning, he pressed his soft lips to mine. He kissed me.

Notes

OHHHHHHHHH!!!! Damn!! Anyway- wait??? Did I actually write that? Yes, yes I did!