Chapter 8

Tomas crossed the room and sat in the chair by Logan's bed. He leaned forwards and stroked Ashley's temple with his thumb.

He smiled at her sadly, “Rough night?”

The irony of the question caused Ashley to crack a smile. “I guess you can say that...”

She was relieved to hear her voice sounding normal again.

He said nothing so she continued, “And yours?”

Tomas sighed and stroked her head again. “I've been better.”

Ashley pushed herself up a little further. “Well, you did win the game. And you scored.”

He smiled slightly, “I did. Did you see?”

Ashley nodded. “I saw bits and pieces. I did happen to be awake for that.”

Tomas lightly trailed his finger around her eye.

“Is it that bad?” She asked quietly.

He shook his head. “No, just different. I don't like seeing you injured.”

Ashley shrugged. “It's just a concussion. Once I get over the sleeping, I should be fine.”

Tomas moved his hand down to hers. “Just take it easy, okay? Do you need anything?”

Ashley blushed a little. “I actually have to go to the bathroom...”

Tomas scooted his chair back and gave her space. “Can you do it alone?”

Ashley gave him a weird look. Quickly he recovered, “No, I don't actually mean... I meant...”

Ashley snickered and pulled their covers back.

Slowly she got out of bed. “Okay, wow. Yeah... I'm a little sore.”

Tomas stood up behind her as if waiting to catch her.

“Seriously. I think the last time I was this sore was when I first started ice skating.”

Tomas quietly laughed behind her. Ashley stopped at the TV stand and leaned against it.
“Okay, well. I don't know where the bathroom is.”

Ashley laughed at her lack of planning. Tomas walked in front of her and looked into the next room. “I see stairs going down. I assume it's there.”

He looked back to see Ashley's grim expression. “Okay.. I got this.”

Tomas shook his head. “No, I got it.”

Before Ashley could protest he scooped her into his arms. She gasped and stared at his smug expression.

“Um.. thank you...”

She felt his chuckle resonate in his chest. Mentally she tried to calm her racing heart.

“Breath Ashley. Don't let him know you're freaking out. You're not special. I'm sure lots of other girls get carried by hot hockey players... Okay no... maybe not...”

Tomas interrupted her thoughts, “Ash, are you okay? Are you hurting? You're not breathing.”

Ashley mentally slapped herself. “Oh? Haha... Yeah I'm okay. Just a little out of it.”

Tomas frowned and descended down the stairs. “Forgetting to breath seems serious.”

Ashley fought the red she could feel rising into her cheeks. Tomas reached the bottom of the stairs and Ashley turned the knob to the bathroom. Tomas gently set Ashley on her two feet and turned on the light. Ashley was momentarily blinded by the bright light. She looked around the medium size bathroom and laughed hysterically. The whole room was decorated in Pittsburgh Penguin décor. On a little shelf above the toilet was a little Sidney Crosby bobble head. Tomas stood in the doorway looking around completely confused. Ashley sat herself on the counter to just take in the room.

“This is amazing! Who would have known Logan was a closet Crosby stalker?!”

Tomas shook his head and backed out of the room. “I'm going to pretend I never saw this. I'll wait out here.”

Ashley laughed and closed the door. She turned and looked at herself in the mirror. She gasped at the swollen side of her eye.

“YOU MADE IT SEEM LIKE IT WASN'T THAT BAD!” She yelled to Tomas, but didn't hear a reply.

She quickly went to the bathroom and washed her hands. She opened the door to the bathroom to see Tomas sitting cross legged in the hallway, texting.

“Hey, I actually think I'm going to take a bath. It might make me feel better.”

Tomas looked up from his phone. “Do you have clothes?”

Ashley looked down at Susan's clothes and sighed. “No, do you mind getting me a pair of Logan's boxers and a t shirt? One of the smaller ones?”

Tomas looked up quietly. His jaw clenched slightly. Ashley shifted her weight.

“Please?” Tomas stood up and nodded.

As he walked away Ashley looked around Logan's cabinets for soap. She thought about Tomas's hesitation and smirked. Soon she found a washcloth and towel and was able to start her bath water. Tomas knocked softly at the door. He reached his arm in and set the pile of clothes on the counter.

“Thank you!” She called out to him as he left.

She figured he had said your welcome.

Slowly, Ashley lowered herself into the tub. Immediately she felt her muscles relax. She soaped up and started singing quietly.

“I heard that you're settled down.That you found a girl and you're married now. I heard that your dreams came true. Guess she gave you things I didn't give to you...”

Ashley continued a little louder.

“Never mind, I'll find someone like you. I wish nothing but the best for you too. Don't forget me, I beg. I remember you said, Sometimes it lasts in love but sometimes it hurts instead, Sometimes it lasts in love but sometimes it hurts instead.”

“Wow, okay. Please stick to hockey.”

Ashley jumped out of her skin.

“Oh my god! What are you doing in here?”

She was extremely thankful for the Penguin shower curtain.

Logan laughed, “Well, I was surprised to come to you out of bed. I was more surprised when I found Tomas and Nick playing chess in the kitchen. Then I saw the light on and followed the horrible singing. I couldn't help but come laugh.”

Ashley blushed and sighed. “You know? The Greek goddess Artemis killed a man for walking in on her bathing.”

She heard Logan snort.

“Okay, your Majesty. How may I spare my life?”

Ashley smiled and washed the remaining soap off her arms.

“You must only refer to me as your goddess. AND you have to be the one to call my mom and tell her about the incident.”

She heard Logan groan, “You are basically sentencing me to death anyways!”

Ashley laughed evilly, “That's what you get for walking in on a lady bathing!”

Logan pretend pouted, “No fair. I didn't even get to see anything...”

Ashley gasped, “Logan!” She laughed, “Go be dirty to someone else. I'm practically your sister. Besides, I'm still somewhat mad at you.”

Ashley pulled herself up and unplugged the tub.

“Can you hand me my towel?” Logan laughed.

She heard him close the door.

“Nope.”

She took a deep breath.

“Logan, I am a cripple. Just throw the towel over the curtain.”

“Hm, no. I think you can come get it.”

Ashley peaked her head out from behind the curtain.

“Jackass. Give me my towel.”

Logan held up his finger. “No, no. Not your towel. My towel. And you really need to ice that eye again.”

Ashley glared. “I'm going to stab you.”

Logan held his hands up in surrender.

“Fine, fine. Here.” He threw her a wash cloth.

She caught the tiny towel and disappeared behind the curtain. Irritated, she patted herself try and covered her front with the cloth. With her arm she covered her nipples. Logan's eyes widened when she stepped out of the shower.

“Jackass...”

Logan quickly covered his eyes.

“I was actually kidding.”

Ashley growled and looked at him.

“Turn around and keep your eyes closed.”

Logan did as he was told. Ashley quickly slipped on her underwear and then his boxers. She pulled his shirt over her bra. She then snatched the towel off the counter and wrapped her hair up.

“Okay creeper, you can turn around now.”

Hesitantly, Logan turned. “For the record I didn't expect you to do it...”

Ashley leaned her face close to the mirror and inspected her bruises. She could see Logan watching her in the reflection.

She caught his gaze, “Why don't you take a picture. It'd last longer.”

Logan snapped back into reality, “Oh.. No! That's not.. I was... Really?”

Ashley turned and faced him. “I'm only kidding. Man you're on edge! Haven't you ever seen a girl before?”

Logan swallowed and replied, “Well yeah... not you though.”

Ashley cocked an eyebrow, “Am I that different?”

Logan stuttered, “No, well, yeah. Kind of, I guess. Not really.” Ashley smirked at his discomfort, “You're a bit, uh, more fit than I realized...”

Ashley frowned and looked down at her stomach. “I'm not that fit...”

Logan shook his head. “Just forget about it. Do you need help up the stairs?”

Ashley shook her head, “I'm fine...”

Logan opened the door around her. She stepped backwards and started ascending up the stairs. Logan sighed impatiently; he walked up faster than her and stood at the top of the stairs.

“Lo, what's up?” She asked when she reached him.

He looked uncomfortable.

“I don't know what you mean...”

“Don't blow me off.” She stepped in front of him, “You're being confusing. First you're a jerk. Then you come give me medicine and...”

Logan sucked in air, “You remember that?”

Ashley ignored him and continues, “And now, I'm just supposed to pretend like nothing is wrong?”

Before she could react, Logan cupped her face and crushed his lips against hers. She gasped and pulled back in disbelief.

“Do you understand now?” Logan's voice was low and gruff.

Her heart pounded. Just a week ago this whole scene would have been her dream.

“Logan...” Ashley breathed.

She could hear Logan's heavy breathing from a foot away.

“I just can't...”

Logan nodded and ran his hand through his hair, “I have to tell you... at least once. I love you.”

Ashley's mouth was opened slightly, but no words came out. She couldn't meet his gaze.

Patiently, he waited for her response.

After the moments of silence she lifted her eyes sadly, “I'm in love with Tomas.”

Notes

Short one... sorry...