The One Night That Changed My Life Forever

The weeks seemed to mix together. All we did was play hockey, workout and play more hockey. Soon it was our last weekend in Winnipeg. I had been initiated into the team by the veteran players. It was kept on the down low as it wasn't publicly official I was on the team, just like it wasn't official Pat and I were on a break. I missed him everyday that went by, and I hated myself for wanting to forgive and forget so easily. I had promised him and myself the summer, and no matter how bad it felt now I knew it was for the better. If we had talked right afterwards I would have blown up, and we wouldn't stand a chance in hell of ever working out. Tryouts had come at a perfect time, even if it didn't feel that way now. We had texted a bit, a few short conversations here and there. From what I got from his sister's he was as miserable as I felt. I was lucky to have a great group of new friends, and hockey to keep me occupied. Whereas Pat was stuck with his family, still not happy about what he did. Two more practices and it's home sweet home I thought to myself before lying back for a small nap before scrimmage time.
********
Pat's POV:
I don't remember that night. I don't remember what happened. I just remember the hurt I caused Rachel. What had happened? How had I let anything happen? Had anything actually happened? FUCK what happened? I hadn't talked to Rach in like a week, and even then it was just small talk. Never anything important, just your 'I hope your camp is going well' or the 'how's your summer?'. To be honest my summer fucking sucks I thought to myself. Just ask my sisters. They know I haven't made an attempt to do anything since arriving in Buffalo. The once amazing and looked forward to summer has lost its charm. Honestly things were probably better with Rachel than with my parents at the moment, and that is saying something. First off they say how stupid I have been, and that I need to stop disappointing and hurting the people that care about me. After a while I shut them out and just spent most of my days in my room. Two more days and she's only going to be mere miles away, just across the border I thought to myself. It was hard knowing I had promised to wait the summer before making any sort of move, it was hard plain and simple. I was quite simply living the life of a bum, and unfortunately that couldn't continue as tomorrow was my day with the cup. So that mean't getting a hair cut, shaving and showering before tomorrow. I lugged myself into the shower, and cleaned up. Next was getting rid of the pathetic excuse of a beard. Then I made a stop at the local barber for the last step in my transformation. I was glad the media hype wasn't as crazy here as it was in Chicago, though tomorrow would be a different story. When I made it home, I atleast got a smile from my parents, which I shrugged off and headed back upstairs into my bed. I re-read Izzy's letter;
Patrick,
You're a great guy even though people doubt you, and pass judgements before getting to know you. I thank you for showing me the real you and being the best friend anyone can ask for. My mom and Rach are going to struggle a bit through this, they are girls :) Being emotional is just how we are. I hope you will stick by them and help them stay strong. I may be young, but as I wrote Rachel you two are soul mates. You will end up with one another forever I can just see it. Even through the mistakes, and the tough times you will find a way to make it out stronger than before. Everything happen's for a reason. Your lives might be short and you can never know when life is going to rip one of you off the earth so make your moment's count. I need you to stay strong, and be that guy who selflessly offered me tickets to one of your games, and who cared about me even if you didn't have to. You have made my dreams come true, I hope you know that. You are amazing, and someday the world will know that as well. I had some great memories with you guys, I wouldn't trade my life for anyone else's. Take care of my girls! I love you Pat. Don't miss me too much ;) Izzy.
Fuck how I had screwed that up I thought, shaking my head at how stupid I was. I had become the man Izzy had believed with all her heart I wasn't. I hoped that young girl on her deathbed writing this letter was right about one thing. The fact Rachel and I would overcome the odds and the obstacles and be together forever. This is for you Iz I thought to myself, and decided to pull out of my slump and back into the real world. I'm almost 26 and I have to start acting it I thought to myself. It's just over a month longer than originally planned, I could make it.
And then it was today. My cup day. The day Rach was supposed to fly into Buffalo to celebrate with me. I took the cup out to a few public places that mean't a lot to me growing up. We held a barbecue at my dad's car dealership, took pictures with the cup at the local arena, and did a meet and greet downtown. No mechanical instruments this time. The fans were crazy and amazing. Honestly I forgot about all my problems as I was met with wave upon wave of fans wanting to meet me and the cup. Everything went well with the first three events. When the crowd had dispersed, I decided to make a quick trip to the children's hospital not far from my house. It was heartbreaking to see the condition of the poor kids. They were ecstatic however to meet me and the cup. A few had no idea what the cup was or who I was, but I just laughed and took pictures and hung out with them anyways. It was fun to see such strong kids having a great time even admitst their illnesses. I left after visiting hours were over for the kids, promising to come back and hang even if it wasn't with the Stanley cup. I made it home and I was exhausted. I played my game of road hockey with some of my friends who were back before actually finishing off the day. I texted Rach a picture of my family and the cup. "Missed you." I added, before placing the cup on the one side of my bed and spying down on the other. We had gotten some good shots of the family and the cup, and of me with it around the house.
Rach~~ Me too. Hope you had a great day with the cup. You earned it.
At least she was still talking to me. That was a good thing right? I thought to myself closing my eyes and trying to figure everything out.
********
Rachel's POV:
"Marie-Phillip Poullin! Get your sorry ass over here! I'm going to miss you!" I said giving her a huge hug.
"You know we will still talk right? Plus the first games are only a couple months away. Too bad you live in Chicago though!" She said pouting.
"It depends on where I end up playing, as to whether or not I'm staying I guess."
"I think you will stay in Chicago." She said laughing.
"We'll see." I said smiling and giving her another hug. I said my goodbyes to the other veteran players, and to the other girls I actually could stand.
"So this is it huh? Coach. No more bootcamp until the fall?" I said laughing.
"Yup. You made it through. " She said laughing.
"Perfect." I exclaimed showing her the number I wanted. She nodded and agreed with a smile. "Thanks for everything Coach. But I gotta get out of here if I'm going to make that plane of mine!"
"Bye Rach! " A bunch of girls waved, and coach gave me a hug before telling me to get out of here.
"Ready for Ottawa Jonny? I said getting in the car after stashing my bags in the trunk.
"Totally!" He said with that excited spark in his eyes.
"Good! Let's get out of here then!" I said laughing as we took off towards the airport. I was thankful for Jon's presence on the long boring plane ride. He yet again managed to get me a better seat than before, one that happened to be the one beside him. I shook my head as I sat down in the seat beside him.
"Thanks Jonnnny!" I said sing like as I sat. This time I decided to watch a movie to the best of my abilities before falling asleep. That didn't work out too well, as I was awoken a few hours later by the attendant informing me we were landing.
"Jonny! Jonathan Toews! Wake up we are here!" I said to the boy sleeping beside me.
"Egghh how much longer to Ottawa?"
"Your flight is in 45 minutes and the flight is half an hour so you will be there in under two hours." I said shaking my head as he woke up and rubbed his eyes.
"Sweet!"
"Let's go ya big baby and get you on that flight!" I said laughing.
"I'm coming." He exclaimed laughing and gabbing his small bag and following me out of the plane.
I bought him a coffee and hugged him goodbye.
"Bye Jonny! Say hi to Manda for me." I said smiling.
"Will do. Thanks for the coffee Rach. I'll stop by for a day or two before heading to Chicago."
"I look forward too it. Now go have some fun." I said winking and walking towards the baggage claim. I found my bag easy enough, and chucked my carryon on top and wheeled my way out of the terminal.
"Hey Mom, Dad!" I said running to give them a hug.
"Hey sweetie! How are things?" Mom asked as dad took my bags and we started walking out of the airport.
"Better! Can you tell what team I'm playing for in the fall?" I asked laughing as I was decked out in Team Canada clothes.
"I knew you'd make it!" Mom exclaimed giving me a huge hug.
"Congrats Rach!" Dad said gushing.
"Let's finish this at home." I said laughing as my parents were causing quite a scene even if it was only the London airport.
"So did you meet the team?" Dad asked as we drove out of the parking lot.
"Quite a few of them yeah. I roomed with Marie, the girl who scored the winning goals in the Olympics. I also met Hayley. She's amazing!"
"Jealous!" My parents said laughing. "What are your plans for the summer then?"
"I'm going to relax!" I said laughing. "I'm exhausted! I'll probably catch up with a few friends, and maybe hit the cottage later on. I also have to find myself a team for next season." I said shrugging. "
"Where were you thinking?"
"Honestly I have no clue. I'm not opposed to a Canadian team, although I don't really want to cut ties with Chicago quite yet."
"If you need any help, we are here." Mom said pointing in-between her and dad.
"Thanks. I just need to get some offers. It shouldn't be too hard to find a team that wants me. Plus I think Q's getting my name out there." I said laughing. When we made it home I headed straight to my room, and to bed. I woke up to the delicious aroma of breakfast wafting up into my room.
"Yumm. That smells delicious. Any for me?" I asked laughing.
"Yup. Grab a plate, and have a seat."
"Thanks mom!" I said giving her a hug and grabbing a plate load of food.
"What are your plans for today?"
"Sleep, tanning, and swimming." I said shrugging. " I think my body has earned a nice little break. Plus I'm not feeling the greatest. I've been super tired lately."
"You've put your body through a lot. We don't want you getting sick as soon as you get back!"
"I hope not either." I said laughing and putting my plate in the dishwasher. The truth being I had been feeling off for quite a while now. I was always tired. It sucked. I headed to my room and grabbed my bathing suit and went outside to catch some rays. Pat had texted me last night a picture of him with the Stanley cup. Egghh why does that boy make it so hard? I was torn. Part of me wanted to go running back to him, while the other part worried and wasn't sure about the whole forgiving and forgetting idea.
Me~~ Hey El. When you coming up? I have a tanning chair calling your name.
Ellie~~ In a few days probably. Gotta let you get settled in first. :)
Me~~ YAY! I need some friends. They are all gone off to school and such, or they moved away :(
Ellie~~ Awwe. That sucks. Congrats on making the team ;)
Me~~ Why thank you :) How's your relationship?
Ellie~~ Puuuurty good. No complaining, how are you two?
Me~~ Well lets just say there is a thin, thin layer of ice that we are walking on. I'm honestly torn, but I owe him a chance to explain.
Ellie~~ Love sucks sometimes! Ah well I know you two will work it out, though I'm still pissed. I know you two are mean't to be.
Me~~~Eghhh. Everyone's being saying that lately. It's not making the decision any easier.
Ellie~~ It's blatantly obvious looking at the two of you together. Anyways we will continue this conversation when I fly up :P
Me~~Alright give me a day's heads up.
Ellie~~ Will do. Rest up I'm coming to town!
Me~~ I feel like shit. I hope it passes quickly ;(
Ellie~~Go get some sleep, and don't be tanning while sleeping.
Me~~ I know. I learned from LA. Atleast I had another day to tan the other side. I'm actually going to grab a nap. I'll ttyl El :)
Ellie~~ Talk to ya soon.
I headed upstairs after an hour or so of tanning and fell asleep the moment I hit my bed.

Notes

Short and sweet... xoxoxo Jordan