The One Night That Changed My Life Forever

"Wow! You actually managed to get him off the couch, that is un expected" Jon smirked. "You know you didn't have to come man, I already gave coach the your sick card."

"It's alright, I feel much better. But thanks Jon" Patrick explained still holding onto my hand. At almost the same time we both realized we were still holding hands. We quickly let go, getting a few laughs and smirks from his teammates.

"Well you better hurry up then" Jonny said. "That is if you want to make it to practice on time."

"Alright boys, I'm going to let you guys go. I'll see you afterwards." I turned and walked out the locker room door. I almost made it to the end of the hallway when I saw Jon running to catch up to me.

"Sorry, I was just wondering how you managed to get him up, and practice ready in only a couple hours?" he asked.

"Hahaha I used the magical hangover cure, lots of carbs, grease, coffee and Advil. I also made sure to keep him hydrated with water last night and not just alcohol" I laughed.

"Well I just wanted to say thanks again."'

"No problem, really it wasn't that big of a deal, I enjoyed it actually."

"I got to go, we will see you after practice right?"

"Yah, Pat's taking me out for lunch to thank me for everything, and to make up for me making breakfast this morning." "Although he really doesn't owe me anything" I laughed

"Alright, later Rach" He yelled as he was walking down the hallway.

"Right back at ya Captain." I yelled back

********
Patrick's POV

I was feeling better than I ever have after a night of drinking away my problems. Breakfast left me energized and, enthusiastic to show Rachel just what I could do on the ice. She looked so good sitting a few rows up from the boards just watching us practice.

"PATRICK" Johnny yelled. "Get your head back in the game man."

"Sorry, mind was wandering." I muttered back.

"I know, could you make it anymore obvious? He smirked.

"Alright, Alright... I'm over it. I'll beat you to that puck." I laughed.

"You are so on." I heard him reply as we both started skating for the puck. I obviously got there first, took the puck and put it top shelf in the net.

"I'm amazed, you have never played this good after a breakup, something or should I say someone has definitely made a difference." and with that he skated away leaving me to my thoughts.

****
Rachel's POV

Lunch wen't by smoothly, and for the next few days Patrick and I just hung out like we had been friends forever. I had texted Ellie letting her know that I would be away from the apartment for a few days, and not to worry about what had happened between Mike and I.

Suddenly it was game day in Chicago. The two days I had been living at Pat's had seemed to fly by at record speed. "Hey Pat, I was just wondering if I could ask you a small favour." We were seated at the dining table eating a carb loaded breakfast before he had to leave for morning skate.

"Yah, sure what's up?"

"Ok, so I bought a ticket to the game tonight a few months back, however I was planning on seeing it with Mike." "So the dilemma is that we each have one ticket, and I know he would never miss a game, so we would be stuck sitting beside each other, and I really don't think I'm ready for that yet." I blurted out quickly.

"Ahh, yes I see the problem. I'll see what I can do. It shouldn't be a problem to find you a seat a little bit closer to the bench." He winked.

"Thanks you are the best" I exclaimed "Absolute lifesaver."

He just smiled and said "Not a problem."

"Hey, I do have a question though." He said before walking out the door. "What jersey are you wearing to the game?"

"I don't know, I hadn't really thought about it, not that I have any jerseys anyways."

"Stay here, I'll be right back." He said moving towards the bedroom. "And voila problem solved" he said giving me a red Blackhawks jersey with the number 88 and his name on the back.

" I really wanted a number 19 Captain jersey though," I said taking the jersey with a frown on my face. "I guess I'll just have to buy one later on today."

"You wouldn't!!!" He replied with a little too much enthusiasm.

"Wouldn't I?" I replied with one of his signature smirks.

"You could sign this one however and I might reconsider wearing it" I added.

"Really that's all it would take to get you to wear it?"

"Yes but it would have to say something special on it, not just your autograph like all the fans get. "Be creative" I winked.

He took out the sharpie and signed it, but told me not to look at it until the game tonight. I happily obliged and settled down on the couch as he went to practice.

Game time rolled around and I was set. I wore my black skinny jeans with my hair down and some boots. I thought I looked pretty good for the game. It was finally time to look at what he had written on my jersey. It read " To Rach, the sweetest most relatable girl I have ever met. I hope I get the chance to know you more. Love Pat. Underneath it was signed with his regular signature and a heart. It was one of the sweetest things anyone had ever said about me, and it almost brought me to tears.

****
United Center

I got my ticket at will call and made it to my seats just before the players got on the ice. I was sitting beside a family with three girls. I said my hello's and settled down in my seat. We chatted a bit before the game started, and then quieted down to take in the action on the ice. By the time the 2nd intermission rolled around the score was tied 2-2 for both the Hawks and the Bruins. Patrick had a goal and an assist, and had smiled up many times to the end of the rink I was sitting at. I had thought I had seen a moment of shock on his face, but it had been quickly replaced by a smile.

"Excuse me," one of the older girls I was sitting beside asked. "What does your jersey say?"

"Ohh haha that, here you can read it." I turned to make it visible to the girl who was obviously intrigued by what Patrick had written this morning. She turned around and whispered to the other girls and suddenly they were all looking, whispering and smiling.

"Did you get that done at the convention last year?" They questioned.

"No actually I had it done, this morning. Funny story actually. Basically before practice I threatened to wear a #19 Toews jersey, so Pat signed it to make sure I didn't." They returned their focus back onto the game, still trying to understand exactly what I was saying.

They game went by quickly, we won 3-2. I said by to the nice family and texted Pat telling him I was going to head home. He replied that he would be back soon, and to make myself confortable. I was just falling asleep when he came through the door, a look of amusmant on his face.

"What's up?" I asked.

"Well, congrats on meeting my family today and not even knowing it!" he laughed.

"WHAT? THAT WAS THEM???" I was so shocked, ya pretty much they came down to the locker room saying that they had met the nicest girl during the game, that would be perfect for me if I wasn't still with Megan. Then I had to sort out that situation, but they never guessed that we knew each other."

"Funny." "I should have noticed the resemblance." "Well I'm going to go sleep on that. Ill see you in the morning." "Night Pat"

"Night Rach."

And then sleep engulfed me, and I dreamed about the events that had taken place over the past week.
‹ Chapter 4

Notes