Dallas

“So why figure skating?”

I looked up at Tyler who was shoving a burger into his mouth while he waited for a answer.

“I don’t know I just love it. Why hockey?”

A smile spread across Tyler’s face as he swallowed the piece of burger he had bitten off.

“Well simply ‘cause I love hockey.”

“So like my reason I figure skate.”

“Yeah, but I’m just saying you’d look great in hockey gear.”

I smiled at Tyler’s attempt to flirt. It was kind of cute. I looked down at my healthy salad then at Tyler’s burger. I wish I could eat like him, but I needed to be healthy. I saw my phone light up with an alert saying new message. I opened it up and saw a text from Shea.

Carrie please talk to me I can explain what happened with Ashley and I. It was all her I swear! Just please talk to me-Shea

I had been getting these kind of messages since I had been at the rink but I ignored every single text he sent me, I didn’t want to talk to him. I looked up and saw Tyler studying my face.

“Is everything okay Carrie?”

“Honestly?”

“Remember. You can trust me.”

I looked directly in Tyler’s eyes and I could tell he was being serious. So I told him everything that had happened the night before when I left the bar and what had happened after my cheer practice and that I was just ignoring his texts.

“Wow… that sounds like a lot of shit to go through in a day. Wanna know what? I’m gonna take you somewhere fun. You need to relax.”

Tyler quickly grabbed out his wallet and put definitely enough money on the table then got up taking my hand and pulling me to the door.

“Where are we going?!”

“Just come on! You’ll love it!”

I laughed as Tyler pulled me to my truck where he stopped.

“Let me drive it’s gonna be a surprise.”

I thought about it for a second and then handed Tyler my keys. I walked over to the passenger side and hopped in my truck. I buckled my seatbelt and saw Tyler grinning and starting my truck.

“Where are we going?”

“It’s a surprise! You’ll find out when we get there!”

I laughed and watched the road outside my window trying to get any hints at where we were going. After a little while we arrived in this place with a bunch of parking and animal signs all over the place.

“OMG you’re taking me to the zoo!”

“Yeah I had a feeling you would like it.”

I smiled as Tyler found a spot to park. This was definitely not the Tyler Seguin I always heard about from people. This Tyler was nice and fun to be around.

As we made our way to the zoo entrance we both were joking around.

“You are getting a stuffed animal whether you like it or not Carrie!”

“Fine! Do what you want it’s your money.”

I waited as Tyler paid the admission fee for the both of us. When we walked through the gates a swarm of joy went over me. Ever since I was a little girl I had always loved going to the zoo. We walked through a few of the exhibits just walking side by side, then Tyler grabbed my hand holding it in his hand. I blushed a little and he smiled as we headed to the tiger exhibit. When we got there he must have saw my eyes light up ‘cause he laughed and shook his head.

“I’m guessing you like tigers?”

“Their my favorite animal other than the wolf.”

“Why?”

“They’re beautiful and strong.”

“So just like you.”

Tyler and I were about to kiss until two kids pulled at both our legs. We both looked down at the kids who must have been about only 5 or 6 years old. The little boy was obviously the talker ‘cause he looked up at Tyler and said,

“Mr. Seguin can I have your autograph? You’re like my favoritist NHL player on the Stars other than Jamie Benn.”

Tyler laughed and signed the kids paper and talked to him for a little bit, which I found to be really cute. Then the little girl pulled on my jeans so I looked at her.

“You’re Carrie Campbell right?”

“Yeah I am.”

“I know you are going to the Olympics ‘cause you’re the best figure skater I know. Can I have your autograph?”

“Yeah what’s your name?”

“Anna. I want to be a figure skater when I grow up.”

“Well Anna never let go of your dreams because I believe you can do whatever you put your mind to.”

I signed what I said to Anna on a picture of me from last year when I won the national championship title. I handed it back to her and she smiled and her and the little boy ran back to their mom who was waiting for them. Tyler was grinning at me.

“So I guess I’m not the only famous one here.”

“Shut up you know I figure skate.”

We walked through the whole zoo like twice but we both were having fun. After the second time we made our way into the souvenir shop where Tyler bought me a medium sized stuffed tiger doll. After that we made our way onto the merry-go-round they had. We got one of those bench like seats and sat down next to each other. I was tired so I leaned against Tyler while it went around.

“You were right I do love this.”

“Good. I thought this would make your crappy day a whole lot better.”

“It really did. Thank you.”

Tyler leaned in for a kiss and I couldn’t resist. When our lips met there was almost a spark between us. At first I thought it meant nothing because I had had the same thing with Shea the night before. We kissed until the machine stopped and we both wanted to continue. As we headed out of the zoo Tyler stopped and looked serious.

“Wanna go back to my place?”

“I don’t know-”

“I know. I know. You just had that thing with your cali pretty boy, but how bout you get back at him with me? I know you felt a spark like I did when we kissed and I would really love to continue this night with you.”

Wait… Tyler felt the spark too? Did this mean he really liked me or was he just faking it to get in my pants that night?

“Fine. We will go back to your place, but no promises we’re going to have sex. We will see where things go and you’re gonna have to drive again ‘cause I don’t know where your place is.”

Tyler smiled and nodded as we made our way back to my truck. I was still holding the stuffed tiger in one hand and Tyler’s hand in the other. We both got in the truck and he started it. I felt my phone go off so I pulled it out of my pocket. It read 6 new texts so I opened all of them one at a time.

Carrie please talk to me. I’m so sorry that happened.-Shea

Hey Carrie! The boys and I are in Dallas see you @ the game tomorrow!-Danny

Where the hell are you!? Are you dead!? Did you die!?-Alex

Can’t wait to see you @ the game tomorrow-Justin

Carrie you need to talk to Shea-Ashley

OMG Carrie! I heard what happened with Shea, Ashley and you! ARE YOU OKAY!?-Jess

I replied to Alex first saying, “I’m alive I’m just hanging out with Tyler.Yes Tyler Seguin. I needed to get away from TCU and Shea.”. I looked over at the window as I felt we slowed down.

“We almost there?”

“Yeah.”

I replied to everyone else with the exception on Ashley and Shea, I did not want to deal with either of them at the moment.When I saw Tyler park the car I unbuckled my seat belt. I ran my hand through my hair trying to choke back the tears that I had in my eyes. We both got out of my truck and made our way into the building.

“Carrie are you okay?”

I looked at Tyler and I felt tears falling down my face.

“No. I’m far from it.”

At that moment Tyler hugged me and I pressed my face to his hand chest. We stood there like that for awhile and Tyler took my chin and lifted it so I’d look at him.

“Take it out on me.”

And that’s what I did. When we got up to Tyler’s apartment we drank a lot and then ended up making out which lead to sex. And I got to say Tyler knew exactly what he was doing even if he was drunk off his ass, but I didn’t mind because I was drunk too.

Notes