Training Miller

Hey Dan." I didn't feel like talking, but I knew I couldn't avoid this conversation. "What did they say?" "Well, the fact that it's been over a month since I've felt this way was a major problem. I have clinical depression so they put me on medication and I go to a shrink twice a week." I mumbled, trying to concentrate on my computer screen. "So yeah. My life is awesome." "You know the whole team is worried about you. Especially Beau, I mean.." Just thinking of how much I was hurting my boyfriend made me want to start crying. I couldn't handle this anymore, I had completely changed in the past month and he was the one getting the punishment. "What's this?" He asked, looking through the applications scattered on my desk. "I found a job in LA," I told my uncle through the tears, "It's with the MLS team there." "Are you going to take it?" Up until this point I had been holding it all back. The tears, the emotions, everything. It felt good to just let it go. "I just don't know what to do. I can't just up and leave but I don't know how I'd tell Beau I was leaving him. I'm just scared of everything now. I'm scared of leaving, I'm scared of staying. I'm scared of my own mind lately." Dan exhaled, thinking for a minute. "Set up an interview for the day we're down there. You'll travel this week. Since I can't write you a recommendation letter, I'll have Shero or one of the assistant coaches write one for you." He got up and left my office, I followed him, trying hard to stop crying. "I'm sorry Danny." "Don't be, this isn't something you have complete control over," he hugged me and my tears started spilling onto his Penguins jacket, "Your parents are worried. You should let them know." "I did. My mom wants to come stay with me, but I told her I've been staying at your house." He nodded and walked back to his own office, leaving me alone to finish the little work I had left. Karlee had walked into the room, getting stuff ready for the trip tomorrow afternoon. "Oh, I know this is really short notice, but I'm traveling tomorrow. You get the next few days off." "Okay, sweet," She didn't seem too upset that she wouldn't have to work, "Why? What's going on?" "Nothing, my family was just planning on joining us on one of the stops, so Dan told me I was traveling," I lied to her. I would feel bad, but I wasn't exactly happy with her. Everyone was surprised when I got on the plane the following day. I wasn't really in the best mood, so I sat by myself in the back of the plane. Somehow I figured out a way to fall asleep for a few hours. Airplanes are worse than buses. "What makes you want to work for the Galaxy instead of the Penguins?" The man interviewing me asked. "Honestly, I love hockey. I love the guys, I love working with my uncle every day, but soccer was my first love and no sport really compares to it. I just, I feel like my real place is with a soccer team. Whether it be MLS, college, or national, it doesn't matter." "Well, you do have great recommendation letters and you are the most qualified person we've interviewed. When would you be able to start?" I had to stop to take this in for a minute. I would be working with Landon Donovan, one of the best soccer players in the US. This was pretty much my dream job. "Next week would work for me," I smiled. He stood up and shook my hand. "Welcome to the team, Miss Miller." I tried to keep my composure until I left the building, but I didn't really get to. I immediately called my parents and friends. I wanted to tell Beau, but I didn't want to see his face when I told him I would be leaving him. Everyone was leaving for team dinner when I got back. "Where were you?" Brandon asked "Um.." "She was doing something for me," Dan came up behind us. I could tell everyone was still wondering why I was dressed up so nicely, but they decided not to question it. Soon it was just me and Dan in the hallway. "So how did it go?" "Great! I start next week," I wanted to tell absolutely everyone I could, but hurting people was holding me back. "That's a bit fast, but I'm glad you got the job. I'm sure you'll be happier here anyway. Get a little vitamin d in your system," He squeezed my shoulders, "Come on, let's go get dinner." I sat with Beau and some of the guys, but didn't talk much. I guess I didn't have anything to say. Or anything I could say that wouldn't upset any of them. I finished eating and quietly went back to my room to call Patrick. After him ignoring so many of my calls, I finally had to leave a voicemail and guilt him into answering the phone next time I called. "Soo.. How are you? Like mentally?" "Not the greatest," I just realized how long it had been since I had last talked to him. It really was only a few days, but that's still longer than usual, "I'm on antidepressants and I go to a shrink twice a week.. But I have big news." "Bigger news that that?" "I'm moving to LA. I got a job with the Galaxy." "That's the soccer team, right?" "Mhmm." "Drew, I'm so happy for you! Except I'll rarely get to see you." "You do play the Kings and Ducks and you know I would never miss a game if you somehow found me tickets.." "I know, I know. How did Beau take it?" "That's the thing.. I haven't told him yet. I'm not sure how I will." "You really need to tell him, Drew. He should know," I was distracted by the knocking at my door. I opened it to see Beau standing there in sweats and a hoodie. "I know I do," I let him in and he went over to my bed, "I will call you tomorrow though." I plugged in my phone and sprawled out beside him. "Why are you with us for this trip?" He softly said as he brushed a piece of hair back behind my ear. "Danny wanted to make sure I'm okay," that's not a complete lie, "He knew I probably wouldn't get out of bed if I didn't travel this weekend. It's mainly him being the overly worried uncle he is." "I just wanted to see you before you went to bed. I love you Drew," Beau kissed my forehead before getting up, "You look great in that sweater too." I sat in bed for a while, debating on whether or not I should call Patrick back. I knew he would answer and help me through it, but this was something I had to do for myself. This was my decision and hopefully it's for the best. Third Person POV Drew walked into Beau's house, using the spare key they had hidden in a planter. Fighting back tears, she went to place the note on the kitchen table. By the time he would get it, Drew would be flying out of Pittsburgh. She had to be in the airport in half an hour, but she couldn't make herself leave the sweatshirt of his next to the note. She finally let go of the one thing she had left of his, she was heading to the airport. She reached her gate and was a mess. Mascara was running down her face. Drew could tell she was making a scene, but she didn't care. It made her feel better. While Drew was boarding the plane, Beau was just getting home from practice. "Hey, Beau. I think you want to see this," Robert called from the kitchen. Beau made his way to the other room and saw his sweatshirt laying on the chair. He took the note from his teammate's hand and read it. Dear Beau, I'm really sorry for up and leaving, but I don't think I could handle your reaction if I was there with you. Just know that I love you. This was just something I had to do for myself. When we were in LA, I had an interview with the Galaxy and got the job. I start in two days. You're such a great kid, I can't believe I'm doing this to you. We've been through hell and back. But I wouldn't change it for the world. I love you, loser. Please don't ever change. Drew "Then don't do this," he said, voice cracking, "She left. She can't leave." Beau frantically dialed her number, praying that she would answer. "Baby, please pick up," he begged as he waited. When he got her answering machine, he hung up and threw the phone. Robert stood there, not sure what to do. "I was an idiot. I took her for granted. I assumed she was messing around with Kane while they were in Sochi. I can't believe this," he looked at his roommate with tear filled eyes, pleading for some suggestion on what to do. "I don't know what you expect me to say. You were playing games with her. You kept that girl around just in case she slipped up and cheated. You tried hurting her and congrats, dumbass. You were successful." Robert walked away and left his roommate alone in their kitchen. Neither of them knew what to say. Drew planned this so that Beau wouldn't have the time to get to the airport and stop her. She was too far gone. The guy sitting next to Drew on the airplane was wearing a Penguins hat. She shook her head and laughed. That would happen to her. "What? Not a fan of the Penguins?" He asked her as he noticed the Blackhawks sweatshirt she was wearing with the number 88 on the sleeve. "I was actually employed by them until today," She wiped her eyes and studied his face. He didn't look too much older than her, "Dan Bylsma is my uncle." "How are you a Blackhawks fan then?" "I live a few hours from Chicago." They talked all the way to Atlanta, but parted ways once they got off the airplane. Drew was glad that he could take her mind off the California boy she was leaving in Pittsburgh. She had over an hour until she had to board her next flight, but she didn't dare turn on her phone. She knew there would be texts from the players, probably some calls too. While Drew was trying to decide what to have for lunch, Beau was back at his place, sitting on the floor, trying to get a hold of the girl who left him for his home state. His roommate had since gone to get food. It was obvious that Beau wouldn't be going anywhere for a while. "Drew," He reached her answering machine once again, "I thought everything was okay. Please pick up. I know I fucked up, but please can we work this out? I love you baby. I want to make this work. You're my world." He ended the call and ran his hand through his already disheveled hair. The tears started three calls ago, but he didn't care. He realized how bad he messed up, but there's nothing he could do about it now. She was too far gone.

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