Training Miller

"Drewbear," my best friend's voice filled my office. I wasn't sure how he got my office number, but he was Patrick Kane.
"Hi Patrick."
"Guess where I'm at," He seemed really excited for some reason. He probably got a new car or is going to Mexico or something. I can see that happening.
"Buffalo?" I mean their season had ended. I figured he would go home to visit family for a while..
"Actually, I'm in the parking lot. Next to your ugly ass orange car." I turned around in my chair and looked out of my window. Needless to say he was leaning against the drivers side, "Are you going to come out and talk to me or did I fly halfway across the country to just have to fly back?"
"Yeah, I'll be out in a minute." I was thankful he came over after practice. I could leave whenever I wanted now. I said goodbye to Kendra as I was walking out the door.
"You look happy to be leaving," she peered over the computer screen with a raised eyebrow.
"Patrick is waiting for me by my car and I haven't seen him since I ended up in bed with Jonathan Toews. So yeah, I guess it'll be nice to see my best friend again."
"Have fun!"
Before I could say anything, he grabbed my face and kissed me. It was one of those kisses that made you wonder if he was trying to make me happy before telling me horrible news.
"How long have you been waiting to do that?" I asked, unlocking my car.
"Way too long," He blushed.
"You okay with staying in tonight?"
"If you cook for me."
"How did I know that was going to come up?" I laughed and set my stuff in the back seat, "Don't even think about driving. You would get us lost in a heart beat. Over to the passenger side."
I sang along with the radio. Red Ragtop was my favorite Tim McGraw song by far.
"I missed your voice," Pat confessed to me.
"Why? We talk on the phone almost every day.."
"It's not the same."
He was right. I missed seeing him everyday, being with him when he was acting like a drunk idiot. Waking up next to him after one of our late night heart to hearts.
I stopped by the grocery store closest to my house to restock my fridge, which was dangerously low. I asked him if he wanted to go to the beach, but he turned down the offer. He told me maybe later. When we got to my apartment, I changed clothes. Wearing only a cut off and a pair of spandex. It was only June, but the heat was already getting to me.
I turned on some music and started the food. I half expected Patrick to go watch tv, but when I turned around his baby blue eyes were staring back at me.
"Good lord, you have beautiful eyes," he smiled. I knew that wasn't the first - or twentieth - time I had told him, but now it was just sort of a habit. He had just cut his hair, but not short enough that the curls were gone. Anything was better than the mullet he had.
"So I'm here for a week. What are we doing?"
"Well, some of us have work but I do have a few days off."
We planned out a few things for the days I didn't have to work, but for the most part we decided to just figure out what we wanted to do after I got off work.
"So I'm gonna spend all summer long sititn' on this river log cause right now there ain't nothing wrong with havin' fun and kissin' frogs," I sang along to the music while I chopped some vegetables to
"I'm just a frog now?" Patrick questioned me with a smirk on his face. I rolled my eyes and shook my head.
"Who said I was kissing you any time soon?"
He got up off his chair and walked over to me. He placed his hands on my hips and barely brushed his lips over mine. It was driving me insane, being this close to him and not actually touching. The corners of his lips tilted up into a smile, he knew what he was doing.
Finally, I gave up. I pushed him away and went back to finishing dinner."
"You're such a brat."
"And you love me," he grabbed the food I had finished and put it on the table for me.
After dinner, we decided to drive to a section of the beach that allowed fires. We laid a blanket down and opened up a few beers. The sun was setting over the water and the view was absolutely gorgeous. I quickly snapped a picture.
"Do you miss Pittsburgh?"
"All the time. I don't know what I'll do now that Danny doesn't work there anymore. Go crash at Geno's place for a while," I laughed, "That would be an adventure."
"He'll get a job somewhere else and I definitely know a place you can stay if you ever want to get away from this beautiful scenery."
"Let me guess. Chicago.."
"Actually I meant up in Pittsburgh," He leaned over to bump shoulders with me.
"Yeah. I know."
It was weird knowing he was hinting at me getting back with Beau. I thought he would want me all to himself, but I guess after everything that had happened, he realized that we would never be more than friends.
"Oh, hold on. I forgot my charger in your room," I rolled my eyes as he went back to get it.
"You ready now?" He nodded and smiled.
Spending a week with Patrick was just what I needed, but I wanted more time. He's one of the few people that understood why I moved. Some people were mad at me, some people were mad at Beau. Patrick knew I would be happier here, and that's all he cared about.
I dropped him off at the airport and went back to my apartment. I walked into my bedroom to find a box and a note on my bed.
I saw you look at these before the Bruno Mars concert. Go have a little fun and break a few hearts tonight with the girls.
Patrick
I opened the box to find a black pair of sky high heels with red bottoms. I remembered trying to figure out how long it would take for me to save up for them, but I didn't realize Patrick saw me staring at these. I kicked off my sandals and slipped on the new shoes.
After taking a picture and sending it to Pat, I posted a picture to twitter with the caption, "My best friend is the best. Love ya kid!"
It was Kendra's birthday and she was dead set on not remembering anything she did that night. After breaking up with her boyfriend a couple days ago, she deserved to have some fun.
She was a few shots in at the bar and already feeling the alcohol, "Here! Have a shot of tequila!" She pushed it towards me, wanting me to get drunk with her. I laughed and turned her down. I remember what happened last time I had too much tequila. Barely, but I still remembered.
I remembered what happened the morning after and realized how much I missed Beau. Sure, it was fun being able to crash at Kendra's and have her take care of me, but it wasn't the same.
I ordered another beer and watched my friend dance with a few guys. They seemed decent, weren't trying to grab her or anything so I let her do what she wanted. I was getting tired but I know what it was like to have someone make you leave too soon.
"What's a girl like you doing here all alone?" Some guy came to sit next to me at the bar.
"Not alone, just tired of standing up. I like people watching too,"
"Andrew Johnson, LA Kings prospect," he held out his hand for me to shake. I laughed and stuck out mine.
"Drew Miller, Dan Bylsma's niece."
"Disco Dan?" He gave me a look of disbelief.
"Yep. Danny is my mother's brother. You know what that means?" I cocked an eyebrow and looked him up and down.
"What does that mean?"
"I probably don't care that you're an NHL prospect."
"So I'm guessing you know quite a few of the players then, huh?" He tried switching the subject.
"I know a few of them a little too well," more flashbacks of the times the players got me drunk filled my head, "A bunch of shitheads is what they are."
I waved at a few of Kendra's friends that walked in the door. They said they would look after her for the rest of the night so I could finish whatever was starting between me and Andrew.
"How did you end up here in LA?"
"Had to get out of Pittsburgh so I took my dream job with the Galaxy," I told him.
"Hockey players too much for you?" He raised an eyebrow, I knew exactly what he was thinking. This kid needs to be knocked down a few notches.
"Sweetie, I have Patrick Kane begging for more," I winked and walked to the dance floor, him following close behind. Some club remix was playing. I couldn't tell what song it was, but I didn't care. It sounds like it was originally a country song. That really needs to stop.
I spun around and wrapped my arms around his neck, swinging my hips.
"Those are some sexy heels you have."
"Thanks. Kane got them for me," I smirked at my reply. I was completely messing with this guy but he was barely old enough to drink.
"Kane still in the picture?" He said into my ear. He was close enough, he didn't have to yell.
"Only as my best friend."
He put his hands on my hips and I moved closer. Something about him screamed, 'Run. It's going to be a repeat of the last time.' But I couldn't get myself to leave.
I decided it was time to head home around 1, Andrew had offered to bring me back to my apartment since he had sobered up from the beer he had drank. Him offering just made me jealous of athletes and their super fast metabolisms. He was following close behind me, hand on my back. I looked down at my phone for a second and ran into someone. I mumbled an apology before seeing who I ran into.
"Beau."
"You did remember that I live in Los Angeles during the summer, right?" He smiled that, 'this is why the call me Sunshine' smile and I knew I wouldn't be leaving with anyone but him tonight.

Notes