Playing in the NHL, Sean had met his fair share of intimidating men in his lifetime. Meeting Charlie’s brother Andrew put every encounter he’s ever had with those guys to shame.

It wasn’t that Drew was physically intimidating. As an Army guy, he was big. But it was no where near what it felt like to stand next to guys like Zdeno Chara.

No, what intimidated Sean the most was Drew’s attitude. From the way he barely acknowledged him when Charlie introduced them to the way he stared down Sean like a predator stalking its prey. He had only seen the guy smile once since they had picked him up from the airport, and that was only when the siblings first saw each other.

The entire car ride was tense, though Charlie ignored it talking a million miles a minute. She was just happy to finally have her two favorite guys with her. When they reached Charlie’s apartment, Drew finally spoke to him. “Couturier, I think it’s about time you and I have a little talk. Let’s go grab a drink just you and me.”
“I don’t think that’s a great idea, Drew.” Charlie stated firmly.
“Char, this is something we have to do. He wants to kiss you in a video that gets so much attention it gets picked up by SportsCenter, that’s fine. But if he wants to call you his girlfriend, I need to speak alone with him.”
“It’s okay, babe.” Sean said finding some confidence. “You said earlier you wanted to take a nice long bubble bath. Why don’t you open a bottle of wine and relax. We’ll be back in time to help you cook a late dinner.”
Charlie thought for a minute, looking back and forth between the two men. “Okay.” She finally said. “But I have to speak alone with my brother first.”

She pulled Drew into the kitchen, and Sean tried his best not to eavesdrop on their conversation. It was hard not to over hear them though, because the two were arguing fairly loudly. He heard her call him Andy a few times, and heard his own name a lot more than he would have liked. He knew she was trying to get her brother to be nice to him, which made him really happy. But he also knew that this was something that had to be settled without her. Somehow during their conversation Sean began to find the courage he needed to talk to Drew alone. Well, he wasn’t going to shit his pants, at least. By the time the siblings finally returned to the living room, Sean knew exactly what he wanted to say to his girlfriend’s older brother.

“I’m sorry, love. I didn’t mean to leave you out here alone for so long.” Charlie said, kissing him on the cheek and wrapping her arms around him.
“It’s okay, beautiful.” Sean replied, kissing her forehead and stroking her hair. “You needed to have a conversation with your brother. I understand. But now I think it’s time he and I go get a drink, okay?” She nodded and walked them to the door. Sean felt a little awkward, not quite sure if it would be appropriate to kiss her more before they left. Charlie made up his mind for him by pressing her lips to his. He melted into her and swore he would never get tired of that feeling. When she finally pulled away, he thought he caught Drew smiling a little. But when he looked again, his face was cold as stone.

When the two men finally sat down at the table in the bar, they each ordered a beer. Sean knew it was time for his speech, and he just hoped he could keep his nervous rambling to a minimum. “Before you say anything, there’s something I want you to know. Something that I’ve only ever told Charlie once, and that was kinda a mistake. Well, not really a mistake. I just didn’t mean to say it at that point in time. Neither of us were ready for that. But anyway, I just wanted you to know that I love your sister. I know that must sound weird considering we’ve only been together a few day but it’s the truth. I’ve been in love with her for two years, and only recently realized it and grown the balls to actually do something. I know you’re protective of her, and you have every right to be because you’re her older brother. Especially considering I’m a professional hockey player and I know the kind of reputation we have about women. I want you to know that I’m not like that. Sure, I’ve slept with a few random chicks over the past few years. Most guys my age have. But it’s different now that I have Charlie in my life. I haven’t even looked at another girl since she told me she was being deployed last year. And I want you to know that there is nothing in the world that is going to stop me from being with her. I’m sorry if you think that I’m stepping over some sort of line here by just declaring that I’m not going anywhere. But.... I’m not going anywhere. I need Charlie in my life. I’m an absolute wreck without her. And now that I know she feels the same way about me, there’s no way I’m going back to just being friends with her.”

Sean took a deep breath and looked at Drew, who was staring at him intently. That wasn’t too bad, right? Did he ramble too much? Oh God, now he thought he was some weirdo.

To his surprise, Drew just laughed. “I’ve got to hand it to you, kid. You know the right things to say.” Sean looked at him confused. “I could have told you a year ago that you and my sister were in love just based on what she told me over the phone. I had to make sure a hundred percent that I was right, and you just confirmed it for me. You make her happy, and that’s all I could ask for. Plus I know dad would have loved you, and I can’t possibly keep my sister from someone he would have approved of.” He stuck his hand across the table and Sean shook it, still surprised that he wasn’t beating the crap out of him for even looking Charlie. “And it’s pretty obvious you need her. You’ve been playing like shit, man. As a life long Flyers fan, it’s killing me. Though I am glad you guys finally beat the damn Caps last night.”

They laughed before they grew silent again.

“But seriously, just take care of her, okay? She needs it.” Sean agreed and the two took swigs of the beers in front of them. “Has she said anything about what happened yet?” Drew asked.
“No,” Sean replied. “I figured I’d wait until she was ready to discuss it though. I think she’s afraid I’ll see her differently if she shares what happened. She took the first three deaths she experienced pretty hard, so I’m sure she will talk sooner or later. I just hope when she does I can help her.”
“That’s my sister, for you.” Drew said. “She’s always kept that kind of stuff to herself. Doesn’t want anyone to think she’s weak.” Sean nodded his head. That much he knew about his best friend since the beginning of their friendship. “I’d suggest you let her know she can talk to you. Tell her you’ll be there when she’s ready, that way she doesn’t have to wonder about if you’re willing to listen.”
“Will do,” Sean said.

After they were done with their drinks, Sean paid their bill and they headed back to Charlie’s apartment. She notice immediately that the two men had resolved the tension that had been there earlier, and conversation between the three flowed easily throughout dinner and a few hours after. Eventually Sean said he had to leave, blaming his game against Columbus the next day. Drew excused himself to get ready for bed, giving the young couple some alone time to say good night.

“It seems like my brother likes you now.” Charlie said, wrapping her arms around his torso.
“What can I say? I’m charming.” He responded, giving her a smile and pulling her closer to him.
She laughed. “You sure are irresistible, Couturier.” She said, giving him a wink he felt all the way to his pants. He filed that feeling away in his memory for later before responding to her.
“I’m glad you think so, Charlie. You have no idea how much I’m glad you think so.”
They stood in her doorway, holding each other for a minute. ‘It’s now or never.’ He thought.
“I want you to know how much I care about you, Charlie.” He said. “I care so much. And I hope you know that you can count on me for anything. Drew and I talked about you a lot, and we agreed on pretty much everything when it came to the way you deserve to be treated. I know you’re not ready to talk about what happened in Afghanistan quite yet, but I hope you trust me enough to come to me when you are. I promise I’ll be nothing but supportive of you. I would do anything for you, Charlie. Because I love you. I always have.” He looked down and realized that she had tears coming from her eyes. He wiped them away with his thumbs and tilted her face so she was looking at him. “I love you, Charlie.” He said again with more confidence.
“I love you too, Sean.” She said before taking a shaky breath. “I promise when I’m ready to talk that I’ll come to you. But right now, I’m not ready.”
“I understand that, beautiful. And I’ll be here when you are ready. Even if it takes months.”
“I don’t know what I did to deserve you, Sean. But thank you.”
“You don’t have to thank me, love. If anything, I don’t deserve you.”
She pressed her head into his chest and sighed deeply before looking at him again. “You need to get home and go to sleep now. Don’t want to be tired for your game tomorrow.”
“Will you be there?” He asked, hopefully. “I’ll leave you and Drew tickets at will call.”
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” She said, bringing her lips to his.

As he walked out to his car, Sean couldn’t help but feel like tomorrow was going to be a great day. He not only had his girl, but her brother approved of him. If the last game they had played said anything, it was that Sean Couturier had finally gotten his mojo back. Charlie had rekindled his desire to win, which in turn had jump-started his team. He just hoped that they could continue what she had inspired.

Notes

A couple updates in a row! Make sure you read them all :)