The Best Job Ever.

Chapter 15


“Beeeee!” A short girl with brown hair yelled as she ran towards us.

“Brooke!” Brandon said hugging her as she ran into him.

We were in the Pittsburgh Airport waiting for Brandon’s family.

“Merr, mom, dad.” He said hugging each of them once Brooke let go of him.

“Oh my goodness, and you’re Annabelle!” she said hugging me hard.

“Hi. I’m Brooke.” She said smiling and letting go of me.

“Brooke, you’re gonna scare the poor girl away. Though, I’m not sure how Brandon hasn’t yet…” Merrick said.

“Anna, this is my annoying older brother Merrick.” Brandon said gesturing to him.

“You can call me Merr.”He said shaking my hand.

“Nice to meet you, Merr.” I smiled.

“I’m Brent, and this is Connie.” His dad stepped forward to shake my hand.

“Hello sir. It’s nice to meet you.” I said smiling.

“Ohh! Hello, Annabelle! Brandy has told us so much about you! It’s so nice to finally meet you, honey!” Connie said stepping forward and hugging me tightly just like Brooke.

Brooke and Brandon looked so much like their mom and Merrick looked more like their dad.

“Oh? Has he?” I laughed as Connie let me go.

“He has, but I still feel like I know nothing about you.” She said.

“Mom, that’s what this week is for!” Brooke said.

“That’s so true!” Connie said smiling at me.

“Brandon, we have to go pick up the rental car before we go home, don’t forget.” Brent said.

“Oh, actually, we picked up on the way here! It’s with Bran’s car.” I said.

“Good thinking.” He smiled.

“Yeah, we figured you guys would be tired and would want to get settled in.” Brandon said.

“Wait, are we staying at your place?” Merrick asked.

“Yes, Merr.” Brandon answered laughing.

“Do you keep the place clean for him, Annabelle?” Connie asked as we started heading for the parking lot.

“Actually, we spend a lot of time at my apartment. But, when I am there, I do tend to find myself tidying up for him.” I said smiling.

“Thank you for taking care of my little boy.” She said wrapping her arms around one of Brandon’s.

***

“Lil’ bro, what’s for dinner?” Merrick asked literally as soon as we walked into Brandon’s house.

“Merr! Stop thinking with your stomach!” Their mother yelled at him.

“Sorry, ma.” He responded.
“I know something else he thinks too much with too…” Brooke mumbled from behind me.

“Shut it, Brooke.” Merr laughed.

At least he was a good sport about it.

We carried in all of their luggage and we got them into their rooms. Brandon’s house only had three rooms, so Brooke and Merrick had to share one. Brandon was going to let Brooke have her own and have Merr sleep with him, but his mother wouldn’t let him, because ‘this is his house’.

“But seriously, what’s for dinner?” Merrick asked again once we were all done.

We were all in the kitchen and I getting stuff out of the fridge.

“When Jed, my brother, was still in school, and we were all actually home, my mom would make homemade pizza dough, and we would make our own pizzas together. So, I figured we could do that.” I said sitting a big bowl of dough on the kitchen island.

“Oh my goodness, this sounds so much fun!” Brooke said

I rolled my sleeves up and threw my hair up in a bun.

“I’m wasn’t sure of what everyone would want, so I have chicken, pepperoni, sausage, ham, veggies.” I said.

“Basically everything.” Brandon said smiling and wrapping an arm around my waist.

I handed everyone a little piece of pizza dough and we passed the flour around.

“We did this even before everyone got older and moved out. I used to always try to make shapes out of my dough when I was little.” I laughed

Merrick was in between Brooke and Brandon, while I stood on the other side of Brandon next to his mom who was next to their dad.

Merrick, being the mature man that he is, threw flour at Brooke.

“Merr!” she said throwing some back.

“No! No, I’m stopping this right now.” Brandon said standing between them.

Their parents just stood there and laughed.

“It was much worse when they were younger.” Connie chuckled.

“I’ll get you back Merr. Just wait.” Brooke said going back to her pizza.

“We did it too, don’t worry.” I said smiling.

The rest of dinner went smoothly, no more almost flour wars. We ended the night by watching the rerun of the Pen’s game.

When it was over, I got up to leave.

Or at least tried.
I was sitting in a reclining chair with Brandon. I was wedged between it and him, and he had an arm around me.

“Where are you going?” He asked when I tried to get up.

“Home?” I said.

He looked over at his brother and sister, his parents had already gone up to bed.

“Oh, yeah. Okay.” He said letting me up.

“Where are you going?” Brooke asked when she saw me get up.

“I’m heading home.” I said.

“Don’t not stay the night because of us, especially if you normally would stay.” Merr said.

“No, it’s okay.” I said smiling.

“We normally stay at her place anyways.” Brandon said chuckling.

“Well, we’ll see you tomorrow, right?” Brooke asked

“I mean, if you guys want to…” I said.

“Why, wouldn’t we?” Brooke laughed. “You are by far my favorite out of all Brandon’s girlfriends and I just met you.”

“Thanks?” I laughed.

“That’s definitely a compliment.” Merrick laughed.

“Before I’m embarrassed even more…let’s go Anna.” Brandon said wrapping an arm around my waist and pulling me toward the front door.

Once we made it to the front door, Brandon pulled me up against him.

He lightly pressed his lips against mine, but the soon turned hungry, fastly moving against mine.

His tongue slipped across my lips, seeking an entrance that I gladly gave him.

He pulled my lower lip between his teeth before he slowly pulled away leaving me breathless.

“Damn.” I breathed.

He just chuckled and softly pecked my lips one last time.

“Goodnight my sweet Annabelle.” He whispered, pulling me even closer.

“I don’t wanna leave now.” I said, putting my face in his chest.

“Then stay.” He said kissing the top of my head.

“But then your parents will judge meee.” I said looking up at him.

“They will not.” He said, pressing his forehead against mine.

“No. Stop. I’m going home. Good night, Brandon.” I laughed, kissing him one more time and
pulling out of his arms.

“Fine. Good night, babe. Text me when you get home. Be safe, and I’ll see you at practice.” He called after me.

I turned around and blew him a kiss.

“Bye, babe.”

***

I woke up and rolled over expecting a solid chest, but found the edge of the bed.

Which I rolled off of.

“Shit.” I grumbled as I got back up.

I walked out to the kitchen to turn on the coffee pot to find Beau sitting at the island on his phone.

“Hi Beau-Beau.” I said walking over to the pot.

“I already turned it- Damn Anna! Put some clothes on!” He said looking over at me.

I was only in my bra and undies.

“My apartment. Don’t look if it bothers you.” I said pouring myself a cup of coffee.

He sighed.

“Brandon asked me to drive you to practice. I guess you guys are going somewhere with his family right after.” He told me.

”Oh, okay.” I said standing in front of me.

I grabbed my phone that I left on the island the night before and sent a text to Brandon.

Me:
The number of times that I’ve woken up to you not being in my bed the past week has been way too high. I’m staying tonight.

Bran-Bran<3:
Good. Did Beau tell you he’s taking you to practice?

Me:
Yes he did.

Bran-Bran<3:
Good. :) Brooke wants to do something ‘fun’ today, so I figured we could go to the strip district and then to lunch or something.

Me:
That does sound fun. :)

Bran-Bran<3:
:) See you at practice. I love you.

Me:
Love you too.

“Anna, please go put some clothes on.” Beau whined as soon as I sat my phone back down.

“Does it make you nervous?” I smirked.

“No. Uncomfortable? Yes.” He said.

“Why?” I asked putting my hands on my hips.

“Anna.” He said giving me a look.

“Beau?” I said.

“You’re impossible.” He said looking back at his phone.

“I know.” I laughed, turning and going back to my room to get ready.

***

Ever since our meeting with Ray, Mario, and Dan, I’ve only had to work with injured players during practice.

Which is boring.

All I basically do is tell them to go hop on the bike, or stretch them out.

Not that working with the healthy players is any better, but at least I had someone to talk to.

Ooo, and I taped sticks for days.

Today I get to walk around during warm-ups, before the hit the ice, and make sure everyone’s doing okay.

Oh, and fill out paper work for Andy.

Pascal, Sid, and Kuni were all on the bikes when I walked past them.

I decided to stop and do some paper work by them.

I leaned up against the front of Pascal’s bike and continued filling out my paperwork.

“What cha doin’ there, Anna?” Pascal asked.

“Oh, just some paper work for Andy. We have report what we use every week, at games and practices. But, I don’t see why I have to do it this week; I wasn’t here for half of the week.” I said rolling my eyes.

“Bummer.” Sid said.

“I heard Brandon saying something about him giving you a hard time. Is he?” he asked.

“Well, at first he kind of was. But, then we had a meeting with Ray, Mario, and Danny, and he let up. It’s nothing I can’t handle though.” I told them.

“But if it gets too much to handle, don’t hesitate to tell Dan, or Mario, or Ray.” Kuni said.

“Mario loves you. He told me himself, so don’t feel like you can’t go to him. We’re a family here.” Sid said getting off of his bike.

“Well, I’ll leave you guys to finish. I have to go finish my rounds.” I said walking away.

Brandon, Tanner Glass, and Joe Vitale were all standing in a huddle by the door, talking.

They must have been done already because they were all sweaty.

“Look at you three overachievers! Done already?” I said walking up behind them.

“Yupp.” They all said at different times.

“And would you imagine that, I come in by myself this morning and I’m done early. I wonder why that would be?” Brandon laughed.

“Hey, now. You’re always out of bed after me and I’m ready before you 75 percent of the time.” I said pointing at him.

“It’s not my fault you make it so hard to get up in the morning.” He chuckled.

“Oh, whatever.” I said laughing and walking away.

He slapped my ass as I walked away and Tanner and Joey sent cat calls after me.

I flipped them off as I walked away, not turning around.

I walked over to where Paul Martin was working on his upper body workout.

“Morning Pauly. I’m ready for you whenever you are.” I said walking past him.

“Okay Anna. Give me a few more minutes.” He called after me.

I walked into one of the rooms we use to stretch out players.

I prepared the table for Paul and sat down on the counter to wait for him.

“Hey Anna.” He said walking in and sitting down.

“Hi Paul. What am I stretchin’ out for ya?” I asked getting off the counter.

“My hammy.” He told me motioning to the back of his leg.

“Your hammy?" I asked.

"Yeah, it's been bothering me the last couple practices. I told the docs about it and they said to just come see you guys if it bothered me again." He told me.

"Alright. Well, I'm going to stretch you out really good, and then we'll go for a light skate to see how it's doin. You dont have to practice hard on it today. Save it for tomorrow and game day." I said.

"Why dont you sit lay down up here for me." I said.

He hopped up and laid down, then I started working and stretching out his leg.

"So, you and Suttsy?" He asked smiling.

"Yupp, me and Suttsy." I replied smiling.

"This is a more recent thing, right?" He asked.

"Yeah; we've been dating for two, almost three months." I told him.

"I'm just glad to see him over his ex...Giselle, was that her name?" Paul said.

What?!

We had never really talked about exes before...

"Yeah." I said, sounding uninterested.

"Oh, is it a touchy subject?" He asked.

"No...well, we just havent ever really talked about exes before." I said.

"Oh, I'm sorry. It's my fault." He said.

"No, it's fine." I smiled.

"Oooo, that hurt, but felt good at the same time." He winced.

"Good. That's a good thing." I laughed.

"Alright, you go skate up, and I'll meet you out on the ice. The other boys shoud be done by
now." I said putting his leg down and patting his knee.

***

Brandon was obviously done before me, but he had to wait for me.

So, he went and changed and showered before coming back out and laying on one of the
benches while I worked with Pauly.

I skated and shot pucks with Paul for probably a solid hour.

"Did your leg bother you or anything?" I asked following him off the ice.

"Not really." He said smiling.

"Good! Well, if you could, come in a little earlier tomorrow and I'll stretch you out nicely again." I said.

I was standing just off the ice, leaning against the low door that opened to the players bench, and Paul was still on the ice.

Brandon walked up behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist, setting his chin on my shoulder.

"You're finallyyy done." He laughed, kissing just below my ear.

"Bran, Pauly didnt know we were dating!" I said turning my head to look at him.

"Paulyyy!" He said taking his head from my shoulder.

"What?! I had my suspicions, but I wasnt sure! Ans then Nealer was telling me how fun sitting up in the box is with you, and that led to him telling me you two were together." He told us.

"Yupp, three months coming up soon." Brandon said smiling.

God, it's only been three months and I love this man so much already...

"Well, I'll let you two go. Thanks for working with me today, Anna!" Paul said slipping past me and down towards the locker room.

As soon as Paul was gone, I turned around in Brandon's arms and wrapped mine around his neck, pulling him closer.

He smiled as he softly pressed his lips against mine and then pulled away.

"Eww! You're all sweaty." He said making a face and mocking me.

"I hate you some times." I said pulling out of his arms and heading towards the locker rooms
to hit the showers real fast.

"You love me!" Brandon yelled after me.

***

After I showered, we headed home to pick up Brandon's family to head to the strip district.

It was a little after 1:00 by the time we got home.

"Hey guys! We're home! You ready?" Brandon called out walking into his house.

He walked into the kitchen and I followed in suite heading for the counter and sitting up on it.

"Thank god you guys are home! I dont think I could've handled another minute with just Merrick." Brooke said, running into the kitchen and hugging Brandon.

"Hi Brooke." Brandon said rubbing her back.

"You were always my favorite." She laughed letting go of him.

"I heard that, little bitch!" Merrick called from the other room.

"Merr, dont talk to your sister like that!" Brent yelled at him.

We all laughed.

"So Merr and dad are in there, where's mom?" Brandon asked.

"Upstairs napping." Brooke answered.

"Brandon, Anna." Brent said as a greeting walking into the kitchen.

"Hello sir." I smiled.

"I'll go wake up your mom so we can get going." He said heading for the staircase.

"Sooo, how was practice guys?" Brooke asked joining me on the counter.

"Ehh, practice." Brandon answered as he headed to the fridge for a drink.

I laughed.

Now, later when I ask him, he'll give me every single detail, like always.

"Well then. Thanks for the deets, Bee." She said. "How about you Anna? What do you do
again?"

"I'm an athletic trainer. I take care of all the minor injuries that happen during practice or at a
game." I told her.

"Ooo! That sounds fun!" She smiled.

"Like today, I got to feel up Paul Martin's booty and thigh." I smiled.

"You know, no body ever gives him enough love. He is actually really cute!" She said.

"But, why were you feelin him up?" She laughed.

"I know exactly what you mean! And, he hurt his hamstring, so I stretched him out and we did a light skate together." I told her.

"Which is why we were late today." Brandon said.

"Well, she's got to do her job, doesnt she?" Brooke said.

"Brandon! Anna! Hi guys!" His mother said walking into the kitchen.

Brandon hugged her and she walked over and leaned against the counter in-between me and Brooke.

"Well, did you two have a good morning at work?" Connie asked.

"Yes, we did." I smiled.

"That's good to hear." She said patting my leg.

"Well, are we ready to go?" Brandon asked.

"Yupp!" Brooke and I said in unison and then laughed.

"Let's go!" Brent said walking in with Merrick behind him.

Notes

Chapter 15!!!

I write this on my phone and then spell check it on my computer. But, the point of me telling you guys this is that I was going to post it yesterday, but I left my phone in my mom's car...and then she went to work. And I didn't get the chance to post it once she got home...

But it's here todayyy!!!

I hope you enjoyed it!
Thanks for reading!
-Alli<3