The Tandem

It's been a few weeks since I woke up from my coma. I have since started rehab at a clinic specializing in head injuries. Rehab is actually a lot of fun. I have progressed in my rehabilitation far enough to get my gear on and start taking light shots, which is by far the best thing ever in my book.

I had recently turned 24 on the 9th of July, damn I'm getting old. Anabel and the boys threw me a surprise party, at which they all got drunk and I didn't. I'm not allowed to drink, a rule given to me by my doctor and I follow it faithfully.

For my birthday, I actually got a lot of presents. I guess I'm a really hard person to get presents for because, well, I have a bunch of money from playing and really all I ever really want is gear, which I now have a lot of. David gave me a sweater his mom made, she sends him tons every year, that's a good mom. Dougie got bags of treats and dog beds for my three canine friends. Tuukka got me a Bruins jersey with my name and number on it. He said that he snagged one of my official jerseys from the stock room at the Garden.

Before I can get a break during my rehab/training to go back to Minnesota for a bit, I have about three more sessions left.

"Come on Jocelyn, you have to push hard. You have to last more than 60 minutes in a game!", my rehab trainer, Andrea, yelled from the boards where she had been flicking pucks at me. This isn't one of those fun days at rehab.

Ignoring her protests, I guzzled down a bottle of water. But she is right, I need to be on target for over 60 minutes in a game. At this point in my rehab, I can only be on target for about 45 minutes without needing to stop to get some air or take a breather. So yeah, you could say that I need some improvement.

"I'm sorry, I'm just exhausted.", I gasped for air and looked over at Andrea. She sighed and skated around the ice, picking up all the stray pucks that she had flicked at me and the goal mouth.

"It's alright, go change Lyn. You did good today.", she said firmly, giving me the nod.

"Okay, I'll see you tomorrow.", I replied and waved as I went down the tunnel to the facilities locker rooms.

After stripping off all my sweaty and gross gear in desperate need of Febreeze, I sat in a stall with my head in my hands, rubbing my forehead.
The door opened and Andrea walked in and she handed me a paper with my afternoon workout routine on it. Today is an easy day, only an hour on the treadmill and an ice bath for 30 minutes at the end. Lately, my knee and hip have been giving me issues with even daily motions. I'm a hot mess.

As I packed up my bag, the door opened for the second time and a tall blonde boy walked in hauling a hockey bag behind him. He looked up at me once he sat in a stall and I blinked, snapping me out of my trance.

"I know I'm pretty, but no need to stare", he said with a cocky grin. I laughed nervously and nearly walked into the door on my way out.

"Devon, don't you dare keep me waiting! You better hurry your forward ass up!", I heard Andrea yell from the ice as I finally exited the room.

Devon, huh. And he's a forward, something I suck at majorly. Not to mention good looking. I feel like I've seen his face before, right! He was drafted this year by the Blackhawks, he's really good.

"See you around Jocelyn Williams", he smirked at me as he skated onto the ice, now in full uniform.

He knows my name? Jeez news must get around the league fast.

Plugging in my headphones, I turned on some loud dubstep and started my hour of hell on the treadmill.

After I stumbled off the treadmill, also having completed my ice bath, I fell into the shower at the facilities and scrubbed all of the sweaty grossness off my body. And that is a nearly impossible task.

I finally exited the showers, freshly scrubbed and clean, only to knock into a very tall and sweaty person.

"Ah Jocelyn Williams, we meet again", Devon exclaimed and offered me a hand to help me off the floor.

"We have to stop meeting like this", I laughed and brushed off my hoodie.

"That is true, how about we meet up safely tonight?", he proposed, leaning against the wall with a towel slung around his neck.

"I'd be glad too, just need to check in with the insanely protective housemates", I smiled and pulled out my phone to shoot a text to Tuukka, David, and Dougie.

Willsy: hey princesses, am i good to go out tonight?
Krej: Sure why not?
Dougie: one condition, just bring me back food.
Tuukka: Don't get pregnant or arrested and we're covered!

I snorted at the one from Tuukks and gave Devon the thumbs up.

"The crazy housemates have given me the stamp of Approval", I said, laughing.

He smiled and wrote down his number on a piece of paper and handed it to me.

"Just text me later and I'll let you know where I'm going to take you", he said.

"Well how do I know you're not an ax murder?", I asked sarcastically.

"I guess you'll have to find out", he winked and disappeared into the showers.

What a flirt.

As I'm still not cleared to drive, Tuukka met me out front of the rehab facility.

"So how was it?", he asked as I pulled the door of the SUV shut.

"Hell.", I sighed and pressed my forehead against the cool window. He laughed at my response.

"So who are you going out with tonight?", he said, turning onto the street we all live on.

"A friend from rehab, they're really nice", I said as we pulled into the driveway.

"Is this friend picking you up?", he asked, instantly protective.

"Yes of course they are. Don't worry Tuukks, I'll be fine", I pat his shoulder and entered the house, running up to my room.

Now what does one wear on a date with a very attractive guy? I'm all muscle, so nothing really tight works at all. I groaned and went to my last resort, David.

"Hey Krej", I knocked on his door.

"Yeah?", a muffled voice answered back.

"Can you help me with something?", I asked and the door opened immediately.

"Date or something else?", he said as he walked into my room and sifted through my closet.

"Date.", I mumbled as I fell onto my bed.

"Girl or boy?", he asked, still sifting through my closet.

"Krej!", I gasp and throw a pillow at him. He laughed and pulled out a lace tank top, a high waisted floral skirt, and flats.

"Wear these and go get that hottie", he said as he handed me the clothes and turned around as I quickly changed.

"Tada!", I did jazz hands as I spun in a circle to show off the outfit. He studied me for a minute before reentering my closet and he whipped out a leather jacket. I put it on and he stepped back to admire his work.

"My work is done here.", he turned and walked straight back to his room.

"Thanks Krej!", I yelled from my room as I grabbed my phone and thumped down the stairs and flopped onto the couch. Pulling out my phone, I shot off a text to Devon.

Willsy: Hey, it's Jocelyn from rehab.
Devon: Hey Jocelyn, I guess you are interested about the mystery location.
Willsy: Not exactly that, but the crazy housemates would like to know when you are picking me up. Ahaha I'm not exactly cleared to drive yet.
Devon: Oh right! I'll pick you up about fifteen minutes. I'll see you soon Jocelyn.

I smiled and put my phone down.

"Why are you smiling like someone just gave you a million bucks?", Tuukka asked from the kitchen, making me jump.

"Just because.", I said vaguely, still smiling like an idiot.

"Well if it helps, you look like a million bucks", he replied nonchalantly. I laughed and got up from the couch, walked over to the kitchen and gave him a hug. He hesitated and wrapped his arms around me, placing his chin on the top of my head.

"A beautiful girl should always know that she is beautiful.", he mumbled into my hair.

We stayed like this until the doorbell rang. Instantly, I smiled wide and ran to open the door, leaving Tuukka scowling at the door. I opened the door to reveal a nicely dressed Devon.

"Jocelyn Williams, we meet again", he said smiling. I reached forward and gave him a hug. Even though we only met this morning, I felt like I've known him forever.

"Hey Lyn, is your friend from rehab here?", Tuukka hollered from the kitchen.

"Yeah, come say hi and play nice", I said back and sure enough, he zipped right to the door and leaned against the frame. Devon's eyes widened in surprise for a slight moment at the Bruins goaltender in the doorway. Tuukka narrowed his eyes and studied Devon for a long minute.

"I want to meet the friend!", David yelled from upstairs and I heard footsteps bounding down the stairs.

"Our Jocelyn has friends? I want proof!", Dougie exclaimed from the couch, reaching the doorway where we were all gathered the same time as Krej, breaking Tuukka's glare at Devon. Oh great, what's more embarrassing than three Bruins staring down the guy you're gonna go on a date with?

"Hi...", Devon trails off, glancing at his parked car. I pick up on the tension and pipe up.

"I think we're gonna head off now, guys I'll be back by ten!", I waved and we both hopped in Devon's car.

Once he peeled away from the house, I sighed in relief and slid farther down the seat. He glanced over and placed a hand on my knee.

"You alright?", he asked. I looked up and smiled.

"Yeah, just a little overwhelmed at the attack dog housemates back there", I replied, looking out the window. He smiled and turned back to the road.

"Still wanna know where we're going?", he said.

"Yes, are you kidding me. The suspense is deadly", I exclaimed.

"Well I have quite a collection of Marvel movies at my apartment. You in?", he asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Duh", I said back, making him laugh as he pulled into the garage of a tall building. We exited the car and took the elevator to the third floor. As we stood outside the apartment number 362, Devon pulled out a key ring and flipped through about five or six keys before finally unlocking the door. The door silently swung open to reveal a small kitchen and living room with a big TV and comfy looking couch.

"Welcome to my really shitty apartment. Drink?", he made an extravagant gesture to the room and headed straight to the fridge.

"Soda please", I replied and flopped onto the couch. After the "Want a drink?" line, I'm as comfortable as one can get in someone else's home.

"Please don't tell me you're one of those 'I can't drink alcohol because it's bad for me' kind of people", he sighed jokingly and tossed me my can of Coke, moving to press play for Iron Man 1 on the TV.

"God no. I was in a coma about a month ago, so my doctor said that if I drink, I won't be able to play ever again. And we can't have that, can we?", I said, taking a sip from the can. He pressed play and sat on the couch right next to me.

"Coma huh, I remember reading about them banning the asshole who did it from the NHL for five years.", he noted.

"Did not know that I was worth a five year ban", I laughed and put my can down on the coffee table.

"Well with a pretty face like that and a sparklingly personality, I think you come close", he smiled and pulled me into his side. I put my head in his shoulder and we settled in to watch the movie.

Four hours and several movies later, Devon pulled up to the house and nudged me gently. Unraveling out of my curled up state, I stretched and yawned as I climbed out of the car.

"You alright to go in?", he said as I stood outside the car, door still held open. I smiled and nodded.

"Yeah I'm good. Thanks for tonight, it was great", I said and shut the door, waving as I walked back to the front door. I opened it and stepped inside as Devon drove away.

After locking the front door, I started my trek upstairs.

"You didn't say that your friend was a boy.", Tuukka materialized at the top of the stairs. I rolled my eyes and brushed past him.

"You didn't need to know", I said firmly as I opened my bedroom door.

"Why didn't I need to know? He could be a criminal for all we know!", he exclaimed, throwing his hands in the air. I sighed loudly in frustration.

"This is exactly why I didn't tell you! You get like this and I just can't deal with the fucking overprotectiveness! I can't fucking deal with you!", I shouted and slammed my door shut, leaving him staring at my door in surprise.

Notes

Finally updated! so sorry to keep you guys waiting, I haven't had access to a computer for about a month. I'm already about 1/4 the way the done chapter 12, don't want to keep you guys waiting! thank you so much for reading and loving this story the way I do :) means a lot