Knock 'Em Dead, Kid.

"You know, I was the one who invited you to get coffee. That kind of means I'M supposed to pay, not you." I glared at Andrew as he sent me a smirk.


"I'm a chivalrous guy, what can I say?" He shrugged, trying to act nonchalant.


I burst into a fit of giggles, making Andrew and a few college students glare at me. I covered my mouth, trying to stop laughing.


"What? I'm serious." He huffed as he pouted, crossing his muscular arms.


"Yeah, yeah. Whatever you say Andrewww." I smiled sweetly as I took a sip of my white chocolate mocha with an extra shot of espresso.


"ANYWAYS! Going on with what we're originally here for, what DID you see this morning?" Andrew raised an eyebrow as he swirled his straw around in his pineapple, guava, and mango smoothie.


"Well, I was going to see if Hayley; one of my best friends, wanted to go shopping with me. When I walked into her apartment, it seemed like someone else was occupying her morning.." I trailed off, as I tried to get rid of the images floating through my head.


"You walked in on her.." he leaned closer, dropping his voice lower. "Doing the dirty?"


I giggled at his ridiculousness. "They weren't having sex in the living room, they were in her bedroom. But I did hear him tell her to say his name, and then the headboard starting to bang against the wall. Needless to say, I wasn't sticking around any longer."


"So you didn't see them fucking?" I shook my head as he scoffed and rolled his eyes. "Then why are you acting like it's such a big deal? I've walked in on my team.." He quickly corrected himself "Friends doing way worse." I shot him a weird look as he gave me a nervous smile, ignoring my look.


"But you don't understand. Hayley was always the innocent one out of my other best friend and I. She never payed any attention to guys because she was too focused on high school and college. Which isn't bad, but she never really had any time for fun." I shrugged my shoulders, "It's just kind of surprising, that's all."


"Wait, so how did you meet Hayley? You said you moved just moved to Chicago?" Andrews face was scrunched up in confusion.


'He's so adorable'


"Wow! You actually listened to me?" He scoffed at that remark as I smirked. "I'm kidding. I actually moved from Hawaii; Kailua Kona to be--"


He quickly cut me off, "That still doesn't explain how you know Hayley.


I glared at him, "Well-- MAYBE if someone could be quiet for more than three seconds, I could continue." He rolled his eyes but kept quiet.


"Like I was saying, I'm from Hawaii. I was born and raised, but my parents divorced when I was eleven. My dad moved back to Saint Charles, Missouri; which is where he was originally from. I was forced to spend every summer with him and his witch. It was pure hell." Andrew smiled after I said that. "I made sure I woke up before he did, and made sure I came home after he went to bed everyday. I couldn't stand the sympathetic looks he would give me, like he owed me something for leaving my mom high and dry." I held a bitter tone as I looked down at the table. I shook my head as Andrew rubbed my arm.


I grinned as I recalled my favorite memory, " But by the grace of the good Lord above, I met Hayley and Ashleigh my first summer there.."


▲▲▲▲

I let out a sigh as I walked down the sidewalk. 'I don't even know why I have to spend my summer here. I live in Hawaii, and I get sent to Missouri. I could be laying out on the beach right now.' I was so lost in my train of self-pity, that I didn't notice the softball flying straight towards my face.


"LOOK OUT!" I heard someone yell out, a little too late. A pained groan left my lips, as I felt the softball bust my lip open. A coppery taste filled my mouth as two girls crowded around me.


"I'm so sorry! Hayley was trying to teach me how to pitch and--and I didn't think it would go so crazy. I'm soooo sorry! I'm still learning how to pitch. I really didn't mean to hit you!" The blonde curly headed girl was throwing her arms in the air, rambling on as the brunette was examining my lip.


I held up my hand, ceasing her rambling as I wiped off some of the blood, "It's alright. I've definitely taken worse hits. Don't worry about it." I smiled slightly, wincing when my lip spread open.


The brunette; whose name was Hayley I think, gave a warm smile. "My mom can stitch that up for you if you need it."


I shook my head profusely "No, no. I don't want to be a bother. I'll be--"


"You're not a bother! Please let her at least look at it. I feel so awful for hurting you." The blonde cut me off, frowning.


I let out a sigh, weighing out the options. 'I guess having it looked at won't hurt... I'd rather not have to talk to my dad about it'


"Alright, I guess if that'll make you guys feel better."


"Come on!" The blonde started walking through the front lawn of a two story house. "I'm Ashleigh by the way, and that's Hayley." She nodded her head over to the brunette.


I smiled as I followed behind Ashleigh, with Hayley right next to me. "I'm Ashton, it's nice to meet you guys... Well, as nice as getting hit in the face with a softball can be." I giggled as Ashleigh mock glared at me.


"I said I was sorry! Why won't you accept my apology?!" Hayley and I laughed as we followed her into the house.


'Who knew a wild softball pitch would lead me to find my best friends?'

▲▲▲▲

"And that incident gave me the two best friends I could ever ask for. Oh, and a pretty bad ass scar." I motioned to my upper lip, where a puckered white line marred my tan skin.


"That's crazy! I can't believe you guys met like that." Andrew's laugh was infectious as I joined in too.


"I know! Her mom ended up giving me three stitches. Needless to say, I spent every single summer hanging out with those two and now we all live in the same city." I shook my head, biting back a grin. I gave Andrew a sympathetic look, "I'm so sorry. I've just been rambling on about my life. I'm probably boring you to death."


"No! Not at all. You're actually kind of interesting." He smiled as I giggled.


"I guess so." I took another sip of my coffee as I looked at Andrew, "So tell me a little about yourself since you've basically heard half my life story."


"Wellll.." He grinned as I widened my eyes, as if I've been waiting forever to hear this. "I was born and raised in Belleville, Ontario, Canada. I didn't really ha--" I couldn't help the excitement that coursed through me when he said he was from Canada.


'He's completely adorable AND he's from Canada. We just need to get married now.'


I quickly cut him off, "You're from Canada?! I've never met anyone from Canada before. I've always wanted to visit." I rambled on as I clasped my hands together in excitement as Andrew looked on in amusement.


"Shh! It's MY turn to talk. You're being awfully rude." I stuck my tongue out at him as he rolled his eyes. "Real mature Ashton, what are you five? Like I was saying, before I was sooo rudely interrupted!" He mockingly glared at me "I was born and raised in Belleville, Ontario, Canada. I grew up, like every other Canadian kid, playing hockey." I couldn't help but laugh at the stereotype.


"I spent all of my free time playing hockey, dragging my brothers out onto the ice with me. All I knew was that I wanted to be a professional hockey player and absolutely nothing was stopping me." I raised an eyebrow as he elaborated.


"It's not really common for people to make it out of my small town. Most people end up in construction, laying bricks, or something else. Not that it's a bad job, but it just wasn't for me. You know?" I nodded my head in understanding. "Well, I finally made it into the OHL, which is the Ontario Hockey League, in 2008 playing for the Niagara IceDogs. It's like all of my practice and hard-work finally paid off. I had a real chance of making it pro."


"After a few years of playing for the OHL, I was finally drafted to the Chicago Blackhawks in 2011. It was such a surreal feeling. I finally made it big.." He paused tensing up, peeking over at me with a cautious glance. I gave him a weird look.


"Why'd you stop? Your life is way more interesting than mine, you can't just stop like that. Keep talking Andrew." I demanded crossing my arms, making him laugh and relax his tense shoulders.


"Fine, calm down killer." He joked, putting his hands up in surrender. "I split my time between the Blackhawks and the Rockford IceHogs, which is their associate in the AHL, which is the American Hockey League. I played for the IceHogs until January third of 2012. I signed a three-year entry level contract with the Chicago Blackhawks and on January fifth, I played in my first game with the Blackhawks. That was the single greatest moment of my life." His face was one of pure happiness. It was like he was re-living that moment of his life in his mind. If he was to die right here in the coffee shop, he wouldn't even care. That's how happy he looked.


"That's amazing Andrew!" I couldn't help the pride that I had swelling in my chest. I just met him less then three hours ago, and he's already made his way into my heart. I swear I get attached way too easily.


'Wait.. so does that mean he's a professional athlete or am I interpreting this wrong?' I scrunched up my eyebrows in thought as he gave me a huge grin.


"I know! Who knew you would meet such an amazing guy today, huh?" His cocky smirk made me roll my eyes, but I nodded my head in agreement.


"You are something else. But I have a question for you."


"Yes, you can have my autograph."


I smacked his arm, as he burst out into laughter. "Not that, you ass." I really get the feeling that the other customers are starting to hate us, considering how loud we were being. "So, since you play for the Chicago.. Blackhawks?" He nodded his head in conformation, "Does that mean that you're--" I was cut off by his cellphone ringing.


He pulled out his phone, giving me an apologetic look as he walked outside to take the call. I leaned back in my seat as I let out a small sigh.


'While Hayley's getting down and dirty, I'm here with a complete stranger. Well kind of. Andrew's a really cool guy though. He's adorable, Canadian, AND he plays a sport. Can he be anymore perfect?' Andrew walked back into the coffee shop, with a guilty look on his face.


"I'm really sorry, but I've got to head to the gym. My friends are pretty pissed that I'm not there." He rubbed the back of his neck nervously, as I gave him smile.


"Oh no! I completely understand. We've been sitting here talking for a long time. I'm really sorry, I didn't mean to keep you." I apologized, standing up from the table.


"Don't apologize! They're just being dicks." He smirked as I giggled following him out of the shop. "But it was really cool meeting and talking with you, Ashton. It's nice to find someone normal to hang with."


"I completely agree." I smiled as he pulled me in for a hug. I tensed up as I felt the blush creep up my neck. I was not expecting a hug from him; considering I've only known him for a few hours.


"I'm not letting go until you hug me back." He squeezed me tighter and I patted him on the back.


"Okay, okay! Jeeze, you don't have to squeeze me so tight, ya jerk." I slapped his arm as he pulled away with a laugh.


"I'll see you later, Ashton!" He winked at me as he started down the sidewalk.


"See you later!" I waved as he disappeared in the semi-crowded sidewalk. I couldn't help but grin as I thought about what just happened.


'I can't believe I just met the chillest guy ever. .. and I didn't even get his number.' I let out a groan of frustration as I realized this. I pulled out my phone as I dialed the all too familiar number.


"Ashleighhhhh." I whined into the phone as I walked slowly down the sidewalk. "I think I just fucked up."

Notes

So what do you guys think of this chapter? Isn't Shawzy just the best? I'd love some feedback about it! Special thanks to Becca215 for the comment, you're the best! I wanna know what you guys think, what I can do better, all that jazz.

Also, CONGRATULATIONS TO DUNCAN KEITH FOR WINNING THE NORRIS TROPHY!!! I had no doubt in my mind that he would win.

It's always nice to see The Hawks bring home some trophies.