Evelyna’s POV

I hopped on the first flight out of Orlando. I had to get to Dallas.

I had to see the Russian forward. I knew that other players were going to be there, including Tyler Seguin, but I didn’t think about that. I focused instead on just being there too see and check up on Val. He didn’t know that I’d be coming, but I felt like I needed to. I had to be there for him.

The flight was real short luckily, no more than two hours long. When I landed I rushed off the plane and out of the airport. I’d never been alone traveling before. I’d always been with my sister or my family. So this was new for me. I also didn’t normally like flying, but for Val I would do it.

I hurried outside and hailed a cab down. Then I headed to the hospital closest to the American Airlines Center. I knew that was where he would be. The cabbie seemed to know Dallas luckily and figured out what hospital it was and where to go and before long I was touring the city of Dallas heading to surprise the hockey player.

Maybe my sudden presence would fill him with a hope and some strength. I wanted him back out on the ice and I wanted revenge against Phaneuf.

I was dropped off at the hospital and I immediately darted inside. The hospital was like any other major ones around. It was most similar to one in Florida (Florida General). But I didn’t bother to look around, I was focused. I skidded to a halt at the front desk.

“Hello--?”

“Hi, um, I’m looking for a Valeri Nichushkin or Val. I’m a friend of his!”

I showed her my ID just in case and she eventually nodded and directed me to head toward one of the rooms. He was down the hall on the first floor luckily and when I reached the room where he was lying in, I skidded to a halt and softly walked inside. I received looks from the people gathered inside. I recognized a few of them.

Jamie Benn, Sergei Gonchar, Antoine Roussel, and yes, Tyler Seguin were gathered around. I stepped forward, ignoring their looks and whispers of, “Who’s that?” I came up to the bed and smiled. Val was sleeping peacefully, but I leaned over him and gave him a kiss on the lips. Instantly he blinked awake.

“Evelyna!?” he exclaimed, sitting up at once, fully awake. He cringed as pain flooded into him, but he didn’t seem bothered or hampered by it.

“Hello, Nichy. I saw the awful accident and I had to come to Dallas.”

“But your schooling--the film!?”

“To hell with it if you’re injured and hurt. I care too much about you.”

Val smiled at that. He threw his arms around me and then began to introduce his friends. They were still confused. It wasn’t like he needed to, but he more so was introducing me to them.

“Jamie, this is the lovely redhead who saved me in Orlando.”

I watched as Jamie Benn stepped forward, with Tyler on his heels. He came up to me and smiled.

“Welcome to Dallas.”

“Man, Val, she’s hotter in person!”

I rolled my eyes in my head. Ugh! I didn’t want Mr. Milk-the-Crowd-Showoff to hit on me. But I was blushing. I could feel my cheeks red with a heat. Luckily Val came to the defense. I could feel his hand on mine.

“Segs, leave her alone. She’s mine. You have like half of the country gushing on you. Let me have this one!”

“Plus, I’m not a Seguin fan,” I remarked. “Nichy’s my man!”

Tyler frowned and shrunk away.

Jamie laughed. “Wow, never known a girl not to fall for the Brampton boy...you’re special, Evelyna.”

“Thanks, my roommate actually likes him, but I just think he’s extremely annoying and showoff-ish.”

“I get your point. But he’s a good kid. I think if you got to know him off the ice, you might like him more.”

“Well, maybe as a friend, but NEVER as a romantic love interest. I’d take you over him anyday.”

Jamie shrugged and Val gazed at me.

“So, what’s the news? How bad is the leg injury?” I asked him, sitting down on the edge of the bed.

He locked an arm around my waist and told me that it hurt, but they were all awaiting the news. The doctors had told him and everyone that it didn’t look good. That wasn’t helping Dion Phaneuf any...if the news came back awful, I was going to have to track him down, whether Val wanted me to or not. He seemed to read my mind though.

“Please, whatever, the news is, don’t go after Dion. Things happen, but that’s no reason to go after him.”

I really couldn’t, not with that look. No matter what face that Russian kid gave me, he was just such a cutie. We gazed into each other’s eyes and slowly leaned forward, toward one another, but stopped when a doctor walked in and came over to us.

“It’s good news.”

The Dallas Stars all came forward, with Jamie being the closest. Tyler was eyeing me with interest. It was creeping me out, but I ignored him.

“Your leg isn’t broken, but you will need to stay off the ice for the remainder of December at least. We think you just strained it and it just needs to heal. We’ll lend you some crutches to use until it is healed!”

Val’s smiled widened and he looked at me, his eyes sparkling with the excitement. It had been bad news, but then I had showed up. I had to be a good luck charm. I couldn’t help myself, I wrapped my arms around him and gave him a big kiss. The doctor was smiling as well.

“You are free to go and are very lucky.” She winked and spun on her heels and walked out.

Everyone cheered and before long, we were on our way out of the hospital. I stayed with Val, as he needed to be watched, even with the crutches, I didn’t want him tripping or falling or hurting himself more. But we were all proud of his strength and will and excited that his leg wasn’t broken. And best of all, Phaneuf didn’t have to get my wrath! (But he was certain to get the NHL’s! Ha-ha!)

Notes

Oh, Seguin, you never quit...
So, I may not like Tyler, but I do like Bacon (Bennguin)!! Jamie's awesome! I'm sure he'd be a super sweet guy to meet. And I think Tyler would be okay too...but not alone!!!! No, no...
This was what was supposed to happen!! Val was supposed to be illegally boarded by Phadouche and then go to the hospital, but not have a broken leg and only be out for December!! Not have surgery and miss his whole bloody sophomore season! Because of that, Kinny has no life...Kinny needs Nichy!! They are one!


Next up: Tyler Problems