"Are you sure Tyler's cool with this?" Nic frowned at Candace.

She rolled her eyes as she applied mascara. "My brother loves you. He's not gonna care."

"But we're all underage and his entire team is gonna be there." Nic whined as she dropped onto the hotel bed.

"He has a teammate that's underage and they let him party with them." Chelsea stated as she fixed a curl.

Candace gestured at Chelsea with a told-you-so expression directed at Nic. Chelsea grinned, it was rare that she got some credit from her friends. Nic rolled her eyes, falling back onto the bed. Rachel walked out of the bathroom and looked over at Nic. She furrowed her brows at her then turned to the other two. Candace saw her in the mirror and spun around while she took a deep breath.

"Nic's worried my brother's gonna lash out about us coming to his party because his team's there and we're underage." Candace explained.

"But that Russian kid is underage and always drinks with them." Rachel made a face.

"Okay! I get it! Leave it!" Nic yelled, standing up. She walked over to her bag and squatted down to it. "I'm just nervous. What do you even wear to an NHL player's party?"

"Something hot." Chelsea piped in.

"That doesn't help me. I wore my brother's hand-me-downs for half my life because I was fat." Nic huffed, dropping on to her ass beside her bag.

Candace walked over in her monstrous heels. "Well, now you aren't fat," She bent over to dig through Nic's bag. "So let's make sure you look hot tonight, okay?"

Nic sat there while Candace rummaged through all the girls' bags to find her an outfit. They were all the same size, well waist wise. Nic had bloomed the largest and her chest didn't exactly fit in all the shirts her friends did. Candace tossed things at her from everyone's bags. Nic picked each of them up and laid them out on the bed nearest to her. She sighed at some of the stuff.

"Candace, I can't wear this." She said as she lifted a crop top type shirt. "I have boobs that will be popping out of this."

"Exactly why you should wear it." Candace shook her head as she walked over. "Think about it, my brother hasn't seen you in how many years?"

"He saw me last time he was home." Nic frowned.

"Yeah, in hockey equipment. Just think when he sees you with your amazing body and starts telling his teammates about you. You were always his favourite." Candace grinned.

"Because I was basically a boy." Nic crossed her arms. "I really do need to showcase my new body, huh?"

"Yes!" All three of her friends yelled.

"This was a long time coming and now that you're hot, you need to rock it." Rachel instructed.

Nic held the shirt up and took a deep breath. "Now or never."

---

Nic was having the time of her life. She was drunk and guys would not stop approaching her. She could tell which were the athletes and which weren't, mainly by their body shapes. She was talking sports with most of them. She had also taken responsibility for both of Tyler's dogs.

Every half hour, she would run off to the kitchen where the door to the giant back deck was. There was a pool, a hot tub, a patio, and grass for his dogs, out-looking the entire city of Dallas. They were just sitting out there, having the time of their lives. Tyler had done well for himself. She liked this place more than she liked his place in Dallas.

She brushed through people, in search of her friends. She was pretty buzzed. She collided with something hard. She stumbled back, holding her head. She was dizzy for a minute. Hands grabbed her shoulders and she focused on who was in front of her. The man of the hour himself. Tyler wrapped an arm around her and guided her up a set of stairs. She was sat on something cushiony and realized she was in his bedroom.

"Are you alright?" Tyler asked, kneeling in front of her and resting his hands on her legs.

She nodded. "I'm fine. What did I hit?"

"Me!" He chuckled.

She shook her head at herself. "Thanks for checking on me." She gave him a smile.

"I had to make sure the prettiest girl at the party was good. I'm Tyler, by the way." He gave her a charming grin.

It took everything in Nic to hold back her laughter. But she didn't. She was cackling in his face. His smile had faltered and he looked like a mixture of confused and pissed off. He lifted his hands as he stood. She grabbed his hands quickly. She took a deep breath and looked up at him.

"I know exactly who you are and I can't believe you'd try to pull that bullshit, Prince Charming act on me." She shook her head. "It's me! Nic! Nicole Findlay!"

Tyler's jaw dropped and his eyes widened. "Holy shit!" He tackled her into a hug on the bed. "You don't look anything like you did in high school!"

"Yeah, I'm not fat!" She laughed under him.

"When did this happen?" He asked, rolling off of her. "I mean, you really look great, Nic."

She shrugged. "It just started coming off with how much hockey I was doing and then I added to it with consistent workouts."

"I'm proud of you." He smiled at her. "And for your award, I'm going to allow you to pick anyone on my team, anyone at all," He nudged her, earning an eye roll. "To go home with tonight. Remember who's currently in a bed with you."

She laughed as she smacked his thigh. "I'm not interested in hooking up with any of your teammates," His face lit up. "Or you."

"Well, you're not fun." He huffed as he stood up. "But c'mon, we got a party downstairs."

He pulled her to her feet and they walked back downstairs. A couple of guys saw them and started smirking at Tyler. Nic rolled her eyes and walked off. Tyler walked over and told them the whole story. Yeah, Nic was hot, but he wasn't gonna give her a false rep just to make himself look good.

Nic spotted Chelsea's head. She slid through bodies and froze when she saw that her mouth was connected to some guy's. Nic spun away, in search of another one of her friends. One for three, she thought as she took a deep breath. She saw Candice standing on the table and ran over. Candice laid down and tequila was poured into her belly button. Some guy took a body shot off her.

"Nic, come here!" Candace hollered, extending an arm to her.

Nic walked over and was hooked into Candace's side. Candace flat out started to make out with Nic. She went with it. It wasn't like she didn't know Candace. Nic pulled away, tugging on Candace's lip. Candace winked at her best friend. Everyone around them cheered.

"You, you're next up there." Some guy instructed Nic, his accent apparent.

"Are you the Russian I've heard all about?" She asked as he helped her onto the table.

"Depends what you've heard." He smirked.

"Only fun things." She shrugged as she laid down.

"I'll show you another fun thing about me later." He whispered to her, before kissing her ear.

She felt flushed. The cool alcohol was poured into her belly button. She felt someone's warm tongue go up her stomach before they slurped up the alcohol. People cheered and she looked down. The Russian winked at her as he bit into a lime. Candace went next, setting the lime on Nic's mouth to grab it after.

---

The night went on and got even crazier. Nic had found herself making out with Candace way too many times. Candace screamed to people to tell Nic how hot she was. All it got Nic was unwanted compliments from creepy dudes. She decided to leave one Seguin for another and walked over to Tyler. He was singing to some song with his friends but leaned down to hear Nic when she came to talk to him.

"Can I make myself food?" She yelled into his ear.

"Yeah, do whatever you want. I kept the kitchen off limits but it's all yours." He told her.

"Thank you, love you." She kissed the corner of his mouth before she walked off.

He grabbed her waist, pulling her back into her. "You can make out with my sister but not me?" He teased.

Nic rolled her eyes before she hooked an arm around his neck. She attached her lips to his before sliding her tongue into his mouth. Tyler's hands slid down to her ass, squeezing it. She shook her head, not disconnecting her lips. They made out for a bit before Nic ground into him. He pulled back, knowing more couldn't happen. She knew exactly what she was doing with that. She smirked at him and waved as she walked off.

"Who the fuck is that girl?" Cody gawked as she walked away.

"She used to be my sister's ugly friend." Tyler said, watching her. "Now she might be the hottest girl here."

"I'd say." Cody agreed.

---

Tyler's entire apartment was open concept, besides his kitchen. It had a door on it and everything. The cupboards were fully stocked with cans and boxes. She gasped at the familiar yellow and blue box combination. She reached for it, praying it was actually Kraft Dinner and not Kraft Mac and Cheese. There was a difference, okay. She cheered when it was the real thing.

She got out a pot and a strainer and set out to make her food. Should she offer to share with anyone? Probably not. She picked through his fridge as she waited for it to cook. A Drake song played through the house as she waited for the water to boil. She danced as she ate some lunch meat that was in the fridge. Hopefully it was still safe to eat. She heard the door open and spun around. A burly figure was closing the door with his back to her.

"Hello?" She called.

He turned quickly. It was Jamie fucking Benn! She didn't know why she was so surprised, he was Tyler's best friend. He gave her a shy smile and then looked at the pot on the stove. He gave her a confused look. She frowned.

"Tyler said it was alright." She defended herself.

"Yeah, but you're really making that?" He chuckled.

"I was raiding the cupboards for something to eat and then I saw the box and I was like 'wow, I need Kraft Dinner right now', so I had to make it." She explained. "It's called Kraft Dinner by the way, not Mac and Cheese."

"No argument there." He put his hands up in defense.

"I think there's enough for two if you want some." She shrugged. "I wasn't gonna share but I think sharing Kraft Dinner with a gold medalist is a good story to tell my kids."

He smiled. "I'd love some."

"I'm Nic, by the way." She blurted out. "My full name's Nicole but I like Nic more."

"It's nice to meet you, Nic." He said. "Are you the girl that's been keeping an eye on Marshall and Cash today?"

She nodded. "I think those dogs are my favourite thing about this party."

"Really?" He asked, earning a nod. "Mine was walking into the kitchen to grab some food and finding a pretty girl already making me some."

She rolled her eyes. "We should eat on the deck with them. They seem lonely." She said as she poured in the noodles.

"I'm okay with that." He leaned into her back. "As long as I'm with you."

She took deep breath and spun around. "Look, Jamie, I'm not this kind of girl." She spoke, shoving him back gently.

"Can't blame a guy for trying to get you like that, though." He shrugged. "You're absolutely beautiful."

"I used to be fat." She blurted.

"Pardon?" Jamie laughed.

"Until I was like, sixteen, I was fat." She explained, stirring the noodles. "Tyler didn't even recognize me because I used to look like a boy."

"I used to be fat too." He admitted with a laugh.

"Yeah, bullshit." She scoffed. "You're a professional athlete. They don't let you get fat."

"Honestly, I was. My brother called me 'Chubbs' for the longest time." He groaned, sitting on the counter beside her.

He lifted the pot to the sink and strained it for her. He watched while she mixed in the cheese powder and the other ingredients. She lifted a forkful to him. He took it and nodded. He gave her a thumbs up. She started to search the cupboards for bowls. Jamie leaned forward and pulled two out of the cupboard behind him. She huffed at him.

"You're welcome." He grinned as she yanked the bowls from his hand.

Nic scooped even portions into the bowls. She handed him one with a glare. He smiled at her. She rolled her eyes, walking outside. He hopped down, grabbed a fork, and followed her out. Marshall had claimed one of the two chairs his. Cash was running around, hopping up on Jamie before he ran back to Nic who was sitting on the free chair. Jamie squeezed in next to her. They ate in silence. Jamie finished first and wrapped his arm around her.

"So, you're from Brampton?" He asked, yawning.

Nic nodded. "Candace is my best friend." She explained. "I've played hockey with her for my entire life."

"You play hockey?" He perked up.

"Yeah, for Minnesota." She said, setting her bowl down. "Not State."

He stared at her in disbelief. "Your team is like, top notch right now."

She cuddled into his side. "Please don't make me talk hockey." She breathed, wrapping an arm around him. "This is my time away from it."

"Why don't you want to talk about your sport?" He whispered, holding her.

"Because it's all everyone ever wants to talk to me about. I hate being in the limelight." She told him. "I don't want to be Nicole Findlay right now. Just Nic."

"I understand where you're coming from." He rubbed her arm. "It's nice not being Jamie Benn all the time."

---

Nic woke up still in Jamie's arms, but not outside anymore. She took a deep breath and looked down at her body. She was now in a t-shirt and nothing else. She looked up at Jamie and saw he was fully dressed in a t-shirt and sweats. She exhaled. Hopefully, they were in this all night.

He felt her shifting and his eyes opened. He looked into hers. Her eyes widened. He knew why. He sighed, letting go of her and sitting up. He looked over at her. She had the blanket up to her shoulders and her eyes wide. She was so beautiful.

"We didn't sleep together." He spoke.

"Okay."

"We fell asleep outside at Tyler's, and then I couldn't find any of your friends to send you home with so I just brought you here to sleep it off." He explained.

"Okay." She breathed as she sat up. "Is it weird that I feel like I could hang out with you sober?"

"What?"

She shrugged. "After last night, I just think you're a really cool guy. I'd be perfectly content with spending the rest of my vacation with you." She admitted.

"I'd be okay with that too." He nodded. "Under one condition."

"Which is?" She furrowed her brows.

He scootched closer to her. "I can kiss you."

She froze for a minute before she leaned in and pressed her lips to his. That resulted in making out. Something about Jamie was so relaxing. She couldn't figure it out. She knew not to get too involved since she'd be back in Minnesota in a week. His hands slid up her stomach and rested under her chest. She didn't mind it. She wouldn't have minded if he ripped the shirt off her right now.

She pulled back, taking a deep breath. "Fuck me." She whispered.

"Pardon?" He looked concerned.

She grabbed one of his hands and guided it to her core where he made him feel just how wet she was. He growled before pressing his lips back to hers. His giant hands took no time to yank her shirt off. She was close to naked while he was fully clothed. She moved his lips from his to say something.

"Your turn." She breathed heavily.

"No, this is part of the teasing." He said as he kissed down her neck.

---

Nic and Jamie were together nonstop for the next week. The Seguins were angry. Both wanted their best friends back. But both knew how hard it was for their friends to find someone they were comfortable around, so they had no plans to ruin it. They just hung out together. Candice was upset though. She knew tonight was Nic's last night here. Her practicing was a lot heavier than the others.

Nic was aware too. She hadn't told Jamie though. She didn't want to ruin their time together. They were laying together on his couch, watching some weird TV show. She looked up at him and saw him starting to doze off. She knew this would be the best time to tell him. She sat up between his legs and turned to face him.

"Jame," She touched his arm gently. His eyes shifted to her. "I know I never really mentioned it but," She took a deep breath. "I fly back to Minnesota tomorrow morning."

He groaned. "Tomorrow?" He sighed. "That sucks."

She furrowed her brows. "You're not mad?"

He laughed as he sat up, pulling her into him. "Leaving last minute is all I do. I play hockey." He explained.

She frowned against his as her arms wrapped around his torso. "I don't want to go. I don't want to leave this."

He sat her back up. "I'm about to tell you something and I need you to not get freaked out." She nodded, letting him grab her hands. "You are the perfect girl for me. And one day, we're gonna be sitting on our own patio, feeding our dogs Kraft Dinner."

She gave him a confused look. "Jamie, what are you saying?"

"I think I'm in love with you." He blurted. Shock spread over her face. "I know it's only been a week but when you know, you know, right?"

"I live so far from you." She exhaled. "So far from this perfect fucking guy." She growled.

"And we both have hectic schedules." He mentioned. "But we'll make it work."

She nodded. "Let's do it."

---

Years had passed since Jamie and Nic decided to make it work. Nic was graduated and Jamie had won a cup. But the most important thing he had was the girl sitting on his kitchen counter. Their kitchen counter. She stirred the pot as he walked in. "What did I tell you?" He grinned as their dogs came pouncing in.

Notes