Sure Feels Right

Time had been flying by. It felt like one day I was in Toronto for the wedding and the next I was getting ready for spring break back in Vancouver. In two months I was graduating. It's crazy.
This would be the longest time spent at home in a few years. My Christmas’s had been spent in Pittsburgh or Toronto and other than a few days at a time, I hadn’t been home for summer since before junior year. It was nice, knowing I’d get to sleep in my own bed. The worst part was that I wouldn’t be able to see Robert other than at his game.
I had finished packing before Robert called from practice.
“Hey babe,” I answered, “Are you still taking me to the airport?”
“Yeah. Of course. Do you want to go to lunch with a few of the guys?”
“Uh.. Sure. I’d love to.”
“I’ll come pick you up in a few.”
I drug my suitcase upstairs and grabbed my jacket from the closet before saying my goodbyes to the girls in the house. I was surprised Rachel was here. She was pretty much all moved out of our place. She still paid rent here so we weren’t complaining.
Robert walked in and grabbed my suitcase, “Ready?”
“Yeah of course.”
He threw my suitcase in the back of his car and opened the passenger door for me. Something was different about him, but I couldn’t tell what it was. Whenever I asked, he said he was fine. I thought it might have been because I wouldn’t see him for a while but we’ve gone longer.
“You didn’t tell me there would be other girlfriends here.” I stopped in the middle of the sidewalk when I noticed a few of the girlfriends walking in together.
“I didn’t think that was a problem.” His arm was stretched out towards me, hand still holding mine.
“I just would have tried to look a little nicer.” I looked down at the long sleeved shirt and leggings I was wearing. Not to mention the raggity old Canucks hat I had on.. I was going to look so plain next to them.
“You look great. Scarlett, you look great in anything. I still prefer you in just my jersey but that’s something that only I get to see. Come on, it’ll be fine.”
He pulled me forward and guided me to a table with his other teammates. Ever since the Pens and Plates dinner, I felt a little more comfortable around the team. Geno loved whenever I was around. We made fun of some of the guys without them knowing.
It was great.
“You excited to go to Calgary?” Neal asked Robert.
According to my roommate, he was the best sex she’s ever had. I didn’t need to know that but she talked about it for a good month after they hooked up and now that’s all I can think of when he talks.
“No. Just Vancouver.”
“Got a side girl there too?” James gave a wicked smile and it was all I could take to not throw my drink at him.
“You’re a prick, Neal.” I spat. Everyone stared at me. Some of the girlfriends looked at me like I was crazy. He didn’t say anything, just laughed. You actually seemed pretty cool at the game when I first met you. Now I really cannot stand you.”
Rob didn’t say anything, just let me yell.
“Are you really just going to let your girl say shit to me?”
Robert nodded his head, “Scarlett doesn’t lie. You are kind of a prick.”
“Your friend told me about your insecurities. You know, about how you are always worried Borts is cheating on you.”
Katie’s so damn stupid when she’s drunk. She’ll blurt out anything and everything, no matter if it’s someone else’s secret.
“And?” I looked at him, thinking he would elaborate but he didn’t.
“I just-”
“You just thought you were going to get in my head and break me down. Are you really trying to play head games with a psych major? Tell me how that works out for you."
I didn't really mean to go off on him, but I couldn't stop once I started. It felt good. The look on his face was absolutely priceless. He didn't have anything to say after that.
Robert laughed, "You are something else."
"What's with the Canucks hat, Scarlett?" Sid asked as we slowly made our way out of the restaurant.
"I go home to Vancouver today and I always wear this hat when I travel."
"Well I hope you're not gonna wear that to the game."
"Nope. I got a jersey for that." I laughed. I love Robert and most of his teammates, but the Canucks will always be my team. "See ya Sid."
I grabbed Robert's hand out of habit and started to the car. He helped me check my bag in and I couldn't get myself to leave him and go through security.
"I'm going to see you in a couple of days, Scarlett. Its' fine. I'll skype you tomorrow after the game. I love you. I'll see you later."
"I love you."
I finally made my way through security and found my gate. Luckily there was a starbucks nearby so that I could get something to keep me sane in this airport. I was going from Pittsburgh to Minneapolis-St. Paul to Seattle and finally Vancouver. It wasn't something I was looking forward to.
"What's the girlfriend of a Penguin doing wearing a Canucks hat?" I spun around to see who was talking to me.
"Andy I haven't seen you in months! How is everything?"
"Good. Great. Just going home to Mankato for the week." He ran his hand through his golden blonde hair and I tried not to drool. Ive never been one to obsess over hair, but Andy gives Rob a run for his money.
"I'm guessing you're on this flight with me then."
I felt bad because by the time I got home, I was crabby. My family came to pick me up and I really didn't want any of them to touch me but of course, they had to hug me.
"Will you help me with my dances?" My sister asked me when we got in our house. I just nodded. This time change really fucked me over.
"I'm just gonna go to bed, if you don't mind. I'll talk to you in the morning." I quietly told my family. They said their goodnights and I walked to my room.
It was still the same as I had left it. I looked around and it was surreal, almost. This used to be where I lived. This used to be home. Now, home is in Pittsburgh.
Home is with Robert.
Right on cue, I got a text from him.
>> I miss you. I'll call you in the morning.
I honestly can't remember the last time I cried myself to sleep. It had been a while, I knew that much. I couldn't tell you what happened to cause this. I just remember waking up at 7 with swollen, red eyes. I went to the kitchen in search of a drink.
My father was already there, finishing up a glass of juice. I'm guessing he went for a run by the clothes drenched in sweat. He turned around to grab me a glass and filled it with water. I sat down across the counter from him.
"What's going on?" He slid the cup across to me.
I sighed, there was no way I could look him in the eyes. My father knew me better than anyone else. My mom did too. They were my best friends growing up and still are.
"I wish I knew."
"Is it something with Robert? I said you should go for a Canuck.."
"No," I laughed, "Everything is great with Rob. If anything, I just miss him. I think I was just tired and stressed so I cried myself to sleep."
"Are you sure?" I nodded, "Well some of us have to work, so I'm going to shower. Let me know if you need anything."
For the next few days, it would only be my father, my sister, and me in the house. My mother was going to Denver for a business trip. Since Lilly was busy with her boyfriend or work, I would be attending a few different Canucks games.
"Oh good. You're up," My sister said from behind me. She's a morning person unlike me and it really gets on my nerves. "We're going to the studio in a few minutes. I need to get a few dances choreographed like yesterday."
If I had known that the only thing I would be doing the first two days of spring break was trying to help my sister choreograph dances, I wouldn't have agreed to this. Kenzie was mad that I needed to postpone bridesmaid dress shopping, but there's nothing I could do about it. But finally, I had enough.
"I'm leaving, Lilly. Finish this dance yourself. I have to get ready for dinner and the game with dad." I grabbed my bag and left, hoping Kenzie would be able to pick me up.
After walking halfway home and finally calling my dad, I went straight to the bathroom and shed the sweaty dance clothes before stepping into the warm water. I stood there for what seemed like an hour before I actually started washing my hair.
I forgot my towel so I had to make the mad dash to my room, hoping no one would see me. I dried off and pulled on Robert's jersey. A pang of loneliness hit me. Its ridiculous, I know. I was going to see him in a couple hours but that didn't stop me from missing him.
"What happened to the Canucks jersey?" My father asked as we got in the truck.
"It's actually back in the burgh. I wore it to a couple Canucks games before I met Robert."
It had been years since I was last in Rogers Arena. It was exactly like I remembered it. Seeing all the blue in the arena was definitely a change of scenery, but it made me realize how much I missed Canadian hockey. Maybe Robert would end up on a Canadian team..
Once again I was pulled back into reality by a puck hitting the glass in front of me. "Damnit Bennett." I reached down to grab my phone, hoping it hadn't cracked.
"That wasn't Bennett." I looked up to see Robert smiling at me and heard my father laughing. I flipped him off and took another sip of my beer.
"I love you!" He yelled through the glass.
"Thank you, Robert, but I prefer Canucks." My father answered back. Typical dad joke.
"Oh my God, dad." I felt my face turn red as a few of his friends started laughing. I think most of them knew that I was dating him, but some were giving questioning glances whenever one of the Penguins noticed me.
"Are they going to stay here tonight?"
"Yeah, why?"
"Have Robert come out for a few drinks." I sent a text to Robert, knowing he wouldn't get it for a couple hours.
It was nice that my parents liked Robert. Weird, but nice. It's even weirder that I was going to drink with both of them. Hell, I'm not complaining. I don't have to pay for my beer. Not like I usually do anyway.
I walked into the local bar I used to work at. It was kind of a dive, but a lot of the hockey players go there. Good service and amazing food. I really missed working there. We ordered a pizza and a few drinks while we waited for Robert to arrive. It was worth the wait though. He walked in with his jacket in hand and his sleeves were rolled up. The first few buttons were undone and his hair was mussed. I tried not to stare but he looked too damn good to look away.
"Hey Scarlett." He sat down and kissed my cheek. He said hello to my father and finished my drink.
"Thanks asshole."
"Good game, Robert."
"Thank you sir." He took the half eaten pizza off of my plate and finished it in a couple of bites. "You really need to eat more." He winked and grabbed another piece.
"There's half a pizza left for you to eat. You had to take the one from my plate? You are such a pain in my ass." My dad was across the table from us getting a kick out of me complaining.
We sat there talking for a while. They did more of the talking than I did, but they seemed to be enjoying the conversation.
"Scar, can you go get me another beer please?"
"Yeah. of course."
I stumbled out of my seat and walked over to the bar. I could tell Robert and my father were talking about something serious once I left, but once I got back they said it was nothing. Nothing my ass, something is going on here.

Notes