Robert's POV
I walked over to Beau, who was standing at the bar.
"Where's your girl?"
"Just got off work. Should be here in an hour," I ordered a drink and went to go talk with some other teammates before Scarlett arrived. Tonight was kind of like a cocktail hour with season ticket holders and fans. It was actually really fun when I've gone before. But right now, I just wanted to see Scarlett dressed up.
"Hey Rob, come over here," my roommate motioned for me to join him at the bar again. He was with a few girls, "I want you to meet Brianna."
The way she was looking at me made me uncomfortable. She was a very attractive girl, even compared to Scarlett. Prettier, in fact. Looks was the only way she could compare to Scar though. The more this girl talked, the more I missed Scarlett. And as much as I tried to get her to stop, the girl was all over me.
"Uh Beau, care to help me here?" He just laughed and went back to flirting with his blonde. Apparently what his girlfriend didn't know, won't hurt her. From what I remember last time, it drove her all the way to California.
Whatever. Might as well act like I'm enjoying it until Scar gets here.
Scarlett's POV
I walked into place where I was supposed to meet Robert. I looked around for a few minutes before finding him. He was with Beau with some blonde with a too tight dress all over him. He was smiling and had a hand on her back, not trying to get her away from him. After a few moments, Robert saw me standing there, trying not to cry.
"I knew you would be just like the others. I'm so stupid," I said before I turned around to leave. I could hear Robert yelling something at Beau.
It was windy out and I was starting to regret not bringing a jacket and wearing heels. Actually, I was starting to regret letting Robert into my life like that. I mean, they really are the same. I've had friends that were cheated on by hockey players or guys that played hockey at one point. Sure, he didn't cheat yet. But I'm pretty sure it was heading that way.
"Scarlett, wait," he chased after me.
"What do you want?" I snapped.
"Just listen to me. And take my jacket. You're making me cold just looking at you," he shrugged off his coat and held it out for me. When I wouldn't take it, he put it around my shoulders.
"Well first, you look amazing. Second, I'm sorry. She was all over me and I couldn't get her away. Beau knew you were coming and wouldn't do anything about it."
"I put on heels for you. And a dress! I can't believe it," I was cut off by his lips.
The kiss was desperate, like he needed it to breathe. I tried to stay mad at him. But before I knew it, I was melting into his arms.
"This doesn't make everything okay."
"Scarlett, I love you. I honestly didn't think I would fall this hard for you, but I have. You're smart and funny and brutally honest and you're the only girl that I know that can get away with no makeup and sweats every day. And, and the amount of passion you have for everything you do whether it's dance or school or helping others, is unbelievable. You're such an amazing person. I'm lucky to just have you in my life. Come on, let's go back to my place. I'm guessing Beau won't be back tonight."
"Can we go back to my place?" I pretty much whispered. I didn't feel like talking and I wanted to be back in my own bed.
"Of course. Whatever you want."
He took my hand and led me back to his car. My roommates had were all with their boyfriends for the night, so we would have the house to ourselves.
He stopped at the grocery store close to our neighborhood and quickly went inside. He came out with two cartons of my favorite ice cream. I looked at him, wondering what he was doing.
"I made you cry. The least I can do is get you ice cream," he explained.
Robert's POV
As soon as we walked in the door, Scarlett grabbed a spoon and set one carton of ice cream in the freezer. She mumbled something about getting changed and that I could pick what to watch.
She went to the bathroom to change. I guess I wouldn't change in front of me either if I was her, to be honest. But when she took almost 15 minutes to change, I knew something was up.
"Scar?" I knocked on the bathroom door. She didn't answer, but I could hear her sobs. "Babe, can I come in?"
"It's unlocked."
I walked in to see her curled up in the bathtub, wearing my sweatshirt. I sat down against the wall, waiting for her to talk.
"I was all for the relationship, I really was," her voice was small and I could hear her sniffle from crying.
"And I ruined that."
"It's going to take some more time, that's all."
I let her sit in the tub for a while. I didn't want to push anything. Once my ass started to fall asleep from sitting on the hard tile, I decided it was time to put the ice cream away and get in bed, "I'm going to lay down. You can kick me to the couch if you want to."
While I was upstairs, Scarlett's roommate came home with who I'm guessing is her boyfriend.
"Where's Scar?" I think her name is Taylor.. Or Rachel.. Maybe this one is Katie.
"Downstairs in the bathtub."
"Why? She only does that when she's really upset." She looked worried.
"I'm an idiot. My roommate's an idiot. I'm trying to fix it."
"This is why we wanted her to stop hanging out with you..."
"I would argue with you but I'm too tired and I'm going to do everything I can to make it up to her," I went back downstairs and settled into Scarlett's bed. Not too long after, she climbed in next to me.
She tried to get comfortable as far away from me as she could, but soon was tangling her legs in mine and attaching herself to me like she was a second skin. I pulled her close and played with her hair.
"You're an idiot," I could always count on Scarlett to be honest with me.
"I know, Scar. I'm sorry."
I had practice the next morning, but I couldn't get myself to wake Scar up. I waited until I absolutely had to leave. I didn't need to stop at home, I could just take the random articles of clothing she had taken over the past few months.
"Scarlett. Scar, wake up," I tried untangling our legs, but she just squeezed harder. Damn dancer's legs.
"Please don't leave me," even though she had just woken up, she sounded like she was going to cry.
"I don't want to but I have to go to practice. I'll be done in a couple hours and I can come back."
"Promise?"
"Promise."
I sped the whole way to the rink, hoping I wouldn't be late. Turns out I was anyway.
"Why didn't you come home last night?" Beau asked me when I walked into the locker room.
"Because I had to do some damage control thanks to you and that one girl," I snapped as I started to put my gear.
"She has a name and why do you care so much? She's not your girlfriend."
"We aren't dating because she's been screwed over by one too many hockey players and she trusted me not to do something like that. You ruined it. What about your girlfriend, Beau? Huh? How is she doing knowing that you're flirting with other girls? Last time I checked, she left because she was sick of the drama between you two. So you think because she's 2000 miles away that you can still pull this shit? No. I told her about Karlee the first time, I'm not afraid to tell her about these girls either."
I didn't realize that the whole team just watched me yell at my roommate until I saw their stares.
"Whatever. Do whatever the fuck you want. Go ahead and ruin her. Kane will be right there waiting," I knew that would hit a soft spot in him. Not too long after I said it, he lunged towards me and back me up against a wall.
"You don't want to do that," Neal warned, "Remember what Wilson looked like after Bort fought him? That's what your pretty face is going to look like."
Beau didn't take his advice, he backed up and his fist connected with my jaw. I pushed him away, not caring to fight with my own teammate today.
"Why do you care so much anyway? Scarlett isn't your girlfriend and Drew definitely isn't."
"I care because assholes like you doing that kind of shit behind their girlfriend's back is the reason Scarlett is not mine yet," Beau had gotten back in my face and this time, I wasn't having it.
I threw a few punches, landing on his face. I stopped when he started to bleed though. I had enough damage control to do today, I didn't need to have the coaches on my back.
Scarlett's POV
Rob had left for practice. I knew I should get up and maybe shower but I fell back asleep until he texted me.
>> I'm just getting out of the shower. Want me to bring anything back?
<< No just walk in. I'm still in bed.
I started nodding off again when I felt a warm body climb in the bed next to me. Almost automatically, I moved closer to him, pulling on his t-shirt and wrapping my legs around his. He smelled of body wash and cologne.
I still felt horrible from what happened last night, but somehow this was making it all better.
"I hate when you leave," I told him. I knew he would be leaving on a week long trip soon and I didn't want him to.
"I'm sorry, but it's my job."
"I don't care," I started mumbling something about him leaving and finding someone else. He didn't care to give a response, just started singing.
"I'd sell my soul just to see your face and I'd break my bones just to heal your pain. In these times I need a saving grace but time is running out and I'm starting to lose my faith. But if I told you I loved you, would it make you wanna stay? I'm sorry for the way I hurt you and making you walk away."
"Did you mean what you said last night?"
"When?"
"After you kissed me. Outside the bar," I whispered. I didn't know if I wanted it to be true or not.
"That I love you? Yeah. I do."
"What happened to your jaw?" I asked, lightly running my fingers down his jaw line.
"Got in a fight with Beau today. Well, it was pretty one sided but still a fight."
I sighed. I wasn't sure why he would fight with his best friend and roommate. It must have been something bad.
"Why?"
"Because he's acting like he doesn't have a girlfriend again and guys like that deserve to get hit a couple times."
"So you were standing up for Beau's girlfriend?"
"Kinda, I guess. Drew was our trainer for a while but she moved to California but they somehow worked everything out and here he goes doing this shit again. Then he said I shouldn't care about Drew. Or you for that matter because we aren't dating. Guys like that are pathetic."
"So you think that a majority of the NHL players are pathetic?"
"If they act like they're single, yeah. I mean there's nothing wrong with sleeping around but when you're with a girl you should probably stay faithful."
"So you'd stay faithful to me?"
"It's been what? Four months since we met? You're the only girl I've had eyes for since that night. I'll be yours until you say it's over."
I thought over what he was saying for a while. No guy has ever actually said anything like that to me. I want to believe him, I really do. It's just that part of me that wants to think he's just like the others.
"You know you're eventually gonna have to let yourself fall again," he told me.
"Yeah," I whispered, "I know."

Notes