Don't Tell Me

The next morning I woke up, trying to remember if I had gotten hit by a truck last night. According to the texts I found, I fell off the bed of Clint's truck. Wouldn't be the first time that has happened. I wonder who all saw it..
I walked downstairs to find my father and brother finishing up breakfast before heading out on the trails.
"See you in a couple days," My dad kissed my forehead and placed his dishes in the dishwasher, "Jared told me what happened. There's extra strength tylenol in my bathroom."
"Good because I consumed all mine."
"I'll call you when I'm on my way to Denver," My brother told me.
"Be safe. Text me when you get home tonight," I called as they went out the door.
I poured a glass of milk and thought about what happened last night. I knew the worst thing I did was fall off Clint's truck which made me feel a lot better about the whole situation with Matt. I decided to push the feelings - or whatever you would call them - out of my head. I mean the kid was a gold medalist, he's not gonna wait around for a girl that has a boyfriend.
I walked into my dad's bedroom and then to his bathroom to grab some pain killers before getting in the shower. I turned on the stereo full blast and grabbed the clothes I would be wearing today. I started singing along with Chuck Wicks as I washed my hair.
After getting out of the shower, I put on a black bandeau, a pink flowy tank top, and a pair of cut offs. I tried thinking of something to do with my hair, but it was being unruly. Like always. Oh the perks of having thick hair.
I ran downstairs to grab my pair of old, beat up hi tops and my boyfriend was waiting outside the door. I could hear him talking to someone, but I couldn't tell who because his back was towards me. I opened the door and he turned around.
"Surprise!" He said as he revealed a blue heeler puppy that couldn't be older than a few weeks, "Someone left him at the clinic and my mom didn't know what to do with him so he's yours."
"Really?" I asked and grabbed the puppy from his arms.
"Happy anniversary Maggie," he leaned over and kissed my forehead, "Well. It's a week early, but we're going to be busy over the weekened."
To be honest, I completely forgot about the roded next weekend.. And I'm competing in two events.. plus I am the after party entertainment. I really need to be on top of these things.
"I love you."
"I love you too Maggie, let's go get breakfast."
I set my new puppy in the bathroom before leaving with Aaron. We went to the diner on the edge of our little town. The waitress knew us by name and knew our order by heart. We sat down in a booth with a cup of coffee and I wouldn't change a thing.
"Want to go into Denver with me? We could take your truck and then you can come back tonight."
"Yeah, of course. I'd love to. Have you thought about what you're going to name your puppy yet?"
"Uh... Kesha?" I was only half kidding.
"It's a guy.."
"I know he is. I think I'm gonna go with Murphy."
"Solid choice. Are we taking him to Denver or should I bring him to my mom?"
"I'm definitely sneaking him into her apartment."
We ran back to my house to grab Murphy and the bag I packed for the weekend before heading down to Denver. It would take around 45 minutes to get there and probably another 20 to get to her downtown apartment.
"Aaron, it's nice to see you again," My mother answered her door and I smuggled the puppy in under my jacket. I was pretty sure she could have animals but it was more fun this way.
"You too, Mrs. Benson."
"We have to go to the practice facility and get Patrick before we go to lunch," she looked at me funny while I set my puppy down, "What are you doing Maggie?"
"This is Murphy. My anniversary present. Someone left him at the clinic, so he's my rescue dog."
It had been a few weeks since I had talked to my mom other than on the phone, so we didn't waste time catching up. When we got to the practice arena, Patrick was standing at the end of the hall with the one person that I didn't want to see right now, especially not with my boyfriend here with me.
"Hey, it's Maggie, right? And Aaron?"
"Yeah. You were at the fire last night. I'm sorry, but I can't remember your name."
"It's Ryan." Told you I wouldn't remember him.
"From what I can remember, it was fun having y'all there. You'll have to come to the one on Sunday night."
"Yeah, we'll be there."
My mom had continued on down the hallway, so we had to play a little catch up. As soon as she reached the two figures, Matt turned around to look at me. I caught his eye and bit my lip. This was going to be interesting.
Aaron weaved his fingers through mine after he saw the way Matt was looking at me. My mom greeted Patrick as he introduced the three of us to the player standing in front of us.
"This is Matt Duchene," Matt shook my mother's hand and turned to Aaron to shake his hand also.
"How's your head?" He asked me with a smile and his comment got worried looks from the two I had come with.
"Ah. My head is doing alright. My shoulder is a bit sore though."
"What happened?" My mom started checking my body for bumps and bruises.
"I uh.. Was a little intoxicated and fell off the tailgate of Clint's truck. I'm fine, I really am. Dad gave me some tylenol."
"This wouldn't be a problem if his truck wasn't jacked up so damn high," Aaron muttered. The two of them had this on going fight. I can't remember what started it, but I know that Clint was a big reason that Aaron didn't stay at fires very long. And if he did, he stayed away from Clint.
After we went to lunch with my mom and Patrick, Aaron and I walked around downtown Denver before he went back home.
"You don't have to work next Thursday, do you?"
"No, why?"
"We have reservations for the bed and breakfast from Thursday until Sunday morning."
I stopped and looked at him in disbelief, "You're kidding."
"I figured it would be better than a necklace or something cause you always lose those," he smirked. He got me one for my birthday last year and I cried when I had to tell him I lost it while I was out on a trail ride.
"I'm sorry," I mumbled, kicking a rock out onto the street.
"I know you are. Let's go get some ice cream," He held out his hand for me to hold and we walked down to the shop on the corner.
It was times like this that I loved being with Aaron. He's sweet, funny, and we want the same kind of life. Its great... He just isn't around as much as I would like him to be and whenever he's gone, the rumour mill starts up.
But I don't think they're true. The only reason I don't, is because my brother doesn't. Once he starts to worry about my boyfriend, I will too.
My mom had already made plans with Patrick for the night so I was alone in the city. They invited me to come along with them, but being a third wheel wasn't my style. Especially when it was my mother. I was all settled in with Murphy for the night when I got a text from an unknown number.
>> Hey! Its Matt Duchene. Got any plans for the night?
I read the message, forgetting my read receipts were on and he sent another a few minutes later.
>> You know you can say you do instead of ignoring me
<< Yeah I have a hot date with Murphy
I sent back a picture of my puppy chewing on one of his new toys.
>> He's cute.. But you should come out with the guys tonight. Your boyfriend can come too.
<< He went home. Thanks for the invite but I think I'll stay in tonight.
Hoping he would give it a rest, I put in 10 Things I Hate About You and plugged in my phone. It was nice to have a night to myself. That hardly ever happened at home. If dad wasn't there, Jared would be. If Jared wasn't there, my dad was.
"Yes?" I answered Matt's call. Apparently he wasn't giving up.
"Come out with us, everyone thinks you're a fun time. If you're miserable after about an hour, I'll bring you back and stop bothering you."
"Fine," I sighed, "I'll be ready in ten minutes, pretty boy."
I turned off the tv and went to the extra bedroom to see if I had anything that I could wear to go out. I guess I would have to settle for the clothes I was wearing earlier. Right before Matt arrived, I sent my mom a text telling her Murphy was in the bathroom and that I would be back later.
"Don't look too excited," Matt laughed as I locked the door.
"Yeah whatever."
Even though I was still a few months from being able to enter a club on my own, Matt was able to get me in. Being a hockey player - a really good one - must have its perks because babyface was here and he's definitely not 21 yet.
I had fun, I'm not gonna lie. We played a few drinking games, I made an ass of myself trying to line dance on the bar with Babe, but I was up for doing it again.
Until Matt brought up Aaron.
"Where is he?"
"Where is who?" I looked at him funny. Why the hell would he bring up another guy?
"Your boyfriend."
"He went home. Had to help family move cattle tomorrow. Why?"
"Just wondering," He took a deep breath, "He's cheating on you."
I laughed and rolled my eyes. What an ass.
"Yeah. You're saying that because I'll leave him and come running to you, right?"
"No. I'm saying that because we saw him at the gas station after the fire," He raised his voice, in the already loud club. I didn't want to fight with Matt, in fact I wanted to leave and go somewhere else with him, but I was tired and whiskey makes me mean.
"Why are you telling me here? Out of all places? What are you trying to do? Are you trying to get me to break up with him so I can be all yours? Wow. I can't believe I am actually attracted to you."
"What?" He looked shocked, but I didn't give him an answer. I grabbed Ryan and pulled him out of the club.
"Where are we going?"
"You're bringing me home."
Matt had told me earlier that Ryan lived in the same building so it was perfect. When I got to my mom's place, Murphy greeted me at the door. My mom was still up when I got there. I stumbled around hoping that she wouldn't ask why I was almost crying.
"Are you okay?"
"No," I sniffled, "Boys are stupid. I'm going to bed."
The next morning I woke up to messages from Angie, Jared, Aaron, Gabe, and Matt. I ignored all of them and walked into the kitchen, running into Patrick on my way.
"Hey Maggie, there's donuts on the counter."
"Oh. Okay, thanks." Mom must've told him about my love for glazed donuts.
Or my brother brought some from the bakery back home.
"You look like shit."
"I feel like shit. What made you bring the donuts?"
"Twin telepathy told me that you had a couple rough nights."
"Mom or Angie?"
"Mom. Want to tell me what happened?"
"Went out with a few of the Avs, drank some whiskey, and Matt tried to tell me Aaron is cheating."
"I don't think he is," he shoved another donut in his mouth, "I am tired of the rumors though. That is one adorable anniversary present though."
"I have a few errands to run but Patrick is going to the arena. He said something about the guys having a volleyball game, he said you guys can go if you want."
I looked at my brother and he nodded. Looks like we'll be playing volleyball with some hockey players. I pushed myself off the counter I was leaning on and put my long brown hair into a messy bun. I don't think Jared was excited about being in the same room of a team he strongly disliked, but hey. It was something to do.

Notes