Silver Lining

That weekend, Patrick's schedule was full. He flew out early Saturday morning for a quick game against Columbus, then the next day he was back in Chicago for a game against Toronto. Aspen spent her weekend getting her last Christmas gifts and her apartment ready for Christmas. Among that, she was also constantly about her upcoming date with Patrick. She didn't know when it would be; they hadn't talked about it because he had to leave before she got up Saturday morning.
After the quick, but somewhat disappointing road trip, Patrick was back in Chicago. In the little time he had between practice and the game against Toronto, he called Aspen. She picked up after the second ring.
"Hey Pat!" she said enthusiastically. He smiled to himself as he walked into his condo.
"Hey Aspen," he said with a chuckle. He set his bag down and resorted to his unmade bed.
"Sorry about the game last night, me and Ellie went out and watched it." she said
"Oh yeah,yeah, thanks. I wasn't sure what was going on with us. You coming tonight?"
" No, I can't, I tried getting tickets but they were all sold out." she said disappointedly. Patrick could've gotten her tickets if he'd known earlier, but this close to game time there was nothing he could do. What he didn't know though, was that she and Ellie did have tickets, and they were right next to the bench. They were an early birthday present, Ellie said, but she had actually gotten Corey to get those tickets for her to finally get something started for Aspen and Pat. Everyone was ready for them to finally voice their feelings, the flirt fest needed to end.
"Darn." was all the blonde voiced. They were both quiet for a few seconds, and then Aspen spoke up.
"I'll come to the next one, I promise." she said.
"Alright. Maybe by then we'll have gone on that date." Patrick said, finally finding his courage.
"Oh yeah?"
"Yeah. After the Winnipeg game, I'll get you an all-access pass and we'll go. It's a surprise though." he said.
"This sounds like an episode of Dateline" Aspen said
"Don't give me any ideas." Patrick said, making them both laugh. They talked a little longer, and then Patrick had to go and get some much needed rest before the game.

Around 4:30, Corey came and picked the two up from their apartment. Ellie and Corey had continued their one night relationship, but weren't exactly dating yet. When they got inside the UC, Corey gave them their tickets and locker room passes, got a good luck kiss from Ellie, and then disappeared to get ready. Aspen and Ellie quickly went upstairs to the main level to make sure Patrick didn't see them until warm ups. They decided to get something to eat before the lines got long and go to the Blackhawks store before it too got crowded. Once they'd eaten and gotten everything they wanted from the store, they went down to their seats. Aspen was nervous, and wasn't sure how Patrick would react. She didn't want to affect his game by distracting him and making him not do well. Her anxiety was clearly evident, because her leg was shaking and she couldn't stop biting her nails.
"Aspen, you're acting like you've stopped taking your Xanax." Ellie said.
"Is it that obvious?" she said. Ellie turned to her friend.
"You actually stopped taking it?" she asked, concerned. Aspen nodded.
"Why?" Ellie asked bluntly.
"The insurance I get from the school won't cover it unless I get an updated report that I need it from my psychiatrist.
"Aspen, that's something you need. You should've told me sooner, I'm perfectly capable of helping you with it." Ellie said
"No, I'll be fine. Really." Aspen said. Ellie waived it off, she didn't feel like pressing the issue more and making Aspen even more anxious. Aspen was diagnosed with extreme anxiety in high school, and had been on many different types of medicine. None had really worked well until her doctor prescribed Xanax, which finally calmed her down. Her not taking it could really be harmful to her and the others around her. The girls were quiet until warm ups started, and things got exciting. Patrick ended up skating by them a few times and not noticed, but then Corey must have told him something because he suddenly looked in that direction. He looked for a few seconds, then skated over, smiled and winked before continuing his routine. He skated by a few times, and stood in front of us, and a lot of the other guys tapped the glass or hit a puck at the glass in front of him. Corey also thought it was really funny to come and stretch in front of them too, winking at Ellie when he left back to the locker room. Patrick also was the last one off the ice and flipped the pair a puck before returning to the locker room.

The game went really well for the Blackhawks. They shut out the Maple Leafs 4-0, Patrick having one goal and two assists and the first star of the night. Aspen and Ellie watched the post-game interview for TV, then went down the locker room. Corey came out first, and Aspen congratulated him with a hug before they left. Aspen waited and waited, watching all of the other guys come out and leave. She was waiting with Chaunette and when Andrew Shaw came out, he told her it was okay to go in. She said goodbye to them, and went inside the locker room. Patrick was facing the inside of his stall and buttoning up his shirt. Aspen quietly walked behind him, and wrapped her arms around him.
"You think you're funny, don't you?" he said jokingly.
"I think, I'm hilarious." she answered back. He turned around and cocked his head to the side.
"Do you?" he said.
"Why don't you quit taking so damn long so we can get out of here?" she said with a cocky smile.
"Jeez, fine." he said, laughing and throwing on his coat. They left the UC and decided to pick up some Chinese food and head over to Patrick's condo. They ate and Patrick convinced her to play Mario Kart finally. Aspen ended up being really good and beat him at most of the races. Patrick was going easy on her at first, but stopped quickly when they realized her skill. Aspen thought it was hilarious, and Patrick's frustration made it even better. Around midnight, Patrick was tired of losing, and just tired in general.
"Okay, I give." he said, tossing his controller aside and leaning back on the couch.
"Tired of being beat at your own game?" she asked, setting hers down.
"Alright, you've done it now." he said, standing up and throwing her over his shoulder and carrying her back to his room, where he set her down in his closet and quickly ran out, closing the door and holding it to where she couldn't get out. She pushed and pushed on the door, but her strength was no match to his. She gave up and sat down against the door.
"I really have to pee, and it'd be a shame if I peed on your new Italian shoes." she said
Immediately the door opened and Aspen was not prepared, because she fell backwards, hitting her head rather hard on the floor.
"Shit." she said, slowly sitting up.
"Aspen, ar- are you okay?" he said, holding back laughs.
"Yeah, you asshole," she said, smiling and pushing him aside. He pulled her up to her feet and they decided they were both ready to go to sleep.

When Aspen was brushing her teeth, he watched her from his room, not in a creepy way, he just liked looking at her. When she looked up at the mirror, he saw him looking and smiled back at him, blushing some. He laughed, and then dropped his sweatpants and climbed into his bed. A few minutes later, Aspen did the same and found her familiar spot next to him. They laid there for a long time without falling asleep, neither of them seemed to be tired anymore.

"Hey Aspen?" Patrick muttered
"Yeah?" she answered in the same quiet tone.
"Can I say something?"
"You're already talking," she uttered. That earned her a pinch on her hip, which got him kicked in the leg.
"Anyway," Pat said still in a hushed tone, "I wanna tell you something."
"Fire away." He turned on his back and looked up at ceiling.

"I'm really into you and I'm tired of just being friends. That night in the club when I first saw you, I told myself that I had to make you mine. There hasn't been one single day that I haven't thought about you and how much I need you. I could barely keep myself together when I saw you in your classroom with your kids, and I can barely keep myself together when I'm around you because of how goddamn pretty and amazing you are. And I really, really want to kiss you," he confessed.

Aspen was quiet, and wasn't sure what to say. No one had ever expressed how they felt about her in such a way, with such determination and detail and desire. Her face was crimson, and she didn't know how to respond.

"For the love of God say something." he said, sitting up and putting his face in his hands.
"Well it's a good thing I'm single," she said, knowing that would get a rise from him. She sat up next to him.
"Are you ever not a smart ass?" he asked.
"Never." she smirked, and with that, he turned onto his knees and tackled her back against the bed, his leg in between both of hers and their faces inches apart. He had her arms pinned against the mattress next to her head, and his eyes burning through hers.
"Are you gonna answer my question?" he asked
"You never asked me anything." she laughed. He collapsed next to her, groaning into her hair. She felt the rumble from his chest against her and his breath grazing her neck, giving her chills. His arm was draped across her midsection, and his face buried in the crook of her neck.
"Just say yes" he murmured, his lips brushing against her neck.
"Yes, Patrick." she chuckled, feeling his lips form a smile on her neck. He pulled her close to him, and it took them forever to fall asleep.He'd finally gotten her.


The next few weeks went by smoothly. They decided to spend Christmas apart and just with their families because the relationship was new and they didn't want word to get out to the press yet. After Christmas, Patrick played a few games and then it was time for the Winter Classic. Aspen opted to stay in Chicago, just because the trip would be so last minute and again, they weren't ready for the press to get hold of it.
Aspen watched the game with Ellie, who was 'so relieved' that Pat and Aspen finally got together. Ellie also reminded Aspen of the situation with her medicine, and that she would need to tell Patrick about it soon, which gave her more anxiety. She knew Ellie was right though and pushed the thought to back of her mind.

The Winter Classic didn't have the ending the Blackhawks were hoping for, and Aspen knew Patrick would be disappointed; in the loss and his play. She was happy though that she could comfort him more now since they were together, and she couldn't wait for him to come home.

Notes

Bruh happy new year, hope yalls 2k15 isnt crap. Thanks for all the feedback and what not, it really helps.

Sorry this chapter isn't the greatest, I wanted to get something out before school started back, but I hope yall still like it:)))))))))