Nicki sat at the island in the kitchen staring at a blank piece of paper. She had decided to write Jason another letter. The more she waited to hear back from him, the more she worried. She gathered her thoughts and picked up her pen.

Jason,
I’m writing to you again because you never answered my other letter. I haven’t heard from you once since the trial. I’m starting to really worry about you. I hope you’re holding up okay. I guess I’m also writing to tell you that I moved out. The boy who was with me at your trial asked me to move in with him, and it’s just perfect. I really wish you were here to keep dad company. We miss you so much, Jase. I don’t care whether or not you did what they say you did. You’ll never stop being my baby brother. Please, I’m begging you, if you get this letter, find some way to let me know. It’s okay if you don’t want to write back. Just let me know that you’re okay. Please, Jase. I think about you every single day. I love you so much.
-Nicki

By the time she had finished writing, the entire page was drenched in tears. She hoped he would still be able to read it. Nicki folded it up and put it in the envelope that she had already filled out, sealing it with her tongue.

She put her head down on the island and cried. She was tired of holding it in. Footsteps raced towards her.

“Nicki, what is it?” Tyler asked. He sounded alarmed.

Nicki looked up at him and tried to speak. She choked on the words and started to heave. She felt

Tyler pick her up and bring her over to the couch. She curled up on his lap and cried into his neck.

“Shh, it’s okay. It’s okay,” he said, over and over. He held her close.

It took her nearly a half an hour to settle down. She had exhausted herself; she no longer had the energy to cry. Tyler waited patiently for her to speak. When she looked at him, she could read the worry in his eyes.

“I’m sorry, Ty. I’m so sorry.”

He kissed her forehead. “Don’t be sorry.”

She explained to him her situation with Jason. Since the trial, she hadn’t spoken about him once.
The wound was still too fresh. Apparently, holding it in all of that time just made it worse.

When she finished he asked, “Is there anything I can do?”

Nicki shook her head.

“If you don’t want to go tonight, I understand. Freddy can find someone else to go with him.”

She put her hand on his face. “I’m going to your game. I have the whole afternoon to pull myself together.”

Tyler turned his head and kissed the palm of her hand. It felt so nice.

“I won’t go out tonight. We can just come back here and go to bed,” he said.

She thought it over.

“You know what? No. Let’s go out tonight.”

He furrowed his eyebrows. She knew it probably didn’t make a lot of sense.

“There’s nothing I can do about this, Ty. Maybe I need to go out and have some fun.”

“Well, if you really want to. It doesn’t sound like a bad idea. Are you sure you’re up for it?”

She sniffled. “Yeah. I’m up for it.”

** * * * *

“You almost ready?!” Freddy called from the living room.

“Just a minute!”

Nicki stuffed her change of clothes into her bag. After her episode, Tyler had spent the rest of the time he had trying to comfort her. He asked her a million and one times if she was sure she wanted to go out. She was sure. If anything could take her mind off of Jason, it would be going to a club and having a few drinks. She was feeling a little reckless.

“Damn, you look good,” Freddy said as she walked in.

She had spent hours on her hair and makeup. Partially to give her something to do so that she wouldn’t think about Jason. But it also had something to do with the fact that it was her first night going to a club with Tyler, as his girlfriend. She imagined that at one point or another, she would get harassed by girls who had been with him or who wanted to get with him. He had even warned her about it. When it happened, she at least wanted to look good.

“Thanks Freddy. You should see what I packed for tonight,” she said, giggling.

Nicki had never been the type to dress in revealing clothes. She wasn’t self conscious; she just didn’t think it looked very respectable. But tonight she didn’t care. She had packed a tight, sequin tank top that hit just above her belly button, low rise skinny jeans, and her sexiest pair of heels.
For the game, however, she wore comfortable jeans, her Sperrys, and Tyler’s jersey. It went without saying that she had undone the laces on the jersey to show off her necklace.
She said goodbye to Marshall and followed Freddy out of the apartment.

** * * * *

“DOUGIE HAMILTON WITH HIS FIRST NHL HAT TRICK,” screamed Brad, mocking the announcer.

They had beaten the Islanders four to nothing, with three goals coming from Dougie. The mood in the limousine was electric. Somebody had already found champagne. Nathan and Johnny held the bottles up to the ceiling and popped out the corks, letting them fly.
The team was going wild. They had just left the Garden and the party had already started. Nicki cheered with the rest of the team. She was so happy for Dougie. She was the only girl in the limo, and she and Freddy were the only non team members, but they were just as excited as everyone else.

Nicki felt a pair of hands around her waist and a pair of lips by her ear.

“You are smoking hot.”

She turned in her seat to face Tyler. He was one of the last ones to get on the limo, and it was the first time she had seen him since before he left earlier in the day. She crushed his lips with her own.

“What was that for? Dougie’s the one with the hat trick,” he said, smiling.

“Fine, should I go over and kiss him too?”

He shook his head and kissed her again.

“Good game, Ty,” she said when she pulled away.

“Thanks babe.”

Nicki bit her lip. He’d never called her anything other than her name. She liked it. A lot.

“You ready to have some fun tonight?” she asked him.

“You tell me. I thought you hated partying,” he said.

“I get the feeling it will be different with you,” she said, grinning.

She was ready to let loose. She was so tired of being responsible.

They pulled up to the club. It looked like it was packed. Nicki grabbed Tyler’s hand as they walked inside. This time, the bouncer didn’t ask any questions. Before anyone started to dance, they headed over to the bar. Whoever hadn’t been drinking on the limo needed to drink; and those who had needed to drink more.

“Do you want anything?” Tyler asked her.

“Yeah. Something strong. Shots?”

He made a face. “You’re really serious about having fun aren’t you?”

“I’m not serious about anything tonight,” she said as she grabbed his hips.

They joined the rest of the team by the bar. Tuuka had already ordered a round of shots for everyone. Brad handed one to each of them. Nicki tilted her head back and let it slide down her throat. Tyler drank his and slammed the glass down onto the bar. When they were on their third round, it finally happened.

“Tyyyleerrr,” squealed an obnoxious voice that Nicki didn’t recognize.

She turned to look at the person saying his name. She looked like a living, breathing Barbie doll. Some of the guys stopped what they were doing to watch. On the way there, they had placed bets on how Nicki would react. Brad put fifty bucks on her ripping someone’s hair out. Milan put twenty on her crying.

“Who’s this ugly bitch?” she asked, looking at Nicki.

“What does it matter to you?”

She scoffed. “Um, because last time I checked you wanted me. Bad,” she said as she went to touch his chest.

He leaned away from her. He had clearly insulted her.

“Um, excuse me, Ty. What happened to ‘the best fuck you’ve ever had’? I’m pretty sure that was me,” she said, Boston accent showing through more and more as her attitude got worse.

“Actually, this ugly bitch next to me has you beat by a long shot.”

“Yeah, I have a hard time believing that. She’s obviously a puck slut,” she stopped talking to glare at Nicki. “The only girl with the entire team? Whore.”

Nicki just smiled at her. She wasn’t even insulted.

“Last time I checked Tiffany, you were the puck slut.” He turned to the guys. “Hey guys, raise your hand if you’ve slept with Tiffany,” he shouted.

About half of the team raised their hands.

“Oh, sorry. That’s what I thought,” he said, taunting her. He really seemed like he hated her.

She glowered at him.

“Please just go away,” he said.

Tiffany reached her boiling point. She screamed and threw her drink onto Tyler’s shirt before storming off. He looked down at his stained shirt for a moment before ripping it off.

Brad caught on right away. He stripped out of his shirt and yelled at the top of his lungs, “BODY SHOTS!”

He climbed up onto the bar, waiting to see which girl would take the bait. Nicki laughed and looked at Tyler.

“Go on,” she said, “Get up there!”

“Are you serious?”

“I’m fucking serious! Let’s go!” she said as he got on the bar.

The bartender came over to set them up. She sprinkled salt right above where their pants ended.

She cut up a lime and put a piece in both of their mouths. Lastly, she poured a shot of tequila on their stomachs. Tyler was grinning with the lime in his mouth, making Nicki laugh.

“Ready,” said the bartender. Nicki positioned herself in front of Tyler. “Go!”

She leaned in to lick the salt off of him, sucked up the tequila, and grabbed the lime out of his mouth in one swift movement. When she finished, she threw her arms in the air.

“Woo!” she screamed.

“You’re a natural!” yelled Milan. “Damn Nicki, I had no idea you had that in you.”

She took the lime out of her mouth. “Neither did I!”

Tyler hopped off of the bar and grabbed her. “That was awesome!”

“Alright, who’s next?” asked the bartender.

Nicki jumped on top of the bar and lifted her shirt. She didn’t have to move it much. It already exposed almost half of her stomach.

“No freakin’ way,” Tyler said. She nodded and giggled.

He stood in front of her. “You’re the best fucking girlfriend ever.”

She couldn’t stop smiling. She giggled more as the bartender put the salt in her cleavage and poured the tequila on her stomach. It felt cold on her sensitive skin. She bit down on the lime and waited for the bartender to tell them to go.

Nicki noticed some of the team taking pictures. She could care less. She was having the time of her life.

“Go!”

She watched as Tyler licked the salt from in between her breasts. It was hot. She squirmed when he got to the tequila; he tickled her trying to get it all off. He grabbed the lime from her mouth and sucked on it. He spit it out next to her and started to make out with her. He barely kissed her that way in private, never mind in public.

He helped her down off of the bar. Nicki looked at his team.

“Are you guys ready to dance or what?!”

They ran onto the dance floor. Nicki grabbed Tyler by the arm and pulled him over to them. She wrapped her arms around his neck and did her best to grind. She had only done it once before. Mark hadn’t been the dancing type.

Tyler yelled in her ear so she could hear him over the music. “I had no idea you could dance like this!”

She didn’t either, but she didn’t bother telling him that. He turned her around so her back was to him. It was easier that way. She swung her hips back and forth, occasionally bringing them around in a full circle. Tyler put his hands on her hips.

After a few songs, they had really gotten into it. Nicki reached her arms behind her and got them around his neck. He leaned in and kissed her neck while they danced. She could have cared less about the hickey that was sure to show up.

Hours passed before they finally stopped. About halfway through the night, Dougie and Milan broke them up and got them to join the growing group dance party they had started. Someone had sent over more shots. Nicki grabbed one and tried not to spill it all over herself.

When the DJ finally called it quits, it was four in the morning. Nicki didn’t even feel tired. She could have kept going for hours. The team stayed an hour later, drinking as much as they could before the bar closed, too.

A little past five, they loaded back onto the limo. Nicki sat in Tyler’s lap.

“Foxy! I got the best fucking pictures of you tonight!” Brad screamed. He was trashed.

Nicki laughed. She was glad someone had gotten pictures.

The way back to the Garden was full of laughs. Once they got there, they realized that no one was sober enough to drive. Since everyone lived in the area, they had the limo driver take them to their houses. Tyler, Nicki, and Freddy were the third stop. They said their goodbyes. Nicki hugged Dougie and kissed his cheek.

They made it very loudly up to their apartment. Freddy said he was going straight to bed.

“Night Freddy! Lovee you,” Nicki slurred.

She followed Tyler into their room. Once she got her heels off, she looked up at him. He was staring at her. Before she could ask what he was thinking, he tackled her onto the bed and kissed her. And kissed her. And kissed her. She barely realized that he had taken off her clothes, as well as his own. Nicki pushed him off of her and got on her hands and knees. She turned her head to look at him.

“Whatever has gotten into you tonight, I love it,” he said as he came up behind her.

** * * * *

“Uggghhh,” Nicki groaned as she rolled over.

Her phone was ringing. She felt around for it. Oh. It was Tyler’s phone. She looked at him. He was passed out on his back, still naked from the night before. She shook his shoulder.

“Ty, someone’s calling you.”

Her own voice made her head pound. Or maybe it had already been pounding. Tyler opened his eyes just to shut them again. She figured his head hurt just as bad as hers did. He answered the phone right before it stopped ringing.

“Hello?”

“Hey mom.”

Nicki threw an arm across her eyes. The light hurt.

“Oh. Really?”

What could his mom be calling about so early in the morning? She checked the clock. It was almost noon. She buried her head underneath her pillow.

“Uh, yeah, we did.”

“No, I don’t think it’s a big deal.”

“Yeah, she might.”

“Okay, mom. Okay. I’ll talk to her now.”

“Yup. Love you too.”

He let out a loud sigh after hanging up. Nicki looked at him from underneath her pillow.

“Hangover?” he asked her.

She groaned. She had never been hung over before. It was horrible.

“Yeah, me too. Don’t worry, I’m basically a professional at curing hangovers.”

When she didn’t say anything he said, “So… listen. I wouldn’t go on the internet for a while if I was you. Like, a long while.”

Nicki knew what he was talking about. Someone must have uploaded pictures to the internet. They probably went viral.

“I really don’t care, Ty. I had the time of my life last night.”

“That’s great. But I don’t think you know what I’m talking about.”

Nicki looked at him. What else could he be talking about?

“That girl from last night, Tiffany. She went on a Twitter rampage… about you. It’s all over the place. I’m sorry, Nicki. It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have been such a dick to her.”

She laughed. “Tyler, I don’t give a shit what she thinks of me. Or anyone who believes what she says. All that matters is that the people I care about know who I am.”

He smiled at her. “Good then. I have to say though, I don’t think I knew the girl that came out with us last night.” He paused. “Or the one who came home with me.”

Nicki had forgotten about afterwards.

“I figured we could spice things up a little bit,” she said, grinning. She knew how much he liked it.

To confirm it, he grabbed her and pulled her to him. She rested her head on his chest. It made her feel a little bit better.

“You were so crazy last night. I had so much fun with you. I guess I thought if you were in a relationship you couldn’t do all of that stuff. I still can’t believe you did a body shot,” he said, chuckling.

“Me either. I don’t know what got into me.”

He kissed her head. “It was good to see you having so much fun. You’re too serious.”

“I know I am. So I guess we’ll just have to go out more often then.”

She looked up at him and smiled.

“Like I said last night, you are the best girlfriend ever.”

“Why?”

“Because. You can be the most mature and responsible person I’ve ever met one minute and the next you’re partying with me and the team. That’s so cool.”

“Yeah,” she giggled, “It is cool huh? I’ve never acted like that before. It felt good to just let go.” She groaned and brought a hand to her head. “But it doesn’t feel so good anymore.”

Tyler brushed a piece of hair out of her face. “Don’t worry, I know how to fix you.”

He got out of bed and put on a pair of sweatpants and a sweatshirt. Nicki yawned before getting up. She grabbed a pair of shorts and put them on.

“Can I wear one of your sweatshirts?” she asked Tyler.

He grinned. “Go ahead.”

Nicki walked over to the closet. She smiled when she looked at her dresses hanging up next to his suits. He kept his sweatshirts all the way to the right. She picked a grey, zip up Underarmour one that had the number 19 on the front. It was huge on her.

She walked out of the room to find Tyler. She had no idea where he went. When she walked out into the hallway, she smelled bacon and coffee. Freddy was sitting at the island with his head down, coffee cup in hand. Tyler was standing over the stove cooking bacon.

“So you can cook?” she asked him.

“Only bacon,” he said, laughing. “If you have a hangover you need to eat something greasy. So this is what we do every time we have one.”

“You too?” she asked Freddy. He groaned.

Nicki plopped onto a stool next to him. She watched Tyler cook. He looked so out of place. For once, she didn’t mind not having to make breakfast.

“Tah dah!” Tyler said as he put the massive plate full of bacon on the island.

Nicki went to take a piece. It burned her finger but she put it in her mouth anyways. Anything to make her headache and nausea go away. Tyler put a cup of coffee in front of her. She took a long sip. It was only a matter of minutes before the bacon was completely gone. Nicki usually hated greasy food, especially in the morning. But she had to admit, she was already feeling a little better.

“I’m assuming you aren’t going for your run today,” Tyler said.

Just the thought of running brought on a wave of nausea. “No way. So what are we going to do today?”

Freddy spoke for the first time. “I think we should do nothing at all today.”

The three of them agreed to make it a movie day. They left the kitchen a mess and collapsed onto the couch.

“What are we gonna watch?” asked Tyler.

Freddy shrugged. “Why don’t we each pick a movie?” Nicki suggested.

“K, you go first. I don’t wanna get up.”

Nicki lifted herself off of the couch and bent down in front of the cabinet where they kept the movies. She had brought all of hers from home. They had a pretty wide selection to choose from. She picked the Amityville Horror and showed the boys for confirmation.

“Wait a sec,” Freddy said. “Is it the old one where the basement explodes or is it the new one with Ryan Reynolds?”

“Ryan Reynolds,” she said. She and Lisa used to watch it over and over just to look at his abs.

“Okay, good.”

“I’ve never seen this movie,” said Tyler.

“What?” Nicki and Freddy said at the same time.

“I’ve never seen it.”

They teased him about it until the movie started. It was one of Nicki’s favorite horror movies. Everybody had seen the Amityville Horror. She wondered if Tyler would get scared; they had never watched a scary movie together before.

Nicki got as close to Tyler as she could without being on top of him. He was so cuddly in his sweatpants and sweatshirt. It was just what she needed.

** * * * *

“You scared baby Ty?” Freddy teased.

“I’m sorry, are you trying to make it seem like that movie wasn’t scary as shit? At least I’m man enough to admit it.”

Nicki giggled as they went back and forth.

“If it makes you feel any better, the first time I watched it I had to stop in the middle and finish it six months later.”

Tyler kissed her cheek. “See, I prove my point.”

“Nicki, how old were you the first time you watched it?”

“I think I was twelve.”

Freddy started to laugh. She had tried to stick up for Tyler, but it backfired.

“Whatever, Freddy. Pick a movie.”

He chose Saving Private Ryan. Nicki loved that movie, but she was not in the mood to actually try to pay attention, and her head was still throbbing subtly. She figured it might be a good time for a nap and wrapped her arms around Tyler’s torso. Something didn’t feel right. She swung her leg onto his lap. That was better. He pressed his lips to her forehead before resting his chin on her head. She fell asleep listening to his heart beat.