Saving Her

Liza woke up to a light snow in a suburb of Chicago in her house that also belonged to Brent Seabrook, her cousin.. She'd been living with Brent and Dayna since she started at Columbia College in 2011. She got a visual arts degree and tonight was the opening of her studio where her art would be displayed and where she would be teaching her classes. All of her close family and friends would be there, including most of the Chicago Blackhawks. Liza had grown close with the team over the years, all of them being like her older brothers, emphasis on brothers though. When she moved in with the Sharps, Patrick made a point to pummel any of them that tried to make a move on her. Liza didn't mind though, because she has a boyfriend who she's been dating since high school. His name is Brandon, and he lives back in Winnipeg, but both find some time to see each other every few months, and there was always facetime. The few times he's come to Chicago and met the guys they hadn't liked him, but didn't say much because they didn't want to hurt Liza. He was going to be flying in today to come to the opening.

Liza spent most of her day making final preparations for the opening. The walls were filled with the paintings and photographs she was most proud of. Around noon, she heard her phone ring from her office. She set the photo she was hanging against the wall and saw Brandon's face on the screen.
"Hey babe," she said with a smile.
"Hey, I can't make it tonight."
"I'm sorry, What?" she exclaimed, completely caught off guard by his statement.
"Yeah something came up." he said.
"What came up? What about your ticket? Please tell me you're joking."
"Work thing, and I never got a ticket. I'll see you soon though babe." he said.
"You neve-" she started, but was cut off by the line going dead. Brandon had told her weeks ago he had his ticket, and that his schedule was clear for the entire weekend. She put her phone back in her purse and pinched the bridge of her nose, trying not to cry. She stood there for while, until she heard someone knocking on the door outside. She dried her eyes and hoped that it didn't look like she was crying. When she walked back into the main part of the studio she saw Corey Crawford with his hand cupped around his eyes peering inside the tinted window. He smiled and stepped back when he saw her and she opened the door for him.
"Crow! How's it going?" she said as they embraced.
"Pretty good, but now I'm more worried about you. You look like you've been crying." he said with a concerned look.
"Oh, it's nothing. Don't worry about it." she said.
"You sure?"
"Yeah, I'm fine. I promise." she said with a fake smile.
Corey knew all too well that she wasn't fine. He knew her well enough to know when she was lying, and she definitely was.
"Well do you need any help with anything?" he asked.
"Yeah, actually. Can you help me set up some tables?"
"No problem," he said shrugging his coat off. They spent the next few hours arranging the space for the party, setting a few tall tables around the room for food and drinks. They also finished hanging the last couple of paintings on the walls. When they were done, they went out for lunch at a sandwich shop a few blocks down the street.

When Liza got back home, she rested for a few hours before getting ready. Brent was outside with Carter in the snow while Liza sat inside with Dayne who was making a cake to bring to the party.
"When is Brandon coming in?" Dayna asked
"He isn't." Liza said sadly. Dayne had a perplexed look on her face
"Why not, sweetie?"
"No clue. He called earlier and said he couldn't make it, I couldn't get anything else out of him." she said. Abby just nodded and could tell Liza didn't want to talk about it, so she moved the conversation on to something else.

Liza started getting ready about two hours before the party. She took a really nice, long, and relaxing shower. She felt loads better after it. She blow dried her long, dark burgundy hair and loosely curled the ends. Her makeup was subtle, except with a dramatic grey smokey eye and bright red lipstick. She wore a black, long sleeved dress with lace tights and black stiletto booties. When she felt satisfied, she hugged Brent and Dayna who would be coming later and headed back downtown. She wanted to get there early to finish setting everything up. Parking in front of the studio, she brought in the wine glasses she'd rented and the many bottles of wine she'd purchased. Other people had volunteered to bring food, and she was thankful for that. There was no way she could afford to do it with all the booze she'd bought.
People started arriving about a half hour later, bringing in gifts and congratulatory cards and food. People were mingling and all around having a good time, which made Liza extremely happy. During the middle of the party, Liza got everyone's attention to thank them for coming. Right when she was done, Corey walked in with a bouquet of roses. She caught his eye and made her way through the crowd.
"Hey, you made it." she said, pecking his cheek as they hugged.
"Oh, whoops, lipstick." she said with a giggle and wiping it off with her thumb.
"Hey, yeah, sorry I was late. Theresa." he said with a sigh
"Sorry about that. We can talk later?" she asked.
"Yeah, definitely. Congrats, Liz." he said with a smile and handing her the roses.
"Thanks Corey. Drinks and food are kinda all over." she said walking away and putting the roses with the other gifts. Liza spent the rest of the night talking to everyone and thanking them for coming. People started to leave around 10, and at 10:30, Patrick Kane, the Seabrooks, and Corey were the only ones left.
"Well we gotta get home and pay the sitter, see you at home?" Seabs asked.
"Yeah, thanks guys, see you later." she said. Kaner had to get going too, and then Corey was the only one left. He helped her clean up and put everything in her car.
"Do you want a ride? We can talk now." she said, noticing his car wasn’t around.
"Sure," he said, opening her door for her. They got in her car and made their way to his building. Theresa was Corey's girlfriend. When Liza first met her, she was really nice and down to earth. Lately though, she's become really rude and controlling of Corey. He told Liza that she didn't want him to come to the party because she thought other girls would try talking to him. Corey tried explaining that this wasn't the case because most of the girls there would have dates, and that if Theresa went with, the other girls wouldn't matter. Liza had pulled up at the apartment building.
"I think I'm gonna break up with her." he said.
"Are you sure? You two have been together for almost three years." she asked. He breathed a heavy sigh.
"Yeah, not like right this minute, but soon. I'm gonna think about a little more, but I think I'm going to." he said.
"Sorry about that, Cor."
"No biggie. I think it's time. Enough of her though, how's Brandon?" he asked.
"I guess he's okay. He was supposed to come tonight, but called me earlier and cancelled, like it was nothing.
"You're kidding, right?" Corey said, clearly irritated.
"Don't tell me that's why you were crying earlier." he said.
"I wasn't cry-" she started, but he cut her off.
"Liz, I know when you're lying and when you're not okay." he said, looking her in the eyes. She looked down at her hands.
"I don't know what to do." Liza said, her voice shaky.
"We're going to Winnipeg next week, a few of us can stop by, maybe talk some sense into him." Corey said, only half joking.
"Shut up, Crow." Liza said with a laugh and playfully pushing him.
"Who knows, maybe I'll go up with you guys and pay him a visit," she said.
"I'd love to see that," Corey said, laughing.

Liza thanked Corey again for coming and wished him good luck with Theresa. He thanked her for the ride, and dreadfully went up to his apartment. Liza drove home and found the house quiet, acknowledging that everyone else had gone to bed. She left the gifts in her car, except for the roses. She quietly filled a vase with water, then tip-toed up the stairs with them, then placed them on her dresser, smiling at how they added to her room.
_________________

"Flight 234 to Winnipeg is going to start boarding in 15 minutes" woke up Liza from her nap. She had no idea how she fell asleep in the rock formations they call chairs at the gate. Liza put the few things she had out into her carry-on bag and checked her phone. She had a message from Corey.

C: Just landed, practice then dinner around 6. Will you be in by then?
L: Yeah, definitely. Boarding in 15. See you soon:)

She put her phone and earphones in her sweatshirt pocket, then got ready to board.

Her flight went well, and since her flight was at 2:30 on a tuesday, it wasn't completely full and she got a row to herself. She was able to stretch out and slept somewhat comfortably, When she arrived at the airport, she took a cab to the hotel and then got settled before dinner.

Liza ended up falling asleep, again, and was woken up by a few hundred pounds of hockey player landing on top of her.
"How the fuck did you guys get in here?" she groaned.
"You're the dumbass who left your door open." Andrew Shaw answered.
"I did?." she asked, confused. She was really out of it today.
"Yeah. Cabs will be here in an hour for dinner and we're going to a club after, so dress nice." Corey said.
"You guys couldn't have just texted me this?" she asked.
"We did. And called. 9 times." Andrew said with a laugh as they got off of the bed. Liza groaned into her pillow.
"Okay. Now get out, creeps." she said. They did as instructed, and Liza got ready. She was thankful she decided to bring a nice dress and heels. She didn't want to shower and have to deal with her hair, so she pulled it up into a high and tight ponytail. Her makeup was simple, just winged black eye liner and red lipstick. Liza had some time to spare, so she headed down to the lobby and got a coffee from the Starbucks to try to gain some energy. When Jonathan Toews showed up in the lobby, she went over to him and waited for the others coming with. Eventually, they did, and the group went to dinner and then to the night club. She'd invited Brandon out, but he told her they'd hang out the next day. The Hawks got into the club immediately, Jon being a familiar face around town. They took their spot in the VIP area and the drinks got started, and they were badly needed. As soon as the waitress set the tray of shots on the table, Liza snatched one up and tossed it back, not even sure what the burning liquid was.
"Damn, you okay?" Corey said loudly in her ear so she could hear over the booming music. She shrugged and took one more then asked for a vodka and sprite from their private bartender.
"Wanna go dance?" she asked when she got back to the couch. Corey nodded and they headed to the main dance floor. A few of the other guys joined them, and they were having a really good time. But later, Shawzy and Crow started talking and pointing and looking at someone. Liza asked what was up, and they looked nervously at each other, but then Andrew nodded and pointed.
"Is that Brandon?" he said in her ear, as he pointed to a guy dancing with and groping a girl, and the way they were making out made it seem like they were trying to swallow each other. The three watched for a few more seconds as the couple pulled their mouths away from each other. Liza was able to get a good look, and if that wasn't Brandon, it was had to be his long lost indentical twin. He looked around the club as he continued dancing with her, then spotted the staring three. The blood drained from his face and he excused himself from the girl and made his way over. Liza didn't want to hear it though, so she turned before he got to them and made her way back to their private area and exited the club. When she made it out to the cold Canadian air, she took a deep breath and hailed for a cab. Seconds later, Corey came out and called her name, spotted her and ran to the cab she was getting into. He slid in next to her and they rode back to the hotel in silence. Corey paid the fare and they went to Liza's room.
"Want some company?" he asked
"Only if you want to." she said.
"Of course I do," Crow said with a chuckle. They went into the suite and Liza immdeiately grabbed her pajamas. With the bathroom door cracked and Corey sitting on the edge of her bed, he looked into the mirror and saw her in a sports bra and spanx, leaning against the counter and looking down at the sink. It wasn't a foreign sight, but he looked away wanting to respect her privacy. She appeared moments later with a tshirt now covering her body and she sat next Corey, but fell back onto the bed and let out a groan.
"I should've known."
"How were you supposed to know, Liz?"
"Because it all makes sense know! Why he didn't come to the opening, why he didn't want to come to dinner, why he hardly ever returns my calls. Why he stopped loving me." Tears started pricking at her eyes.
"I should have never left. He wouldn't have done it if I stayed, if I would've listened to him. It's all my fault." she cried.
"Listen to what you just said. If you would have stayed and never met gotten to meet all of us, or open your studio, go to your dream school in your favorite city. And it's your fault? It's your fault that you've had the time of your life these past few years? And have become extremely successful because you got to persue your talent? It's his fault for not coming with you, and not supporting you, and because of that, he lost you." Corey said, looking over his shoulder at the sobbing girl.
"Com'ere." he said, pulling her up and scooping her into his lap. He wrapped his strong arms arond her and let her cry, rubbing her back and soothing her as much as he could. When the sniffling stopped and her breathing steadied, he asked if she was okay.
"Not really. But I just can't cry anymore." she said.
"Is there anything else I can do right now?" he asked. She shook her head, and told him she just wanted to sleep. She thanked him and hugged him, then he was gone.
When he left the room, he met Andrew Shaw in the hallway.
"How is she?" he asked.
"Not too great. She just wants to sleep it off though." he answered.
"Have you told her yet?"
"About Theresa?"
Corey shook his head and they got in the elevator.
"I will when the Brandon stuff dies down some. I want to be there for her right now and not make her worry about me."
Andrew patted Corey on the back, and the went to their separte rooms. Andrew failed to ask if Corey told her why they broke up, and it wasn't just because of his lack of love for Theresa, it was also the love he had for Liza.

Notes

Pilot-- I haven't written in soooo long. Hope you enjoy though!