Hall of Fame

The weekend went by all too quickly and before I knew it, Vanessa and Tori were gone, and luckily there was no more talk about Tyler, and the Team and I were on a plane to Arizona, for a quick trip to Phoenix. The plane was still running high off of their win against the Kings yesterday, so there was much chit chat and laugher amongst the players.
“So Brittany,” Roussel smiled at me over his phone before he set it down on the tray in front of him. “What sweater you going to wear Saturday when we play the Avalanche,” he asked, a high topic of debate among the team. It wouldn’t have surprised me if they were actually taking bets on it.
“Wouldn’t you like to know,” I laughed. “I guess you guys are just going to have to wait and see.”
* * *
“So I guess this is where they keep the crazy people, huh?”
“You would know,” I smiled as I turned to face the blonde hair man that I haven’t seen in nearly 5 months. After a week, I was finally right back where I started, in my office at the American Airline Center. The only difference was that today the Stars were playing the Avalanche, so after morning skate Gabe and I made plans to meet up for lunch and I still wasn’t sure what sweater I was going to wear.
“That’s how I found you.” He smiled as I ran into his open arms.
“Are you ready Gabe?” I asked him as I pulled away and looked up at him, like most of the guys he was a good foot taller than me.
“Yea,” he nodded, “I even wore my best suit for the occasion.”
I shook my head as I back away. “Let me just get my things,” I told him as I pointed to the things scattered all over my desk.
“Wow, you invite me down here so we can get something to eat and you’re not even ready.” He shook his head as he walked into my office.
I ignored him as shoved my things into my bag, I was almost down when I heard a very familiar voice at the door. “Knock, knock,” Tyler’s voiced dropped on the last knock and I was pretty sure if was because of the man standing in my office.
“Brittany,” he looked at me, then at Gabe before he turned back to me, confusion written all over his face as he ran a hand though his dark hair.
“Tyler this is Gabe,” I introduced, “Gabe, Tyler.”
“I know who he is Brittany,” Tyler gave a short laugh, and I blushed, of course the already knew each other, “what I don’t understand is what he is doing in your office.”
I bite my lip, not sure what the big deal was, but answered him anyway. “We’re going out to eat.”
Tyler nodded, but I could tell there was something else on his mind, and Gabe must have noticed to.
“I don’t know where we’re going, but you’re more than welcome to come,” Gabe offered, with a glance in my direction.
“We’re going to Polly’s.”
“I’ll meet you there.” Tyler said, a bitterness to his voice that I never heard before.
* * *
As promised, Tyler’s car sat in the parking lot when I pulled in with Gabe. I took a deep breath as we stepped out of the car not fully sure what to expect.
Tyler sat in one of the corner booths, and I slide in next to him.
“So how are things going Brittany?” Gabe asked as he slid into the seat across from Tyler and me.
“Really well, I am living my dream.” I told him with a smile. “How ‘bout you Captain?” I asked, and so we talked, we talked until the waitress came and took are orders, and then even talked some more after, and that whole time I couldn’t help but notice Tyler next to me, his jaw tight and arms tense as he leaned on the table. There was no hiding the tension that was brewing at this table.
After the conversation between Gabe and I died down, Tyler looked at Gabe, a challenging look that I’ve never seen off the ice before. “So how long have you two known each other?” Tyler asked, his voice harsh.
“A little over a year.” I said saving Gabe from the daggers Tyler was throwing at him.
“How’d you meet?” Tyler asked as he turned to me, not even given me a chance to breath after the last question.
“He was in Florida for summer conditioning last year and I ran into him as he walked out of Starbucks.”
Tyler nodded, and I could tell there was more on his mind, but lucky whatever comments he had he kept to himself as the waitress delivered our food.
* * *
“So I’m sorry about Tyler, I really don’t know what his problem was.” I told Gabe as we sat in my car outside the hotel that he was staying at with the team. “I promise though he’s not always that… rude,” I said for a lack of a different word.
Gabe leaned back in the seat, “Rude,” he asked with a smile. “Is that your cover word for jealous?”
“What, no.” I shook my head with a laugh as I studied the bushes that lined the hotel. “He might have been a lot of things but jealous was not one of them.”
“You don’t think he was slightly jealous?”
“No, I don’t think he was.” I bite my lip as I turned to look at Gabe. “I mean why would he be jealous?”
“Because his girlfriend…”
“Wait, girlfriend,” I cut him off. “No,” I laughed, “we are not… never… I am not the girlfriend type.”
“So you have an open relationship?”
“Try no relationship.”
“Oh,” Gabe’s eyebrows pulled together as he mulled over the information I just gave him. “Well this just got a lot more interesting.”
“Shut up Gabe.” I said as I playfully swatted at his leg.
“It’s true, no wonder he was jealous then.”
“For the last time Gabe, he was not jealous.”
“I don’t know about that Britt.” Gabe laughed as he opened the door and stepped out before I could make another swat at him.

Notes

Sorry tried to post earlier but my internet was not working. Hope you enjoy!!!