Hall of Fame

“You must be Brittany,” a small blonde inquired as I took my usually seat, first row in section 201, the same seats my dad had for season tickets at the United Center. It was a rare Monday night game for the Stars in Dallas, but hey I wasn’t going to complain. “Yes, I am,” I swallowed a bit confused as to who this girl was, and how she knew my name. It wasn’t like I was the one with poster and banners up around the city. “And you are?” “Oh, yea, I’m Cassidy,” she smiled and when I didn’t say anything she added, “Tyler’s sister.” “That’s right; he did ask if he could use my extra ticket for tonight’s game.” I thought out loud as I remembered that he asked me about a week ago, just after my parents came down. I shrugged it off though, it was probably didn’t mean anything, but either way I was curious. “So what brings you to Dallas Cass,” I asked, “If I may call you that?” “Yea, that fine, everyone calls me that anyway.” She smiled, but I didn’t fail to notice the way her body shifted. “Just dropping Marshall and Cash off for the big brother,” she said, but her voice also indicated at something more. I nodded, giving her a smile, “Well I hope you get to see a good game.” “Yea, me too,” she exhaled, just as the boys took their places on the ice for the puck drop and she pointed to the ice. “Did you watch them play a lot when you studied in Miami?” She asked in reference to the away team tonight, the Florida Panthers. “A few times,” I told her, curious as to how much Tyler has talked to his family about me. “But you’re an Avalanche fan right, from Chicago?” “Yea,” I took a deep breath, he talked about me a lot apparently. “So did your brother put you up to this or something?” “No,” she blushed, “I’m sorry,” she whispered, barely audible over the crowd, and I immediately felt bad. “Your fine, I’m sorry if that was rude of me, it’s just your brother has been driving me crazy lately and then yesterday…” I shook my head not taking my eyes off the ice as I spoke. “I understand, he drives me crazy to sometimes, but he’s family and at the end of the day he is the only brother I have.” She shrugged with a laugh. “You know my brothers really not as bad as people make him out to be and I don’t know exactly what happened yesterday, but I know he’s sorry for whatever it was.” I crossed my arms over my chest as I stared at the ice. “I’m sorry I didn’t mean to upset you,” she sighed, “it’s just yesterday he was so excited to see you and then when he came home I thought he was going to cry, but he wouldn’t talk to me. And I’m sorry, I don’t mean to pry but he’s my brother and I know he can be an ass,” she laughed, “sometimes, but deep down he has a heart of gold and he didn’t mean to hurt you. That much I do know because I think my brother really likes you.” I had to laugh to myself because if only she knew how right she was, but I couldn’t deny that she did have a point. Maybe Tyler did really have a heart of gold; I just needed to give him a chance to prove it. * * * “Hey,” I took a deep breath as I stepped out of my office and into the hall and noticed Tyler and his sister. “Brittany,” Tyler greeted, almost as if he was surprised to see me even though he was the on the standing outside my office. “So do you have a minute?” I swallowed the lump in my throat, figuring I should talk to him before this got any more awkward and before I lost the nerves to do what I planned to do. “Yea,” he sent a quick glance at Cassidy who gave him a quick nod before he turned back to me. I gave Cassidy a quick smile before I stepped back into my office, followed by Tyler. “I’m sorry Tyler,” the words rolled off my tongue after Tyler shut the door behind him. “I just freaked out and needed some time to think. I mean we can’t be…” I took a deep as he cut me off. “I know,” he nodded, “and I’m sorry too, I didn’t mean to make things awkward and I definitely didn’t want this to happen. And I know nothing can happen between us but I miss talking to you, so can we please just go back to being friends.” I shook my head, “I don’t know if it’s possible to be just friends after yesterday.” I admitted, not only referring to the kiss, but the discoveries I made that night, even though I don’t think I was ready to admit that too him just yet. “But I’m not just some girl who’s going to like you back just because your Tyler Seguin. I’m not just going to be another notch on your belt that you can brag about to the guys’ the next day.” “Is that really what you think Brittany? You think you’re just another girl to take home.” I nodded. “Well you’re not.” He sighed slowly dragging his eyes from the floor to look at me. “And I am going to prove it too you.” “You are.” Tyler only shook his head as he stare down at me. “I am, Brittany, will you give me a chance.” I bit my lip, “Only if you can promise that we can take it slow.” “Of course, we can take this as slow as you want.” He took a deep breath as he nervously awaited my answer. I nodded with a deep breath as the realization of what was happening hit me. “You know we can’t tell anyone about this, if word about any of this got out I could lose my job, and the media would have a field day.” “I know,” he confirmed, not looking at me as if he was a little kid being scolded. “So when’s your sister leaving?” I asked once I realized that I wasn’t going to be getting anything else out of him. “Wednesday morning.” “Okay, so how about after practice on Wednesday I can come over and I can meet your puppies and we can talk?” He nodded with a smile, “I should have known,” he chuckled, “you just want me for my dogs, don’t you.” “Yea,” I smirked, “you didn’t really think I liked you, did you?”

Notes