Behind the Glass
Chapter Four.
{ A Few Hours Later }
"So Rae, how's everything up in Chicago?" Jamie asked, plopping down onto the couch next to me and Tyler. I was currently cuddled up into his side because he was showing me random videos of the other guys and how they've been since I've left.
"It's actually not too bad!" I say happily. "I've gotten close to a lot of the guys there, especially Kane. But Jonny and I are at least on good terms now, even though it started off really rocky."
"Hey just be careful, Kane is pure trouble." Tyler added. I laugh a little, and look at Ty.
"Yeah I know! Pat and I had a short fling a long time ago, back when I first started down here in Dallas, but now it's just strictly friends. I couldn't see him as anything more than that anymore." I say. Ty just nods, and goes back to looking at his phone.
"Wait why didn't we know about your fling with Kaner before?" Jamie says teasing me, instantly making me blush.
"Because it was over pretty much as quickly as it started! It wasn't a big deal Jay!" I say embarrassed.
"But we're your best friends! You should tell us these things Rae!" Jordie said, feigning heartbreak.
Out of embarrassment, I shove my face into Tyler's shirt, so I could hide my face. "You guys are so mean to me." I mumble, causing all three of them to laugh.
I hear my phone ring across the room, and jump up to get it, but Tyler beats me to it and answers it.
"Hello?" Tyler says. I stand patiently in front of him, waiting to get my phone back because knowing him, he's gonna do something weird.
"Oh hi Jonathan! No she's not able to get to the phone right now." I could feel my stomach drop. Jonny and I haven't spoken in weeks, aside from the necessary ones at work.
"What do you mean you don't know where she is? Didn't she tell you she was coming down to Dallas?" Tyler joked. I face palmed myself, realizing I had forgot to tell Jonny I was leaving early.
"Ty give me the phone." I said loud enough, so Jonny could hear on the other end.
"As you wish Princess," He said slyly, handing me my phone. I walked out of the room, and back to the guest room and sat on the bed.
"Hey Jonny." I said shyly, knowing he might be mad at me for worrying him.
"Raegan Grace Matthews! You scared the hell out of me! Why didn't you tell me you were going to Dallas early?" He practically yelled.
"Don't yell at me Jonathan! I didn't fucking tell you because we aren't exactly talking like we're friends! You only ever say anything to me if it has to deal with work, and I'm sorry if I'm bursting your bubble, but that's not how friends work!" I yell back.
"That doesn't mean you couldn't have told me! I am the captain either way and I need to know where you are!" His voice was softer this time, but still laced with anger. I rolled my eyes, and sighed.
"I got special permission from Q, so maybe you should've thought to ask him first, or maybe even Kaner because he's the one who brought me to the goddamn airport. Jonny, I told a lot of fucking people where I was going, and I did try to tell you but you were always 100% work, so I figured you'd find out on your own." I said, now pacing around the room, trying not to get even more worked up.
"Rae, you told me yourself that you wanted to be friends again, so please, just work with me. You can tell me anything." He sounded defeated.
"I know I did, and I'll try, but please, next time ask Kaner, or someone else before calling me and blowing up on me." I plead. I heard him sigh on the other side.
"Okay I will, but can you please tell me who that was that answered the phone." He said, adding a small chuckle at the end.
"That was Seguin, I'm with him and the Benn brothers right now. That's why I'm not there right now because my Dallas boys needed me for a few days." I said giggling.
"Well don't go running back to them! We need you up here in Chicago." He said jokingly. I couldn't help but smile at this.
"Thanks Jonny, for understanding." I say, messing with the hem of my shirt.
"No, don't thank me Rae, I was just worried about you, and I'm sorry for blowing up. I'll make it up to you when I see you again I promise." He says, warming my heart.
"Just don't do it again and all is well." I said, jokingly.
"Well I just wanted to make sure you were okay, so I'll let you go now. Bye, Rae." Jonny said.
"Bye Captain!" I said, hanging up.
Right after I hung up, I heard footsteps coming down the hall and a knock on the door. "Come in." I said. Tyler peaked his head in the crack and smiled at me. I waved him to come closer, and he sat down on the bed next to me. He pulled me in close to his body, and kissed the top of my head.
"I miss having you here everyday." He says quietly, almost too quiet for me to hear.
"I miss having you close by, and being able to hug you, and kiss you." Tyler said, a little louder this time. I look up at him, and meet his eyes.
"Ty-" I start, but I was cut off by his lips connecting with mine. We kissed each other for what felt like hours, but was really only a minute or two. We pulled away, and then realization sank in.
"Ty! What if Jamie or Jordie walked in!" I whisper yelled at him, causing him to laugh. Tyler and I have had a sort of secret relationship going on for the past couple of months. We never told any of the guys, not even Jamie and Jordie, because I risked losing my job if anyone knew.
"They both left to go get food babe, don't worry! I wouldn't risk them finding out, unless you wanted them to." He said, allowing me to let out a breath I didn't know I was holding in.
"I want to tell them soon. I mean, it's not like I'm at risk for losing my job anymore because I don't work with you guys." I say, smiling at Tyler. I could tell he was happy about this because he immediately pressed his lips to mine.
~~~~~~
{ The Next Day - After Practice }
As a surprise for the rest of the boys on the team, I waited for them in the locker room after practice. Jamie didn't think it would be the best idea because of how sweaty and stinky they would all be, but I quickly reminded him that I work with sweaty and stinky guys for a living.
I sat in Jamie's stall, and played with the hem of my jersey. I was wearing my jersey that the team got me for my 21st birthday, when I was still just an intern here. On the back it said "Stars' Girl" with the number 13 because the boys all called me their girl, and number 13 had always been my lucky number.
When I heard the boys shouting, and being their usual rowdy selves, I smiled and got really excited to see them all again. I missed working with them, but they all knew I loved it in Chicago. When the door swung open, I first met the eyes of my favorite goalie, Kari Lehtonen. He threw off his helmet and pulled me into a very uncomfortable hug, thanks to his gear.
"Rae what are you doing here?" He asked excitedly once he put me down. I didn't even try to hold back my smile as I looked around the locker room at the familiar faces, and some new ones.
"I thought it would be a good idea to come in a few days early and visit you guys before the season opener! I missed you guys so much that I couldn't wait till Thursday!" I say honestly. These guys were some of the best people to be around, of course I had to come see them, I would never just leave them behind.
After everyone finished getting changed, Jamie came up to me and asked if I was ready to go and I nodded. As I was walking out of the locker room, everyone yelled bye, and Peverley reminded me about the team dinner tonight.
~~~~~~
I sat with Jamie on the couch, just watching Criminal Minds when I got a text from Brandon Saad.
B: You've only been working in Chicago for a couple months, but we're already a wreck without you! Thank god we'll see you in two days
I couldn't help but giggle, which made Jamie curious. "I got a text from one of my players saying that they're a wreck without me." He smiled, and said, "They have to get in line because we're still a wreck without you on the team." This made me laugh even harder.
I shoot Brandon back a text saying:
R: Y'all are such children! Just please don't hurt each other while I'm gone, I don't want a lot of paperwork when I get back!
These boys always know how to keep me on my toes, and I love them for it. I wouldn't want to be doing anything else with my life because keeping up with adult sized children that play hockey is the most fun ever.
"So Rae, how's everything up in Chicago?" Jamie asked, plopping down onto the couch next to me and Tyler. I was currently cuddled up into his side because he was showing me random videos of the other guys and how they've been since I've left.
"It's actually not too bad!" I say happily. "I've gotten close to a lot of the guys there, especially Kane. But Jonny and I are at least on good terms now, even though it started off really rocky."
"Hey just be careful, Kane is pure trouble." Tyler added. I laugh a little, and look at Ty.
"Yeah I know! Pat and I had a short fling a long time ago, back when I first started down here in Dallas, but now it's just strictly friends. I couldn't see him as anything more than that anymore." I say. Ty just nods, and goes back to looking at his phone.
"Wait why didn't we know about your fling with Kaner before?" Jamie says teasing me, instantly making me blush.
"Because it was over pretty much as quickly as it started! It wasn't a big deal Jay!" I say embarrassed.
"But we're your best friends! You should tell us these things Rae!" Jordie said, feigning heartbreak.
Out of embarrassment, I shove my face into Tyler's shirt, so I could hide my face. "You guys are so mean to me." I mumble, causing all three of them to laugh.
I hear my phone ring across the room, and jump up to get it, but Tyler beats me to it and answers it.
"Hello?" Tyler says. I stand patiently in front of him, waiting to get my phone back because knowing him, he's gonna do something weird.
"Oh hi Jonathan! No she's not able to get to the phone right now." I could feel my stomach drop. Jonny and I haven't spoken in weeks, aside from the necessary ones at work.
"What do you mean you don't know where she is? Didn't she tell you she was coming down to Dallas?" Tyler joked. I face palmed myself, realizing I had forgot to tell Jonny I was leaving early.
"Ty give me the phone." I said loud enough, so Jonny could hear on the other end.
"As you wish Princess," He said slyly, handing me my phone. I walked out of the room, and back to the guest room and sat on the bed.
"Hey Jonny." I said shyly, knowing he might be mad at me for worrying him.
"Raegan Grace Matthews! You scared the hell out of me! Why didn't you tell me you were going to Dallas early?" He practically yelled.
"Don't yell at me Jonathan! I didn't fucking tell you because we aren't exactly talking like we're friends! You only ever say anything to me if it has to deal with work, and I'm sorry if I'm bursting your bubble, but that's not how friends work!" I yell back.
"That doesn't mean you couldn't have told me! I am the captain either way and I need to know where you are!" His voice was softer this time, but still laced with anger. I rolled my eyes, and sighed.
"I got special permission from Q, so maybe you should've thought to ask him first, or maybe even Kaner because he's the one who brought me to the goddamn airport. Jonny, I told a lot of fucking people where I was going, and I did try to tell you but you were always 100% work, so I figured you'd find out on your own." I said, now pacing around the room, trying not to get even more worked up.
"Rae, you told me yourself that you wanted to be friends again, so please, just work with me. You can tell me anything." He sounded defeated.
"I know I did, and I'll try, but please, next time ask Kaner, or someone else before calling me and blowing up on me." I plead. I heard him sigh on the other side.
"Okay I will, but can you please tell me who that was that answered the phone." He said, adding a small chuckle at the end.
"That was Seguin, I'm with him and the Benn brothers right now. That's why I'm not there right now because my Dallas boys needed me for a few days." I said giggling.
"Well don't go running back to them! We need you up here in Chicago." He said jokingly. I couldn't help but smile at this.
"Thanks Jonny, for understanding." I say, messing with the hem of my shirt.
"No, don't thank me Rae, I was just worried about you, and I'm sorry for blowing up. I'll make it up to you when I see you again I promise." He says, warming my heart.
"Just don't do it again and all is well." I said, jokingly.
"Well I just wanted to make sure you were okay, so I'll let you go now. Bye, Rae." Jonny said.
"Bye Captain!" I said, hanging up.
Right after I hung up, I heard footsteps coming down the hall and a knock on the door. "Come in." I said. Tyler peaked his head in the crack and smiled at me. I waved him to come closer, and he sat down on the bed next to me. He pulled me in close to his body, and kissed the top of my head.
"I miss having you here everyday." He says quietly, almost too quiet for me to hear.
"I miss having you close by, and being able to hug you, and kiss you." Tyler said, a little louder this time. I look up at him, and meet his eyes.
"Ty-" I start, but I was cut off by his lips connecting with mine. We kissed each other for what felt like hours, but was really only a minute or two. We pulled away, and then realization sank in.
"Ty! What if Jamie or Jordie walked in!" I whisper yelled at him, causing him to laugh. Tyler and I have had a sort of secret relationship going on for the past couple of months. We never told any of the guys, not even Jamie and Jordie, because I risked losing my job if anyone knew.
"They both left to go get food babe, don't worry! I wouldn't risk them finding out, unless you wanted them to." He said, allowing me to let out a breath I didn't know I was holding in.
"I want to tell them soon. I mean, it's not like I'm at risk for losing my job anymore because I don't work with you guys." I say, smiling at Tyler. I could tell he was happy about this because he immediately pressed his lips to mine.
~~~~~~
{ The Next Day - After Practice }
As a surprise for the rest of the boys on the team, I waited for them in the locker room after practice. Jamie didn't think it would be the best idea because of how sweaty and stinky they would all be, but I quickly reminded him that I work with sweaty and stinky guys for a living.
I sat in Jamie's stall, and played with the hem of my jersey. I was wearing my jersey that the team got me for my 21st birthday, when I was still just an intern here. On the back it said "Stars' Girl" with the number 13 because the boys all called me their girl, and number 13 had always been my lucky number.
When I heard the boys shouting, and being their usual rowdy selves, I smiled and got really excited to see them all again. I missed working with them, but they all knew I loved it in Chicago. When the door swung open, I first met the eyes of my favorite goalie, Kari Lehtonen. He threw off his helmet and pulled me into a very uncomfortable hug, thanks to his gear.
"Rae what are you doing here?" He asked excitedly once he put me down. I didn't even try to hold back my smile as I looked around the locker room at the familiar faces, and some new ones.
"I thought it would be a good idea to come in a few days early and visit you guys before the season opener! I missed you guys so much that I couldn't wait till Thursday!" I say honestly. These guys were some of the best people to be around, of course I had to come see them, I would never just leave them behind.
After everyone finished getting changed, Jamie came up to me and asked if I was ready to go and I nodded. As I was walking out of the locker room, everyone yelled bye, and Peverley reminded me about the team dinner tonight.
~~~~~~
I sat with Jamie on the couch, just watching Criminal Minds when I got a text from Brandon Saad.
B: You've only been working in Chicago for a couple months, but we're already a wreck without you! Thank god we'll see you in two days
I couldn't help but giggle, which made Jamie curious. "I got a text from one of my players saying that they're a wreck without me." He smiled, and said, "They have to get in line because we're still a wreck without you on the team." This made me laugh even harder.
I shoot Brandon back a text saying:
R: Y'all are such children! Just please don't hurt each other while I'm gone, I don't want a lot of paperwork when I get back!
These boys always know how to keep me on my toes, and I love them for it. I wouldn't want to be doing anything else with my life because keeping up with adult sized children that play hockey is the most fun ever.
Notes
[a/n]Helllooooo! You all might be wondering why I'm updating so often, and it's honestly because I'm just so into this story right now! I just love it so much, and I hope you love it as much as I do! As always, thank you for reading and don't forget to vote and comment!
-Courtney
Love this story!
8/19/15