Wildest Dreams

The next morning the Stars had practice and they spent the majority of their time running defense drills. After practice Jamie and Tyler went to get some lunch.

Jamie: How was your talk with Meredith last night?
Tyler: It wasn’t bad, just not what I wanted.
Jamie: What does that mean?
Tyler: We decided that we’re just friends until she’s ready for something more.
Jamie: I’m sorry; did I hear that correctly?
Tyler: Fuck off or I’m not telling you jackshit.
Jamie: I’m just confused, that’s all. You’re more of a one-night stand kinda guy, eh.
Tyler: So I’ve been told, several times.
Jamie: Since the day I met you you’ve only been interested in girls for one night. You’ve only ever had one girl friend and that only lasted a few months.
Tyler: Don’t remind me of that horrendous mistake.
Jamie: After her you said never again.
Tyler: I didn’t actually mean never again. It’s been long enough. I’m getting tired of always being single and not having anyone to call on the road or having the same date for all the functions we have to attend when not playing.
Jamie: Meredith must be one special girl if you’re changing this much, eh.
Tyler: I’m not changing; I’m just doing something about what I want.
Jamie: So then why are you just friends?
Tyler: She just got out of a relationship and she doesn’t want me to be a rebound.
Jamie: That fucking sucks. I like her. I want her to keep chirping at you and be around.
Tyler: I want the same, but I can’t force it.
Jamie: So then what are you going to do?
Tyler: I’m just going to go about my life and do what I do.
Jamie: So you’re still a one-night stand guy?
Tyler: For now.
Jamie: Meredith is okay with it?
Tyler: She told me to do it. We’re just friends. Nothing more.
Jamie: Damn, she is one special girl.
Tyler: Tell me about it.
Jamie: I think Jordie and his girlfriend are about to break up.
Tyler: That was random.
Jamie: No, we were talking about relationships and it reminded me to tell you.
Tyler: Why do you think they’re going to break up?
Jamie: Because Jordie told me he’s thinking about ending things.
Tyler: Great reason Sherlock.
Jamie: He said they’re fighting a lot and he’s gone and she gets mad about it.
Tyler: It’s his job. Didn’t she realize that he’s gone a lot when they got involved?
Jamie: That’s what I said. I never liked her anyways. Mom would have hated her.
Tyler: Well she’s not gone yet, is she?
Jamie: Not that I know of. We’re gone too much for him to end it.
Tyler: Tell him just to text her. He can do that anywhere.
Jamie: He’s not going to do that.
Tyler: Why? I would.
Jamie: Because he’s not a dick like you. I’ve heard from several people girls don’t like it when you do that.
Tyler: Who the hell cares what they like if you’re breaking up with them.
Jamie: Okay, let me just tell Meredith what you just said. Then we’ll see how you feel about that.
Tyler: You mother fucker. We’re not dating anyway. She wouldn’t care.
Jamie: Okay, we’ll see about that. I’ll call and ask her.
Tyler: You are the king of empty threats. You don’t have her number.
Jamie: You are wrong my friend, I do have it. Let me call her.
Tyler: Fine, call her, put it on speaker.

Jamie pulled out his phone and called Meredith. He put it on speaker and held the phone up so they both could hear.

Meredith: Hello?

Tyler’s eyes grew wide. He thought that Jamie was just messing with him and didn’t expect to hear Meredith’s voice. Jamie silently laughed at Tyler.

Jamie: Hey, what are you doing?
Meredith: I’m at work. What are you doing?
Jamie: I’m at lunch with Tyler. We just finished practice.
Meredith: Oh, tell him I say hi.
Tyler: Hey!
Jamie: You’re on speaker.
Meredith: Oh, hey Tyler. How was y’alls practice?
Jamie: It was good.
Tyler: We worked a lot on defense like I said we would.
Meredith: Sounds exciting.
Jamie: Not really.
Meredith: Are you allowed to say that? I thought the captain was supposed to be supportive.
Jamie: I am supportive; it was just boring.
Meredith: Well, games are won in practice so… you have to do the boring stuff if you want to win.
Tyler: You changed the quote!
Meredith: I paraphrased it.
Jamie: So Meredith, I have a question.

Tyler started making faces at Jamie and waving his hands for him not to ask Meredith what he said he would ask. Tyler was having a mini panic attack in his seat at the table and it took everything Jamie had to refrain from bursting of laughter.

Meredith: Is that why you called me?
Jamie: Yes. Did you have fun at the game last night?
Meredith: I did. It was a very good game.
Jamie: I will agree with you on that.
Tyler: Hey, what time do you get off of work tonight?
Meredith: After I close, why?
Tyler: I was gonna see if you wanted to hang out tonight.
Meredith: Tyler…
Tyler: As friends. Friends hang out. Jamie, do you want to hang out with us? See it can be a group of us.
Meredith: I was planning on working out after I close up though.
Jamie: We can work out with you.
Tyler: I’ll even give you another chance to beat me on the track, even though that won’t happen.
Meredith: You’re such an ass, but sure, why not.
Tyler: Good. Where will you be? Dallas or Flower Mound?
Meredith: I’m in Dallas again. Flower Mound doesn’t open back up until tomorrow.
Jamie: Great, we’ll see you tonight.

Jamie hung up the phone and started laughing.

Tyler: You mother fucker! I thought you were joking with me about having her number!
Jamie: I would never lie to you Segs.
Tyler: When the fuck did you get her number?! Why do you have her number?!
Jamie: I got it last night. So I can tell her embarrassing stories of you.
Tyler: Worst fucking friend in the world.
Jamie: Shit, you fucking love me.

Later that evening Tyler and Jamie went to Change Up to work out with Meredith. When they got there they walked in and found Meredith in her office. The last class was finishing up and then Meredith would close and they could have the facility to themselves. While they waited for Change Up to close, Meredith showed the two around and cleaned up as she went, helping out the other trainers and staff. The final class finished and the staff slowly started to leave after finishing up their work. 45 minutes later everyone had left and they had the facility to themselves.

Tyler: Kickboxing again?
Meredith: Of course, it’s my favorite workout. It’s also legs and booty day.
Tyler: Do you have a rotation of workouts?
Meredith: Yeah.
Jamie: Why don’t you do one of our workouts for a change, eh?
Meredith: I have a feeling one of your workouts would end with me lying on the floor dead.
Jamie: They’re really not that bad or as hard as you would think.
Meredith: I guess they can’t be that bad, Tyler doesn’t have much muscle on him.

Jamie laughed pretty hard.

Tyler: We went through this last time; I’m all muscle babe.
Meredith: I know, I know. I’m just messing with you. You’re plenty muscular. I’m sure you could bench press Jamie if you wanted to.
Jamie: That’s not happening.
Tyler: Come on Chubbs, I could easy.
Jamie: No you could not. I’m taller and way bigger than you.
Tyler: Fine, maybe not you, but Meredith, easy.
Jamie: Do it then.
Meredith: I don’t think I like the sound of this.
Tyler: Come here.
Meredith: No, I am not a weight. I am a person.
Jamie: I’ll spot you, you’ll be fine.
Meredith: Nope, not happening.
Tyler: Yes, I won’t hurt you.
Meredith: No.
Tyler: Jamie, help me.

Tyler and Jamie started towards Meredith to pick her up and she ran. They chased her around the facility until they cornered her. Jamie picked her up and put her over his shoulder.

Meredith: Let me go. Jamie! Put me down! I am a person! I’m too tall for this! I’m going to hit my head of the floor. JAMIE!
Tyler: You’re fine. If anything happens to you I won’t pass the puck to Jamie tomorrow night during our game.
Meredith: No I do not like this!

They reached the bench and Tyler grabbed Meredith from Jamie and started lifting her in the air. Meredith continued to kick and yell at them until she wiggled enough to land on the floor.

Tyler: Oh my God, Meredith, are you okay?! Can you talk? How many fingers am I holding up?
Meredith: None, you’re just yelling in my face. I didn’t even hit my head dipshit.
Jamie: She’s fine.
Meredith: I told you not to do that!
Tyler: But it was fun.
Meredith: Just when I was starting to tolerate you.
Tyler: I’ll kiss it and make it feel better?
Meredith: I didn’t hurt anything. I just landed on the floor. It was a two-foot drop, and Jamie, you’re terrible at spotting. Please tell me y’all hire people to spot you in the weight room and you don’t rely on each other.
Jamie: So spotting may not be my strongest quality.
Meredith: I would say it’s your worst, and since y’all dropped me, we’re doing kickboxing tonight.
Tyler: Fine, but you’re doing one of our workouts one of these days.
Meredith: Well then you’ll need to schedule it on my weekly workout schedule. I like to plan things out.
Tyler: You and your overthinking and worrying and planning.
Meredith: You and your name on your arm.
Tyler: Hey! Chubbs has his name tattooed on his arm too.
Meredith: Oh dear Lord.
Jamie: Do you have something against it?
Meredith: No, but it makes you look conceded and arrogant.
Jamie: You don’t have a filter do you?
Meredith: I do, I just pick and choose when to use it. I don’t really feel like using it right now.

Meredith walked over to her gym bag and grabbed her boxing gloves and then walked over to a cabinet and grabbed two pairs, one for Tyler and one for Jamie and handed them to them.

Meredith: I assume you didn’t bring the ones I gave you last time?
Tyler: No, I left them in my gym at home.

They walked over to the punching bags and started their workout. A few minutes in, Jamie started up a conversation.

Jamie: What gave your dad the idea to open this, Meredith?
Meredith: He’s was a physical therapist and a personal trainer part time, so one day he was tired of splitting his time between two jobs and decided to open this.
Tyler: You do physical therapy here too?
Meredith: Yeah, we don’t advertise it as much now, but in the beginning it was what really kept us going, now we focus more on the training side of it.
Jamie: Do you specialize in any one sport?
Meredith: It depends on the location. At this one, we have specialists for almost every sport, our Fort Worth location, pretty much the same, and then in Flower Mound, which is our smallest location, baseball, softball and football are our main specialties.
Tyler: Don’t worry, they have hockey here and in Fort Worth.
Jamie: Who is the hockey specialist here?
Meredith: Tom Littleston.
Jamie: Oh my God, I love that man! I’ve known him since the day I got to Dallas, I had no idea this is what he’s doing now.
Meredith: He’s one of my dad’s best friends. He started working here last year. I forgot that he used to work for the Stars.
Jamie: I was so upset when he didn’t come back to coach. I guess I know why now.

Meredith’s phone started to ring and Jamie was standing next to it.

Meredith: Do you mind seeing who that is?
Jamie: It says Tanner.

Meredith grunted and punched the bag really hard.

Jamie: Do you need to get it?
Meredith: No, not at all.

Tyler and Jamie looked at each other knowing something was wrong.

Tyler: Hey, ready for that rematch around the track? I’m sure you can beat Chubbs, he’s slow.
Meredith: Are you calling me slow? You barley beat me last time.
Tyler: I still beat you though.
Meredith: Whatever, you’re on.
Jamie: You know you’re supposed to let her win.
Tyler: Not her.
Jamie: A gentleman always lets the girl win.
Tyler: You just opened a can of worms there buddy.
Meredith: No, you should never let someone win no matter what their gender is. A win needs to be earned. Letting someone win is false confidence and not a true win. You should never let someone think that they won fair and square when they did not. You, as a professional athlete should know this. YOU NEVER LET SOMEONE WIN! IT HAS TO BE EARNED!
Tyler: Told you.
Meredith: He warned you.
Tyler: You ready? No false starts Meredith!
Meredith: Fair and square this time.
Tyler: On your mark, get set, go!

The three of them raced around the track with Tyler winning and Meredith coming in second by just one second. They finished working out and went their separate ways for the night. The next day the Stars flew out to Colorado for the start of a 5-day road trip and Meredith went back to Denton and working at the Flower Mound location. Now that the Holidays were over, Meredith was getting back to her everyday life and preparing for the upcoming semester and enjoying the quiet before her roommate Lauren got back from winter break.

A week had now passed and the Stars were back in Dallas for a few home games. Meredith and Tyler had talked almost every night while Tyler was out of town and she continued to ignore calls from Tanner. She still hadn’t told Tyler about him and Tyler didn’t ask. Meredith was at work that Friday afternoon when the phone on her desk rang. Without looking at caller ID, she answered.

Meredith: This is Meredith.
Tanner: It’s about time I got ahold of you.
Meredith: Goodbye.
Tanner: Wait!
Meredith: What do you want?
Tanner: I heard about your grandfather and I just wanted to see how you’re doing.
Meredith: No, you don’t get to check in on me. You had that chance and you ruined it.
Tanner: It was a fucking mistake; I didn’t mean to ruin us.
Meredith: No, you made a choice not a mistake.
Tanner: It really was a fucking mistake. A really bad, fucking stupid mistake.
Meredith: Cheating is not a mistake; it’s a choice. The only reason you call it a mistake is because you got caught.
Tanner: I don’t want to fight. I just want to know how you’re doing. I know how close you were to your grandfather.
Meredith: You’re right, I was really close to him and maybe if you weren’t too busy screwing one of my sorority sisters you would have known what was going on and that his life was coming to end and I was falling apart, but you didn’t really seem to care about me so I didn’t tell you. You lost your right to know anything about me and my life. You don’t get to act like you care now. If you didn’t care when we were dating then you don’t care now. I’ve moved on. I got over you.
Tanner: Really, you’re over me? We dated for almost a year. You can’t get over me that fast.
Meredith: Oh but I can. It’s easy to move on from people that I lost respect for. And why do you care anyway? You’re dating that slut now.
Tanner: She has a name.
Meredith: You’re right, but I also lost respect for her and she doesn’t exist in my life anymore so her name really doesn’t matter.
Tanner: You’ve gone batshit crazy and are acting like a fucking bitch.
Meredith: And right there is another reason I lost all respect for you and the slut. Have a nice life.

Meredith slammed the phone back on its holder and took a deep breath. The deep breath didn’t help any. She paced around in her office for a few minutes and picked up her phone to make a call.

Tyler: Hello?
Meredith: What are you doing tonight?
Tyler: I’m going to go to Jumping Jacks with some friends.
Meredith: I’m your friend. Can I join? Lauren isn’t back from winter break yet and I really don’t’ want to be alone tonight.
Tyler: Yeah, is everything okay?
Meredith: You said you wanted to be that person that I rely on, does the offer still stand?
Tyler: Yeah, of course it does!
Meredith: Good. I’m about to leave work; can I just meet you at your house?
Tyler: I’ll be waiting. We can leave when you get here.

Meredith arrived to Tyler’s house and the dogs ran up to her as soon as she entered.

Meredith: Hello you cute little fluff balls.

Meredith leaned down to pet and play with the dogs.

Tyler: If you keep loving on them like that they’ll never let us leave.
Meredith: You’re just jealous you’re not getting the same attention and love from me like these two adorable doggies.
Tyler: Maybe I am.

Meredith smiled at Tyler and stood up from playing with the dogs.

Tyler: You okay tonight?
Meredith: Yeah, nothing I can’t handle. I just didn’t feel like going back to my apartment and being alone. All of my friends are still at home from the holidays.
Tyler: I guess when you grow up forty-five minutes from where you go to school you’re always at home.
Meredith: Pretty much. Sometimes it’s nice; sometimes it’s annoying.
Tyler: I could see that. Are you ready to go? I think my friends are already there.
Meredith: Oh yeah, of course. Sorry, you can blame me for being late.
Tyler: I already did.

Meredith playfully hit Tyler’s arm and they went to get in his Jeep. They got in and headed off to the restaurant.

Meredith: Thanks for letting me invite myself tonight.
Tyler: How could I tell you no? You actually wanted to do something.
Meredith: It’s not that I don’t ever want to do something; I’m just very busy.
Tyler: Uh huh, sure. Likely story.
Meredith: Ty, I promise.
Tyler: Ty? A term of endearment? That means I’m growing on you.
Meredith: I can tolerate you now; don’t push it.
Tyler: So, we’re meeting my friend Johnny, who was actually at Jumping Jacks the night I met you—
Meredith: Is he the one that named that group of girls Jumping Hoes?
Tyler: You remember that?
Meredith: I have a very good memory. I’m like an elephant.

Tyler started laughing really hard.

Tyler: An elephant?
Meredith: Yes, they have a really good memory. Have you never heard that before?
Tyler: No…
Meredith: That’s because you’re from Canada.
Tyler: Sure, that’s it. Also, Bryan and his girlfriend, Madison will be there, and then whomever else they invited.
Meredith: I feel like I’m meeting all of your friends.
Tyler: You’ve met the ones I’m always around. I have a lot of friends in up in Boston and Toronto too.

They got to the restaurant and Tyler introduced Meredith to everyone and everyone to Meredith. Bryan and Madison had invited a few of their friends too but Tyler didn’t really know them. He had only met them in passing before.

Madison: How long have the two of you been dating?
Meredith: Oh we’re not dating.
Tyler: We’re just friends.
Madison: Oh, my bad. I’m not used to you bringing girls out with you, I just assumed.
Tyler: Nah, just friends, nothing more.
Madison: Oops, I’m sorry.
Meredith: It’s no big deal.
Johnny: So then which Jumping Hoe are you taking home tonight?
Bryan: They spotted you the second you walked in.
Tyler: Of course they did.
Johnny: Becky is here, she’s probably the least annoying; pick her.
Tyler: No thank you.
Johnny: What about Rachel?
Tyler: No.
Johnny: Lisa?
Meredith: You know all of their names?
Madison: They’re here all the time. Watch them, they’ll start giving you death glares for being at the same table as Tyler. Don’t go to the bathroom alone. I’ve made that mistake before.
Meredith: Good to know.
Tyler: Johnny knows all their names. Daddy told him he could have them all.
Johnny: But I don’t want them. They’re fucking nuts.
Tyler: No shit; that’s why Daddy told you to take them.
Johnny: You have to take one of them…
Tyler: No I do not. I don’t have to take any of them. I’m not taking any of them.

Tyler looked at Meredith who was looking forward and didn’t see him turn his head.

Bryan: Are you sure you two aren’t dating?
Tyler: Positive.
Johnny: You know you can tell me if you’re dating. I won’t tell the press. I’m your day-to-day manager for crying out loud.
Meredith: You have a day-to-day manager? That’s really necessary?
Tyler: No, but it gave him something to do and he’s really not so much as a day-to-day manager but my best friend who just manages me and hangs out with me all the time.
Bryan: Hey Tyler, what are you doing for your birthday this year?
Tyler: We actually have the day off in Toronto so I get to see my friends up there and my family for once.
Meredith: Your birthday is coming up?
Tyler: Yeah, it’s at the end of the month, the 31st.
Bryan: Well then we’ll need to celebrate in Dallas too when you get back.
Tyler: Hell yeah!

They all enjoyed their dinner and continued talking when Meredith’s phone started to ring. She saw that it was Tanner and clicked ignore. A few seconds later her phone dinged with a text message.

Tanner: When you’re done being a stupid fucking bitch, call me.

Meredith opened the text to read it and Tyler looked to see what she was doing. He wasn’t looking to snoop, but he saw the text. Meredith clicked the back button and put her phone down. Tyler leaned in to talk to her.

Tyler: You okay?
Meredith: Yeah, I’m good.
Tyler: Are you sure?
Meredith: Tyler, I’m fine.

Meredith and Tyler stayed a little bit longer and then decided to head out for the night. They got in the car and headed back towards Tyler’s house. While in the car Tyler asked Meredith if she would like to come inside and hang out for a little bit and she said yes. They got back to the house and went inside. Tyler put the dogs in the backyard and then went into the kitchen to get two bottles of water. Meredith sat down at the barstool and took the water from Tyler who came and sat next to her.

Tyler: Did you have an okay time tonight?
Meredith: It was fun! Your friends are really nice!
Tyler: They’re not too bad. I always enjoy hanging out with my non-hockey friends.
Meredith: Too much hockey in your life?
Tyler: Never, but I do need to get away from it sometimes. It’s my job and my life, but I can’t always be around my job. I need a break during the evenings when I’m not playing.
Meredith: I understand that one. But hey, if you ever need a break from hockey, just call me. I really don’t know much about it or keep up with it.
Tyler: I know, but you’ll learn.
Meredith: Maybe, we’ll see.
Tyler: Mmhumh. So, Tanner…
Meredith: What about Tanner?
Tyler: He’s the ex isn’t he?
Meredith: Yes.
Tyler: Want to tell me what’s going on?
Meredith: Not particularly.
Tyler: You two are over, aren’t you?
Meredith: One thousand percent over.
Tyler: Good.

Tyler got up and walked to the backdoor to let the dogs in.

Tyler: Wanna play a game?

Meredith’s phone dinged and she galnced down to see that it was Tanner again.

Meredith: Does it involve drinking?
Tyler: Yes.
Meredith: Then I’m in.
Tyler: Good, no take backs now.
Meredith: You’re scaring me now. What’s the game?
Tyler: You’ll see.

Notes

Take It Out On Me- Florida Georgia Line

Let me know what you're thinking about the story so far or what you would like to see happen! I really like the comments and feedback! :)