Wildest Dreams

It was the next morning and Meredith woke up with a small hangover. She looked at her phone and saw that she had a text from Tyler saying that the tickets and locker room passes were at will call under her name and also gave her instructions on where to park so she didn’t have to pay for parking. She texted him back saying thank you and then she called her cousin Nicole.

Nicole: Hello?
Meredith: You’re not doing anything this afternoon, right?
Nicole: Why do you just assume I don’t have plans? I thought I was coming over to your parent’s house?
Meredith: Change of plans.
Nicole: What are you up to?
Meredith: Me, nothing.
Nicole: I don’t believe you.
Meredith: I have tickets for the Stars game this afternoon. Wanna go?
Nicole: Did you get them from Tyler?
Meredith: Do you want to go or not?
Nicole: Of course I do! Did you get them from Tyler?
Meredith: We can talk about this later. I have to run by Change Up and take care of a few things. Do you just want to meet at the game?
Nicole: Yeah that’s fine. I’ll just ride out with my parents.
Meredith: Okay, I’ll pick up the tickets from will call and we can just meet in Victory Plaza. The game is at 4 so I’ll get there about 2:45?
Nicole: Okay, I’ll see you then.

Meredith hung up the phone and went to get ready for the game. She didn’t have any Stars apparel so she decided to wear a black shirt with skinny jeans rolled up to the ankles and green converse. After she got ready she went to Change Up to drop some paperwork off and then headed towards the American Airlines Center to pick up the tickets and meet up with Nicole.

Tyler was in the locker room getting ready for the game and talking with some of the guys about the night before when Jordie and Jason walked up.

Tyler: The party was a lot of fun. Good way to ring in the New Year.
Jordie: We finally got to meet mystery girl!
Antoine: The girl Seguin is in love with? Fuck, I should have been there.
Jason: I was hoping she was coming to the game today so everyone could meet her.
Tyler: Not everyone is meeting her; you fuckheads will scare her off. And also, thanks for making me look like a jackass last night. I didn’t invite her to the game and then you had to go and ask if she was coming.
Jordie: Well how were we supposed to know you didn’t invite her?
Tyler: I told you shitheads no shenanigans.
Jamie: We thought that was a safe question.
Tyler: No, that made me look like a dick.
Antoine: Maybe you should have just invited her to the game and you wouldn’t look like a dick.
Tyler: I did invite her to the game, and I think she’s coming. I got her a pass to come down here after the game but I think I’m regretting that decision.
Jamie: No, I like her. She doesn’t give into you like every other girl. She makes you work. Its what you need.
Tyler: I’m not passing the puck to you tonight.
Jason: So she’s coming?
Tyler: Yeah, with her cousin.
Jordie: You’re already meeting her family?
Tyler: I guess so. Her cousin is a big hockey fan and her aunt and uncle have season tickets.
Antoine: You’re meeting her aunt and uncle too?!
Tyler: Fuck, I didn’t think about getting them a pass down here too.
Jamie: Did she ask for a pass for them too or mention them being at the game?
Tyler: No.
Jordie: Then you’re probably fine. There’s always the next game.

It was 2:45 and Meredith had made her way through parking and to will call to get the tickets. She was handed two tickets that were next to the Stars bench and two passes for the locker room. She put the locker room passes in her purse and found her relatives. They all made their way to their seats, her aunt and uncle sitting a few rows farther back. The Stars were about to skate out for warm up and fans were at the glass watching and waiting and standing next to where Meredith and Nicole were sitting.

Nicole: Tyler must really like you. These are some of the best seats here.
Meredith: He’s trying too hard. I don’t need all of this.
Nicole: No, but you might as well take it if he’s offering.
Meredith: No, no I should not.

The Stars had skated out and started warming up. More fans gathered around and could overhear their conversation.

Nicole: Oh look, there he is.
Meredith: Yep, and there are Jordie, Jason, and Jamie too.
Nicole: Wait you actually know what they look like now?
Meredith: Yes. I met them last night. They were really nice.
Nicole: Ugh, I’m so jealous! Wait, were you with Tyler last night?

Tyler skated by Meredith and smiled really big giving a small wave to her. Meredith waved back. Jamie skated up next to him nudging his shoulder and making fun of Tyler and then turning back to Meredith to laugh and wave. The fans near the glass noticed and turned to look at whom the dynamic duo was waving at. They started giving Meredith weird and confused looks.

Nicole: Oh my God, the captain of the team knows you! You were with Tyler last night! What did you two do? How did you meet all of them?
Meredith: Can you keep your voice down? The entire arena does not need to know my personal life and I really don’t want to talk about this here, or right now at least. People are staring and listening in.
Nicole: So, they can deal with it. They’re just jealous.
Meredith: I think you’re jealous too.
Nicole: I am! So, are you going to tell me what you did last night?
Meredith: Long story short, I lost a bet I made with Tyler and I had to go out with him to a party that him and some of the guys from the team were throwing at the Omni.
Nicole: What was the bet?
Meredith: Who could finish a lap around the track faster.
Nicole: That means that you saw him another time. I thought you said nothing is happening between the two of you.
Meredith: Nothing is happening and we worked out together yesterday morning. That was it. Nothing more.
Nicole: You’re lying.
Meredith: Do you have proof?
Nicole: No…
Meredith: Nothing is happening or happened. We worked out together and then I went to the party with him.
Nicole: Did you take separate cars to the party or just one?
Meredith: He picked me up.
Nicole: So it was a date.
Meredith: No it wasn’t and I made sure I told him that. I was very clear that it was not a date and that I had only lost a bet.
Nicole: Did he kiss you? Was he your New Year’s kiss?

Meredith didn’t answer.

Nicole: Oh my God Meredith! Why did you not tell me?!
Meredith: It was a New Years kiss and that’s it. Nothing more. It meant nothing. More people are staring. I don’t want them hearing all about this nonexistent thing that is going on between Tyler and me.
Nicole: Fine, but we’re not done talking about this.
Meredith: There’s nothing more to talk about because there’s nothing going on!
Nicole: You’re going to fall in love and the two of you are going to get married. I’m calling it now.
Meredith: Yeah, just like how you and Jamie are going to married.
Nicole: Did you tell him I’m in love with him?!
Meredith: No, but if you keep this up, I will.
Nicole: That means you’re going to see Tyler again. You’re getting married.
Meredith: I regret inviting you. I should have brought my sister or brother. Anyone but you.
Nicole: You love me. And Tyler.
Meredith: I swear if I see rumors abut me on the Internet now from all these fans around us listening, its all your fault and I will hate you.
Nicole: No one is listening and no one is talking about you; yet, at least.

The game got started and Nicole stopped talking about Tyler for a little bit. The Stars were playing the Predators and won the game 3-2. Tyler had one goal and an assist on Jamie’s goal, and Jason Spezza making the third goal to win the game. Meredith and Nicole got up from their seats and walked out to the main concourse to meet Rich and Betty.

Meredith: Hey I’m going to run to the bathroom and then I’ll head out. Will you just tell your parents I said bye?
Nicole: We can wait for you.
Meredith: No that’s okay. I’m parked in a different area anyway. I’ll see you guys tomorrow probably. Everyone is finally leaving town.
Nicole: Okay, well be safe. See you tomorrow.

Meredith and Nicole walked off in different directions. Nicole went to meet up with her parents and Meredith went to the elevator that took her down below the seats to the tunnels so she could make her way to the locker room. When she arrived near the locker room she didn’t know when she was allowed to go in, so she stood to the side and watched people pass by her. She saw the press go in and other people come out. As she waited for someone to say she could go in, or a sign saying it was clear, her phone started ringing and she answered.

Meredith: Hello?... I’m good, how about you?.... Okay, you’re worrying me a little bit… Yeah I think I have a few minutes to talk… Oh no! I had no idea that was going on… What do I have to with this? Why are you telling me?... You what? You want me?... Doesn’t this need to be voted on or go to slate or something?... I mean if that’s what you want and you think I’m the best person for it, then yeah, I’ll accept… Don’t I need to go through some training?... Okay, I’ll see you then!... Thank you!... Have a good evening!

As Meredith finished her conversation, Tyler had come out of the locker room and walked over to her. When Tyler got closer she hung up and looked at him. She was half smiling and half confused. She looked at her phone for a minute and then back at Tyler who was wondering what was going on.

Tyler: Hey! Everything okay?
Meredith: Yeah, I, I just got a call from one of my advisors and something happened with our president so she just made me president of my sorority.
Tyler: That’s great! Congratulations! This is a good thing, right?
Meredith: Yeah, I just wasn’t expecting it. It caught me off guard. I didn’t think I was president material or that they even thought of me being that much of a leader.
Tyler: That’s really exciting. That means they think highly of you and that you’re cut out to be a leader. I’m so proud of you!

Tyler pulled Meredith in for a quick hug.

Meredith: Thank you!
Tyler: Is that why you didn’t come into the dressing room?
Meredith: Kinda. I also didn’t know when was a good time to go or how awkward that would be to walk in and see stuff I’m not supposed to see, it is a locker room after all.
Tyler: You’ll be fine. Do you wanna go in now? It’s all clear. Just some guys finishing up interviews.
Meredith: Sure. Oh my gosh! I’m a terrible person! Good game and congrats on winning!

Meredith and Tyler started walking towards the locker room.

Tyler: You’re not a terrible person, but thank you. Did you and your cousin have fun?
Meredith: Yeah, I had a lot of fun. It was a good game!
Tyler: Where is your cousin by the way?
Meredith: Oh she went home with my aunt and uncle.
Tyler: She didn’t want to come down here?
Meredith: I’m sure she would have loved to, I just didn’t tell her you game me passes.
Tyler: Why?
Meredith: Because you don’t need to be meeting my family.
Tyler: Why not?

Meredith and Tyler had reached the locker room and started walking in.

Meredith: That would make this something more than it is if you met my family.
Tyler: What exactly is this?
Meredith: This isn’t the place to talk about it.

Jordie saw the pair walk in and broke up the conversation.

Jordie: MEREDITH!
Meredith: Hi, Jordie!
Antoine: Is this mystery girl?!
Meredith: That’s me! But I have a name, its Meredith.
Antoine: I’m Antoine Roussel.
Tyler: The French Man.
Meredith: Nice to meet you.

A few other players walked by and Tyler introduced them to Meredith. For once they behaved by Tyler’s standards and were polite and went about their evening and postgame routines and activities.

Jamie: Hey Meredith, a bunch of us are going out for a late dinner tonight and a small celebration. Do you wanna come?

Meredith looked at Tyler.

Tyler: Come. It will be fun.
Meredith: Where are you going?
Jamie: It matters?
Meredith: Yes, because if its sushi, I’m out.
Jamie: No, its not sushi. We were going to go to Lunar. They have a table and room reserved for us already.
Meredith: Yummy, I love that place!
Tyler: So you’re in?
Meredith: Yes.
Tyler: Good.

After finishing up getting ready and getting their things together, a majority of the team went to Lunar, including Meredith and some friends of the team and girlfriends. When they got to the restaurant Meredith sat between Tyler and Colton and across from Jamie who was in between Antoine and Jason.

Colton: So, Meredith, are you still a student?
Meredith: Yeah, I go to the University of North Texas.
Jamie: What’s your major?
Meredith: Marketing and Business Management.
Jamie: When do you graduate?
Tyler: Guys, stop bombarding her with questions. She came for dinner, not a fucking interrogation.
Meredith: It’s fine, I don’t mind. I graduate next December.
Jason: Are you excited?
Meredith: I guess so. I already have a job that I’ll keep so I guess it won’t be that different. I just won’t have to go to class.
Colton: What do you do now?
Meredith: I guess you could say I’m head of marketing for Change Up and also run and manage the Flower Mound location. It’s a sports training and strengthening facility that my dad owns.
Colton: That sounds like a fun job.
Tyler: The place is huge; you should see it.
Jason: I heard you were in a sorority.
Tyler: Not just in a sorority, she’s president of her sorority.
Meredith: Yeah, that’s me.
Antoine: Doesn’t that mean you’re the hottest one if you’re president?
Tyler: Roussel!
Meredith: Um, I’m gonna say no. I actually just got the position an hour ago.
Jason: This calls for a round!

They all enjoyed their dinner and the rest of the evening. It was getting late and the table slowly started getting smaller as people were leaving.

Tyler: Do you want to come back to my house and talk?

Meredith gave Tyler a look.

Tyler: I promise I’m not going to do anything. Meredith, please. I want to talk about what we started to talk about earlier.
Meredith: I guess I can do that. Talking only.
Tyler: Only talking.

They left the restaurant and Meredith followed Tyler to his house. When they got there Meredith followed Tyler into the house and his dogs ran to the door jumping around and licking the two of them.

Meredith: Puppies.
Tyler: Yeah, according to Jamie I live and breathe for them. This one is Cash and this one Marshall.
Meredith: They’re so cute!
Tyler: They know it too. Do you want a drink or anything?
Meredith: Can I have a water?
Tyler: Anything for you.

Tyler went to the kitchen to get Meredith her water and then showed her around his house a little bit. The dogs followed them around for a while and when the dogs settled down Meredith and Tyler sat on the couch in the living room.

Tyler: Thanks for coming to the game and then to eat tonight.
Meredith: You’re welcome. Thank you for the tickets. You really didn’t need to get me those seats though.
Tyler: They were free and available; I wanted you close.
Meredith: Even though you were working and there was glass between us the entire time.
Tyler: Hey, I never said it was the perfect situation but it was the best one.
Meredith: It was a pretty good game too.
Tyler: Could have been better. Too close of a final score.
Meredith: A win is a win. You should take it and be happy.
Tyler: I am happy, I would just prefer for it to of been 3-1 or 3-0, our defense is sucking right now.
Meredith: That’s what practice is for. To work on what you need to fix. As my dad always says and what is painted on the walls at every Change Up location, games are won on the practice field. Or in your case, practice rink.
Tyler: I have a feeling we’ll be running lots of defense drills tomorrow at practice. Coach wasn’t too happy today.
Meredith: Are coaches ever happy? They always find something to work on and improve.
Tyler: That’s true.

Meredith didn’t respond and they both sat on the couch in silence for a few minutes putting off the conversation even more.

Tyler: So…
Meredith: So.
Tyler: I guess we should talk about what this is, shouldn’t we.
Meredith: Yeah, that was the plan and reason for me coming over.
Tyler: What is this?
Meredith: This is two people hanging out enjoying each other’s company with one of them wanting something more. That’s what it is to me at least.
Tyler: I’m the one that wants something more, aren’t I?
Meredith: Its not that I don’t want something more, it’s just, I, this isn’t a good time for me to get involved with someone.
Tyler: Why? That’s the most over used excuse there is. Is this because of your grandfather?
Meredith: It’s more than just that.
Tyler: So then what is it?
Meredith: I just don’t think I have time right now to dedicate to a relationship. Between coping with my grandfather, working all the time, school starting again and now being president of my sorority. That’s a lot for my senior year in college. I’m also graduating early so I’m taking bigger course loads and I don’t want to be in a relationship and it suffering because I’m not giving it enough time.
Tyler: Don’t I get a say in this?
Meredith: I’m listening.
Tyler: I travel a lot. I’m not here often so it wouldn’t be just you not having time for a relationship. It would be both of us.
Meredith: If we both don’t have time, then why start something that we know is going to fail?
Tyler: Just listen. Even though it would be work on both of us, it would almost work better because we couldn’t blame just one of us for not having time. It would be a mutual thing.
Meredith: I’m not sure if you made that sound any better.
Tyler: Okay, that wasn’t the best strategy, but I want this to work. I want to give us a shot. Dedicating time is just an excuse. We can make this work. We just have to give it and us a chance.
Meredith: It’s not just the time though, Tyler. I just got out of a relationship and I don’t think jumping into a new one is the best choice. Then it just seems like a rebound.
Tyler: Oh, you did?
Meredith: Yes, and I don’t want you to be a rebound. I want us to actually be something if we ever do decide to become something more.
Tyler: When did you break up?
Meredith: Three weeks before I met you. It looks like too much of a rebound and it feels that way a little bit and I don’t want it to be.
Tyler: How long were you together?
Meredith: Almost a year. He’s the one that kept calling me the yesterday and why I didn’t want to answer.
Tyler: But what if I’m not a rebound?
Meredith: But what if you are?
Tyler: I’m willing to take that chance.
Meredith: I can’t do that to you. I won’t. Here you are really trying to make an effort being a really good guy that I don’t think a lot of people see, and I’m treating you really shitty for it and I just can’t do that to you.
Tyler: Look, you are not being shitty towards me. I am here for you. I want to be here for you. You just need to decided to finally let me in and prove that to you. I’m not the fuckhead people think I am. I’m trying to prove that to you, you just have to let me show you. I know you think you want me to leave you alone, but you need someone right now and I’m that person.
Meredith: You’re making it difficult to resist you. Why can’t we just let things be?
Tyler: You said it yourself, I’m a charmer. And I can’t let things be because I want something more.
Meredith: I just want to keep this simple. I need one thing in my life to be simple right now.
Tyler: Fine, you want simple. Here’s simple. We are two people who met one night who became friends and regularly talk and are sometimes flirty with each other.
Meredith: So we’re friends?
Tyler: For now. Until you feel like I’m no longer a rebound and you’re ready for a relationship.
Meredith: I can’t give you a timeframe though.
Tyler: That’s fine. I’ll wait.
Meredith: No, please don’t do that. No one is worth waiting for. Especially me, I’ll feel terrible if you do that and I’ll be miserable knowing you’re waiting for me.
Tyler: So then what do you want me to do?
Meredith: I want you to go out and live your life normally and not act like you have a girlfriend or you’re dating anyone. Go about like I’m just a normal friend.
Tyler: So you’re saying it’s okay to go out with other girls and bring them home?
Meredith: Yes, add on to your disgusting lost and found closet if that’s what makes you happy.
Tyler: Do you wanna see the closet?
Meredith: No, I don’t want to see that.

Notes

This chapter is based off of If It's Just Me by Hunter Hayes.

Sorry for the wait, I've been on vacation.

Let me know what you think! Rate and comment:)