The Final Goal

The next morning, Skylar woke up before anyone else. The weak morning light shone through Brian's bedroom window and she figured it was just past dawn. She hadn't slept well that night, tossing and turning while Brian slept peacefully next to her.

Skylar got up and grabbed her bag, walked into the bathroom and as she glanced at her reflection, she almost screamed. Last night's mascara was in streaks down her face and she had dark, purple circles under her eyes from lack of sleep. Reaching for a tissue, she wet it slightly and wiped off the makeup, hoping to erase the memories of last night.

She tried to concentrate on lining her eyes with black liquid eyeliner, but Patric's harsh words still echoed in her head. Skylar was prone to crying out of anger or frustration, so she balled her fists and willed herself to calm down. She would need to be composed if she was going to talk to Fleury. The deep breaths she took eventually loosened her up and she slowly resumed her morning activities.

Skylar walked back into Brian's bedroom and seeing as he was still sleeping, she continued on out of the bedroom and went downstairs to make breakfast. She figured it was the least she could do for Brian since he had been kind enough to let her stay in his house. Not that she was much of a nuisance, but it would certainly change Brian's normal routine a bit. Hopefully, she would be out of his hair soon.

Ten minutes later, Brian entered the kitchen still wearing the grey shirt and blue boxers he went to bed in last night, eyes half closed, like he navigated the house based on smell alone. Instead of sitting at one of the stools at the island, he walked behind her and peered over her shoulder, causing Skylar to involuntarily shudder at the close proximity. She was about to ask him what he wanted when suddenly, he took the pan out of her hands and shoved her out of the kitchen. He did all of this while shaking his head and mumbling incoherent phrases she couldn't make out.

"What was that for?" She asked, aggravated. She was only trying to do something nice for him in return for his hospitality. "You're doing it wrong. I can fix it," he said, motioning towards the pancakes and omelettes she had been trying to make. Skylar looked at him and tilted her head, slightly confused. "You know how to cook?" She asked incredulously, surprised that a young man as busy as him would have time to learn culinary skills. "Yeah! I used to cook with my mom when I had free time," he said smiling. "Now, get out of my kitchen!"

Skylar obliged and took a seat at the island, watching him intently as he cooked. "Can you flip one?" She asked, motioning to the pancakes. Brian looked up and gave her a look of uncertainty, but shrugged his shoulders and before he could change his mind, flipped the pancake up into the air.

Skylar watched the pancake sail through the air, seemingly in slow motion. It flipped over itself multiple times before gravity pulled it back down, towards the pan outstretched in Brian's hand. The pancake hit the pan awkwardly, as only half the pancake hit the pan. The other half dangled off the edge and pulled the other half out with it as the pancake flew downwards once more and landed with a splat on the linoleum. The room was silent as they stared at the remains of the pancake that could have been.

After a moment of silence, presumably for the death of the beloved pancake, Skylar finally spoke. "Good job," she said, slowly clapping at the epic pancake fail. The pout on his face stirred something inside her, and Skylar suddenly burst into fits of laughter. Brian stood there frowning as he tried to pick up the pancake and then watched as it crumbled and fell through his fingers.

"Maybe you should get a broom," She suggested, biting her lip to hold back her laughter. Brian sighed and walked away, soon returning with a broom and dustpan to clean up the mess he had created. Meanwhile, Skylar took over the kitchen and continued making breakfast for the three of them, humming softly to herself. After Brian swept up the floor, he took over the kitchen once again, this time shooing Skylar out of the whole room. "I don't need your sarcastic comments while I cook!" he yelled, waving a spatula in a threatening manner as he chased her into the living room.

"What's up with him?" Tommy asked, walking downstairs to join her on the couch. His voice was husky and rough, letting Skylar know he just woke up. This was already obvious as he was still only wearing his boxers. His body was quite a distraction, but Skylar managed to lift her gaze from his chest and, instead, focused on his face.

"He's making breakfast and doesn't want me to bother him while he's 'in the zone' so he kicked me out," Skylar said. Tommy nodded like this was nothing out of the ordinary for Brian. "Yeah he gets pretty serious when he's cooking. He's actually fairly good, but I wouldn't put him on any of those cooking shows," Tommy said, pulling his legs up onto the couch and turning on the TV.

After a few minutes of flipping through the channels, Tommy stopped on Root Sports, which wasn't very surprising. Skylar absolutely hated the morning news, so anything Root had on would be a million times better. Fleury's handsome face popped up on the screen and Skylar leaned forward, interested in what they were saying. At the same time, Brian walked in struggling to carry three plates stacked with pancakes. "Can I get some help here?" he asked, looking back and forth between Tommy and Skylar as he searched for assistance. Skylar shushed him and refocused on the TV, intrigued by their conversation.

"Marc-André Fleury has been ruled day-to-day with a concussion. Fortunately, backup goaltender Matt Murray has been stellar in the few games he has played since being called up from Wilkes-Barre. Nevertheless, the playoffs are fast approaching and fans should be wondering if they will have their number one netminder for the first series." They then went on to talk about the defense and how they could work to block shots so they wouldn't reach Murray.

"Do you guys think he will be back for playoffs?" Skylar asked. She remembered the shot that gave him another concussion. It came from James Neal, former Penguin. Personally, Skylar was worried about Fleury playing so soon after his first concussion. He was fine for a few months but the hard shot brought back the symptoms and Skylar was worried again. Once someone has a concussion, it is typically easier for them to develop another one. Concussions are scary injuries and she couldn't imagine what she would ever do if she had one.

The science behind it all scared her to death. When the head is hit, the brain shakes at the rapid movement. When the head stops shaking, however, the brain stops suddenly, crashing into the sides of the skull. The fluid surrounding the brain lessons the force of the impact but neurons can die from the impact. These neurons can't be replaced, which is why she was so worried about Fleury. When he gets hit like that, she doesn't think about the present, but instead focuses on the future. Will he even know who he is 20 years from now?

Chills crept down her spine at these thoughts so she shook her head and focused on the present. Brian set down their plates and placed the syrup bottle down as well, so she grabbed the plate of pancakes closest to her, poured syrup all over them, and took a few bites. "Well?" Brian asked, raising his eyebrows as he waited for her response. She swallowed and smiled, "These are amazing!" Brian laughed. "Well I do try," he said, eating his own pancakes.

They ate in near silence, occasionally chatting about random things such as the weather. When they finished, Brian took a quick shower while Skylar waited in the living room, impatiently tapping her foot. She saw Brian coming downstairs, so she ran out to his car and they both got in, Skylar's nerves causing a cold chill to develop all over her body. Goosebumps spread over her body and she closed her eyes, trying to calm herself down and think of something logical to say when she sees him.

The ride to his house seemed shorter than usual and Skylar now gulped in fear as she looked at the house. "Do you want me to come with you?" Brian asked, the concern evident on his face. Skylar shook her head. "No I have to do this by myself."

Skylar got out of the car and walked to the door slowly, feeling like she was going to her death. She knocked on the door, heart beating fast as she waited for him to open the door. What would he say? She wasn't even quite sure what she would say yet. As she waited she recited the lines she had rehearsed in her head, wanting to get everything right.

Suddenly, the door opened, interrupting her thoughts and forcing her head up to meet Fleury's brown eyes. Usually warm and light, they now seemed dark and dull, like his life had been taken from him. He looked like the ghost of a man. "Fleury I'm sorry," Skylar said, accidentally brushing against him as she stepped into his house. "You don't understand. Let me explain," Skylar struggled with her words, completely forgetting the speech she had rehearsed. "What don't I understand? From what I can see and from what I've heard, you're living with Brian and Tommy now," Fleury said, jaw set and voice rough as he said their names. "What all did Patric tell you?" she asked, avoiding his gaze by turning away and walking to the living room.

Fleury followed her and cornered her. Skylar leaned against the wall, still trying to avoid his judgmental eyes. He suddenly grabbed her face and lifted it up, forcing her to meet his eyes. "Why don't you tell me. I want to hear it from you." Skylar swallowed at his cold tone but nodded. This was the reason she was here in the first place. He deserved to hear it from her. "I went out to a club with Justin, Brian, and Tommy. At the club we drank a bit and then I danced with Justin. Tommy cut in after a while and then we went back to Brian's..." Skylar said, trailing off towards the end. "And did what?" Fleury asked, emotionless. "We had sex," she said, lowering her head in shame, not wanting him to see the tears slipping out. She didn't have the right to cry to him.

Fleury stepped back, severing the contact between them and Skylar sensed he was about to sever their emotional ties as well. She moved past him and sat on the couch, her knees weak. "I never wanted it to happen, Fleury," she said, forcing herself to meet his gaze. "Yeah I know that, Skylar. But somewhere deep down you subconsciously liked him. I think we need to take a break," he said, voice hard. "Fleury I don't like him. I like you!" she said, tears slowly streaming down her face. "I understand you don't like him," he said. "But maybe this is because you need to date someone your own age."

"What do you mean by that?" Skylar asked, astonished he would suggest such a thing. "Skylar, I'm 31. You're only 23. That's an 8 year difference! You need to be with someone around your age and if that just so happens to be Tommy, Brian, or Schultz then I'll just have to deal with that."

Skylar was silent as she took in what he said. She didn't want to leave him, not after everything they've been through, but maybe it was the best thing for now. Looking at his face, it was obvious he was tired and desperately needed a break. For now, she would listen to him, she would give him the break he so desperately needed because in the end, if they were meant to be, he would find his way back to her.

"Okay, Fleury. But I promise, I'll always be here for you," she said honestly. He nodded his head to acknowledge her and she sensed it was time for her to leave. Skylar stood up and made her way to the door, wiping off her tears so Brian wouldn't see. She had to be strong if she wanted to prove to Fleury she didn't need a younger man. Fleury walked her to the door and automatically started to lean in like he was going to kiss her or hug her, Skylar couldn't tell which, when he stopped halfway through. He coughed awkwardly, trying to lower the tension after his mistake but failing miserably. The tension in the air grew thicker as they stood there staring at each other, both not quite sure what to say to the other.

"Well I'll see you around," Fleury said softly, avoiding her eyes. Skylar sighed at his sad tone, feeling guilty since she caused him this pain. "Bye," she finally replied, tearing her gaze from his saddened face and walking out to Brian's car. "Well?" Brian asked, pulling out of the driveway. Skylar just shook her head. The emotions running through her silenced her voice, unable to speak with the emotional battle raging inside of her. Brian must've sensed she didn't want to talk about it because he focused on driving. Skylar watched the houses zip by.

At a red light, she saw a family getting out of their house. The couple seemed happy, smiles plastered on their faces as they gazed lovingly at the two children bouncing happily around them. In that moment, Skylar was sure she would never be able to date anyone else. She couldn't imagine starting a family with anyone else, no one else would put up with her. Sighing, she laid her head back against the head rest. Closing her eyes, she vowed to herself that she would get Fleury back no matter what. His trust and his love meant the world to her. She just had to prove it.

Notes

Okay here is the latest chapter! I hope you all like it! Thank you so much for reading and if you have any questions don't hesitate to comment! :)