We've Got This

The next morning we were all up before the sun. I had never been a morning person, but it was always worse when I had to get up before the sun came up. I did manage to get out of bed with my alarm though, knowing that if I didn’t I would be stranded in Dallas instead of flying to Vegas.

I jumped in the shower first thing before getting dressed and just braiding my hair while it was still wet, to keep it out of my face. I didn’t even bother with putting my contacts in; it was way too early and I planned on sleeping on the plane anyway. When I was dressed and all ready to go I grabbed my bag, purse, and crutches before heading downstairs.

After dropping my stuff by the door I headed into the kitchen, where I saw Jamie and Jen pouring themselves some coffee. “Morning,” I mumbled, sitting down at the breakfast bar in the middle of the kitchen.

“Morning, sunshine,” Jamie replied, sliding a mug of coffee my way. I gave a small smile in thanks before taking a long sip. “Are you gonna be ready to go?” he asked.

I nodded. “I’m all set; my stuff is by the door all ready to go,” I replied, drinking down the rest of my coffee.

“You’re bringing your crutches, right?” he asked. I nodded, giving him a look. “Hey, I just wanted to make sure; we don’t need you having an accident and hurting yourself even worse,” he added, putting his hands up defensively. I just rolled my eyes. “Well, if everyone’s ready, let’s get a move on.”

And with that, we began our trek to the airport. Jordie wasn’t going with us, so he instead drove us to the airport so we wouldn’t have to worry about leaving the car there for the few days we would be gone. When we got there, since I was using my crutches, Jamie was nice enough to carry my bag and Jen carried my purse. It only took a few minutes to get through security, since it was so early in the morning, and so we quickly made it to our gate a few minutes before boarding began. “When is Tyler heading over?” I asked Jamie.

“Not sure. Why do you ask?” he replied as we sat down in the seats by the gate.

“I just don’t really want to run into him when we get there, that’s all. I don’t need him asking questions as to why I have crutches or why I’m, you know, in Vegas,” I said, looking around the airport. Before Jamie could answer though, we were called for boarding. What I didn’t know was that we were flying first class. “Oh hell no,” I said as I sat down.

“What?” Jamie asked, sitting down in the aisle seat. I had the window seat, and Jen was sitting between us.

“You didn’t need to waste your money on a first class ticket for me, Jamie,” I scolded. “I would have been fine sitting in coach.”

He rolled his eyes. “How many times do I have to tell you, its fine,” he replied. “Now will you just enjoy the ride, please?” he pleaded. Now I felt guilty. I nodded, giving him a shy smile before closing my eyes; I was out cold almost instantly.

The next thing I know, I’m being shaken awake. “Start waking up, hun,” Jen said softly. “We’re gonna be landing soon. I nodded, taking a long breath and stretching deeply. “Sleep well?” she chuckled.

I nodded. “Yep,” I replied groggily. Within minutes we were touching down in Las Vegas and getting off the plane.

Since I couldn’t really carry anything, I followed Jamie and Jen over to baggage claim. “Mom and Dad should be waiting outside for us,” Jamie said as we made our way outside. He had told mea earlier that their parents were going to the Awards with us as well, but they had gotten to Vegas a few days ago.

The second we were outside the airport I stopped using my crutches, and took my purse from Jen. I tried to take my bag from Jamie, but he gave me a look. By now I had learned to let him do stuff for me, so I let it go. After a few minutes we found their parents, and we all drove over to the hotel where the show was going to be held.

Mr. and Mrs. Benn were super nice, and welcomed me to the group warmly. Apparently Jamie had filled them in about my situation as well, so they also looked at me a little sympathetically. When we got to the hotel, Mr. and Mrs. Benn had their own room, Jamie had his own room, and I would be sharing with Jen. That was fine with me, seeing as she was going to be getting me ready tomorrow.

We got something to eat after we dropped all of our stuff in our rooms, and spent the rest of the day just exploring. Jen and I even went off by ourselves to go swimming for a bit in the hotel pool, keeping our eyes peeled for Tyler. “Of course you have a Harley Quinn bathing suit,” Jen chuckled, and I just shrugged as we continued to swim around before spending the rest of the night being girls; watching rom-coms and pigging out on junk food.

Wednesday Afternoon

Tonight was the NHL Awards, and I was super nervous. I knew I was bound to see Tyler at one point or another, and we both would have some explaining to do. Luckily for me, I had Jen Benn, and she was going to make me look gorgeous.

“Alright, I’m going to get in the shower real quick,” she said after we finished eating lunch. I nodded as she walked into the bathroom. She only took about twenty minutes, and then it was my turn.

I took a little longer, but I spend a lot of time thinking in the shower as well; not just washing. When I finally got out, Jen was doing her hair. “Good, you’re out,” she said, looking at me through the mirror. “Just let me finish my hair and then I’ll get to work on you,” she added. I nodded and sat down on my bed, pulling my robe tighter around myself.

Within a few minutes she was done, and she turned to me with a wide smile. “You’re turn!” she said excitedly. “Oh my goodness, you have no idea how excited I am for this,” she added.

I chuckled as she approached me with her makeup bag and blow dryer. “Really? I couldn’t tell,” I replied sarcastically with a smirk, and she just smacked my head a little before taking my hair out of the towel and starting the blow dryer. “Just don’t go too overboard, okay?” I asked as she moved my hair around to dry it.

“Don’t worry honey, you’ll look great!” she replied, finally done drying my hair and moving on to styling it. I wasn’t allowed to look into a mirror, but I could tell that she was braiding my hair, which I was totally fine with.

After my hair was done she moved on to my makeup and, again, I had no idea what she was doing. I could only hope that she wasn’t doing anything too extreme. Luckily for me, I had a strapless bra and panties on under my robe, so I was partially prepared when she suddenly ripped the robe off when she was done with my makeup. She then brought my dress over and helped me into it, still not letting me look in the mirror. I had brought a thinner knee sleeve to wear, just in case, and she helped me slide it up my leg into place. “Here, I want you to wear this necklace as well,” she said softly, placing a beautiful infinity necklace around my neck. “Now, are you ready to see the finished product?” she asked.

I nodded. “I’m kinda nervous,” I admitted.

“Don’t worry, you look absolutely stunning,” she replied, pulling me over to the mirror, but still blocking my view. “Are you ready?” she asked again.

I nodded, taking a deep breath. She smiled widely and stepped away from the mirror. I was in awe over the girl I saw looking back at me. “Oh my God,” I breathed, tears starting to fill my eyes.

“Oh, what’s wrong?” Jen asked, wrapping an arm around my shoulders as I gently wiped my eyes. “That’s why I used waterproof mascara,” she added, making me chuckle through my tears. “But seriously, what is it? You look stunning, why are you crying?” she asked gently as Jamie came into the room.

“Wow, you ladies look gorgeous,” he said, coming over to us. “Aww, Jean, why are you crying?” he asked, joining us by the mirror.

I shook my head and took a deep breath. “I’ve just never looked this beautiful before,” I replied. “Thank you, so much, Jen,” I said, wrapping her in a hug that she happily returned.

“Don’t thank me, sweetness. I didn’t have to do much,” she replied with a smile. “Tyler’s jaw will literally hit the floor when he sees you tonight,” she added.

“And with that, are you two ready to hit the red carpet?” Jamie asked. We nodded and picked up our clutch purse, each putting a room key inside in case we decided to call it a night before or after the other. “Let’s get to it,” he added, ushering us into the hall to join their parents before closing our door. Mr. and Mrs. Benn complimented us as well as we headed for the elevator.

Once we made it to the lobby, we headed outside to the red carpet. The hall was in a different part of the hotel, so the player had the chance to talk to the media along the carpet. I was overwhelmed when we stepped outside; there were so many people and cameras flashing. I suddenly felt extremely self-conscious, but Jamie gave me a reassuring smile. “You look beautiful, don’t worry about them,” he said, and I nodded, taking his arm, as he led Jen and I onto the carpet.

About half way down the carpet I decided to look back, and I saw who I had been dreading seeing. A few spots back, I saw Tyler, and a brunette I assumed to be Ali hanging off of him. He hadn’t noticed me yet, and I intended to keep it that way as long as possible.

Once we were off the carpet and inside the hall, headed to our seats, Jen smirked at me. “What?” I asked as we sat down.

“You know who saw you,” she said, and I sighed. “Seriously, I thought his eyes were going to bug out of his head; I don’t think he realized that it was you at first,” she continued.

“Yeah well, let’s just enjoy the show and see what happens at the after party,” I replied as more and more people filed in; the show was set to start in a few minutes.

Three Hours Later

The show was great! Unfortunately Jamie didn’t win the Hart Trophy, but Patrick Kane did, and I was still super excited. What can I say? I bleed black and red haha.

When we got to the after party my shyness kicked in big time, so at first I spent a lot of time with Jamie and Jen. That being said though, Jamie made sure to introduce me to the Blackhawks that were there, and I got pictures with all of them.

When I was getting myself a drink, I felt a presence behind me. “You look beautiful, Jean,” I heard a voice say, and I turned around to see Tyler, looking at me heartbrokenly. “I thought you were on vacation,” he added.

I took a sip of my drink and sighed. “Technically I am on vacation,” I replied.

He didn’t take that answer. “Why did you lie to me?” he asked.

I scoffed a little bit. “Funny you should be asking me that question,” I said. He looked confused, so I looked around the room, trying to make a point. “Where’s Ali?” I asked, trying to keep the smirk from forming on my face.

That took him aback a little. “Wh-what are you talking about?” he asked. “How do you know about her?”

Now I was on the verge of tears. “Jamie told me about her. Why couldn’t you?” I asked, a single tear slipping past my lashes. “Everything we’ve talked about…I’ve never been that open with anyone before. I honestly started falling for you, but you’ve been leading me on all summer. How could you do that to me?” I asked as I tried to walk away.

He grabbed my arm before I got too far from him. “Jean, please, just let me explain,” he pleaded, sad eyes staring back at me.

“I can’t. Not now, with your girlfriend in the same room” I said, ripping my arm out of his grasp and walking away.

Before I could get too far though, I saw Ali making a beeline for me. “What the fuck were you doing talking to my man?” she seethed. “I know we may look alike, but he chose me, not you.”

I sighed and shook my head. “He was talking to me, not the other way around. And I’m well aware that he chose you, although he’s been talking to me all summer,” I replied. “Nice to finally meet you, Ali,” I muttered as I walked away from her, her face in a state of angry shock, and found a chair on the other side of the ballroom; my knee was starting to kill me and I had to inconspicuously get it elevated. I managed to do that at a table in the corner of the room. Unfortunately I left my crutches in my room, so this was my only option unless I wanted to ask someone to help me get back upstairs.

I looked back and saw Ali pull Tyler onto the dance floor and start making out with him, just to spite me, and that was the end of our interaction tonight. After a while Patrick Kane asked me to dance, and so I spent a few songs with him before asking him to help me get upstairs. I saw Tyler look at us as we left, and I could see the jealousy in his eyes, and I smirked.

Notes