And that I'll fight my corner

I walked excitedly down towards the glass at the AAC, with Markus following sullenly behind me. He wanted nothing to do with the game or being out or anything. He didn't understand why I even wanted to go out to the hockey game. I told him I bought them because I thought it might have been a fun night out, and something neither of us had ever experienced.

He very, very reluctantly agreed to join me. I didn't breathe a word about the fact that Tyler had given me the tickets. Markus was under the impression that I had gotten them myself.

"For fuck sakes, Rae!" Markus said when we sat down, him with a beer and me with a bottle of water, "These seats must have cost you a fortune! Are you outta your fucking mind or something?" he asked agitated, his Texan twang was always more apparent when he was angry at me. Which was basically all of the time.

I shrugged, "I thought it would be fun. We haven't hung out in a while!"

"That doesn't mean you gotta spend our money on stupid shit like this!" he snapped at me as some of the players began to filter onto the ice.

I scoffed, "My money. Thanks," I said looking over at him.

He rolled his eyes, "You'll put my name back on the account when you're done being pissed off at me."

"I won't, but whatever," I said, looking as the guys began skating around in front of the net and hooking the puck, practicing for the game.

"I can't believe you bought a jersey for this shit," he said, pulling at the sleeve of my #91 Seguin jersey.

I ripped my arm away from him, "Do you always have to be a fucking dick? Can you not just enjoy a night out of the two of us? Something that we haven't done in months! Jesus Christ, you don't always have to be a Debby fucking Downer."

Markus chugged about half of his beer and shook his head when he finished, "It's been six years, Raeanne, I think we're past the point of needing to go on dates and shit. I don't have to try and impress you anymore, I've got you haven't I?"

I look straight ahead at the guys skating, trying to ignore the stinging in my chest. Did he have me, though? I felt like I definitely didn't have him. He didn't care about the relationship anymore, that much was clear. Anyone could see it. Someone without eyeballs could see it. Dead people could see it for God's sakes.

"Ooh, so there's your jersey boy," Markus said mockingly as he pointed out onto the ice, where not even five feet from the glass Tyler was standing talking to one of the other guys, #14 Benn. Tyler turned, as casually as he could, to look behind him. We made eye contact and a smile flickered on his face for only a second and then his eyes landed on Markus for a split second before he looked around the crowd even more.

Markus chuckled, "I could take him."

I snorted, causing Markus to snap his eyes over to me, "Yeah and Sawyer could take you, who cares?"

"Don’t always have to a bitch," he said, moping, and taking his phone out of his pocket and unlocking it.

I rolled my eyes and looked at the ice again, seeing Tyler glancing at me from the corner of his eye, "You don't always have to try and suck the fun and life outta people, but you still try and do it."

Tyler must have noticed that Markus was looking at his phone and not paying attention because Tyler fully turned to me and smiled with a slight wave, I smiled back at him and lifted my hand in a small quick wave. Tyler motioned with his eyes over to Markus and shook his head at me, I shrugged lightly, but I still sent him another small smile. #14 nudged him and they began skating around and shooting at the net.

Soon they disappeared from the ice and the game started. Markus hardly looked up from his phone. And he talked to me even less than that.

I was entranced by watching the game. I wasn't understanding all of it...or most of it...any of it basically. But it was amazing to watch. They had so much talent on the ice! I could understand why Tyler wouldn't have been able to score thirty points in a game; they were having trouble just getting one goal!

In the second period, the others team’s goalie had moved to the end I was at, and Tyler was trying his best to get a goal there. He finally managed to get one in the net, and he skated right over to where I was sitting and banged against the glass with a big smile which made me smile and laugh at him, I banged on the glass a few times along with the people around us before his teammates swarmed him to congratulate him.

I heard Markus scoff from next to me, "This is the dumbest thing I've ever seen," he muttered, still with his eyes on his phone.

I raised my eyebrows, "Then go home, Markus! You clearly don't wanna hang out here, let alone here with me! So just get going then if you're having such a shitty time."

He scoffed and shoved his phone into his pocket, "Fine, I'll go! Don't expect me to wait around outside for you to finish with this shit!" he said standing up.

I rolled my eyes and sat further in the seat, crossing my arms over my chest, "Are you actually gonna stay here?" he asked me.

I looked up at him and nodded, "Yes, I got the tickets and I'm gonna watch."

He shook his head at me, "You're fucked. I'm not waiting for you."

"So don't," I shrugged and turned my attention back to the ice watching the Stars try for their second goal, "I'll find a way home."

"Whatever," Markus growled and then he stomped away, I peeked over at his retreating form; he didn't even bother to look over his shoulder at me.

I sighed and ran a hand over my face in aggravation. I honestly couldn't believe he did just leave me there in the arena. And I knew for sure he wouldn't be waiting for me outside. I would wait around the arena and then call my dad or mom to get me, no use calling them only to have them wait for me for a while longer.

The Stars were over on my side of the ice getting ready for the ref to drop the puck, I saw Tyler look over towards me quickly and I saw the questioning look on his face, probably seeing the vacant seat next to me, but he looked back in time to play.

I sat, half hoping Markus would text me and apologize for being a dummy, but the other half of me knew there would be no such text.

And there wasn't. By the time the last period ended, with the Stars winning 2-1, I hadn't heard from him.

I sat and watched the guys lift their sticks up as they skated around for another minute after the game, Tyler skated by me again and looked at the empty seat then to me, I shook my head and rolled my eyes at him before he left the ice.

I stayed in my seat, knowing that it would be packed with everyone trying to leave. I scrolled through my contact list and landed on my home phone number, clicking on it to dial out. My dad picked up after a few rings.

"Hey, Rae," he said in greeting.

"Hey, Daddy," I started, "So...yeah, Markus ditched me part way through the second period here...could you come and pick me up?"

He sighed deeply on the other end, "Are you serious, Raeanne?" he asked, as I heard him getting up.

I bit my lip and slouched in my seat, "Yeah, we got into a fight, he was being a dick...nothing new, I guess."

"Where are you?" he asked gruffly.

"American Airline Centre," I told him, "Don't leave for like, ten minutes, it'll be packed out there, I'll just hang around inside. No use trying to fight this traffic," I told him.

"Alight, and then we're having another talk about that boy," he told me before disconnecting.

"Yes sir," I muttered taking the phone away from my ear.

I saw I had missed a text from Tyler so I opened it up.

From Ty
I see the boy that takes u nowhere left u here

I couldn't help but chuckle under my breath as I read it and typed in my reply.

Shocking, I know! My dad's coming to rescue me, so it's all good!

From Ty
damn...I kinda wanted to be the one to rescue u...

My breathing stopped for a second. What the hell did that mean? Was he flirting with me? And why did I kinda like it?

I mean, there's still time...the chariot hasn't left yet.

From Ty
done deal. I'll be the one rescuing u tonight!

I bit my lip and smiled as I called my dad back, quickly telling him not to worry about picking me up, someone was gonna drive me home. He tried to question it but I told him not to worry and that I'd be fine, and we could talk as much as he wanted to when I got back home.

Looks like you are!

From Ty
Where are u?

Still in my seat.

I looked around and saw some people still mingling and wandering out.

From Ty
I'm sending someone to get u so you don't get lost. pretty girl like u can't be wandering around here alone.

Pretty boy like you shouldn't be flirting so much ;)

From Ty
aww u think i'm pretty?

I giggled and shook my head. My heart was racing and my stomach was in knots. I hadn't felt like this since Markus and I had first started dating. The giddy, excited feeling of flirting over the phone. His messages were so few and far between that I had all but forgotten the feeling.

Maybe a step up from pretty.

From Ty
Well I think ur a gorgeous girl

I smiled down at my phone just as someone said my name, "Raeanne?"

I looked up and saw someone wearing a Dallas Stars zip up jacket, jeans and a badge around his neck, "Yeah?"

"Hey, Tyler asked me to get you? He said you were coming down to the locker room?"

I smiled and stood up, "I am thank-you!"

He smiled back, "Follow me!" he said, turning and walking away.

I opened my messages quickly.

I'm on my way!

I didn't get a response quickly from Tyler. So I just followed the guy, bypassing the people still milling about, he didn't even have to life up the badge to show security when we got further into the arena. He led me to a hallway where women were standing and talking, along with kids running around the hallway.

"He'll be out soon," the guy told me with a smile.

"Thank-you," I said graciously.

He nodded and walked away, going into a room hidden by double doors. I stood away from the group of women, some of whom looked questioningly at me, I pulled my phone out and occupied my time by looking at that. Searching through my Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat mostly.

Guys slowly began filtering out of the room and meeting up the girls, their girlfriends or wives I guess. I kept my eyes downcast until I heard Tyler say my name.

"Raeanne!" he said.

I looked up and saw him rushing over to me with a smile, his hair was damp and I wasn't sure if it was sweat or if he took a shower after the game, "Hey," I greeted.

He pulled me into a hug, I smiled and hugged him back, "Good game," I told him when we broke apart.

He laughed, "Thanks. Did you see? I got the thing in the thing and got a point!"

I laughed and I smacked his shoulder, "Shut up!"

"You're rough!" he told me grinning.

I shook my head, "You love it," I said teasingly.

"I do," he said with a wink, causing my face to burn immediately.

I looked away from him and saw some of the girls looking at me...I don't know...almost with pitying looks on their faces. There were some more of the guys there as well watching us.

"Um," I said looking at the ground, "Why are they looking at me?" I asked Tyler quietly.

I looked up at him just as he looked to the group and he shrugged looking back at me with a smile, "Probably never seen such a pretty girl in a Seguin jersey."

I breathed out a small laugh and shook my head, "Shut up."

"Ready to go?" he asked quietly.

I nodded, and Tyler rested his hand on the small of my back and started to lead me through the group of people.

"Not even gonna introduce us, eh?" I heard someone say.

Tyler stopped and looked back, "Didn’t think you were special enough to introduce," he said with a laugh to the guy he was talking to.

I turned and saw Tyler speaking to one of the guys I remember from coming into the shop that day with Tyler. I recognized most of them from that day actually.

"Rae, this is Chubbs, don't let him tell you any differently," he said, introducing me to the guy with his hair slicked back, he made a face at Tyler.

"It's Jamie, actually," he said to me with a smile.

"The ging is Eaks, that's Spezza, there's Rous, and Sharpie. Oh, and that's Jordie," he said pointing to everyone as he introduced them, "and then these are their ladies and some of the kids," he told me as well, "everyone this is Raeanne."

"HI," I said with a small wave.

"So you actually know Tyler then? Not just picking girls from the crowd tonight to take home?" one of the women asked.

My face just started burning, "Jesus, Mel! You can't say shit like that!" one of the guys, Eaks, said to her.

"What?" she asked him making a face, "He gave a puck bunny some tickets, had to get someone to bring her here since she doesn’t know where she's going...just making a point."

I felt like my face was on fire, I was so embarrassed. So this was something that Ty did then? I should have known, I should have guessed it.

I rubbed the back of my neck, "Um, I'm just gonna head out. It's this way right?" I said, motioning behind me.

Before anyone could say anything I turned quickly began walking away.

"Eaks! Keep your girl in check! Inappropriate!" I heard Jamie say.

"Rae! Wait!" Tyler shouted.

I didn’t stop until I rounded the corner and I leaned against the wall, waiting for Tyler.

He flew around the corner and I had to catch his arm or else he wouldn't have stopped.

He stopped and stood in front of me, "I'm sorry," he said quickly, "Her and Cody aren't even really dating, she's just being dumb. I'm so sorry."

"Do you do that a lot?" I asked him, putting my hands in jean pockets, "Hook up with girls that are fans of you?"

His face went red quickly, "I mean...yeah, I guess. It comes with this I guess."

I nodded, "Well, I'm not a...what did she call me? Puck something?"

"Puck bunny," he said.

"Yeah, I'm not a puck bunny. I don't even know about hockey. So it's like, whatever, I guess," I said, shrugging, "That's not what this whole thing was, was it? You asking me to come to the game...all this shit? I have a boyfriend, Ty, you know that. This isn't what that was, is it?"

He shook his head immediately, "What? No! Of course it wasn't! I know you have a boyfriend, Rae! I mean, yeah, I like you! But I know you wouldn't cheat on the guy. I just wanted us to be friends is all, since we can't be anything else. I think you're awesome, and I just wanted to be friends. Honest."

I breathed out deeply, "Okay. I just wanna make that clear. I like you, Tyler, as a friend obviously. And I appreciate the tickets and everything...I just want to make it clear that's all this is...a friendship. I know Markus can be...well, a dick, but I'm still with him. So I don't like people making assumptions like that."

"I get it," he said gently, "I know that you're not like that. I'm not expecting that from you. And yeah, I also know your boyfriend is a dick, since I'm the one about to drive you home," he said, making me laugh a little, which made him smile, "Don’t listen to Melody...she's an idiot," he whispered, "That's why he's is planning on breaking up with her," he whispered even quieter then put a finger to his lips, which made me laugh and shake my head.

"My, my, Tyler Seguin giving up all the secrets to me," I said.

He laughed and shrugged, "Gotta earn your trust, and if throwing teammates under the bus is what it takes..." he said drifting off, I giggled.

"Don’t throw them under the bus!"

He laughed and stared at me with a small smile on his face. I was staring right back at him with a smile as well. I couldn't seem to remember how to look away from him.

"Are you huh...ready to go?" he asked me.

I smiled and nodded, "Yeah, let’s go."

He smiled and began walking down the direction I was headed, with me following right next to him, "So what did you think of the game?" he asked me.

"It was really intense!" I said, "Y'all go crazy out there!"

He laughed, "It's an adrenaline rush for sure," he told me.

"I can see why y'all can't get thirty points in a game, my heart was racing just watching y'all trying to get one point," I told him as we got to the door to lead us outside.

He turned his head to me and smiled widely, "See that? That means you're becoming a hockey fan," he told me, leading me to a row of fancy cars.

I stuck my tongue out at him as he led me to what I figured was his car, a red Ferrari, "Is this yours?" I asked, shocked. I didn't think hockey paid that much.

"Yeah," he said casually, "Why?"

I shrugged, "I didn't think hockey would be...a big paying sport, I guess."

He chuckled and came around to my side to open the door, "We get hurt just as bad as your Cowboys do, and we're on skates so that makes it even crazier," he told me.

I was just about to get in and say something back to him but someone called my name, Tyler and I both looked over the hood of his car and saw Eaks running over to us with some of the guys and girls a little ways behind him.

"Hey, Rae?" he called to me.

"Hey," I said back to him when he was closer to the car.

"What's up?" Tyler asked him.

"I just wanted to apologize for Melody," he said, watching me, "sometimes she doesn't think before she speaks."

I smiled softly at him, "I appreciate that, Eaks. Can I call you Eaks or is that just something the team calls you?" I asked him, completely jumping from one topic to another.

He laughed a little and nodded, "You can call me Eaks. My first name is Cody, but everyone calls me Eaks."

I smiled at him, "Well, thank-you. I appreciate you kinda standing up for me back there too; you didn't have to do that."

He shrugged, "Yeah, well, Melody doesn't always think like a regular person. If I'm being honest with you, she started off as a puck bunny, so I don't really know where she gets off talking about you being one," he said, then looked at me wide eyed, "Not that I'm saying you are one! Tyler hasn't shut up about you since that night at the restaurant!" his eyes looked to Tyler quickly and Eaks went red in the face, which made me laugh as I looked to Tyler and saw him shaking his head slowly at Eaks.

"Jesus, I'm so sorry! I talk about Mel and clearly I can't keep myself under control either. I'm really sorry, Rae. And Tyler. I'm just gonna go before I make this worse," he said before turning around and walking down the row of cars getting to his own where Melody was standing.

Some of the guys called out to Tyler asking him if it would be going out with them that night. Tyler looked down to me, questioningly.

"What?" I asked with a laugh.

"Me and the guys...we usually go out to celebrate, they wanna go out to the club today...did you wanna come with?" he asked me.

I sighed and pulled at the hem of my jersey, "That's not a good idea Tyler. I've gotta get home, I already told my dad I would be on the way," I explained.

He nodded with a small smile, "No problem, just thought I'd offer," he said. I nodded and slid into the car with him closing the door behind me.

He opened his door and was talking to Jamie telling him he would meet him there in an hour, at the club obviously.

"So," I started once Tyler shut the door, "you talk about me all the time?" I asked him jokingly.

He looked at me with his eyes wide, "Huh...." was all he managed to get out.

I burst out laughing and reached across the console to pinch his cheek, "Little Tyler Seguin talking about little old me," I told him.

He laughed as he started the car, "It was an interesting evening! What can I say?"

"So where am I taking you?" he asked me once he pulled out onto the street.

"I'm at 544 Echovalley Drive. Keep going straight, I'll tell you when to turn," I told him, waving my hand at the windshield.

"So do you live with your parents still?" he asked me.

I nodded, "Mhmm. I moved back in with them almost a year ago. Markus and I lived together but, yeah, that didn't work out."

"Why?" he asked.

I hummed, "I'm sure you can guess. We don't exactly have the best track record. You are the one driving me home after all."

He stopped at a red light, "So why are you still with him then?" he asked me.

I shrugged and looked over at him, "I do love him," I started as he accelerated, "Honestly. My thought process is that we've been together six years, and I don't exactly know anything else but being with him. He's been my only relationship. I know it's difficult to understand when y'all look at it from the outside...but it makes sense to me. I don't wanna just give up on it because people tell me I should."

"Can I give you my opinion?" he asked me.

"Turn left then right, then you can," I told him with a smile.

He followed my directions, "I don't think you should be with someone just because you don't know any differently than them. I'm an outsider on your relationship, but the fact that a guy would leave you waiting for two hours in a restaurant, and then ditch you at an arena where you've never been...those right there are two reasons to leave him. That's doesn't seem like someone that cares about you."

"Turn right," I told him quietly, "I'll be the fourth house on the right."

We drove in silence until he parked in front of my house; I undid my seatbelt and turned to face him.

"I've thought about it," I told him abruptly.

"What?" he asked me.

"Breaking up with Markus," I explained, "It's not even like that would have been the first time. We've broken up a couple times. But only for a couple days, because then he turns on his charm and whatnot and I fall right back into that same routine. And it is frustrating...but I don't think I would know how to be with another guy...I don't wanna hurt people, Tyler. Even if it's Markus and he's an asshole to me sometimes...I still care about him and don't wanna hurt him."

"But how is that worth sacrificing your happiness to not make someone upset if you're unhappy. That doesn't make any sense. You should be with someone who makes you feel happy. Someone that you don't have to defend your relationship with to everyone," he told me.

I looked out of the passenger window and saw the front door open and Sawyer was standing out there in the doorframe, I sighed and looked back to Tyler.

"I gotta go," I told him.

He nodded, "I want you to think about what I said," he told me seriously, "Everyone deserves to be happy, Rae. You especially. Don't let some loser suck the life outta you."

I smiled sadly at him, "Thanks...for everyone Tyler," I told him before getting out of the car and closing the door behind me.

I walked up the driveway to the front door and met Sawyer at the door.

"Who was that?" he asked me.

I turned back and look at the car, where Tyler had rolled down the passenger window and was leaning across the console watching me, we made eye contact and he waved, I waved back at him.

"Just a friend," I said quietly.

Notes

Tell me what you think!!!!!!!!!!!