Alpha

Tyler turned onto his stomach, not wanting to wake up just yet. But, when thoughts of the previous night went through his mind, he opened his eyes. He looked over at the other side of the bed only to see it empty. Where had she gone?

He got out of bed, putting a pair of athletic shorts, foregoing a shirt, while walking out into the living room. His dogs were already awake and moving about, running over to him when they caught sight of him. "Hang tight, boys, we'll go out once I figure out where the hell Savannah went," he said, looking in the kitchen and bathroom, both of which were empty.

Once he had thoroughly searched his entire place, he decided to take the dogs out, grabbing his phone. He had considered texting Savannah but chose to call her instead. "Hello?" she answered.

"So you're not dead," Tyler said as he walked the dogs down the sidewalk after they'd all gone potty.

"Uh no?" she said with a laugh, confused by his greeting.

"Was the sex last night that bad?" he asked her. He didn't know what was going on and why he was acting this way. Normally, he'd be happy if the girl up and left on her own after they had sex, but with Savannah, he hoped she would still be there this morning so they could get breakfast or coffee or have morning sex.

"I think we both agreed that last night was good," she replied.

"So why did you leave?" The dogs were pulling him down the street, and he was ignoring the looks of others outside this early in the morning.

"Why, Tyler Seguin, are you that clingy?" she joked with him.

"No…it's just…I was surprised to see you gone this morning," he finally said, realizing he was being clingy, which was not like him.

"Sorry, I went for a run and needed to get to work. It is a Monday," she reminded him. "I left you a note though! Didn't you see it?" she asked him. He could hear her car door shut, and he wondered if she was leaving for work or just arriving. He hadn't even thought about it being a Monday and her needing to work today. Days got mixed up for Tyler, who only knew days of the week based on who they were playing.

"No," he admitted, shaking his head at himself for getting so caught up in her leaving. "I just checked all around for you, and now I'm taking my dogs out for their morning walk."

"Well I left you a note," she told him. "By your bed. Check when you get back. I'm independent, but I'm not a complete bitch all the time," she chuckled. "I gotta go, I'm at work. I'll text you later," she said before hanging up the phone.

Tyler continued walking his dogs but cut it short so he could head back to see if she really did leave a note. He walked into the bedroom, the dogs following suit. He saw the note on the nightstand now. He'd been too sleepy to see it before. He reached over and saw her handwriting on the piece of paper.

Headed for a run and to work, text me later! PS. Had a really good time last night - maybe we can do it again soon. - Van

He smiled as he read what she had written. She had had a good night as well. He continued thinking about that as he grabbed his duffle bag for practice and headed to Jamie's place. He still had a while to practice and he figured he'd pay his friend a visit. He made sure the dogs had plenty of food and then headed out the door.

He arrived at Jamie's place, not surprised when Jamie didn't answer right away, but he kept pushing the buzzer until he finally heard a voice. But it wasn't Jamie's. "Ty, Jamie hates you right now, sure you wanna come in?" Alex's voice rang out.

"You betcha!" Tyler replied, and he heard her laugh as she let him inside. He immediately saw a pissed off looking Jamie with his arms crossed over his chest. "Hey buddy!" Tyler said with a great deal of enthusiasm.

"What do you want?" Jamie asked. It was clear that Tyler had interrupted something between Alex and Jamie, but he didn't care.

"How'd your date go last night?" Alex asked, knowing Tyler wasn't going anywhere and figuring she should make the best of the situation before her boyfriend threw Tyler over the balcony.

Tyler looked over at her. "Don't act like Savannah wasn't texting you about it," he replied.

"Actually, she didn't really text much at all. So you must have been keeping her busy," Alex said suggestively.

"Oh geez, don't get him started," Jamie rolled his eyes, and Alex just laughed.

"We were busy alright," Tyler grinned, his mind drifting back to the previous night's activities.

"What are you doing here?" Jamie questioned. "Just wanted to tell us about your sex from last night?"

Tyler shrugged. "Just waiting to go to practice."

"We've got another hour and a half," Jamie informed him.

"Well I'll just wait right here," Tyler replied, jumping on the couch and grabbing the remote and turning the television on. Jamie just shook his head and rolled his eyes, but left his friend alone as he watched tv. He went back to change clothes and then came back and joined Tyler while watching SportsCenter.

Alex walked out, putting her hair up into a ponytail. "Okay boys, I'm off. Have fun. Bye," she said, giving Jamie a quick kiss and waving goodbye at Tyler.

"Let me know what Savannah says about me!" he called out, and Alex nodded her head, though he doubted she'd actually do what he asked.

"So good first date?" Jamie asked, his eyes still watching the highlights of the Penguins game from the night before on television.

"Real good," Tyler smirked.

"Still think this is a good idea?" Jamie questioned.

"I do," Tyler said, his sense of humor dropping from the conversation. He was usually happy and hyperactive, but he didn't like that Jamie was doubting him dating Savannah.

"Okay," Jamie nodded his head, letting the subject go for now. He knew better than to argue with Tyler about it anymore. So the two continued to watch ESPN until leaving for practice.

Practice went better than it had in a long time for Tyler, and the guys kept joking around asking him what he did the night before to really get him in gear. He had contemplated saying Savannah but decided against it. She wasn't a one night stand that he just talked about the sex the next day with the guys. And he was pretty sure if he made a comment about her like that, it was likely Jamie would tell Alex and it'd get back to Savannah. And the last thing he wanted was a pissed off Savannah coming after him.

He felt Jamie's eyes on him, waiting on the answer. "Finally just got my ass in gear," Tyler shrugged, and Jamie nodded his head, seemingly approving Tyler's answer. He turned around to grab his street clothes from his locker, getting ready to take a shower and change.

"Segs!" Jamie's voice boomed, and Tyler turned around, wondering what was going on. "Come here," he said. His voice was deep and Tyler knew something was wrong. "Skip the shower, change your clothes. We're headed to the hospital."

Tyler was confused, not remembering having signed up to do a charity event today. And Jamie definitely would have let him shower first, not wanting the kids to have to deal with the stench of hockey practice. "What -" he got cut off.

"Alex texted me. Savannah is in the hospital," he stated, lowering his voice so only Tyler could hear him.

That was all he needed to hear, and Tyler was immediately back at his locker grabbing his clothes and changing faster than he'd ever done in his life. His heart had dropped when he heard Savannah was in the hospital. Had she gotten shot at again?

He followed Jamie out of the arena. He had started to go to his truck when Jamie told him to follow him. "I'm driving. You're likely to wind up there yourself if you try to drive yourself," Jamie told him, and Tyler didn't even feel like arguing with him, so he climbed into Jamie's SUV.

"Jamie, what if she's hurt," Tyler spoke his worries aloud.

"She'll be fine," Jamie assured him.

"What if she's not?" Tyler looked over at him. Jamie could see the fear in his eyes. It didn't matter that he'd only known Savannah a few weeks and they'd only gone out on one official date, he cared about her.

"Alex would have told me if it was bad," Jamie replied, and Tyler knew that was true. He sat in silence for the rest of the trip, something that wasn't the norm for him. Usually Tyler was talking nonstop, and Jamie took notice of the change. "Segs, she's gonna be fine," he assured him once again. Tyler didn't say anything, instead just looking at his phone.

It took longer than Tyler would have liked to get to the hospital, but they finally arrived and Tyler practically jumped out of Jamie's SUV. "Segs, hold on!" Jamie called after him, and Tyler reluctantly slowed down to let Jamie catch up. "Seventh floor," Jamie told him when they walked inside, having gotten the room information from Alex.

When they got off the elevator, they immediately saw the group of people standing all around the room immediately to their right, and they knew they'd found the correct one. Audrey was the first to turn around and see the two men. "Hey, the boys are here," she announced, moving aside to let them see into the room. Alex and Shea were on either side of the bed, and Savannah was sitting up in a hospital gown. She looked to be alright, but Tyler wasn't buying it.

"Look who showed up," Shea smiled at the two men.

Savannah looked over at them. "I told you not to text him," she muttered.

Tyler raised an eyebrow. "You didn't want me to come?"

"I didn't want you to worry," she corrected him. "I'm fine. They'll release me soon." She was stubborn as hell, and Tyler knew she was just trying to prove she could survive on her own.

"What happened?" Tyler asked her.

"Car accident," she replied.

"I told you that you drive like a crazy woman!" Tyler told her, remembering her driving to the shooting range.

Savannah's eyes widened. "This is not my fault! We're pretty sure I was a target," she admitted.

Tyler's hand moved to her leg. "What?!" he said more loudly than he intended. Shea moved to allow him to take her seat next to her sister.

"I'm fine," Savannah said through gritted teeth. Alex looked up at Jamie, who knew his best friend was about to get his ass handed to him by Savannah.

"What do you mean you were a target?" he questioned. When Savannah didn't answer right away, Tyler continued to push. "Savannah. What do you mean."

"Calm down, hot shot. I can take care of myself."

"For the millionth time, I know you can take care of yourself. But you can also let other people worry about you. Now what do you mean you were a target?"

"Bartholomew's daughter. She gave me an address to check out. We're pretty sure she did it on purpose so that he and Junior could try to run me off the road," she explained, her arms crossed over her chest.

"Jesus," Tyler breathed. "So how injured are you?"

"I'm fine," Savannah lied.

Tyler looked over at Shea for an honest answer. "She is okay. She's got a pretty banged up leg and she needed some stitches in her hand, but other than that she's okay. They're keeping her just a little while longer, they said she'd be released here soon."

Tyler's eyes went back to Savannah. "Stay with me tonight."

She looked at him like he was crazy. "No, I'll be fine!" she insisted.

"Van, you know we're not going to let you go home alone tonight," Shea spoke up. "You can stay with me and Audrey or with Tyler."

"I choose you two then," Savannah said, her stubborn side showing. She hated that Tyler wanted to make it seem like she needed him.

Shea rolled her eyes. "Whatever, as long as you're with someone. Audrey can pick up some food for us and I can drive you home."

Tyler looked at Savannah, a little hurt she had chosen her sister over him. But, he couldn't let his ego get in the way. At least she was going home with someone that could watch over her. Even if she thought she could take care of herself.

Notes