Alpha

Tyler woke up to his dogs at the side of his bed, whining as they wanted to go outside. He rubbed his eyes, wondering if he had left his bedroom door open last night since he usually tried to avoid them waking him up before he wanted to be up. The events of yesterday slowly began to came back, and he sat straight up in bed, realizing Savannah wasn't there. "Shit," he muttered as Gerry tried to get his attention by licking his leg that he'd swung over the side of the bed. "Let's go, boys," he said, getting out of bed, knowing he wouldn't be able to do anything before he took the dogs out.

As he walked out of the bedroom to get their leashes, he heard the shower running, and he let out a sigh of relief, realizing Savannah at least hadn't left his place on her own. He knocked on the door before yelling, "I'm taking the dogs out, I'll be back!"

"Okay," she yelled back, and he put the leashes on the dogs, heading outside. It was a colder day than normal, and he'd wished he'd grabbed a sweatshirt, but he'd make do with the tshirt and shorts he had on. He didn't plan on being out here long, just long enough to let the dogs do their business and get back inside.

He was happy when the dogs did their business quickly and he was able to get back inside to find Savannah sitting on the couch with wet hair that she had combed back. "What time do you have to leave for practice?" she asked him.

"Morning skate is at ten, and then game tonight is at seven," he told her.

"What do you usually do the day of games?" she asked.

He shrugged. "Pretty much this. Hang out with the dogs, I'll go get some coffee, go to morning skate. Then come back and take a nap and then eat and go to the arena for the game. Pretty boring," he chuckled.

"Do you think you could get me tickets to tonight's game?"

Tyler's head whipped around, wondering if he'd heard her correctly. "Uh yeah, of course," he told her. "You better watch out or people are gonna start thinking we're dating or something, you coming to all these games," he joked.

"Two. This would be my second game," she corrected him with a laugh. "And I'd say staying over last night kinda solidified this whole dating thing. Unless you don't want to date me," she added.

He reached over and grabbed her hand, playing with her fingers. "You know better than that. Though I am still waiting on that second official date," he said in a sing song voice.

She laughed. "Yeah, that was put on hold when I got in a car accident," she told him. "But, I was thinking of taking off of work today. Dominic told me to. Maybe I'll do some reading and stuff at home, but not go in. So I thought if you had an extra ticket, I'd go to the game," she shrugged her shoulders. "But, if not, it's cool," she added.

His thumb rubbed over hers. "I'll have a ticket ready for you. Right next to Alex," he assured her. "I can't believe you're not going to work. I mean, I like it, it benefits me," he grinned.

Savannah looked over at him curiously. "Benefits you how?"

"Because I get some alone time with you," he wiggled his eyebrows.

Savannah laughed loudly. "You're getting nothing. I'm heading home," she told him, beginning to stand up.

He pushed her back on the couch. "You're not going anywhere." He saw her wince, and he cursed. "Shit, sorry," he said, moving away so he wasn't hitting any of her bruises.

"Calm down," Savannah told him. "I’m fine." He knew better than to argue with her. "But, I really am going to go home. I have some files that I want to go over. But, maybe we can finally get that second date after the game? A late dinner?" she suggested.

The grin on his face answered her question. "I like that you're courting me," he joked, and she lightly hit his shoulder. "But, yeah, that sounds good. I'd like to get that date in before I go on the road trip." He could tell by the look on her face she had forgotten the team had an upcoming road trip and he'd be gone for five days. But, just as quickly, she had wiped that look of disappointment off her face.

"Well, I do wear the pants in the relationship," she countered with one eyebrow raised at him.

He laughed but didn't argue with her. "I think it's better when neither of us wear pants," he winked at her.

"And now I'm leaving," she said, using the arm of the couch to hoist herself up. "I'll see you tonight."

Tyler stood up as well, surprising her when he put a hand on the back of her head and kissed her. "See you tonight," he parted with a smile. He suddenly remembered that she didn't have her car with her, as he had driven her back to his place yesterday when he had picked her up from Shea's place. "If you give me fifteen minutes, I can drive you back on my way in to morning skate," he offered.

"Shit, I don't have my car, do I? Guess it's either you or an Uber," she shrugged.

"And I'm hotter than any Uber driver you'd get," he replied.

"And cheaper," she added with a smile. She watched as he walked down the hallway to what she assumed was his bedroom and she pulled out her phone to see a few missed texts from the girls.

Alex: Heard you went to Segs'. Hope he's taking good care of you!

Shea: Please, Segs is probably taking advantage of her there.

Alex: Not if she's all banged up. She shouldn't be having sex!

Shea: Like you'd give up sex if you got in a car accident and Jamie was taking care of you!

Alex: Well…

Shea: Exactly!

Shea: Van, can you let us know you're okay! I don't want to have to go to Segs' this morning if I don't have to.

Savannah: I'm fine. He's going to drive me back home.

Shea: You didn't want to stay with him today?

Savannah: He has practice and a game and I have work stuff at home anyways.

Savannah: Oh, Alex, I'm going to the game tonight. Do you want to carpool?

Shea: You're going without me? I didn't even get an invite!?

Savannah: You want to go? I'm sure we can get you more tickets!

Alex: Shea, Jamie said he'll get us two more tickets for you and Audrey tonight.

Alex: And Van, yes let's carpool. I'll drive.

Shea: Jamie >>> Segs

Savannah: I'll let him know that, Shea!

Tyler suddenly appeared back in the living room, and Savannah looked up at him. "Shea likes Jamie better than you," she announced with no context.

Tyler's eyes widened. "What? Why?"

"He got her two more tickets to the game tonight for her and Audrey," she replied.

"Hey, I would have gotten her tickets!" he said defensively. "You didn't ask for them!"

She shrugged. "She just brought it up," she said, waving her phone, indicating she had been texting her. "And Alex said she'd drive tonight to the game, so we should be good for dinner afterwards if you're still up for it."

"Oh, I'm up for anything," he grinned at her. She rolled her eyes and ignored his comment.

"You ready to go?"

He nodded his head, grabbing his car keys and wallet and opening the door for her. He noticed she was still favoring her leg when she walked, but he didn't comment on it, knowing she'd get angry for him looking out for her. He was happy she didn't try to take his keys and drive again. He really didn't want to have that argument this morning because that was one that he wouldn't let her win.

He was halfway to her place when he broke the silence between them. "What's going through that mind of yours?" He could tell he pulled her out of her thoughts as she stopped looking out of the window and turned her attention to him. He already knew the answer based on the look on her face before she answered. "Work?"

She nodded her head. "Sorry, it's my life," she said simply.

He reached over and grabbed her hand. "I knew that going in," he laughed. "Just promise me something."

"Hmm?"

"You can spend all day with work, go over whatever files and stuff you need to. But tonight, leave it at home for our date," he pleaded.

Savannah smiled in response. "I can do that," she told him.

"Oh, I guess I have two requests," he said as he pulled up out front of her apartment. He considered walking her upstairs to make sure that she got into her apartment okay, but if he did that, he risked being late for morning skate, and he really didn't want to feel the wrath of Coach or Captain.

He watched as she maneuvered herself out of his truck to ensure she didn't hit all the bumps and bruises on her body. "Yeah?" she turned around when she finally got out.

He bent his head down so he could look at her out of the door. "Don’t get yourself killed." It seemed to become a running joke between the two of them, but at the same time, Tyler was completely serious.

She bent down to look at him. "I wouldn't miss our second date for anything," she promised him before shutting the door and turning around to make her way into her apartment.

Notes

Guysssss, I'm just about finished writing this story. I'm excited for you all to keep reading!