Wrecked

As Jonathan and I took off toward my apartment, I tried desperately to keep my nerves in check.

“How long have you been here?” Jonathan asked, breaking my concentration.

“In Chicago?” I asked stupidly. “Two days.”

“Pretty eventful two days, eh?” He asked, looking over at me.

“You could say that.” I laughed.

“How are you feeling?” Jonathan asked, changing lanes.

“I’m okay.” I said, doing a self-evaluation. “I’m just a little tired, but that could be from any of the events that I’ve been involved in in the past 48 hours.”

“I’m glad.” He smiled. “That makes me feel better about letting Kaner talk you into going out tonight.”

“I can already tell that he’s going to be a bad influence.” I laughed.

“He is, but he’s also harmless.” Jonathan smirked. “He’s seemed to take a liking to you too.”

“You talk about him like he’s a bad dog.” I giggled. “On second thought, I can see that.”

“He can be.” He laughed along with me. “He’s more like a child than anything else.”

“I can see that too.” I said. “He actually reminds me of my brother, Cole.”

“How many siblings do you have?” He asked, turning down my street.

“Three older brothers.” I answered, thinking about my family and how I still needed to let them know what had happened to my car.

“That’s why you’re so tough.” He smiled. “I have a younger brother.”

“I know.” I blurted out without thinking of how creepy that sounded. “I mean…”

“It’s okay.” He smiled, pulling up outside of my building. “People have a tendency to know things like that about me.”

“I sounded like a total stalker though.” I said, unable to meet his eyes. “Thanks for everything today.”

“Mackenzie.” He said, grabbing my shoulder, causing me to look right into his eyes. “I’ve heard worse. Trust me it’s no big deal.”

His eyes locked me in and I could feel the heat of his hand through my jacket. My heart started to race and I wasn’t sure how I was going to be able to look away.

“Okay.” I muttered.

“And you’re very welcome for the help.” He said, letting go over my shoulder. “I’m glad I was there and I’m so sorry that you had to go through all of that, but hopefully tonight will make up for all of the crap that happened today.”

“Today wasn’t entirely crappy.” I said, feeling the phantom weight of his hand on my shoulder.

“Good.” He smirked. “I promise I’ll try and make tonight even better.”

I knew he didn’t mean it to sound the way it did to me, but that answer made my heart flutter.

Suddenly, Jonathan made a strange face and pointed behind me.

“Who’s that?” He asked, a smile on his face.

I turned to look and saw Jackie, eyes wide and mouth open, starting directly at Jonathan.

“That’s my best friend.” I sighed. “I should probably go.”

Jonathan proceeded to roll down the window.

“Hi.” He said, looking at Jackie’s expression. “I’m Jonathan.”

“What the fuck are you doing here?” Jackie asked, completely flabbergasted. “And why is she with you?”

“Jackie, what the hell!?” I asked opening the door and knocking her back. “It’s a long story, which I will tell you later, but Jonathan gave me a ride.”

“Why?” She hissed. “What’s wrong with your face, and where’s Kanye?”

“Thanks, Jonathan.” I said, giving a small wave. “I better get her inside before she has a total melt down.”

“I’ll text you later.” He smiled and waved back as he took off down the street.

“What does he mean?” Jackie asked as I steered her toward the door. “Why’s he going to text you?”

“Oh my God!” I said, as we entered the lobby. “You are such an impatient, dick!”

“This shit doesn’t just happen, Mack.” Jackie sighed as we walked up the stairs and into our apartment. “Please go into detail as to why Jonathan fucking Toews dropped your ass off and why you acted like you were old friends.”

“Give me a frickin’ chance, you ass!” I spat, closing the a little bit harder than I should have. “Sit down.”

Jackie sat down and gave me her full attention. It was like I was reciting a Shakespearian Tragedy. She laughed, she gasped, she cried, and even booed.

“ You, literally, have the weirdest life.” She chuckled, leaning back into the couch.

“I know.” I whined. “And now I have to sit around and wait for him to text me so we can meet up with them at the bar.”

“Wait.” Jackie said, giving me a sideways glance. “What?”

“Oh, shit.” I smirked, knowing full well that I left the best part for last. “Kaner invited us out tonight.”

“Shut the hell up, you lying slut!” She screeched, springing up off of the couch.

“You shut up!” I chuckled. “I’m completely serious, by the way. He said to be there around 6 and Jonathan is going to text me the address."

“What the hell are we going to wear!?” She screamed, flying down the hallway and directly into her closet.

“I don’t know.” I said, following after her. “I’m just going to wear this I think.”

“There’s blood on your top and your pants.” She said, literally, digging in her closet.

“My, god.” I said, in awe of the pile of clothing I saw on the floor. “You really are a slob.”

“I know.” She shrugged. “Did they give you insights on to what kind of bar we’re going to?”

“He said the Crystal.” I told her. “Sounds fancy.”

“Well it’s not.” She huffed. “It’s a frickin’ dive bar. You should fit right in.”

“Hell yeah!” I said, marching into my room and going through my closet.

I pulled out a pair of faded jeans, a tank top, my favorite flannel, and my newest pair of cowboy boots.

I quickly got dressed and headed into the bathroom to check my face out.

“Great.” I mumbled, as I took in the surprisingly neat, gash on my forehead. “Too bad I don’t have bangs.”

“Are you ever going to call your parents and tell them what happened?” Jackie asked, peeking in from the hallway.

“Damn it.” I sighed, as I grabbed my phone and headed to the living room.

I sat down on the couch and debated as to whether I should just bite the bullet and call my dad, or if I should call my mom and make her break the news to him.

“Hi, dad.” I sighed into the phone.

“Hey Critter, how’s city life?” He asked. “Meet any celebrities yet?”

“Where do you think I live, dad?” I asked, wondering why he thought I’d be running into someone famous, like they’re all just milling about on the street.

“I guess that would be in California, wouldn’t it?” He muttered. “How was your first day of work?”

“Eventful.” I mumbled.

“How so?” He asked, definitely picking up on my tone.

“Well, there was a little accident on my way to work.” I said, skirting around the truth.

“Mackenzie.” My dad said firmly. “What happened?”

I sighed and launched into the whole story. All the while waiting for him to say something.

“So?” I asked when I finished.

“Did you call your insurance company?” He asked calmly.

“Not yet.” I said, suspicious of his lack of emotion. “I will when I’m done talking to you.”

“That’s the first thing you should have done.” He said, obviously trying not to be mad about it. “Call them and then call me back.”

He hung up quickly and I did as I was told. When I tried to call him back he didn’t pick up.

“How did that go?” Jackie asked, sitting down next to me on the couch.

“It didn’t, really.” I sighed, just as my phone chimed.

“Hey, it’s Jon. Here’s the address.” The text said, followed by a smiley face emoji.

“A man of few words.” Jackie smirked over my shoulder. “We should head out.”

Jackie and I rode in silence most of the way to the bar. My head was starting to hurt and I was sort of reeling from my dad’s reaction. Jackie, on the other hand, was a giant ball of nerves. I could feel it radiating off of her like a heat lamp.

“Jack?” I asked, breaking the silence. “Do you think my dad is mad at me?”

“Mack.” She started and promptly stopped.

“What were you going to say?” I asked, confused.

“I don’t remember!” She whined. “I’m too nervous to think. Why aren’t you more nervous?”

“I have a closed head injury and have already been incredibly vulnerable around one of these guys.” I spewed. “I don’t really have the energy to be nervous.”

“Touché.”She said quietly, pulling into a parking lot.

“Is this it?” I asked, taking in my surroundings. “It’s pretty off of the beaten path.”

“I told you.” She sighed, getting out of the car. “It’s a dive bar, dude.”

The Crystal was the full on definition of a dive bar. Neon lights, beat up exterior, the whole nine yards.

I walked up to the door and noticed that Jackie was trailing behind.

“Jack?” I asked, noticing the panicked look on her face. “What’s wrong?”

“I think my outfit is too nice.” She mumbled, looking down at her designer boots. “Maybe I should have dressed more like you.”

“Like a homeless person?” I chuckled. “That’s not your style, Jack. Just calm down and be yourself.”

She gave me a determined nod and followed me into the bar.

The smell of stale beer and peanuts hit me as soon as I walked in.

“My type of place.” I muttered to Jackie, whose eyes were bugging out of her head.

As we walked further in, there was a cackle from a dark corner.

“What the fuck was that?” Jackie whispered.

“MACK ATTACK!” The voice screeched.

“Oh god.” I laughed. “It’s Kaner.”

With that Patrick Kane came sauntering around the corner.

“I wasn’t sure if you were going to show up.” He said, coming right over to me and throwing an arm around my shoulder.

“Here I am.” I said looking at him, almost eye to eye. “Whatcha drinkin’?”

“It’s called beer.” He smirked at me. “Ever heard of it?”

“I thought it was apple juice.” I sassed back as he started to lead me toward the back of the bar, Jackie trailing behind us slightly. “Patrick, this is my best friend, Jackie.”

“Hello.” Jackie squeaked, extending her hand.

“Nice to meet you.” Kaner said, taking her hand and giving her a once over. “You look like trouble.”

“Ew.” I said, grossed out by the tone of his voice. “Stop, please.”

“Sorry, Mack.” He muttered. “Won’t happen again.”

Jackie gave me the dirtiest look anyone had ever given someone as Kaner continues to take us to the back.

As we rounded the corner, I saw a dimly lit room with a couple of tables pushed together. There were a few people gathered around the tables, talking.

“Patrick Sharp, Brent Seabrook, Brandon Saad, Duncan Keith, and Corey Crawford.” Jackie gulped in my ear. “No Toews.”

“I can see that.” I muttered back, taking in the players and the beautiful women that surrounded them. “They must be their wives and girlfriends.”

“Yes, ladies.” Patrick said clearing his throat. “Sadly, most of the boys are wifed up, I however, am available.”

“What kind of crap are you trying to feed them, Kaner?” I heard from behind us, and immediately got excited when I recognized the voice.

I turned around, trying to suppress the ridiculous smile on my face.

“Hey, Jonathan.” I said, seeing that he was smiling too made me relax a little.

“I was going to tell you earlier, but you can call me Jon.” He said with a wink.

“Okay, Jon.” I said, still smiling stupidly.

“Good to see you, Jackie.” Jon said, looking over at Jackie who was still giving me a dirty look.

“You too.” She smirked. “I’ve calmed down a little.”

“I noticed that.” He smirked back. “Has Kaner introduced you to the rest of the guys?”

“Of course not.” I said, lightly smacking Patrick on the shoulder. “He’s been too busy being a creeper.”

“Hey.” He sighed. “I was just about to but then I got distracted.”

“What’s new, Kaner?” Jon chuckled, rolling his eyes. “Come on, I’ll do the honors.”

Jon led us all the way into the room and waved his arms to get everyone’s attention.

“Hey everyone.” He said confidently. “This is Mackenzie, she works with us now, and her friend Jackie.”

Everyone greeted us warmly and then went back to their conversations.

“Do you ladies want a drink?” Kaner asked. “I’m buying.”

“Sure.” Jackie said before I could even utter a syllable.

“Follow me.” He said, as he headed toward the bar.

I hesitated when I went to follow, waiting to see if Jon was coming too.

When he turned toward me and starting to walk my way I tensed up and stood there like an idiot.

“You coming?” He asked, smirking at my stoic pose.

“Yeah.” I said stiffly.

“Perfect.” He said, placing his hand on the small of my back and giving me a light push. “Let’s order something really expensive and piss Kaner off.”

With his hand still on my back, Jon steered me to the bar where we were just in time to see Patrick and Jackie double over with laughter.

“What are you idiots laughing about?” I asked, slightly annoyed that I wasn’t in on the joke.

“Jackie just told me about the time that you drunkenly ran away from her and your flip flop broke.” He said between giggles. “Then you fell on your face and broke your glasses.”

“Yeah.” I sighed. “It was so funny that I ended up in the hospital with a broken eye socket.”

“That took a dark turn.” Kaner muttered. “Anyway, what do you all want to drink?”

“I would like a bottle of Cristal, please.” I said, snootily.

“I’ll have the same.” Jon said, mimicking my tone.

“You two are out of your minds.” Jackie laughed. “As if they even have that here.”

“That’s all I want or I’ll have nothing.” I said crossing my arms.

“She’ll have a Coors Light.” Jackie said rolling her eyes.

“I’ll have the same.” Jon said with a chuckle.

After we were served our drinks, we headed back to the tables.

Jon made it point to formally introduce Jackie and me to everyone. All of the players and their significant others were all incredibly nice and friendly.

“Just make sure and get my good side when you’re posting pictures.” Patrick Sharp joked after I told him what exactly I would be doing.

“He doesn’t even have one of those, so don’t worry about it.” Duncan Keith said, giving Sharpie a light shove.

“You’ll have to teach Seabs how to use Snapchat.” Brandon Saad chuckled. “I don’t think he’s ever heard of it until just now.”

“I’ve heard of it.” Brent Seabrook replied. “I just don’t like computers.”

“Good god, man.” Corey Crawford laughed at Seabs. “You’re the oldest dude in the world.”

We all laughed and had a good time. Jackie had finally loosened up a little and was having an exceptionally good time talking shit with Kaner.

“How are you feeling?” Jon asked, noticing the droop to my eyelids.

“Tired.” I smiled at him.

“Do you want a ride home?” He asked, looking at me expectantly.

“I’ll get Jackie to take me home in a few minutes.” I said, not really sure why he was asking me when he knew I had ridden with Jackie.

“She looks like she’s having a good time.” He smiled, looking over at Kaner and Jackie practically rolling on the floor. “I’m heading home anyway and your place is on the way.”

“She starts her new job tomorrow.” I sighed. “I’m sure she’ll want to go home soon, I’ll go ask.”

Kaner and Jackie were still cracking up when I approached them.

“Sorry to interrupt the bonding sesh, but Jack, are you about ready to head out?” I asked, watching them dry their eyes. “I need to be at the rental car place by 7 tomorrow.”

“I mean, not really.” She shrugged. “I’ll go if you’re ready, though.”

“I can give her a ride.” Jon said, from behind me. “It’s really no trouble.”

“I don’t want to put you out, Jon.” I said. “You’ve already done so much for me today.”

“Like I said, it’s no problem.” He smiled down at me. “I can tell how tired you are.”

In that moment, I realized something that had playing in the back of my mind. I had a giant crush on Jonathan Toews. Not just one of admiration from afar, but a real crush that you get when you are just starting to get to know someone.

“How can I say no, then?” I smiled back, maybe a little too widely.

“Perfect.” He said, looking into my eyes, making me realize something else. Jonathan Toews might have a crush on me too.

Notes

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