Chance Meetings
Chapter 3
Morgan Rielly Story
Chapter 3
Word Count: 3.6k
September 2018
The last couple of weeks had been crazy for both Morgan and me so we haven’t had a chance to see each other. But that didn’t stop Morgan from sending me a good morning and good night text every day. As well as texting me when he wasn’t busy with getting ready for the season.
The Maple Leafs started their preseason games about four days ago playing in New York the first two games.
Today was the Maple Leafs first set of home games in the preseason set by the NHL. Morgan texted me after the first preseason game in New York saying that he had left 4 tickets for the afternoon game and that we would be sitting with Lucy and Henry. I had immediately messaged back questioning why he had left four tickets instead of one, his response was that they were for the kids as well. After getting the okay from both Jess and Tom, the kids and I were getting ready for their first Maple Leafs game.
Once Jess heard that the kids were invited to the game she purchased both Max and Ella a Maple Leafs Jersey to match Nate’s.
I quickly got dressed for the game before heading to the kitchen to help finish getting the children ready.
I picked up Max from his high chair and brought him into his room to change his diaper and to put him in his mini jersey. I grabbed all the essentials needed to take a baby on an adventure and headed into the living room to finish packing the diaper bag.
Jess had agreed to drive us to the game and then pick up the children after so that I could spend time with Morgan. Jess parked the car and I got out and opened the car door on Max’s side, starting to unstrap him from his car seat. With Max in arms, Ella holding my hand and Nate holding her hand, we headed into the arena. Once we got to the ticket area I mentioned my name and she handed Nate the tickets.
We got the tickets scanned and made our way to the seats about 10 rows up from the Leafs net. Once we got to the seats I saw that Lucy was already sitting in the seats beside ours. Lucy nodded her head towards me as she saw me walking down the stairs with my gang. When we got to the row Lucy stood us with Henry in her arms and gave me a big hug.
“Nate, Ella, Max this is my friend Lucy and her son.”
“It’s nice to meet you Max, Ella, and Nate,” Lucy said as she shook the children’s hands.
“Do you guys want to follow me, I usually go and stand at the glass for warm up with Henry.” She said as she started walking down the stairs to the glass.
Nate and Ella quickly followed behind and just as we made it to the glass the leafs started to get onto the ice for warm up.
My mind started to wander as we stood at the glass as the boys skated around and shot the puck. Dam Morgan looked so hot in his uniform skating around the ice.
Max was wiggling excitedly as he placed his hands on the glass. I pulled out my phone to get a video as all three kids started banging on the glass.
I looked over and saw that Jake was standing in front of Henry handing him a puck through the camera hole.
Morgan noticed that I was looking towards the happy family and he sent me a wink as he took off skating really fast.
After a quick lap around Morgan stopped right in front of us and started to stretch. Which consisted of him wiggling his butt as he bent forward.
“Omg, he is totally doing that for you,” Lucy stated as she started to giggle. I couldn’t help but laugh at the sight as well.
When Morgan was done stretching he grabbed a couple of the warm-up pucks and threw them over the glass for the children. Nate caught all three and handed them to his siblings. I mouthed thank you to Morgan as he nodded his head and made his way back to the dressing room.
Lucy and I quickly walked back up to our seats so that we would be ready for the start of the game.
During the first period, Morgan made some really good plays that prevented the Rangers from scoring. He also made a really smart play, which resulted in a breakaway for Auston Matthews. The buzzard sounded signaling the end of the first period. We quickly stood up from our seats so that we could use the restrooms and grab some food before the start of the second period.
Soon the buzzard sounded signaling the start of the second period. This period the maple leafs were shooting our way. Two minutes into the second period Morgan’s line hopped over the boards and onto the ice. Once on the ice, Morgan quickly received a pass at the blue line from his teammate and he took a slap shot towards the net. Seconds later the goal horn sounds, and Morgan skated towards where we were sitting.
I jumped up out of my seat and started celebrating with the children and Lucy. Looking towards the ice to watch Morgan celebrate with his teammates I noticed that he sent a wink in my direction as he celebrated with his teammates. I could hear Lucy beside me awe quietly as a small blush flushed over my cheeks.
Sitting down in the seat I looked up towards the Jumbotron. The clock counted down the seconds as Morgan cleared the puck out of their end zone as the buzzard sounded signaling the end of the game. Leafs fans all around quickly stood up and cheered for their team, giving out hi-fives to everyone they could reach. The atmosphere was electric as the fans cheered on the boys to a 5:3victory.
Nate leaned over his sister Ella and gave me a big hi-five before sitting back in his seat pulling his little sister into his lap for a cuddle.
We watched as they announced the three stars of the game. Morgan was announced as the first star of the game with a goal, three assists, and two blocked shots. He walked out of the tunnel and skated onto the ice with a signed stick. A little boy who must have been six years old was standing right at the glass banging his little hands against the glass which caught my eye and the eye of Morgan. I couldn’t help but smile as I watched Morgan skate up to where the little boy was standing and passed him the signed stick over the glass.
Morgan caught my eye as he was skating back towards the dressing room and sent me a wink as he slowly disappeared through the tunnel.
As everyone around us was getting ready to leave the game Lucy whispered: “Morgan wants to see you and the kids after the game, so I’m going to take you down.”
I nodded my head and mouthed thank you as we stood up and followed Lucy to an elevator and made our way to the basement floor. Lucy led us down a narrow hallway before stopping in what looked like a suit and stepped in.
I looked around the room and noticed that we were the only ones in the room. I thought for sure there would be other family members and significant others in the room waiting for their guys.
Lucy noticed my confusion and whispered into my ear “Morgan wanted it to be just the two of you. He wants to keep you to himself before he has to share you with the other boys. He knows once he introduces you to them they won’t leave you alone.”
I nodded my head and I couldn’t help but laugh.
“I have to say, Hailey, I have never seen Morgan act this way with any of his girlfriends. He really thinks you’re special” she added “he phoned me after your date in the park and thanked me for introducing you guys because he was too nervous to approach you himself. “
“Awe.”
Max was itching to get down and walk so you put him on his feet as you watched him walk around with his siblings.
You took a quick picture and sent it to Jess and Tom. Just as you hit send Morgan and Jake both walked into the little room.
Nate ran up to Morgan and gave him a big high five congratulating him on his amazing goal. Ella followed her brother and hugged his leg stating that he looked like Kristoff from frozen.
Max noticed the new people in the room and walked towards me wanting into my arms. I quickly picked him up and he buried his head into my neck. I kissed the top of his head as I murmured that I loved him and made my way over to Morgan, Ella, and Nate.
Morgan noticed me walking over and pulled me into his arms. I cuddled into his strong embrace and whispered “nice goal superstar.”
“Thanks, I guess I had a little bit more motivation today to impress two pretty girls,” Morgan said sending a wink my way.
Ella quickly started blushing at the fact that the guy that looked like he was from her favourite movie had called her cute.
Max slowly pulled his head from my shoulder as he quietly studied Morgan. After a couple of minutes of staring Morgan down, he reached out for him. Shocked that he wanted out of your arms I looked towards Morgan and he nodded his head and you hand him, Max.
Once in his arms, Max quickly showed Morgan the puck in his hand before throwing it on the floor. Everyone in the room started laughing as Max started to laugh hysterically.
Lucy, Jake, and Henry slowly made their way towards us and offered to take a picture. I nodded my head as I handed them my phone. Lucy took the picture and I sent it to Jess and Tom before we made our way up to where Jess was picking up the children. Morgan had to grab his car keys from the locker room so that he could drive me to his place. So I agreed to meet him at the ticket counter after the kids were on their way home.
Jess pulled up and I gave her a smile as I helped load the children into the vehicle. Before I shut the door “have fun Hails,” and sent me a wink.
I shook my head and laughed as I shut the door. Just as I stepped back into the building Morgan was just walking up the booth. He saw you walk over so he met you half way and grabbed your hand interlacing your fingers. We walked towards the players’ parking lot and he opened my side of the door to his white Porsche.
Shutting the door he quickly made his way to the drivers' side a climbed in. He backed out of his parking spot and we made our way to his building in Trinity-Bellwoods.
15 minutes later we were outside of his building. He opened the door for me and held my hand as he guided me into the elevator hitting the 4th floor.
We walked out of the elevator and made our way to his door. He opened it and guided me into his apartment.
“Nice place Morgan.”
“Thanks.” He said as he set his keys on the table.
I looked around the kitchen and noticed flowers and a box of chocolate sitting on the kitchen island. I couldn’t help but ‘Awe’ out loud as he remembered what Nate had told him
“You remembered.”
“Of course I did, ” was his reply as he pulled me in for a long hug. I hurried my head into his chest as I got a whiff of his cologne.
Morgan pulls away looking into my eyes “now I believe you promised me homemade cookies.”
Laughing you quickly make your way into the kitchen and started making the chocolate chip cookies that you had helped the children make the other day. Morgan kept coming up behind you and wrapping his arms around you before reaching down and stealing a piece of cookie dough. Laughing at his attempt to be sneaking you lightly smack his arm away laughing.
As we were waiting for the cookies to bake Morgan pulled me into the TV room and sat down. I sat down beside him as he grabbed the remote from the coffee table. Once the remote was in his hand he leaned back on the couch and placed his feet straight on the sectional.
Once he was comfy he pulled me into his body so that my head was on his chest and our legs were intertwined.
He turned on the TV and went to Netflix. We scrolled through Netflix and settled on F.R.I.E.N.D.S.
Just as Ross and Rachel were about to have their first kiss I looked up into Morgan’s blue eyes and I could see that he was looking towards my lips and then back up to my eyes.
We both slowly moved our heads towards one another. Just as our lips were millimeters apart the oven dinged signaling that the cookies were done. We pulled apart and Morgan made his way into the kitchen. He had never hated cookies more in his life. He was finally going to kiss you and then the stupid oven beeped and it ruined the moment.
I followed Morgan into the kitchen to find him opening the freezer for the vanilla ice cream. I walked up behind him and gave him a hug “don’t worry Mo, I’m sure there will be many opportunities for you to kiss me.”
“You called me Mo!” He said as he looked into my eyes.
I quickly looked down towards the ground embarrassed.
“I didn’t say I didn’t like it,” he added sending me a breath-taking smile.
We grabbed the cookies and ice cream and made our way back to the couch. However this time we didn’t turn on the TV.
“Hails, I am really enjoying every minute I get to spend with you. I know everything is going at a fast pace, but I can’t stop thinking about you and I want to spend all my time with you.”
“I’m loving every minute I get to spend more time with you as well.”
“I know it’s moving fast but what are you thinking in terms of a relationship?” Asked Morgan as he looked into your eyes. I could see the nerves radiating from his body.
I looked into his hopeful blue eyes and set my empty plate on the coffee and did the same thing with Morgan’s. I maneuvered my body so that I was facing him grabbed both of his huge hands in my tiny ones.
“I really want to be your girlfriend but it's just going at such a fast pace and that terrifies me” I took a deep breath and started explaining Lucas. “My last boyfriend really messed with my head. Over the course of our two-year relationship, he cheated on me every chance he could while he was on the road and it crushed me when I found. I was young and naïve when I met him and I believed everything he told me. He tried to manipulate me into believing that’s what happens when you date a hockey player and that I should just get used to it. I quickly added “not that I think you would cheat on me if we were together. I’ve only known you for 3 weeks but you are already so different than Lucas.”
I could feel a tear roll down my cheek as I finished explaining Lucas to Morgan. Morgan’s hands quickly wiped them away as he pulled me into his muscular chest.
“God, I hate that he did that to you. I just want to have the opportunity to show you how it feels to be treated like a priority and be with someone who will show you what being in love really feels like. But don’t worry we will take it as slow as you need but know that I am all in.”
I nodded my head and buried myself deeper into Morgan’s embrace. Enjoying the safety of being in his arms. I could feel the walls around my heart start to crack and fall down with every moment with Morgan.
Just as we were eating the pizza Morgan had ordered and continuing watching F.R.I.E.N.D.S there was a knock on the door.
Morgan huffed as he stood up to see who was interrupting his cuddle session with Hailey.
He opened the door to see Jake and Lucy standing at the door. I stood in the doorframe of the TV room to see Jake with a shit-eating grin on his face and Lucy rolling her eyes at her husband.
“By the look on your face, I can tell we are interrupting your precious time with Hailey aren’t we?” asked Jake as he started cackling like a Disney villain.
“Yes, asshole,” Morgan said as he shoved Jake.
Lucy looked around the boys and mouthed the words sorry as she walked further into the apartment and gave me a big hug.
Morgan and Jake started talking about the next couple of game in the preseason game.
As they were talking Lucy pulled me to the side and asked me how I was feeling. “To be honest I am terrified of my feelings. I’ve known him for three weeks and I feel like I’ve known him my whole life. My heart is telling me to let myself fall in love with him and to trust that he isn’t going to break me apart. But my brain is telling me to protect myself from being hurt.”
Lucy pulled me in for a hug “I can't promise you that you won't get hurt along the way but I can promise you that Morgan will do anything in his power to make sure you will feel loved and wanted. I have known him since he was drafted and I have never seen him so invested in getting to know someone as much as he is with you. I see the way he looks at you as if you are the only thing that matters to him. He is falling for you just as hard as you are falling for him.”
“Your right Lucy! He asked me to be his girlfriend this afternoon and I said I want to take it slow. But I shouldn’t be so worried about the past that I miss what is right in front of me- my future.”
“What are you girls talking about?” asked Jake as he jumped on the couch between Lucy and me.
Morgan looked at me and rolled his eyes as Lucy shoved him off the couch.
“We were talking about how it was all your idea to crash their second date.” Answered Lucy as she sent me a wink.
“We now that you’re here why don’t you have some of the cookies Hails made?” asked Morgan.
Jake quickly jumped up into a standing position and ran into the kitchen. Morgan quickly ran in after him yelling “just don’t eat all of them…. They are my cookies.”
“I’m just here to help you out so you don’t get in trouble with Babs.” was Jakes reply.
“Those two.” Lucy said as she rolled her eyes “can you imagine how they were when they lived together.”
Seconds later both boys came back into the TV room with a plate of cookies each. Morgan quickly sat down beside me on the couch and handed one me a cookie as he put his arm around my shoulder.
“Well, now that Jake has eaten his cookies and crashed your date we should head home now.” Said Lucy as she stood up from her spot on the couch.
Jake followed Lucy to the door but not before turning towards Hailey “Take care of my boy Hails.”
I nodded my head and leaned into Morgan’s embrace on the couch.
Morgan grabbed my hand and led me out onto his balcony where you could see the sun start to set.
I looked into Morgan’s blue eyes and I knew right at this moment that I was done waiting and taking it slow.
“I’m all in Morgan.”
“Really?” he asked as I could see the excitement in his eyes.
“Yes! I’m done letting the past control me.”
“WOOHOOO!” Morgan yelled as he picked me up into his arms and spun me around in a circle.
I couldn’t contain my giggle at his reaction. I looked up into his eyes as he pulled me close. A piece of my hair fell into my face and I could feel his hand move up to move it. His hand moved the piece before slowly moving down to cup my cheek the whole time he was staring into my blue eyes and biting. Our heads moved together and our lips slowly touched as if we were two magnets being pulled together. It was like time stood still and fireworks were going off. We slowly pulled away connecting our foreheads together as we both breathed out “wow.”
“I promise you, Hails. I will never make you question my commitment to you.” Morgan said as he pulled me in for another breathtaking kiss.
Chapter 3
Word Count: 3.6k
September 2018
The last couple of weeks had been crazy for both Morgan and me so we haven’t had a chance to see each other. But that didn’t stop Morgan from sending me a good morning and good night text every day. As well as texting me when he wasn’t busy with getting ready for the season.
The Maple Leafs started their preseason games about four days ago playing in New York the first two games.
Today was the Maple Leafs first set of home games in the preseason set by the NHL. Morgan texted me after the first preseason game in New York saying that he had left 4 tickets for the afternoon game and that we would be sitting with Lucy and Henry. I had immediately messaged back questioning why he had left four tickets instead of one, his response was that they were for the kids as well. After getting the okay from both Jess and Tom, the kids and I were getting ready for their first Maple Leafs game.
Once Jess heard that the kids were invited to the game she purchased both Max and Ella a Maple Leafs Jersey to match Nate’s.
I quickly got dressed for the game before heading to the kitchen to help finish getting the children ready.
I picked up Max from his high chair and brought him into his room to change his diaper and to put him in his mini jersey. I grabbed all the essentials needed to take a baby on an adventure and headed into the living room to finish packing the diaper bag.
Jess had agreed to drive us to the game and then pick up the children after so that I could spend time with Morgan. Jess parked the car and I got out and opened the car door on Max’s side, starting to unstrap him from his car seat. With Max in arms, Ella holding my hand and Nate holding her hand, we headed into the arena. Once we got to the ticket area I mentioned my name and she handed Nate the tickets.
We got the tickets scanned and made our way to the seats about 10 rows up from the Leafs net. Once we got to the seats I saw that Lucy was already sitting in the seats beside ours. Lucy nodded her head towards me as she saw me walking down the stairs with my gang. When we got to the row Lucy stood us with Henry in her arms and gave me a big hug.
“Nate, Ella, Max this is my friend Lucy and her son.”
“It’s nice to meet you Max, Ella, and Nate,” Lucy said as she shook the children’s hands.
“Do you guys want to follow me, I usually go and stand at the glass for warm up with Henry.” She said as she started walking down the stairs to the glass.
Nate and Ella quickly followed behind and just as we made it to the glass the leafs started to get onto the ice for warm up.
My mind started to wander as we stood at the glass as the boys skated around and shot the puck. Dam Morgan looked so hot in his uniform skating around the ice.
Max was wiggling excitedly as he placed his hands on the glass. I pulled out my phone to get a video as all three kids started banging on the glass.
I looked over and saw that Jake was standing in front of Henry handing him a puck through the camera hole.
Morgan noticed that I was looking towards the happy family and he sent me a wink as he took off skating really fast.
After a quick lap around Morgan stopped right in front of us and started to stretch. Which consisted of him wiggling his butt as he bent forward.
“Omg, he is totally doing that for you,” Lucy stated as she started to giggle. I couldn’t help but laugh at the sight as well.
When Morgan was done stretching he grabbed a couple of the warm-up pucks and threw them over the glass for the children. Nate caught all three and handed them to his siblings. I mouthed thank you to Morgan as he nodded his head and made his way back to the dressing room.
Lucy and I quickly walked back up to our seats so that we would be ready for the start of the game.
During the first period, Morgan made some really good plays that prevented the Rangers from scoring. He also made a really smart play, which resulted in a breakaway for Auston Matthews. The buzzard sounded signaling the end of the first period. We quickly stood up from our seats so that we could use the restrooms and grab some food before the start of the second period.
Soon the buzzard sounded signaling the start of the second period. This period the maple leafs were shooting our way. Two minutes into the second period Morgan’s line hopped over the boards and onto the ice. Once on the ice, Morgan quickly received a pass at the blue line from his teammate and he took a slap shot towards the net. Seconds later the goal horn sounds, and Morgan skated towards where we were sitting.
I jumped up out of my seat and started celebrating with the children and Lucy. Looking towards the ice to watch Morgan celebrate with his teammates I noticed that he sent a wink in my direction as he celebrated with his teammates. I could hear Lucy beside me awe quietly as a small blush flushed over my cheeks.
Sitting down in the seat I looked up towards the Jumbotron. The clock counted down the seconds as Morgan cleared the puck out of their end zone as the buzzard sounded signaling the end of the game. Leafs fans all around quickly stood up and cheered for their team, giving out hi-fives to everyone they could reach. The atmosphere was electric as the fans cheered on the boys to a 5:3victory.
Nate leaned over his sister Ella and gave me a big hi-five before sitting back in his seat pulling his little sister into his lap for a cuddle.
We watched as they announced the three stars of the game. Morgan was announced as the first star of the game with a goal, three assists, and two blocked shots. He walked out of the tunnel and skated onto the ice with a signed stick. A little boy who must have been six years old was standing right at the glass banging his little hands against the glass which caught my eye and the eye of Morgan. I couldn’t help but smile as I watched Morgan skate up to where the little boy was standing and passed him the signed stick over the glass.
Morgan caught my eye as he was skating back towards the dressing room and sent me a wink as he slowly disappeared through the tunnel.
As everyone around us was getting ready to leave the game Lucy whispered: “Morgan wants to see you and the kids after the game, so I’m going to take you down.”
I nodded my head and mouthed thank you as we stood up and followed Lucy to an elevator and made our way to the basement floor. Lucy led us down a narrow hallway before stopping in what looked like a suit and stepped in.
I looked around the room and noticed that we were the only ones in the room. I thought for sure there would be other family members and significant others in the room waiting for their guys.
Lucy noticed my confusion and whispered into my ear “Morgan wanted it to be just the two of you. He wants to keep you to himself before he has to share you with the other boys. He knows once he introduces you to them they won’t leave you alone.”
I nodded my head and I couldn’t help but laugh.
“I have to say, Hailey, I have never seen Morgan act this way with any of his girlfriends. He really thinks you’re special” she added “he phoned me after your date in the park and thanked me for introducing you guys because he was too nervous to approach you himself. “
“Awe.”
Max was itching to get down and walk so you put him on his feet as you watched him walk around with his siblings.
You took a quick picture and sent it to Jess and Tom. Just as you hit send Morgan and Jake both walked into the little room.
Nate ran up to Morgan and gave him a big high five congratulating him on his amazing goal. Ella followed her brother and hugged his leg stating that he looked like Kristoff from frozen.
Max noticed the new people in the room and walked towards me wanting into my arms. I quickly picked him up and he buried his head into my neck. I kissed the top of his head as I murmured that I loved him and made my way over to Morgan, Ella, and Nate.
Morgan noticed me walking over and pulled me into his arms. I cuddled into his strong embrace and whispered “nice goal superstar.”
“Thanks, I guess I had a little bit more motivation today to impress two pretty girls,” Morgan said sending a wink my way.
Ella quickly started blushing at the fact that the guy that looked like he was from her favourite movie had called her cute.
Max slowly pulled his head from my shoulder as he quietly studied Morgan. After a couple of minutes of staring Morgan down, he reached out for him. Shocked that he wanted out of your arms I looked towards Morgan and he nodded his head and you hand him, Max.
Once in his arms, Max quickly showed Morgan the puck in his hand before throwing it on the floor. Everyone in the room started laughing as Max started to laugh hysterically.
Lucy, Jake, and Henry slowly made their way towards us and offered to take a picture. I nodded my head as I handed them my phone. Lucy took the picture and I sent it to Jess and Tom before we made our way up to where Jess was picking up the children. Morgan had to grab his car keys from the locker room so that he could drive me to his place. So I agreed to meet him at the ticket counter after the kids were on their way home.
Jess pulled up and I gave her a smile as I helped load the children into the vehicle. Before I shut the door “have fun Hails,” and sent me a wink.
I shook my head and laughed as I shut the door. Just as I stepped back into the building Morgan was just walking up the booth. He saw you walk over so he met you half way and grabbed your hand interlacing your fingers. We walked towards the players’ parking lot and he opened my side of the door to his white Porsche.
Shutting the door he quickly made his way to the drivers' side a climbed in. He backed out of his parking spot and we made our way to his building in Trinity-Bellwoods.
15 minutes later we were outside of his building. He opened the door for me and held my hand as he guided me into the elevator hitting the 4th floor.
We walked out of the elevator and made our way to his door. He opened it and guided me into his apartment.
“Nice place Morgan.”
“Thanks.” He said as he set his keys on the table.
I looked around the kitchen and noticed flowers and a box of chocolate sitting on the kitchen island. I couldn’t help but ‘Awe’ out loud as he remembered what Nate had told him
“You remembered.”
“Of course I did, ” was his reply as he pulled me in for a long hug. I hurried my head into his chest as I got a whiff of his cologne.
Morgan pulls away looking into my eyes “now I believe you promised me homemade cookies.”
Laughing you quickly make your way into the kitchen and started making the chocolate chip cookies that you had helped the children make the other day. Morgan kept coming up behind you and wrapping his arms around you before reaching down and stealing a piece of cookie dough. Laughing at his attempt to be sneaking you lightly smack his arm away laughing.
As we were waiting for the cookies to bake Morgan pulled me into the TV room and sat down. I sat down beside him as he grabbed the remote from the coffee table. Once the remote was in his hand he leaned back on the couch and placed his feet straight on the sectional.
Once he was comfy he pulled me into his body so that my head was on his chest and our legs were intertwined.
He turned on the TV and went to Netflix. We scrolled through Netflix and settled on F.R.I.E.N.D.S.
Just as Ross and Rachel were about to have their first kiss I looked up into Morgan’s blue eyes and I could see that he was looking towards my lips and then back up to my eyes.
We both slowly moved our heads towards one another. Just as our lips were millimeters apart the oven dinged signaling that the cookies were done. We pulled apart and Morgan made his way into the kitchen. He had never hated cookies more in his life. He was finally going to kiss you and then the stupid oven beeped and it ruined the moment.
I followed Morgan into the kitchen to find him opening the freezer for the vanilla ice cream. I walked up behind him and gave him a hug “don’t worry Mo, I’m sure there will be many opportunities for you to kiss me.”
“You called me Mo!” He said as he looked into my eyes.
I quickly looked down towards the ground embarrassed.
“I didn’t say I didn’t like it,” he added sending me a breath-taking smile.
We grabbed the cookies and ice cream and made our way back to the couch. However this time we didn’t turn on the TV.
“Hails, I am really enjoying every minute I get to spend with you. I know everything is going at a fast pace, but I can’t stop thinking about you and I want to spend all my time with you.”
“I’m loving every minute I get to spend more time with you as well.”
“I know it’s moving fast but what are you thinking in terms of a relationship?” Asked Morgan as he looked into your eyes. I could see the nerves radiating from his body.
I looked into his hopeful blue eyes and set my empty plate on the coffee and did the same thing with Morgan’s. I maneuvered my body so that I was facing him grabbed both of his huge hands in my tiny ones.
“I really want to be your girlfriend but it's just going at such a fast pace and that terrifies me” I took a deep breath and started explaining Lucas. “My last boyfriend really messed with my head. Over the course of our two-year relationship, he cheated on me every chance he could while he was on the road and it crushed me when I found. I was young and naïve when I met him and I believed everything he told me. He tried to manipulate me into believing that’s what happens when you date a hockey player and that I should just get used to it. I quickly added “not that I think you would cheat on me if we were together. I’ve only known you for 3 weeks but you are already so different than Lucas.”
I could feel a tear roll down my cheek as I finished explaining Lucas to Morgan. Morgan’s hands quickly wiped them away as he pulled me into his muscular chest.
“God, I hate that he did that to you. I just want to have the opportunity to show you how it feels to be treated like a priority and be with someone who will show you what being in love really feels like. But don’t worry we will take it as slow as you need but know that I am all in.”
I nodded my head and buried myself deeper into Morgan’s embrace. Enjoying the safety of being in his arms. I could feel the walls around my heart start to crack and fall down with every moment with Morgan.
Just as we were eating the pizza Morgan had ordered and continuing watching F.R.I.E.N.D.S there was a knock on the door.
Morgan huffed as he stood up to see who was interrupting his cuddle session with Hailey.
He opened the door to see Jake and Lucy standing at the door. I stood in the doorframe of the TV room to see Jake with a shit-eating grin on his face and Lucy rolling her eyes at her husband.
“By the look on your face, I can tell we are interrupting your precious time with Hailey aren’t we?” asked Jake as he started cackling like a Disney villain.
“Yes, asshole,” Morgan said as he shoved Jake.
Lucy looked around the boys and mouthed the words sorry as she walked further into the apartment and gave me a big hug.
Morgan and Jake started talking about the next couple of game in the preseason game.
As they were talking Lucy pulled me to the side and asked me how I was feeling. “To be honest I am terrified of my feelings. I’ve known him for three weeks and I feel like I’ve known him my whole life. My heart is telling me to let myself fall in love with him and to trust that he isn’t going to break me apart. But my brain is telling me to protect myself from being hurt.”
Lucy pulled me in for a hug “I can't promise you that you won't get hurt along the way but I can promise you that Morgan will do anything in his power to make sure you will feel loved and wanted. I have known him since he was drafted and I have never seen him so invested in getting to know someone as much as he is with you. I see the way he looks at you as if you are the only thing that matters to him. He is falling for you just as hard as you are falling for him.”
“Your right Lucy! He asked me to be his girlfriend this afternoon and I said I want to take it slow. But I shouldn’t be so worried about the past that I miss what is right in front of me- my future.”
“What are you girls talking about?” asked Jake as he jumped on the couch between Lucy and me.
Morgan looked at me and rolled his eyes as Lucy shoved him off the couch.
“We were talking about how it was all your idea to crash their second date.” Answered Lucy as she sent me a wink.
“We now that you’re here why don’t you have some of the cookies Hails made?” asked Morgan.
Jake quickly jumped up into a standing position and ran into the kitchen. Morgan quickly ran in after him yelling “just don’t eat all of them…. They are my cookies.”
“I’m just here to help you out so you don’t get in trouble with Babs.” was Jakes reply.
“Those two.” Lucy said as she rolled her eyes “can you imagine how they were when they lived together.”
Seconds later both boys came back into the TV room with a plate of cookies each. Morgan quickly sat down beside me on the couch and handed one me a cookie as he put his arm around my shoulder.
“Well, now that Jake has eaten his cookies and crashed your date we should head home now.” Said Lucy as she stood up from her spot on the couch.
Jake followed Lucy to the door but not before turning towards Hailey “Take care of my boy Hails.”
I nodded my head and leaned into Morgan’s embrace on the couch.
Morgan grabbed my hand and led me out onto his balcony where you could see the sun start to set.
I looked into Morgan’s blue eyes and I knew right at this moment that I was done waiting and taking it slow.
“I’m all in Morgan.”
“Really?” he asked as I could see the excitement in his eyes.
“Yes! I’m done letting the past control me.”
“WOOHOOO!” Morgan yelled as he picked me up into his arms and spun me around in a circle.
I couldn’t contain my giggle at his reaction. I looked up into his eyes as he pulled me close. A piece of my hair fell into my face and I could feel his hand move up to move it. His hand moved the piece before slowly moving down to cup my cheek the whole time he was staring into my blue eyes and biting. Our heads moved together and our lips slowly touched as if we were two magnets being pulled together. It was like time stood still and fireworks were going off. We slowly pulled away connecting our foreheads together as we both breathed out “wow.”
“I promise you, Hails. I will never make you question my commitment to you.” Morgan said as he pulled me in for another breathtaking kiss.
