They'll Think It's Just Cause We're Young

Breanne's head felt like someone took a jackhammer to her brain. She groaned, nuzzling her face deeper into the flesh like pillow that her cheek rested on. Her deep ocean blue eyes shot open and she peeled her face off the hot, sticky skin and then stared at TJ with eyes as wide as saucers.

"TJ," she said hoarsely in a voice barely above a whisper. "TJ!" She repeated slightly louder this time when the snoring hockey player didn't stir. His hand twitched before it found it's way to rest on the small of Breanne's back, which she suddenly realized was bare.

"Hmm? Why are you still here?" He asked groggily just before opening his eyes. A blush rushed to his wide cheeks, reaching the tips of his ears. "Oh, Bre, I'm sorry," he said sheepishly. Breanne rolled her eyes, wondering just how many girls have slept in his bed with him this week.

"Why am I not wearing a shirt?" TJ's flushed cheeks darkened to an impossibly dark shade of scarlet as he tugged on his comforter, pulling it over Breanne's exposed shoulders.

"You woke up in the middle of the night and said you were hot," he mumbled, his greenish hazel eyes examining the ceiling cracks that were forming in the off white paint. "I told you it wasn't a good idea but you didn't listen," he rambled on. When he felt Breanne's pointer finger press against his moving lips, he cut his explanation short and his tired eyes moved to hers. She chuckled and shushed him teasingly. As his arm around her tightened his grasp, his unoccupied hand came up and took Breanne's hand. With his eyes boring deeply into hers, he pressed a simple, short kiss to the palm of her hand.

"We should go back to sleep," TJ mumbled, letting his head sink into his pillow. Breanne smiled and allowed him to pull her even closer into his side.

It wasn't long before TJ's soft snores once again began to fill Breanne's ears. She, however, didn't find it as easy to drift back into dream land but since she was enjoying the warmth and comfort that she was getting from his body pressed against hers, she chose to stay in bed. She scanned his room for a lack of anything better to keep her mind occupied. A few trophies sat on his dresser, collecting dust along with a few seemingly unused glass bottles of cologne. Navy blue curtains covered the lone window, blocking any sunlight that could stream through the blinds and possibly wake him.

Just when Breanne felt herself finally able to drift back into a slumber, the irritating sound of fists pounding on the wooden door bounced off the walls. She groaned, feeling her still aching head begin to pulsate as TJ stirred.

"It's just Pony, he'll give up and go away," he said softly, not bothering to open his eyes. Breanne assumed this was a normal occurrence. Feeling annoyed, she pushed her face into the nape of TJ's neck, taking in the intoxicating scent of his skin. The feeling of his warm chest against her stomach sent a bubbly feeling throughout her entire body.

That's when the door flung open with force and a few bodies spilled into the small room, causing TJ's eyes to snap open immediately. Loud laughter filled the room and Breanne winced at the closeness of the commotion. TJ was quick to pull the blanket up to cover Breanne's bare skin that was only covered by her bright pink bra.

"You slept with Millsy's sister?" A voice exclaimed before breaking into a bout of laughter. Breanne's eyes opened and she flung up, holding the blanket against her chest. Three men examined her as they all doubled over in amused laughter.

Breanne waited to TJ to deny their assumptions. When no words left his mouth, she turned to look at him. He wore a smirk as he propped himself up on his elbows. Infuriated, she glared at him, realizing he wasn't going to even hint that they were wrong.

"We," she motioned between herself and TJ, "did not sleep together," she said harshly, earning the friends' full attention. "And we never will." She abruptly stood from the bed, taking the blanket with her, exposing TJ's boxer clad body to the cold air. Breanne dropped it to the floor before locating her shirt and tugged it on. With one last glare at TJ, she pushed through the large bodies to get to the door.

What she saw standing idly outside the room wasn't what she expected. Ryan Duncan had his hands shoved in his pockets and his eyes locked on his feet. He raised them only when Breanne stopped dead in her tracks in front of him.

"Ryan," she started in a small, wounded voice. Breanne knew he expected the worst of her by the expression that spread across his normally smiling features. Ryan looked at her for a moment before turning and walking down the stairs without a word.

Breanne rushed after him, leaping down the last three steps in hopes to catch up. He tore out the door without a second thought and slammed the door of his truck. As Breanne's left foot stepped onto the porch, he was already slamming his foot onto the gas pedal.

Feeling defeated, she sighed and leaned her back against the cold siding of the house, just beside the door. She watched the empty street though she knew he wasn't coming back. His sad eyes, lacking their usual shine, burned into her mind.

Guilt flowed through her as she reflected on her actions. How could she do that to him? Sure, Ryan was out of line when he lashed out at Breanne but that was just a minor hiccup. She instantly wished that her life had a rewind button. Without a doubt, she would erase every meeting TJ Oshie at all.

A heavy weight fell onto Breanne's shoulders. His hair was a sandy color, the thick strands sticking in every which direction. He had soft caramel eyes; the lightest color of brown that Breanne had ever seen. He smiled down at her with a reassuring gleam in his breath taking eyes.

"Dunc will get over it," he promised, "just give him some time."

Breanne recognized him but couldn't place his face. She nodded, still unsure as her gaze once again found the empty street. There was something about her new friend that was oddly comforting.

"I'm Chay, by the way," he sent her a cheeky smile and she couldn't help but to return the happy grin even if her insides were crumbling. How could she even fix this?