Never Look Back

Jon and Tyler talked in the family room as Jordyn finished primping for her not date with Tyler. It had been a few days since she agreed to let him take her around town and while the hype from Jon’s infidelity had calmed down considerably, people were still curious about the young superstar’s life.

She didn’t care if people wanted to take her photo or say whatever they pleased, the important thing was that she knew all the facts and that’s what really mattered. Also, next week Tyler would be playing his first game as a Capital and Jordyn could tell that he was pumped. Checking over her hair that had been triple-barrel-rolled and pinned back one last time before slipping her feet into her winter suede ankle-boots.

Her heels making it obvious when she was coming down the hall, Tyler stood in the entryway hands folded in front of her as he smiled.

“You look great.” He complimented her black, fitted sweater and dark skinny jeans. Her figure looked great in the outfit and he couldn’t help but want to feel those curves in his hands.

“Back by ten?” Jon interjected, sticking his head in the entryway. “No stealing, smoking, etcetera.” He added, making Jordyn giggle.

“No promises.” She grinned, grabbing her cell phone and tote from the kitchen counter, kissing Jon’s cheek, and taking Tyler’s hand before they could disappear out of the front door. “Sorry about him.” She joked as they stood in the elevator.

“Mr. Toews rocks.” Tyler laughed with a nod.

“Oh my gosh, do not call him Mr. Toews.” Jordyn nudged him with her shoulder. “To me he’s just Dad.” She added.

“So you’re a Daddy’s girl, huh?” He asked as the elevator dinged open and they entered the lobby of the complex.

“Don’t have much choice. But yes, I’m most definitely a Daddy’s girl through and through.” She nodded. “We’re a package deal.” She added.

“Well I was thinking for lunch, we could go to Old Ebbit Grill, and then walk around the parks for a bit, maybe stop by my place for a while then go to a get together my friend’s having?” He suggested.

“Sure.” She smiled excitedly. “Sounds like fun.” As they made their way to lunch, they talked about casual things, school, family, and of course, hockey. “I don’t know, since I was little I’ve always loved penguins. In first grade, we watched this documentary about them and I fell in love. When I turned eight, one of the few hand me downs from the Salvation Army I got had a penguin on it and it was my favorite shirt. I wore it every day until my foster parent made me take it off to wash it. Then they got rid of it…” She trailed, Tyler noticing that her voice had become distant.

“Why would they do that?” He frowned.

“Because I liked it.” She spoke gently. A moment of silence passed between them before she spoke up again. “Later, before my eleventh birthday, I got to meet Sidney and even before that, my Dad got me my penguin, Doug. I guess it just reminded me of the one thing I really loved when I was little.” She shrugged. “I’m attached.”

“It’s cute.” Tyler insisted with a small smile. “I used to really love dinosaurs.” He laughed, rubbing the back of his neck with his free hand, his other hand currently occupied by Jordyn’s much smaller mitten. “Until I was thirteen I had them painted on my bedroom walls… I wanted to become an archaeologist and dig up bones and fossils.” He added, liking the way she beamed up at him. “But even more than that I loved hockey. I wanted to be Sidney Crosby, Ovechkin… Toews.” He blushed.

“You’ve got it all figured out. You’re set.” She shook her head. “I wish I knew what I wanted to do with my life.” She sighed.

“Well you’re super smart.” Tyler pointed out, “I’m sure you’ll think of something.” He insisted.

“And what makes you think I’m super smart?” She asked with a laugh.

“Jon only brags about you all the time.” He laughed, making her ears burn a bright red. “Jordyn is a math prodigy, she’s a science whiz, she can write an essay like no one’s business.” He mimicked his teammate and idol. “With the way he talks about you, we all think you’re about to put your bid in for president.” He insisted, tugging her into the restaurant where they were seated right away.

“Mm, butter nut squash ravioli.” Jordyn all but drooled as their waiter set down their respective meals about half an hour later after they’d finished the bowl of soup they shared as an appetizer. She looked over at his steak medallions on a bed of pasta and gave that a nice once-over as well. “Trade bites?” She asked with a smile. He nodded with a laugh, cutting up a small piece of steak before he could hold the fork over, pulling it out of her reach as she tried to grab it from his hand. Rolling her eyes, she opened her mouth so he could feed her the bite. Reciprocating his action, she fed him a bite of ravioli with asparagus as he nodded in approval. “This place is amazing.” She said, rubbing her full tummy as she finished off her entire plate.

“My Dad and I used to come here when I was little before Caps games. That was my Christmas gift every year, dinner and a game with Dad.” He smiled at the fond memory. “He always wore his Rod Langway jersey to every game – signed and everything.” He added. “When he died, he left it for me.” He finished quietly.

“I’m so sorry.” Jordyn took his hand across the tabletop.

“He got really sick.” Tyler spoke quietly. “I was twelve when he died, but I knew what was going on.” He added. “I just wish he would have been here long enough to see what I’ve become, what I’ve accomplished… wear my jersey.” He finished, his eyes glossy with unshed tears.

Jordyn got up from her side of the booth, scooting into his and looping his arm around her shoulders.

“I bet he looks down and watches all your games.” She offered a small smile. “When my friend Sharpie’s Grandma died, he told me that heaven is where all the best seats are.” She laughed, setting her hand on his knee.

“I guess that’s a good point.” He laughed, opting to blink away his tears rather than wipe at his eyes at the risk of looking like a wimp. “Sorry for getting all watery on you.” He apologized.

“Hush.” She shook her head. “Eat.” She added. “You still need to convince me to like it here.” She reminded with a soft smile.

Maybe Tyler wasn’t as bad of a guy as she had once thought.

•••

It was no surprise that two days later, there were photos of Jordyn and Tyler in the paper together. They were photographed holding hands on the way out of Ebbit’s and walking downtown with the caption Still Just Friends? underneath.

Jordyn ended up having a great time with Tyler that day, plus she found some new places around town that she wouldn’t mind visiting again with her Dad. Today, Patrick, Sara and Gabe were flying in for a visit.

“Oh my God I am so excited.” Jordyn bounced in her seat on the way to the airport, this would be the first time she had seen her pseudo-family in almost four weeks. “I bet Gabe has gotten so big and Sara better cook for us.” She gushed as they pulled into the parking ramp of the airport. Jon grabbed Jordyn’s hand before she could go sprinting into the airport – their guests’ flight wasn’t landing for another fifteen minutes.

Grabbing them both something warm to drink at the Starbucks by the carousels, they took a seat on the benches and watched as the flight and departure boards changed every few moments.

“I have an idea.” Jon grinned at his own spontaneity.

“Oh?” Jordyn asked, just a hint of whip cream on her lip as she removed the lid from her cup. Jon laughed, swiping at it with his thumb.

“Close your eyes and hold up your hand.” He insisted. Jordyn looked at him oddly but complied nonetheless. “Now, wherever your finger lands, we’ll take a trip there. The two of us, whenever you want.” He added, making her eyes pop open and a tiny squeal emit from her mouth.

“Are you for real?” She asked, eyebrows shooting into her hairline.

“Yes, now no cheating.” He laughed as she wiggled in her seat.

“For real, like any where I point to on that board?” She asked, eyes wide and unblinking.

“I mean it.” He nodded, tilting her slightly so she was pointing to the ‘International Flights’ board. “Eyes closed.” He repeated, watching as her hand trailed up and down.

“There.” She stopped, eyes popping open to see her finger was pointing right to Acapulco. “Ooh, Acapulco.” She quickly pulled Jon’s iPhone out of his coat pocket to Google the destination. “So we’re going to Acapulco?” She asked, looking up at him as she held up a photo of a warm beach and waves. “We’re going here?” She repeated herself.

“Whenever you want.” He nodded. “Both of us need some JJ time.” He added. “Pretty good idea, huh?” Before he could draw in another breath, she pounced into his lap, squeezing her arms around his neck.

“Thank you, thank you, thank you!” She squealed as he laughed. Nothing made him happier than seeing his little girl happy.

“Um, hey friends, celebrating already?” Jordyn all but screamed, throwing her arms around Patrick as Jon got up to greet Sara and Gabe.

“I missed you so much.” She exhaled. “Please tell me you’re here to take us home, instead.” She whispered.

“Wish I was, kid.” He sighed, rubbing a hand up and down her back.

“Missed you, sweetheart.” Sara smiled, teary-eyed as she hugged Jordyn tightly.

“Missed you too, Sare.” Jordyn returned the sentiment before she could scoop Gabriel up into her arms and squeezing him tight, making the little mop-headed boy scream happily. “I might have missed you the most, Gabey baby!” She laughed as she ticked him, causing the little boy to squirm about in her arms.

Soon they were driving back to the apartment, Gabe’s hand in Jordyn’s as she showed him his room for the next three days before she could help Sara unpack.

“So.” Sara began. “Tell me about this Tyler.” She looked down at Jordyn as she hung shirts up in the closet and putting toiletries in the bathroom.

“Well, pretty much, I liked him for a bit, then hated him, then now I decided he’s not so bad.” She laughed. “He’s playing for the Caps now, he’s a new draft.” She added. “He took me around town yesterday, he’s trying to make me like DC. I don’t have the heart to tell him that it’s just not happening.” She laughed. “But he’s an alright guy.” She shrugged. “Now you tell me, when do I get another nephew?” She asked, making Sara laugh in return.

“Well…” Sara trailed, making Jordyn scream in happiness. “We were going to surprise you!” She laughed as Jordyn squeezed her tightly.

“Oh my God! Yes! I’m so happy!” She laughed. “God I wish I was home.” She sighed, “will you make sure not to have the baby till I can get there?” She asked as Sara wiped away her young friend’s tears.

“Of course.” Sara smiled sadly, “We miss you at home, kid.”

“I miss home.” Jordyn replied as Jon stepped in the doorway.

“Who’s hungry?” He asked with a smile, “cause me and Gabe are starving.” He added.

“Yes, let’s go get something to eat.” Sara said, brushing Jordyn’s bangs from her face.

And while Jordyn couldn’t be happier for the Kane family and their new addition, she couldn’t help but be heartbroken at the fact that life was going on without her in Chicago.