Miss You

I made my way into the arena a few days later, excitement threatening to overtake my body as I neared the entrance to the stands. I was attending open practice today, and it would be the first time I laid eyes on Tyler - besides through the TV screen of course - since that day at the airport.

I noticed the guys weren't on the ice yet and scanned the stands, looking for the best place to sit. I smiled as I saw Colby Armstrong sitting about 15 rows up. He had been injured for a few weeks now, but he always came to practice. I walked towards him and he looked up and waved when he met my eyes. I returned the gesture, picking up my speed and making my way over to him.

"Hey!" he grinned.

I couldn't help but smile back as I sat next to him in the blue seat. Colby was probably one of my favorite guys on the team. He was hilarious, and he was a good listener, too.

We started to talk and fill each other in on things since we had last seen each other, and I was in the middle of talking about my new photography job when I saw the blue and white jerseys skate onto the ice. I paused, my eyes flickering between each face, until they finally landed on the one I was seeking. A grin broke out onto my face as I watched him look around. He had known I was coming. He met my gaze and nodded his head back in greeting. I waved, smiling, before I turned back to Colby to continue our conversation. The words halted on my tongue as I met his eyes. He was looking at me with a smirk on his lips, and I didn't know what to make of it. We stared at one another in silence until I finally pursed my lips and turned back to the ice. He would tell me what he wanted to eventually; he always had his say.

Almost as soon as I looked away, he spoke.

"Why do I get the vibe that there's something other than just friendly feelings between you and Bozie?"

I chewed the inside of my cheek, my eyes still straight ahead towards the ice, but my eyes not really focusing on anything as I took in his question.

"Did you just say vibe?" was all I could manage to say.

Colby rolled his eyes and leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "Allie."

I glanced at him and blushed, looking down at my hands. "I don't know, Colby."

"I do." He sighed and looked out over the ice. I followed his gaze and watched as Tyler started in on his shooting drills. He skated quickly towards the net, sending a backhand shot up into the back of the net and past Gustavsson. He grinned and high fived Kris Versteeg. The smile caused those stupid butterflies to start up again.

"Yeah, I like him," I muttered.

"What was that?" Colby asked, amused. From the tone of his voice, I knew he had heard what I had said.

"You heard me, Armstrong. Obviously I like Tyler. He's great. There's no reason not to like him."

"The kid's obviously crazy about you, too," Colby informed me. I let myself relish the thought for a moment before leaning back against the seat with a frown.

"You think so?"

"I know so. I say give it a shot."

"What am I supposed to do?"

"Tell him?"

I sighed and closed my eyes, thinking about the entire conversation. Everything Colby had said was true. It was evident in everything.

The way I got overly excited when I knew I was going to see him. The way I was always aware of when we touched, even if it was something as simple as our hands brushing when he handed me something. The way I found a permanent smile on my face whenever he was around. The way that whenever his brown eyes found mine, I had to take a second to think twice about what I was saying.

I had always known I liked Tyler more than just friends, but I had never really thought of doing something about it or bothered wondering if he felt the same. I mean, the thought would come up, but it would fall to teh back of my mind as soon as I saw him and was reminded tha the was my best friend and that being something more would make things complicated. Things were good the way they were.

But as Colby and I sat and watched the remainder of practice, I couldn't help but wonder...

Was it possible things could be even better between Tyler and I?

***
I grabbed the key from underneath the flower pot in the hall outside of Tyler's apartment and stuck it in the lock, turning it and pushing the door open. I closed the door behind me and was about to call Tyler's name when I heard water running. I felt myself blush as I realized he was in the shower. I shook the thought and sat down on the couch, glancing at the TV. I smirked as I realized it was already turned to Sportsnet. Tyler had called and told me to come over that night, since I had to leave practice early to go to work. I tapped my foot as I waited for him to finish showering. I hadn't decided if I was going to talk to Tyler about... feelings yet, but I was still nervous. The thought of it was nerve-wracking, I guess.

The bathroom door creaked open and I called out, "There's a girl here!"

I heard Tyler chuckle behind me. "I'm wearing pants, Allie."

My eyes widened, and I was almost afraid to turn around. I did eventually, and met his gaze.

"Hi," I said meekly. I couldn't help but glance down at his perfectly toned stomach and chest, my cheeks undoubtedly heating up so they were bright red.

"Hey," he replied. Our eyes stayed connected for a moment before he pointed his thumb towards the bedroom. He cleared his throat. "I'm going to go put on a shirt."

I bit back a groan. I had just weirded him out. Great.

I heard footsteps and tried to compose myself. Tyler sat down on the couch beside me, now in a grey t-shirt, and turned the TV on mute.

"How was the rest of practice?" I asked after a moment.

Tyler shrugged, his eyes flickering to mine for a second, before he looked back down at the floor. "Good."

The awkward silence was almost unbearable. I felt everything I had to say to him fling to the front of my brain, and I felt lightheaded.

"I saw you talking to Armstrong." His voice interrupted my thoughts and I looked at him, surprised.

"Oh...yeah."

"What'd you talk about?"

"How hot Schenner is, of course."

Normally that would have made him roll his eyes, but he simply nodded slowly and looked away again. I couldn't take it.

"What is up with you, Tyler Bozak?" He looked at me, surprised. I raised an eyebrow and looked at him pointedly. "Since when were our conversations awkward?"

Tyler sighed. "I'm not trying to make it awkward, Allie... It's just..." He scratched his head and I watched him, nervously waiting for what he was about to say. "Colby talked to me about some stuff today after practice, and it wasn't about how hot Luke is." He tried to make a light joke, but I wasn't laughing.

Colby wouldn't have told him, would he?

"What did you talk about, then?" My voice came out as a slight whisper. I looked down at my hands.

Tyler paused. "Um. About you and I."

My jaw dropped and I felt my cheeks heat up. I stood up quickly, my mind spinning. I was going to kill Colby. Obviously Tyler felt awkward because he didn't feel the same way. I knew I should have just left it at friendship. I headed to the door and heard Tyler get up behind me.

"Allie-"

"Sorry," I whispered, not able to look at him. I yanked open the door and closed it just as quickly behind me, not giving him a chance to follow me.