Drop The Puck, It's Time To Go

“I’M BAAAAACK!”
“Oh god.”
“Has it really been four games!?”
“Marchand, can you suspend yourself again?”
“I. Hate. All. Of. You.” Brad had burst into the locker room that morning for practice, arms in the air and a smile that must have radiated all the light through the room. The Shrimp clearly missed playing.

And we were being the supportive team; welcoming him back to us with open arms and the love we all gave each other.

Haha, yeah, bullshit.

“We’re all just kidding Brad, welcome back!” I said, walking over to him and crushing him into a hug.
“I don’t trust this hug!” Marchy snapped.
“Fine then! I wont hug you in the future!” I stated, briskly walking away. I then stopped to see an abandoned pink Vera Bradley bag chilling in the corner. I blinked at it and looked around, knowing there was only one possible person who owned a Vera Bradley bag. I found them a crime against humanity seeing as just looking at them made your eyes hurt and burn and I’m pretty sure no guy would have one.

“Guys…I’m pretty sure none of you own a pink Vera Bradley bag…” I said out loud. Everyone looked at me.
“Why are you saying that?” Boychuk asked. I looked around the locker room again.
“Because I don’t either! Tyler, watch the door and alert me if Sex Tape Slut comes strolling back.” Tyler got up and stood at the door as I lunged myself at the purse.
“Really Roxy, really? You’re going to ransack someone else’s shit?” Thorton grumbled, watching me open up the bag and look inside.
“YES THORTON!” I snapped at him, dumping the contents on the floor.

“You’re going to be screwed, just saying.” Timmy said. “You just disturbed the entire bag contents up and she’s going to know you messed with it.” I looked at the goalie.
“Uncle Timmy, for once you’re being unwise! This girl is a dumb and skinny as a 2 by 4! She won’t know the difference!” I began to shuffle through the make up, keys, change, and other miscellaneous objects. “Change, change, change, tampons-” The entire room made puking noises. “OH SUCK IT UP YOU PANSYS!” I yelled. “It could be worse, they could be used!”
“ROXY!” The room cried in agony as I snickered evilly.

I then came across a folded piece of paper. I picked it up and unwrapped it, reading a handwritten note, clearly written by a man.

Hey baby, it’s been nearly four months since I first saw you and the gears in my head started turning at your sight. This is my gift to you, the purse you’ve always wanted. Take it as a token for everything you’ve done for me and have to go through now. Hope everything is going smoothly in Boston and nothing is going out of plan.

Sean

“Four months since I saw you? Token for what you’ve done and have to go through?” I let my hands drop into my lap. “This guy is such an asshole!” Tyler forsaken his door watching duty and came to see what I was reading.
“What is that?”
“A note from Sean.” I said. The room was quiet as me and Tyler looked at the note I found in the purse. “He sent her here to Boston.” I said, pointing to the ending.
“Well no shit, where do you think we are?” Peverly added. I tossed a shoulder pad at the forward.
“This isn’t time for smartassness!” I then grabbed my bag and placed the note inside one of the front pockets of my bag.
“Roxy, what are you doing!?” Recchi asked in shock.

“Gathering evidence like Sherlock!”
“Am I Watson?” Tyler asked.
“Yes.”
“I don’t know if that’s smart…” Tuukka said cautiously.
“I’m not for rationality anymore. Time is running out.” I said to my boyfriend, going back to throwing everything into the purse. I found another piece of paper, a receipt, and picked it up.
“What’s that for? Some $10,000 shopping spree?” Tyler commented.
“Not at all, my dear Watson!” I said, smiling at the new nickname. “It’s just a $40.00 receipt from some eye store in Philadelphia. $40.00? Do glasses cost that much!?”

“I don’t think it’s glasses.” Bergeron piped up. I looked at him.
“Why?”
“There’s no glasses case there.” Bergy pointed to the pile of shit in front of me. “Oh, well there is a contacts case.” I picked up the small little case and studied it.
“So the bitch wears contacts.”
“Oh shit!” Marchand called out. “Roxy! Throw that shit back into your bag!”
“IT’S NOT MY BAG!”
“JUST DO IT!”

Me and Tyler quickly began to throw everything back into the bag except I pocked the receipt. Why I did that, I have no clue. But something told me I should. Just as I put the bag back where it was, Kathleen walked into the room. She past by and I exchanged a look with Tyler before Coach came in to start chatting, noticing me and Tyler’s faces.

“McGregor…Seguin…don’t try anything.” We reverted our attention to Coach.
“Whatever you say Coach.” Tyler said. I just nodded at him.
“Good, now let’s get down to business to defeat the Habs.” I burst into a smile.
“Like Mulan!? LET’S GET DOWN TO BUISNEEESSSS TO DEFEAT….THE HUUUUUNS!”
“Habs, Roxy, it’s Habs now!” Tyler stated.
“Fine, time to switch up the lyrics! LET’S GET DOWN TO BUISNESSSS TO DEFEAT….THE HAAAAABS!”

*****

Why the fuck are you suicidal?
Have you always been like this? Shit, I hope everything is going to be okay!
Don’t be sad Micky! Boston still loves you!
Attention whore.

I slowly closed my laptop, blocking out the words written on my Facebook. I looked at my arms and at the lines that had pretty much faded to nothing. Faded sure, but the internet was eating up all the images of me after Superskills, pointing out the lines on my arms that everyone overlooked.

Yay, fuck you media.

Sighing in annoyance, I laid down on the couch, hearing Tuukka talking in another room on the phone in Finnish. I didn’t give it any thought as I rolled over to take a nap and try to get the stress flowing through my mind at ease for a little bit.

*RASK’S POV*

It was the text from her that caused him to end up calling her. Sure, it had been two years and might as well see what was happening now that she came crashing back into his conscious.
“It’s been a long time Anna.” Tuukka spoke in Finnish, when Anna Trovato answered the phone.
"Starting to think you had forgotten about me, Tuukka." I kind of did…
“Well, I came to the NHL and bounced from Toronto to Providence to Boston, where my career finally took off, you sort of never kept in touch and so you fell out of mind.”

"So I guess it's entirely my fault, then? Understandable. Not like it's never anyone else's fault either. How's Boston treating you?" Rask walked out of the bedroom to find Roxanne curled up on the couch, sleeping peacefully.
“Wasn’t saying it was your fault, it’s not like I tried at all either.” Rask brushed hair out of Roxanne’s face before moving on to the kitchen to lean on the counter. “And I’ve never been happier since coming to Boston.”
"It's because of her, isn't it?"

It sounded as if there was bite in that statement.

“Majority of it yes, she’s a fantastic girl.” Rask answered, meaning it all.
"I'm sure. Heard about her little escapades on the news last night. Sounds like she's something special." Rask’s frowned deepened at the sarcasm coming from Anna’s mouth.
“You have no right to be sarcastic about that.” He said curtly.
"What makes you think I was being sarcastic, dear Tuukka? She has spirit, I will honestly say that, but maybe, has the thought crossed your mind that she isn't good for you?"

Rask looked at Roxy who had rolled over and began to mumble in her sleep, something about Finnegan who was curled up in the armchair not far from her asleep.
“Because it might have been two years, but I still remember your tone of voice when you were sarcastic. Two years is quite some time to get to know someone too, you know. I’ve had two years to decide whether or not she was for me and I’ve come to the conclusion that she is. She’s been through a lot of shit and I want to be the one solid thing in her life that makes her happy.”

"Don't pretend to claim to know me after two years, Tuukka Rask. I still don't understand, however. What about what makes you happy?"
“Fine, I guess I can go back to pretending like I didn’t know you at all. And what makes me happy? Playing hockey in a city that appreciates me, with a team that has practically become family, and dating a girl who may look like an unstable bitch to you but is anything but to me and the rest of the team.” Rask started to get irritated at this point. What was it for Anna to tell him she didn’t think Roxanne was right for him? She didn’t know her the length of time he did. She only saw her stressed and playing hockey.

"You don't know me. Not anymore. You don't care to take the time out of your day to call me, asking if my goddamn leg is all right, or if I'll ever be able to play hockey again. You knew I was going to compete in Vancouver, and I'm pretty sure the games were broadcasted in Boston. I had to call and find out from your mother to find out you were in Boston permanently. I see what's occupied your thoughts for the past two years, completely throwing out your regard for a friend. Am I wrong, or did our friendship end long ago?" Rask was stunned by that; the heat that came from that entire statement, cause him to stall a little.

“You called my mom? She never mentioned you ever calling at all in the past. I didn’t think it would but it just might be. Unless you’re going to keep complaining about my relationship with Roxy.”
"But it's okay for her to take cheap shots at me on the ice, while you just stand there and watch?"
“You took a cheap shot at me yourself that night as well Anna.” Rask snapped, recalling what Anna told him as he had tried to calm Roxanne down.

"I don't recall anything like that."
“While I was trying to calm her ass down, you told me ‘they always choose the ones they can manipulate and leave the easiest.’ That hurt a little you know.”
"I was out of line, and I'm sorry for that, but for the love of God, you're going to defend her over me? You think I've had it easy this entire time also, but you are sadly mistaken. All I've wanted to do, for the past year, is crawl under a rock and die. Maybe I took out my frustrations on her, which is something I try and leave off the ice, but I could have used a friend." Rask sighed heavily, hating the way Anna was making him feel.

“Anna, don’t make me have to chose like this. No matter whom I chose to defend, I would get in trouble and if I choose to stay out of it I have a feeling this fight would still be happening. I am sorry for your troubles and for not being there, really, but Roxanne is the same way and maybe it hurts me even more now because I’m trapped between two women, one who I love with my life and another an old friend who are frustrated at each other but are going through the same thing and do the same shit.”
"We are nothing alike, we are not going through the same thing, so please do not compare me to her." She snapped at his comment. Rask rebutted.

“I am sorry, I wont. What is happening Anna, why have you changed?”
"I haven't changed one bit. I'm still me, and you are still you."
“If you say so-” Rask jumped, cutting off what he was saying at the sound of a sleepy Roxy.
“You’re still on the phone Tuukka? Fuck, how long as it been?” Roxy looked over the edge of the couch, rubbing her sleepy eyes.

“Hold on one sec.” Rask said to Anna before reverting to English to speak to Roxy. “It hasn’t been that long Roxy.”
“Who are you talking to?”
“I’ll tell you later.” Rask put the phone back to his ear and switched back to Finnish. “Listen Anna, fighting like this is not going to do anything but make us more angry at each other. Now I have to go, Roxanne’s awake and we’ve got to get to the TD to play the Rangers tonight.” Roxy had gotten up from the couch, petted Finnegan, and was now in the kitchen before him, waiting patiently for him to end his call.

"You really love her, don't you?" Rask smiled lightly at the words Anna said, reaching out and brushing messy hair out of Roxy’s face, a smile gracing her lips at his touch, warming him in the inside.
“Yes, I do love her. After knowing her for two years I knew she and I had a chance and since being with her I don’t want to lose her.”

"I guess I am happy that you are happy, Tuukka. In my family, it means a lot, and it may not mean a bunch to you, but you have my blessing, should it ever come to it. Good luck tonight, Tuukka. Give some to your girl as well." There was a paused in Anna’s statement, but Rask felt as if more was to come. "I liked playing the Rangers. We ended up being slaughtered last night by Carolina, and had to leave immediately after, just to get some sleep this morning before we have to be at RBC for tonight. It was insane." Rask chuckled a little.
“I hate it, we get slaughtered every time but Roxy enjoys it, she gets to see her old friends from Super Skills she rarely ever gets to see. And thank you for your blessing despite it all being so rocky right now.”

Roxy stood there with raised eyebrows at Tuukka at the mention of her name. She didn’t understand anything else though; she was the definition of lost and confused. Need to start teaching her Finnish.
"All that matters is that you enjoy the game, I suppose. Oh, and Tuuk?"
“Yeah Anna?”
"Happy late birthday. I gotta go. Should have woken Simon up ten minutes ago."
“Thanks Anna, I appreciate it. And go wake up your teammate while I get myself to the TD with Roxy.”
“Later.”

Tuukka hung up the phone and looked at his girlfriend standing there patiently, pulling her hair out of its bun causing red hair tumbling down her shoulders.
“You were talking to that…Trovato girl, weren’t you?” She asked.
“Yeah, it had been two years and she wanted to speak with me, she’s not very happy with me or with you but it doesn’t matter, doesn’t matter at all.” Tuukka said quickly, kissing Roxy’s forehead. “What does matter is the fact that you are not eating again.”

Roxy got rigid at the sound of that, face becoming emotionless.

*ROXY’S POV*

No. I wasn’t eating again. I don’t remember when the last time it was when I actually had a full meal and not a bit of something here and there. Stress and depression is a killer.

“I’m stressed, depressed, and yes, afraid Tuuk. Afraid of the outcome of everything.” I walked away and basically dropped like dead weight into the couch. “It doesn’t help when the entire NHL world knows you have an issue with depression either. When people know you have depression it makes you more depressed.” I explained. Tuukka came over and sat down next to me, wrapping his arms around me.
“Roxy, look, please don’t collapse again alright? I don’t want to deal with that and if you end up passing out at practice, your now going to be labeled as anorexic for everyone is going to know you’re starving yourself.”

“Tuuk, it’s not that easy!” I stated. “My stomach is so wrapped up in knots that I just can’t go find a freaking burger and munch down on it!”
“Can you just try? Please?” Tuukka pleaded.
“No.” I snapped, getting up.

That’s when it blew up.

“Roxy, what the hell, can you not at least try? Try for once to help out with all of this shit!? I want to fuckign help you but I don’t know why to even bother when you’re going to blow it off.” Tuukka got off the couch irritated, starring me down. I stalled for a moment, letting his words sink in and reviewing my actions.
“Tuukka…I’m sorr-”
“If you were sorry you would be trying to do something about your depression instead of me saying the same words over and over again.” I sighed heavily.
“It’s not the simple!”

“No, it isn’t, but nothing is simple! Roxy the reason I’m pissed off and frustrated about this is because I don’t want to fucking lose you! What you’re doing to yourself hurts and is frustrating and if you wont do it for yourself, can you at least do it for me? For Marchand? Bergeron? Boychuk? Your brother?” I stood there in shame, not wanting to move because I felt like if I moved it would disrupt the tension and make it all worse.

But he had a point, Tuukka hit me right where it made me ashamed. I started to shake, not knowing what to do.
“Tuuk…” I muttered, walking towards him knowing nothing else to do but he just walked away from me and disappeared into the bedroom. “Tuukka…” I called out but didn’t follow. I looked down to see Finnegan had woken up and was staring at me nervously. I picked him up and curled up on the armchair, hugging the fluff ball to me and trying to stop the fall of tears coming.

*****

“Roxanne, how do you feel about all the articles and reports about you being suicidal? Can you shed some light on this whole thing?” I did my best not to scowl at the reporter, he was merely doing his job but the subject he brought up wasn’t one I wanted to talk about.
“That question is an evasion of privacy.” I tried to say as diplomatically as I could. “I’m still trying to find out who so willingly threw this out into the open, but I do not wish to discuss it.”
“So you are not denying any of it?’

Craaaaaap…

“I have had issues with depression in the past but that is all I will say.” With that I abruptly left the interview table and walked to the locker room, head held high and eyes starring straight ahead. It had sadly been a 1-0 loss for us against the Rangers but everything was overshadowing this loss.
“Hey Roxy!” I stopped and turned around and burst into the first genuine smile that day.

“Derek Stepan!” I called out. “How has life been?” I embraced the twenty-year old rookie forward. He shrugged after our hug.
“Eh, it’s been pretty good. What about you?” I shrugged.
“Could be better, tons of stress at the moment and just waiting for the day I can shed it all.” Derek gave me a sympathetic look that made me squirm inside.

“I’ve seen all the news reports, shit is everything okay?” I waved a hand.
“It’s fine Derek, you know media. They blow everything out of proportions.”
“Yeah, but it said you were…cutting yourself?” I bit my lip and sighed.
“It’s all in the past Derek.” He just slowly nodded his head.
“If you say so Roxy. Sorry for kicking your guys’ asses today though.” I smiled at the lightening talk.

“Kicked our asses…you only managed to get one goal!”
“Yeah, but by who?” Derek asked, leaning closer with his hand cupping his ear. “It was by whoooo?” I scrunched my face up at him.
“I’m not saying it!”
“That’s because you can’t handle the fact that someone like me managed to score on your boyfriend. Kiss my ass!” I stuck my tongue out at him.
“Shut up you!”

Derek started to walk away laughing.
“Well, I have to get going, team is probably ready to head out. But remember, things get too much, I’m only a call away. Being a rookie can be tough, I know. Amazing how in the blink of an eye, shit can get insane. Just look at Erika’s situation.” I sighed and shook my head.
“I know, it’s terrible. It’s depressing how you never know what could happen tomorrow.”
“But that’s life and it always turns out okay in the end.” I smiled at Derek Stepan.
“It better.”

*****

“Philly…I can just feel the fraud and bullshit seeping out of the pavement…” I muttered, staring around at the city as I got off our bus.
“You can just smell the deceit.” Tyler muttered as well, looking with disgust right with me.
“Smile McGregor or your going to look like the Wicked Witch of the West for the rest of your life and Rask is going to break up with you and your going to be rejected from society.” I slowly turned and looked at Peverly who said that.
“Thank you my dear forward.”

“That’s not how to cheer up our Roxanne! You know how you do that?” Boychuk piped up from the bus door, jumping down to the pavement and grabbing his bag.
“How?” Peverly asked boringly. I walked with the four guys into the hotel.
“You don’t want to as-”
“ROXAAAAAANNE! YOU DON’T HAVE TO PUT ON THE RED LIGHT!”
“JOHNNNNNYYY!” I cried.
“Now THAT is a sounds I haven’t heard in forever!” I heard Recchi call out cheerfully.
“It was peaceful without it too!” I snapped.

“How dare you sing without us Boychuk!” I heard Bergeron call and Marchand’s voice following suit.
“ROOOOOOXANNNE!! YOU DON’T HAVE TO WEAR THAT DRESS TONIGHT!”
“That’s just wrong…” Peverly commented.
“I agree Peverly.” I heard Tuukka call out. I was about to respond when I got arms wrapped around my shoulders.
“Hey, no complaining, it’s been weeks since we’ve done this!” Boychuk stated matter-of-factly. I raised an eyebrow at him.
“I’ll give you that…”

“Eh, let’s forget about that and go find some cheesesteaks, I’m fucking starving.” Lucic grumbled from behind us.

*****

“Eat it.”
“No.”
“Eat it.”
“NO!”
“DON’T MAKE ME SHOVE IT DOWN YOUR THROAT!”
“THAT’S ASSAULT!”
“Sexual assault.”
“It was NOT Lucic!” I shoved the cheesesteak that Marchand was trying to force feed me into Lucic’s face. Cheese and steak not only from that cheesesteak but from his went all over his face, causing Boychuk and Bergeron to laugh.

“Oohhhh really!?” He grumbled, peeling gooey cheese off him face.
“You deserve it for saying I was sexually assaulting Roxy.” Marchand said. “But I’m not amused at the fact that I lost half my cheesesteak to Lucic’s face!”
“Oh boo hoo, you already ate one!”
“But still have room for one more. NOM!” Marchand took a huge bite from the submarine sandwich, shutting up due to his mouth full of steak and cheese.

The door behind us opened, the bells jingling and a voice spoke up that had all of us stop in our tracks.
“Cheesesteak? Really? These things are horrendous! Why couldn’t we get sushi?”
“It’s the water girl…” Boychuk muttered.
“Sex tape slut!?” I hissed.
“The wonf and onwfth.” Marchand said through a mouth full of food. I looked at him.
“Don’t try to speak with a full mouth. You make no sense and its gross.”

“Because sushi is disgusting and doesn’t fill you up.” I felt my stomach hit the floor, my blood run cold, and I just stared dead ahead at the pictures of famous customers all signed that hung on the wall of the cheesesteak place.
“Jake…” I hissed.
“Wait, as in your ex-boyfriend?” Lucic growled. I slowly nodded.
“Taking refuge behind you guys.” I moved as slowly as I could and hid myself behind Boychuk and Lucic and turned to watch the scene.

Jake Ramos was standing with Kathleen Edwards, the sex tape slut.

Kathleen had an arm through Jake’s and her pink Vera Bradley bag on her shoulders. I slowly took out my phone and snapped a picture of it.
“Why are you taking a picture?” Bergeron asked.
“I don’t know.” I answered. “But I have a feeling I shouldn’t let this sight be forgotten.” I pocketed my phone and motioned Marchand to close in the circle. “Act like we haven’t seen them.”
“Why? I want to beat his face in.” Lucic growled again.
“It’s better if we just don’t bring attention to ourselves.”

The two targets finally ordered after bickering the whole way and were finally walking out of the place, Jake stating something rather loudly that had all of us look at each other.
“You really think I wouldn’t notice the five of your guys there? Roxanne, your hair gives it away a little too much.” I glared over at Jake from my position.
“Just keep going about your day Ramos.”
“I don’t think I will now, interesting place to be right now.” Lucic sniffed at him.

“If I were you I would keep walking out that door and stop talking to her.” Jake looked slowly at him.
“Who are you to order me around? You’re acting like you’re her boyfriend.” Jake looked at the group. “Who isn’t here.” I pushed my way out from between Boychuk and Lucic.
“Jake just take your pathetic face far away from here, okay?”
“Pathetic? My face is pathetic? Yours has become worst everyday. Especially just now hiding like the weak coward you are behind your teammates.”

I glared hard at him, hating the feeling in my gut that was whispering that he was correct; that instead of standing out and standing up to him and went and hid.
“Just leave.” I then reverted my attention away from Jake and stared dead into Kathleen’s brown eyes. Brown fucking eyes… “Don’t you have work you should be doing?” Her eyes narrowed at me.
“I have a day off today, you know.” She sneered at me. I raised an eyebrow.
“If you so insist. But remember, don’t bring this man within a 30 feet radius of the locker room or so help me God, I will figure out how to get your ass fired.”

Kathleen’s face flickered for a minute before bringing her composure back.
“Don’t need to be so fucking hostile.”
“I have a reason to be.” I said low, holding my gaze on her before walking away. Silently, I ranted to her bitchy face all the anger and frustration I held towards her for everything she did to Erika.

And now this.

“You have no say in these parts Roxanne. You’re in Flyer territory.” Jake stated, moving in closer to me and causing all the guys behind me move in to pushed Jake away.
“I always have a say Jake.” I hissed into his face that was so close to mine. “You better watch your words.” Jake went to touch my face when Marchand jumped out of nowhere and shoved him back hard, causing him to stumble a bit.
“Leave.” He hissed. Jake stared down a little on Marchand.

Sad thing is, Marchy would defeat Jake easily in a fight despite being shorter then him.

“I guess I have overdone my stay.” Jake walked over to Kathleen. Kathleen glared at me while Jake smirk, causing me to feel uneasy on the inside.

“Beneath every Brad Marchand is this hidden jacked wrestler.” Boychuk stated, attempting to bring humor back to the situation.
“Yeah, I might be short but I will take down a jackass when I see one.” Brad said seriously. I shook the meeting out of my head before speaking up.
“Time to go find my partner in crime and collect evidence, it’s clearly seeping out of everywhere.”
“Partner in crime?” Bergeron asked.
“Tyler…aka my Watson.”

*****

“What did you find today then Sherlock?”
“A Sex Tape Slut, a Rapist, three cheesesteaks, four idiotic hockey forwards, and the undying need to snoop around this place Watson.” I turned and gave Tyler a big smile as he raised his eyebrows.
“What are you hoping to find?” Tyler finally asked seriously and I followed suit.
“I don’t know, but something!”
“Like that?” Tyler commented and I stopped walking to see a certain brown haired girl with a certain blonde haired hockey player.
“Yes like that!”

I shoved the teenager into a hallway next to us and we hid in that, me pulling out my phone and snapping a picture of this.
“Caught.” Tyler whispered.
“Caught.” I repeated.
“Snooping are we.” Both me and Tyler jumped a mile at that voice. I twirled around quickly to see Claude Giroux and Danny Briere.
“Fucking a!” Tyler yelled.
“Way to kill us before the game!” I said, pocketing my phone and smoothing out my jersey. Giroux snickered.
“Easier for us to beat you.”
“Nice try.” Tyler stated.

“I agree with Tyler, we’re still going to defeat your asses.” I said. Giroux gave me a raised eyebrow.
“We’ll see about that.”
“What were you guys sneaking up on?” Briere asked, hands in his jeans pocket.
“Sex Tape slut and Morrison.” I sneered.

“Someone say Morrison?”

Me and Tyler both slowly turned around at that voice. Briere bit his lip while Giroux glared down Sean Morrison who stood leaning against the wall, arms crossed with a self-satisfied smirk.
“I’m sorry, did I just totally barged in on a little meeting here? A little espionage group?” He asked. I looked at the forward dead in his face.
“Get out of here Morrison, none of this concerns you. I’m sorry if we happen to be teammates from All-Star Weekend. Can I please be able to catch up with old friends without having an asshole breathing down my neck?”

Sean moved away from the wall and approached me.
“I don’t think you’re catching up. You seem to be up to something else.”
“Go back to the locker room Morrison.” Giroux snapped. “Leave Roxanne alone.”
“I’m not needed back in the locker room just yet…Briere though…you’re needed.” Danny gave a sad smile.
“I guess I am…Roxy, Tyler, see you out on the ice and later today.” I smiled to the Flyer.
“For sure Briere, good luck.” Briere slowly walked away, cautiously looking back at our little ragtag group.

Really, it was now two Bruins, a Flyer, and a jackass.

Sean turned back to us before anyone else said anything else.
“So, back to the question at hand. What the fuck are you guys up to?”
“Nothing Morrison, please leave.” Tyler snapped, the angry Seguin coming out. Something you never wanted to see. Sean looked at the teen.
“I’m not leaving cause I know this isn’t nothing.” He looked at Giroux. “When dear Claude is involved it isn’t nothing.”
“Just get your face out of here Sean. The game hasn’t even started and I’m already sick of your fucking face.” I put a hand up, shutting up Claude and keeping him from getting any closer to Sean.

“Claude, its all okay. He hasn’t done anything.” I said. “Yet.” I added, glaring at him. Tyler’s phone suddenly went off, causing him to growl in annoyance.
“I don’t wanna fucking help right now…” He muttered.
“What?” I asked. Tyler just shook his head.
“Nothing, I have to go, but come back to the locker room soon.” He looked at Sean. “This stadium isn’t a friendly place.” Slowly walking away, I was now standing in between Sean and Giroux, a recipe for disaster.

“So Giroux, why are you being so defensive of Roxanne, hiding something?” Sean said with a smirk. Claude got stiff as I looked at Sean in disgust.
“Just leave.”
“No matter how many times you fucking say that I’m not leaving. What are you, a broken record?” Morrison snapped menacingly, sharply sending a glare at me.
“Touch her and I wont be afraid of punching you as hard as I did with your fucking asshole of a friend Jake.” Claude threatened, stepping in front of me.
“Claude…” I muttered. “You don’t need to do this.”
“You know, if she wasn’t dating Tuukka Rask, I would be wondering about you two.” Sean continued. “You seem awfully protective of her.”

“She’s a friend Sean. And I protect my friends.”
“That’s not the only reason Claude, don’t kid yourself.” Morrison taunted, smirking at the angry Giroux. “It just kills you inside to know someone else has her and you can’t. And there is possibly never…ever…going to be a chance.” I gasped a little at that, my gut freezing up at those words. It wasn’t the way Morrison said it, but it was the way Giroux’s face fell at those words but quickly covered up that sealed it all. Made so much sense.

Oh no Giroux…please tell me you don’t like me. I don’t want to have to hurt you!

“I didn’t lay a finger on anyone but my damage has been done. Have fun explaining all of this and fixing up your emotions Giroux.” Morrison waved goodbye and triumphantly walked away leaving the most awkward tension in the air as both me and Giroux stood rigid, afraid to move.
“Was he speaking the truth Giroux?” I asked cautiously. I needed to know. I needed to stop anything before it got too far for him. Have him fall to far. Claude sighed and turned around slowly.
“Yeah…he kind of is.” He said softly, sounding hurt and sad.

Defeated.

“Oh Giroux.” I said. He walked over to me a little.
“It was Super Skills really, just the way you held yourself, your story, the news that has come out now.” He sighed and looked at his feet. “I just found you so beautiful and an amazing girl and everything that has happened to you, I wish I could be the one who helped you through it all.” He looked up at my eyes. “Tuukka is lucky to have you.” I felt tears coming to my eyes at those words. Every girl wished she could hear those words spoken to her but at this moment I wish they were said to someone else.
“Claude, that is possibly the most sweetest thing I have heard but I wish I didn’t have to hear them. I don’t want to have to break your heart.”
“I know Roxy, I didn’t want to feel this way towards you because I know how much you love Rask. I can’t break that up and I could never replace him.”

I bit my lip, my heart shattering at this, all of this. Claude Giroux, one of my greatest friends ever since coming to the NHL, had fallen for me and I had to hurt him now. Something that wasn’t his fault and I had to hurt him! Claude reached out and touched my cheek, leaning in and his lips barely touching mine when I pulled him away fast.
“Don’t Claude, don’t do this. This will only do more damage! Please.” Giroux shook his head, seeming to be all upset.
“So sorry Roxy! So sorry! I didn’t…I just…shit, forgot that happened!”

Before I could say anything, Claude Giroux quickly walked away leaving me feeling scared and confused and alone.
Sorry that, I could never love you back, I could never care enough, in these last days…
Her tears fell, on her pages found me out, about her words I don't know what, to do or say…