Fragile Bird
three.
“Baby, you ready yet?” TJ asked impatiently from the other side of the bedroom door.
A muffled voice came through, “Yeah, go start the car- I’ll be out in a second.”
He sighed and grabbed his keys. Sitting in his car, TJ pulled out his phone and let Patrik know they would be arriving to pick him up shortly. The familiar sound of clicking heels caught the athlete’s attention. Bright yellow shoesand mouse ears with a red bow were the first two things he noticed. Emma’s actual costume was concealed by a long black trench coat.
“You look so cute, Bubba,” Emma leaned over the arm rest and kissed her boyfriend’s cheek, “You make such a cute Mickey!”
At the House of Payne, music was blaring out of the sound system. Davis and Jane sent their two daughters to a family friend’s so it was an adult party. People in costumes were flowing in and out of the house in a steady stream. A passerby could have easily mistaken the party for that of a college frat. If there was one thing Coach Payne was good at besides winning hockey games, it was throwing a party and letting loose.
As the trio entered the house, Emma was quickly swarmed by Leslie and Kelly who had been anxiously awaiting their stylist’s arrival. She untied the knot in the front of her jacket and slid it off. As the designated driver for the evening, TJ collected his girlfriend’s keys and cell phone. After one bad incident during one of TJ’s away games, it was best that while intoxicated, Emma stayed away from her phone.
“Sorry Teej, but we need to steal your lady here.” Leslie smiled grabbing Emma’s hand.
Emma reached out and kissed him quickly whispering an ‘I love you’ in his ear before heading off with her friends.
Patrik rejoined his friend with three beers- one for TJ and two for himself. They chatted briefly before parting ways. Several hours later, TJ found himself with David Backes. They stood together, laughing, as they watched with significant others attempting to bob for apples.
“So, Osh, any wedding plans?” He asked casually.
TJ nearly choked on his water, “I uh, not any time soon.”
The captain looked over at his teammate, “No?” David could tell TJ was nervous. His cheeks were flushed and he stared at his drink, “I thought I overheard Emma talking to Kel about it the other day when she came over.”
“You must’ve heard wrong.” TJ snapped and mumbled something about needing another beer. He put down his water and stormed off.
Emma looked up and saw David, hoping for some sign that TJ had seemed positive about the idea of marriage. All David could do was shake his head and point to the mini bar. Emma gave a weak smile and excused herself from her friends
As she made her way toward her boyfriend, Jaden stopped her, “Have you seen Leslie?”
The older of the two nodded taking Jaden’s drink, “Over with Sobes and Berg.” Jaden scowled as he watched Emma scrunch up her face as the after taste of the alcohol hit her, “Woah, you’re too young to drink heavy stuff like that kiddo- stick to apple juice.”
Emma felt her legs nearly give out beneath her. A strong arm and a familiar scent soon came in contact with her. TJ pressed his lips against hers, “I love you, you know that right?”
Spotting the beer in her boyfriend’s hands, Emma gasped. She snatched it away and nearly sucked it dry, “You are supposed to drive us home. You can’t be drinking, stupid.” Emma swayed in place. A tiny hand had rest against TJ’s chest for support and balance.
“I think you’ve had enough to drink tonight.” He laughed.
“Why won’t you marry me?” Emma slurred narrowing her eyes.
She watched as the athlete’s meaty cheeks grew red. His palms were sweaty and his pupils dilated, “Baby, this isn’t the time or place for this conversation.”
“It’s because I’m a bitch? Or, is it because I’m a slut? I knew you wouldn’t like this outfit.” She threw herself onto the nearest seat and began to cry, "I read online the reason I'm not married isn't because of the guy, it's me. Am i not good enough?"
TJ sighed as the scene unfolding began to turn a couple heads, “Alright, let’s get you home now.” He pulled Emma out of her chair and wrapped an arm around her waist. Her cries didn’t cease even when they got in the car, it only got worse. A completely plastered Patrik Berglund had already passed out in the back seat.
Not wanting to argue with a drunken person, TJ continue to ignore his girlfriend’s voice. He felt his vision becoming blurry. TJ rubbed his eyes and yawned. All he had to do was drive for a few more minutes and they would be back home. The beer had not fully worn off like TJ had thought it did. However, with such a short drive left, pulling over and waiting it out just didn’t seem worth it.
A muffled voice came through, “Yeah, go start the car- I’ll be out in a second.”
He sighed and grabbed his keys. Sitting in his car, TJ pulled out his phone and let Patrik know they would be arriving to pick him up shortly. The familiar sound of clicking heels caught the athlete’s attention. Bright yellow shoesand mouse ears with a red bow were the first two things he noticed. Emma’s actual costume was concealed by a long black trench coat.
“You look so cute, Bubba,” Emma leaned over the arm rest and kissed her boyfriend’s cheek, “You make such a cute Mickey!”
At the House of Payne, music was blaring out of the sound system. Davis and Jane sent their two daughters to a family friend’s so it was an adult party. People in costumes were flowing in and out of the house in a steady stream. A passerby could have easily mistaken the party for that of a college frat. If there was one thing Coach Payne was good at besides winning hockey games, it was throwing a party and letting loose.
As the trio entered the house, Emma was quickly swarmed by Leslie and Kelly who had been anxiously awaiting their stylist’s arrival. She untied the knot in the front of her jacket and slid it off. As the designated driver for the evening, TJ collected his girlfriend’s keys and cell phone. After one bad incident during one of TJ’s away games, it was best that while intoxicated, Emma stayed away from her phone.
“Sorry Teej, but we need to steal your lady here.” Leslie smiled grabbing Emma’s hand.
Emma reached out and kissed him quickly whispering an ‘I love you’ in his ear before heading off with her friends.
Patrik rejoined his friend with three beers- one for TJ and two for himself. They chatted briefly before parting ways. Several hours later, TJ found himself with David Backes. They stood together, laughing, as they watched with significant others attempting to bob for apples.
“So, Osh, any wedding plans?” He asked casually.
TJ nearly choked on his water, “I uh, not any time soon.”
The captain looked over at his teammate, “No?” David could tell TJ was nervous. His cheeks were flushed and he stared at his drink, “I thought I overheard Emma talking to Kel about it the other day when she came over.”
“You must’ve heard wrong.” TJ snapped and mumbled something about needing another beer. He put down his water and stormed off.
Emma looked up and saw David, hoping for some sign that TJ had seemed positive about the idea of marriage. All David could do was shake his head and point to the mini bar. Emma gave a weak smile and excused herself from her friends
As she made her way toward her boyfriend, Jaden stopped her, “Have you seen Leslie?”
The older of the two nodded taking Jaden’s drink, “Over with Sobes and Berg.” Jaden scowled as he watched Emma scrunch up her face as the after taste of the alcohol hit her, “Woah, you’re too young to drink heavy stuff like that kiddo- stick to apple juice.”
Emma felt her legs nearly give out beneath her. A strong arm and a familiar scent soon came in contact with her. TJ pressed his lips against hers, “I love you, you know that right?”
Spotting the beer in her boyfriend’s hands, Emma gasped. She snatched it away and nearly sucked it dry, “You are supposed to drive us home. You can’t be drinking, stupid.” Emma swayed in place. A tiny hand had rest against TJ’s chest for support and balance.
“I think you’ve had enough to drink tonight.” He laughed.
“Why won’t you marry me?” Emma slurred narrowing her eyes.
She watched as the athlete’s meaty cheeks grew red. His palms were sweaty and his pupils dilated, “Baby, this isn’t the time or place for this conversation.”
“It’s because I’m a bitch? Or, is it because I’m a slut? I knew you wouldn’t like this outfit.” She threw herself onto the nearest seat and began to cry, "I read online the reason I'm not married isn't because of the guy, it's me. Am i not good enough?"
TJ sighed as the scene unfolding began to turn a couple heads, “Alright, let’s get you home now.” He pulled Emma out of her chair and wrapped an arm around her waist. Her cries didn’t cease even when they got in the car, it only got worse. A completely plastered Patrik Berglund had already passed out in the back seat.
Not wanting to argue with a drunken person, TJ continue to ignore his girlfriend’s voice. He felt his vision becoming blurry. TJ rubbed his eyes and yawned. All he had to do was drive for a few more minutes and they would be back home. The beer had not fully worn off like TJ had thought it did. However, with such a short drive left, pulling over and waiting it out just didn’t seem worth it.
♠ ♠ ♠
fragile bird outfits :)