Courageous

Taking a deep breath, I looked over myself in the mirror, as I finished getting ready for my first ‘official’ date with Hank. Tonight, he and I would actually be going out as a couple because it had been about a week since he had announced that he was divorcing for Therese. Of course, there had been many rumors circulating around the tabloids about what had caused such as fast deterioration of their rather long relationship. But to my surprise, none of those arrows had been pointed in my direction as of yet but many probably would be after tonight when we went out.

Hank had decided that he was going to take me out to dinner and then we were going to go to a New York Knicks game and sit in celebrity row. He wanted to go all out on this first public outing together because he felt like he had a right to show me off and he wasn’t about to let me tell him, ‘no.’ At this point, he wasn’t about to let me waste reservations and NBA tickets for being too fearful to be in the public eye. So I was going to have to grin and bare it. At least, I wouldn’t have to be as mindful of our interactions together in public after tonight and we could actually start acting like a normal couple for once. That part I was looking forward to even more so than tonight’s date.

Checking over my appearance one last time, I went out to the living room to pull on my coat and grab my purse before I was supposed to head downstairs to meet Hank. With no Amanda to comfort me about my anxieties of dealing with the paparazzi, I knelt down and patted Fritzy’s affro knowing that my dog would be able to comfort me some before I had to leave. At the moment, part of me was fearful of what the press would think of me. What would they think of my sudden relationship with Hank so shortly after he had announced his divorce? Millions of questions were racing through my head I could hardly keep them straight. Who’s side would they be on? Would they think Therese had gotten the shaft because I was younger and spent more time with Hank because he and I were teammates? Or would they say that I was just there for the man when he was down and needed someone to be there for him?

Either way I was going to have to face my fears as soon as I walked out of this building and let them think of me what they will. I truly didn’t care much about what the press said about me but I didn’t want them to think that I was a ‘home wrecker’ even if I was in way. I was certain that a few of them probably would think exactly that, but I knew that I was just going to have to let those comments slide off my back because their opinions didn’t matter. What mattered was what Hank and I thought of each other and how our relationship was going.

A vibrate from my pocket alerted me that Hank had just arrived at my apartment complex so I gave Fritzy a hug and straightened myself before locking and leaving my apartment for the night. Sighing, I made my way down the stairs towards the main lobby where Hank was to be waiting for me. With each step I took, my nerves twisted into a tight ball because I’m worried that I might make myself look like an idiot tonight. Which isn’t that hard because I tend to make myself look like an idiot almost everyday so if I did tonight it wouldn’t be that out of the ordinary for me.

Luckily for me, just one look from Hank was enough to melt all my worries away as I made my way across the lobby towards him. I couldn’t help but feel all giddy because I knew that Hank was here for me. Smiling widely as I reached him and he took my hand and brought it to his lips in a chivalrous manner. The affectionate display had me blushing bright red from head to toe as I brought my hand up to his bearded cheek with a certain air of confidence that I only got around him.

“Thank you for doing this for me,” He whispered to me as we walked out of the building and into the wintry New York evening. Nodding, I winked at him as he held the door of his Maserati and I slid in. I waited to reply until he had gotten in the car himself to inform him,

“You owe me one for making me do this.”

Hank chuckled at my statement as he turned out onto the street and headed up towards Central Park, which was near the restaurant, were our dinner reservations were, “I could think of a few ways that I could repay you, Min lilla stjärna.”

The innuendo hidden within the context of Hank’s words almost made me want to skip all of this and head straight back his apartment because of how wet his words had made me between the legs. But I knew that I was going to have to wait until all of this was over to see what he had in store for me, so I shifted a little in my seat in order to try and make myself a little more comfortable for the rest of the ride.

The fact that he had called me his ‘little star’ in his native tongue certainly didn’t help calm my eagerness to spend the night with him. Hank had adopted the pet name after we beat the Flyers in the Winter Classic. Normally, I would’ve objected to a pet name with any other guy. But with Hank everything was so different than any other relationship that I had been in that I couldn’t help but allow him to give me a pet name. But then again, all of my previous relationships had never lasted very long and were with guys around my age, who were a lot less mature than I was. So I guess, Hank being older did change the dynamics of our relationship, which was something that I found refreshing even if he was a little parental at times.

Shaking my head, I rolled my eyes at him and looked out the window to cover up how turned on I was before I asked, “Where are we eating at again?”

“The Atlantic Grill.” Hank informed me as he navigated the city’s busy streets, “It’s a fancier version of Red Lobster.”

“I kinda got that from the name.” I smirked at him as I checked my email, “Is it expensive?”

“If I told you that now then you wouldn’t let me take you there.” He replied back with his own smirk because he knew how much letting him pay for my meal bothered me.

Scoffing I shook my head at him and folded my arms over my chest, “That’s not fair, Hank. You know-“

“I do know. But that’s not going to stop me from pampering you every now and then.” He smiled back at me, seemingly pleased with himself over the night he had planned for our first public outing.

“Isn’t The Atlantic Grill on the Upper East side? That’s a little out of the way if we’re going back down to MSG for a Knicks game.” I pointed out to him but apparently he had a reason for this when he replied,

“Yes, I am aware that it’s out of the way, but I figured there would be less paparazzi staked out up there than down in lower Manhattan.”

“That is until you throw me into the lions’ den when we sit in celebrity row at the Knicks game, right?” I finished for him knowing full well that he wanted to test the paparazzi’s reception of us before going to a larger venue like MSG that would attract a lot more press.

“Well, I guess you could put it that way.” He winced, scratching the back of his head clearly not used to being called out on something like that. I took this as a small victory for me because I hardly ever won conversations like these when it comes to Hank and to win it was almost like scoring a goal on him in practice.

Looking out the window, I rolled my eyes knowing that he couldn’t see me before I remarked, sarcastically, “Well, gee thanks. At least you’re not throwing me to the sharks just yet. Sparing me until later.”

“Mickayla, you know that you’re not in this alone.” His voice was much more tender now as he spoke, his hand reaching out to cover my hand that was sitting in my lap, “They won’t just be after you. They will be after me as well. We’re in this together.”

Sighing, I brought my free hand to cover his while I nodded, “We better fucking be or I would seriously be questioning your motives right now.”

“Oh, you don’t have to ever worry about my motives.” He assured me with a sincere smile.

I couldn’t help but smile back at him because I knew despite how our relationship started back in Buffalo and how unconventional it was. But we both knew we wanted out of this was the same out of this relationship and that we wouldn’t have to worry about one of us trying to get something more than what the other was willing to give. It was nice to be in a secure relationship after so many failures. It was something I hoped that I could get used to and enjoy for a long time.

Long term was one of the few things that Hank and I hadn’t really talked that much about considering he had just gotten out of an extremely long relationship and I was sure he wanted to enjoy being somewhat of a bachelor again. I wasn’t about to tie him down when he probably needed some time to be free again. I would just be there for him whenever he needed me to be there despite how much I wanted to have that fully committed relationship where I could expect him to put a ring on it but I couldn’t. Not yet, everything was still too fresh and new. I didn’t want to over step whatever boundaries there were between us.

The rest of the car ride was spent in the familiar, yet comfortable silence that Hank and I found that our conversations often settled into whenever we were in the car. It was nice not have to keep a conversation going in order to feel comfortable around a significant other. It was nice not to have to talk all the time and for the quiet to feel so normal was something I cherished about our car rides together.

After Hank parked the car, I allowed him to get out and open the door for me before he took my hand in his and we entered the restaurant. Chills rolled down my spine as I felt people’s eyes being drawn to us when Hank placed his hand on the small of my back as he told the hostess behind the podium,

“Lundqvist. Reservations for two.”

Realization dawned on the pour girl’s face before she fumbled for our menus and moved to lead us to our table. I couldn’t help but feel sorry for the star struck girl as stumbled a little over her lines after she had showed us to a secluded booth near the back corner of the restaurant where many people couldn’t see us unless they were really trying to look. I remembered when I had been in her shoes only instead of taking Henrik Lundqvist and Mickayla Hammer to their booth at a restaurant. I met Stevie Yzerman as a ten-year-old after a Canucks vs. Redwings game. He had signed my jersey of his and I almost cried because I was in such amazement after watching him and then had gotten to meet him after the game.

After our hostess left us to look at our menus, I smiled, shyly at Hank because I knew that he was used to being recognized after living in the city for so many years and becoming popular more recently. For me it was almost a foreign concept. Sure, after two National Championships in Boston it made going to the Eagle’s Deli a chore but no one was ever star struck. Most of the people would talk hockey and ask us how the team was doing like we were old friends. So we never really did get to feel like stars.

“Well, that was surreal.” I informed him as he sent me a questioning look from across the table.

“What was?” Hank inquired back, slightly confused at what I was referring to.

“Being recognized as more than just a familiar face.” I informed him as I looked through the restaurant’s collection of wines.

Hank shrugged as he, too looked through the drinks that were available for us tonight, “I hardly notice it now sometimes.”

“It must be nice.” I offered, shyly unsure of how Hank really felt about his popularity within such a big city like New York. I’m sure it was something else. Especially since he was from such a small town in Sweden. I had at least been exposed to life in larger cities like Vancouver and Boston before moving here, but I had never been there popular like Hank is here.

“It’s more of an inconvenience at times. It makes going out like this extremely difficult.” He pointed out from over his menu.

I shrugged not having really thought about in that way. I guess wanting some privacy came with being older. But being younger, part of me loved being recognized because it affirmed that I must have been doing something right as far as being a hockey player goes. I didn’t mind signing things for a few random fans on the street every now and then or posing for pictures. I loved sharing myself with fans because they are what made this sport possible and their support of me has been truly honoring. Especially since they had cast enough votes for me to become an All Star so I felt that I had repay them for their kindness towards me whenever I had the chance.

However, there was another side of me, the more grown up side of me agreed with Hank. That part of me knew that being recognized could and would be bothersome whenever Hank and I would want to go out together. But I also knew that I didn’t have to go out like Hank did. I’d rather stay in most nights and enjoy a meal in my own home. Like tonight, that was what I had wanted to do before the Knicks game since I live so close to MSG but Hank had insisted that he take me out.

“This was your choice, Hank.” I decided to throw back to him after we had requested some wine as our waiter went to go retrieve our drinks. Hank waved me off when I said this though,

“Yes, but I am dealing with it for you.”

“Just like I am dealing with going out for your ego.” I snickered back at him and Hank didn’t counter back at me because he knew it was the truth.

After that, we dropped the topic and proceeded to enjoy our wine and meals together. I have to be honest; it was probably the nicest dinner a guy had ever treated me to. Hell, it was probably the only dinner I had ever been treated to. All of my previous dates were poor high school aged or college kids just like me so I usually had to pay for myself. Hank paying for my meal was something I could probably get used to if he let me return the favor every once in a while.

When we finished eating, Hank dropped a check down for the waiter to pay for our meal and then we were off towards MSG for the basketball game. It would be strange to see hard wood floors where the ice we skated on normally would be. It wasn’t like I wasn’t used to sharing playing space with other sports teams. Back in Boston, we had shared Conte Forum with the basketball team because transforming the court was easier that maintaining two different arenas. But after having played in MSG without sharing the space for so long, I found it weird to be there at another team’s game.

Sitting in celebrity row was something I had never done before and it was strange to be surrounded by so many other celebrities. It was just too bad that I didn’t know who most of them were because they were mostly Americans and just because I lived in Boston for four years doesn’t mean I paid attention to who were in a lot of American movies. I also felt a little out of place whenever someone greeted Hank, like I really wasn’t supposed to sit there but I tried to ignore the feeling and attempted to watch the game.

“You’re not enjoying the game, are you?” Hank asked me just before halftime during the Knicks game against the Suns. He must’ve noticed that I was bored to tears watching a bunch of guys run up and down the court trying to shoot the ball into a basket. It was like barely controlled chaos to me, I had no idea how to really watch it.

Nodding, I sighed a little as I looked around me, “I’ve never been to a basketball game before. I’ve never cared much for noncollison sports.”

“That’s right… Del Zotto and Brian said you loved going to the Giants game. You’d rather have gone there?” Hank smiled over at me.

I nodded again because his statement was true. Going to American football games was absolutely amazing. I could say that it was probably my second favorite sport behind hockey. I had gone to at least 10 Patriots’ games back in Boston and I was completely stoked because they had a huge chance to go back to the Super Bowl this year. I hoped the boys could get another ring to confirm that they were indeed a football dynasty despite the ‘Spygate Scandal’ they had been involved in a few years ago.

“I would’ve but we were in Montreal while they were in Green Bay. Then they play the 49ers at Candlestick and going to California is definitely out of the question. I also can’t talk Torts into letting me go to the AFC Championship game after we play Boston since we have that break this weekend.” I informed the Swede with a sad smile, “He claims that I need to support the other teams in the city but I refuse to root for the Giants.”

Hank nodded as he took in my words before he turned to face me and asked, “Do you wanna head out?”

Shivering at the look in his eyes, I knew there wasn’t anything else that I had wanted than to get this over with so I could go spend the night at Hank’s. I had been waiting for this all night and I didn’t hesitate to answer,

“I thought you’d never ask.”

With that, we made our get away with the end of the first half so that we could make it less obvious that we were leaving the game. At the moment, I could’ve cared less about how discrete we were being about our exit when I wanted was to get to Hank’s car and get to his apartment as quickly as possible so that I could get repaid for suffering through this public outing.

The next morning, I woke up snuggled in Hank's sheets. He had barely woken me up as he slipped out of bed for some reason. At the moment, I could've cared less about what he was doing because I was warm and cozy in his still dark master bedroom. Well, that was until the door creaked open which shed morning's first dull light upon the bed. The bed dipped down as Nova let out a little whine as her master kissed the nape of my neck and pressed his body to mine,

"Min lilla stjärna, wake up."

Sighing, I rolled over, burrowing into his arms as I inhaled his musky scent. A small chuckle rumbled through his chest, like far off thunder before a storm as he began to press his lips to my face in an attempt to wake me. He stopped just before his lips reached mine, which caused me to groan and turn my head to capture them with my own only to have him pull away from me. Now, that he was aware that I was awake he whispered against my lips,

"Mickayla."

Groaning, I shook my head not wanting the first night I had stayed over at his house to end. But with one swift move, Hank rolled us over so that I was lying on top of him. Giggling, I fluttered my eyes open to peer down into those that belonged to my lover. With a content sigh, I ran my fingers through his silky brown hair. His thumbs begun to trace relaxing circular figures into my back, as his hands had now come to rest upon my hips,

"Sleep well?"

"Mhmm, it was the best sleep I've had in a long time." I informed him, rolling my hips against his to accentuate my point.

Groaning, Hank clutched me tighter to him. I knew that if I continued down this path, we'd never make it out of this bed and would end up being late for morning skate if we even made it at all. Torts would be pissed if he found out his All Star goalie and defenseman decided that screwing around with each other was more beneficial than practice.

"Hank... No, marks." I moaned as he began to kiss and bite at the sensitive skin of my neck.

"Hmmm?" Was all the reply, I got out of him as he focused on tending to my body.

Rolling my eyes, I muttered through gritted teeth as he slipped two of his large fingers inside my panties to stroke my hot, wet center, "We're going to be late for practice if we start this."

Hank, continued to plunge his fingers inside of me his eyes now watching me as I fought the release that was building in with each thrust. So, now he was in the mood for teasing, eh? Well, I wasn't so I did my best to roll away from him.

"Yeah, you might not have to go but I do. So please... God damn, that feels so good." I panted as I tried to fight him off, but before I could break from him, his skillful fingers brought on my release with a throaty moan as my body shuddered.

Pressing my face, into his shoulder as I let him roll us over as he began to peal off my bed shirt. Luckily, the annoying ring of my cell phone saved me just before I lost the nerve to resist him. Smiling, smugly, I pushed him off of me to retrieve my cellular device,

"Bonjour, quoi de neuf?" Despite my inquiry, I wasn't quite expecting what Mandy was going to say next.

"Are you up? Have you seen the front page of the paper?" She shrieked on the other end causing my eardrum to almost burst.

“No, I just woke up. Why is it bad?” I informed her as I rubbed my injured ear.

“Go, see for yourself.” She told me before hanging up on me.

Rolling my eyes at my phone, I decided to save myself the trouble of getting an actual paper and googled my name. Doing so was still extremely strange because that meant I was all over the world and anybody could know who I am. Selecting the ‘News’ option over top of the search bar I snorted when I saw one of the headlines and clicked on the link to read the article,

NEW YORK'S HOCKEY KING AND HIS NEW ICE QUEEN

'Less than a week after announcing he was filing for divorce with his wife of 5 months, Henrik Lundqvist (29) was seen out last night with teammate, Mickayla Hammer (22). The pair looked extremely cozy as they enjoyed an intimate dinner at the Atlantic Grill on the Upper East Side before they were spotted later at the New York Knicks game together.

Some sources claim that the pair has been together since Jan. 2 when the Rangers defeated the Philadelphia Flyers in 2012 Bridgestone Winter Classic, where afterwards they shared a brief kiss that seemed too romantic to be just celebratory.

Still others claim that they were together before the Rangers' Family Christmas Skate at Bryant Park where the couple was seen skating around the outdoor rink together, arm in arm. At the time, Mickayla was rumored to be seeing Pittsburgh Penguins' forward: James Neal (24).

Neither agent for Henrik or Mickayla has come out with a statement in regards to their seemingly blossoming relationship. Instead, Mickayla responded in her own way by posting a twit pic of her and Lundqvist at a New York Knicks game and then tweeted later,

‘Great night out w/ @HLundqvist30 Looking forward to the #allstarbreak #cantwait'

Whatever the truth might be about the origins of Lundqvist's and Hammer's romance, they certainly destined to one of New York's power couples.

In a fit of laughter, I let Hank read the article after I had finished with it and I only laughed harder when I saw the corner’s of Hank’s mouth tilt up in amusement as he read the gossip article. When he had finished, he handed the phone back to me shaking his head.

“They would have a field day if they found out how it actually started, no?” I asked him; still fighting off the remaining giggles as I thought all the speculation the press must be cooking up at the moment as we sat around in bed. I almost couldn’t wait to see what they had come up with after analyzing our date and I was positive at least half the questions I would be asked after tonight’s game against the Penguins would be about my relationship with Hank instead of my game.

Oh well, that wouldn’t matter that much. I probably wouldn’t answer that many of them if any. I would most likely just sit back and enjoy not having to hide my relationship with Hank heading into the All Star Break. And I couldn’t wait for that awesome experience!