Love Me Tender

I looked out at the skyline from my hotel room and thought about the recent events. I was her friend
again; I got to be around her without her wanting to rip my head off again. It was nice, awesome,
and tragic. My feelings for her never went away and I hate waiting; but I would, for her. There was a
knock at my door and I half-expected it to be Raychel.

I was fully disappointed to see James. "Dude, a few of us are going out tonight. You should come, get
out of this lovesick funk you're in." He complained; I shook him off. I couldn't risk any drunken
mishaps that would rip Raychel away from the loose grip I had on her.

"No, I'm fine here." I said as I sat on the bed. Neal sighed

"Really? Look, I'm newly single, in a new city, you're my wingman. Come on." He encouraged.

"No more Erin?" I asked

"No. She was too paranoid and jealous that I was so far away. She didn't trust me, so I just ended
it." He shrugged nonchalantly.

Sometimes, I envied James and his inability to love. He could just love 'em and leave 'em, but not me.
I actually thought Erin was the one to change that.

Guess not.

I shook my head and once again declined his offer. He sat across me and sighed.

"Look dude, I'm sorry she doesn't have the same feelings, but is that really a reason to lock yourself
up and not try with someone else?"

"It is for now." I replied back; getting annoyed with him.

"Whatever man I'm going to enjoy what this new city has to offer." James winked and left as I let out
a frustrated scream

I sat there and thought about all the crap that's happened since I got here
• Raychel ignores me.
• I go to her apartment.
• We make out.
• She goes and sleeps with another guy.
• We become friends again
• I'm sitting here in this hotel room and she's not with me right now.

Life's a bummer.

The next day I had my first game as a Penguin and I was all kinds of nervous.

"Ay Nisk, word on the street that you like Raychel." I looked over to see Kennedy. I sighed and
laughed bitterly.

"Where did you hear that?"

"Neal talked about it last night." Martin butted in.

"Of course he did." I mumbled.

"Hey don't be mad at me, you’re the one acting like a little bitch.” Neal defended. I flipped him off and
finished tying my skates.

“Why don’t you just fight for her?” I heard Kennedy say.

“What?” I asked confused. “I just got her back. I’m not risking anything right now.” I explained. As
much as I wanted to; I couldn’t. At least…not right now.

“Pussy” I heard James mumble, I ignored him and the stifled laughs from around the room.

“Come on man, what the worst you have to lose?” Tyler said. I looked over what he was saying. I
didn’t know how serious Raychel and Ian were, but I knew that its moving faster than I would like it. I
kept replying Tyler’s proposal. Can I fight for her; this soon after getting her on my side again?
Everyone thought I was being a baby putting it off.

“You’re a hockey player! Grab your jock and act like one!” I heard Dupuis yell at me. I smiled. I made
my decision right there and walked with a bit more pip in my step.

That was, until, I went to visit Raychel in her office and saw the big vase of flowers staring at me in
the face. I want to pick them up and through them in the garbage, but I know that would ruin my
surprise. Raychel smiled when she saw me, making me feel like that gawky teenage boy I tried to
leave in Minnesota again. “Hey you.” She said.

“Hey.” I said. Great. Awesome response, Matt. Really. I mentally slapped myself.

“Is everything okay?” she asked, a hint of concern in her voice. I quickly bounced back.

“Of course, I was just wondering if you wanted to grab lunch or something.” I asked with my hand on
the back of my neck. The glint of light in her eye quickly faded.

“Oh…Matt I’d love to! But I’m already booked for lunch…” She said awkwardly. I nodded my head
slowly.

Of course.

“Right. Ian is it?” I said with a bit of bite.

She sighed, “Matt I-“

“No it’s okay, Raych, really. Maybe some other time.” She gave me a pity look and walked towards
me, putting her hands on my shoulders. We locked eyes and I could tell she wanted to tell me
something but she quickly looked away.

“I’d like that.” She said simply

This was it…time to grab my jock. She was about to take her hands off my shoulders before I
grabbed her arms and pulled her into me; leaving no space between us. Her eyes went wide. “Matt..”
she breathed. I didn’t let her finish before my lips crashed onto hers.
She was hesitate at first, making me feel like an idiot and an asshole for doing this, but I eventually
felt her kiss back. She lightly touched my neck and I pulled her closer, savoring the moment. I was
spinning in a good way.

She broke the kiss and we were both breathless. I couldn’t help but break a small smile.

She didn’t exactly feel the same. She pushed me off of her and created space between us. I tried to
explain but she cut me off. “No. You don’t get to do this. You can’t just come in her and kiss me like
that.” She picked one of the flowers out of the vase. “These. These are the reason why you can’t do
that. I have a…potential boyfriend with someone that I like. Someone not you.” She ranted. I stood
there like stone, not showing that it fazed me.

Yeah the words she said were hurting, but it wasn’t going to make me give up. I was going to fight
for her and I meant it. “Are you done?” I asked. She nodded stubbornly. I walked closer to her, I
pinned her against her desk. “Look Raychel. I’m not going to give up. I’m not going to sit by and play
the role of the best friend. I want to be more with you.” I said as I tucked a hair behind her ear. Sh
closed her eyes and sighed. She grabbed my hand and interlocked our fingers.

“Matt. I-I can’t be with you-“ Ouch. “I’m not a cheater. I-I don’t know what I want right now. Ian is a
factor now. You aren’t even supposed to be here…” she joked. I let out a soft laugh. I grabbed her
face and planted one last kiss on her lips before I headed for the door.

“I understand. But you should understand that I mean what I say.” I said with a wink, “Have fun at
lunch.” I said as I quickly exited the door before she could retaliate.

I walked out satisfied and the smile had a hard time leaving up until game time.