Unravelled

The elevator doors were almost closed by the time he got to them. He stuck his hand in just in time to prevent them from closing. “Nice try, Brynn. I’m not letting you off that easy.”

“One night stand, hun. That’s how it works,” I replied, smiling.

“Not with me. I like you. I like that you had no idea who I was. You’re coming to my game tomorrow to see me in action.”

“Oh, is that right? I don’t know anything about hockey…” I trailed off.

“Well bring your friend. I’m sure she’ll explain it. Give me your phone.” I reluctantly handed it over to him and watched him type in his number. “I’ll text you the details of where to pick up the tickets. I’ll get you actual seats. Pretty sure your friend wouldn’t do well in the WAG box.”

“WAG box?”

“Technically family box but wives and girlfriends… You know? WAGS. Whatever. I’ll get you actual seats.”

“Fine. Text me,” I replied, trying not to smile. He leaned in and gave me quick kiss. He walked out of the elevator seconds before the doors started closing. The second I was safe inside the elevator I felt my smile falter.

“Brynn, what the fuck are you doing?” I whispered to myself as the doors opened. I quickly walked onto the street and hailed a cab. It felt like minutes later I was walking in the door to my apartment to see Alana sitting on the couch watching SportsCenter.

“Oh for fuck sakes,” I muttered. “As if you don’t see enough of those plays during the actual game.”

“Brynn! Oh my God! How was it? I’m so jealous? What was he like?”

“It was sex, Alana. And I shouldn’t have fucking done it,” I wandered into the kitchen and grabbed a beer. “I need to stop this. I said when I came here that it was going to stop.” I dropped down onto the couch.

“You’re allowed to have some fun, Brynn. You moved here for a reason. You finally have the freedom to do what you want. Have fun with it!”

“Do you really think it’s a good idea? He wants us to go to the game tomorrow. I really shouldn’t.”

“WHAT?! Me too?! We’re totally going. And, Brynn, you seriously deserve this. You have to go. And enjoy yourself. Just test it out, you know? See what happens. You’re allowed to do that now.”

“Ugh. I know. I just feel like I should be DOING something, ya know? Party girl Brynn is getting old. Whatever. We’ll go to the game tomorrow. I need sleep, though. I’ll see ya in the morning? He texted me saying it was an afternoon game?”

“Yeah they play at 2:30. I’ll wake you up at 11?”

“Okay. And Alana? I’m sorry for last night. I was really drunk and I was mean and I’m sorry.”

“Don’t worry about it,” she said with a smile. “I know you’re going through a rough time. You needed that last night. And hey, maybe it’ll work out for me too, eh? There’s plenty of guys on the team…” she said with a smirk.

I couldn’t help but laugh. “Yes, Alana. I’ll hook ya up. Maybe with Pat. That way he’ll leave me and Jonny alone.”

“I’ll take whatever I can get,” she said with a wink.

The next morning seemed to come way too fast. I woke up to a text from Jonny. “You better come today. And wait for me after the game. : )”

“The only way you’re going to score is if you score during the game. ; )”

“Is that a promise?”

I rolled my eyes, threw my phone down on my bed and went to get in the shower. Soon enough we were settling into our seats watching the boys warm up. It wasn’t long until Jonny glanced up to our seats and shot me a smile. Clearly he had picked the seats very strategically – and according to Alana they were amazing seats. Once the game got started I tried to be interested. I ended up asking Alana about a billion questions before I understood the basic rules. By that time we were halfway through the second period and trailing by one. The more intense the game got the more into it I became. Just before the second period was over Pat got a breakaway and ended up scoring right on the buzzer. The crowd went wild – me included – as the boys celebrated and made their way into the locker room.

“This game is fucking insane,” Alana shouted excitedly. “I can’t believe he hooked us up with tickets. You have to keep sleeping with him. At least until playoffs. Come on.”

“Alana, I’m not going to sleep with him just for tickets. I can buy the tickets for myself, for the record. We’ll see what happens. But this game is pretty exciting. I’m starting to get why people get so into it. It’s just so… intense? I don’t know. I can see why he loves it.”

Alana smiled at me and jumped up out of her seat. “I’m going to get beer. Want one?”

“Yeah, sure. Thanks,” I replied as she made her way into the aisle. After she was gone I pulled out my phone. I had just gotten a text from Jonny.

“Stay for the rest but then go home and get ready. I’m picking you up at 7. Text me your address. Hope you’re enjoying the game. : )”

I quickly responded with my address and put the phone in my purse. I couldn’t help but panic about the whole situation. There was so much about my life that I wasn’t proud of and I couldn’t decide whether or not I wanted to try out anything at all with THE Jonathan Toews. When Alana got back I decided to run it past her.

“Well, I don’t get why you wouldn’t just date him. Dating’s harmless. It’s not even commitment really,” she answered.

“Yeah, but you know how it is. I go out with him tonight and he’s gonna want to talk. He’s going to ask questions about where I’m from and who I am. What do I say? How do I even answer those?”

“Well, the truth I guess. Just, you know. The light truth. Try to not send him running. It’s a first date.
There’s things he doesn’t need to know yet. Just have fun!”

I agreed reluctantly and decided to just suck it up and go. As soon as the game was over (which we won thanks to Patrick Sharp and a beauty breakaway) we headed back to the apartment so I could start getting ready. I picked out the hottest red dress I could find in my closet – maybe if I looked good enough I could distract him from asking too many real questions. It seemed like no time and the intercom was going off. Alana ran to answer it.

“Hello?” she asked sweetly, knowing who it was.

“Hey. I’m here for Brynn.”

“Well, come on up!” She buzzed him in and turned to me. “Oh my God! You’re legit going on a date with Jonathan Toews.”

“Shut up. I already slept with him. This is just a formality to let me down easy. Now, how do I look?”

“Wow. Good. Really good,” she replied as there was a knock on the door.

“Well. Guess it’s now or never,” I said quietly, making my way over to the door. I pulled it open and saw a very well dressed Jonathan Toews on the other side.

“Wow…” we both said at the same time, checking each other out.

“Um, hey,” he said, trying to redeem himself.

“Hello,” I replied, smiling. “Ready to go?”

“Yeah,” he said, finally meeting my eyes. “Yeah, let’s go.”