Buckshot

The next day at work was hectic. The players (or boys as Kimberly liked to refer to them) were going on a 10 day road trip and because of this; there were many request to fulfill and items to get in order before they left. She knew that some of them liked certain drinks or certain snacks, and she made sure that they had them. She and Patrick had baked cookies the entire day yesterday and now she was putting packages together before the bus departed at four. After that, Kimberly would have to put together several bouquets of flowers (because really, why pay someone else when you can do it yourself cheaper?) for the player’s wives and girlfriends.

After the packages were put together, Kimberly ran to the floral wholesaler who, by now, knew her by name.

“What do you have for me today, Sam?” She asked him as she entered the cold warehouse where he kept buckets and buckets of fragrant flowers.

“How about an autumn selection?” Sam asked, and Kimberly thought that was perfect.

She chose orange Calla lilies, bold yellow sunflowers, deep purple wax flower, and red roses, along with a few pieces of curly willow branches to stick out of the top and give it some height. As she was coming out, with her arms laden with flowers, she ran into Elina.

“Hey lady!” Kimberly said, adjusting the bunches of flowers in her hands.

“Oh my gosh, girl, let me help you!” Elina said, grabbing a couple of the more precariously situated ones. “Are these for us?”

“Yes and thank you.” Kimberly chuckled. “I’m pretty sure I would have had to make another trip to my car. So what has you out and about today?”

Kimberly hit the switch on her keys for the back hatch of her Ford Edge.

“I just needed to get out of the house. I was starting to feel a little closed in, and Nicklas is at practice, so I’m bored.” She deposited the bunches into a container already filled with water and blocked off to hold flowers. “Do you arrange the flowers?”

Kimberly nodded and closed the door after she was sure no flowers would be squished.

“I thought a professional did!” Elina gasped; surprised that Kimberly had so much talent.

“Nope, just little ol’ me.” Kimberly nodded. “Want to come help?”

Elina laughed. “I’m not sure how much help I’ll be. I know nothing of arranging flowers. “

“It’s not that hard, I’ll teach you.” With promises to meet back at the rink, the girls parted ways.
________________________________________________________________
Patrick was beat like a drum- as Buck always said- and nervous about the road trip they were getting ready to go on. Working out only revved him up more, and as he walked by the staff breakroom, he heard females giggling.

“Nicklas has been promising to buy me a ring, but I don’t think he’ll ever get around to it.” Elina’s voice came from the room.

“He’s been really busy lately, so don’t worry too much. If he says he’ll get you one, you’ll get one.” Buckshot said to her.

And just like that, his nerves were gone. Just hearing her voice made everything okay, and Patrick wasn’t quite sure how he felt about that. He didn’t overthink it. He would rather enjoy the moment of peace while he had it.

“I didn’t realize we had a flower shop down here.” Patrick said standing in the door. “ Hjammer! Come look at this”

Patrick put his finger to his lips and shook his head. The girls heard the pounding of feet on the concrete floor as Nicklas approached the room. “What’s going on?”

“You’ve got a visitor.” Patrick said.

“Kane, I swear if it’s those stupid blondes again, I’m going to kick your ass.” Nicklas said. Patrick had played a prank on him, bringing in two rabid fan girls to meet Hjalmarsson before Nicklas and Elina were a sure thing.

“Well one of them is a sort of blonde; I don’t know Elina, what color is your hair exactly?” Patrick asked, coming into the room.

At the sound of Elina’s name, Nicklas ran into the room to the sight of flowers and vases everywhere. “Who knew there was a jungle in Chicago?”

“It will be cleaned up soon, Nick. I’ve just got to finish these vases for the WAGs. “Kimberly said, going back to work on the arrangement. “Elina’s been a great help.”

“Look, Nicklas! I did these!” Elina said pointing to her 3 vases, like a child showing a parent an A+ paper.

“Beautiful.” Nicklas nodded, and Patrick wondered if he actually saw beyond the fact there were some colors in a vase.

To Patrick, flowers were flowers. He could tell you what a rose was and that they came in different colors, but other than that, it was a bunch of dying plants in a jar.

He watched Kimberly work on her arrangement while Elina and Nicklas headed out to grab a bite for lunch. She packed flowers into a vase, in no certain order, or so it seemed but by the time she was done, Patrick could tell there was an actual structure to it.

“How long are you going to sit there and watch me? It’s getting kind of creepy, Mr. Kane.”

Patrick’s skin tingled when she said his name. That was a very new reaction. He must be catching Buck’s cold.

“I need massive amounts of Vitamin C. “He said before backing out of the room and jogging to the lockers for orange juice and vitamins.

Buck shook her head and finished up the arrangements before taking cards to the players to sign.
_______________________________________________

“Thunder!” Kimberly yelled coming into the first locker room where there were a few players.

“Flash!” Jonathan said, grabbing her into a hug.

Kimberly’s bewildered face made some of the players laugh as she was lifted off of the ground and twirled. She squeaked and wrapped her arms around the Captain’s neck before he set her down.

“Not that I’m not grateful, Jonny- Toes, but what was that for?” She asked, straightening her black blazer back down over a pair of red skinnys.

“Nervous energy and I’m glad to see you’re doing better.” He said excitedly. “Now are those the WAG cards?”

She nodded and he took a few passing them around to the players, “Go on back, they should be dressed.”

“Yeah, should be, but probably aren’t.” She said knowing the players all too well.

“Just call.” Jonathan laughed and swatted her bum as she moved past him.

She jumped and glared back at him over her shoulder as she walked away.

“Thunder!” She yelled, using a very loud, very projected voice.

“Damn, girl!” Stalberg said as he poked his head around the corner and disappeared. “Shut up or get dressed, there’s a female present.”

She waited for a few moments before someone hollered “Flash” and she went to the room.
As she entered, she squeaked again and closed her eyes before turning around quickly. Crawford had apparently just gotten out of the shower and was dripping wet in naught but a towel.

“Countersign violation! Whoever yelled flash owes me 20 and a new pair of eyes. That cannot be unseen!”

“Not like you haven’t seen it before.” Corey yelled at her, initiating a few cat calls and whistles.

“Once! And I was drunk!” Kimberly shot back. If he wanted to play, she could play.

“Don’t act like you didn’t enjoy it.” He said. Where was this brave new Crawford coming from?

Kimberly blushed and shook her head, burying her face in her hands. Finally she yelled, a short
burst coming from her gut, and turned around.

“Not a damn word. Any of you.” She leveled a stare at each and every one of the players. “ I came for you to sign WAG cards.”

She walked over to a shirtless Patrick, who was running a towel over his wet hair and thrust a banded stack of cards into his toned chest. He caught them with one hand and nodded.

“Give them to Kane, and he’ll give them to me. Y’all have a safe trip.” She spoke before making her way hastily to the door.

Corey caught her arm before she left and looked her in the eyes. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have…”

“No. Probably not.” She spoke, agitated. “But it’s out in the open now. Just for the love of all that does not suck in this world, don’t give them details.”

He nodded and stepped back, letting go of her arm, hating to see the pained look flash across her face.

“Love you guys!” She yelled to the room and left, scurrying back to her office.

God, she was so embarrassed. So embarrassed that she could feel the tears well behind her eyes. Of all of the places that he could have let the secret spill, it had to be the locker room, in front of at least ten other players. And now, she knew without a doubt that they would chirp her up and down, six ways from Sunday and there was nothing she could do but take it. She groaned and slammed her head down on her desk, rattling the pens around in the carnival glass vase.

“I think sometimes they forget you’re actually a chick.” Patrick said walking into the office and shutting the door.

“I wouldn’t even know how to remind them.” Kimberly said into the surface of her desk, her words mumbled.

“Me either, but I don’t think you should have to.” Patrick sat on the edge of her desk and massaged the back of her neck.

“You’re too good to me.” She said quietly after a few moments.

Patrick smirked and tugged on a piece of hair. “We’re getting ready to leave in a few minutes. Walk me out?”

She nodded and opened her drawer for her lipstick. There were going to be cameras and her red lipstick made her feel invincible. After swiping some on her lips, she rose and grabbed her black wool Burberry coat and a leopard printed scarf before joining Patrick on his walk down the hall.

They got to the bus and she waved to the players who were already there and boarding.

“Hey Buck?” Patrick stopped her.

“Patrick Kane, if you ask me to wait for you, I will slap you into tomorrow.” She said, looking up at him, her hands buried in her pockets. Knowing that he would do something cliché and silly just to brighten her mood.

“Aw come on, isn’t that what guys are supposed to do when their girl walks them out?”

“Since when am I yours?” She smirked

“I suppose when you decided to be my bestie.” He said wrapping his arms around her and squeezing her a little.

“What are you going to do when someone else claims me?” She asked him, burying her nose in his chest, soaking up a little of his heat.

“Fight them to death.”

She giggled and leaned up on her tippy toes to kiss his cheek. “Play hard, Patrick. Call me when you get there.”