To Sweden With Love

I sighed as I pulled my hat down over my eyes as I stood in the airport waiting for Ellie and Derick.

I still couldn’t get over what had transpired the day before.

Patric had called me the other day and yelled at me in Swedish. After I finally got a word in and told him I was more of a German girl myself, he finally spoke to me in English.

“This has gone far enough Olivia. Either you talk to him, or I will tell him.”

I begged for him to give me more time, and he agreed to one week.

Little did he know, I was going to be gone in less than that.

I snapped out of my trance when I heard Ellie yell my name. I waved to her and Derick and walked over to them.

“What’s with the get up?” She asked as she gave me a hug.

“I didn’t feel like being noticed.”

Derick laughed. “Now you sound like a celebrity.”

I rolled my eyes. “Let’s just get out of here shall we?”

As I drove back towards the city, Ellie told me all about her new life and job up in New York. I tried to act like I was paying attention, but my mind was else where.

“So I was thinking we could go out for Game 1, go to one of the old stomping grounds.”

I nodded. “That sounds like a plan. It’s been awhile since I’ve been out. I mostly just drink at home.”

“So Liv,” Derick stated from the back seat, “any new guys in your life?”

Ellie shot him a look that could kill as I rolled my eyes.

“No, and I think I am gonna stay that way for awhile.”

“What about-” He started as Ellie threw something at him to shut him up.

The rest of the trip was in silence, with Ellie and Derick chit chatting once in awhile.

As we pulled up to the house, Patric and Malin were waiting for us to see Ellie.
As soon as we parked, Ellie got out and hugged both of them as me and Derick went and got the luggage out of the car.

“I didn’t realize that she was that close to them.” He whispered.

I nodded. “They took her in during a bad time when I was self absorbed in planning a wedding that didn’t happen. They are good people.”

After we got all the bags inside and got all settled, I told them I was going to go for a run.

They all waved to me as I went out the door.

I put my headphones in and ran to wherever my feet would take me.

Only downfall to running is that my mind works in overdrive.

I couldn’t stop thinking about how desperate Carl was to talk to me yesterday.

I frowned as I picked up my speed.

I know I wasn’t being fair to him, or myself for that matter.

But the feelings that I felt when we kissed, they were more powerful than anything I had ever felt with Michael.

I shook my head as ‘Closer’ by Nine Inch Nails comes on my phone.

There was no way I could have fallen that hard in less than a month.

Was there?

As I rounded back to my street, I slowed to a walk to steady my breathing.

When I got back to the house, Patric and Malin were gone and Ellie and Derick were going through some things in the living room.

“So are you finally going to pack your stuff up?” I huffed as I shut the door.

She nodded. “I figured it was about time.”

“Just don’t take anything of mine!” I shouted as I ran upstairs to shower.

As I got out of the shower, my phone buzzed stating I had a missed call and a text.

Both were from Carl.

I gulped as I went to read the message.

are you in pittsburgh? Just please answer me.

I sighed as I thought about answering him.

no.

I shut my ringer off and put my phone face down on the vanity.

Lying just keeps getting harder.

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The next morning, I came down to the smell of bacon and eggs as my stomach growled.

“Hungry Liv?” Derick chuckled as he flipped the bacon.

“Starving, it’s been awhile since I’ve had a homemade meal, let alone breakfast.”

We made our plates up as Ellie came bouncing down the steps, typing on her phone.

“Hey babe, don’t forget we have lunch with Patric and Carl tod-” She stopped as soon as she saw me.

I rolled my eyes. “It’s fine Ellie, I need to finalize some things for my trip anyways.”

“Are you sure? Cause I can cancel.”

“You can’t cancel on the brotherhood me and Carl have!” Derick exclaimed behind me.

I laughed as Ellie punched Derick in the arm. “Yeah see? Derick misses his boyfriend.”

After we finished breakfast, Ellie and I did a little shopping down on the Waterfront before they had to meet the boys for lunch.

“So you’re going to Hawaii for how long?”

“A month.” I said as I looked at swimsuits.

“Why so long?” She questioned.

I sighed. “I just need away from everything and everyone right now.”

“You mean you need away from Carl.”

I stared at her blankly. “Everyone.”

She just nodded.

After we got back and they went to lunch, I threw a load of laundry in the washer and went upstairs to start packing.

I picked up six new swimsuits and several new outfits for my trip while shopping.

As well as some hair dye.

I picked up the box of blonde hair dye and started reading the side.

I walked into the bathroom and looked in the mirror.

“Goodbye brunette, hello blonde. Here is to new beginnings.”

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Later that night, when Ellie and Derick finally got back, he whistled when he saw me.

“Damn who is this new blonde hottie in the living room?”

Ellie rolled her eyes. “Blonde actually looks good on you.”

I ran my hand through my hair. “Thanks. I am hoping it will lighten up a bit in the sun when I am in Hawaii.”

The rest of the night, the three of us sat around and compared badly made rom-coms and ate popcorn until I yawned.

“I think I am going to go to bed. I am long overdue for a good night of sleep”

They both told me good night as I made my way upstairs. As soon as I hit my bed, I was out.

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I didn’t wake up until Ellie came and pounced on my bed.

“Jesus Liv, we thought you were dead.”

I groaned. “What time is it?”

“Like 2 pm, you must have really needed some sleep.”

I got up and stretched. “It’s been a long month.”

She got silent. “Oh my God! We are almost at the month mark of-”

I cut her off. “Yeah, go me! I should be living in happily ever after bliss.”

She rolled her eyes. “You still could if you would just talk to Carl.”

I shot daggers at her with my eyes. “Not you too.”

She held her hands up. “Hey, I am on your side no matter what, but you need to be straight with yourself.”

“I am,” I said as I threw a t-shirt over my tank. “I am going on vacation to find myself.”

“That’s not what I mean.”

I groaned loudly. “I wish people would stop thinking they know what is best for me. If I wanted to talk to Carl, I would. If I wanted to marry Michael, I would have.”

She got up and walked towards the door. “Fine, no more advice from me. We leave here in four hours.”

As she slammed my door, pictures fell off my dresser.

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A few hours later, I made my way downstairs in my Cole jersey ready to go.

Derick made a gagging noise as both Ellie and I shot him a look. “Sorry, reflex”

We drove in silence into downtown.

It wasn’t long before I realized we weren’t going to a bar.

“Uh Ellie. The bar is on Carson.”

“I know” as she pulled into one of the back lots to the arena. “We aren’t going to a bar. We are going inside. To watch the game.”

I felt like I was going to puke.