To Sweden With Love

Seriously? Of all days? He leaves on the morning of free agency? Who even does that? Well Derick obviously but that's beside the point. How convenient of him to forget.

I walked through the living room and Mats was still passed out on the floor. I went over to him and kicked him in the ass.

He moaned. “Owww, what was that for?”

“Hey drunky, you’d be comfier if you were on a bed.”

“I don’t care, leave me here to die,” he rolled onto his back.

“Oh come on, get up. I’ll make you some coffee.”

He got up and sat on the couch and rubbed his head.

I made my way back into the kitchen to make some coffee for the both of us.

“Hey Mats, did you know Derick was leaving today?” I called to him from the kitchen.

“Will I get yelled at if I said yes?”

I handed him his mug, “No…”

“In my defense, he said he was going to tell you. You shouldn’t hear anything like that from someone else.”

I sighed. “Yeah, I know. I just wish he would stop hiding things from me.” I looked down at my coffee. “He promised me no more secrets.”

“I don’t think it’s that, I just think he actually forgot. He’s had a lot on his mind lately.”

“Right, with the whole leaving New York thing.”

I heard my phone pinging in the other room. I got up and walked to go check it. Part of me was hoping it was a text from Derick.

Älskling, I haven’t heard from you in a couple weeks. Just wanted to see how you were doing.

I’m doing great, sorry I’ve lost touch a little bit

You’ve been busy, no worries. Isabella misses you.

Aw, I miss her too. I’ll visit soon!

It sucks being away from Patric and his family now. They planned on hanging out in Pittsburgh for a while before they headed back to Sweden for the rest of the summer.

I sat on the edge of the bed trying to decide whether I was mad at Derick.

I put my head in my hands and just sat there for a minute before Mats walked in.

“You okay?” He asked concerned.

“Yeah, just Patric checking in on me.”

“You girls and your Swedes.”

“In my defense, my man is Canadian,” I laughed. “And besides, the Hornqvists’ took me in when I needed someone.”

“Oh? Oh yeah, Derick told me about that.”

“So yeah, I haven't talked to him since I've been back in New York.”

We sat there for a few minutes before deciding he would take me to see the Statue of Liberty. It's something I wanted to do with Derick but oh well.

My phone rang. It was Derick.

“Aren't you going to answer that?” Mats asked pointing to my phone.

I shrugged.

---

A couple hours later, Mats and I were headed down to Lower Manhattan.

On the cab ride down, I talked to him about my first and only trip to the city. He didn't stop me once to say anything; he just let me talk.

“You know you can tell me to stop any time now,” I chuckled.

“Nei, I don't mind. My head is spinning anyway.” He sighed.

“Mats… we could have just stayed home today.”

“Nei nei, I'll be fine.” He insisted. “Where's your brother now?”

“He's stationed just outside San Jose right now. Derick surprised me when we went out for the final,” I smiled. “He'll be home for another couple weeks before he goes back overseas.”

“That's great that he's helping protect this country for you.”

“But yeah…” I faded out. I tried to think of something else to talk about so I wouldn't get too upset over talking about my family.

“So um… what do you think about getting lunch before getting on the ferry?” Mats changed the subject.

“Sounds good to me. I could kill for a cheeseburger.” I laughed.

We both agreed on just going to TGI Friday's. You couldn't go wrong with that. Besides, we needed a restaurant with a bar and TVs so we could sit and watch free agency.

We started out our lunch with some drinks and appetizers: buffalo wings and loaded potato skins.

I ended up ordering the New York cheddar and bacon burger and Mats ordered the Jack Daniel’s chicken sandwich.

After a few bites into my burger, I decided to strike up another conversation.

“Do you think he'll sign today?” I played with my fries.

“Knowing him, no. He likes to keep it interesting.”

“Don't I know it,” I rolled my eyes and took another bite of my burger. “Why does he want to leave?”

“You know, Ellie. I don't want him to go either. He's my best friend, we have been for the last four years. Sometimes things just work out better when you're apart.”

“But I don't want to be apart from him. I just moved to New York to be with him for crying out loud.”

“Distances makes th--”

“That's cliché as hell, don't even finish that sentence.”

We finished our lunch in silence. Mats offered to pay for lunch and I let him. Free food is the best food.

We made our way down to Battery Park where we'd be getting on a ferry to go over to Liberty Island to see the Statue.

I've never been to see the Statue so I was excited. I've only seen her from a distance.

We stood in front of Lady Liberty and snapped a selfie together and Mats sent it to Derick with a message: See what you’re missing out on

As we walked around getting the chance to catch the Statue from all angles, we had a couple stop us to ask to take a picture for them and then they returned the favor.

It sucks; these pictures should be of Derick and me.

Don’t get me wrong though, I’m enjoying my day with Mats.

---

A couple days later, Mats and I were just hanging out in the apartment. We really haven’t left since we went down to see the Statue.

“You know, Mats, you can go home any day now. I’m fine.”

“I know, I just like hanging out with you.”

“Did Derick put you up to this?”

He shook his head. “No, I actually do. But since you brought him up…”

“Yeah?”

“Have you ever thought about wanting to get married?”

“To Derick, or --”

“No to me,” he laughed. “Of course to Derick.”

“Well, I guess. I don’t know.”

“It’s an easy yes or no question, Ellie.”

“I just don’t know,” I said getting up from the couch and walked into the bedroom.

A couple minutes later, Mats popped his head into the room. “I didn’t mean to upset you.” He walked over to me and sat on the edge of the bed. “It’s just, the way you talk about him, and the way he talks about you. You guys are just perfect. I’m actually kind of jealous of what you guys have.”

“What we have?”

“Love, that’s what you have. Ellie, he hasn’t stopped texting me asking about you since he left. He understands that he fucked up, but you can’t hold that against him. Tell me you haven’t done anything stupid in the name of love.”

I turned away from him.

“Faen, jeg er lei meg. Ellie, he really loves you. Those days you were gone? He was so miserable. He would have done anything to get you to come back.”

“You know, Mats.” I sighed. “I am in fucking love with him. He turned my life around, made me feel special when I thought otherwise.”

“Ellie, I knew you were special when he first introduced me to you. You know, that day he showed you around the arena? Yeah, I have never seen him so happy before.”

I gave him a little smile.

“You changed his life.”

“He changed mine and I wouldn't want to change it again. I just want to make sure that I'm doing the right thing. I don't want to get all caught up in something for it to just not work out in the end. I've been there before.”

“I’m pretty sure you'll have it made with him. He already treats you like a queen.”

“Maybe you're right. I'm just overthinking the whole thing.” I sat up and gave him a hug from behind and kissed him on the cheek. “No wonder you're his best friend.”

He shrugged. “What can I say?”

I laughed. “Wanna play NHL or something?”

I walked back into the living room and plopped down on the couch as I started up the XBOX. Mats soon joined me with beer in his hands.

“You know the way to my heart,” I smirked.

“Maybe I'll win you over and marry you first,” he joked.

“I don't think so, Zucc. You gotta beat me in NHL first.”

---

After several hours and several NHL games later, Mats finally gave up. I beat him every game. There were a couple games he came close, but I always pulled it out in the end.

“You really are perfect for him. Just don't be a sore winner like he is,” he got up to grab us a couple more beers.

As he was in the kitchen, I checked my phone. I had a couple texts and a missed call from Derick. No voicemail.

Please stop being mad at me. I'm sorry I'm so stupid.

I'm sorry for being such an ass towards you lately.

Mats returned with the beers and a bowl of snacks. “I just threw a bunch of different snacks into one bowl.”

I shrugged. “That works.”

I texted Derick back before going to pop a movie in the Blu Ray played.

You're not stupid, you're in love. And I'm in love with your stupid ass. Now come home. I miss you.

Mats saw me smiling at my phone.

“What?” I said looking up from my phone.

“Nothing. I just like it when you're happy.”

I put my head on his shoulder and Blades jumped up on my lap.

“What movie did you put in anyway?” Mats asked.

“Goon,” I laughed.

“Do you guys own anything other than hockey movies?”

“Well yeah, but these are the best ones.”

He nodded. “You're right.”

I was tired from playing several hours on the XBOX so we sat in silence as we watched the movie.

About a half hour into the movie, I started falling asleep. I excused myself and went into the bedroom.

Before I finally passed out, I managed to send Derick a text.

Please come home. Mats is driving me nuts.