To Sweden With Love

After helping Derick pick out a ring and bullshitting with him around Pittsburgh, I was exhausted. Before I left him on the couch watching some action movie, I warned him about tomorrow.

“Hey Der, listen, tomorrow is the 4th of July.”

“Okay and?” He said pausing the movie.

I looked to the ground. “I am throwing a huge party here and forgot to tell you. And it’s gonna be patriotic as fuck.”

He groaned. “Do I even wanna know who all is coming?”

I smiled. “Your draft buddy Phil the Thrill! And Colesy and a few other players and their families.”

“Do I have to dress all patriotic?”

“Ugh, I guess not. That takes all the fun out of it!” I said throwing my hands in the air.

He laughed. “Okay fine. One piece of clothing, for America.”

I clapped and threw my fist in the air as I marched upstairs. “For America!”

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The next morning after I got up, I showered and scrunched my hair before throwing on a pair of jean shorts and flag tank to go over my flag bikini. I quickly painted my nails before going downstairs.

“Damn, you really go all out don’t you?” Derick asked as I entered the kitchen.

I looked down as my ensemble and shrugged.

“I could be worse. Trust me. Now we need to find you a shirt! I actually think I have a tank for you to match mine!” I said as I ran to the closet and dug through bags.

He groaned as I threw the tank at him. “Do I wanna know why you have extra guys clothing in your closet?”

“Cause I am prepared for every occasion. Duhhh.” I said as I went to pull the meat out of the freezer to start to defrost.

He shook his head as he stripped off his shirt and threw on the tank. “I feel like I am betraying Canada.”

I laughed. “You’ll be fine, besides you’re marrying an American girl. Get used to it. Me and El used to go all out on these things. What you see today is only half of what it could be.”

“Okay party planner, what is on the menu for today?” He said as we walked over to the counter.

“Well we got steak, burgers, hot dogs, some veggies to grill, potato salad, macaroni salad, etc. Plus a fruit tray in the shape of an American flag and some desserts. Plus beer and other alcoholic for the adults and Kool-Aid for the kiddies.” I said checking off my list.

“Jesus Liv. You need help I take it?”

My eyes lit up. “You wanna be grillmaster DB?”

He laughed. “I suppose I can.”

I pointed to where the charcoal and lighter fluid was and pointed him in the direction of the grill as my phone rang.

‘Hello?’ I answered not even seeing who it was.

‘Good morning love.’ Carl said.

I smiled as I picked up a knife to cut veggies. ‘Hi! What are you doing?’

‘Oh you know. Boring stuff. What are you up to?’

‘Cutting veggies up for my 4th of July blowout. Derick is getting ready to go start the grill and we are just waiting for everyone to show up.’

‘I wish I could be there.’ he sighed as he sighed.

‘I know me too.’ I said as the doorbell rang. ‘Hey can I call you right back? Someone’s here.’

I pushed the end button as I put the knife down and walked to the front door.

“Aren’t you guys a little earl-” I said as I opened the front door to see Carl. “Carl?”

He smiled. “Surprise?”

I squealed as I jumped into his arms for a hug and peppered his face with kisses.

He laughed as he walked us into the house.

“Liv the grill is started, now what?” Derick said as he walked back into the house and saw us. “Dude! Haggy you actually made it!”

I looked between the two of them. “You knew he was coming?”

Derick shrugged and held his hands up. “I texted him SOS last night when you told me about the party. You’re too much for me to handle Liv.”

I pouted as Carl chuckled. “I see she already Americanified you.”

Derick looked down and sighed. “Also given me a nickname, Grillmaster DB.”

I rolled my eyes as I walked back to my veggies. “You foreigners just don’t understand.”

They gave each other ‘she’s crazy’ looks.

“Olivia, love, we are here for you, and to have fun. Now put Derick to work.” Carl said laughing as Derick punched him in the arm.

I looked at my phone as it buzzed. “Well it looks like everyone is on their way. So if you both want to go grab the beer and tubs out of the garage and fill them up with the bags of ice in the freezer out there and then take them to the patio, that would be great.”

They both nodded and walked to the garage, with Carl sneaking a forehead kiss on the way there.

About thirty minutes later, everyone was here and enjoying themselves in the pool or playing cornhole.

I sat back in a lounge chair and put my sunglasses on.

“Don’t you think you got enough sun in Hawaii?” Ian said as he sat beside me.

I smiled at him. “Never. Vitamin D is good for the soul. But I’ve missed you!”

He chuckled.

“I missed you too. Glad you finally got your head on right.” He said as he nodded over to Carl playing cornhole with Phil.

I rolled my eyes. “My head was always on right. I just had to accept that I loved him. By the way, I heard your face hurt his hand in San Jose. Good job.”

Ian smiled as he rubbed his jaw. “Yeah well. He was drunk and pissed. That’s what happens when a girl is involved.”

I laughed as the guys called him over to play his turn. He said he’d see me later and ran over.

I took a swig of my beer as I looked over to the grill to see if Derick was starting to cook, and he was no where to be found.

“Hey guys.” I yelled. “Have you seen Derick lately?”

Phil shrugged. “He was in the pool last I heard anything from him.”

I groaned and got up to walk in the house. As I walked into the living room, I saw Derick texting away.

“Nu uh. Nope.” I said as I went over and took the phone from him. “This is a Ellie free zone today. Go drink and be merry.”

He groaned. “But she is with Mats and they went to Cap’s house!”

“And? She is doing the same thing you are supposed to be doing, enjoying the 4th.”

“What are you going about now, Brassy?” Carl said as he walked in.

“You need to control your girlfriend, she stole my phone.” Derick pouted.

I took a deep breath. “Listen here Brassard. Quittez étant une douche putain et aller profiter du bon dieu parti ou aide de Dieu.”

They both looked at me in astonishment.

“You know French?” Derick asked as he got off the couch.

I stood up straighter and put my hands on my hips. “Yes and German. But that is a story for another day. So are you gonna stop be a douche?”

He sighed. “Okay direct me to the beer.”

Carl slapped him on the back as he led him back outside. “Atta boy. We don’t need her anymore pissed than she already is.”

I yelled ‘Fuck you’ as I went to the kitchen to start grabbing some of the meat to throw on the grill.

“You need help?” Phil said as he poked his head into the kitchen.

I breathed a sigh of relief. “Yes please. My grillmaster has become a huge baby so I am on my own and I really just need a beer.”

He chuckled as he grabbed the tray of steaks and veggies off the counter.

“Go drink. I will throw these on the grill.”

I kissed his cheek as I ran out the back door. “You are truly a champ good sir.”

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A few hours later, and more than a few beers in, that party started to pick up a little bit.

I was back on my lounge chair drinking on a beer, enjoying the music as someone splashed water on me.

I lowered my sunglasses. “Excuse me?”

Carl laughed. “Come get in. We wanna play a game of chicken and I need a partner.”

I shook my head. “I don’t think so.”

“Olivia.”

I smiled. “Hagelin.”

“Don’t make me get out of this pool and throw your ass in.”

“Why don’t you just use Derick as your partner?” I said as I looked over to see him trying his best to play cornhole drunk.

“Cause you’re prettier. Now come on.” He said as he splashed me again.

I narrowed my eyes. “Carl dear. I really do love you. But if you splash me one more time, I will have to kill you.”

And in that second, I was picked up and thrown in the water.

As I resurfaced and heard the guys laughing, I looked to see who threw me in the pool.

“Seriously Cole? I thought you were my friend!” I said as I slicked my hair back.

Ian laughed. “I’m sorry Liv, but I gotta help my teammate out.”

I rolled my eyes as Carl swam over to me and grabbed me up.

“You made me get wet.” I pouted.

He raised his eyebrows as he smiled. “Oh I’ll get you wet alright.”

I laughed as I hit his chest. “Save it for later. Who we playing?”

“Hmm? Oh no one, I just wanted you in the pool with me.”

I groaned as I pushed off of him to swim to the edge of the pool to get out, when I heard Derick exclaim ‘cannonball!’.

I turned my head so I didn’t get splashed as he resurfaced.

“Livvy! Where you going?” He said as he grabbed me.

“Trying to get away from your drunkasses. Let go of me Brass.”

He shook his head. “Nope. Carl. She needs punished.”

“For what?” I exclaimed

Carl thought for a minute before he smiled. “For the past two months.”

I shook my head as I tried to swim away. “Now come on Carl, we went over this. We both did some things we regret. More you than me, but who’s counting?”

He got an evil grin on his face as he caught up with me, picked me up, and threw me across the water as I screamed.

I resurfaced as Derick picked me up. “And you made me wear that flag tank today.”

“So? It’s the 4th of the July!” I said as I plugged my nose before he threw me.

I resurfaced facing Carl, who had a huge grin on his face.

I smiled as I grabbed his hands.

“You love me right?”

He nodded. “You know I do.”

“So you won’t toss me anymore?” I asked sweetly.

He thought for a minute. “I guess I could stop, but what fun would that be?”

I groaned. “You’d have a happy girlfriend? And you don’t have to share the couch with Derick?”

He sighed as he nodded. I smiled and gave him a kiss as I hopped out of the pool and grabbed my beer.

“Hey Liv, come help me whip Ian and Dumo’s ass in cornhole. I promise I won’t toss you in the pool.” Phil joked.

I laughed as I dried myself off with a towel and threw my shorts on. “Okay, I’m coming.”

Four games later, Ian and Dumo looked defeated.

“How is Phil good at everything?” Dumo asked shaking his head.

I laughed as I threw my arm around Phil’s shoulders. “It’s cause he’s Phil Kessel, Stanley Cup Champion!”

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A few hours later, we were all sitting around the fire pit, waiting for the fireworks to start.

I was leaning against Carl on a lounge chair, listening to the guys reminisce about the season and the playoff run.

“Hey, do you guys remember when you eliminated me? That was awesome.” Derick said as he hiccupped.

I rolled my eyes and chuckled. “You are clearly drunk good sir.”

He nodded excitedly. “You told me to though! You are the truly bestest Liv. Carl, hold on to her. Cause you let her go, Mats will sweep her off her feet.”

“Oh okay, I think you’ve had enough.” Carl said getting up and taking his beer and pulling him off the chair. “Let’s go Brassy.”

Derick complained about how unfun Carl was as they walked into the house.

“So Liv, you good?” Ian asked.

“What do you mean?” I asked as I took a swig of my beer.

“I think what he is trying to ask is if you are happy, with Carl.” Phil interjected.

I gave them all questioning looks. “Of course I am. Happier than I ever had been. Why?”

“Well because of what happened during the playoffs.” Dumo said. “Now, I don’t know what all happened, and I don’t need to know. But all I know is, Haggy wasn’t in a good place during the playoffs.”

“And you guys blame it all on me?” I asked shocked.

“Well Liv, I mean, you did play mind games.” Ian said shrugging.

I shook my head as I stood up. “Look, I am not proud of what I did, don’t get me wrong. But this was a two way street.”

Before any of them could rebut, Carl came back out.

“What’s going on? Liv, are you okay?” He said putting his hand on my back.

I nodded. “I’m fine. I actually think I am going to go clean up the kitchen.”

As I walked into the house, I felt four sets of eyes on me.

About twenty minutes later, I heard the back door open as I was putting away leftovers.

“Liv.” Carl said as he wrapped his arms around me and kissed the back of my head. “Don’t listen to those goons.”

I sighed as I turned around to look at him. “But they’re right you know. This all could have been avoided.”

He sighed as he ran his hand through his hair. “You’re right, it could have. But there’s reasons why it wasn’t. And I could have held it in and not took it out on them. I was wrong to do so.”

“He’s right Liv” Phil said as he walked into the kitchen. “We shouldn’t have put that all on you. We’re sorry.”

I nodded. “I know. And I am sorry for the drama during postseason, but hey, “ I said with a smile. “You guys still won the cup!”

They chuckled as we heard the fireworks begin. Carl took my hand and led me outside to watch them.

After the fireworks, the guys all left, leaving me and Carl to finish cleaning.

I grabbed a couple trash bags and started cleaning up my patio as Carl finished the kitchen.

A little while later, we both collapsed on the couch.

“Where did you put Drunky McDrunkerson?” I asked as I cuddled up to him.

Carl put his arm around me, pulling me even closer. “In the spare room, he was snoring not even 5 seconds after he hit the pillow.”

I yawned and then laughed. “Today was fun. I’m happy that you came to.”

He nodded. “That it was, and you act like I would not come see you one last time before I leave for Sweden for about 2 months.”

I sighed. “At least I will keep busy while you are out galavanting around Europe.”

He laughed. “My offer still stands Liv.”

I shook my head, remembering Derick’s plan. “I know, but I have responsibilities.”

“Mmmhmm.” He said closing his eyes.

I poked his side. “Tired old man?”

He nodded as he got off the couch and helped me up. “Let’s go to bed love. Unfortunately, Derick and I need to be out of here early tomorrow to catch our flights.”

I pouted as I followed him up the stairs. “So I’m gonna be all alone again?”

He chuckled. “And you say Derick whines. You two need to quit being friends.”

“Never.” I said shaking my head as I started changing into shorts and a tee. “We’re about to be stuck with him for life. So get used to it.”

“We?” He asked with a smile as he turned down the covers.

I nodded as I threw my hair up and climbed into bed. “Well he plans to marry Ellie, who is my bff. And you’re stuck with me now.”

“I wouldn’t call it being stuck.”

I snuggled into his chest. “Good. Cause I wouldn’t either.”

A few minutes later, we were both asleep.