Status: in progress

Promises to Keep

a little bit of trust

"First game, first win!" Dallas Stars captain called out to the dressing room, to which he received cheers in return. "I'm proud boys! Let's make this our fucking year!" he yelled, and the guys all clapped around him.

It was a successful season and home opener on all accounts. The Stars shut out the St. Louis Blues 4-0, with Jamie and Tyler scoring two goals apiece. Things didn't change from last season; their chemistry was still there, and very much alive.

Tyler let the happiness of the first win block out any negative thoughts he had. He couldn't spend his entire life miserable; he had to enjoy it.

"Who's down to celebrate?" he called out, and of course got back a various round of 'yes''. Jamie eyed him from across the room, and shook his head.

One by one, the players began to leave the dressing room to either head home, or head out to meet up with the rest of their team. Like usual, Tyler and Jamie were the last two left in the dressing room. They weren't sure why it always ended up this way, but it sort of became somewhat of a habit.

"Coming out cap?" Tyler asked, and Jamie shrugged.

"Yeah, I suppose I am" he replied.

"You suppose?" Tyler asked, arching an eyebrow.

"Yeah. Somebody's got to keep an eye on you, bro" Jamie laughed, though there was nothing funny about the subject. It was true, someone had to keep an eye on Tyler to ensure he wasn't going to get into any trouble. He typically never looked in the direction of any girl when they were out, or if they approached him, he turned them down. However he was prone to drinking too much, and making some other questionable decisions.

"I'm a grown up, I'll be fine" Tyler rolled his eyes, getting up to leave the dressing room.

"Sometimes I wonder about that..." Jamie trailed off, following him out of the dressing room.

********************************

"Another drink?" Katie asked Tayla, who nodded, making a weird face and feeling the burn of the shot of vodka that slid so easily down her throat. "Quit making that face though" Katie laughed loudly, trying to flag down the bartender. "Two porn stars" she shouted to the bartender, who nodded before going to make the drinks.

"Thanks!" Tayla thanked her, as they made their way through the crowd, back to the table they were originally sitting at. "Jamie! Hey!" Tayla replied, awkwardly. If Jamie was here that meant one thing; so was Tyler. Almost as if Jamie could sense the discomfort in Tayla, he answered intelligently.

"Tyler's over by the bar- he won't come over here unless I call him over here" he replied, sliding over to allow his girlfriend to sit beside him. Tayla reluctantly sat across from them, sipping on her drink, taking in the scene.

It was your typical Saturday night at the bar; some girls were dressed in clothes far too revealing, others were having a good time with their girlfriends. Some guys were standing around, hoping tonight would be their lucky night, others were laughing and enjoying some time out with the boys.

"I'll take another- make it a double" Tayla shouted out to the waitress, who was going around, taking empties and orders. She nodded, scurrying back over to the bar.

"Slow down, Tay" Katie laughed, and Tayla shrugged.

"I've spent the last three months of my life being miserable- it's time to start enjoying life again, eh?" she asked the both of them with a grin.

"That's what I like to hear!" Katie shouted, and Jamie agreed with a smile. "That's our song!" Katie called out, as an oldie but a goodie came over the speakers.

"Where them girls at!?" Tayla yelled over the music, and got up, grabbing the drink from the waitress, at the same time she grabbed Katie to head out to dance. "You too Jamie!" she called, and Jamie laughed, shaking his head, but obliging. He looked around, first looking for Tyler.
He was standing at the bar, talking to one of the rookies, Steve. They made eye contact, and Jamie sent him a warning glare, hoping he would understand what he meant; that Tayla was here, so he really needed to watch his actions.

Tyler caught Jamie's eye from across the bar, and looked who he was with. His heart began to beat at a rapid pace; Tayla was here. It was the first time he had physically seen her in three months. She looked beautiful, her long hair down and straightened, the carefree smile playing on her lips. He couldn't help but smile despite himself, getting the attention of Steve.

"Got your eye on her, eh?" Steve asked, referring to Tayla. Tyler nodded, gulping. "She's a pretty nice girl" Steven commented; that immediately caught Tyler's attention.

"You know her?" he asked, trying to come off not too aggressively. If he was aggressive about it, Steve didn't seem to notice.

"Yeah. I met her for an interview before the start of the season" Steve explained, much to Tyler's relief. "I was nervous, but she really helped ease the nerves" he told Tyler, who understood completely. Tayla had a calm, cool, collected nature about her, that made anyone feel at ease during any sort of uncomfortable situation. "And hey- looks like she knows Katie and Jamie. Maybe el captaino will set you guys up"

"I could only be so lucky" Tyler laughed, wishing somehow Jamie could have an impact on whether or not they would get back together. They were playing this game; they both knew it. Tayla pretended she couldn't or wouldn't forgive Tyler, all the while continually reading texts, and trying to check up on him. Tyler trying to not let on how much he was destroyed by the situation. They both knew the other was in the same room, within spitting distance, but neither made their move to approach the other. The game continued.

The night eventually dwindled down, and last call was announced. Tyler was pretty drunk, but coherent enough to understand what was going on. He looked around the room, trying to find Jamie. He saw her with Katie, standing in the corner, seemingly doing the same thing he was doing.

"There you are" Katie sighed, relieved. "Ready to go?" she asked, making no mention of Tayla. Tyler nodded, and the three made their way outside, walking a little distance before they would be hailing a cab.

Tayla was bundled up, walking the simple ten minute walk to her condo. The perks of where she lived now? Everything was in walking distance. She exited the bar, telling Katie and Jamie not to worry, she'd make it home. They reluctantly let her walk alone, and Tayla quickly realized it was a mistake to do so.

"What's a pretty girl like you doing walking by herself?" she heard a male voice from behind her. It startled her out of her thoughts. She turned around, not recognizing who the man was.

"Nothing" she mumbled, too tired, and a little too drunk to deal with him.

"Well, maybe I could walk you home?" he asked, eyebrow raised. He was now standing in front of Tayla, who was frozen into place.

"I can find home myself, thanks" Tayla tried to duck around him, but he grabbed her wrist, forcing her to look him in the eye.

"I insist" the man stated aggressively, holding onto her wrist so hard she was certain he was going to break it. Scared and not knowing what else to do, Tayla nodded, allowing the man to walk her home. A million thoughts raced through her mind; how was she going to shake him? How was she going to escape? She knew he would overpower her in a second, so fighting wasn't an option.
He was holding her hand tightly, as much as she tried to resist.

"Oh, honey. Fighting will only make it worse" he purred, trying to calm her down.

"Hey asshole!" the voice of a now familiar man came running towards them. Tayla looked up, feeling a sense of relief wash over her. "I think she told you to leave her alone" he added, catching his breath.

"Look man, my girlfriend's just drunk, she's-"

"She's not your fucking girlfriend" Tyler sneered through gritted teeth. Once he, Katie and Jamie had left the bar, he couldn't help but notice a familiar figure walking up ahead. Once a man approached her, Tyler immediately ran to help her; he knew something was not right. "Let go of her" he added, panting. Jamie and Katie caught up to Tyler, Katie standing further back, more out of sight.

"I suggest you listen" Jamie added, feeling his heartrate increase as well.

"And why should I listen to you?" the man asked, not loosening his grip on Tayla.

"For starters, she doesn't want you touching her" Tyler told him venomously. "And secondly, it's two against one" he half smiled evilly. The man weighed his options, deciding it was in his best interest to let her go; for now.

"I'll be back for you" he whispered into Tayla's ear, sending uncontrollable shivers down her spine. He finally let go of her wrist, shoving her towards Tyler before taking off running, but not before shouting "Next time you won't be so lucky!"

Tayla began to breathe heavily, panting, she collapsed to the ground, feeling her knees get weak. She gripped onto Tyler, never wanting to let go.

"Tay?" Tyler asked, getting down to her level. "Tay, look at me" he instructed, and she did what she was told. Her eyes were watery, but she eyed Tyler, happy that he had come in time before something awful had happened. "Are you okay?"

"No" Tayla closed her eyes, clinging herself onto Tyler's chest. "Thank you" she whispered, and Tyler hugged her tighter.

"I'm always here for you, Tay. Always" he assured her. Maybe it was because of the circumstances, or maybe it was because she was slightly drunk, but she felt a bit of trust come back to Tyler.

Maybe, she thought with an almost smile, forgiving him would be possible.