Must Be Fate

Sitting down in the seat I looked up towards the Jumbotron. The clock counted down the seconds as Andre cleared the puck out of their end zone as the buzzard sounded signaling the end of the game. caps fans all around quickly stood up and cheered for their team, giving out hi-fives to everyone they could reach. The atmosphere was electric as the fans cheered on the reigning Stanley cups champions to a 5:4 victory. Andre scoring two of the goals in the victory.

We watched as they announced the three stars of the game. Andre was announced as the first star of the game. He walked out of the tunnel and skated onto the ice with a signed stick. A little boy who must have been six years old was standing right at the glass banging his little hands against the glass which caught my eye and the eye of Andre. I couldn’t help but smile as I watched Andre skate up to where the little boy was standing and pass him the signed stick over the glass.

Andre caught my eye as he was skating back towards the dressing room and sent me a wink as he slowly disappeared through the tunnel.

We started to leave our seats when a security guard came walking down the stairs towards us. “Excuse me miss. Andre was wondering if you would be able to meet him in the family room. If you would like to follow me I can show you the way.”

“Oh okay... thank you,” I said as I smiled and started to follow the man that had security written all over his jacket. I had assumed that I would just see Andre back at the condo. I didn’t imagine that he would want to see me as soon as he stepped off of the ice. I was in my own little world As I followed the man through the crowd. Once we got to the elevators I noticed that the girls weren’t behind me.

The girls quickly caught up to me giving me a quick hug. “Hails, we will meet you at home! This is something you should do alone” Izzie said as she gave me a quick hug.

Before I knew It I was standing outside the locker room waiting for Andre. Looking around the room I saw the players wives, girlfriends, and family members waiting for their loved ones to greet them after the game. I couldn’t help but feel a little anxious because I was wasn’t even his girlfriend. I couldn’t help but feel out of place and like I didn’t belong. I was just some girl Andre met in the laundry room of his condo. I couldn’t help but wonder if the other ladies and family members in the room were silently judging me because I wasn’t one of them. I kind of wished the girls stayed with me so I wouldn’t feel so alone but this was something I had to do by my self.

As I was looking around the room I locked eyes with one of the player's wives and she gave me a reassuring smile. She slowly walked over to me and introduced herself as Gina. She told me that Andre mentioned to her that I would be coming to the game tonight. This gesture made me feel a lot more comfortable.

About twenty minutes talking to Gina a couple of players started walking out of the locker room. One by one I watched as they walked over to their loved ones giving them hugs and kisses. I couldn’t help but hope that Andre and I could some day be like that.

“Hailey” was all I heard as I turned my head towards the noise.

I couldn’t help but laugh as Andre fast walked towards me. As soon as he was in front of me he grabbed me in his arms and pulled me
Into a big hug, lifting me off my feet as he did so. I could hear a quiet “Awe” as John joined Gina.

“You are my good luck charm. You must come to every game now!” he stated As he gave me a cheeky grin.

“Congratulations,” I said as I gave him a kiss on the cheek. Still, in his arms, I couldn’t help but look into his brown eyes. Andre made the introductions with John and Gina and they were on their way home.

“So this is Hailey.” I heard Tom Wilson say as we pulled away.

As we stood side by side Andre placed his arm around my shoulder, pulling me in close and making me feel safe.

“I’m Tom,” he said as he stuck his hand out to shake mine.

“I’m Hailey. But you already know that.” I said as I shook his hand laughing.

“Andre here has not shut up about you. All I’ve heard the past couple of days is Hailey this and Hailey that. You are all he has talked about since the laundry room” Tom said laughing as he teased Andre.

I looked up towards Andre to see his reaction and I couldn’t stop the smile that crept onto my face when I saw that he was blushing. As we locked eyes he sent me a playful wink causing my cheeks to flush.

“You were the same way when you met Taylor,” Andre said to Tom as he gave him a one hand push.

“Haha well enjoy your night,” Tom said as he made his way down the hall towards the players parking lot.

“You hungry?” Andre asked as he grabbed my hand and laced his fingers with mine. We started walking towards the parking lot following Tom.

“Yes”

“Perfect. Before we head home we can grab something to eat” he said as he held the door towards the parking lot open for me. By the time we got out of the car, it was 10:30 pm.

Walking through the door I couldn’t help but enjoy the attention he was giving me.

Walking through the parking lot we stopped at his car. He quickly held the door open for me as I got into his car. As I sat down into the seat he bent down and buckled me in. I could feel my cheeks turn red at his gesture. Quickly I leaned in and kissed his cheek as he started to stand up so he could walk to his side of the car.

Once he got into the car he slowly backed out of the parking spot and drove out of the garage. Once we got onto the road I felt Andre grab my hand with one of his and hold it. I looked over at Andre and I could see him smiling as his eyes focused on the road. Being here with Andre just felt right. I couldn’t explain the connection I felt with Andre and it had only been a couple of days since we met in the laundry room. We dove towards our apartment building I couldn’t help but giggle as Andre started singing to the radio. It had been a while since a guy had made me laugh.

As we were driving down the street I couldn’t help but stare out the window as the bright lights of the city passed by. As I was looking out the window I noticed a small 24 hr dinner. Instantly my face lit up as I pointed it out to Andre.

We found a parking spot and parked the car. Andre quickly ran to my side of the door so that he could open it for me. As I slid out of the car he quickly grabbed my hand and pulled me in for a hug. He kissed my forehead and whispered into my ear “thank you for supporting me. I really wanted to impress you tonight.”

I looked up into his eyes “I am very impressed.”

We walked into the diner and sat in a small booth in the corner. As the older waitress handing us the menus. As we looked at the menu I couldn’t help but look up towards Andre as he studied the menu. We both ordered burgers and fries with chocolate milkshakes to drink. As we were waiting for our food we talked about anything we could think of. We talked about both of our families. What it was like growing up in Canada compared to Sweden. Andre talked about the pressures of being an athlete and what it felt like to win the Stanley Cup. the waitress came by and gave us the cheque. As I reached out for the bill Andre Quickly grabbed it and paid.

“You guys make a cute couple.” The older waitress stated as Andre handed her the money.

Just as I was about to say that we weren’t dating.

Andre quickly replied “thanks. I'm very lucky.”

I couldn’t help but smile as I heard the words come out of his mouth.

Someone, please don’t pinch me because this feels like a dream that I don’t want to wake up from.

As we were walking side by side to the car Andre intertwined his fingers with mine and pulled me close and we started dancing in the middle of the parking lot lit up by the street lights. This was something I have always dreamed about.... only now it needed to start raining and I would be able to cross this off my bucket list. As I looked into Andres' eyes I felt a raindrop on my cheek. I looked up and saw that my wish had come true. Looking back into Andres' eyes I noticed that he was looking at my lips. He slowly bent his head towards mine and we both leaned in for the kiss. The kiss was indescribable like something was pulling us together.

Once we pulled up to our condo Andre drove to his underground parking spot. We got out of his car and started walking towards the elevator. As we were walking he reached for my hand. Once in the elevator, I pushed my floor number. I was expecting Andre to push his but he insisted that he walked me to my door as he was a gentleman. We walked to my door and just as I unlocked my door he pulled me into his chest from behind and held me in his arms. I turned in his arms so that I was still wrapped up in them but I was facing him. We locked eyes and he slowly bent down to give me a kiss. Slowly we pulled apart and I opened my door. Once I was in my condo I gave him a smile and thanked him for the evening.

“Goodnight Andre”

“ Goodnight älskling”

Once I finished my bedtime routine and climbed into bed and grabbed my phone texting my mother.

I think I found my Prince Charming?

I fell asleep with a smile on my face as I thought about everything that has happened since the day we meet in the laundry room.