#11) he’s back just in time for playoffs

[yabagofmilfs]

Wild prediction about our three goalies once Ned is healthy?

behind a cut for the safety of the jarry army

ned gets healthy, blomma sent back down :(

ned outperforms jarry, blomma continues to kill it on the baby pens

jarry is traded to the avs at the deadline

ned and blomma are the A/B pair going into the last stretch

[jenthebug]

I drove today! I went to 7-11 and got a little treat. It’s only as uncomfortable as being a passenger, and the mental load isn’t too much. Still not my favorite thing to do though.

Soba jumpscared me! He’d been taking it easy on me, but today, he came flying out of nowhere! Mighty hunter! Good kitty!

The Broncos lost and absolutely tanked their playoff chances. They have to beat the Chiefs next week to get in. lol

I keep falling asleep and it’s getting on my nerves. I wish I wouldn’t, but my body needs the sleep, so I just go with it (grudgingly). This better stop by the time I have to go back to work.

[silentscrying]

🏀 buzzer beater | chapter THREE.

nba!gojo x manager!reader

summary: you thought you'd gotten rid of arrogant NBA star satoru gojo when he left the curses after your first year in basketball management. but when your contract is up three years later, you find yourself working with him once again as the manager for the sorcerers. as you navigate playoff season alongside long-time friend ieiri shoko and the sorcerers' insufferable star player, you start to realize his sudden departure from the curses may not have been what it seemed, and maybe gojo isn't exactly the person (or player) you thought he was, either.

warnings: language, alcohol, sensory overload, mentions of smoking. || sfw. 2.6k words.

FOR ALL YOUR reservations about Gojo, you can’t deny that he is electric to watch.

He scores 11 in the first five minutes, lobbing two three-pointers and then moving up closer, shooting right over Manhattan's massive guards. He passes to Yuji without looking to get him a lay-up, and Kento is getting a good deal of shots in too. The energy in the stadium is infectious, and by the third quarter the Sorcerers are up 98-67. Yaga pulls the starters and lets Yuta and Toge have their moment in the spotlight.

They always play better when they’re on court together, somehow anticipating each other’s moves without any kind of verbal messaging. Toge hardly ever talks, and Yuta isn’t very loud himself; on the court, they’re more in their element than you’ve ever seen them. Their synchronicity in play is mesmerizing, and the Phantoms can’t keep up. Kinji Hakari goes in after a successful Phantoms free throw and prevents Manhattan from getting anything through for a solid eight minutes.

You can’t help yourself—you’re on the sideline with Ieiri and Nobara, cheering the team on even as you make notes. Fushiguro comes off the court drenched in sweat but looking pleased with himself, and Ieiri throws a Gatorade water bottle at Yuji that he proceeds to spray right in his own face before swiping it dry with his jersey.

“Come to join the fun, huh?” Gojo calls to you and the girls as he swaps out with Hakari.

Nobara grins. “Couldn’t stay away.” Gojo winks at you as he readjusts his black headband, ruffling his hair. You raise a brow at his usual brazenness, and he smirks, and everything suddenly feels normal between you.

It’s possible you’ve missed it, just a little.

You’re grinning so wide by the game’s end your cheeks hurt, and Nobara is having a field day with her footage as the rest of the team floods the court and the fans go wild. If you weren’t sure before, this settles it: you’re going to sweep Manhattan.

The NBA playoffs are structured in seven-game series, meaning the first team to win four games moves on in the bracket. The Sorcerers have home-court advantage for the first round as a higher seed than Manhattan, so Monday’s game will also be at home. Then it’s off to the Phantoms' turf for the next two games, and if the Sorcerers win all four, they’ll have a break before semifinals.

“With 121 to Manhattan's 79, it’s looking good for the Sorcerers in round one,” Panda says in your headset. You laugh and tug it down around your neck, shooting Nobara a grin as she corners Gojo for a sideline video. In the short time she’s been here, Nobara’s amassed quite the TikTok following for the team’s page, and most of it is probably fueled by the player interviews.

“Zero casualties,” Ieiri says as she comes up to stand beside you. “Thank the sweet lord.”

“Aren’t you an atheist?” you ask dryly.

Ieiri scoffs and waves her hand. “Agnostic. Irrelevant. Players hurt, zero. Work for me, none. Metaphorical lord, thanked.”

Yuji is hooting and hollering and jumping on Fushiguro’s back, and even Fushiguro can’t fight the slightest smile as he shoves Yuji off. Nobara pulls Yuji off to the side for a video, and then you realize you don’t see Gojo anywhere.

“Hey, Kugisaki,” you call, and she spins to face you with bright eyes. “Where’s Gojo?”

Her brows furrow as she glances at where she just came from. “He was just there. I don’t—huh.” She shrugs apologetically and you wave her off, a no worries, but for some reason something just feels off to you. Gojo’s usually the last one out of the gym, and especially after how well he played today, he should be milking all the attention from the fans. Grabbing your bag, you slip out of the gym and beeline down the hall toward the locker rooms.

You’re done with his weird behavior. You’re going to get to the bottom of it, now.

Turns out, you don’t have to go far. Rounding the corner, you find your six-foot-three nuisance fumbling with a pair of sunglasses, leaned up against the wall.

“Hey.”

He jumps and the sunglasses clatter to the floor, and you nearly startle in return—it’s not often you see Gojo surprised, or taken aback.

“Uh, hey,” he says. “Hey. Sorry, I’m just. I—well.”

“Are you okay?” You feel foolish asking, because clearly he’s not. You find he’s come to a stop just down the hall from your office, and you scoop up his sunglasses and grab his elbow and drag him down the hall.

“Sit,” you say, and something twists in your gut when he doesn’t argue, doesn’t joke, just sinks down into the chair across from your desk. You close the door behind you. “Okay. What’s wrong with you?”

It sounds harsh, but you don’t mean it that way. He’ll beat around the bush if you’re not direct. Might beat around the bush anyway.

“It’s stupid,” he whispers, head in his hands, tugging at his hair.

“I’m sure I’ve heard more stupid, coming from you.”

Your bluntness seems to ease whatever worries he has just a bit, and he says, softly, “Can you—can you turn off the lights?”

Your brain is moving at a thousand miles a minute. And you suddenly, abruptly, get it.

The sunglasses indoors. You seemed off today. Gojo, subdued, quiet, avoidant. I can cover for you. Bright lights. Loud stadiums. One of those days?

Sensory overload.

You’re kicking yourself, because this isn’t new to you. One of your college teammates would get it bad, especially when some huge game was coming up and she was sent spiraling. You and the team had a system for it—dark locker room, noise-canceling headphones.

It makes so much sense you nearly curse yourself out right here for not seeing it.

You flick off the lights, flip the blinds to block out the light from the hallway. Then you cross the room and yank Gojo’s headband right down over his eyes and ears. You don’t have your headphones, so this will have to do for now.

“Oh,” he says.

“Yeah, oh.”

And then the two of you sit in the dark, in the quiet. You sink into your desk chair, resisting the urge to bounce your knee, tap the desk, anything to break the silence. You try to ignore him, at first, and then you give up as your eyes adjust to the dark and you just… watch.

Watch as the shadows and shouts of the team passing in the hallway make Gojo’s hands tighten over his ears, his breath hitching, his head down. Watch as he shuts out the world that’s abruptly become too much.

Watch as slowly, his breathing steadies, the tension bleeds from his shoulders, the grip on his headband loosens, until his hands fall to his lap and he exhales, the end of some great ordeal.

He tugs the headband-turned-blindfold down around his neck and looks at you in the dark.

“I’m sorry.”

It’s not often you hear those words from Gojo’s mouth, and you don’t really know what to do with them, with this entire situation.

“How often?” you ask.

He shrugs. “It’s usually fine.”

“That's not an answer.”

“It’s—I don’t know. It was bad when I was a kid, but I figured it out. I controlled it. It just flares up sometimes, when I’m… stressed.”

You think about him sandwiched between Fushiguro and Yuji on the couch, groaning as Yaga shut down the conversation about San Diego. “Since the playoff bracket came out,” you say.

He looks at you, eyes piercing even in the dark. “I—yeah, I guess.”

“Fushiguro knows, right?”

“What?” His eyes widen and you know you’ve got him off guard, and then something panicked lurches in your chest; you weren’t meant to see those texts. But Gojo’s moved on already. “I mean. Yeah. Kento knows some—not everything. Uh, Shoko knows.”

Briefly, a stab of irritation, or something, flares in your chest. She didn’t tell you.

But then, why would she? She knows you can’t stand Gojo. And it wasn’t her secret to tell; you can’t fault her for that.

You want to push. You do. You want to ask how close he and Fushiguro really are, you want to ask about Geto, about the draft, the blacklisting, the fight. You want to ask what exactly about playoffs has the Satoru Gojo so riled up he can’t focus.

But Gojo suddenly stands, pushing back his chair, and tugs off his headband, twirling it around a finger. “Well, I won’t keep you in the dark, m’lady,” he says with a dramatic bow. You are, you think. You’re keeping me in the dark.

But the mask is back up and whatever vulnerability Gojo’s shown you by mistake is gone, like it was never there. And you realize it’s this that bothers you.

Because you know there’s more than the ungrateful, unbothered NBA star in there, somewhere. Ieiri wouldn’t tolerate him if there wasn’t. You’ve probably, on some level, always known he isn’t truly that shallow. It’s just that every time Gojo seems like he’s human, he retreats faster than you can interact with it, this side of him.

He won’t let you. And that pisses you off.

He grabs the sunglasses you set on your desk and shoves them on before crossing to your office door, letting a flood of fluorescent light in from the hall. It casts him as a silhouette, untouchable as he lingers in your doorframe. Unreachable.

“See you tomorrow, Alley Cat,” he says, like calling you by one of his stupid nicknames will erase whatever softness might’ve come over the room in the last few minutes. He flicks on your office light, and just before he disappears around the corner, you hear him whisper, “Thanks.”

The next day, Gojo’s back to his loudmouth self, and you’re about to shut yourself in a dark office just to escape him.

But at least you know now the reason for his lack of enthusiasm the last few days. And there’s a pair of headphones locked in the second drawer of your office desk.

Satoru Gojo is back and more annoying than ever, and some equilibrium has returned to your chaotic world.

—

It's April 17, and you’ve never been less worried about a game in your life.

Halfway through the Sorcerers absolutely whooping Manhattan's ass, Nobara pulls you aside and points subtly to someone in the stands. “Who is that?” she mutters.

As soon as you register him, you wish you hadn’t.

About halfway up the stands, a man in a stained wife-beater tank and unreasonably baggy jeans stands with a beer in hand, shouting animatedly as the game unfolds. You swear the only thing holding his pants up is the worn-to-hell brown belt with a studded buckle, and you’re not sure how much longer it’ll last. He’s got black gauges in both ears and several tattoos snaking out from beneath his shirt, but at least his hair is impeccably gelled and styled, like always. You know precisely who this is, and you’re torn between laughing and groaning.

“That,” you say flatly, turning to Nobara, “is Yuji’s uncle.”

Her mouth forms a small O as she looks from the man to Yuji, right as he dunks on a frustrated-looking Phantoms player.

“THAT’S MY NEPHEW!” Sukuna hollers, nearly sloshing his beer over the edge of his cup as he throws his hands into the air. Yuji goes beet-red and runs back up the court, head ducked.

Sukuna probably means well. He shows up to Yuji’s games when it matters and he cheers, insanely loudly. You know for a fact he has a slightly-cleaner-than-the-other-shirts shirt for occasions like this one.

But he also has quite the mouth on him, and a temper, and no real sense of boundaries.

Then the ref calls a blocking foul on Yuji.

“WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT?” Sukuna waves his arms and this time definitely splashes beer onto his shirt, but doesn’t seem to notice. He’s screaming like the ref has personally wronged him, and the people around him are either shrinking away with wide eyes or puling out phones with cameras ready. “YOU THINK THAT WAS A FUCKIN’ FOUL? I’LL SHOW YOU FREAKS A GODDAMN FUCKING FOUL—”

“He’s… done this before, then?” Nobara asks uncertainly, and you nod.

“Many times.” You give it another minute tops before security escorts him out.

To be fair, you don’t agree with the call either. Blocking, your ass. Yuji just almost tripped over his own laces.

Nobara tries and fails to stifle a laugh as Yuji drags his palms down his face in exasperation. Cameras are pointed at both him and his uncle. You imagine Nobara will have a lot of mentions to go through later. “And they still let him into these?”

You shrug. “He’s family, and he always starts out sober enough.” To be honest, you’ve always thought Sukuna is kind of funny. He embarrasses Yuji to no end, and he’s loud and disruptive, but the fact that he shows up with his weird perception of put-together and the persistence of his presence is at least entertaining.

Across the court, Megumi’s laughing at Yuji’s bright red face.

Security is dragging Sukuna up the stands by both arms moments later, both of the guards looking incredibly fed up and resigned to their fate of dealing with a drunk, angry uncle for the remainder of the game.

“We still love you, Itadori!” a girl screams from the front row, and Yuji blushes and throws a peace sign her way.

“I love you too!” he shouts, and you swear the girl almost passes out. Megumi snorts and claps Yuji on the back as they move for a Phantoms free throw.

They make it, and you mutter a string of curse words under your breath.

“Okay, Uncle Itadori,” Nobara teases, and you elbow her and laugh. She glances down at her tablet and sighs. “They’ve already made edits. Of Yuji being embarrassed and his uncle yelling. They’re quick with it.”

She tilts her screen toward you, and you see a TikTok captioned YOU SHOW THOSE FREAKS A FUCKING FOUL UNCLE ITADORI LET’S GO.

The free throw doesn’t matter, not really. Yaga puts Junpei in for Kento, and because the Yoshino kid is pretty new and also weirdly short for the NBA—especially as a shooting guard—it might as well be a blatant nice try, but you don't stand a chance to the Phantoms.

You watch as Junpei gets the ball to Gojo and he proceeds to dunk, making the leap look like absolutely nothing. The crowd is going insane, and you almost feel bad for the Phantoms fans who traveled here to watch their own demise.

Almost.

“And that’d be Yuji Itadori’s uncle getting escorted by security once again,” Panda says in your ear. “Gotta hand it to him, he’s persistent.”

“Understatement of the year,” Zenin replies. “Oh, and there goes Satoru ‘Six-Eyes’ Gojo with the dunk! And we’re looking at another forty-point deficit at the end of the third quarter. If the Phantoms can come back from this, color me impressed.”

The buzzer signals the end of the third, and you stand back as the team meets on the sideline. Gojo catches your eye over Fushiguro’s head and grins.

Ieiri’s shoving water bottles at everyone while Yaga and Kusakabe tell them not to get complacent. “We might be kicking ass now, but next game they’ll be on their home turf. You get a handle on their habits now and you don’t let go until the series is over, you hear me?” Yaga shouts.

The team choruses an agreement of yessirs and hell yeahs, and then the fourth quarter is in full swing. Ieiri appears beside you and yawns.

“How many hours?” You know she can hardly ever sleep, but the bags under her eyes are more pronounced than normal.

She shrugs. “I dunno. Three? Maybe? Tell me we’re rooming in New York so we can smoke out the window and talk shit.”

You grin. “Per usual.”

Nobara will be in a room on the same level with one of the assistants, and you’ve paired the guys off the usual way. Gojo and Nanami, Yuji and Megumi, Yuta and Toge. You don’t care if they stick to it, but the names are at least there for the sake of record-keeping. And the team doesn’t typically drift from these arrangements, anyway.

One of the Phantoms’ bigger players seems to have it out for Megumi, and he’s getting more brazen as the score deficit gets higher. Megumi leaps over the player’s outstretched leg and throws his arms up at the ref, and thankfully the ref agrees and fouls him.

“Not slick,” Ieiri mutters, and you nod. Some of the most blatant tripping you’ve seen in years in the NBA.

Megumi takes the free throws and nails both, seemingly unfazed by his own success as the ball goes back into play. Yuji, however, is having a field day and grinning like an idiot.

“That’s our boy!” Gojo shouts, and you don’t have to look to know Fushiguro’s rolling his eyes. The enthusiasm warms your skin, blood humming as the clock counts down. In three days, you’ll all be in New York.

With under a minute left, they’re just having fun now. Itadori makes some obscure hand motion at Gojo and then lobs the ball high to the left of the hoop, and Gojo leaps to dunk. You’re very familiar with that move. It’s always been your favorite.

“A second win for the Sorcerers!” Zenin yells as the clock hits zero, and the guys hoot and holler and gather in the center of the court. “You know what that means, folks. Manhattan's really gonna have to step up their game at home Thursday if they want a chance at advancing…”

“We love you, Satoru!” a group of three girls shout from somewhere in the stands, and Gojo locates them immediately, winking and making a heart with his hands, sending them swooning. Dumbass, you think.

And then he turns back to his team, and somehow winds up looking right at you. Alley-oop, he mouths, and you roll your eyes and wave him off.

You’re pretty sure his smile gets even bigger.

directory. || prev. || next.

jjk taglist open: just send me a message!

@shutuppeter @mikikkoo

[formosusiniquis]

my @steddiesummerexchange gift fic for @oh-stars! I was so excited to work on this prompt: penpals through childhood until they both graduate -- road trip to meet one another in person. Epistolary fics are always a favorite of mine. oh-stars is such a brilliant writer and bright spot in the fandom, I was excited to be able to write a little something for her, I hope you like it!

October 13, 1976 Dear Eddie,

Mrs. Simpson says I’m supposed to thank you for volunteering to be my partner even though you’re a fifth grader. I don’t know why I should though since now I actually have to do this stupid pen pal project. I know she only paired me with an older kid cause she thinks I’m dumb. But thanks for the extra work I guess.

She said she wasn’t gonna read these before she sent them off, just that she was gonna make sure they were a page front and back like they were supposed to be. But I don’t really believe her. So I guess I should actually write this right.

Hi Eddie. My name is Steve Harrington. I’m 10 years old because I got put in Kindergarten late cause my parents were too busy in wherever my dad does his business stuff and my au pair -- that’s fancy for babysitter who lives in your house -- couldn’t do it. My birthday is in September, almost at the end (the 27th), so I guess that’s why it was okay. When’s your birthday (Mrs. Simpson says a friendly letter is supposed to ask questions.)

My favorite things are yellow and sports. I’m the best at red rover and kickball, Tommy says it's cause I’m the oldest and biggest in our class but he’s a sore loser and couldn’t even break through the girl side of the red rover line. Do you play games? Mrs. Simpson talks about your Hawkins like it’s on a different planet but you’re just in Kentucky. It’s right across the river. I’ve been there a couple times when Dad likes me and we’ll go watch Louisville play basketball. Basketball is my favorite sport but the only outside court is at the park and the big teenagers are always on it.

When you write back you can tell me what sports and games you like. Does your Dad ever bring you to Indiana to watch stuff? The Pacers only played okay last season and they lost to Kentucky in the playoffs. Is that who you root for?

Oh and I’m supposed to ask you about school since this is like homework. I kinda already did that at the beginning, remember. Do you like English or something? Is that why you asked for extra work? Or was your pen pal last year just a super dud?

That’s front and back now.

Sincerely (cause we aren’t friends), Steve Harrington

October 25, 1976 Dear Steve,

First of all I didn’t ask to have to write a letter to some fourth grader. I was told because I’m the only kid who didn’t do it last year that I had to be your partner. I do like English but extra work isn’t fun for anybody. I’ve never had a pen pal before so you’re the best and the worst one I’ve ever had. Are teachers allowed to call people dumb at your school? Mine just look at me like a really weird bug on the road or something.

Your teacher sounds like a real pain in the side, that’s what my Uncle Wayne would say. I think it’s cause he’s pretending he doesn’t know the word bitch. She talks about this Hawkins like it’s on another planet because it’s in the Appalachian Mountains and people think everyone here is stupid and marries their cousins.

Some of them are stupid but they would be like that anywhere it’s not because they live out here.

I’m actually from Lexington though so it isn’t even my Hawkins, but my Uncle Wayne lives here and he has to watch me for a little while.

You didn’t really ask me anything good about myself. I’m Eddie Munson, I’m going to be 11 when it’s my birthday this year (Halloween the coolest birthday cause everyone gives you candy). Red and black are my favorite colors. I don’t like any sports at all, they’re all stupid but everyone knows about basketball here, it's more important than church. Everywhere has games but when you get to fifth grade you learn which ones are for babies.

I like imagination games the best cause then I don’t have to worry about anyone else playing with me. There’s lots of woods here so I can go in them and hunt monsters or dragons or be an elf like in my favorite books.

Wayne’s looking over my shoulder and says I’m supposed to ask you a question. So what’s your favorite book? Do you like fantasy, that’s my favorite but the science fiction stuff with aliens is cool too.

I know you asked about my dad but since I live with Wayne I’m gonna use him instead. He hasn’t ever taken me to Indiana cause “his truck weren’t meant to leave these hills” whatever that means. He said he roots for The Colonels but he wishes your Pacers luck this season. What’s a Pacer anyway?

Do I have to ask you about school too? I don’t think this is homework for me more like extra credit. If you don’t like English what do you like? Don’t say recess or lunch those are cheating answers.

Not your friend either, Eddie Munson

Continue on AO3

[srbachchan]

DAY 5964

Jalsa, Mumbai June 16, 2024 Sun 11:44 PM

🪔 ,

June 17 .. birthday greetings to :

Ef Rajeev Sharma from NYC ..

Ef Sigali Siman Tov ..

and Ef Rishit Shukla from Ahmedabad .. 🙏🏻🚩❤️

my wishes and the wishes of the entire Ef family for prosperity peace calm and love ..❤️

.. the memory test, and this one reads with great interest these days, is tested now for the moment of the Blog .. and when I do rewind the time clock for the day , there is little that can be of any remembrance ... the breathing yoga , the AI gym, the concerted physio , takes away more than the day .. and then one sits in wonder and apprehension for the GOJ .. and there is a fear and , well, not really a fear , but one that runs through the mind ..

'will anyone still be there ..' ?

and as the gates open the energised reception and the smiles and the cheering and the multitudinous mobiles up in the air , take over .. and take over the balconies of the balcony in the structure ahead of the road across and the rooftop of another and their vociferous waves and movements to be seen , capture the eye and attention is drawn there .. after due respect to the Ef in the front rows .. and the slogan shouting Ef's of the day and the banners and the pictures in abundance to be autographed and given in immediate return .. and the turn back to the isolation of the personalised room .. and the wonder of , 'did it really happen all this' ..

a short reflect to the Office , in meets .. and back to the meal with the kids and now the joint adventure of the EURO football game in a while .. the WCt20 having taken a spot in the playoffs with distinction and the awaited anticipation of the next .. game .. and its results ..

And between all this .. a written record of what has been discussed for and met with, for the upcoming thoughts, for the future ..

the future .. which seems crowded .. but there is ever a space in the crowds for that little inch of space to discover , move in and find yourself on the other side .. fresh air fresh horizon and fresh mind .. safe in the protection and comfort of the comfortable - the self .. !

the self is the undisclosed unburdened unknown understanding - alliteration be acknowledged - of the under .. !!

🤨

the alliteration just dropped by not quite accidentally but by response .. a response to a message that came by on an occasion and my reply being ..

"Grateful gratitude 🙏 greetings ❤️" ..

and what would normally come as an acceptance of maybe most times nothing at all , what came by was ..

'alliteration accepted '

and alliteration in its own right .. 🤣 🤣

So .. the walk down the GOJ aisle .. in heartbeat moments .. and then the climb to the viewing box .. for the revelation that all is well ..

And all the time the moment of the great Charlie Chaplin comes running by, as he is invited back to Hollywood after years from his exile , so to say , being deported from USA , on the suspicion of being labelled a communist , to be decorated by the Academy for a LifeTime Award .. and as he stands in the wings of the stage waiting for the announcement, he hesitantly asked the aide standing by his side to usher him in :

'will they clap .. ??

and when he does, he gets the longest standing ovation ever .. his eyes filled with unspoken emotion, unable to say a word .. he just stands there .. his face filled with uncontrolled gratitude ..

Ahhh .. what a moment in the history of cinema !!!

एक और रविवार बीत गया

स्नेह आदर 🌹❤️

अमिताभ बच्चन

the pictures had not come out well .. so trying again

[toasttt11]

minnesota

April 11, 2022

Hayden walked down the steps of the plane after she landed with her team in Minnesota, they don’t play until tomorrow and she doesn’t have a practice so she is gonna spend a lot of time with Matt.

Hayden got onto the bus with the team to the hotel and grabbed her bags and instead of going into the hotel and getting her key with Ryan, she waved to Ryan and headed towards the car she knows is Matt’s.

She put her bags into his back seat and got into the passenger and smiled as she saw Matt, she leaned over and hugged him tightly letting out a happy sigh, “Hi Matty.”

“Hi Lee.” Matt softly spoke back closing his eyes content as he hugged her.

“You want to explore or read?” Matt asked once they pulled away from each other and he would he fine with either and wouldn’t mind showing her around his town but also would not mind just relaxing with her and reading together.

Hayden let out a sigh thinking, “Read.” It was getting to end of the season and playoffs were coming up and she would much rather just relax and read with Matt.

“Okay.” Matt nodded and he smiled softly as Hayden naturally leaned her head over the center of the car resting her head on his arm, like she always does when he drives.

Matt drove them to his apartment and hopped out of the car opening her door and grabbing her bags before she could and playfully grinned at her glare for taking her bags.

Matt walked her up this apartment and opened the front door letting her walk in.

Matt set her bags down by the front door and watched as she looked around his apartment with curious eyes.

Hayden thought it was very Matt, little pieces of the things he loves and many pictures of his family and friends.

“It’s very you.” Hayden told him turning around to face him and she didn’t notice the soft look on his face was because he was admiring her in his space.

“Thank you.” Matt smiled at her words and brought her through his two bedroom apartment and headed into his bedroom where he had a very large bookcase.

Hayden recognized most of the books of his bookshelf as many of them she had gave him and she laughed as Matt handed her a hold stack of books and grabbed her bag and showed her the guest room.

Hayden picked one of the books and followed Matt to his couch and plopped down next to him.

Hayden rested her head on his shoulder as they started the reading their own books separately.

After a little while it started raining and within a few minutes it was pouring rain and thundering.

Hayden perked up at the sound of pouring rain and thunder and got up looking out the window at the storms, she loved storms.

Matt had a fond look on his face, he knows how much Hayden loves storms and every time there is a storm in Minnesota it reminds him of Hayden.

Hayden misses thunder during the season as Edmonton never has storms when she is there and she loves just listening to storms.

Hayden yawned and decided to lay down resting her head on Matt’s lap as she closed her book setting it on the table.

Matt froze slightly as she laid on his lap but slowly relaxed grabbing a blanket on the back of the couch and softly tossing it over her as Hayden closed her eyes.

Matt smiled softly knowing Hayden will fall quickly with the storm and he continued to read as Hayden fell asleep lying on him.

Matt had finished his book as Hayden was still sleeping on him and slowly she began to wake up rubbing her face.

“Morning sleeping beauty.” Matt fondly teased her making her sleepily smile and look up at Matt as she rubbed her eyes yawning.

Matt softy brushed back a piece of her hair looking at her softly, “You want to make dinner?” Matt asked gently.

Hayden and Matt have always both loved reading and cooking especially together so with being apart for most of the year now they try to catch up on missed time, especially in the summer they cook and read together a lot.

Hayden hummed, “What are we making?” Hayden asked him as she sat up getting off of Matt even if there was a small part of her that wanted to stay laying on Matt.

“Steak?” Matt offered knowing Hayden loves it and he has it in his fridge, Matt smiled at Hayden’s excited nod.

Hayden followed Matt into his kitchen as he grabbed the steaks and a few different vegetables, “Pasta, rice or salad?” Matt offered her a few choices of what their main side could be.

“Salad.” Hayden decided making Matt nod and grab the ingredients.

Hayden started cutting up all the vegetables as Matt started cooking their steaks.

Hayden and Matt laughed together joking with each other as they cooked, Hayden squealed as Matt softly hit her with the towel making her squirm away and Matt laugh.

“Focus on the steaks.” Hayden spluttered out between laughs as Matt hit her again with the towel.

Matt was just grinning seeing her laughing and set the towel again as he turned back to the steaks.

Hayden let out one more small laugh as she calmed down and grabbed plates and started making their salads.

Matt turned the stove off and set the steaks on the plates and grabbed them knives.

Hayden happily cut into the steak and made a satisfied sound as she took the first bite, she loves when Matt makes steaks, they are always her favorite when Matt makes them.

Hayden and Matt stood next to each other and cleaned up the dishes from dinner and saw it was getting pretty late.

Hayden and Matt both headed to the rooms and got changed into clothes they are gonna sleep in.

Matt sat in the couch waiting for Hayden to come out and looked up as she walked over and he smiled slightly seeing Hayden wearing his sweatpants again, Hayden plopped down next to Matt getting under the blanket as Matt turned a movie on.

Matt looked down at Hayden after the movie ended and she was fast asleep leaning on his shoulder.

Matt softly brushed back her hair smiling fondly at her and slowly got up and put his arms under her easily picking her up.

Hayden barely even moved in her sleep only leaning closer to Matt as Matt easily carried her to the guest room.

Matt gently set her down in the bed and noticed something on the bed and realized it was the penguin jelly cat he got her, she had brought it with her. He has his sitting on his bed too.

Matt softy covered her with the blankets and put the penguin in her arms, “Night Hayden Lee.” Matt quietly mumbled before walking out of the room.

April 12, 2022

Matt shook his head fondly as he walked out of his room and saw Hayden in his kitchen drinking coffee, he leaned on the doorframe admiring her in his kitchen and wished he could see her in his space more often.

Hayden looked up and smiled seeing Matt on the doorframe, “Morning.” Hayden grabbed another mug and started making a cup of coffee for Matt.

“Morning.” Matt spoke softly back and smiled in thanks as Hayden handed him a mug of coffee.

Matt started grabbing a few things out of the forge for breakfast and Hayden grabbed a frying pan and started cooking the eggs as Matt started cooking the toast.

They finished cooking breakfast and ate together in comfortable silence.

Matt looked at the clock and realized he kinda slept in a little and their game was a little bit earlier than usual so they didn’t have a lot of them till they had to leave for the rink.

“Read before we go?” Matt asked hoping to read with her a little bit more before they had to leave.

“Course.” Hayden grinned booping his nose as walked out of the kitchen after they finished cleaning up.

Matt just shook his head watching her leave with a fond smile.

Hayden got comfortable on his couch opening her book as Matt walked in and laid down next to her laying his head in her lap and closing his eyes.

Matt just kept his eyes peacefully shut for the next hour as Hayden read until they had to get up and get ready for the game.

They both got ready for the game and a small part of Matt was sad they didn’t accidentally match again but he shook the thought off as he grabbed her bags and put them into the car.

Matt drove them the short drive to the arena and pulled into the parking spot.

Hayden hopped out of the car as Matt holding the door for her as usually, “See you on the ice Matty.” Hayden softly mumbled as she pulled him into a hug.

“See you Hayden Lee.” Matt softly mumbled back squeezing her once more before letting her go and head into the rink first.

Hayden and Matt both played a great game again against each other and both scored a goal. Unfortunately the only goal the Oilers got was Hayden’s and they lost to the Wild.

Hayden hurried through her post game routine and before she could head to the bus she headed to Matt’s car seeing him leaning on the car waiting for her with her bags next to him.

Hayden smiled sadly at Matt as he looked up at her. Matt pulled her into a firm hug rubbing her back softly, “I’ll see you in Mich.” Matt softy told her as they had no more games against each other this season.

Hayden nodded and gave him one more smile as he pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead and let her walk away.

Hayden set her bags by the bus and walked up the steps seeing Ryan in a row with a seat by the window for her.

Hayden only really ever sits next to Ryan on the buses or planes and before Ryan came to the team she never would sit with anyone.

Hayden plopped down next to her best friend let out a sigh, she loved being able to see Matt but hated having to say bye every time.

Ryan knows her sighs and leaned closer to her softly nudging her with his and giving her comforting smile.

He understood what Hayden is feeling as he kinda feels the same saying goodbye to his girlfriend for road trips, he knows Matt will become Hayden’s boyfriend one day but has a feeling it will take a while for that to happen.

[hischierdevils]

Tequila Girl | J.H.

note: this was inspired by my night out in jersey after the devils clinched

summary: you and your friends go out to a bar to celebrate the devils and act a little devilish yourselves

warnings: alcohol consumption, slight violence, mentions of blood

wc: 2.5K

“The Devils clinched, baby!” You announce excitedly as you walk into the bar in Hoboken with your two best friends behind you. The people standing near you start cheering and hollering with excitement as you make your way to the bar.

The three of you sat on the glass behind the Devils’ net during the game against the Senators and you’ll never forget the way The Rock exploded when they announced that the Devil’s had clinched a playoff spot.

“I’m paying, I'm paying!” Your friend Sam pushes you out of the way as the bartender comes up to you to take your order. She tries handing the bartender her card and he looks at the three of you confused.

Your other friend, Elle, pats Sam on the back. “You have to order our drinks first, babe.”

Sam looks at you wide eyed. “Tequila time?”

“Tequila time.” You confirm with a grin. They both hate tequila but agreed to do a shot with you if the Devils won. The three of you went to Redd’s before to pre-game and do a few green tea shots. Each of you had three high noons during the game as well and Sam is already drunk. Elle is close behind her but you’re barely feeling a buzz. “Four shots of tequila, two vodka crans and a vodka sprite.” You tell the bartender.

“Four!?” Elle holds up four fingers as she looks at you in shock. “Who’s the fourth one for?”

“Me.” You laugh as Sam rests her head on your shoulder. “I need to catch up to you two.”

“Y/n getting drunk? This isn’t going to end well.” Sam murmurs. Having the highest tolerance, you’re usually the one taking care of everyone else at the end of the night but you want to celebrate tonight. Your boys clinched a playoff spot. That’s something to drink to.

The bartender pours your shots and hands you your drinks before taking Sam’s card to pay. “To the Devils!” Elle announces as you all cheer with your shots. You down your first one before reaching for your second one.

“Let’s go baby!” You pick up your drink and start dancing in your little area as the song changes. Man! I Feel Like a Woman starts playing and the three of you dance around the bar in your own little world.

The tequila works its magic and hits you quickly, you can feel yourself relaxing as you dance around with your friends. After four songs, you finish your vodka cran and place your empty cup on a random table. “I have to go to the bathroom.” Sam announces, grabbing your hand and handing her drink to Elle.

“I’ll be right here.” Elle tells you as you begin to lead Sam to the bathroom. You nod to her in acknowledgement. You all have unspoken rules in your friend group, Elle watches the drinks, you take care of Sam when she has to go pee every five minutes and Sam is the one that carries the purse with everyone’s things in it.

When you and Sam reach the bathroom, she has to wait in line to get into a stall. You stand in the corner by the sinks, waiting for her. As you adjust the Jack Hughes jersey on your body, a girl walks out of a bathroom stall and sneers at you.

“He’s so overrated.” She says as she goes up to the sink and begins to wash her hands. Ignoring her, you turn and look at yourself in the mirror to make sure your makeup still looks good. You’re properly tipsy now so it takes all of your concentration to fix your hair. “I bet you he gets injured the first or second game in the playoffs. He’s too small and not a very physical player he’s going to-”

“He’s 5’11.” You growl without looking at her.

She stops washing her hands and turns her body so she’s facing you. “What did you just say to me?”

You look at her in the mirror. “I said he’s 5 '11. He’s not that small. You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Sam comes out of her stall the same time this girl reaches over and rips your hoop earring right out of your ear. She smirks as she holds your earring in her hand. Sam’s eyes widen. “Y/n, no-“

Sam’s pleas fall on deaf ears because you’re already swinging your non-dominant hand toward the girl's face. Your fist connects with her brow bone, your finger slicing open from her eyebrow piercing. She drops your earring in surprise and you pick it up before turning to Sam. “Go ahead and wash your hands. She’s done.”

The girl runs out of the bathroom as you put your earring back in your ear. “Did that really just happen?” Sam asks as she begins to wash her hands. You shrug, a little unsure yourself.

Elle is in the same spot she was when the two of you left her, swaying back and forth holding both drinks in her hand. “Y/n got in a fight!” Sam tells her excitedly.

“With who?” Elle’s mouth falls open as she hands Sam her drink back.

“Some girl in the bathroom.” You shrug, looking over at the bar. “I need another drink.”

“Y/n, wait! Is that why you’re bleeding?” You ignore Elle and walk up to the bar, squeezing between two different groups of guys.

“Can I get a shot of tequila and another vodka cran?” You ask the bartender when he walks up to you. You pull your phone out of your pocket, intending to go on it while you wait but you get distracted by the picture of Jack on your lock screen and stare at it instead.

The bartender hands you your drink and pours your shot for you. “It’s all set.” The bartender tells you as you try to hand him money.

“What?” You look at him in confusion but he just points to the group of guys to the right of you before walking away. You don’t even glance at the men as you make your way back to your friends. You find Elle leaning up against the wall vibing to the music with her eyes closed. “Some guy bought me a drink.”

“Slay bestie queen.” Elle opens her eyes and gives you a lazy smile.

You giggle and take a sip of your drink. “Where’s Sam?”

Elle points to a table a few feet away. A man wearing a blue sweatshirt, jeans, and a white backwards hat is sitting on a stool. He looks vaguely familiar to you but you can’t really make out who he is because Sam is standing between his legs, kissing him.

“I need another drink.” Elle announces. “Let’s do shots too.” She drags you over to the bar and orders you both another drink and green tea shots.

“I have a drink.” You hold up your nearly full vodka cran.

“Chug it.” Elle shrugs.

You sigh, pulling the straw out of your drink and setting it on the bar. “Fuck it.” Bringing the glass to your lips, you start to gulp it down.

“Y/n!” someone yells your name and you jump in surprise, causing cranberry juice to drip on your white air force ones. You shake your head before continuing. Elle cheers you on as you finish the rest of the drink and set the empty glass on the bar.

“Your man bought us drinks again.” Elle giggles as she hands you your green tea shot.

“Cheers to that.” You both do your shots and then move away from the bar so you can dance. After a couple songs, Sam runs up to you.

“Pee time!” You hand your drink to Elle and lead Sam to the bathroom. There’s no one else in there so you both take a stall before meeting again at the sinks. “I made out with a hot man!” Sam tells you excitedly as you make eye contact with her in the mirror.

“I love that for you.” You giggle. “Where’s the jersey you were wearing?” You ask her once you realize she’s only wearing a red t-shirt and the large 91 is missing from her back.

Sam looks down at her outfit and then looks at you. “I asked him to hold it so I didn’t ruin it.”

“You gave a random man your jersey?” You look down at your own jersey in shock. You’d never give yours up.

“He’s not random, y/n.” Sam rolls her eyes at you, attempts to at least. She ends up moving her head in a circle. “He kissed me!”

“Are you gonna go kiss him again?” You ask her as the two of you make your way out of the bathroom.

“Heck yes I am!” she charges ahead of you into the crowd of people and you lose her as you weave in between people.

“There you are.” A man stops you, placing his hand on your arm to keep you still. “I was getting worried about you.” He’s wearing a black t-shirt and jeans, a black hat pulled low over his eyes. He leans into you to talk directly in your ear, sending shivers down your spine.

“You’re pretty.” You respond as you look up into his blue eyes. His cologne smells amazing and you take a deep breath so you can breathe him in.

He chuckles and brings his hand up to brush a stray lock of hair out of your face. “Thanks, gorgeous.”

Your cheeks flush as excitement bubbles up inside of you. “I’ll be right back.” You tell the cute guy before running over to Elle and Sam. “He called me gorgeous!” You tell them excitedly.

“Who did!? Tell me now!!” Sam starts jumping up and down, waiting for your answer.

“That guy!” You point to the pretty man who is standing with his friends a few feet away. All of them are clearly looking at you so you wave to them. The pretty man waves back. “Isn’t he cute?”

“Oh bestie boo.” Elle sighs and hands you your drink back. “Take this and go flirt with your man.”

“Flirt with him?” You shake your head. “No I can't, he's too pretty.”

“Go stick your tongue down his throat.” Sam gives you a little shove, pushing you toward the man.

You tumble into him but he quickly wraps an arm around your waist to keep you steady. “You okay, baby?”

“I’m good.” You say as you lean into his warm chest. “My name is y/n.”

He laughs before taking a sip of his beer. “I’ve been waiting for you to come say hi since I got here.”

You look up at him, still too mesmerized by his eyes to figure out what he means. “What’s your name?”

He blinks at you a couple times. “Are you messing with me? Or are you that drunk?”

“I’m not drunk.” You insist as you try to stand straight up. “I’m moderately functional.”

He chuckles and looks over at Elle. “How much has she had?”

Elle bites her lip as she leans against the wall. “I have no idea. More than us.”

He squeezes your hip and you lean fully into him, allowing him to hold you upright. “You’re very cuddly.” Your murmur into the skin on his neck. He places a kiss on your forehead and before you can react, Sam is in your face.

“You two are so cute together! Oh my gosh. Aren’t they cute Dawson?” Sam turns to look at the guy she’s been making out with all night.

“Very cute.” Dawson confirms as he wraps his arms around Sam’s waist and squeezes her.

Pretty boy laughs. “It’s about time you two got together.”

“Shut it, Hughesy.” Dawson shoves the guy you’re leaning on, sending you both back into the bar.

“You’re all adorable.” Elle speaks up. “I love you guys so much.”

“I went to a hockey game tonight.” You say, more to yourself than anyone else. The events of the night are starting to slip away from you and you want to remember everything.

“Oh, yeah?” Pretty boy asks. “Was it a good game?”

“The best game.” You smile widely as you think about it. Pretty boy bends down and rushes your nose with his.

“I scored for you baby.”

Before his words can even sink in, Sam is yelling. “Someone hit Shara and he has a baby at home!”

“Jack, can you close my tab?” Dawson asks as he tries to get Sam to calm down.

“Jack?” You whip your head up to look at the guy that’s holding you up. “You’re Jack? I punched a girl for you!”

The smile drops from his face. “You what?” You hold up your hand with the cut on it to show him. He kisses the cut gently before kissing your cheek. “You’re a menace but I love you.”

Butterflies erupt in your stomach. “You love me?”

“How’s it feel when your girlfriend gets so drunk she forgets that she’s your girlfriend?” A man that’s suddenly holding Elle up laughs.

“It’s kind of cute that I get to flirt with her all over again.” Jack laughs as he signals the bartender to close the tabs. “She’s coming home with me either way.”

You look over at your friends who are both being supported by Jack’s friends. “I’m so sleepy.” You announce.

“We’re going to go home, baby.” Jack assures you as he starts handing out receipts to the correct people. “Sam, do you want to go home with Daws or stay with Y/n and I?” He asks.

“I’m staying with him.” Sam, who’s clinging to Dawson like he’s a life preserver, says with her eyes closed.

Jack kisses the top of your head before looking at your other friend. “Elle, Mike is going to help you to the car okay?”

“Okay.” She smiles dreamily at Mikey as he pushes them both off the wall.

The six of you are a sight to behold as you leave the bar a little after one am. Jack makes sure all of your friends get home safely before he takes the two of you back to his apartment. “Are you going to have sex with me?” You ask him hopefully as he helps you undress.

“Not tonight baby.” He kisses your bare shoulder before sliding one of his t-shirts over your head.

You pout as you turn to face him. “Why not?”

He laughs and pulls you in for a hug. “An hour ago you didn’t remember we were dating. You’re drunk, y/n. You need to go to sleep.”

“It’s the tequila's fault.” You insist. “Can we cuddle at least?”

“Of course we can my tequila girl.” He chuckles as you both climb into bed. You settle with your head on his chest and he kisses you softly before making sure you’re covered up. “I love you.” You’d respond but you’re already asleep.

Tag list: @mikayladavis @cammie1634

[cookeham]

"Life Off the Ice: At Home with Keith Tkachuk" by Michelle Burgess, from the Raising Arizona Kids Magazine, Vol 11, No 1, March 2000

It is a busy, hectic day at the north Scottsdale home of the Tkachuk family, where two phone lines are ringing, a photographer is setting up equipment in the backyard and a curly-haired, blue-eyed toddler who looks a lot like his famous father is in search of a playmate.

"Play hockey," 2-year-old Matthew says to a group of assorted adults in the room. "Play hockey, play hockey, PLAAAAAAYY HOCKEEEEEEEEEEEEEEY!"

Clearly, Matthew knows what he wants. He gets it, too, when the photographer's son picks up a stick and heads out to the backyard with him. During the respite, mom Chantal gives a bottle to Braeden, born in September, and takes a few minutes to go over the evening plans with her husband.

Welcome to the house of Captain Coyote himself, 6-foot-2, 225-pound powerhouse left winger Keith Tkachuk. On the ice, he is a fearless blur of muscle; at home he is simply a dad, albeit a busy one.

Keith, who turns 28 at the end of this month, appears to be just as much at home talking about fatherhood as he is about hockey.

"Fatherhood is a lot harder than I thought it would be but it's great," he says in a thick Boston accent. "Having these two kids who you've helped create, seeing how Matthew is growing and talking and calling me, 'Daddy' and always wanting to play with me--it means everything to me."

At the sound of his father's voice, Matthew comes back, stick in hand searching for a more worthy opponent. After Keith assures his son he will be out soon, Matthew reluctantly heads back outside.

A teenage standout back in Boston, Keith was drafted at 18 by the Winnipeg Jets. When the Jets became the Coyotes and moved to Phoenix, he and Chantal, a 27-year-old Winnipeg native, resettled in the Valley. Keith, whose last name is Ukrainian, says having children has given him a better perspective as a hockey player. Bad games no longer get to him, he says, because he comes home "to something that is so much more important than any games."

And his wife, who calls herself "Keith's biggest fan," says that the post-game blues after a loss aren't what they used to be. "He's not hard to be around," she says. "When he has a great game I tell him about it but when he has a bad game I don't say anything. He knows it. He gets over it."

The big guy has even developed a distaste for the excessive violence that has long been a part of his sport. He's pleased that the number of fights has been steadily decreasing over the years but doesn't think fighting will, or should, disappear entirely.

"You still need some (of the fights) to keep certain players from taking cheap shots," he says. "But, because of all the kids who watch, I'm glad it's gone down."

When asked about Matthew's reaction to seeing his dad beat the stuffing out of opponents, Keith says he doesn't think his son has noticed yet.

"I'll have his mother try to explain it to him when the time comes," he says. "That'll be a tough one."

So what does this old-fashioned Catholic Irishman from a traditional hockey town think of Phoenix?

"I love this place," he says. "It is the best place to play, the best place to live and to raise kids. We're building a new house and are going to live here for the rest of our lives, no matter what happens." (Throughout the month of January, rumors of a Tkachuk trade made headlines in sports pages around the country. As Raising Arizona Kids went to press, however, no news of a trade had been confirmed).

Fans back east have nothing on those in the Valley, he says.

"The first year, nobody knew who we were or knew what to expect when the NHL came to town but the whole Valley has embraced us. Coyotes hockey has become huge. It's just unbelievable.

"We want to return the favor. We want to play well, to get out of the first round of the playoffs this year. We'd like to get home ice and do some damage."

The advantages of Tkachuk's lifestyle are obvious: money, fame and adoration from fans, plus the bonus of playing hockey for a living. But there is a downside.

The Coyotes have 41 road games each season, resulting in an estimated 80 days a year that Keith is away from this family. And he's had to cope with the lack of privacy common to all successful sports figures.

"It's not until you've lived the life that you see the sacrifices," says Chantal, a down-to-earth, natural beauty who recently celebrated her third wedding anniversary with Keith.

Keith agrees.

"When I take Matthew out to play I want to be his daddy, not Keith Tkachuk the hockey player," he says. "People don't think about us having lives off the ice but we go through all of the normal things people go through. You have to play hockey and your kid's home sick with your wife. (Parenting) is a 365-day-a-year job."

Still, both Tkachuks say they wouldn't trade lives with anyone.

Growing up "never in a million years" did she imagine the life she leads today, Chantal says.

"I feel very fortunate that I met such a great guy and have 2 beautiful sons," she says.

"Did I ever picture myself living in a place as wonderful as Arizona? No way. I feel very, very lucky. I count my blessings every day."

His life is "far more than I expected," Keith says. "I've got a good life. I'm living in a great city, playing the game I love to play and getting paid to do it. I have the best little boys in the world and the best wife. This is it. This is what it's all about."

[darkjediqueen]

Tommy & Bruiser Part 2

Title: Tommy & Bruiser Fandom(s): 9-1-1 Relationships: Evan Buckley/Tommy Kinard, Temporary Tommy Kinard/Other Men, Background Pairings Tags: Tommy Adopts A Dog, Fluff, Getting Together Warnings: Canon-Typical Violence, Explicit Sex, Discussion of Domestic Violence, Discussion of Stalking, Discussion of Harassment Summary: Tommy's life changes when he meets a shivering mess during a fire. Word Count: 118 for each day Author Notes: For @118dailydrabble.

Day 7-Spirit

"That's way too much spirit," Miriam said. 

"What?" Tommy looked at where Bruiser was decked out in Lakers colors. He didn't look any different than Jake did.

Jake was all decked out. 

"Can't we have one normal game?"

"No, it's the playoffs," Jake said as he sat down on the couch. 

Bruiser immediately went for his lap. Game night meant that Bruiser's affection was wholly for Jake, who allowed him to bark at the TV when the other team was doing too well. Whether it was basketball, hockey, or, recently, soccer. At least Bruiser looked cute all decked out like he was. Tommy just needed a few more things, and he'd be ready for the next hockey game. 

Day 8-Passenger

"You'd go with anyone offering you a ride," Tommy said as he stepped up to the side of the truck and held out the dog-friendly ice cream cup. 

Bruiser dug in, his tongue going as fast as he could get it to go as he licked up his treat. 

"Just a passenger your whole life as long as you the ride never stops, right?" 

Bruiser didn't even stop inhaling the ice cream to answer Tommy. 

"Oh, he's freaking adorable."

Tommy looked at the man who stepped up to them. He was adorable and seemed into at least Bruiser. 

"You can pet him." 

The man got too close for it just to be the dog he was interested in. 

Day 9-Foster

"Are you sure you can't foster another dog, Tommy?" 

Tommy looked at the woman staring at him as he tried to check out. Coming to the store had been a bad idea. He needed a few things for Bruiser. 

"Look. Bruiser can't even stand it when I bring over a date to dinner. He acts like it's the worst thing in the world. He's not going to stand me bringing another dog into the place."

"What about a cat?"

Tommy just looked at her. She shrugged and headed back to the area where the animals were in their pens for adoption. There was no way in hell that Bruise was going to let anyone else in their life. 

Day 10-Pole

"It's a pole," Tommy said before he rubbed his brows. He gripped the leash harder with his hand even though there was no way that Bruiser was going to escape. The dog was good at being off leave unless he had a beef with something. 

The issue was that he had beef with everything. 

"Bruiser," Tommy said before he nudged the dog's butt with his boot. He tapped it again, and Bruiser growled at it one last time before barking as well.

Before he turned around, he gave Tommy a look of pure happiness at winning against the shadow of the pole. 

This was his life. He had chosen it. For better or worse. His dog, his life. 

Day 11-Viral

Tommy wasn't sure he wanted to click the link, but he did. It was a YouTube link. He frowned at the video, knowing that park. He knew it well, and it was one place where he took Bruiser all the time. Then he saw the back of the person being zoomed in on, and he looked at Miriam from across the hanger. 

Bruiser had gone viral. Tommy waited for the sound to pick up what was going on. Bruiser was growling at a cop who was trying to arrest a guy for interference while the guy had just been filming. Tommy's dog had gone viral for trying to act like he was ten feet tall to a cop.

Day 12-Disguise

Tommy looked around and tried to find Bruiser, who was trying to stay at Miriam's even though no one was home. He had come over to water plants while they were out of town for the weekend and wanted to come along.

The disguise Bruiser was trying to use would be fine...if he didn't have his tail out and wagging at the thought that he was hiding so well. The little tail was just going back and forth. So Tommy headed for the door. He opened it and then shut it. Bruiser's head popped up. He tried to hide again when he realized Tommy wasn't gone but staring at him. His dumbass dog. Tommy scooped him up.

Extra-Broken

"It's broken. I can't fix it," Tommy said as he held out the stuffed duck that was just as big as Bruiser to him. 

Bruiser took it by the middle and tried to make it squeak. It was silent as the squeaker was broken. Bruiser had gotten too excited and broke it. There was no way to fix it either unless he took the guts from another toy and stuffed them inside. He wasn't learning sewing for his dog. 

The look that Bruiser gave him at the no squeak had Tomm'ys heartbreaking. Maybe he could learn sewing just to make his damned dog happy. Ordering replacement squeakers was the first thing, then a trip to the craft store. 

[bitchinbarzal]

Forever my girl | Jamie Drysdale: One

summary: when the news hits, Jamie has to go home

first few chapters are gonna be short!

-

Jamie just got done playing three back to back games, ended up at the club now he’s got a blonde in his bed he doesn’t know the name of.

The tv was still on from last night, he doesn’t like having to listen to them talk to him when he’s just trying to get laid.

The news was playing and through his sleep covered eyes he saw something familiar, his hockey rink. His home hockey rink.

He reached over the girl and grabbed the remote, turning it up.

“Last night around 11:35 locals witnessed the car flip after sliding on the ice after colliding with a drunk driver, The driver was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver, Ryan was from port hope known to locals as just simply hope, they will hold a vigil tomorrow for the deceased”

He watched the picture on the screen, Ryan, his best friend. Dead.

Jamie moved himself out of the bed to pick up his phone, googling the news for more information.

Then he called the team

“I gotta take a few days off”

“Jamie, what we’re literally in the run up to the playoffs you can’t just leave”

“I’ve got some stuff to deal with at home, I’ll be back in a week” He snapped “Listen… I have to go, I’m not asking I’m telling you”

Then he slipped out the room, leaving the girl alone in the bed with a couple hundred dollar bills on the nightstand with a note ‘for an uber’

The whole time he was in the airport, he was ignoring the phone calls and text messages from personnel and teammates asking him if he’d lost his mind and that he had to come back to Anaheim.

You were getting Billie ready for the vigil “Do I gots to wear this dress, mama?”

“Yes, uncle Ry loved this dress on you babygirl”

She sighs “I miss him”

And you smile softly and kiss her nose “we’re all gonna miss him sweetpea, now let’s go or we’ll be late”

She nods and holds your hand, squeezing it

“C’mon let’s go”

You were still running late, regardless of trying to get there on time. You only had enough time to park the car before pulling Billie out and running to the church.

“C’mon now and your remember when we get in there you give- oh!” Turning into the stairs of the church you stumbled over someone sitting on the stairs.

You stood back “I’m so sor-“

Your words failed you as you made eye contact with him. Neither of you said anything, you just pushed Billie “C’mon”

Inside the church, you sat by Charlie, frowning.

“What’s wrong?”

You shook your head before you said “Jamie’s here”

“What?”

“Jamie… he’s outside”

You saw the way Charlie held onto Billie’s arm, almost subconsciously his way of protecting his niece from his brother.

After a lot of tears and shared stories of who Ryan was, you were leaving the church listening to Billie tell you how much she loved him.

You saw Jamie sitting on the bench on the other side of the garden.

“Can you take Billie?” You ask Charlie who nods and says “Y/N you don’t have to-“

You were already half way across the front lawn by then, Jamie stood up now waiting for you to come over

“Hey y/n-“ his sentence was cut off by your hand slapping him across the face.

“You shouldn’t be here, Drysdale”

hi jamie. it’s me, y/n

I’m calling, again. you haven’t called me back yet but I’ve got something really important to tell you so please I’m begging you to just call me back. please. I love you, whatever has happened we can work through it together I promise you that whatever you have to say won’t shock you half as much as what I’ve got to say.

[coimbrabertone]

Well, What the Hell Did You Expect?

It was inevitable.

Okay, that's not to say that we all woke up the day of the Richmond race and knew it was going to be these exact guys at this exact track, but like...don't tell me you didn't expect for something like this come Daytona. It's just how a "win and you're in" playoff format works, especially when you remove the top thirty in points requirement. That means you can be one of the worst drivers in Cup, nepotism baby who hasn't scored a top five in fifty races, but you have one race where you're at the front and can win your way into the playoffs.

In an instant, you go from thirty-second in points to guaranteed to finish at worst sixteenth.

In an instant, you off the back of one race, lock yourself in while guys like Chris Buescher and Ross Chastain that have run at the front in multiple races and have a much better chance of actually progressing in the playoffs, are knocked out. At this point, Buescher, Chastain, Bubba Wallace, Chase Briscoe, Kyle Busch, etc, etc, are gonna have to win one of Michigan, Daytona, or Darlington to make the playoffs.

That's less races than drivers.

So, let's talk about what happened.

Austin Dillon in the Bass Pro Shops Hunting Sale #3 Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing worked his way into the lead at Richmond with three to go. Daniel Suarez in sixth is on fresh option tyres (because that's another thing, before all this nonsense, Richmond was actually a rather interesting race with two different tyre compounds, a soft option that was clearly faster than the hard prime, but degradation brought the prime runners back into contention) but he wasn't gaining quick enough.

Then Ricky Stenhouse had a wiggle going into turn one while Ryan Preece was trying to crowd him down through the corner. They touch, they spin - right in front of the #3 no less - and the caution comes out. Austin Dillon will have to defend his lead from at least one overtime green-white-checker restart.

The leaders pit ahead of the GWC.

Denny Hamlin is second in the #11 FedEx Rewards Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing. He has the best pit selection of the three leaders.

Joey Logano is third in the #22 Shell/Pennzoil Ford for Team Penske.

Denny seems like he's going to have the advantage, but his pitstop was slow! Austin Dillon comes out first, then Joey Logano, and Denny Hamlin is third.

Austin chooses the bottom, Joey goes to the top, Denny follows Austin.

Green - the race restarts with two laps to go.

They restart, Joey pulls alongside immediately, the cars are fanning out behind so nobody's really getting a push, and Logano finds the grip on the top because he pulls ahead through turns one and two. On the backstretch, he clears.

Dillon tries to get back to him with the draft and through turns three and four but can't do it. By the time they cross the start-finish line, Joey has but at least a car length between them.

White - the flag means the start of the last lap, and whatever flag flies next - be it the checkered at the end of the lap, or a yellow or red before that - ends the race.

Dillon tries again on the backstretch, but Logano is clear. In turns three and four, it seems like Logano is going to win it...until Austin Dillon just doesn't brake? Like...at all?

Dillon piledrives into the corner, starts running up the track because he's too fast, and then hits Joey on the right edge of his rear bumper, and spins him out.

Joey is spinning, Austin is pulling the nose of his car down, and Denny Hamlin from third is going beneath the both of them to try and win this race.

And then the really obscene part happens.

Austin Dillon (with his spotter shouting "Wreck him!" no less) swerves left and hooks Denny's right rear. Denny hits the wall right side door first, the yellow comes out around this point. Tyler Reddick and Bubba Wallace are getting runs on Dillon, but one: Austin just holds them off to the line, two: because of the yellow flag coming out at some point after those Logano and Hamlin incidents, it didn't matter anyway.

Tyler Reddick bumps Austin Dillon on the cooldown lap just to show his displeasure.

As of right now, Austin Dillon is classified first, Hamlin second, the 23XI cars of Reddick and Wallace are third and fourth, and Ross Chastain is fifth. Joey Logano was classified as nineteenth.

How exactly NASCAR determined that finishing order is a mystery, but what isn't a mystery is why this happened.

Like I alluded to earlier, Austin Dillon was thirty-second going into this race. He hadn't scored a top five all season, he only has one good race a year, and at least half the fanbase sees him as a disgrace to the #3 car. Austin Dillon had no chance of making the playoffs on merit.

The only way he was going to make it was to win.

Richmond was the only opportunity he was going to get.

Logano and Denny were already locked into the playoffs, another win wouldn't mean much for them.

Does any of this excuse what he did? Absolutely not. Logano or Hamlin could've been hurt and the fact that they weren't is not an excuse.

But this is why Austin Dillon says "he did what he had to do" because this win if you're in format causes this type of shit. NASCAR literally made this exact scenario possible by removing the top thirty in points rule from playoff eligibility ahead of the 2023 season. So yeah, of course this was going to happen, because drivers are desperate for wins to begin with and this playoff system enables it.

I'm not even trying to be a boomer and say get rid of the playoffs, I understand that they're here to stay, but why on Earth would you remove the top thirty requirement? That was at least a rule that required a driver show some sort of competitive pace consistently in order to make the playoffs.

By removing that, NASCAR gives bad drives a blank check to do stupid and dangerous moves if they're even remotely in contention to win.

And you know what, in two weeks at Daytona, if the likes of Harrison Burton or John Hunter Nemechek (for example) are anywhere near the front of the field, they'll do this exact same thing. A win means a top sixteen finish in the championship for your team, nobody expects NASCAR to give serious consequences to this kind of stuff, and even if they suspended you, that doesn't seem to matter either.

Last year Chase Elliott got suspended for right hooking Denny Hamlin into the wall and NASCAR granted him a playoff waiver.

Fans can complain all they want, because when it comes to this stuff, NASCAR is Groundskeeper Willie.

Willie hears ya, Willie don't care. P.S: Oh, and for those fans saying Dale Earnhardt would've done the same thing in that #3 car? Well one: Dale wouldn't have been thirty-second in points and needing a win to begin with, and two: that doesn't justify it?

[wheezyseeker99]

Guilty as Sin

Warnings: pining, alcohol consumption (just a little), swearing, smut in many forms aka masturbation (female), oral (female receiving), penetration (fm), and multiple orgasm

18+, MDNI

Summary: based on my interpretation of the song. Also if you can’t tell, I’m obsessed with the way he was as a whole on April 11, 2024.

Anyway, good luck soldiers if you read.

I moved in with my best friend Cam a few months ago. Reason being I wanted to work on the east coast, and he isn’t usually home often. So I take care of the house while he’s on the road, and I get to spend time with him when he is home. It’s a win-win for the both of us.

The longest stretch for when he’s home is when hockey is in its off season, which is supposed to start soon here in Philly. With this losing streak, they are definitely not making playoffs. It’s sad because they really did have a good season up until now.

Tonight Cam has an away game. I decided to stay home since I had to work so now I have the place alone once again. Earlier he sent me a song that reminded him of me, and that made my day so much better. Work has torn me to pieces lately, but today was rougher than others. I’m debating whether I should take a personal day tomorrow just to recuperate.

I’m sitting here putting the finishing touches on graded assignments before the game starts. I’m feeling tense. Sometimes I can’t figure out why I put myself through the torture of teaching children for a living. It’s so hard to do, but in the end, it’s so rewarding. I close my laptop and shove it with the graded assignments into my bag and grab a bottle of wine from the kitchen. It’s a normal occurrence at this point to watch the games with a drink in hand.

Right when I make it back into the living room, I glance up at the tv to see that TK passed the puck to Cam and he scored. I gape at the tv for a second.

My best friend just scored.

I jump up off the couch and shout in excitement. I pull out my phone and pose next to the moment on the screen, sending it to Cam for him to see later. In the heat of the excitement, I sit back down and continue watching the game.

When the first period is over, the score is tied. I think it’s almost safe to say the losing streak is over but I don’t want to jinx it. I finally decide it’s time to eat so I go to the kitchen and make a sandwich. Though, when I walk back I see Cam on the screen doing an intermission interview. I paused my eating mid-bite.

Holy shit. He looks hot as fuck right now.

I stare at him for the rest of the interview, spiraling. This isn’t the first time I thought of Cam in that way. Honestly, it’s always been in the back of my brain, but I don’t have the balls to act on it. Cam has always been the one that’s there for me. He cares about me and he actually listens to me. That’s a rarity for a man. He’s so precious, and I’m not screwing up our friendship because I’m touch starved.

For the rest of the game, I kept thinking of the things that I shoved deep inside my mind. And they all had to do with my best friend. The wine didn’t help with that either. I turned off the game and went to brush my teeth.

Cam probably won’t be home until the middle of the night so I leave a light on for him and trail into my bedroom, closing the door behind me. I lay down and the thoughts are back immediately.

Maybe I should get it all out while he’s not here.

My inner voice usually doesn’t say yes to things so easily, but here I am, thinking about throwing my thoughts to the wolves. This is far too unhinged. Is it bad to think about him in this way? I rack my brain until my phone lights up with a message from Cam.

‘That’s my girl’ with a picture of him cheesing at the camera. My eyes trail over the picture, looking everywhere from his bare shoulders to his lips. It’s safe to say that I metaphorically want to jump his bones immediately. Feral as hell.

I plug in my phone and lay it on my bedside table, hoping that he doesn’t notice that I didn’t reply.

It’s helpless to be this way. I slide my shorts off, leaving me in a big tshirt, and lay down again. When I close my eyes, I see Cam. I let out a deep sigh. What if, just this once, I give in to it? No harm in rubbing one out while thinking about my best friend right?

I close my eyes again and trail my hand up my thigh. My fingers aren’t my own, they’re his. His lips messily attacking my own. I’m breathing hard, swirling my fingers around my clit.

Cam. Cam. Cam.

My mind is running wild with all of the things we’ve never did. The way he’d manhandle me sticks to my mind like glue. He’d mark my body as his. I tilt my head back and gasp when I press two fingers into myself, applying pressure to my clit with my thumb. Cam’s calloused fingers would feel so much better than my own. He would curl them in a certain way that would make me melt into the palm of his hand. I feel my body shaking and soon I’m chanting his name while I’m crashing through an orgasm.

When I open my eyes, I notice how labored my breathing is. I take a few minutes to regain my ability to breathe and fell asleep.

…

My dream is starting to feel so real. It’s like Cam is haunting me. He’s laying behind me in bed, sliding his hands against my bare thighs. I feel his lips against the back of my neck. But it’s not real. It can’t be. I keep my eyes closed while I whimper out his name. It really feels like I can feel his breath against the shell of my ear and hear him softly hum.

There are kisses being pressed down my neck onto my shoulder. The scratchiness of his beard scrapes the sensitive skin. I lean into the fantasy, reaching my hand behind me to grab onto his hair, moaning at the way his mouth feels against my skin. It feels soft against my hand. If only this was real.

I roll over and open my eyes, and the world stops. Blue eyes hold my gaze.

“This isn’t real.”

“It is.” He places a kiss on my jaw and then pulls away to look at me. “You called me and I assumed it was a mistake. I kept my airpods in just in case you just wanted company while you slept.” His hand goes back to stroking my thigh. “But then I heard you moaning and calling out my name. Care to comment on that?”

My skin is on fire when he touches me and his eyes are burning into me. I bite my lip, but he lifts his thumb up to set my bottom lip free from my teeth. I let out a deep sigh, trying to control myself. I have to be honest now. I lay onto my back and stare at the ceiling.

“I thought I only plugged in my phone to charge. I didn’t mean to call you. I’m sorry. I just-”

“You’re sorry for what exactly?”

“I don’t know. I didn’t think you’d ever find out.” I cover my face with my hands. “I really embarrassed myself and I’m sorry if it’s going to be weird between us now because of what I did.”

He pulls my hands away from my face and holds them. “I’m glad you did it. I’ve been holding back from this for a long time.”

I stared at him, more shocked than I’ve ever been before. “You’re not mad at me?”

“Think about it. Use that pretty brain.” He taps a finger to my forehead. “Was I not just kissing your skin baby?”

Oh wow.

I’m at a loss for words so I nod my head. He nods back at me, smiling broadly. “Exactly. I love you just as much as you love me. So tell me, may I kiss you some more?”

I nod again and press my lips to his. The world fades around us. Cam’s hands come to my hips and lifts me onto him. I’m straddling his lap and I gasp for air when our kiss breaks. I didn’t realize he’s only wearing underwear until now. My hands settle onto his bare shoulders, feeling his hot skin under my touch. This feels like a fantasy. He licks his lips, silently begging for more. There’s a spark in his eyes when he looks at me. He smoothes down my bed head, and tucks a stray hair behind my ear.

“This is what I wanted for so long.” His voice is low and it sends a shiver down my spine. “I’m sick of sharing you. You’re mine now.”

I gulp and mindlessly nod my head. I’m physically and mentally melting into him. His hands trail up and down my back, like he’s mapping out his territory, until they settle on my ass.

“Come on now baby. Cat got your tongue?” He smirks. “Tell me you’re mine.”

“I’m yours Cam.”

“Mine.” He says through gritted teeth while he smacks my ass. He brings his mouth back to mine. The kisses are growing more urgent and heated, and I grind down onto his lap, needing more friction between my legs. He lets out a strangled groan into my mouth, smacking my ass again.

Cam removes his mouth from mine and moves it to nip at my neck. His beard grazes my skin, making my head tilt back. I moan out his name when he bites down on my pulse point. He reaches a hand between us, feeling my wetness over my underwear while I continue to grind into him.

“Who did this to you baby?”

“You.” I gasp. His fingers pull aside my underwear and press into my clit. I scream out and lay my head on his shoulder.

“Fuck. So pretty.” Two of his fingers circle against my clit until he presses them into me. I rock greedily onto them. “Look at you taking me so good.”

His praise has me clutching onto him for dear life. I have no other coherent thoughts besides him. I’m chanting out his name again for the second time tonight when I slam into the most mind blowing orgasm I’ve ever had. He brings his fingers up to his lips and sucks them, moaning at the taste of me. My hands drop to the waistband of his boxers. I start tugging them down while I give attention to his chest, lips meeting any piece of his skin I can reach.

Once I freed him from his boxers, he flips me over onto my back and takes off my panties and tshirt, leaving us both stripped down to nothing but skin.

Cam’s gaze shows an expression I’ve never seen him have before. It looks like a look of untamed desire. Kind of animalistic. I want him so bad. He’s back on me in an instant.

Our chests pressed together, mouth attacking mine. His hand lifts my thigh over his hip, sinking into me further. His hips move in long strokes. I moan into his mouth as he thrusts into me at a slow and steady pace. He’s taking his time.

We lose ourselves in each other and forget everything else. The feeling of him on top of me, in me, has me at an intoxicating level of ecstasy. Reality feels so far away, but we’re in it. I try to commit this all to memory until Cam moans into my mouth, biting down on my bottom lip as he lets my lips go. He starts going faster. He takes my hands and holds them above my head while he tucks his face into the crook of my neck. I scream out in bliss. The snapping of his hips blurs my vision and my body is aching to release.

“Please.” I stutter out. I’m too overwhelmed to say anything else. It’s too much.

“Let go baby. I’m-“ his voice breaks and he lets out a guttural moan. His desperate thrusts are starting to stagger when I tip over the edge. His mouth crashes down on mine, muting the whine that’s coming out of his throat. A wave of pure pleasure washes over us as we ride out our climax.

“Fuck I’m so in love with you.” He whispers against my lips. His chest is still heaving while he slides out of me. I’m lying here breathless and mind-numbingly blissed out. He looks down at me like I’m the greatest thing to ever happen to him. He bites his lip when he looks down at the mess we made and quirks a brow at me. “Think I need to clean you up now.”

Cam shuffles down the bed until he’s face to face with my soaked pussy. He swirls a finger around, mixing his cum with mine.

Oh my god.

I throw my head back and moan at how sensitive it feels. I try to squeeze my thighs together but he pries them open and lowers his mouth to taste me. My legs start shaking immediately. I grab onto his hair as he shoves his face further into me, licking every place he can before sucking my clit into his mouth which elicits another breathless scream from me. He chuckles against me but continues his assault. I’m writhing in pleasure until I come apart again, breathing hard as he licks me through my orgasm. My hands fall to the bed and he stands to leave. I whimper but he shushes me, saying he’d be back. Cam comes back with a wash cloth and gently wipes me clean.

After he takes the wash cloth back to the bathroom, he comes back and lays down with me. He pulls me into him, both of us still very naked. I lay my head on his chest and snuggling close. I love this feeling. I lift my chin to rest on his chest and look at his face. He has an arm tucked behind his head and the other plays with my hair.

Cam looks so content. He removes his hand from behind his head and lifts my thigh over him. He traces patterns on my upper thigh. It kind of feels like he’s tracing out the word ‘mine’ on it. I kiss his chest and smile to myself as I lay my head back down. I listen to his heart beat for a moment.

“We’re not just best friends anymore, huh?”

“No baby, we’re not. We’re so much more.”

[bearterritory]

Bears Finally Get Their Man

QB recruit Sagapolutele Flips Back to Cal

BERKELEY, CA - Quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, who first committed to Cal in July before he flipped to Oregon this fall, has instead signed with the Golden Bears after all, when he entered the NCAA transfer portal earlier this month.

Sagapolutele becomes the top-ranked member of the Bears' 2025 recruiting class. The No. 1 prospect from Hawai'i and ESPN's No. 8 passer will be eligible to play immediately next fall. His decision marks the latest twist in a dramatic cycle for the talented 2025 high school quarterback class, as well as a significant recruiting win for Cal coach Justin Wilcox.

Sagapolutele's move comes just 32 days after he spurned the Bears and signed with the Ducks' top-ranked class during the early signing period. He enrolled at Oregon last month and joined the program for its Rose Bowl preparations, even standing on the sideline during the Ducks' devastating loss to Ohio State in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal on Jan. 1.

Sagapolutele, who placed a heavy emphasis on early opportunity and development throughout his recruitment, told ESPN that the bowl season experience with Oregon gave him a view of the Ducks' future outlook at quarterback. With 2024 starter Dillon Gabriel out of eligibility, the Ducks are expected to lean on Dante Moore and Austin Novosad next fall. Behind them, 2025 quarterback signee Akili Smith Jr.  is also set to arrive on campus this month as an early enrollee after participating in practices during bowl season.

As Sagapolutele's confidence over his future at Oregon wavered, he found a pathway back to Cal. Given his December enrollment, he was permitted to use the transfer portal in the five-day window granted to Ducks players following the Rose Bowl defeat, formally entering the portal the next day.

"I just felt that there was another school in particular that was right for me," Sagapolutele told ESPN. "I'm excited to be a priority in Berkeley and to get to work. I'm ready to see what God has in store for me at Cal."

Sagapolutele capped his career at Campbell (Hawai'i) High School with 3,404 yards, 46 touchdowns and just three interceptions this season, surpassing Gabriel as the state's all-time passing leader with 10,653 yards. With his return to the Bears, Sagapolutele can expect a much clearer path to contend for early snaps under center.

After former Cal quarterback Fernando Mendoza's surprising jump to Indiana and the graduation of veteran Chandler Rogers, the Bears were thin at the quarterback position heading into 2025. While Cal is expected to remain active in the transfer passer market this cycle, Sagapolutele will have a chance to compete immediately in a position room that currently holds just 13 games of college experience between returners CJ Harris and EJ Caminong.

Wilcox and the Bears were among the earliest Power 4 programs to recruit Sagapolutele, a late riser in the 2025 class whose stock soared after an impressive performance at the 2024 Elite 11 Finals in June. That early investment paid off over the summer when Sagapolutele committed to Cal over many other schools.

As his stock rose, and he climbed from a four-star recruit into five-star territory, the top schools took notice. The Bears struggled to hold off late recruiting pushes from major powers Georgia and Oregon in the fall after both went after Sagapolutele following the start of his senior season.

However, Sagapolutele said the strong connection that he developed with Cal's coaching staff never faded. As he experienced a change of heart over the Ducks, it was Sagapolutele's relationships with Wilcox and quarterbacks coach Sterlin Gilbert that pulled him back to Cal, stamping a critical victory for a Bears recruiting class that had ranked only 65th by ESPN.

"It's the right environment for me," Sagapolutele said. "Coach Gilbert is going to develop me and it's a place where I'm going to be able to go in and compete early on."

His move comes in a cycle that saw nine of ESPN's top 16 quarterback prospects flip their pledges. Cal was a victim, but then emerged a victor.

While Sagapolutele's move through the transfer portal before ever playing a college game represents a feature unique to this modern age of college football, it is not entirely unprecedented. He follows 2024 five-star passer Julian Sayin, who transferred from Alabama to Ohio State last year following Nick Saban's retirement, as the second high-profile quarterback prospect in as many cycles to enroll with a school in December before entering the transfer portal less than a month later.

"I'm just so grateful they accepted me back with open arms, " Sagapolutele said this week at the Polynesian Bowl, "Cal was my original spot and then when they hired Coach Harsin and Coach Rolo [Nick Rolovich] it had me really thinking that I should go back because I just knew they would be a great pair for me to learn from and develop under." Wilcox had already revamped his coaching staff to help improve its offensive performance by bringing in Bryan Harsin as his new offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, and Nick Rolovich as a senior offensive assistant.

ESPN is already predicting Sagapolutele will be the starter at Cal as a freshman, and he's excited. "The fan base was always showing me the love and going to the Big Game to see that awesome win over Stanford and meeting Marshawn Lynch, Aaron Rodgers, DeSean Jackson and all those famous Cal guys was amazing. I'm just grateful for everything, the opportunities there in Berkeley."

[toasttt11]

frozen four

April 11, 2024

Mackenzie was sitting in the locker room in St. Paul about to play the game against Denver. If she won she would be playing in the championship game if she lost this would be her last game ever with Boston University, she knew it was very unlikely she would be coming back next season.

Mackenzie was excited because both of her parents were here and both of her little siblings, so it’s really nice to be able to see all them together. Cole is also here too for her game and for the award ceremony tomorrow.

Mackenzie tightened her ponytail and slipped her helmet on and followed her team on the ice for warms up.

Mackenzie saw Aiden stopping on the ice in front of the boards and he was talking to someone once he moved away she saw who he was talking to.

Mackenzie smiled seeing her little siblings at the glass for warms ups and she skated over making them start beaming at her and she tossed two pucks over for both of them and put her hand on the glass for high fives from both of them.

Cole walked down behind Charlie and RJ, “Where’s my puck?” Cole teased his best friend with a wide grin.

Mackenzie rolled her eyes fondly, “No puck for you.” Mackenzie grinned mischievously grinned at him making Cole playfully hold his heart offended.

“See how mean Mack is to me.” Cole pouted at RJ and Charlie and they giggled at Cole being so silly.

“The pucks are only for us.” RJ sassed Cole with mischievous grin matching his big sisters.

Mackenzie threw her head back laughing, “Alright dorks go back to Mom and Dad.” Mackenzie gave them both a look not loving them walking around even with Cole.

“Yes Macky.” RJ and Charlie chorused and they both smiled at her.

“Good luck!” RJ happily chirped before following Cole back up the stairs with Charlie.

Mackenzie shook her head fondly at her siblings and best friend and watched them walk away.

Mackenzie turned back to the ice and continued to warm focusing on the game that would be starting soon.

The first period was going well with only Boston University scoring one goal.

The second period Denver got their first goal of the game and tied up the game.

The third period no one could score making the game head into over time.

Eleven minutes of overtime before someone scored a goal. It was not Boston University that scored.

Mackenzie’s shoulders dropped as the buzzer rung announcing the goal meaning Denver won.

Her chin wobbled realizing this is how she was gonna end her college career, on a heartbreaking loss. She lost everything this season with her team, they came second place twice and now third place.

She made eye contact with Lane who had a devastated look on his face too. Mackenzie knew Lane had talked with Montreal and he would playing with them immediately once his season ended, which it just ended.

Mackenzie hugged Lane tightly squeezing him as they stood on the ice together as Denver celebrated.

Lane has grown up with two brothers and when he met Mackenzie it felt like he had a sister for the first time.

Lane and Mackenzie pulled back from each other sharing a sad smile before bonking their helmets against each other, one last time.

They shared one more look before skating away to their brothers.

Mackenzie’s eyes glossy with tears and they matched Aiden’s tear filled eyes, she fell into his arms hugging him tightly.

Mackenzie wasn’t stupid, she knew almost for certain she would go high in the draft. The Canucks would not have a high draft pick especially not with them having clinched a playoff spot.

Meaning this would most likely be the last time Mackenzie and Aiden will ever be on the same team, they just played their last game together.

Aiden squeezed her tightly squeezing his eyes shut to try and keep his tears in.

Mackenzie stayed right by Aiden’s side as they waited till they were allowed off the ice.

Mackenzie sat in her stall, the locker room just felt sad. Many knew a lot of them wouldn’t be coming back next season. The 2023-2024 Boston University season was officially meaning this team would never all play together again.

Their coach came in and gave them a speech, it felt more like a goodbye speech than anything else.

Mackenzie loved Boston University and she has never once regretted choosing this school but she hated the fact she would be leaving this school and not winning anything with her team.

Mackenzie looked up as Harvey gave her head a pat and she managed a weak smile and got up heading to the showers.

Mackenzie didn’t take a long shower and quickly got dressed back in her suit, she didn’t say much to her teammates as she knew she would see all of them tomorrow and none of them were in the mood for talking.

Mackenzie walked out with Aiden finding their family and Cole waiting for them.

Robyn immediately pulled her two eldest children into a tight but comforting hug rubbing both of their bags feeling Aiden and Mackenzie both let out identical sighs.

Rick squeezed a hand on each of their shoulders before pulling them into a hug.

Aiden squeezed his Dad before pulling away but Mackenzie stayed in her Dad’s embrace needing his hug the most, “Did i play bad?” Mackenzie whispered for only her dad to hear, she knew he would tell her the honest truth.

“No Macky you didn’t, you played great.” Rick whispered back reassuring her and she let out a sigh and nodded pulling back from their hug.

Mackenzie managed a weak smile as she accepted the hugs from her little siblings.

Cole just squeezed his best friend tightly knowing she would not want to talk right now.

Mackenzie leaned into her Dad’s side as they walked out, all she wanted was to her back to the hotel and just spend time with her family and best friend and ignore the rest of the world for the rest of the night.

[tkachuktkaching]

Tkachuk to be full participant at start of Panthers training camp

Forward ‘feeling great’ after fracturing sternum during Stanley Cup Final

LAS VEGAS -- Matthew Tkachuk will be a full participant when the Florida Panthers begin training camp Sept. 21.

The forward said at the NHL North American Player Media Tour on Tuesday during an interview for a future episode of the "NHL @TheRink" podcast that he is healthy more than three months after sustaining a fractured sternum in the first period of Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Vegas Golden Knights on June 8.

"I am feeling great," Tkachuk said. "It's been a very short summer, the way I want it to be every year going forward. The worst timing for the injury, obviously, Stanley Cup Final, but in a weird way I had time after where I wasn't missing X amount of months of game action, so I had the summer to get ready. I definitely improved on some things. The injury allowed me to work on some parts of fitness and conditioning and that is in the best form right now possible, and I just improved on some strength, which was my goal."

Tkachuk returned in the third period of Game 3 and scored the tying goal with 2:13 remaining. The Panthers won 3-2 in overtime.

He said he was given permission by team doctors to play through the pain in Game 4. He skated 16:40 and had four shots on goal in a 3-2 loss that put Florida down 3-1 in the best-of-7 series. Tkachuk did not play Game 5, which Vegas won 9-3 to win the Stanley Cup.

"I think I realized I was in the most pain when we won that Game 3," Tkachuk said. "I missed a big portion of it, came back and we won it in overtime. After the game, I'm walking around and normally you have the high spirits after a win, especially in the playoffs. It doesn't matter what you're going through, you're on top of the world. And I was pumped, but I still knew that half of my body felt like it was [in pain]. I knew something wasn't right.

“I didn't know what it was at the time. We did all my tests the next day, then I came back and basically with doctor's orders was given the opportunity to do everything I could to play just one game. [I] did it. I would have done it all over again if I had the chance."

Tkachuk said he wasn't worried about long-term effects of the break in his sternum, knowing that would heal, but there were some internal issues that that led to some scary moments.

"I'll try to keep it short, but there's all the blood vessels and stuff and that was the scary part at the time and that was the most concerning part in my health at the time," Tkachuk said. "But right now, it's good."

He was able to play Game 4 despite not even being able to get out of bed without assistance from his brother, Ottawa Senators forward Brady Tkachuk.

"I'm not going to lie, that was the craziest thing I've ever kind of been a part of," Brady said Tuesday, also for a future episode of the "NHL @TheRink" podcast. "I just flew in for the game because I wanted to see a Stanley Cup Final game and he came back from the rink in the morning and just looked awful. He was like, 'I’ve got to go take a nap.' And then he calls me at 3:30 and I'm downstairs. He says, 'Can you come up here?' We were just mucking it up and then he's like, 'Alright, I need you to help me up.' I'm like, 'You're joking.' He's like, 'No, I legit can't get up. I just sneezed and I thought I died.'

“He was going through some serious pain and just to see him be able to find a way to just play in that game and have the mindset of treating this as my last game, do whatever it takes, try to get a win and put ourselves in a better position going into Game 5, I was so proud of him. The way he played, trying to work around it, not many people can do, especially at the pain level he was at."

Tkachuk finished last season tied for sixth in the NHL with 109 points (40 goals, 69 assists) in 79 games. He led the Panthers and was tied for third in the NHL in playoff scoring with 24 points (11 goals, 13 assists) in 20 games.

Florida is not expected to have defensemen Aaron Ekblad and Brandon Montour on the ice for the start of training camp; each has been rehabbing from offseason shoulder surgery. Tkachuk said they may not be back until around Christmas.

[horseshoegirl]

Damn Those Dog Tags: Part 11 - Dream On

📜... I'll be running from the pitchforks as they come... I'll be running from the pitchforks as they come... 👀

❗+18, strong language, godmother reader/original female character, original child, shitty family dynamics, attempted kidnapping, violence, physical violence, slight verbal abuse, fighting, people are getting hurt in this one, and mentions of blood.

(This part might not be for everyone, so I will say if you want to skip over some of the more descriptive parts, the second someone sees Sadie, please skip to the end.)

#5.5k Words

Part 10 | Masterlist | Part 12

You had no idea what Jake had planned for your second date, and you started feeling guilty.

All Jake told you was to wear something you could easily change out of. He was supposed to pick you up after your shift and take you to some undisclosed location for 'dinner and an experience that would change your life.’ Then he proceeded to tell you Maverick wanted to spend time with Sadie.

Rooster had picked Sadie up from school and dropped her off at the bar.

If he knew anything about you and Jake, he hadn't let on. Whether it was you threatening to take his Sadie privileges away or the chat he had with Jake did something, you were slightly grateful. Perhaps it could make the blow a little softer, for when you told him you broke your promise of not falling for Jake's charms.

But that wasn't the cause for your guilt.

When Jake dropped you back home after the fair, he had respectfully walked you to the door like he wanted. Five minutes before Sadie's curfew, he kissed your cheek and asked if he could see you again. You had asked him if Friday afternoon was too soon, to which he teasingly replied, "So, you just don't want to be friends then?"

Having never gone past a first date, let alone had a date that went as well as this one, you felt a little lost. All those little nuisances of what you were supposed to do now, running amuck in your head - if you could plan the next set of dates or surprise him. He was doing everything right, at least what you believed to be right.

Besides Javy, there wasn't anyone else you could ask about what Jake liked to do. It wasn't the same as asking him what Jake liked to eat; you already had done that when you decided he could return for another Saturday night. It also wouldn't be the same or such a surprise if you asked him yourself. And you wouldn't dare go snoop.

But then you realized, in your panic, you maybe had more to work with than you thought, pulling out your phone to see if any country concerts were coming up that Jake might like to see. The bar was empty, save for you and Sadie, due to a surfing tournament on another beach. You had the time to investigate before Jimmy came to relieve you anyway.

But then you were pulled from your search, a text notification appearing along the top. A message from Maverick that said he was on his way to pick up Sadie.

"Uncle Mav is on his way, Bug! Do you have your helmet?" you called out.

Hearing a thump on the bar, you turned to see Sadie looking at you expectantly, her late Christmas gift from the entire Squad sticking out like a sore thumb. The shiny red helmet was littered with Lady Bugs along both sides, the words Bug in bright, bold letters on the front mocking the designs of their own helmets.

"Am I stupid?" she asked sarcastically. "He drives so fast. I'm not going anywhere without it."

You laughed at her softly. " I'm just making sure. What about your homework?"

"It's Friday," she pouted.

"Sadie..."

"Uncle Jake said he'd help me study for my math test tomorrow," she relented. "It's the end of the school year. I just want to enjoy this night with Uncle Mav before things get busy. Before playoffs."

You regarded her for a moment, deciding to let it slide. She was right, and if Jake was going to help her, you knew she'd do okay on her test.

"Okay, fine," you agreed. " But go to the bathroom. You don't know how long you'll be on the bike for."

Sadie blew a raspberry at you before climbing off the bar stool and skipping down the hall.

You were washing a wine glass at the sink, your back somewhat facing the front of the bar, when you heard someone ring the barbell. You turned to face the person, reaching for Sadie's helmet as you said, "Sorry, that bell is not for..."

But a shrill gasp replaced the end of your sentence, and a sharp chill shot down your spine. You reflectively took a few steps back at the person standing before you.

Tyler Hillman hardly changed since he walked out on your sister that night.

It was obvious Sadie took after Ridley in almost every aspect. While Sadie had Tyler's blonde hair, she looked nothing like him. Whereas he was all sharp features and a pointed nose, Sadie had inherited the dimples you and Ridley were known for.

His stare still made you uncomfortable - not the same way you felt when some of the newer pilots leered at you while you worked. It was the type that made you feel as if he was looking right through you. He still puffed out his chest and stood in a way that now reminded you of Cyclone. And he had an expectant look, despite not saying a word. Like you should already know exactly what he wanted.

Even the lack of a smile, regardless of if it would have freaked you out, was unnerving.

"Tyler..." you stuttered, failing to keep the fear from your voice. "What are you doing here?'

"Cut the crap, Elizabeth," his tone was short. "I know you aren't exactly pleased to see me."

"And you can't imagine why?" you gritted behind your teeth. Your hand holding Sadie's helmet slowly travelled behind your back while Tyler laughed to himself, remarking, "I believe the last words you ever said to me were, 'If you hurt my sister ever again, I will personally shove your balls down your throat.' And you were still a teenager."

Although you were utterly terrified, taking in the fact that one of your worst nightmares had come true, you managed to spit out, "And I'll still do it, you asshole."

He ignored you. "Let me cut to the chase," he said, smiling at you sinisterly. "You have something that belongs to me. I want it back."

His eyes dropped down to the helmet, and you knew, without a doubt, his sole intention in walking into the bar was to take Sadie.

"As if I'd ever give her over to you."

Tyler tutted, shaking his head. "You know, you're making my job here ten times harder. Wouldn't it be so much better for us both if you just handed her over to me? So, you and that glorified pilot could start your own family."

You drew in a sharp breath at the mention of Jake. It confirmed every thought you ever had about being followed, every stupid fucking encounter you've ever had with that white car playing in your head like a movie. The spoiler should have been a dead giveaway; Tyler beefed up his cars with his parent’s money like a spoiled teenager.

"Though," he added, looking down at his hands before staring back at you. "I wouldn't be surprised if that hasn't happened already, the way you two practically fucked up against that truck on the fairgrounds."

Bile rose in your throat. He saw the two of you at the fair, and you suddenly realized he was probably the person who bumped into you. You tried to hide the quiver in your voice as you admitted quietly, "You were stalking me."

Tyler shrugged. "I like to think of it as a little insurance. Knowing what I have to put up with."

You hated that you were forcing yourself to speak with him, that walking on eggshells with your responses would be better than giving him the reaction you knew he desperately wanted. A reaction you would have no problem giving had you not known better.

But deep down, you were screaming. Screaming for Sadie to stay hidden in the bathroom. Screaming for Pete to hurry up so you wouldn't be alone. For Jake to arrive earlier to come to get you. So, you didn't have to keep distracting him so you could stall for time.

You knew Tyler. He'd stop at nothing to get what he wanted. Because there was no way you weren't getting out of this without some sort of fight.

The words slipped out of your mouth, "You're insane."

Tyler whipped his hand across the bar, knocking a few empty glasses off the surface and sending them crashing to the floor. You flinched, your grasp on Sadie's helmet becoming tighter as he reached out to grab the backs of the farthest bar chairs.

"No, you know what's insane?" he shouted at you. "My father cares more about his political career and reputation than anything else."

This was the Tyler you knew him to be. The rich kid persona, acting out if he didn't get his way.

"Go get the kid, Tyler," he rambled. "We can't have this staining our chances. So, what do I do but remind him he was the one who wanted the no responsibility cause."

Your hand holding Sadie's helmet twitched at him degrading your sister, fighting the urge to throw it at his head.

"So, what does he do but put in the review request," Tyler's knuckles whitened on the chair as he shook his head. "Asshole didn't listen to me when I told him your sister had it locked down, 'ironclad.'"

Those were the exact words the clerk had told you the day Jake picked Sadie up from school. And then the letter flashed in your mind, Tyler's written words reciting themselves in your head.

"You tried to convince her," you said out loud. "Your letter, you wanted her to drop it."

"Oh, find that did you?" he smirked, pleased with himself. "I'll admit, it wasn't the best idea. But at least it got her to meet up with me."

"Meet up with you?!" You said in disbelief. "She'd never put herself in that situation, not what you did to her."

He lazily spun one of the barstools around before picking up a toothpick from the bowl on the bar. He threw the piece of paper it was in onto the ground, working the piece of wood through his fingers. "She was a nuisance, that one. Never did what I asked her to. Ungrateful, really."

Taking the toothpick with his other hand, he brought it up to his mouth, working it around his bottom teeth before biting down. You made a mental note to ask Jake not to use them anymore at the action.

"Despite what you think, she did meet me. Out at a coffee shop before dark, just before a freak storm."

Like a cigarette, Tyler pulled the stick out of his mouth, snapping it in two and tossing the broken pieces onto the top of the bar. "Told me I was the biggest fucking regret of her life, apart from being nothing short of a sperm donor."

You jolted as he tore the chairs backwards. They struck the floor with an intense bang. "Me, of all things, a sperm donor?!"

You caught the clock behind his head, refusing to look at him while he spurred off on everything Ridley said to him during that chat. How she humiliated him. How she listed off all the reasons why she'd never help him, never let Sadie anywhere near him.

Part of you understood why she did it. It was everything she couldn't say to your father, her one regret of taking you and leaving as the both of you did. Time and time again, she told you she wished she could convey just how much he had hurt the two of you, how much he had hurt your mother with his actions, while he lay in some comatose state so he'd be forced to listen to everything, without a chance of getting a word in.

Tyler was that chance.

Fixing your eyes on the smaller hand, you watched as it ticked away, each second a blessing, knowing somebody was just that closer to walking through those doors - even if you felt like a princess who needed rescuing. You prayed Sadie was still in the bathroom, the noise making her lock herself up in a stall.

That was until his following words made you look at him in shock.

"Though I'll admit after that, it was pretty easy leaving her on the side of that road," he remarked nonchalantly. "That tree practically came out of know where."

His words didn't register right away. At first, you thought he was trying to rile you up, mentioning your sister's death to upset and hurt you because you weren't giving in to what he wanted.

But then, the way in which he described leaving her. The way he described the tree. You knew.

It was never the storm that caused Ridley to crash.

You wanted to scream at him for what he'd done, but you stood there silently instead. Your mouth hung slightly open in disbelief as tears filled your eyes and ran down your cheeks.

"You bastard," you gasped.

He looked at you with a sickening smirk, taking pleasure in what he had done without feeling remorse for Ridley's death or your pain, shrugging like it was no big deal.

"That was one problem taken care of. But then I forgot about you. Should have known she'd have you take the kid should anything happen to her."

Tears streamed down your face as you gripped the side of your forearm. It was one thing to think Ridley's death had been an accident. It was another to know it hadn't. And Tyler raised his eyebrows, pleased with your reaction.

"You, I think, will be much easier to deal with."

A small gasp could be heard from the hallway to the bathroom. You saw the shift in his eyes, a quick side glance, indicating he saw Sadie hiding behind the corner. And despite everything you felt, you knew he would stop at nothing to get to her.

"Sadie! Run!" you shouted.

She panickily turned towards the back doors with a sharp gasp, sprinting towards the beach. You stepped forward and swung your arm up, Sadie's helmet still tight in your grasp. But Tyler was quicker, grabbing your wrist forcefully before you could hit him. You cried out as his nails bit into your skin, the helmet hitting the top of the bar, as you tried to pry his grip off your wrist.

Then he yanked you forward, hard. You wheezed as the counter's edge hit your stomach, and you doubled over the bar in pain. Struggling to breathe, you tried to force air into your lungs, a wave of panic surging through you as Tyler reached for the back of your head. Your hand came up in a weak attempt to stop him.

But it wasn't enough. Without warning, he slammed your face down into the surface of the bar.

Everything went black.

Fuzzy.

Mute.

You felt yourself being pushed backwards, falling to the floor like a sack of potatoes, the side of your face hitting something solid on the floor and making you cry out in pain. You instinctively cradled your face, your body curling inwards on itself.

It could have been minutes of you laying on the floor until you felt a hand wrench yours away from your face, dragging you over to the side of the bar. You fought and screamed for him to let you go. Then something cool was placed around your wrist. Tyler said something to you, but you couldn't make it out with the roar of blood rushing through your ears, eyes instinctively shut, whether your mind was protecting you or the pain was too much.

And then he was gone.

And your world went dark.

At first, you could only feel the coolness of the fridge against your arm, the biting edge of something encasing your wrist, a light breeze on your face, and the aches and pain underneath your skin.

Then it came to you, an overwhelming, all-encompassing feeling of panic throughout your body.

Sadie was in danger.

You opened your eyes.

The fucking asshole had handcuffed you to the mini-fridge. You blindly searched for something on top of the counter, random objects and glasses crashing to the floor as you struggled to find something you could use to free yourself.

But it was no use. There was nothing, not even a paper clip to wedge between the springs.

So, you tugged.

And tugged.

And pulled.

Each time more excruciating than the last, some blind hope urging you to believe if you put enough pressure behind your efforts - if you yanked hard enough - the metal would give way. And each scream would bring you one step closer to Sadie, despite your skin already turning blue.

The pain you could endure. Sadie needed you.

You had lost count of how many times you tried to free yourself, how many times the metal cut into your skin, but one attempt became too much. You hollered at the pain, the sharp feeling radiating down the joint of your arm, making you crumble.

There was no way you would get this thing off you.

It was hopeless.

"Liz?!"

Almost hopeless.

"Jake!" you screamed out through your tears. His boots pounded on the hardwood floor, and looking up over the top of the bar from the ground, you saw his head, eyes wild and frantic as he took in the state of the bar.

"Where are you!?" he yelled, stepping around the broken glass and upset chairs.

"Here!" you cried out, too weak to hide the pain or panic from your voice.

Jake sprinted around the bar, the swinging doors whacking either side of the counter as he approached you, trying to avoid the glass. You reached for him with your free hand, gripping his forearm tightly to confirm he was there with you. He kneeled next to you, grabbing the back of your neck, and firmly tilting your head to the side to take in the side of your face.

"Who the fuck did this to you?" he fumed, his face red as he focused on what you knew later to be a black eye. A vein on his forehead was sticking out as his nostrils flared. In any other instance, you would have feared him. But some small part of you knew you were safe.

You didn't answer him directly, instead crying out, "He went after Sadie."

Jake stiffened. "Who? Who has Sadie?"

"Tyler!" you sobbed. "You were right. He was behind everything."

He quickly scanned the inside of the bar for something heavy to free you with as you continued to bawl out, "His father put in the CPS request. He was the car. The one that night when you picked me up. At Sadie's school, at home. He was at the fair."

Jake looked back down at your face, shocked. "Why the hell didn't you tell me?!"

"I thought it was paranoia!" you exclaimed, thumping your head against the cupboard. Then in your bubbling mess, you cried out, "He killed Ridley."

Jake froze before pulling you to him, pressing your foreheads together as he fumed, "That fucker."

He let go of your face to reach up and grab your wrist, turning it to see the damage you had caused in your attempt to free yourself. Something changed in how he worked to free you - as if the news you had just given him were his commanding orders, and like a good soldier, he was following through.

Then the panic settled in your stomach once again. It wasn't you who needed help.

Sadie was in danger.

"Jake, you need to go find her. Please!"

He hooked his fingers between the metal and your skin, attempting to use sheer force and strength to pry the metal away. But you whimpered, crying out in pain as he pulled. You placed your hand on his arm to get him to stop.

"Jake, stop! You can't!"

He let out a frustrated cry, pulling away to place a hand on your neck once again. "I'm not leaving you here like this!"

But you shook your head frantically. "It's her before me. Always, Jake! Please!"

Jake didn't move. He was fighting with himself between trying to find something to free you with or leaving you like this so he could get to Sadie before Tyler did.

"Go!"

The firmness in your voice urged Jake to press a long, hard kiss to your cheek, just below your bruise, his hands holding either side of your jaw tight before he forced himself to leave you. Standing up, he pushed himself out of the bar, taking off in a full sprint out the back door after Tyler.

You were alone again, still chained, still lying amongst the broken glass trapped by the counter walls. You were left to grapple with the understanding your sister didn't die in an accident, that she was murdered, that Tyler ran her off the fucking road and left her to die. And now, he was after Sadie. He might as well have ripped your heart out and thrown it amongst the broken glass.

Sadie deserved so much better than you. And knowing your voice would go unheard, you wailed to the ceiling with the belief you were a complete and utter failure as her guardian.

It was a few minutes before Mav found you. You cried out for him as he called out your name. He peered at you from over the bar, you exclaiming you were handcuffed. He ran to Penny's office, coming back with a pair of heavy shears. As he worked to free you, you told him what happened. Once he released you, he led you to a chair, telling you to stay put before going to the back door.

"Call the police!" he called over his shoulder. "I'm going to go find Hangman."

___

The first time Jake ever got into a fistfight was in seventh grade.

A kid named Carter had made an insensitive joke about Janet, how he needed his sister, a girl no less, to fight his battles for him. Jake had swung without realizing he had. He had acted on instinct. He hadn't thought about the consequences.

And even as he sat in the Principal’s office afterwards, holding an ice bag to his cheek, his Ma sitting next to him as the principal ratted on him, he didn't care. Even when he came home, his brother George stared at him from the front step, shaking his head; he didn't care. Or when his father moved his room to the barn hayloft as a form of punishment, Jake stood his ground.

He had accepted his fate, whatever it would be. It was a small price to pay - nobody would say anything bad about his sister if he had any control over the matter.

But there would be consequences if he failed here. Sadie being taken away from you, him, and the Squad wasn't an option in any regard.

A faint scream in the distance guided Jake in the direction he needed to go, further down the south side to where the beach curved and a pile of rocks cut off the sand. Sprinting along the shore, he saw Sadie had been caught, dragged by her wrist in the sand as she screamed. She was fighting, arms flailing as she repeatedly hit Tyler in some desperate attempt to get him to let her go.

Sadie knew what was happening when she heard the glass breaking in Aunt Penny's bar. She knew what her birth father looked like; her mom had shown her countless pictures, always telling her if she saw this man, she needed to hide or run like hell.

She never questioned her mom on the why. She had heard enough eavesdropping on conversations to know he was an evil man.

When she was caught, she thrashed against him, calling out for anyone to help her. But the beach was empty, and he wasn't listening to her. She dug her heels into the sand, pulling against him and turning her wrist in his hand before she saw her Uncle Jake running towards them. His fist was clenched into a ball, and with each second he got closer, he raised it higher. Catching on to what he was about to do, Sadie dropped to her knees.

"Tyler!" Jake shouted at a full sprint.

The man didn't expect someone to shout his name, even as Sadie repeatedly started punching at his leg. The minute he turned, Jake didn't hesitate, his knuckles hitting the flesh of Tyler's cheek hard. The man crumpled to the ground, clutching his face as he groaned.

Jake slid on one knee across the sand, having lost his balance as he came to a halt. Sadie instantly ran to him, looping her arms around his neck as she cried. He held her tightly, feeling her body shake with her sobs.

But Tyler wasn't finished. There was no way this army nut would stand between him and his trust fund. The sight of Sadie clinging to Jake urged him to stand, anger sharpening his resolve.

Jake stood, pushing Sadie behind him. She tried to make herself as small as possible, gripping the denim of his jeans tightly between her fingers and hiding her face in the back of his leg.

Tyler stepped to the left, Jake to the right. The two men circled each other, Sadie moving with her uncle as they waited for the other to make a move.

"This isn't your fight, Navy Boy!"

Jake cocked his head. "Really? My girl was handcuffed and left broken on the floor. You going after her niece. I'd say this is my fight."

Tyler laughed to himself. "It's not my fault you left her all chained up."

"This can go two ways here, Tyler," Jake explained, reaching around to place a comforting hand on Sadie's shoulder when she whimpered at the mention of you. "Either you back up and run back home to god knows where. Or you take another step, and I'll show you exactly what we do to men who treat women and children like you do back home."

"I'd like to see you try."

Jake's voice was stern as he replied, "Your choice. "

Tyler stared at Jake briefly before nodding at his words, turning sideways as if he was about to leave. But then, in a blink of an eye, Tyler lunged. Sadie gasped, jumping to the side as Jake pushed her out of harm's way. The two men grappled in the sand, Jake trying to gain the upper hand without hitting him, too focused on trying to escape his hold.

Sadie landed on her hands. Sand had been thrown into her face as she tried to dodge a nearby rock. Coughing, she turned onto her back, rubbing her eyes at the grains of sand scattered across her face before opening them to a horrifying sight.

Her Uncle Jake was pinned, Tyler raining blow after blow into his arms, protecting his face as he tried to find a way out from under him. Jake refused to throw another punch in front of Sadie, your voice echoing in his head - the longstanding promise you had vowed never to let her experience any trauma. He wouldn't add more to what he knew would be another one of her nightmares.

Sadie could only watch in horror, her heart pounding in her chest, as her uncle tried to deflect Tyler's blows. She felt helpless and scared. She wanted nothing more than for this to be over, weeping as she stumbled while attempting to stand, looking for a way to help her uncle. He was in this mess because of her… because she got caught.

"Uncle Jake!" she screamed, taking a hesitant step forward. But Jake turned his head in the sand, shouting towards her, "Get out of here, Sadie!"

Tyler landed an uppercut to his jaw, Jake's teeth clamping down hard on his bottom lip with force as his arms lost their stance, giving Tyler the ultimate opportunity to land a devastating blow.

But as he was setting himself up, it left his head exposed. Sadie saw this, realizing she might lose her Uncle Jake if she didn't do something now. Ignoring what he said, she charged forward at a run, imagining she was kicking a soccer ball at one of her games. She swung her leg forward, forcing every ounce of power into her strike for Tyler's head.

But he saw her coming out of the corner of his eye, his hand grabbing her ankle, easily tossing her backwards. Sadie screamed, her arms flying out as she fell back, landing with a sickening crunch. She was too close to the collection of rocks along the end of the beach, and Jake watched her fall as if the world was suddenly in slow motion. The second Sadie fell, she hit the back of her head on a rock.

And she didn't get up.

Tyler paused in his efforts as both watched her body limply roll to the side. "Uh, that would have been easier to deal with."

Jake saw red.

In a momentary burst of adrenaline, fueled only by rage, Jake let his hand fly, no longer bound to hold his punches for fear of Sadie being mentally scarred. Tyler fell, and Jake used the momentum to land blow after blow to his face, never stopping or hesitating for a second.

And like that day in seventh grade, when he landed that first punch when Carter threatened his sister, Jake didn't think.

He had hurt Sadie.

He had hurt you.

He had murdered your sister.

Nothing else mattered.

"Hangman!"

Jake looked up from Tyler's face to see Maverick running down the beach. Unfortunately, the distraction was enough for Tyler to knock Jake back to the ground with a knee to his stomach. Jake collapsed with a groan, and Tyler climbed back on top of him again, hand raised to throw another punch. But Mav was quicker, tackling him off Jake with a heavy push.

Tyler rolled away from the two pilots, spitting blood into the sand. He could not take her now when he had two other people to contend with. There would be fewer opportunities now to get the kid. But a few calls to his father's office could put any 'repercussions' of this little misunderstanding to rest.

He quickly stood, running off down the beach toward his car. Maverick started to go after him before Jake yelled for him to stop.

"Let him go!" he panted out, forcing himself to stand and spitting out, "Sadie's hurt."

When he got to Sadie, Jake reached down to cradle the back of her head, only to be met with warm liquid collecting in the palm of his hand. "Shit, Sadie? Bug, open your eyes for me."

But she didn't. She barely moved despite the slight movement of her chest. Mav slid to the ground beside him, a hand coming out to hold Sadie's cheek.

"Bug, don't do this," Mav called to her, hoping his voice would do something. But when Jake pulled his hand back, Pete rocked back on his heels, horrified at the sight.

"Call an ambulance," Jake commanded, hooking his arm under her legs, tilting her body upright so he could place his hand on the back of her head. "Tell them to meet us in the parking lot of the Hard Deck."

Mav stumbled to stand up before taking off in a sprint down the beach, phone in hand. And as Jake stood, cradling Sadie into his chest, he felt petrified.

"I picked you too, you know," he said through gritted teeth as he carried her back to the Hard Deck, trekking through the sand with effort. "You and your aunt are a package deal. You need to be okay, Sadie. Why give me the chance to be your uncle if you're not here for me to do it?"

The longer Jake walked with no word from Sadie, the quicker he set his pace, carefully keeping her stable and his hand firmly against her head. And as he approached you and Maverick, he pleaded with her one final time.

"Please, Bug. Don't do this. Not because of me."

---

Jimmy found you pacing the back deck, tears streaming down your face as you cradled your bruised wrist to your chest. You had no idea which way they went or what direction Jake had taken off when he left you. All you could think about was Sadie and if he got to her in time.

He was gone, waiting for the police outside. But then you spied Mav, almost running back to the Hard Deck while speaking into his phone. He looked worried as you shot off the step, almost tripping to get to him. And when he hung up his phone, he reached for you.

"Mav, what happened?!" you cried out. "Where is she? Where's Jake?"

Mav gripped your forearms, trying to steady you as you stumbled back and forth on the spot. "Elizabeth, you need to listen to me."

"Mav, where is she?!" you tried again through your tears. "Tell me!"

He reached up to grasp your cheeks, holding you still as he finally managed to answer, "It's Sadie, Elizabeth."

"What?" a quiet plea on your lips.

Pete dropped his hands and opened his mouth to speak again but stopped. Staring at his face, you saw him focus on something behind you, making him swallow hard.

Following his line of sight, you turned. Time froze as your heart thudded painfully in your chest, white pain flooding every single vein in your body as you saw Jake approach you.

Somewhere in your mind, you registered he was hurt, with bruises covering his face, and his bottom lip was split. You should have known he would have made it his mission to get to Sadie in time, no matter the cost. But you wouldn't have noticed anyway.

Sadie was limp in Jake's arms. Your legs finally gave out as you sank your knees into the sand, a heart-wrenching cry tearing its way up your throat as your question of what happened was answered.

The blood matting the back of her head and through Jake's fingers told you all you needed to know. 

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Part 12: Blue Healer Coming Soon

Wickett