#LIKE DOES HE MEAN TOMORROW AUSTON WILL BE CHATTING HIM UP ON THE ICE OR DOES HE MEAN.

[3416]

the 'have they or haven't they' talked saga continues.... auston flat out lying and saying they haven't just for them to ask mitch 15 minutes later and he's ready to lay out when and what they exactly have talked about on multiple occasions.... i can't stand them

[nhlhoser]

On The Rocks - 27

Part 26  Masterlist

NOT EDITED I WARN YOU

 Noah and Mark stop by shortly after Auston leaves- narrowly catching the hockey player in my room.  Noah's appearance is expected but Mark's is definitely a surprise and slightly jarring as he stands awkwardly at the door, waiting for Noah to finish.

 After checking my throat, limonoids and my vitals like he'd done previously.  My temperature and throat still made him frown but this time he doesn't mention the 'H' word but gives me a look and a sign.

"You're stable, to say the least,"

"So, Do you think she is well enough to fly home?" Were Marks first and only words.

   Noahs eyes were instantly wide as he waits for my reaction to flying- aware of my anxieties of flying. Outwardly I maintained my calm but my heart sank and started to pick op in rhythm.  I knew I'd be flying home eventually, it only makes sense as the team flies out tomorrow morning but I guess I wasn't prepared for the reality of it.

"Yes," Noah nodded slowly with a bit of grimace. "but she'll need some high dose anti-nauseant. Probably best administered through an injection as her throat is too sore for any type of pill,"

 Mark went onto explain that I would be flying home late tonight/ really early in the morning after the game, with Lou Lamerlo and Brandon Shannahan. It made sense as my car is still at Billy Bishop - where we flew out from.

 "As the medication will make you sleep for the duration of the flight, you will be unable to drive yourself. Noah, can you arrange a car?- or actually - Amelia, Do you think you can arrange someone to pick you up?"

"Arranging a car is not a problem," Mark interjected but Noah 'shh' him.

"Not the problem, I don't want her to be alone like this," Noah gave me a look.

"I can try," I rasped.

 Noah collected his thing quickly as Mark went over the details for tonight before leaving, Noah giving the usual farewell.

'Call me if you need me'

***

So, here I am now waiting for Ricky to answer his damn phone.

"Hello?"

"Ricky?" My voice is just as or even raspier as it was earlier and it hurt to talk at length so hopefully this won't be long.

"Yeah?" He responded confused.

"It's Amelia, I'm trying to make this quick as my throat is killing me. Do you think you could pick me at Billy Bishop around 4 am?" I loaded the plead in my voice as I wait anxiously for his reply.

"You're really bad aren't you? I guess so. I'm at dads right now but I'll be at my mom's later which is close,"

"Thank you!" I push my vocal chords a little too which hurt my throat. "I owe you," My voice cracking slightly.

"Yeah, host my birthday and we'll call it even," I could hear the smirk in his voice.

"Deal,"

  Ended the call after a little more planning and out goodbye's, promising to text Ricky the details and where to go.

Laying back into the pillows  I feel exhausted all over again. It's almost like the nap never happened. The thought of flying gave me butterflies and not the good ones either but as Noah mentioned, he'd be giving me the good stuff that will knock me out and the flight will probably feel like nothing which is some relief.

   On the brink of falling back asleep for the third time today, there's a loud knock at my door.

Groaning  I force my emotionally and physically drain body from the bed. Practically limping to the door, I could already hear the energetic chatter of what sounds like Mitch bickering with someone.

 Opening the door revealed 2 happy smiles and 1 bored face.

"Hi?" Confused by the visit of the 3 hockey players.

"We were just following him," Mitch pointed his thumb over his shoulder at a slightly pinker Auston. "Are you surprised?" Will chirped.

I blinked at the smartly dressed hockey players, my brain too drained respond.

"I heard Noah and Mark talking about the plans for you to fly out and wanted to know if you needed anything?" Auston slightly rambled yet maintained his cool composure.  

 There are a lot of things I need right now;  to cry is one of them but I can't at this moment.

"Nothing I can think of and since you mention it. I should wish you guys Good luck tonight as I won't be seeing any of you until we're back in Toronto," Too many works- TOO MANY WORDS I clear my throat but my throat still feel likes fire.

  Leaving the players at my door, I practically dive into the fridge for a water bottle to soothe my throat.

 "Are you going to watch or sleep?" Mitch came into the room chirping.

"Sleep," I shrugged off the chirp sitting on the bed, watching the 2 remaining boys enter the room. Auston rolling his eyes at his teammate and William pouts.

"What time are you leaving?" William asked sadly.

"I leave the hotel at 1 am," I pause to clear my throat and sip my water. "The plane leaves 2 am,"

Mitch makes a face as does Will.

"Fine, you can sleep," Mitch whined childishly.

  Both Williams and Mitch's phone go off simultaneously with text notifications stopping the conversation.

"Well, it looks like I gotta go. Kappy is having a meltdown," William sighs and clearly can feel for his teammate. The memory of William staying over at my apartment to escape hockey comes to mind.

So does the little kiss.

 Pushing the memory into the back of my head I grimace.

"Yeah, me too. Marty is having tie issues," Mitch is a lighter tone and another funny face.

"Aw, well I'll see you guys," I got up and gave each a hug.

   Alone with Auston, his face changes from a passive one to a concerned one as he watches me with calculating eyes. Leaning against the door I close my eyes and sigh.

"I can't wait to go home," I mumbled gruffly.

"I bet," He joked approaching me in a couple of his long strides and pulls me into a need hug. Relaxing into his warmth, I rest my head the crook of his neck.

"Wow, you're hot," He pressed a hand through my hair- which seems to become a thing.

"Are I always?" I mutter barely above a whisper but being close to his ear he hears me. He stiffens a little but I'm too tired to care.  A large yawn sneaks up on me and I relax more of my weight on Auston.

Feeling safe.

"Okay, back into bed," Auston guides/carries back to the bed and helps me in. Flipping all the pillows to the cool side because he's a saint and fluffing them a little. I fight the sleep a little, pushing my eyes open.

"Good luck," my eyes closed again.

"Thank you," A soft press of something on my forehead and fingers combing through my hair are the last things I remember before drifting off again.

***

 For the first time this trip, I wake up on my own terms.

No alarm.

No puking.

No trying to be helpful goalies.

  It's dark out now, meaning it much be late. Taking a glance at the clock it reads 7:30 pm. Meaning the game already started.

'I was half joking, Mitch,'

  My stomach grumbled in hunger for once but was still viciously sore and upset. Calling to room service I'm able to order the chicken noodle soup and ginger-mint tea. I'm surprised the lady on the other end could even understand me as my voice is practically gone.

   I groan when the food arrives because I have to leave the bed to answer the door. The waiter rolls in the cart holding my soup and tea, he takes in my sickly face and offers sympathetic smile before leaving just as quick.

 Now standing the need to pee hits hard.

 Catching my reflection as I wash my hands, my face is so pale I look gray,  my cheeks are flushed slightly from the fever but barely, my eyes are dull and tired with dark bags.

      I look like shit.

***

          The soup is barely touched when I roll the cart out of the room the leave it by the door. My tea is still going stilling on the table beside the bed.

          It's the start of the 3rd and so far the boys in blue are winning. I had to stop myself from cheering loudly when Kappy scored but I fisted bumped the air repeatedly in joy.

  It's going great until the Caps tie it up and I again have to stop myself- this time from swearing.

   As the period goes on I can feel my eyes start to droop again.

Setting an alarm for 12 am on my phone, I slip back to sleep.

***

The alarm wakes me at 12 and to my surprise, the game is still on.

Double over-time- halfway through double over-time.

Blinking at the TV there are less than 9 minutes left and it's clear both teams are feeling exhausted. The Leafs go on the rush and the puck is in the back of the net via  Kasperi Fucking Kapanen. His teammates flood the ice, gluing him to the boards in celebration.

 I do cheer a little too hard for my condition but they won! I spring off the bed to do a jig.

THEY WON!

Time seems to fly because the next thing I know its 12:30 am I need to get my things together.

All 1 shopping bag of things.

Folding the clothes properly to fit in the shopping bag, hiding the underwear at the bottom. I grab the things Auston brought in and shove it into my purse along with his charger, that looks like he won't get back until I see him in Toronto.

 ***

 Dressed in my oversized hoodie over Auston shirt, I wait in the lobby as Mark instructed earlier. I type out a couple 'Congratulation' Text messages and sending them off to whatever Leafs in my contacts and snap chat.

   Mark comes into the lobby looking around and spots me before ushering me out of the hotel clearly in a rush as they are running late.

 Noah is in the SUV looking close to sleep.

As soon as I am buckled in, the SUV is off to the airport.

***

Everyone gets out of the SUV but Noah and I as he has to give me the needle of drugs.

"I want you to go see you family doctor tomorrow," Noah left no room for argument before his whipping my bare shoulder with an alcohol wipe and injecting the medicine.

 He hands me a neck pillow and a medical mask will a smile smirk before kicking me out of the car, where Mark is waiting to guide me into the plane and into my seat. The medicine working fast into my system.

 I am out before we even take off.

***

"Amelia?"

"We're back in Toronto," Opening my eyes, I felt sluggish as Noach warned. I nodded at the voice and gather my purse and bag, following everyone off the plane. Someone guides me to where I am being picked up.

 Leaning against the car waiting for me is not my brother but my dad.

Face marred by deep concern and worry. He quickly pushed off the car and gathering me into arms.

"Everything will be okay," He soothed hugging me tightly. Every guard breaks as my dad takes my things and drop them into the back seat. Guiding me into a better hug, tucking my face into his chest- him being 6'5".

I cried as hard as my body could let me.

My anxieties calming.

"Grazie papa," I broke down.

 ***

My dad carries me out of the car, I am in and out of sleep.

 Being placed into my own bed is magic on my body release all tension and relaxes.

"I called Dr. Z and Dr.Lambardi. We'll have everything handled when you wake,"

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