#nhl fanficiton

[misshoneyimhome]

There are no words to describe how I’ve felt about this series 🤍 so I won’t even try.

I just love how you’ve built their relationship through all its ups and downs 💙 The challenges they faced feel so authentic and only serve to strengthen their bond 🤍

That said, I do have one small complaint: how on earth is it fair to Loren that she has to confront William while he’s shirtless? 😱

From Completely Different Worlds - The Sweden Chapter - Part Seven "The End"

Previous parts 1 2 3 4 5 6 7a) In continuation of @misshoneyimhome's birthday celebration, this is the final part of this entire series From Completely Different Worlds. This chapter I believe is the longest one out of them all. I know how I originally wanted this chapter to end - the thing is I could have kept going but I thought perhaps I could do a follow-up summary for this, as I have other blurbs in mind too.

I do fear repeating myself, but I feel endlessly grateful for the notes throughout this storyline. The comments and asks that have come my way have made me laugh, made me beam and some really made me question and explore motives behind thoughts and actions of the characters.

I want to take the opportunity to anyone who even stops just to look at the cover - I wish you all the very best for the remainder of this year - joyous holidays - and the mindset to pursue all of what you dream of in 2025.

Word count on this one - I am truly sorry - I hope this is not arduous to read - approx 13.5k Warnings - Profanity. I can't believe I wrote all of this and there's no smut.

William sat on the edge of his bed, phone in hand, staring at the unanswered messages he’d sent over the past two days. He knew that something was off. Loren always replied, even if just a quick "busy but will call later." But now, nothing.

Hey, just landed. Hope you’re having a good day. Can’t wait to see you soon.

Miss you. Let me know when you’re free.

Everything okay?

Loren?

As the hours stretched on and his unease grew, his texts became shorter, more direct, a mix of concern and frustration. By the second morning with no reply, his messages bordered on frantic.

Loren, talk to me. Please.

Is something wrong? I’m really worried.

Just let me know you’re okay.

Finally, his phone buzzed with a notification. He exhaled sharply, relief flooding him—until he opened the message. It wasn’t a response to any of his questions. Instead, it was a series of screenshots from Loren.

William’s brow furrowed as he scrolled through them. Margot’s name at the top of the thread made his stomach drop. His eyes darted over the words, disbelief quickly giving way to anger. The photos—the interview link—all of it. It felt like a sucker punch.

Before he could begin to type out a response, his phone rang. Loren’s name flashed on the screen. Without hesitation, he answered, his voice filled with concern.

“Loren?”

He could hear his heart in his ears in the silence that followed . Then came her voice—hoarse, croaky, and broken.

“William.”

He knew immediately—she’d been crying.

“Jesus, what’s going on? Talk to me,” he urged, his voice softer now, desperate to understand. “Please.”

The faint sniffle on the other end was like a dagger to his heart. “I—I don’t even know where to start,” she finally managed, her words shaky and congested.

William ran a hand through his hair, frustration simmering through layers of worry. “Start anywhere, Loren. Please just talk to me.”

Her hesitation felt like an eternity before she finally spoke. “I’ve been sitting with this—those messages, those photos—for days, William. They’ve said a lot. Showed me a lot of things I didn’t know about.”

The words hit him like a freight train. Days. She’d been holding onto this while he’d been tied up at the rink with medicals, team meetings, and the whirlwind of preseason media.

“Loren,” he started, his voice thick with emotion. “Please, let me explain.”

Her exhale traveled through the line, heavy with exhaustion and doubt. “I don’t know if I want to hear it. The messages from Margot, the interview responses are one thing, but the pictures... those pictures—they’re pretty self-explanatory.”

William clenched his jaw, his grip tightening around the phone as he paced the room. He forced himself to stay calm when he thought about Margot sending her those messages. “Those pictures - they…they’re not what they look like,” he said, his voice steady but urgent. “I swear, Loren, it’s not how she’s making it seem.”

“That’s a pretty standard response, eh? ‘It’s not what it looks like’.” Her tired voice cracked, the emotion breaking through. “William, I let my guard down because I thought—I believed—this was becoming something real. I get it - you know, I really do. Or I tried to at the beginning - I was ok with being the non-exclusive, noncommittal, go-with- the flow girl. But I allowed you to lead me on with saying you missed me and all the rest of it. William - seeing those pictures, your words in the interview confirming that there’s ‘a lot of women’….what, that you’ve been dating? Spending time with? And then, receiving messages from your side piece, Margot, confirming that there are more side pieces... holy fuck, I’m an absolute fucking idiot.”

“You’re not an idiot,” he said quickly, his voice firm. “Loren - Margot wasn’t my side piece - I told you the truth when you first came to see me in Stockholm. She’s twisting things because she’s bitter and—”

“She’s bitter because you fucked her, William and she wanted more - I get it.” Loren’s tone was low and matter of fact. “You told her there might be a chance for another time. And not just her. She said you’ve got others in the city, ready and waiting for your call*.*” Her voice cracked again, softer this time. “I guess that just makes me part of all of that pussy that’s always so available.”

William’s mind raced back to their candid conversation in the hammock.

William tried to calm his temper - he had been honest about how it worked with women when she asked him, and it felt like she was using that against him now. The silence that followed was deafening. William stopped pacing, his hands started to hurt from gripping the phone as he struggled to find the right words. “You’re not - that’s so unfai - that’s not how I think about you,” he finally said, his voice raw. “You’re not just another girl, Loren. I wouldn’t have asked you to visit me - I brought you into my world—introduced you to my family, my friends—you’ve become - or always have been….so, so important to me. I care for you so much, Loren.”

Her sniffle was faint, but he caught it. “None of this makes any sense to me, William. But I can’t ignore everything that she sent to me. I can’t unsee any of it. And I’m sorry William but usually, where there’s smoke, there’s fire….”

“But Loren - do you think I have been out seeing other women since you’ve been back here? We talked, we’ve been talking everyday almost,” he said, the frustration evident in his tone. “Margot... she’s bitter because I didn’t want anything serious with her. The one time I slept with her, that was before I understood how I felt about you —and then you came to visit and everything changed. I want - I want to be with you,” William finally admitted. “And those other pictures... I’m telling the truth. Yes, they’re hugs, but they’re random people, fans just saying hello—I don’t even remember exactly because it’s just how it has been for so long…a fan - or like an acquaintance comes up and they want a hug. It’s all been twisted around to make it look like something it’s not.”

“But then there’s the reporter, William - your eyes in that interview,” she whispered, her voice trembling. “You looked at that reporter like... she really wowed you. I could feel your attraction towards her. I’ve seen that look - you’ve given me that same look. You could see it, William.“ Loren began to cry once again. “Even if it’s all innocent, this kind of thing will be a constant occurrence. There will be other women claiming the same as Margot. Sending messages. Photos. Fuck William - you smile at some girl and they post it like there’s something between you - it might be delusional and I know it’s totally out of your control but….William,” Loren sighs before continuing, her voice cracking once again. “True or not, I'll be on the receiving end of this. It will be me that has to try and decipher what’s bullshit and what’s not. And that’s not the worst of it. It breeds resentment and bitterness, William. I’ll be the one always left wondering what is true - do you know what that does to a person over time? I’ve already gone through my fair share of deceit at this stage of my life. I don’t want to be mistrusting. I don’t want to feel like one day I’ll just happen to follow your stare into the crowd and wonder if there’s a women that’s caught your attention. I don’t want to feel that way towards you.”

“Loren,” his voice softer now, almost pleading. “Please, give me a chance to prove to you that this isn’t what it looks like. This isn’t what it will be like.”

Her silence felt like an eternity. When she finally spoke, her words were barely above a whisper. “You can’t say that last part with any kind of certainty. You cannot anticipate what lengths other people will go to in order to get your attention.”

It broke William hearing her voice so defeated.

“I don’t know if I can do this, William. I care for you so, so much but I really don’t know if I can handle this part of your life.”

—

For days, Loren’s lifeline was her work. She tethered herself to it, filling every available moment with tutoring sessions, group home shifts, and hours spent editing the language content for her growing online audience. Just like before, she went through the motions of her day-to-day life, wearing a proverbial mask to hide how hollow she felt, and kept to herself as much as possible.

Every once in a while, as she scrolled through social media, photos of William would appear from Leafs preseason events. There he was, smiling with his teammates, laughing, looking completely at ease, as if nothing had changed. He didn’t look broken—not like she felt. Seeing him appear so carefree only deepened the ache inside her, solidifying her belief that William knew exactly how to make things look perfect on the surface while leaving chaos underneath. She closed her phone and wept.

Her parents, Kathy, and even Alice—Simon Benoit’s girlfriend with whom she became fast friends with—had noticed the change in her. Their questions were gentle but persistent. Loren brushed them off, offering unconvincing reassurances. “I’m just busy, that’s all.” They weren’t fooled, but they respected her space.

It was early one morning when it happened.

Loren was running late and had just downed her green drink as she flew out the front entrance of her house and hurriedly locked the door. She rummaged through her tote bag making sure she had everything she needed for the day and slung it over her shoulder with her keys in hand.

The air was cold that morning, visible in the puff of her breath as she exhaled deeply while quickly walking down the steps of her front porch.

That’s when she saw him.

William stepped out of his car near the end of her driveway. His eyes were locked on Loren as she stood on the middle step of her porch. He walked toward her slowly, and there was nothing hiding the weight in his expression. His usual easygoing demeanor was replaced with something heavier, and the faint dark circles under his eyes hinted at restless nights.

Loren froze, her breath hitching. Her keys jangled in her trembling hand.

His voice broke the silence, soft and hesitant. “Hey.”

She swallowed hard, struggling to muster a response. “Hi, William.”

“I know I shouldn’t just show up like this,” he said, taking a cautious step toward her. “But I didn’t know what else to do. You won’t answer my calls, any of my messages—I just… I don’t know how to fix this.”

Her chest ached at his words, but her guard shot up instantly. She tightened her grip on the strap of her tote bag and didn’t move closer. Her voice came out quiet but steady. “I’ve been trying to figure out this absolute shit-show, William. And the truth is... I don’t know.”

“I just need you to let me explain,” he said, his voice cracking slightly. “Please.”

Loren’s throat tightened as she forced herself to meet his gaze. “I’ve spent days trying to make sense of everything. And I’m not asking to hear all the details right now, because I don’t think I can really handle anything else. But please try and understand - there wasn’t just one message. There was a barrage of messages full of information about you that completely bulldozed me. It wasn’t just one photo either - there were multiple photos. Your words in that interview - none of it was rehearsed William. Those words were your words, you confirmed you’ve been dating women - and there’s a lot of them. It was a total landslide of all of this shit hitting me all at once. I’m overwhelmed. I don’t know who to believe…because there’s just so fucking much of it.”

“I do understand how it looks,” William said, his hands outstretched, almost pleading. “But it really is not what you think. I know I keep saying this but it’s Margot—she’s gone out of her way to play this fucking game of twisting lies and making them sound like the truth. She didn’t even translate parts of the interview right - I never said there was a lot of women. I said there were a lot of rumours about my dating life.”

Loren’s voice cracked, but she kept her tone measured. “Even if that’s true, it doesn’t erase how this feels. Do you understand that? It’s the hurt. I’ve tried not to have doubts and I know I have my insecurities - I battle really hard to let go of the negative thoughts that creep into my head. But this whole thing just feels like a punch in the face. At this point, I’m not trying to figure out the why’s or how it happened - all I feel now are the bruises and the pain because of it.”

William raked a hand through his hair, his expression desperate. “Loren, I don’t know what to do if you won’t even let me sit down with you. Talk to you.”

“It’s not that I won’t let you,” she said quietly. “I’m so confused and I need time to let my thoughts settle a little bit. I can barely think straight…I’m just overloaded now.”

Her expression seemed to darken and she knew she might be crossing a line with her next remark. She didn’t even know why it popped into her mind. “But hey - based on the team posts that seem to be everywhere, you look like you’ve managed all of this just fine. I really don’t know that anything actually phases you.”

“That’s not true, Loren. Pictures aren’t always what they seem - someone could look happy because they have to - just to get through the moment, but can never fully know what’s going on behind the smile,” William bit back. His icy words hung in the morning air, each one landing like a heavy weight between them.

Loren looked down, her fingers brushing the edge of her tote bag. “I’m sorry - I shouldn’t have said that.” She kept her head down. “But, I do have to go,” she added, her voice barely above a whisper.

As she moved toward her car, William’s voice broke again. “Wait. Please Loren.”

She paused, her head hung downward as tears threatened, but didn’t turn to face him.

“I’d planned to ask you something before... everything happened,” he said softly. “I had planned to invite you to the home opener.”

A lump formed in Loren’s throat. She swiped at the tears that pricked her eyes and steadied her voice. “I’m already going.”

William’s brow furrowed. “What?”

“The organization gave Gary tickets to make up for him missing the Easter Seals skate,” she explained flatly. “He’s supposed to meet some of the team, afterward I think - or before, I’m not sure.”

“Oh,” William said, nodding slowly, as if trying to process her words. “That’s... that’s good. He’ll love that.”

There was a long pause, the tension between them almost unbearable. William’s gaze remained fixed on her as walked down the steps. “So, I’ll see you there?” he asked, his voice laced with a mix of hope and hesitation. “Maybe we could—”

“I’ll be working,” Loren interrupted gently, her voice remained distant. “I’ll probably see you there, William. But I really have to go now.”

He nodded, watching as she walked toward her car and slid into the driver’s seat. His heart twisted as he stepped back, giving her the space she so clearly needed but wishing he could close the ever-growing gap between them.

As Loren pulled out of the driveway, William stood and watched from the walkway, his breath visible in the chilly air. He’d come here hoping to make progress, to try and explain, to see her. But now, watching her drive away, he felt lost. He hoped he hadn’t made things worse.

—

Loren sat cross-legged on the Benoit’s couch, gently patting little Adelaide Benoit’s back in soothing, rhythmic motions. The baby let out a burp, then another, and Loren cooed softly, relieved as the baby’s fussing finally began to settle. She shifted Adelaide to a more comfortable position, and soon the little one was fast asleep against her chest. Across the room, Alice slumped into the love seat, her damp hair wrapped in a towel. She exhaled deeply, exhaustion still etched across her face despite the reprieve of a hot shower.

The team had left the day before to do their traditional team-building getaway north of the city, and Loren had offered to stay with Alice while Simon was away.

[Speaking in French] “Thank you for this,” Alice murmured, her eyes closed and her voice heavy with gratitude. “I don’t know what you’re doing differently—she’s been fussy with me since Simon left, but she’s an angel with you.”

Loren subtly shook her head. “You’re exhausted, Alice. You needed a break. Besides,” she added playfully, “I’m auditioning for the role of your number one babysitter when you and Simon start doing date nights again.”

“You’re hired. You could just move in with us. Rent out your house, work one job instead of what, three? Four?” Alice stretched out on the cushions, adjusting a pillow to account for the towel still wrapped around her head. “And hey, if you get this mess with Willy sorted, we could even be WAGs together.”

Loren chuckled lightly, though the idea of being a WAG felt about as likely for her as a trip to Mars. One hand cradled Adelaide’s bottom while the other gently stroked her back. “I really don’t know what to believe, or even what the right thing is to do—for me, anyway. It’s getting to the point that it’s not just the Margot stuff anymore, or what he said in that interview, or the way he gazed at that reporter—” Loren rolled her eyes, her voice sharpening with indignation at the word gaze.

She sighed, her eyes dropping to the baby in her arms. “It’s all of it, and then add the fact that he’s turning into this huge celebrity. I mean, he already is, but with that docuseries coming out in a couple of days, it’s going to catapult him into a whole other realm of stardom.”

Alice opened her eyes, studying Loren carefully, but stayed quiet as she let her friend pour her heart out.

“It goes back to how I felt when I first met him,” Loren began. “I mean—it was Willy Nylander, one of the “core four”, a star forward for the Leafs, right? Young, hot, wealthy—and insanely talented. Every time we got together, I assumed it would be the last time, that he’d just move on to the next girl because he could, and why wouldn’t he,” Loren admitted, reflecting on when she and William first met in March.

“But then I got to know him. His personality, his quirks, how caring and funny he is. And suddenly, it wasn’t ‘Willy Nylander, the hockey player.’ He was simply William—I would literally forget “what” he was and I loved spending time with “who” he was,” she said, her expression softening with a small smile.

Her voice dropped, tinged with uncertainty. “But now, with everything—the messages, the past hookups, all of the attention he gets, all of it—I feel like I’m back to being just another girl that he’ll eventually pass over - like, another stop along the way. But all the feelings I have for him? They’re still there.” Her eyes lifted to look at Alice. “Does that even make sense?”

Alice leaned forward, her elbows resting on her knees. “It makes perfect sense, Loren. But listen to me—because you’re overthinking this. You’re not being ‘passed over,’ and you’re not just ‘another stop along the way.’ If that’s all you were to him, he would have passed you over already and he sure wouldn’t have invited you to Sweden. He wouldn’t have brought you to meet his family, his friends, the places he loves. That’s not something someone does for a fling.”

Loren opened her mouth to argue, but Alice held up a hand. “I’m an overtired Mommy now so you have to listen to me. Look Loren - I get it. It’s scary. The guy has options—more than most people will ever dream of having. And yeah, he’s maybe got a reputation, but based on what? Reputations don’t tell the whole story. You said it yourself: when you’re with him, it’s not about ‘Willy Nylander, the hockey player.’ It’s about William. And let me tell you something—my feeling is someone like William doesn’t waste his time on people he doesn’t care about.”

Alice softened her voice. “And about those messages? Of course they rattled you. That’s what they were meant to do and pretty much anyone in your position would feel the same. But if he’s been trying—really trying—to explain and make things right, don’t you think that says something? The question - to me anyway - is whether you can let your guard down enough, just to hear the guy out.”

Alice gave Loren a wry smile, sitting back on the couch. “And for the record? You’re the only person I’ve seen get that guy to light up the way he does when he looks at you. So maybe you should give yourself a little more credit and for the love of God, get out of that head of yours.”

Loren paused for a moment before shaking her head. “Agh - you just had a baby and here I am blathering on about my boy troubles. I hope you know how much I appreciate you,” Loren smiled.

“I appreciate you too, especially if you’d put Adelaide in the bassinette so I can crawl into bed? I’m so tired,” Alice said groggily.

“Of course - I’ll take the dogs out for a walk too.”

After doing some tidying up, Alice and Adelaide were long tucked away for a nap and Loren soon ventured off with the dogs. October weather in Toronto could bring multiple climates together in one week, or in one day, depending. That day, it felt almost like summer was beginning again, and Loren felt her mood lightening as she walked briskly with the dogs towards the large off-leash dog park near the Benoit’s home. The walk also gave Loren time to sit with her thoughts, and with Alice’s remarks about the situation with William. The morning he waited for her outside of her house, their conversation resulted in William relenting and giving Loren her space. The steady flow of messages that he had been sending her prior to that morning ceased. Now, with no communication, an even greater fear of the unknown toyed with her mind.

The hardest part wasn’t about deciding whether to trust William—if he still wanted to even pursue a relationship with her. No decision regarding William came with a guarantee. She couldn’t know if walking away would spare her from future heartache anymore than trying to mend things between them would.

At the park entrance, Loren gently commanded the dogs to wait as they began to pull excitedly toward the gate. Determined to refocus them, she stopped and gave the leashes a light tug. “Wait,” she said firmly. The dogs turned their attention to her, and with a sharp “sit,” they obediently complied. Loren rewarded them with praise and their favorite dried liver treats.

Once inside, she latched the gate behind her, laughing softly as the dogs’ focus shifted from her commands to the excitement of the park. She unclasped their leashes, and they bolted off, running in wide loops to sniff and explore.

Her phone chimed with an incoming call. The screen lit up with “Benny,” Simon’s team nickname.

Loren answered quickly, unsure why Simon would be calling. “[In French] Hi, Simon. Is everything okay?”

“Yeah, everything’s fine,” Simon replied, though his voice carried a note of concern. “I’ve been trying to call Alice, but she’s not answering.”

Loren smiled. “She’s asleep, and so is Adelaide. I took the dogs to the park to give them some exercise and a little extra quiet for their nap.”

“Oh, perfect. Phew. I was getting nervous… but yeah, makes total sense now. Dad nerves are real. Holy shit,” Simon said, laughing now, the tension in his voice easing.

Loren and Simon talked about Alice and the baby, eventually shifting to their plans for Thanksgiving dinner at Loren’s. They quickly agreed on a few menu details before Simon asked to see the dogs. Switching to FaceTime, Loren angled her phone toward the open grassy field. Simon laughed as he watched the dogs zoom around, darting and weaving like kids playing tag.

After a few moments, Simon glanced over his shoulder and back at the screen. “Looks like I’m being waved over. I’d better go. But hey—Loren, thank you so much for everything. I’ve been able to focus and even relax knowing you’re there with my ladies… and manning the zoo.”

“I love your ladies, and your zoo, so I’m happy to help. Go have fun, and message me if you have any other ideas for next Sunday,” Loren said with a smile.

“Will do. Thanks again, Loren. À bientôt,” Simon replied with a grin before ending the call.

As Simon pocketed his phone, Ryan Reaves walked up alongside him. “Talking to Alice? Everything okay at home?” He paused. “Wait—don’t tell me Alice is there with little Cashew and your mini-farm all by herself.”

Simon chuckled at the name “Cashew” that the team voted on for his baby girl, before he and Alice decided on Adelaide. “Actually, Loren’s staying with her. They hit it off when they met and have gotten pretty close. Really thankful she’s there. Alice and the baby are asleep right now, and Loren’s out with the dogs.”

Within earshot, William overheard their conversation. At the mention of Loren, his stomach flipped—an uncomfortable mix of butterflies and a twisting ache. Even here, surrounded by teammates and fans, his thoughts constantly drifted to her and the icy wall between them.

He’d been thinking of her almost non-stop but forced himself to continue giving her time and space. But hearing Simon mention her, he was desperate to hear her voice. Swiping open his phone, he tapped Loren’s contact before he could overthink it.

When she picked up, her voice was slightly breathless. “William—hi! Sorry, just a second.” He heard muffled sounds and the sound of a zipper, followed by her clear commands: “Okay, boys - sit. Good. And break!”

William chuckled softly, his chest warming at the sound of her voice.

“Sorry about that,” Loren said, her heart racing as she refocused on the call. “I’m out with Benny’s dogs right now. They’re a handful.” She laughed lightly. “How are you? How’s Bracebridge?”

Relief washed over him. She sounded more like herself again. “Good. Up here is nice. You know, usual team bonding stuff,” he said, his voice carrying a smile.

“Oh, right… just another day being William Ny-laaan-der,” Loren teased.

He laughed. “So you’re out with Benny’s dogs?”

“Yeah, just helping Alice out for a couple of days. Extra set of hands, that type of thing,” Loren replied, brushing off her helpfulness.

“You should grab Pablo and Banksy for a doggie playdate,” William teased.

Loren’s heart sank at the mention of his dogs. “Well, thanks for bringing them up—it’s not like I was missing them or anything,” she teased, her sarcasm very apparent. “I’ll just lie down here in the dirt and cry,” she said wistfully with a chuckle. She fell quiet for a moment, the weight of her feelings pressing down on her. She did miss them terribly. But the truth was, she missed William even more.

“They’d be happy to see you,” William added gently.

Loren swallowed the lump in her throat, unsure how to respond. “I read - or well, saw that awful fall during the game last week…are you okay?” she asked tentatively.

“Not my finest moment,” he replied with a chuckle. “But I’m okay.”

Silence hung in the air, which was rare for them.

“Oh! I almost forgot, I was going through the millions of pictures and videos from Sweden….I had taken some photos of the boys by the water - I think they turned out pretty well. Can I send them to you?”

Loren’s voice sounded so timid and uncertain, reinforcing how uncomfortable she now felt with him. That realization twisted the dagger already lodged in his heart. He hated how far they’d drifted—how the easy connection they once shared had been replaced by awkward silences and hesitant words.

William squinted his eyes shut for a moment. The fact that she now felt the need to ask for permission to send a simple picture was almost unbearable. “Loren—you can send me anything you want, anytime you want.” The words came out steadier than he felt. If he could slip through the phone and magically appear in front, he wouldn’t hesitate to hold her and let her melt into him. She had admitted once or twice to him that wrapped in his arms was her favourite place to be.

Loren could hear voices and rustling in the background at William’s end and sensed their conversation was winding down. “Sounds like you’re on the move - I’ll let you go, okay?”

As William stepped into one of the conference rooms at the hotel, he hesitated. He wanted more—wanted to see her, to address her concerns, to air out everything that had happened between them. The impatience and longing tormented his mind, but he knew he had to tread carefully. The call had been unplanned, and for the first time in weeks, she didn’t sound withdrawn or despondent. Her voice carried a liveliness and openness he hadn’t heard in far too long.

“Yeah, okay—we’re just starting something here, so—” William paused, trying to steady the flurry of thoughts racing through his mind. “Do you—could I reach out again when I’m back? Oh—and, yeah, the pictures… I’d love to see what you’ve got.”

Loren lightly kicked at the dirt beneath her shoe. “Sounds good, William. And for sure, I’ll send some along. Enjoy the rest of your time, okay?”

Some time after the call ended, as he sat listening to the Event Coordinators, his phone buzzed with a new notification. Loren had sent the first picture. He glanced at it briefly, noncommittally at first, but then he froze and did a double take.

Loren’s description of the photo did not come close to doing it justice. The image of the two dogs sitting side by side on the dock, silhouetted against the wildfire hues of an orange-red sunset, was breathtaking. The lake was utterly still, its surface like flawless glass, reflecting the wild colors of the sky.

William’s throat tightened with a sudden rush of emotion. It wasn’t just the beauty of the picture—it was the way it transported him back to the bliss they had shared in Sweden. He desperately hoped they could find that same happiness again, this time while sharing their lives in Toronto.

—

The days following her conversation with William felt like uncharted territory. Loren sent a few more photos from Sweden, each one met with brief but heartfelt replies from William. Their exchanges were light, almost painfully polite, but beneath the surface, yet one could sense a mutual longing that neither could bring themselves to fully express.

Though the sting of the Margot situation had begun to fade, it was gradually replaced by a deeper ache—one that came from missing William in ways she almost did not want to admit, even to herself. She missed their conversations most of all, the easy way they used to connect, and the warmth he brought to her life. But no matter how much she longed to see him, she couldn’t ignore the weight of the conversations that still needed to be had - conversations about Margot, their future, and everything in between.

With William busy with practices and going on the road—first in Detroit, then Montreal, and finally New Jersey—their chances of being in the same place at the same time were nonexistent. The physical and emotional distance between them gnawed at her, and only exasperated how she was already feeling.

Loren, however, had more than enough on her plate to keep her busy and her mind occupied. A handful of new students, classmates of her existing clients, had reached out requesting help with literacy and speech practice in French. The influx of tutoring sessions provided enough of a financial boost that she could scale back to more sustainable hours at the group home.

Meanwhile, her online audience continued to grow as her digital language content gained traction. Her marketing manager was thrilled with her output and began brainstorming new opportunities for Loren to be involved in, some of which even included potential travel. As her schedule filled and her prospects expanded, Loren couldn’t help but feel good about the path she was carving for herself.

One afternoon as her last student left, Loren let out a deep sigh, finally allowing herself to relax. She decided to keep things simple for the night—cooking wasn’t in the cards, so she threw together a platter of fruit, vegetables, and snacks.

With her plate balanced on her lap, she poured herself a glass of red wine and sank into the couch. The first sip brought a flush to her cheeks, the warmth of it displayed by blotches on her neck. Scrolling through streaming options, she couldn’t settle on anything, her mind wandering as the quiet of the evening began.

Her phone began to vibrate and dance on the end table beside her. Glancing at the screen, her cheeks went from flushed to white hot when she saw William’s name on the screen.

Hesitantly, she picked up the phone and tapped on the green icon. She answered with a soft and friendly “Hi.”

William’s voice was low and gentle, the same one that always had an effect on her. “Hey - um, just wanted to call and see what you’re up to?”

Loren smiled . “Oh, well - hmmm,” she paused as she shifted her body to a more comfortable position. “I wish I could come up with some fantastic answer but I unplugged my brain about an hour ago. So, really, nothing interesting…looking for something to watch, right now.” She tried to sound blasé, but the smile in her voice gave her away. “What about you?”

“Some Leaf fan you are—you’re not following the schedule?” he teased. “We’re playing tonight. First game of the season. Against Montreal.”

Loren’s cheeks flushed deeper, this time in embarrassment. “Ah, shit…I completely forgot. Thanks for the guilt trip. Arrête de m’énerver, William,” she added with mock drama in French.

His trademark laugh sounded through the phone. “See - yeah, I was thinking you could remind me of some of the French things you told me in Paris so I could shout them at Cole Caufield during the game.”

The wine combined Loren’s adrenaline fueled her banter. “William, I think the French things I said to you in Paris would be wildly inappropriate to shout at Cole during a game.”

William’s laugh turned staccato, that contagious sound that always made her giggle too.

“However,” she continued, her tone faux-serious, “Va chier basically means ‘Screw you.’ Honestly though, I really don’t know how much French Cole understands anyway, so I think you just need to give up this idea altogether, William.”

"You could still remind me of those other words,” William replied, borderline flirtatious. “Inappropriate or not, it might throw him off his game.”

Loren paused, grinning. “I guess if anyone could pull it off, it’s you.”

The two continued to chat, the flow of their conversation sounding more at ease.

Before ending the call, William asked again if Loren still planned to be at the game that coming Saturday. She confirmed she would be.

As William lay stretched out on the bed in the hotel in Montreal, he felt the tension lifting more and more between them. If he could just keep inching the momentum forward, he felt confident they could get back on track.

The past month had humbled him in ways he didn’t expect. When the pictures and messages from Margot first reached Loren, she could have lashed out—screamed at him, hurled threats or insults, or done any number of things to exact revenge. Instead, even in her pain, she had handled it with a kind of control that still amazed him.

It wasn’t something he’d recognized immediately, but his parents had pointed it out after learning what had happened. His mother had been especially vocal, emphasizing how rare it was for someone to respond with restraint instead of anger—to simply articulate her hurt feelings in the face of what felt like a violation of trust.

The more William thought about it, the more it reflected who Loren truly was—steady, thoughtful, and kind, even in moments of turmoil. She hadn’t shut him out as a malicious attempt to make him twist in the wind. She had needed space and time because he realized what they had developed was too important not to press pause.

In the quiet moments between games, William considered how he might have reacted if the roles were reversed. If someone had sent him photos and messages implying Loren had been making a fool of him —whether about an ex, a fling, or anything in between—he would have shut down. His walls would have gone up immediately, trust shattered, and he wasn’t sure what lengths Loren would have had to go to earn it back — if he even allowed her to. It wasn’t a side of himself he was proud of, but it was one he couldn’t deny existed.

At the end of the day, he missed her. Her absence from his life this time hit especially hard. He had no idea if any of their future conversations that they would certainly need to have would fix any of this.

At the end of the day, he missed her. Her absence hit him harder this time, and the knowledge that she might not remain in his life left a knot in his stomach. He had no idea if the conversations they still needed to have would fix things.

For now, he pushed those worries aside. Years of sports psychology had taught him to quiet his mind before a game, especially when personal issues arise. But before he did, he allowed himself one more glance at a photo he’d taken of Loren in Monaco—her long hair flowing, a flower tucked behind her ear, her eyes fixed on his full of affection and desire. It was one of his favorites.

—

Michael Nylander sat on the couch in their Stockholm home, the glow of his laptop screen reflected off his face as he watched the first game of the new NHL season, with the Leafs playing the Canadiens in Montreal. He gently blew the steam from his mug of tea, his eyes remained fixed on William, who almost got a tip-in goal on a power play.

Michael audibly sighed as the puck traveled down the length of the ice after William’s attempt.

[In Swedish] “How is the game so far?” Camilla asked as she padded across the room, her hair slightly tousled and her eyes heavy.

Michael patted the spot next to him on the couch, and soon Camilla’s head rested on a pillow in his lap. “Was the volume too loud - did I wake you?” he asked.

Camilla shook her head and smiled, reaching for the blanket that was folded neatly on the back of the couch. She covered herself followed by Michael lovingly stretching the blanket over her body.

“It’s only just begun - Leafs just finished a power play. William had a good chance, the team looks pretty good so far,” Michael replied softly. He strokes Camilla’s arm as the resume watching the game in comfortable silence.

“I couldn’t sleep. I was thinking about Loren and William,” Camilla wearily admitted.

Michael nodded. “It’s certainly a mess. I can’t get my head wrapped around what would possess Margot to go after Loren like that?”

Camilla shifted under the blanket. “I never asked but I think something happened with her and William during our family vacation.”

Michael was silent for a moment. Taking a sip of his tea, his eyes remained fixed on the laptop screen. “So, it’s jealousy. I think I can see it coming together now,” he sighed.

Camilla continued. “I’ve seen everything Margot sent to Loren. It was upsetting enough for me to read the way that information was positioned to Loren. There was a nastiness to her messages, almost like Margot was trying to befriend Loren by ripping apart William,” she explained. “I don’t know if Margot really understands the magnitude of what she has done. I know maybe William doesn’t help by getting into these situations to begin with, but all of that damage done to Loren—”, Camilla stopped speaking as Montreal just scored the first goal. She adjusted herself to nestle into Michael’s side. “I just wonder if I should reach out to Loren. William’s got the start of the season going on - and it’s already been a month….” Camilla’s voice trailed off. “I could help her understand what the truth is. That’s what William has said, that Loren’s so confused - she doesn’t know what to believe, and rightfully so. She hasn’t shut the door on anything and Michael - William adores her - I hate to think that they’re both in misery when they don’t have to be.”

Michael nodded. “You are so wise and kind, my wife - and I don’t think it could hurt to talk to Loren.”

She paused to watch the game for another minute before she stood up, tied her hair in a pony tail, grabbed another laptop and walked toward the study.

“You’re doing it now?” Michael called after Camilla.

All he heard his wife says is “No use wasting time getting this fixed.”

—

Loren had long passed out on the couch after her conversation with William and her one glass of wine. She forgot where she was momentarily when she awoke to her phone pinging and vibrating on the end table next to her. She rubbed her eyes and grabbed her glasses to first look at the time and then the text notifications. Her heart raced furiously when she saw the text was from Camilla.

The message was kind and apologetic, asking if Loren could join a video call. She was completely bewildered by Camilla’s request - but mostly because it was in the early morning hours in Stockholm. Her stomach was in knots thinking about all of the possibilities of the purpose for her call. Loren messaged her back right away and opened her laptop, connecting to the call shortly thereafter.

Loren greeted Camilla with a wide smile, although all of her emotions are just under the surface.

“It’s so nice to see your face, Camilla. How are you? Are you up watching William’s game?” Loren asked.

“I’m doing well, my darling. Yes, Michael is watching- I had seen enough when Montreal scored,” Camilla admitted with a chuckle. “I hope I didn’t take you away from anything?”

Loren’s tone was sheepish. “I actually fell asleep on the couch,” she admitted with a grin. “I’m just exhausted lately.” Loren immediately regretted say she was exhausted - it felt like a hint to her goings on with William.

Camilla lowered her gaze for a moment before her blue eyes found Loren’s once again. She smiled warmly at Loren but her furrowed brows showed immense concern. “Loren, I know this might not be my place but I wanted to call, first to ask how you are and second, to tell you how sorry I am about everything you and William are going through.”

Loren’s throat felt tight, wrought with emotion. She could feel her face begin to twist as she tried to hold back her tears. “I’m - I’m doing okay, Camilla. I really appreciate you calling,” Loren said, her voice wavering.

Camilla continued carefully. “I would not normally interfere - I want my children to sort out their own business. But, I have to tell you I have not been able to think about much else since I heard about the messages Margot had sent you. I can’t even imagine how you’ve been feeling.”

Loren’s throat began to ache from being constricted with trying to suppress her emotions. “It’s been tough - it’s just such an odd - no…I guess upsetting and confusing situation.”

“It absolutely is,” Camilla agreed. She gave Loren a comforting smile through the screen. “Loren, Michael and I think so highly of you. When you were here, and we saw the two of you together, we could feel how much you care for one another. I don’t know if William told you this but he and I spoke at length while you and his dad made lunch that day before you left. He wanted you to stay so you both could return to Toronto together. The way he looked, the way he expressed himself Loren - I honestly don’t know if he’s ever felt this strongly about someone before,” Camilla added.

With this admission, the flood gates opened with Loren. She could not hold it back any longer as she ripped away her glasses and covered her face with her hands, tears streamed through her fingers. Camilla’s heart aches watching as Loren’s body began to tremble from the force of her sobs.

“Oh, Loren.” Camilla’s voice is tender as she speaks soothingly through the speakers. “Let it out. It’s okay, just let it all out.”

Loren continued to weep, apologizing to Camilla for letting her emotions get the better of her.

“Please don’t apologize for being upset. Loren, you have every right to feel the way you do. I’m just glad I can be here for you,” Camilla comforted.

After some time, Loren’s tears began to subside, and she began to speak. “I’m just - it’s such an awful feeling. I mean - at first, all I could think about were Margot’s messages - the amount of distrust that I allowed her to plant in my mind about William. But then, and I hate saying this to you - but they’ve earned the reputation of being players in every capacity so I just feel like I’m blindly tripping along here not knowing what to think,” Loren said, her voice still full of anguish.

“I can understand that,” Camilla began thoughtfully. “But I’ll tell you something—when it comes to my boys, I’ve always worried about how easy it’s been for them to attract girls. They never had to try; the girls just flocked to them, like moths to a flame. It always concerned me—what if they didn’t know, or worse, didn’t care, if someone truly special crossed their path? Would they even recognize it? And if they did, would they know how to treat her—or would they simply expect her to always be there for them, without ever giving back?”

Camilla paused, her voice softening as she smiled at Loren. “But while you were here, I saw something different in William. Yes, his family will always be everything to him, followed closely by his friends—but you, Loren…” She leaned closer, her voice sincere. “I feel he’s created a very special place for you in his life.”

Loren remained silent, her expression still clouded with sadness as she considered what Camilla had explained. More and more, Loren felt the distrust toward William fading. What she felt added up perfectly in September with all of Margot’s “evidence”, now it made less sense than ever before.

The two women sat in silence for a moment before Loren spoke. “I have been able to work past what Margot said in her messages and while the other things she said bothered me, I can explain most of it away. It’s just the pictures now that I keep coming back to, but even those…he said they were just random people saying “hi”….they weren’t what Margot made them out to be at all,” Loren expressed, still riddled with confusion.

Camilla’s expression turned to regret. “I know, Loren - I understand your need to protect yourself and it’s hard when there just seems to be so much information that leans on way. I was not there myself to say one thing or the other. But, if I may, Loren, I just cannot see William doing that to you - not after seeing how the two of you are around each other.”

Loren swiped away the fresh tears that ran down her cheeks and put her glasses back on, smiling at Camilla now that she could see her more clearly.

“Loren, älskling, being with someone like William isn’t easy. I can only speak from the experience of being a wife of a professional player, and the mother of two more. There are things I have seen and heard that I would have preferred not to. There are hurt feelings and moments of frustration. For William, I can absolutely understand why you have reservations about his life and how it will affect you in your relationship with - hmmm, so much “interest” in him. There are so many challenges, even with the greatest and strongest of loves, but there are also choices. Every day, you’ll have to decide if the love you share is worth those challenges. And he’ll have to make that choice too,” Camilla concluded, followed by a warm smile.

Loren nodded her head. She took a deep breath and looked back at Camilla through the screen. “We’ve been talking a little, William and I,” Loren said quietly.

Camilla’s eyes brightened with Loren’s admission, her smile widening. “That’s wonderful, älskling,” she said softly, her voice full of encouragement.

Loren swiped away some dust from her keyboard, almost lost in thought. “Maybe we’ll get a chance to talk once the home opener is over,” she smiled.

Loren tried to sound optimistic but she could not begin to guess how this all might turn out.

—

The second Saturday in October was circled on calendars across Toronto and beyond, a date that marked months of anticipation after the Leafs shortened playoff run. For Maple Leafs fans, it wasn’t just a game—it was the event, the beginning of a new season brimming with hope. Across the country, hockey reclaimed its spotlight, and Scotiabank Arena stood as a glowing beacon, welcoming the return of one of the league’s storied Original Six franchises.

Kathy stepped out of the elevator from the parking garage, holding the door as Loren guided Gary’s wheelchair toward the large glass doors of the office tower bordering the square in front of the arena. Though they were still 45 minutes early before the gates even opened, the blue of their home jerseys quickly blended into the growing sea of fans. The city’s sights and sounds converged around them as Loren and Kathy maneuvered Gary through the bustling crowd. Fans milled about, snapping pictures and chatting animatedly about the new season, the coaching staff, and the newly minted captain, Auston Matthews.

Locating Gate 1, the three queued in line, with Gary completely mesmerized by the massive murals of current players displayed above the doorways. Being among the first to arrive, a Security Officer approached, offering guidance on what to do once the doors opened. When Kathy mentioned they were meeting with Fan Services, the officer nodded, spoke into his radio, and quickly disappeared, leaving them to wait amidst the growing line of fans.

Passing through security, they were greeted by Eriika from Fan Services, a wide smile on her face as she introduced herself. After a few pleasantries, she guided them on a quick tour, pointing out the key spots designed for accessibility, including the section where Gary could get a perfect view of the Leafs during warmups at ice level. Finally, Eriika led them to their seats, ensuring they were settled comfortably before leaving with a friendly reminder to flag their usher if they needed anything.

For once, Gary was completely speechless. He slowly scanned the area, looking from the banners of retired players to the banners of their championship wins. Loren could not have been more thrilled for Gary. His life were the Maple Leafs. If anyone bled blue, it was him. He never bad mouthed the team, his support was rock solid. To see him gaze with such an air of both disbelief and awe, made her heart swell.

Eriika had arranged for a wheelchair escort, Josh, to assist Loren and Kathy with navigating the different levels and accessible entryways. He guided them through the maze of hallways and ramps until they emerged at ice level, the freshly cleaned sheet of ice, with the Maple Leaf emblem in the centre, illuminated by the low lights of purple and blue. Gary’s face remained in awe as he absorbed his beloved team’s arena.

Josh leaned down toward Gary. “Let’s see this sign you’ve got,” he said with a grin. Gary proudly held it up, revealing a poster with a large arrow pointing downward and the caption, “Hey Boys! Look all the way down here. Next Leafs Power Forward ON WHEELS - pass me the puck!”

Josh’s grin stretched from ear to ear, his laughter echoing above the hum of the arena. “Man, this is gold,” he laughed, giving Gary a fist bump. “This should definitely get some attention—just be ready….those pucks can come flying over the glass pretty quickly,” Josh light-heartedly warned, saying it more to Loren than Gary.

“That’s why I bring her,” Gary said, jerking his thumb toward Loren. “It’s her job to protect me—she gets paid for it, so she can take the puck to the head, not me.”

Josh laughed at Gary’s apparent heckling of Loren, who just shook her head and rolled her eyes at Josh. “Gee, thanks Gare. You really are such a charmer.”

Gary waved off Loren’s remark with a smile and placed the sign carefully on his lap as they waited.

Soon Kathy joined them at the glass, and they took turns taking pictures of their group with the arena as the backdrop.

Through her smile however, Loren couldn’t shake the nervous energy building inside of her. Her stomach churned—not just for the sheer excitement of waiting to see Gary’s reaction to warmups but also because she knew William was close by, getting dressed and preparing to hit the ice.

The thought of seeing him again made her heart race. She had not seen him since their bittersweet moment at Arlanda airport, when he placed soft, lingering kisses on her mouth before she stepped out of the vehicle. Beyond that, she and William hadn’t spoken since their brief conversation before the season opener. As much as she felt that the conversation was light with hints of amusement, it was still far from their usual easy chats. They were both far too aware of the things that still needed to be said.

During the drive into Toronto, Loren had filled Kathy in on the latest development with William - her call with Camilla. She explained how Camilla had calmed so many of the worries that still plagued Loren’s mind. The fact that Camilla didn’t “choose sides” - she acknowledged Loren’s feelings and gave her gentle guidance, with the understanding of what it might feel like to navigate William’s whirlwind life. It was as though Camilla was reassuring Loren, in her own way, that with her strength and the kind of person she is, that she’ll be more than okay no matter what she decides.

The sudden image of the exit from the Leafs dressing room appeared on the jumbotron screen, couple with the announcer’s voice, was met with the rumble of growing cheers from the crowd. Loren looked at Kathy and inhaled, while Kathy shot Loren a knowing smile while mimicking the Lamaze breathing technique for some much needed humour to ease the tension.

As they showed the players being lead out by the newest Leafs goaltender, Anthony Stolarz, Kathy and Loren positioned themselves on either side of Gary, holding up the sign for him and trying to make it as noticeable as possible. At this stage, all Loren really hoped for is that someone saw Gary’s sign, and would give him something tangible as a memory for that evening.

Loren fished out her glasses and slid them on - if a puck did come flying over the glass, at least she’d have a better chance of seeing it with her glasses on.

Bright white lights suddenly lit up the entire arena as Stolarz and the first handful of players stepped onto the ice, their blades audibly slicing through the surface as they skated their practice laps.

One by one, the Leaf players in their blue home jerseys emerged from the tunnel. Loren could not figure out where to look first as the players whipped by the glass with the sound of pucks ricocheting off the boards.

She finally saw the unmistakable jersey number 88 through the sea of jerseys that flew by her line of sight. Seeing him in person again sent a jolt through her entire body and her head started to pound with the sudden rush of adrenaline. Unaware that Loren had already spotted him, Kathy discreetly nudged her arm and nodded toward William, who was still on the opposite side of the ice, practicing some of his stick handling moves.

William had only been out on the ice for a couple of minutes, but he swore he glanced up and down the faces at the glass about a hundred times, with no luck in seeing Loren. He went about his routines - skating low and fast while making tight turns with the puck never leaving the tape on his stick. After a few turns, he shot the puck at the empty net which naturally went in.

He skated toward the blueline, sending a few pucks in different directions before turning back around. A sign caught his attention which had an arrow pointing downward - the sign seemed to dance along the glass until it was shifted to the side and revealed a man, barely visible at the glass, sitting in a wheelchair with a woman standing behind him.

He hadn’t recognized her right away with her glasses on, but the second he had, his heart swelled - the mixed feeling of relief, happiness and nervousness coursed through his body. She looked even more beautiful than ever - her locks swept up into a pony tail, her skin still miraculously golden despite autumn being in full swing.

When Loren spotted him gliding toward their spot at the glass, the pounding in her head gave way to a twisting knot in her stomach. Her eyes followed him as he read Gary’s sign, a smile tugging at his lips before he interacted briefly with a couple of players leaning against the boards.

Loren shifted nervously behind Gary’s chair, her fingers gripping its handles tightly. She prayed she looked poised and composed on the outside, even though her insides were anything but.

William’s gaze locked on hers, his lips curving into a subtle smile. He motioned for her to catch the puck he was about to flip over the glass. Loren’s eyes darted upward to the tall glass panels that separated them, and then back to him with a panicked expression that made him grin. The background music and chatter from the crowd drowned out his laughter as she exaggeratedly mouthed, “It’ll probably hit me in the mouth,” punctuating it with a wry roll of her eyes.

Still grinning, William motioned for her to head toward the camera hole in the glass. Loren hesitated for only a moment before moving toward it, the surrounding kids pressing closer to see what was happening.

Sliding off his glove, William scooped up a puck and reached through the opening. Loren stepped closer, her hand brushing against his as she took the puck. Her gaze lifted, and as she smiled softly to say thank you, his fingers lingered, gently wrapping around hers for a brief moment. Had it not been for the handful of children that converged around them, their shared moment might not have ended so quickly.

Loren made her way back towards Gary. She turned to see William using the blade of his stick to balance and vault pucks over the glass to the awaiting fans that had gathered. She handed Gary the puck she had been given, and glanced back towards William who needed to get on with his warmup. Before skating away, he looked at Loren and motioned for her to show him the back of her jersey. It was same the Auston Matthews jersey she was sporting the first time they met. Mocking his disapproval and exaggerating his disappointment, William gave Loren a confident grin as some fans cheered at his antics before he skated away.

A spectator hollered from his seat nearby “He may have asked you out if you had the right jersey on!” the man laughed.

Oh, the irony of that comment Loren thought.

—

Josh had guided Loren and Gary back to their section and their seats, and the two silently watched the video segments on the overhead screen as the clock wound down for the start of the introductions. A wide smile spread across Gary’s face as the lights dimmed, and the familiar voice of Mike Ross echoed through the arena. Loren couldn’t help but smile as she watched Gary’s reaction between each introduction -from the staff, the coaching team, and then the players—each called out in ascending numerical order.

Loren found herself gripping the armrest of her seat, her knuckles whitening as she counted down the moments. She hadn’t consciously realized her reaction until her heart gave an unexpected jolt when she heard the unmistakable, deliberate style of Mike Ross’s voice announcing, “From Stockholm, Sweden, number 88—William KNEEEE-LAAAAN-DER!”

The eruption of cheers was exhilarating. Loren instinctively whooped and hollered as she applauded, her smile stretching wide as her heart swelled with pride. She couldn’t stop herself from beaming at the sight of him stepping onto the ice, his easy smile flashed across the jumbotron as he skated to his place along the blueline next to Ryan Reaves.

In that moment, everything about William came into sharp focus. He wasn’t just the hockey star with unwavering self-assuredness or the man who was often a breath of fresh air to her. He was both. He was William—one of the most exciting players to watch on skates and the man who made her laugh until her cheeks hurt. She finally saw both parts of him converge in front of her eyes and her realization that she could be in awe of both versions simultaneously. This realization was coupled with knowing she missed him more than ever.

It was not long before the arena fell silent for the national anthems, and William stood in his usual spot at the bench and faced the flags as he had done countless times before. The camera swept across the team, lingering briefly on him. He was aware of it, the way players always were, but he didn’t adjust his expression. Instead, his eyes scanned the crowd, focusing on the accessible seating sections until he spotted her.

There she was, standing beside Gary’s chair, her hand resting lightly on the handlebars of his backrest. His grip tightened slightly on the shaft of his stick, the curved blade supporting his chin as he leaned against it. He stood still, watching her sing—or at least mouth the words—her glasses perched on top of her head where she would always unconsciously put them.

Seeing her through the glass partition during warmups had pushed his longing for her to the limit. The words about a thousand women versus one woman had played on his mind since she first said them. Now, amongst the faces of thousands of women, hers was the only one that he cared about seeing. He just hoped he could steal five minutes of her time after the game to tell her that.

But first, they had their home opener to win.

The game progressed quickly, with the Leafs improving as each period unfolded. Early in the second, William scored his first goal of the regular season, a perfectly executed play set up by Max Domi. His reaction was priceless—grinning widely, he pointed toward Max as if to give full credit to his teammate. Skating past the bench for the customary fist bumps, the thought of Loren in the stands, undoubtedly cheering along with the rest of the fans, gave him an extra spark of pride.

In the final minute of the third period, with the Penguins’ goalie pulled, William secured an empty-net goal, sealing the Leafs’ 4-2 victory. This time, as his teammates surrounded him, he caught a glimpse of Loren on her feet, clapping enthusiastically. The sight gave him a flicker of reassurance that maybe, just maybe, the night wasn’t over yet.

As the final seconds wound down and the team left the ice, Kathy approached Loren and Gary’s section. She bumped into Eriika, who had arrived to escort them down to the dressing room.

Eriika led the way through a maze of back hallways, the cheers of celebrating fans still echoing from the concourse above. Loren followed quietly, pushing Gary’s wheelchair while Kathy walked alongside them. The muted hum of the arena gave way to the buzz of media activity as they neared their destination. Off to the side of the dressing room entrance, Loren could already hear Mitch Marner’s familiar voice carrying through his post-game media scrum.

Eriika waved the three through, mentioning as they entered, “A few players, including Morgan, have something special for you, Gary—a signed jersey. They’ll be by shortly.”

The dressing room buzzed with post-game energy, the players scattered between chatting, packing their gear, or doing media interviews. Max Domi was the first to spot Gary and Loren, his face lighting up as he strode over, still partially in his gear.

“Hey, buddy! Great to see you again—and you brought the ‘ole ball and chain, I see,” Max teased, throwing Loren a playful wink.

Gary didn’t miss a beat. “I’m not allowed to call her that anymore,” he deadpanned in a slow drawl, looking up at Max. “She said she’d roll me off a cliff if I said it again.”

In the next room, William could faintly hear the conversation and laughter as he waited for his media availability. He was in a good mood from the win, but his focus was split. All he wanted was to get this part of the night over with and find Loren as soon as he could.

Standing shirtless, his hair slicked back under a backwards ball cap, William showed his typical casual demeanor as he answered questions about what he saw on Max’s play. But thirty seconds in, there was a slight pause in the reporters’ questions which seemingly gave him an opportunity to exit the scrum.

“All good? Thanks, guys,” William said, pushing himself off the wall, and started to walk away with a cheeky grin. The reporters paused for another second until one began asking another question, keeping William from escaping, eliciting some chuckles in the crowd. William was good-natured about the continuation of questions, and laughed at his attempt to make a run for it and getting caught in the act.

After fielding the remainder of questions, most of which could be considered obvious, William tossed a quick “Thanks” over his shoulder and left the reporters while giving the next player up, Anthony Stolarz, a friendly grin as the media readied themselves for the next round of questions.

William slipped back into the dressing room, immediately scanning the room until he spotted Loren standing next to Simon Benoit and the two Max’s, Domi and Pacioretty. He watched as she laughed at Simon explaining the story behind the team vote to name his little baby daughter “Cashew” before he and Alice settled on Adelaide for her name. “All because I call Alice peanut,” Simon chuckled, while Loren laughed and shook her head.

William’s heart raced as he approached the group, his eyes fixed on Loren. She did not notice him right away, her attention still on Simon who was explaining his excitement for the next day’s Thanksgiving dinner with Loren.

When her sights finally landed on him, everything around her seemed to slow. Her lips fell slightly open as her eyes first fell upon his bare chest, and then the rest of him. The second her eyes finally locked on his face, it was like a bolt of lightening traveled through her body.

Loren was so overwhelmed by the sight of him, she constantly averted her eyes in order to not simply melt into a puddle.

William appeared relaxed as he greeted Loren with a quiet “Hi” and a hug. In that one moment, his body felt starved for her.

“Can I borrow you for a sec?” William asked Loren, the tone of his voice serious.

With an air of uncertainty, Loren nodded. They excused themselves from the group, and he was soon leading her down a small corridor.

“Shit - sorry William, just two seconds - let me just let Kathy know, okay?” Loren said quietly as she turned back towards the main dressing room. William followed, realizing in that moment that he had yet to say his hellos to Gary.

Kathy sat with Jake McCabe and Morgan Rielly in Morgan’s stall, with Gary by their side and his newly signed “Rielly” jersey. Kathy was deep into explaining the sordid details of Gary’s early life experiences.

Loren approached Gary’s chair from behind and she rested her hands on his shoulders. Gary looked up at her as though he had found heaven on earth sitting in the dressing room. She patted his shoulders and apologized for interrupting.

William lowered himself to Gary’s line of sight. “Hey Gary - it’s great to see you again - how’ve you been man?”

Gary’s eyes lit up. He struggled at first with his words but Loren’s reassuring hands on his shoulders grounded him as he spoke. “Been real good. I think you’re gonna have a good year, Willy.” He slowly began to hand William the jersey in his lap. “Will you sign this for me?”

Kathy smiled at William and handed him a marker. Her eyes briefly connected with Loren’s as if to say “Go and get this sorted out with him now.”

William scribbled his signature on the shoulder of the jersey, and handed it back to Gary. He could see Gary’s eyelids started to droop from exhaustion and that Kathy and Loren need to get him home soon. “Gare - it’s good to see you again - and really nice to meet you,” he smiled at Kathy. “I won’t keep her but I just need Loren for a minute, is that okay Gary?”

“Agh - you can keep her,” Gary waved them off and chuckled when he saw Loren’s less than impressed expression.

“You know you’re not funny - right, Gare? Anyway, Kathy - I’ll be back in a sec.” Loren then turned to Jake and Morgan. “It was really great seeing you guys. And Congratulations again to you and Tessa on your little man, McCormick,” Loren grinned as Morgan and Jake leaned in for a hug.

Loren stepped back as William touched her shoulder, nodding his head subtly back toward the hallway. Loren’s nerves gripped her stomach as she followed his lead. She watched in mild amazement of how he glided past the buzz and the noise of the post-game activities without distraction. Somehow, he was still discreet as he lead her down a short corridor that ended at an unmarked door. With a quick glance over his shoulder, he opened it, revealing what appeared to be a small medical supply room.

While passing by, the only person that seemed to notice William and Loren was the new coach, Craig Berube. Fucking guy works fast, I’ll give him that he thought as he chuckled to himself .

William stepped aside to let her enter. She stepped though, her heart racing as he followed her in, the door clicking softly behind them, muting the laughter from the dressing room.

A singular fluorescent light flickered on, and Loren glanced around the room just to get her bearings. Her hands fidgeted, subtly but compulsively pulling at the hem of her jersey as she stood across from him. Her cheeks burned as she glanced at William, still shirtless, still with his backwards cap, and still the man she cared deeply for, and missed every day.

William leaned against a counter, watching her nervous movements. His heart sank seeing how unsure she appeared to be.

Despite her nervousness, she broke the ice with William immediately. “I’m disappointed I didn’t get to see you in your garters.”

William broke into a wide smile and hung his head. “Oh yeah? I carry them off pretty well, do I?”

“It’s humbling to know that you still are the sexier one in garters between the two of us,” Loren grinned.

“Says you - I think most men on the planet might disagree,” William chuckled.

Although their conversation had a lightness to it, silence eventually fell between them. William could see Loren struggling to keep control of her emotions.

She was cracking inside. Her shoulders drew together as she tensed, not wanting to break in front of him.

But it happened as soon as he asked her how she has been.

Her head lowered, hands soon covered her face as she wept. William himself felt tears prick at his eyes seeing how upset she was.

He gently pulled her into him, and felt her warm wet tears against his chest. As her body shudder, his arms completely enveloped her. He soon felt her palms along the side of his body which eventually circled around to his back.

His hand moved up to her hair, cradling the back of her head as she leaned her forehead against his chest. He felt her tears falling as they landed near the waistband of his shorts.

When Loren finally spoke, her voice hardly registered above a soft whisper. “I got it all wrong, didn’t I?” She let out a sob as her body trembled. Her fingertips pressed firmly against his skin.

“Loren, fuck. No. No.” William spoke into her hair. “You did not cause any of this. This was never - none of this was your doing. I need you to understand that.” William’s words were gentle but firm. “What else could you have done with all of that shit that was sent to you?”

It took a moment before Loren responded. “I don’t know, William,” she sniffled.

“I should have thought - I should have maybe thought to mention that interview stuff to you, just so you understood why I said what I did. It’s no excuse but I’m so used to these questions but - I’m not used…used to having someone in my life that I needed to explain this stuff to. I hope I’m making sense?”

Loren nodded her head.

William continued. He could feel Loren’s body beginning to loosen up in his arms as he pulled her a little closer. “The rest of it. I mean, some of the stuff I had planned to sit down with you once we were together and just sort of hash out, like - my past…"single" activities…in the offseason with a girl here and there.” His voice was soft as he spoke, stroking Loren’s hair as her sniffles began to subside.

“The two weeks you were with me - Loren, I was just - amazed - you amaze me - and how great that time together was, and I knew I wanted to - want to - whatever the fucking label is - be together, be in a relationship, date you - whatever it’s called. So I figured we’d have all the serious talks once I got back…but then all of this happened.”

Loren’s hands dropped down to his lower back, her forehead still resting against his chest.

“I know - or I feel like I’ve been the one that’s sort of fucked things up, more that a few times with you…and I know I suck when it comes to saying the right things…but I am so sorry, Loren, for the all of the shit I have put you through. I’ve made a lot of mistakes and a lot of shit decisions that I regret.

William paused, wanting to allow Loren to say something, but she remained silent, save for the odd sniffle. She stood still, absorbing William's words. She believed that they were genuine and heartfelt. His apology began to diffuse the pain of the past month, offering a glimpse of the regret he carried for the months that preceded this moment.

When she did finally speak, he wasn’t expecting her response. “You really need to wear a shirt—I’ve got tears and…other stuff all in your chest hair,” she said, her voice congested.

He released her body temporarily and grabbed some cotton pads nearby.

Loren tried to conceal her face a little as William pulled her back towards him. “I’m a fucking mess,” she said, embarrassed. “Yes, I’m a ugly crier too.”

William cradled Loren’s face in his hands, his thumbs gently brushing her damp cheeks. He leaned in, his forehead pressing lightly against hers. “There’s nothing about you that comes close to ugly -- you’re absolutely beautiful.”

Loren let out a small laugh, shaking her head as her hands rested on his chest. “I’m a puddle - nothing like smeared mascara and tears all over your chest to impress you,” she muttered, dabbing under her eyes and then swiping the pad across William’s chest.

“I can handle the mascara, the tears… and hmmm - whatever else you’ve got going on here,” he smiled. “Anything to make things right again, I’ll do, Loren.”

She reached around William’s shoulders, and he responded by wrapping his arms around her body, lifting her up and turned to set her on the counter. His hands fell to her hips as he positioned himself between her legs.

As he scanned her face, his expression became more reflective. “I’ve missed you so much. I don’t want to rush you so whatever you feel - whatever you want to do, just tell me, okay?”

“I’ve missed you too - so much, William.” Loren looked at him, her eyes soft with a hint of regret. “I know we need to talk - a little - or a lot more about things, but I’ve gotta get Gary back.”

William squeezed her hips - he tried to think of a way for her to stay with him. “I guess it would be shitty if you just let Kathy handle Gary on her own,” he said as he answered his own internal question. “What about tomorrow?”

Loren toyed with the gold chain around his neck. “I’m having Benny and Alice for Thanksgiving. I think he’s mentioned it to a couple other guys but they might do something else - it was up in the air, last minute kind of thing.”

“So - like turkey and stuff?” William smiled coyly. “I like turkey,” he hinted playfully.

“You’re welcome to come up, if you want to. There’d be enough to feed an army of Nylanders - knowing how much you guys like to eat,” Loren smirked. “If Alex is around and wants to, he’s more than welcome to come too.”

“Pablo and Banksy?” he asked.

She nodded. “Especially those two.”

Loren glided her hands down the front of his chest. The only thing on her mind was her mouth on his. She leaned forward, and brushed her lips against his. The kiss started softly but quickly deepened as the past unresolved emotions funneled into their longing for one another.

His hands found her waist, pulling her closer as their connection ignited.

William’s hands found their way under her jersey, he slowly pulled away slightly from their kiss and looked at the jersey again, shaking his head.

“We really need to get you a new fucking jersey - and not one with Matthews on the back.”

Loren raised her eyebrows. “McCabe?”

William chuckled and shook his head.

“Wait - “ Loren darted upwards muttering last names of the Leafs roster.

William raised an eyebrow as he nodded his head. “Ahhhh - I see it now…you’re using me to get to….”

“Pacioretty?”

William laughed his iconic laugh. He was truly dazzled by this woman.

Loren cocked her head to the side, her voice soft but teasing. “Nylander - I always sort of liked him. But he’s super hard to get.”

“Not if you ask nicely,” William countered with a smirk, leaning in closer. “And maybe if you agree to model it for me sometime, throw on those stilettos and the garters we just talked about, and I can definitely get you a Nylander.”

[midnightsnyx]

girl at home | mat barzal | part 10

pairing: mat barzal x fem!reader

warnings: swearing, angst, mentions of alcohol and vomit & fluff and not edited!! word count: 2.6k

a/n: so obviously this is fiction and we don't actually know what Mat or Liana or his parents personalities are actually like but I took some liberty with Liana's personality. see end for more notes cause I don't want to spoil anything :) also sorry this is so late!! i went back to work and then had trouble with this chapter. i hope you all enjoy! likes, reblogs and comments feed my writing soul so let me know what you think <3

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Liana texts you the day after your meet-up with Mat at the park, apologizing for getting angry with you and asking to go out for drinks. You don’t have it in you to still be upset with her for yelling at you because she was always the little sister you never had and just because you and Mat are having problems, doesn’t mean it should affect your relationship with her. Sometimes you wonder if you’re too quick to forgive and forget but you know that this is an exception. 

“It’s just weird, y’know?” Liana mutters, laying her head on the dirty bar table. She’s on her third drink and you’re close to cutting her off. “I’m going to be an aunt again, but I have this odd feeling about Calista. Like she’s not telling the entire truth.” 

You startle when she suddenly bolts upright and looks at you with wide eyes. 

“What if Mat’s not the father? That would make so much sense!” 

“How so?” you ask carefully. So far, you have successfully kept the fact that Calista is not pregnant a secret. It’s a secret you will have to take to your grave because you can’t let Marlee get in trouble when all she was doing was trying to help you. The truth might come out some day, but it’s something you will deal with then. 

“Mat is just being weird about the whole thing, like he’s hiding something,” she says. “Well, besides the fact that he hasn’t told mom or dad… but there’s something else.” She picks up her glass and drinks the last of her martini before signinally the bartender for a refill. 

“I think it’s time we switch you to Shirley Temples,” you say gently, asking the bartender for a couple glasses of water. 

She tries to wave you off when you push the water towards her but you give her the all too familiar look that you used to give her when you were both younger. 

“Fine, but if I’m getting cut off, so–” she stops talking abruptly, suddenly focused on something across the room. You turn and see a familiar face that makes your heart drop into your stomach because there’s no way she’s that stupid and you’re about to say something but Liana hops off her barstool and before you can stop her, she’s marching across the room to where Calista is sitting. She’s surrounded by a few other people, one of them being a guy you can’t quite place but definitely isn’t Mat, but the real kicker is the drink in her hand. 

You’re not in the business of accusing people but the way she’s laughing loudly and swaying a little in her seat makes you think that it’s not a non-alcoholic drink. You stare a little too long because when you snap out of your stupor, it’s to a loud shriek and shouting. Nearly tripping over your own feet, you rush over to find both Calista and Liana being held back by people and shouting at each other. You manage to drag Liana out of the hands of the person holding her back but you can’t help but stare at Calista in shock. You know she’s not pregnant but you didn’t think she was stupid enough to test her luck by getting drunk at a bar and possibly being seen by people who think she is.  

“I knew something was off about you,” Liana shouts at Calista who only now seems to realize that you are also in the room. Her face, which was red, pales considerably and her eyes widen when she looks at you.

“You are pregnant!” Liana shrieks and when you hear people gasping and the whispers start, you know you need to get Liana out of here now. 

With strength you didn’t realize you have, you drag her outside. She shakes you off as soon as you’re out the doors and promptly throws up all over your shoes. You don’t give yourself time to be grossed out, pulling your phone out of your pocket and calling the first person you think of.

“Hello?” Jax mumbles and you’re panicking enough that you can’t feel sorry that you woke him up. 

“I need you to pick us up,” you gasp and suddenly you’re sixteen again, calling him to pick you up from a party that you snuck out to. 

Jax doesn’t hesitate before agreeing and asking where you are. You rattle off the name of the bar and he says he’ll be there in ten minutes even though you know his apartment is at least twenty minutes away. You’ve never been so grateful to have him as a friend. 

“You didn’t call Mat, right?” Liana asks quietly and you look to see her sitting on the curb, looking absolutely miserable. Her eyes are filled with unspilled tears and you can only imagine what’s going on in her head. 

“No,” you tell her, sitting down next to her and wrapping an arm around her. “I called Jax.”

She nods and leans her head on your shoulder. You sit in silence for a few minutes before she speaks and her voice is quiet and shaky. 

“She was never pregnant, was she?”

Maybe it’s the natural motherly instinct in you, but you realize you can’t lie to her when she’s so upset.

“No,” you tell her and then she’s crying. You know that she’s drunk which makes her more emotionally vulnerable but you also know how sensitive she’s always been and it’s not a weakness. She wears her emotions on her sleeve and it’s only ever made her kinder and wiser than she should be for her age. 

“I’m sorry,” she sobs. “I shouldn’t have taken my anger out on you when Mat told me but I was so confused and upset that he was keeping it from us.” 

Then she’s crying even harder. “Oh god, what are we going to tell Mat?”

Truthfully, in the chaos of all this, you haven’t had the chance to think about what you’ll do about Mat. You know Liana won’t keep the truth from him and even if she did, word travels fast and he would eventually find out. You’re not certain he can mentally handle this, not with everything that’s going on between the two of you and his fragile relationship with Nora. He was just getting used to the fact that he has a daughter when Calista dropped the baby bomb on him and now to find out that it’s been a lie? You’ve no idea what he will do. 

“I don’t know,” you tell her honestly and sigh in relief when you see Jax’s car come into view. You stand up, helping her back to her feet just as Jax parks and gets out to help you. 

He looks worried but doesn’t say anything about yours or Liana’s appearance. Once you’re both settled in his car, he tells you he’s going to bring you both to his apartment for the night, obviously not feeling comfortable dropping you home when you’re upset and intoxicated. You know he’s right but all you want to do is curl up in your own bed. 

“Alright,” you agree eventually and he nods, starting the drive back to his place. You must nod off because the next thing you know, Jax is gently shaking your arm, waking you up. 

“I can’t carry you both in,” he jokes and you look back to see Liana completely knocked out. She grumbles when you wake her but she’s coherent enough to walk.

Jax’s boyfriend, Eli, already has their guestroom set up so you get Liana in the bed and then situate yourself on the air mattress. Jax leaves with a promise to check on you both throughout the night and if you weren’t so worried about Liana, you would tell him not to worry but you’re not taking any chances with her.

You lay awake for a while, not able to get the image of Calista drunk and with another guy out of your head. You don’t know how to tell Mat about it and Liana probably won’t either but eventually you drift off to sleep.

. . .

The next morning, you wake before Liana. Jax came in and checked on you both a few times before deciding that it was okay to leave you so you’re surprised to find him awake when you make your way out to the kitchen. It’s just past 8 o’clock but he’s cooking breakfast, singing off tune to Taylor Swift.

“Hey,” you say softly, sitting at the breakfast bar. You know he’s going to want an explanation because even though he let you off the hook last night, he’s going to want to know why Liana was crying and you had vomit on your shoes when he picked you up. 

“Morning,” he replies, placing a coffee in front of you and a piece of plain toast. You can feel his eyes watching you eat and once you’re done, he looks at you expectantly. 

“We saw Calista at the bar last night,” you explain. “Drunk and with some random guy.”

“Huh,” he says, so you look at him. His face is neutral, not showing if he’s surprised. 

“What does huh mean?”

“I mean, you did say something was off about her.” 

That was putting it lightly because although you couldn’t tell him the full story in fear that Marlee would lose her job, you did express your concerns about her without telling him that you knew she wasn’t pregnant. 

“Yeah,” you sigh. 

You hear shuffling from the guest room and look to see Liana walking into the kitchen. She plops down next to you and groans.

“I’m never drinking again,” she says and you can’t help but chuckle despite the circumstances. 

“Said every hungover person ever,” you say and a small smile crosses her face before she frowns, clearly remembering last night's events.

“I have to tell Mat,” she says. “It’s not fair to him that she lied.”

You sigh but nod in agreement. 

“I have to pick Nora up from my moms,” you tell her. “Are you okay to tell him yourself?” 

You really don’t want to be there when Mat finds out, not when you’re dealing with your own feelings towards him. 

“Yeah,” she says, eating the toast Jax offers her. 

You both finish your coffee and then Jax drives you to your apartment and you drop Liana home before picking Nora up. 

She’s ecstatic to see you, telling you everything she did with grandma from the moment you dropped her off until now picking her up. 

“And then, Millie hissed at me but Gizmo barked and scared her away,” she takes a deep breath before continuing her ramblings. “Can we get a kitten?” 

“You’re allergic, remember?” You remind her, and then a thought pops into your mind. Where did she see your mother’s neighbor's cat? “Where did you see Millie?” 

“Mrs. Turner invited us over for tea,” she tells you and then offhandedly adds: “she asked about you and Mat.” 

This doesn’t surprise you because Mrs. Edna Turner is quite the gossiper. You have trust in your mother that she didn’t tell Edna anything private but you’re still curious what exactly they talked about and you know that your child can be sneaky when she wants to be. 

“What did Mrs.Turner ask?” you ask, rolling your eyes when she sighs dramatically and puts her tablet away. 

“Well, first she asked if Mat was really my daddy and when Grandma said yes, she said ‘that poor child’,” she says, face scrunching up in confusion. “What does that mean?”

You make a mental note to talk to your mom about bringing Nora to any future tea parties at Mrs. Turner’s. 

“Nothing,” you assure her. “What else did she say?”

“She told grandma that if she were you, she wouldn’t move me to New York.” Her eyes narrow and she frowns. “I thought you said we weren’t moving to New York.”

“We’re not.”

“Then how come Mrs.Turner said that?” she demands.

“‘Cause Mrs. Turner doesn’t know how to mind her own business,” you mumble and then sigh, looking at Nora so she’s listening. “We’re not moving to New York, okay?” 

She nods and then smiles. “Can we go get ice cream?” 

“Yeah, we can go get ice cream,” you tell her even though it’s nearly dinner. 

Every once in awhile, ice cream for dinner is in order.

. . .

It’s past midnight when there’s a quiet knock on your door, and the only reason you’re awake to hear it is because Liana let you know she told Mat the truth about Calista. She told you that he had left the house as soon as she told him that morning and hadn’t returned home all day. You were expecting a text from him but your phone was silent and that worried you even more.

So, when you open the door to find Mat standing in front of you, red rimmed eyes and looking about two seconds away from crying, you don’t hesitate to let him inside. He slips past you and toes his shoes off before going straight for the couch and sitting down on it. You hesitate, but eventually settle down next to him. 

He’s resting his elbows on his knees, hiding his face in his hands and it takes you a minute to realize he’s crying silently. 

“Mat…” 

“I just - fuck, I thought that this was my second chance, you know? It wasn’t ideal but I would get to do all the things I missed with Nora,” he says, scrubbing his hands over his face. “I was such an idiot.”

It’s not a dig towards you but you still can’t shake the guilt you always feel when he talks about everything he didn’t get to see. Her first steps, first words, first day of kindergarten. All the things you can never get back. 

“It’s not your fault,” you say gently. “You couldn’t have known.”

“I should’ve,” he mumbles and before you can say anything, you hear soft footsteps coming down the hallway. You look to see Nora, rubbing her eyes sleepily and frowning when she sees Mat. 

When he realizes she’s there, he wipes his eyes hastily but it’s not fast enough because Nora walks over to him and deepens her frown.

“Are you okay?” she asks quietly, reaching out and touching his cheek that’s still damp. 

Mat looks like he’s going to say that he’s fine but seems to change his mind last minute. He smiles sadly and shakes his head.

“Not really, peanut,” he tells her and the frown on her face deepens even more than you thought possible. 

“Mama says hugs make things better when you’re sad,” she says, sounding much wiser than a six-year-old should sound. Then, without asking, she climbs up onto his lap and wraps her tiny arms around his neck and hugs him. You can see the moment Mat breaks, hugging her back gently and it’s like all the tension drains from his body. 

You call it the “Nora Effect”, because her little hugs always seem to make you feel better.

“I’m so sorry, Nora,” you hear Mat whisper and you know he’s going to beat himself up over everything that’s happened with Calista - and Nora deserves his apologies, but your kid is one of a kind and you know that she will forgive him.

With time, if he proves himself, he’ll have a place in her life and you can’t wait to see what the future holds for them. 

authors notes: so calista is goneeeee FINALLY. she wasn't supposed to be here as long as she was but I got too carried away with that storyline and i'm glad it's over lol also, I had mixed thoughts about having mama be the one who told Mat that Calista was lying but I just couldn't get it right so I figured next best thing would be Liana! ps: millie is named after my own cat who i will put a pic of in the comments below

tag list: @literatureluster @dasiysthings @diary-of-jj @heatherawoowoo @fallinallincurls @lovinbarzal @whatthepuckisgoingon @teapartydreams @alilstressyandlotdepressy @keiva1000 @hischiershoe @bellstwd

@alwaysclassyeagle @brrbrina @nonsensical-nonsence @love-like-woaah @swift-sos @barzygirl13 @ilyrafe

if you want to be added or taken off the list, please let me know :)

[izzylovesyou2022]

Poetic Love~ Mat Barzal (pt 1)

TW: none

"Wild nights - Wild nights!

Were I with thee

Wild nights should be

Our luxury!"

Calliope Scarlett Black had never been what someone considered normal. This didn't surprise her--poets, after all, were not normal.

Her tangled half-red, half-brown hair was pulled up into a tight bun as she paced the living room of the house where she lived with her best friend since three years old, hockey player Mat Barzal.

Her green eyes fluttered over the book she'd been holding and her hands tightened on the binding, trying to memorize this latest poem.

"Futile - the winds -

To a Heart in port -

Done with the Compass -

Done with the Chart!"

Her hand waved out to the side as she threw her head backward, half out of frustration and half out of dramatics. Memorizing poems wasn't as easy as people thought. Even if one was only doing it for a youtube channel, like Calliope was.

She paced by the couch once more and sounded out the first stanza of the poem again. Her eyes narrowed in consideration as she let one part of the book slip from her hand. The first stanza had been memorized--good, now for the second stanza.

She closed her eyes and brought the image of the words to her head. Picturing strong wilds and rushing waves and stormy clouds.

She shouted out the second stanza perfectly and then picked up the book to look over the third stanza.

"Rowing in Eden -

Ah - the Sea!

Might I but moor - tonight -

In thee!"

She dropped onto the couch with one arm swung over the back and closed her eyes, panting even though she'd done nothing really tiring. Physically, at least.

"I don't think you've found a poem you haven't memorized yet, starshine."

Calliope's lips twitched in amusement and she opened one eye to see Mat walking in, wearing a green hoodie and black sweatpants. His eyebrows were quirked upward and a smirk tugged at the edge of his lips.

"I've been memorizing poetry since we were 10 years old, Mattie," she answered back, slamming her book shut with something like finality, "I haven't had a poem lick me yet."

Mat patted the top of Calliope's head, chucking at her loud grunt and the hand slapping his own away, and sat next to her, tucking one foot underneath him.

"By the way, that more sounds out of place," he said, then, seeing how her eyes narrowed at him in confusion, he added, "that line about might I moor-tonight-in thee."

Calliope carefully placed the book onto it's spot on the coffee table and shook her head.

"No, not m-o-r-e, Mattie, it's m-o-o-r. It's a British noun meaning "an expanse of open rolling infertile land" but it can also mean that you're anchored. What Emily Dickinson is talking about is anchoring her ship into the sea and staying there."

Mat should have been used to it by now--Calliope had been raised in a literature family and had been studying poetry for years--but, how could one get used to the amazement of a friend knowing so many words and definitions?

"I can't see why anyone would want to do that, starshine," he admitted, draping an arm over the back of the couch, "the sea is so unknown."

Calliope didn't look up from her phone, but her soft laugh could easily be heard by Mat's keen ears.

"That's exactly why she'd want to be anchored there, Mattie," she said, finally catching his eye, "it's the unknown that's exciting! It's the thrill of the wild and the adventure to come that makes a person shiver and wonder!"

Mat sucked in a breath at the look in her eyes but didn't show--outwardly, at least--that he held anything more than amusement for her poetic rant.

[starshine-hockey-girl]

Never Ever Have I

Summary: Hooking up with Evie was supposed to be quick and meaningless for Sidney Crosby. Then the one night stand became a regular thing. Quickly he realized just how special Evie would turn out to be and how his future would be forever altered by the beauty who brought the spice into his life

Author’s Note- In honor of @princessphilly​ Tumblr anniversary, here is some Crosby smut. It was originally intended as a one-shot but Sidney/Evie took up residence in my writing mind and demanded a full story. This story explores the BDSM lifestyle. Everything done is with consent and within established parameters(will be discussed in the story). It doesn't get very dark, but just fair warning that there is a lot of SMUT.

Warnings- Light kink, unprotected sex, alcohol use

Evie poured another drink into her red solo cup. She wasn’t sure how she got dragged to yet another hockey party with Adriana, but here she was. At least this was a NHL party so the alcohol and food were top shelf compared than the beer league parties of her brief, but slutty hockey career. The post-game party in the arena bar was a definite improvement over the beers and shots in the rink parking lot. She felt the muscular brunette stand next to her and ponder the alcohol selection. “Go with the tequila. It’s premium,” she suggested.

Sidney turned and smirked, “Tequila makes me drunk.”

Evie raised an eyebrow, “Isn’t the the point of all alcohol?” She walked away and felt his gaze as she took her seat. He sat on the opposite of the make-shift circle of chairs.

A game of “Never Ever Have I” had just started. Evie rolled her eyes at the first statement, “Never Ever Have I have kissed a girl” in the group.  She took a drink and gave a look at Sidney who also took a drink. Sidney returned her gaze and noted her actions.

The second statement was  “Never Ever Have I won a Stanley Cup?”. The entire team groaned, “Lame!” and took a drink. Evie called out, “I think it should be a drink for each cup!” Sidney raised his cup and drank two more times.

The third statement was “Never Ever Have I had a threesome”. Evie groaned as she drank and finished her cup as Sidney groaned to himself and felt his cock stir. She got up and went to grab another drink. Her leather skater skirt bouncing as her hips swayed. Evie brought the bottle back with her. This time she sat in the seat next to Crosby. “Really, threesome?” he asked as she filled his cup. 

“What can I say?” she responded coyly, “It was a fun and slutty time.” 

The game had made around to Sidney, “Never Ever Have I had sex in a locker room” and turned to Evie to watch her response. She began to take a sip before asking, “Wait, how are we defining sex?”

Sidney smirked, “Anyway you want.”

Evie shrugged, “I don’t know why I asked. I have done both.” He bent over and breathed into her ear, “That’s two drinks for you then.”

She licked her lips and took a long sip before placing her hand on his thick thigh.“ Mr. Crosby, are you trying to get me drunk,” she asked coyly, giving his thigh a squeeze. 

“Mr. Crosby, I like the sound of that,” he moaned into her ear, “I am not trying to you drunk. I am trying to get you horny.”

Evie stood up and adjusted her skirt as she got up, letting her hips sway as she walked from the muscled man, “Save my seat, Mr. Crosby. I will be right back.” Sidney licked his lips and adjusted his pants to camouflage his cock that was stirring underneath his pants. Evie returned and took her seat again, her skirt riding up her to expose her bare thigh. She leaned over and placed her damp panties in his hand before kissing his cheek, “Just in case you needed proof of how well you accomplished your mission. Mr. Crosby. You are such an overachiever.” He felt his cock twitch again as Evie squirmed in her seat, squeezing her thighs together, eliciting a soft moan. 

He reached down and grabbed her hand and pulled her toward the door. She laughed as she practically jog in her high heels to keep up with his long strides. “Mr. Crosby, wherever are we going?” she purred as he walked with a purpose.

He turned to look at her, “You have me at a disadvantage. I don’t even know your name.”

She caught him to him and bit her lip, “Evie” as she palmed his crotch, “Now where are you taking me?”

He removed her hand and began walking again, “You forgot the Mr. Crosby, but I am taking you downstairs.”

The elevator door opened and they entered it together, “What’s downstairs, Mr. Crosby?”

His eyes darkened, “I think you know.” The elevator door shut and he pushed her up against the elevator wall. His hand sliding under her skirt, across her bare ass, and finally resting his palm on top of her dripping pussy. Evie whimpered as the light pressure against her clit and the elevator came to a stop. When the doors opened, Crosby again walked with purpose. “So tell me how you had sex in a locker room, Evie. Are you some sort of puck bunny?”

Evie came to a complete standstill, “Puck bunny? No, I just wanted a fucking penalty called on me.”

Sidney turned, “What?”

She continued as they walked, “It was my first season of beer league. I wasn’t getting on the score sheet with my limited skills so I started chirping at the ref to at least give me a penalty. I was relentless for three games so he finally broke down and made me the offer. If a gave him a blowjob, he would give a penalty. Because I am not an idiot and he was hot in that "hockey boy" sort of way, I waited until he gave me the two minutes for tripping before I blew him in the Refs locker room.” 

They had arrived at the Penguins locker room and Sidney pushed the door open. “Oh Mr. Crosby, I do believe that we are at your office,” she moaned as he pressed her back against the door and lifted her skirt, sliding his fingers through her dripping folds. 

“Fuck, you are so hot, “ he groaned as slid a finger into her. “So when did you get fucked in a locker room?” he grunted as she unbuckled his pants and pushed his pants/boxers down with her foot. “Well, Mr. Crosby, since a penalty cost me a blowjob, an assist cost me a fuck.”

He slide a finger into her dripping pussy, “And how did you get fucked?”

She moaned as he slowly finger fucked her, "Bent over the bench- from behind." Sidney lifted her up easily and carried her to the bench. She looked up at him with lust filled eyes.

"Assume the position," he commanded.

"Yes, Sir," she purred as she turned around and got on her knees, bending over the bench.

 She lifted her skater skirt to reveal her firm ass and wet pussy. She spread her legs as he stroked his cock, "Good girl, just like that."

Evie looked over her shoulder and whimpered, "Mr. Crosby, are you going to fuck me or just jack off?"

Sidney shook his head at the mischievous twinkle in her eye, "Fuck, I love when you call Mr. Crosby," as he thrust deep into her.

"Oh yes, you feel so good Sir," she moaned as she bucked back on his large, thick cock. "Good girl, fuck my cock like the slutty good girl that you are."

Her hips gyrated as he fucked her, "Please Sir, fuck me harder. You feel so good in my pussy."

He reached around and began to rub her clit in circles, "Do you want to cum for me? Do you want cum all over my cock?" She moaned louder, pressing her hand over his fingers to adjust the angle and apply more pressure. 

The sounds of their sex echoed through the room. Evie’s moans became louder and guttural. Her body began to shudder as he nibbled her neck. “Mr. Crosby, may I come soon? I need to cum all over you,” she panted. His hands help her hips firmly as he continued to thrust.

He felt her muscles clench tighter and milk him. “Yes Evie, you may come for Daddy.” The words pushed her over the edge and she screamed out in ecstasy. Sidney pulled out and sprayed his cum all over her ass. His eyes widened as she took cum onto her finger and sucked it. “Mmmmm, a special treat for me. It’s too bad you couldn’t fill me with your cum.” 

Sidney got up and found a towel. He gently cleaned Evie’s ass and  gently patted her pussy dry. Evie stood and adjusted her skirt and Sidney slid her panties back into his pocket. She watched as he buckled his pants slowly, “Thank you Mr. Crosby. That was quite enjoyable.”

He looked at her softly, “So can I see you again?”

"If you want" she smiled and replied, “It depends. I am surprised that you haven’t asked me about the threesome.”

Evie laughed, “Don’t get protective on my behalf. I was going to do all of those things without getting anything in return. He offered though so why not?”

His eyebrows rose, “I assume that the threesome was in payment for a goal, correct? You know I could help you with your hockey skills so you don’t have to whore yourself out for goals.”

Sidney placed the soiled towels in the bin, “So what would a threesome cost me? You know, in hockey terms.”

Evie laughed, “to watch only? That would take a hat trick. To participate? That takes a Cup.”

Sidney nodded, “Be prepared at the end of the season. I intend to collect. “

Evie looked up at the engraved nameplate above the locker room. “Mr. Crosby, are you going to think of me tomorrow when you get dressed to go out on the ice? Will your cock twitch every time you sit here and look at the place where you lost your locker room cherry?” she purred.

Sidney laughed, “Yeah, I think I might.” 

Next chapter- https://starshine-hockey-girl.tumblr.com/post/661242676070514688/authors-note-for-some-reason-evie-and-sidney

[princessphilly]

Good morning tumblr!

Big rig smut under the cut. This is @spine-buster, @lilprincetrashmouth and @texanstarslove fault

You resisted the urge to giggle around the cock in your mouth. Jamie was trying so hard to focus on his exit interview but you were doing your best to make that hard for him. You couldn’t help yourself, you missed him that much.

Licking the tip, you began to suck as you moved your hand up and down his shaft. Glancing up, your eyes met his and you winked. Jamie was barely able to keep the groan out of his voice, managing just to turn it into a cough. “Just clearing my voice, he said as you began to bob up and down his length.

You tried to drag it out, intending to torture him as his hips began to rise to the ministrations of your mouth. Then you heard the exit interview end, Jamie deeply sigh, and his hands frame your face.

“You’re so bad,” he groaned as he began to fuck your mouth. “Trying to distract me during an interview.”

You moaned around his cock as it twitched in your mouth. “Want me to cum in your mouth,” Jamie asked.

You managed to nod before tasting the first drops of his seed on your tongue. Jamie came in your mouth, salty yet welcome as he grunted. When he was done you let his cock out of your mouth, showing Jamie his seed in your mouth before you swallowed with a grin.

“Good girl.”

[tsegss]

can you do a tyler seguin blurb? it can be about anything

“How do you do it?”

“How do I do what?” You clarified, trying your best to ignore as you walked through the kitchen, tidying up the mess from earlier.

“Pretend you’re okay.” Tyler said simply from the edge of the room, his arms crossed as he watched you. He said it so nonchalantly too, and thats what really made you mad. He said it like it was nothing, like he was asking about your day or the weather outside.

“I’m not pretending.” You spoke as you turned around so that you were looking directly at him, trying to keep your voice steady.  He began to approach you.

“Yes you are, every single day.” He whispered as his hand gently brushed your arm. “It breaks my heart.”

“Tyler-“ You started, unwrapping your arms, but he was quick to stop you taking your hand and covering it with both of his. His massive kitchen felt miniature now, and it was if the walls were closing in on you, as your heart raced.

“No, no.” He began. “Please just let me talk.” He paused and you nodded, letting him know that you would listen. “You have been taking care of everyone, except yourself. He wouldn’t have wanted this, you know that. And, I know I’m the last person you want to talk to right now, okay, I know that. But, I can’t just sit back and watch you do this to yourself.” He kept talking, but you weren’t listening. Your blood was boiling, here he was thinking he could just waltz back into your life like this, it was unacceptable, and you couldn’t let it happen anymore.

“You’re right, Tyler.” You said interrupting him. “You are the last person I want to talk to. You have no right to come here and do this. Not now and not ever. I don’t know if you remember, but you were the one who wrecked us, not me.” His face was frozen as verbally vomited all the words you swore you would say to him if you ever got the chance.  But, suddenly it just all became to much, all the emotion coming to the surface, and you just needed it to end, for him to leave, for good this time.

“Go home.” You spoke after taking a deep breath.

“I can’t.” He squeaked. “You are my home.”

“Was.” You breathed, as his face crinkled. “I was your home.”

[baevillier]

Part 1 of the dad!biz series is posted!!!

Check it out here!

[quasar-concept]

Writeblr Introduction!

Hi friends! I’m new to writeblr, and thought I would make a post to a) introduce myself and b) find some new blogs to follow!

Just a quick disclaimer: this blog isn’t strictly for my writing, but everything will be clearly tagged. #persea writes things and #book babble are the ones for writing and books

About me ~~~

Name: Persea

Pronouns: they/them

Star sign, despite not really being into astrology: Libra ☾ Libra ☀ Aries ↑

Fast Facts:

I play the drums (6 years and counting)

I love jazz music

I follow the Carolina Hurricanes (NHL) despite never having been to either Carolina

I also love rock and alt music

I’m a huge thespian

I follow the Panasonic Panthers (JVA), and have, actually, been to Osaka

I’m a nerd who knows lots of random space things :D

About my writing ~~~

I often write a lot of fanficiton, which you can read over on Archive of Our Own, some of which I really like, and none of which is edited lol.

I like to write sci-fi and fantasy, and I often put a lot of world building into my writing. This is half a measure of procrastination, and half because I really enjoy it.

My writing style has changed so much since I started writing in year 6 (thankfully!) and it’s really awesome to see how it’s developed and changed. I used to really, really enjoy writing in the first person (and was sort of meh about it in reading) but now all of my work is in third person. I like snarky, all-knowing narrators. My dialogue used to be clunky and unnatural to the point of being distracting, and just yucky in general, but I feel like it’s improved a lot over the years.

Unfortunately for me, I’m not just a busy person, but a relatively slow writer. I usually write in bursts of no more than 600 words, and then get distracted.

Current Projects ~~~

At risk of sounding cliche, I’ve written some basic summaries for my WIPs

DAMN MY BLOOD | novel | fantasy

While preparing of expedition, the first prince of a matriarchal kingdom is kidnapped by pirates, including the guy he hooked up with, despite promising his sister he wouldn’t.

Things are more complex than they seem as Darius unravels a convoluted plot to restore the pirate’s lost treasure.

PARALLAX | novel | science fiction

a rewrite of my very first, generously-termed novella

A covert group of specialised undercover agents join a growing rebellion against the ruling government. They uncover a shocking plot that derails their plans, and in the midst of the fighting they receive orders that may put the group in even more danger than simply being behind enemy lines.

Come and chat with me! ~~~

Feel free to send me asks and tag me in things! I like answering questions and talking to people about stuff! I’m just Australian, I don’t bite, I promise //jk, lh

[izzylovesyou2022]

Poetic Love~ Mat Barzal (pt 2)

The aroma of spaghetti filled the house as Mat walked down the hallway to the kitchen. He laughed quietly to himself and stopped at the fridge.

"Spaghetti again, starshine? Why am I not surprised?"

Calliope turned from the stove, one hand popped up against her hip, and narrowed her green eyes at Mat.

"Hmm, and this coming from someone who ordered take-out every day before I lived with you, sir?"

Mat had the decency to pretend to look embarrassed at her words and crossed his arms over his chest, his lips drawn into a pout.

"Aww, c'mon, starshine! You know I can't cook as well as you! You make the best food."

Calliope could only roll her eyes and reached down to turn down the temperature of the stove. She bit her lips to try and hide her smile.

"Then maybe you can help me cook tonight, Mattie. After all, I can't do all of it!"

Mat's shoulders slumped in mock defeat as he made his way over to the stove.

"Looks like you've already got the meat in there," he said, taking the spoon Calliope handed him and started to work on breaking up the meat.

The twitching lips was the only response Mat got from his friend as her hands worked on opening the tomato cans sitting on the counter.

"Well, yeah, I know how much you like your meat, Mattie."

Mat didn't catch the look down Calliope sent his way and instead laughed.

"Us hockey players have too, starshine. Can't be strong without meat," he stated, taking the can of diced tomatoes she handed him and pouring it into the pot.

Calliope shrugged her shoulders in an "eh, whatever" kind of way and tossed the can opener into the sink.

"Besides, Mattie, I'm part Italian, and us Italians like our pasta and our pizza."

Mat made no reply to her comment and instead took the next can of diced tomatoes she handed him.

Calliope scooted the last can of tomatoes in the direction of the stove and pushed herself up onto the counter, smiling.

"It's so peaceful like this, Mattie," she said, swinging her legs like someone who needs constant movement often did, "when we're cooking together."

Mat squeezed her knee with gentle fingers and poured the sauce into the pot.

"It is nice," he admitted, looking at Calliope from under his eyelashes while stirring the sauce around, "it stops me from being a hockey player for a while and makes me just...Mat."

Calliope reached out her hand and plucked a piece of dust from Mat's hair.

"Oops, I know you don't like things in your hair, Mattie," she giggled out, slipping off the counter to throw the dust away.

"....except for your hands," Mat whispered, but Calliope didn't hear him. She got distracted by grabbing plates and forks from the cabinets and setting up the table.

[midnightsnyx]

allie's writing guide

requests are currently open.

what i write

reader x character

one shots/drabbles

imagines

alternative universes

social media au’s

headcanons

who i write

RPF: hockey players x reader

I don’t write for the following players but this is also subject to change! I may add players or take players off this list for various reasons.

auston matthews

patrick kane

jamie benn

carter hart

vince dunn

dillon dubé

michael mcleod

cal foote

alex formenton

max domi

nearly anyone over 21 unless it’s platonic is fair game, but again, this list is subject to change.

criminal minds

aaron hotchner

spencer reid

the last of us

joel miller

sentence starters here & here & here I don’t write smut/NSFW.

[starshine-hockey-girl]

Welcome to My House

Author’s Note- This is the video Teddy watched of Tyler

Warnings- SMUT and fluff- oral sex(M/F receiving) and intercourse(protected)

Wednesday, September 5th, 2018

Tyler wiped his face with a towel and took a drink of gatorade as he waited for his next shift in the impromptu scrimmage that had come together at the Stars practice facility. Jamie Benn sat next to him and leaned forward to watch the play, “So you coming out tonight?”

Tyler turned from him and looked back at the action, “What?”

Benn repeated himself, “Are you coming out with the boys tonight or not?”

Tyler stood up got ready to go over the boards, “Nah, I got plans with Teddy.”

Benn yelled after him, “Whipped!”

Tyler shook his head and stole the puck of Radalov’s stick and starting speeding toward the goal and score on a one-timer as the buzzer sounded. The group piled off the ice and into the locker room. Benn chirped at Seguin, “Seriously, why you are not coming out tonight?”

Tyler looked up, annoyed, “What part of I have plans with Teddy is confusing you? I am going to be with you idiots tomorrow through Sunday morning. Why do I need to go out with you tonight?”

Benn shrugged his shoulders, “Come on, I will be your wing man.”

Tyler laughed, “I don’t need a wing man. Thanks though!”

He finished taking off his gear and headed to the shower, running into Bishop on the way. “So what’s this I hear about Teddy and you? You finally shoot your shot?” the giant goalie asked.

Tyler smiled, “Yeah, something like that. Don’t you know anything about what happens at your parties?”

Bishop shook his head, “I was distracted. The kids were not home so I took advantage of the opportunity.” The two stood awkwardly before Bishop continued, “Look Teddy and I have history. She is the closest thing to a little sister I have. I know that I told she was trouble, but I think that they two of you getting together is a good thing. Treat her well.”

Tyler gulped, “Why do I feel like there is an ‘or else’ implied there?”

Bishop shrugged his shoulders, “Because there is and I am not the only one either. She has more people than me standing behind her. I wouldn’t say it’s a good thing if I didn’t mean it- just don’t prove me wrong.”

Tyler dialed Teddy as he was walking to his car. The call went straight to voicemail. Teddy was on the phone with Lex finalizing her plans to visit over the weekend. When she saw her missed call, she dialed him back immediately. “Hey,” she said softly, “Sorry I was on the phone with Lex. What’s up Sweet One?”

Tyler smiled, “Just double checking about tonight. We still on? The guys are going out tonight if we aren’t.”

Teddy furrowed her brow for a moment but shook it off, “Still on. What do I need to bring?”

Tyler thought for a moment, “Salad? I have got the meat and sides covered, Pretty One. See you at six or you could come over earlier if you want. I will be at home soon.”

Teddy laughed, “I am editing video this afternoon, but will come over after I finish.”

Teddy pulled into Tyler’s driveway approximately fifteen minutes to five. She was attacked by dogs when Tyler answered the door. “Down boys, down!” Tyler yelled,  "I get kisses first.”

Teddy gave Tyler a soft kiss on the lips before he took the salad and placed it in the refrigerator. Tyler turned around and looked at Teddy in her green cropped top and long skirt and let out a whistle, “Am I under dressed because you look smoking hot.”

Teddy blushed, “Thanks. I am trying to get out of my comfort zone. I figured tonight called for something slightly beyond my usual 'hang out with Tyler t-shirt and yoga pants', especially since you gave going out with the guys tonight."

Tyler pulled her to him, "Choosing you was a no brainer. The outfit is just a bonus."

Teddy smiled, "so where are those kisses that you told Gerry about?"

Tyler showered her face with kisses, "These kisses?" Then he moved onto her neck, "or theses kisses?"

Teddy moaned, " All the kisses- give me all the kisses, but we should probably make dinner first."

Tyler stood up and faced her. “Yeah, you’re probably right, but I am picking up right where I left off- right here,” he said as he kissed her bare shoulders.

Teddy bit her lip as Tyler opened the refrigerator. His shirt tightly fitting over his back and biceps muscles. He pulled out the tray of marinated chicken, “Grilled chicken and veggies okay? I am back on my season diet. I can make pasta if you want some.”

Teddy nodded no, “No, grilled chicken is perfect. Maybe your season diet will be good for me.”

Tyler looked over his shoulder, “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Teddy shrugged her shoulders, “I could stand to lose a few pounds. You know firm things the abs up.”

Tyler shook his head, “Stop- you don’t need to firm anything up. I like your body just the way it is. Stop criticizing yourself, okay?” Tyler continued outside and Teddy grabbed her phone.

    Teddy snapped a selfie and sent it to Lex

 Teddy put away her phone and walked outside. Tyler turned look over his shoulder, “Everything okay. It took you a while.”

Teddy walked about behind him and put her head on his shoulder, “Yeah, I just had to get out of my head. Sorry about that.” She wrapped her arms his waist and pressed against him, then slid her hand under his shirt. She felts his abs contract and tighten beneath her touch,   “Is this okay?"

Tyler checked the chicken then placed his hands over hers, “Yeah, it’s good.” They stood there in silence for a minute. “Want some music?” Tyler asked, “You pick.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F458G9XCyvI&list=RDF458G9XCyvI&start_radio=1

Teddy selected a song from her phone and pulled Tyler to her.   Tyler laughed, “Welcome to My House” as he moved his hips. Teddy grabbed his hands and place them on her hips. They moved together in unison as Teddy sang the words.

Welcome to my house

Baby take control now

We can't even slow down

We don't like to go out

Teddy grinded with Tyler as he grabbed her ass, “Yeah this is so much better than a fancy restaurant.” Tyler twisted her around, wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her shoulders, “Mmmmm, definitely but I should probably check on the chicken before it burns.” He reluctantly removed his body from hers and pulled the chicken and veggies from the grill. Teddy shut off the music and playfully pouted as they walked back into the house. “Don’t pout Teddy,” Tyler laughed, “We only hit the pause button- not the stop” They worked quietly preparing their plates with the healthy grilled chicken, veggies and salad.

Play that music too loud

Show me what you do now

We don't like to go out

They sat next to each other at the island and chatted about their days. Tyler asked about her video editing. She explained that had edited two fashion hauls but was still working on her “Get Ready with Me- Date Night” video. “I got a little distracted and lost track of time,” she said sheepishly.

“Distracted by what?” Tyler asked. “Oh, you know the whole YouTube rabbit hole,” she said quietly.

“Rabbit hole of what Teddy?” Tyler prodded.

“Tyler Seguin BioSteel camp workouts” Teddy whispered as quietly as possible.

“What did you say?” Tyler asked, shocked.

“I swear I just looked up BioSteel Camp which led me to videos about draft day, then day highlights and then there was this whole video of you working out through the years. I couldn’t make myself stop because you were looking all and then talking all and…” she rambled.

“All what, Teddy?” he smiled.

Teddy covered her face, “Don’t make me say it, Tyler. It’s embarrassing.”

Tyler pulled her hands away from her face, “Say what Teddy? Tell me Teddy- I was looking all what?”

Teddy dramatically sighed, “Fine. Look all sexy as fuck, talking all sexy as fuck, being all sexy as fuck. Tyler, you know that you are sexy as fuck. Oh my God, how many times can I say the word fuck in a sentence! Fuck!”

Tyler grinned widely, “You think I am sexy as fuck? Really?”

Teddy pursed her lips, “You know that. There are whole tumblr blogs and Instagram accounts devoted to you being sexy as fuck.”

Tyler looked into her eyes, “I don’t care about them. I want to know if YOU find me sexy as fuck.”

Teddy caressed his cheek, “Yes Tyler, you are sexy as fuck.”

Tyler twisted her barstool and stood between her legs, “I like it when you say fuck.”

Teddy wrapped her legs around his waist and kissed his neck. “Fuck, fuck, fuck,” she whispered. He lifted her out of the chair and started carrying her to the couch. Teddy whispered, “No couch- bed.”

His eyebrows shot up in surprise, "You sure?"

"Never been more sure of anything in my whole life," she gasped as Tyler carried her up the stairs and opened the door to his bedroom as she nibbled his ear.

He placed her gently on the bed as he went to close the door, “No interruptions Boys- Dad is busy right now.”

Teddy crawled backwards on her elbows and watched him strip his shirt before walking over to the bed. She threw his snapback off of his head and pulled him on top of her. He kissed her passionately and slid his thigh between her legs. She grinded against his firm thigh and moaned into his ear, “Holy fuck, Tyler. You are so damn hot.” She kissed his chest and licked his collarbone as she grinded. He rolled off of her and pushed her crop top up to expose her bra before pulling the bra to kiss her breasts. His hands roamed over her body as sucked a nipple into his mouth. “Tyler, fuck,” she panted as he flicked his tongue back and forth across her hard nipple. She took his hand and placed it between her legs on top of her wet panties.

He looked up at her with a grin, “Damn, can I feel?”

She nodded yes and lifted her hips as he pulled the panties. He resumed his position and slid a finger between her slick folds, “So wet for me, Teddy. I want to taste you.”

She spread her legs as he pushed her skirt out of the way. “I can take it off,” she purred as she watched kiss her thighs. His curls bouncing slightly as he made his way to her center.

When he spread her apart and licked her clit, her back arched off of the bed. “Tyler, I may cum pretty quickly,” she half groaned/grunted. Tyler wiggled his tongue across her hard nub and then sucked it gently. Teddy ran her fingers through his hair as she rocked against his face. “Tyler, Sweetie, did you hear me? I am going to cum too fast if you keep doing that,” she moaned,then yelped as he slid a finger inside of her.

“There is no such thing as cumming too fast, Teddy. I want you to cum hard and fast for me,” he pumped his fingers in and out.

She looked down at him and smiled before lifting her hips, trying to get as much friction as possible. “Fuck Tyler, you are so good. Use your tongue again,” she groaned. “As you wish,” he murmured into her clit which made her whole body tense up. Tyler could feel her pussy beginning to pulse and contract, “Cum on pretty one. Cum all over my fingers.” Teddy began to whimper louder which turned to louder moans until they culminated in unintelligible screams. She clenched around his fingers and threw her head back as the orgasm pulsated through her. For what seemed like an eternity, her body pulsated and shook with pleasure and desire. Tyler pulled himself up to watch her face as she rode the wave. Teddy licked her lips and continued to whimper and moan. She reached out and touched Tyler’s chest as if to ground herself back to reality. She finally opened her eyes and found Tyler’s face. He smiled sweetly, “Hi.”

She looked around the room in a moment of daze and confusion. He pushed himself up and kissed her lips gently, “You okay?” Teddy nodded yes but still felt like she was floating into space.

She stared into his eyes, “Wow.” She felt herself slowly reconnecting to reality. She looked at him dreamily and curled into his chest, “Mmmm my turn”

She playfully pushed him onto his back and began to slowly lick and kiss her way down his chest. She leaned over and nibbled his arms. “Oh my, I must have watched your use these arms to do battle ropes like twenty times.” She licked his collarbone and then his chest. She followed with dragging her tongue across his nipples, “So sensitive.” He looked down at her as red hair covered her face as her tongue and mouth danced across and down his abs. His muscles tensed as she moved lower. “Planks do your body good Tyler. Those one using the straps got me all wet thinking about your core strength.”

Tyler closed his eyes and placed his hand on her head. She moved her body into position before sitting up and removing her top and bra. She leaned and rubbed her breasts over his erection. He lifted his hips slightly, "Pretty One, you're driving me crazy."

"Good," she stared at him, "Open your eyes, Sweet One. Watch me take you in my mouth." She licked him slowly as he opened his eyes and locked eyes with her as she placed her mouth on him and lowered down the shaft.

"Oh fuck," he hissed, "Your mouth feels so good." She started bobbing up and down, sucking hard. Teddy's hair fell into her eyes. She wiped it away before continuing only to have it fall down again. "Tyler, hold my hair so I can fuck you with my mouth" she said between strokes.

Tyler groaned as he took her hair in his hands, "Such a dirty mouth you have pretty one. Such a damn good mouth "

Teddy laughed and replaced her mouth with her hand, "You are the one who said that he liked hearing me say the word fuck. I am just trying to give you what you want." She put her mouth back on him and swirled her tongue, "Fuck Tyler, you're so damn hard."

Tyler writhed under her mouth, "Don't stop. Don't stop. I'm so close."

Teddy purred, "Close to what Sweetie? Cumming in my mouth? I wanna taste you." Tyler exploded into Teddy's mouth and she swallowed with a smile.

Then she kissed her way back up his abdomen and chest until got to his neck. Tyler's eyes fluttered open and shut while he breathed short, shallow breaths. Teddy whispered into his ear, "That was definitely worth the wait."

He opened one eye and smiled, "But we haven't even gotten to the best part yet." Teddy reached down between his legs and stroked his cock, "What's the best part, Sweetie?"

Tyler rolled over and reached into the top drawer and pulled out a condom. He handed it to Teddy, "Please?"

She ripped open the package and slid the condom on him. "Please what Sweet One?" Teddy straddled his waist. Her luscious pussy feeling wet against his skin, "What do you want Tyler?" She questioned as she rocked against him.

He grabbed her ass, flipped her over and thrust in into her with one smooth motion. He smiled as she gasped into his ear, "Say the word Teddy. Say it loud." He began to thrust in long, smooth strokes, "Please. I want to hear it."

Teddy wrapped her legs around his ass, "Fuck me Tyler. Fuck me hard. Fuck me fast. Oh God, you don't know how long I've waited for you to fuck me. Is that what you need to hear? Fuck, fuck, fuck. Just like that."

Tyler groaned and kissed her deeply, "I need to hear you cum again. You are so loud when you cum. I want to hear and feel it." She slid her hand between their bodies and placed it on her clit and began rubbing. He placed his hand on top of hers and made circles. Her body had an immediate reaction and legs began to tremble as her moans turn into loud whimpering mixed with a soft scream. "Yes, Pretty One, you're almost there. We're almost there." He increased his speed and depth of thrusts.

"Fuck, fuck, fuck," she placed her mouth on his shoulder to muffle her screams.

"No, let me hear it. I need to hear it," he panted. Teddy arched her back and felt her body release. The orgasm overwhelming her as she bucked, taking deep within her. He followed immediately after her with a mixture of quiet whimpers and loud moans. He stayed motionless on top of her while she kissed his cheeks.

He finally slid out of her, removed the condom and got up to go to the restroom. He came back with a warm wash cloth and began to tenderly clean her body. Teddy dazed off into distance. Her mind raced with overwhelming thoughts and feelings. She had never felt anything close to that intensity before now.

Out of habit, Teddy reached for her clothes while Tyler looked on in confusion. "You're leaving?" he asked quietly.

"Yeah, you need to get ready for tomorrow," she responded shakily, "I should let you get some rest."

"What?" he questioned as he grabbed his jeans to put them on, "at least let me walk you out."

She waited by the door before he silently took her hand and started walking downstairs. He looked at her in confusion as she walked with her head down. When they reached the door, he opened it and kissed her temple. She stood silently willing herself to move. She should leave she thought to herself. It's one of the "rules" she had with Lex, but leaving Lex never felt like this. Her heart ached and shifted her weight nervously. Teddy was unsure what to do. What if she asked to stay and Tyler rejected her? The thought that immediately followed was 'What if I ask and he says yes?' She could feel Tyler’s eyes on her, looking on with concern. He gently put his hand on her back and kissed her shoulder, “Teddy, please stay.”

She turned her head and looked into his eyes, “Do you really want me to stay? Can I stay all night? I would like to stay all night.”

Tyler smiled back at her, “Nothing I want more. Ready to come back inside? “

"It is still pretty early. Want to watch a movie?" Tyler asked as they walked back into the living room.

"Sure, but do you have some clothes I can change into," she asked. Tyler returned with a jersey and old shorts. Teddy stripped and put the new clothes as Tyler watched admiringly. They settled on the couch with the dogs around them. She snuggled into his bare chest and he wrapped his arm around her waist and rubbed her back softly.

Finally he spoke, "We need to talk, Teddy. I need to know what happened."

Teddy sighed, "I don't know how to explain without possibly upsetting you."

Tyler replied, "It won't be the first time I have been upset, Pretty One. Now tell me."

"Ugh, okay. Lex and I had an unofficial rule that we didn't stay the night or sleep with each other so I just got in the habit of going home after sex. I was obviously doing that just now but I couldn’t make myself do it- like my heart hurt because I really wanted to stay. I don't know exactly what we are and I don't think we need to define it. I am sorry that I forgot that we are different and tried to leave. I am so glad that you asked me to stay because there isn't place I would be than right here with you. I am so sorry, Tyler."

Tyler kissed the top of her head, "Not sure what part of that was supposed to make me upset, but I am glad that you told me. We have to be honest with each other if this is going to work."

Teddy drew in a deep breath, "Okay. Can I ask you a question? Was it good for you? Because it felt like it was better for me than you."

Tyler looked at her like she had three heads.

Teddy continued, "I felt my mind was blown." She made the mind blowing gesture. "But you didn't seem like your mind as all, " and she made the gesture again.

Tyler laughed loudly, "Oh, my mind, along with other things, were definitely blown. I was just hiding it. Not sure why though. I guess I didn't want you to know much it affected me. You're right about me and you. I don't know how to define it, but it's real and wonderful." They snuggled some more before he spoke, "So show me this video that got all hot and bothered."

She pulled up the video on YouTube but before pressing play said, "I am warning that it's probably going to get me all horny again so you'll need to fuck me again and maybe again."

He joked, " Well, we have to see if the mind blowing sex was just a fluke or not."

[princessphilly]

Word Count: 4034

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CW: this is smut. Lots of smut. NC-17. Safe sex. Just a heads up, the next several chapters will have varying levels of smut.

Nina had the best yet the worst dream last night. It was the best because it involved Sidney but it was also the worst because he edged her during the dream. She woke up needy and wishing that it was his cock instead of her dildo filling her this morning. “Fuck him for being so noble,” Nina whined to herself. 

Finally pulling herself out of bed, Nina was further agitated that she was up at 7am. It was a Friday morning and she had set up leaving there so that she would have a long weekend. She hoped she would have slept in but noooo, she was awake too early.

Padding out of her room, Nina went to the bathroom before going to her kitchen. Brewing herself coffee, she resigned herself to being up for the rest of the day. Then her phone rang and Nina whistled when she saw who it was. 

“Mila, what did you do?”

Out of Nina’s closest friends, Jamila was the youngest and the biggest firecracker/fuck-up out of all of them. But considering that Jamila had basically grown up on tv and the Disney channel, Mila wasn’t as bad as she could be. Nina had met enough of Jamila’s former castmates as well as read through gossip boards how much of a mess they were. 

Jamila answered, “Same shit, different day. Don’t worry I’m not high, I had oatmeal for breakfast, and I’m awake because I have a flight to NYC 10AM my time.”

Nina let out a breath and Jamila laughed. “I was concerned because you’re not a morning person-“

“Wellididfuckupandhookedupwiththewrongguylastnight,” Jamila said in a rush. 

“Sounds about right.”

Jamila added, “I was sober and the sex was amazing but I was trying to hook up with his friend but I ended going home with him.”

“Wow,” was all Nina could say. “Um, ok.”

“I had to confess that to someone and I knew you were the only one who’d be awake. I just feel bad because he seems like a good guy and I’ll be in NYC for work for the next couple of months,” Jamila confessed. 

Nina said, “Well, if it’s meant to be, it’ll happen.”

“Lauren said you had a date last night with a hockey player in the group chat. Said after she ruined your night because of some nut, he was nice and made sure she got home safe. So how was the dick?”

Nina could visualize the sly look on Jamila’s face when she asked the question. “I didn’t fuck him but I plan to very soon.”

“Nina, always the good girl. I wish I could give you some of my courage so that you could have got dicked down properly last night,” Jamila teased. 

Nina laughed then sighed ruefully. “I tried, he said he wanted to do it right. I guess because it’s been 5 years he had to wait.”

“Oh shit…. really?? OH MY GOD!!!! If it’s who I think it is, they were saying he just got dumped by his ex who is now with a new guy and sporting a ring,” Jamila yelled. 

Nina rolled her eyes. “They hadn’t been together in a long time. It was a PR relationship.”

“Well, that makes sense considering everything,” Jamila started but her voice trailed off. Nina could hear a deep voice in the background and she rolled her eyes. Of course Jamila would still be with her hookup. Nina could hear the guy telling her to come back to bed and Jamila flirting back. 

“Bye girl,” Nina said before hanging up. 

The rest of her early morning went pretty smooth; Nina fed and cuddled Terrible Tess, walked Steely, answered some emails. By the time she was ready for a nap, her doorbell rang. Running to the door, she pressed the buzzer and gasped when she saw who was there. Pressing the unlock button, she waited impatiently for Sidney to come up. When she heard a knock on her door, she quickly opened it and ushered for him to come in.

Sidney shyly grinned as he pulled the bouquet from behind his back. He originally had just planned to call Nina to see how she was doing but when he saw it, he just had to buy it. The florist said it included red roses, pink camellias, white clover, and hibiscus. Sidney had no idea what that all meant but it looked beautiful and perfect for Nina. It was worth it as Nina exclaimed, “Sidney, they’re beautiful!”

Nina really did find them to be beautiful as she sniffed them. Flowers still weren’t her thing but this bouquet was just awesome. Then her eyes started to water and Nina sniffled. Sidney closed his eyes and whispered, “Fuck.”

“Don’t beat yourself up for my allergies. They are too beautiful to be angry about. My mom will love them so much too,” Nina consoled. “She loves flowers, all flowers.”

Nina sneezed before giggling. Sidney made a pained face which made Nina giggle some more as she put the flowers on her coffee table. “Look at it this way, my mom loves you and she will love you even more.”

“That’s good,” Sidney said, as he pulled Nina close. “We are flying out this afternoon.”

“Good luck,” Nina replied as Sidney’s hand caressed her back. 

Sidney’s other hand brushed Nina’s cheek. “Thank you. Going to miss seeing you, pretty girl.”

Nina gave Sidney a shy smile at the compliment. “Why do you always call me that?”

“Because you’re pretty and you have the sweetest smile when I call you that,” Sidney replied. “Gonna be thinking about you over the next couple of weeks.”

“Too bad you cock-blocked yourself. I could’ve given you something to fantasize about while you were away,” Nina said with a saucy look. 

Sidney groaned, looking Nina up and down in her sleep shorts and shirt. Nina snickered before getting on her tip-toes and brushing her lips over Sid’s. She briefly thought, ‘Maybe if we hooked up last night, this attraction would be gone already.’ Thoughts fled when Sidney deepened the kiss, his tongue sliding into her mouth as his hand held her chin in place. The other hand moved from her back to grip her ass. 

The kiss began lazy but ended rough and passionate as Nina’s arms had wound around Sidney’s neck. They were both panting as Nina ended it. Licking her lips, Nina was rewarded with a moan from Sidney as his hand tightened on her ass. “I have two hours before I have to meet up with the team.”

“Too bad you didn’t want to do anything last night,” Nina teased, her voice breathy as his hand let go of her generous ass and instead was trailing between your legs. One touch of his fingers and she was ready to lay on the floor and spread her legs. 

Sidney watched Nina’s face intently as he stroked her through her shorts, memorizing her reactions. “I can feel how wet you are. I do this to you, eh?”

Nina nodded as Sidney kissed her neck. Then he slid her shorts to the side and slipped his fingers into her pussy and she gasped. Gently touching her clit, Sidney smirked as Nina moaned. He focused on her clit, contemplating trying to get Nina off quickly due to the lack of time. Nina put a hand on top of Sidney’s, moving his hand to where she wanted it the most. Moving his hand in small circles like she wanted, Sidney whispered, “Are you close, pretty girl?”

“Uh-huh,” Nina managed to reply, eyes closed. It felt good, so good. Then Sidney stopped and Nina’s eyes flew open. “The fuck?”

“That’s for that ‘Promises, promises,’ comment last night,” Sidney chided. Then he licked his fingers, wet with Nina’s essence. “You taste so good, can’t wait to eat you in two weeks.”

Nina took in several deep breaths as Sidney laughed. “I don’t know to tell you to get the fuck out or that I really want you to eat my pussy.”

“Lucky for you, I have to go,” Sidney replied before kissing Nina again. It was a quick and hard kiss, one Sidney ended by biting her lip. “Two weeks. Bye, pretty girl.”

“Get out.”

Sidney continued to laugh as he left Nina’s apartment. She slammed the door, causing him to giggle-honk.

**

During the road trip, Sidney was a focused man. The announcers, press, tumblr, everyone remarked on how well he was playing. He started the road trip on a three game goal streak and was currently in the midst of a six game goal streak, the last two games being multi-goal games. Tonight was an off night; they had a game tomorrow night against Chicago, another off day, then back to back games against the Rangers and Devils. Then, they would finally be returning home. 

Sidney smiled as he laid his head on his hotel bed in Chicago. It was still early enough in the season that there wasn’t snow but there was a crispness in the air. It didn’t matter to him though; three more games and five more days, he would be back in Pittsburgh and closer to Nina. Sidney could taste her lips as he remembered that kiss she gave him when he delivered the flowers he got her, as well as everything else. It was going to be so good. 

Scrolling through his contacts, Sidney selected Nina’s. He saved her under ‘pretty girl’ in his phone. It was close to 10:30pm here which meant it would be late at home. But before he could text Nina, he got a call from Kathy. 

“Hi.”

“Hey Sid, congrats on the game last night,” Kathy said. 

Sidney’s thoughts went from potentially phone seduction to friendlier thoughts. Even though the romantic relationship with Kathy was long gone, they had been close for over a decade. 

“Thank you. I work hard every game.”

Kathy laughed. “I know. That’s why you’re going to play 1500 games before you retire.” 

Sidney giggled as Kathy continued, “Anyway, how’s things going with your love of your life? Have you managed to get her to look at you with a smile?”

“I took her out before the road trip.”

“Congratulations! I’m seriously happy; I’ve always been concerned you’d be by yourself because all you do is eat, sleep, and breathe hockey.”

“Thanks, Kathy,” Sidney drily replied. “How’s Tony?”

“We are doing great but I know you don’t care. I’m probably cock blocking you from your tone. I’m sorry.”

Sidney could hear Kathy’s impish tone through the phone. He decided to tell her the truth. “You were but it’s late anyway.”

“Look at it this way; it’ll look like I dumped you and then, she came along and healed your heart after I post pics with Tony on my ig tonight. Night.”

“Sounds great.” Sidney didn’t really care even though Kathy was doing him a PR solid. But then, their relationship had changed years ago from romance to a platonic friendship where Kathy was his public girlfriend and they did their own thing privately. However, Nina leaving the Lemieux Center had been a game changer and Sidney had told Kathy he was ending their arrangement, permanently. 

Sidney’s phone buzzed and he smiled when he saw who the message was from. i met ms lemieux 2day she invited me for lunch with a shrug emoji. Instead of texting Nina back, he called her. “Hi, pretty girl.”

“Hi,” Nina responded with a yawn. “What’s up?”

“Do you want to know the real answer to that question?”

“Not really, especially after the way you left me,” Nina whined. 

“Don’t worry, I’m almost home. I’ll give it to you just how you like.”

Nina commented, “We never had that conversation.”

Sidney laid back, settling into the hotel bed. Usually within an hour he would go to sleep but this was a conversation worth having. Before he could say something, Nina continued, “My hard limits are that I never want to be called bitch, ever. You are dead to me if you call me that. I don’t do suprise anal, ass to mouth is unsafe, and I have absolutely no interest in anything extreme. I do enjoy being called a filthy slut, I like a hand on my throat but I don’t want to be choked hard. I like breathing. I like hair-pulling, being spanked, being edged, being forced to cum over and over, being woken up with sex, and toys. Anal is a possibility but I refuse to be rushed into it.”

“Nice list. I’m totally okay with all of that. More than okay, fuck yeah,” Sidney replied. “I’m simple, as long as you’re into it, I’m into it. I just don’t do any kind of pictures or video.”

Nina whistled. “Oh yeah, that’s definitely a no. Is there anything you like to be called?”

“You can call me sir, or daddy, whatever you pick,” Sidney said. He could tell from the hitch in Nina’s breath that she liked that and he filed that away for future use. “But sir is something that’s earned.”

“Both are actually earned,” Nina said with a snicker. 

Sidney laughed before telling Nina what he really wanted. “But what I want to do to you is finally get to lick your pussy, fuck you until we both can’t walk, then wake up the next morning with you sitting on my face.”

Sidney smirked as he heard Nina’s gasp. “I remember how wet you got when I fingered you. I know you’re going to feel so good when I fuck you.” 

“I gotta go, I have to work tomorrow, bye,” Nina stammered. 

Sidney laughed. “Night, pretty girl.”

**

Nina knew the house that Sidney lived in was huge but she was still a bit shocked. The team had returned this morning and Sidney took her out tonight. Everyone was excited because the team had won six out of eight games during the roadtrip. But Nina knew what Sidney was really excited about. 

His energy all night was barely restrained power, throughout dinner. The looks that Sidney had given her, Nina shivered. It felt like he was barely able to keep himself from throwing her on the table. But now, he was sitting on the couch, scrolling his phone as if he was scared to make a move. However, Nina was feeling frisky and decided to break the ice.

“Are you nervous?”

Sidney looked up from his phone to see Nina crossing her legs, making her dress hike up her thighs. “No,” he replied as he watched Nina rake her fingers through her hair, pushing it behind her shoulder. 

“I think so,” Nina teased. “After everything we discussed before the road trip, it’s like you’re afraid to make a move.”

Nina moved closer to Sidney, the sweet coconut vanilla scent of her perfume filling his nose. “Afraid that reality won’t hold up to your fantasy? Or that you won’t be as good as you said you were?”

Nina smirked as Sidney’s nostrils flared. Normally playing games wasn’t her thing, but Nina noticed that Sidney was in his head once he got her home. Fortunately for him, she was willing to give him a push. 

“I’m not afraid,” Sidney breathed. Nina then straddled his lap. 

“Show me then, Mr. Crosby.”

Sidney groaned as Nina began to grind her hips, giving him a bit of a lap dance. “I don’t want the first time to be rough and fast.”

“Well, I don’t care because there will be multiple times,” Nina countered. Putting her arms around his neck, she stated, “Fuck me, Mr. Crosby.”

With a strangled groan, Sidney’s lips met hers as he kissed her. His lips slid over hers as his hands grabbed her waist. Nina sighed into his mouth as her fingers tugged his hair. She continued to slow grind on his lap, her hips making little circles as she teased him. 

“Fuck, do you know what you do to me,” Sidney said with a hiss as Nina rocked on his lap. 

Nina gave Sidney an innocent grin. “No, enlighten me?”

Sidney got up, wrapping Nina’s legs around his waist. Then he made his way to the closest wall, pinning her against it. Rolling his hips into hers, he gritted out, “That is what you do to me.”

Nina squeaked as she felt his hard cock rubbing into her clothed core. Unable to help herself, she smirked and said, “I see.”

“You little tease. You know what teases get?”

Breath hitching as Sidney nipped her neck, Nina managed to ask, “What?”

She could feel his smirk as Sidney’s hands skimmed her curves. Then she felt his hand on her throat; already negotiated but still a surprised thrill ran through Nina’s body. 

“Teases have to earn the right to cum.”

Nina laughed at first, the laugh turning into a slight moan as Sidney ground his hips into hers. Pulling on his salt and pepper hair, she said, “Then fuck me like you said you were.”

Sidney grunted before tossing Nina over his shoulder. Nina squealed with laughter before being rewarded with a smack on her ass. She tried to pay attention to her surroundings but it felt like everything was a blur before Sidney went into the master bedroom. 

Dropping Nina onto the california king bed, Sidney undid his tie. Nina knelt on the bed, pulling her dress over her head. Sidney bit his lip as he looked at Nina in her lingerie. “You like,” Nina purred. 

“Definitely,” was Sidney’s reply as Nina laid back. He pulled off his shirt and shucked off his pants and boxers quickly, earning a giggle from Nina. But her giggles turned breathy when Sidney crouched over her. “You look so good in my bed.”

Before she could give him a snarky response, Nina felt his fingers pull down the straps of her bra. “Better than my dreams,” Sidney breathed. “So fucking better than my dreams.”

His lips met the swell of her breast above the cup and Nina arched towards Sidney. His fingers and lips worshipped her breasts as he carefully took off her bra before throwing it on the floor. Her blood was racing as Sidney sucked on her nipple, his hands pulling her panties down. Nina quickly shimmied them off, needing Sidney closer. And he gave her what she wanted as he kissed her deeply, his fingers inside of her folds, spreading wetness. She moaned into his mouth as Sidney lazily thumbed her clit, the light pressure feeling good. Nina sucked his lip into her mouth before breaking the kiss with a gasp. His fingers had entered her and it felt so good. 

“So responsive, my pretty girl’s so responsive for me,” Sidney murmured  as he kissed her neck, then her collarbone. He was playing her body almost too good for the first fuck, it was amazing. Nina grabbed hold of the sheets as Sidney began to fuck her with two fingers, then three. It was way too good, especially as he sucked one breast, then the other.

Nina could feel it. She was so fucking close. Sidney’s fingers were pumping in a slow but deep rhythm, the way she liked it. But his mouth was no longer alternating between her breasts and his thumb was just very lightly touching her clit. “Fuck,” Nina breathed. 

Sidney laughed, his giggle-honk actually not ruining the mood. Then he lightly sucked on her clit and Nina’s back arched off the bed. “Right there,” she urged as Sidney alternated between licking and sucking her clit as he fingered her.

Sidney kept the light pressure on her clit, his fingers curling a come-hither motion. Nina writhed, she was already so close and goddamn... she did not know that Sidney was that talented with his mouth. Back arching, she was so fucking close and he just.... stopped.

“Daddy didn’t tell you that you can cum.”

Nina wanted to whine at his words but at the same time, she found herself getting wetter. “You like when I say that, pretty girl?”

“Yes,” she moaned.

Sidney laughed wickedly. “Cum for me, pretty girl. Fuck you look so good like this.”

Nina looked down at him, words failing as she gripped his hair. One powerful arm was laying on her stomach, keeping her in place as he steadily licked her clit, two fingers pumping into her pussy. 

Sidney lifted his head, his eyes meeting hers. “You taste so fucking sweet,” he growled before licking his lips. 

Nina pulled Sidney to her, her lips sliding against his. She could taste herself on his mouth. But before she could really kiss him like she wanted, Sidney pulled away. Ruffling through a drawer, Sidney pulled out several condoms. “I can’t wait anymore, I need to be inside of you.”

Nina spread her legs as she watched Sidney put on the condom. They both moaned as he entered her, sweat beading on their brows. Sidney grunted when he bottomed out, Nina’s fingers grasping his back. “Fuck, you feel so fucking good.”

Nina clenched around Sidney’s cock with a smirk on her face, earning a deep groan. Sidney pulled a leg up over his waist, thrusting at a deeper angle. Nina moaned, her fingers digging into his back. The deeper angle also helped his pelvis to rub against her clit with each thrust, making Nina pulsate around his cock. “Don’t worry, pretty girl, you can cum for me,” Sidney managed to say as he continued to give Nina steady, deep strokes. “I won’t be able to last as long this time.”

Nina pressed her lips to his, the sensation of him deep inside of her and the friction on her clit making her so close. Sidney sucked her lip into his mouth as he moved faster, his hand moving between their bodies to stroke her clit. Nina came apart with a scream, followed by Sid as he grunted, coming into the condom. 

Nina barely made it to the bathroom in the afterglow before curling onto Sid’s bed and falling asleep. Sidney giggled as he pulled her into his body after taking care of the condom. They fell asleep like that, a deep peaceful rest.

**

Nina stirred. She was laying on Sidney’s chest, her legs entwined with his. Looking at the clock, it was too early again, 7 am on a Saturday. The Pens didn’t have a game tonight, they had a Sunday afternoon national game against the Flyers so Sidney didn’t have to wake up. But her internal clock made her wake up early every day. 

Carefully extracting herself from the bed, Nina padded to the bathroom. After taking care of business, she looked at Sidney laying on the bed. ‘The man is truly a work of art,’ she thought to herself. Then smirking, she decided to do something that she wished she did last night. Lightly grasping his already hard cock, Nina licked it before sliding it into her mouth. She sucked on his cock, soft and slow as she waited for Sidney to wake up. Then she felt a hand on her hair and Nina looked up. 

“Good morning,” Sidney rumbled and Nina winked. She began to suck harder, using one hand to pump Sidney’s cock as she used her tongue and mouth to bring him to the edge. Sidney kept one hand in her hair as he watched Nina blow him. He tugged on her hair, letting her know he was close and Nina sucked harder. “Fuck,” Sidney uttered as he started to cum into Nina’s mouth. Nina eagerly let him cum into her mouth, especially after the first taste was actually decent. 

After Sidney shot the last part of his load into her mouth, Nina let his cock out of her mouth with a pop. “Whatever you eat, please keep eating it because I will blow you every night,” Nina stated.

Sidney laughed, his abs rippling and his eyes closing. Then he opened his eyes and crooked a finger. “I told you what I wanted for breakfast.”

Nina licked her lips as she crawled up the bed before getting into the position that Sidney wanted. She definitely wasn’t going to argue with that.

[princessphilly]

Word Count: 1975 (you know I start small then build up)

Tag list: @newlibrary , @luvsherleafs @spine-buster , @m00nlightdelights @lovethepreds @myhockeyworld87 @Defiant-mouse, @callllumhood @yzas-stuff , @stars-canucks @laurenairay @cutiesara23, @besthockeyfics @hockeyallthetime @tazerass , @markymarkstrom @letsgobaby, @himbos-on-ice @hockeywocs @bloodthedevil @nhlboyshavemyhart88 @whatishockey @dreamer1430 @shelbsatans

CW: people failing to be mean, some angst. We are still rated pg-13 but we will be hitting NC-17 soon.

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It’s okay to admit that you are enough. It’s also okay to struggle with admitting that to yourself. At least, that’s what I learned when Meghan Markle still had her old blog, The Tig, up online before she became the Duchess of Sussex. Honestly, she’s one of my goals; her father is a trip and she’s managed to live well despite his issues. I’d like to be able to do whatever she did with my mom. - journal 9/2

**

“The man over there says thanks.”

Jamila looked at the waiter, confused. “Um, okay,” she questioned as she looked where the waiter was discreetly pointing. A tall, brown haired guy raised a whiskey neat in salute. Jamila gave him a tentative grin. After the waiter left, she hissed, “I didn’t send him a drink, Lisa! What the hell?”

Jamila had to admit he was attractive but not her usual type. Her type was the outdoorsy type, the kind who could fish, hunt, and actually be able to live off the land if society collapsed overnight. This guy… he looked like money and power, the kind to hire someone to take care of him.

After a moment, it became obvious what happened as Alyssa and Frances came back over. Jamila put on her best movie-star fake smile as those two came by. They were the worst kind of people; backstabbers who even when they got caught, still got away with it because they knew how to suck up to the people in power. Jamila knew exactly why they didn’t like her: she had enough fame left over that she didn’t need to be their friend to earn a good reputation in their phD program.

“Meet any nice guys,” Frances asked with a sly smirk on her face.

Jamila gave Lisa a sideways look as Alyssa said, “I mean, there’s Jonathan Toews, he’s single. I bet he’d be interested in a washed-up actress.”

“Hmmm, I have no idea who you are talking about,” Jamila honestly said.

Alyssa smirked as she replied, “He plays for the Blackhawks, Meena.”

Jamila grit her teeth as Alyssa used her first name. She hated when people used her first name, it brought up too many bad memories. Before she could reply, the attractive brown-haired guy was standing next to her with a faint grin on his face. “Um, hi,” Jamila said as Lisa, Alyssa, and Frances stared at him.

“I figured I’d say hi after you sent me that drink. I would have bought you one but I don’t know what you’re drinking and it wouldn’t be nice to assume. My name is Jonathan,” he said with a flirtatious wink.

Jamila hesitantly replied, “My name is Jamila and I’m just drinking merlot tonight.”

“Another glass,” Jonathan asked, his deep voice doing things to Jamila’s insides. She bit her lip as she looked at him, trying to decide if she wanted to encourage him or not.

“Sure.”

As he found a waiter, Jamila looked at Lisa. Lisa motioned to her phone and Jamila checked her screen. That’s jonathan toews, the guy those bitches were talking about. He plays hockey and is the captain of the blackhawks

Jamila texted back, what is hockey n y should i care

Then the waiter came with a fresh glass of merlot and Jonathan passed it to her. Jamila took a deep sip, loving the taste. Merlot was truly her favorite and they had a good house vintage. Jonathan asked, “Are you new to Chicago?”

“I’ve been here for a year. It’s alright,” Jamila replied. “This is my first time going out on the North Side though.”

Jonathan gave Jamila a slow smile and her breath caught. He definitely was attractive but not her usual type. He said, “Then that’s why we’ve never met til now. I would have definitely remembered such a beautiful woman if I saw you before.”

Jamila giggled. “That’s a good one. You get one point for that.”

“Just one point? Is it an assist or a goal?”

“Um,” Jamila stalled. “I have no idea what you are talking about.”

The sly smile on Jonathan’s face turned into a wide smile. This girl was not only hot but he could tell that she was truly clueless about hockey. Tonight was a win-win for him. “I’m going to assume it’s a goal then.”

“Okay.” Jamila shrugged as she took another sip of her wine. “I’m still not completely impressed so you still need to work on it.”

Jonathan laughed, causing some people to turn towards them. Jamila caught Alyssa and Frances giving her the evil eye and she smirked. Reaching out a hand, she touched Jonathan’s upper arm. Jamila had no idea what hockey was but whatever it was, he definitely was built. Jamila turned slightly as she rubbed his arm, making sure that those two bitches could see that she was touching him.

“You like what you feel,” Jonathan asked, his voice slightly deeper with a sultry tone.

Unable to resist the bait, Jamila replied, “Of course,” licking her lips. There was no problem in flirting with him, she thought to herself as he smirked at her.

Jonathan’s eyes were on her lips. She had full lips, made for kissing. Jamila wasn’t his usual type but Jonathan didn’t have a problem with that. “There’s more that you can-,” he started before someone bellowed, “TAZER!”

Jamila whipped around towards the sound, annoyed to have been interrupted before her attention was caught by the kind of guy of her dreams. He was tall, auburn haired, and looked like a lumberjack. He was perfection and he came over to them.

“Duncs,” Jonathan called.

The lumberjack said, “Heyy Tazer.”

Jamila smiled. Maybe this whole drink mix-up thing was working out for her, she thought until she saw her LA friend, Shan, come up behind this Duncs guy. Shan’s brother Alex was with them, his ever present backwards cap covering his hair.

Jonathan loved Duncs as a brother but right now, he was annoyed and pissed. He had been close to sealing the deal but Jamila was now looking at Duncs like he was the last man on earth. Then Jamila gave him a brilliant smile and Jonathan suddenly realized that he was totally fucked.

“Hi,” Jamila purred, forgetting that her hand was still on Jonathan’s bicep. Duncan looked at that and raised an eyebrow at his captain. Jonathan gave him a glare and Duncan made a motion with his hands.

Before Duncan could reply, Shan yelled, “Jamillllaaa!! Long time no see!”

“Hi Shan,” Jamila drily replied, glad she used her preferred name instead of her first name. Shan was a fellow child actress, a Canadian who managed to get supporting roles at Disney over the years before transitioning to a character actress when she became an adult. Shan was the only one whose parents were actually on-set all of the time and paid attention to what was going on. Consequently, Shan was the only one who didn’t have substance abuse problems, etc. and the only one from her former shows that Jamila kept in contact with.

Jonathan looked at Shan and Jamila. “You two know each other?”

Shan drunkenly giggled as Alex closed his eyes. “We were both Disney kids back in the day.”

Jamila sardonically smiled. “Those were fun days.”

“I’m sorry,” Alex replied. “Shan’s got a role in one of the next Marvel movies so she decided to celebrate.”

“Congratulations,” Jamila sincerely stated. Getting a role in the MCU was a steady check and something to celebrate. Then Jonathan took a double take and looked at her and Jamila groaned. He bit one of his thin lips and then he smirked before putting a finger to his mouth. Jamila exhaled and gave him her biggest smile. He recognized her but he didn’t say anything. Jamila leaned over and whispered into Jonathan’s ear, “You just got a second point.”

“Then maybe you should let me have your number,” Jonathan purred into Jamila’s ear.

Jamila smirked, rolling her eyes but before she could respond, Shan slurred, “Wow, Jamila, you waste no time. You were just telling me yesterday that you didn’t know a damn thing about hockey and tonight, you’re talking with Captain Serious.”

Jonathan wanted to shake his teammate’s sister because Jamila shut down, pursing her lips.

Oblivious, Shan continued, “Now, you don’t have an excuse not to go with my brother to the bowling thing.”

Alex face-palmed as Jamila pinched the bridge of her nose. She had totally forgotten about that and of course, when Shan was drunk, she was loud and obnoxious.

Pasting her best fake smile on her face, Jamila said, “I think it’s time for me to go.”

“So soon,” Duncan teased.

Jamila smirked at him, looking him up and down. “I need my beauty rest and to not strangle my friend.”

Jonathan gritted his teeth as he watched Jamila eye his friend. Then she turned to him and blew him a kiss. “It was nice to meet you, Jonathan,” Jamila said, giving him a wink.

Jonathan smiled back and Jamila was taken aback for a moment. There was a promise in those dark brown eyes and she felt her body begin to respond. Then he licked his lips and for a moment, all Jamila could think about was maybe those lips on her body. Slightly shaking her head, Jamila waved her fingers before going to call an Uber. This was a night.

**

After getting home, Jamila tossed her bag onto her front table. She suddenly felt exhausted even though it was barely after 11:30pm. Walking into her living room, Jamila saw her other cell phone glowing. Picking it up, she cursed. There were fifteen messages and ten missed calls, all from Janine. The messages started off nice, asking how Jamila was doing to nasty, calling her all kinds of names for not picking up and giving her “mother” money.

Tossing the phone back onto the table, Jamila sighed. Getting a separate cell phone just for her mother’s calls was the best but it was draining just to look at it.

Janine Brown was a bit actress, stage-mother, and now two-bit manager. Janine had always wanted to be an actress, even when she was attending grad school at MIT for physics. There, she met Jayesh Vyas, a student earning a PhD in computer engineering. Within six months, they were married and expecting a child; after two years, they were divorced after pressure from Jayesh’s parents. Jayesh returned to India and Janine was stuck with an 11 month old baby with dimples made of gold.

By the time that Jamila could remember, she was in front of a camera. Her life as a child was in front of a camera; first as the adorable adopted child in Granger vs Granger, then the youngest kid in The Elliot Show as a young child. Then from age 12 to 17, Jamila starred as Jane Lee in the Disney show, Plain Jane. School was on set. Birthdays were celebrated on set. Everything revolved around a set year round until right after Jamila’s 17th birthday.

The aftermath of that birthday was a stay in rehab, a cancelled show, and living with her dad and stepmom full time in Atlanta.

Jamila promptly deleted all the messages and voicemails before going on online banking. After authorizing a transfer to Janine’s account, Jamila showered, put on pajamas, and grabbed her pink Lepidolite and pink quartz crystals. Sitting cross legged, Jamila worked to calm her anxiety so that she could have a restful night sleep.

But in her dreams, she tried to focus on a pair of blue eyes and a lumberjack look. However, she kept dreaming of a pair of deep obsidian brown eyes, a crooked smile, and a deep voice telling her everything he was going to do to her

[princessphilly]

5 with Jonathan Toews please? Love your writing a lot by the way xx

5) “You look good all soaking wet.”

“You look good all soaking wet.”

You look up through your lashes at your boyfriend, kneeling between your legs, his cock deep inside of you. He continued, “Fuck, your pussy is made for me, baby.”

Then you felt him withdraw and you clench, earning a groan from Jon. Words were impossible as you were gagged but fuck, it felt so amazing as he fucked you.

“Let’s see how many times I can make you cum, baby,” were the last words you heard before you felt the buzz of the wand at just the right spot and you saw stars.

[princessphilly]

Prologue

Tag list: @newlibrary , @luvsherleafs,@spine-buster , @m00nlightdelights , @lovethepreds @myhockeyworld87 @Defiant-mouse, @callllumhood,@yzas-stuff , @stars-canucks @laurenairay, @cutiesara23, @besthockeyfics @hockeyallthetime @tazerass , @markymarkstrom @letsgobaby @himbos-on-ice @hockeywocs @bloodthedevil, @nhlboyshavemyhart88 , @whatishockey

CW: disordered eating, negative focus on weight, angst

Word Count: 801

Self-love is something that we always talk about.

It’s not easy.

Well, it’s easy to say that you love yourself. But it’s not easy to actually put in action.

-Self-love vlog 9/18

“You’ve gained five pounds, Meena.”

Jamila winced as the PA shook her head. The wardrobe consultant, her mother, the director, and the producer all glared at her as she stood on the scale. The scale said 120. One hundred and twenty pounds. You’re getting fat.

The director snapped, “You can’t be a lead actress if you’re fat. You’re fat, Meena. You’ve gotten fat since you left Hollywood.”

Jamila took in a deep breath. “I’m five feet, seven inches tall. I wear a size 2. I workout everyday, I have my fucking period, and my hair isn’t falling out anymore. I’m healthier than ever, I’m not fucking fat,” she retorted. “I’m still wearing this sample size dress and it’ll have to be taken in. So don’t call me fat.”

“Not just fat, but that attitude is still there,” the producer snapped.

“I have an attitude for defending myself? You were just on the cover of Vogue talking about fat acceptance and you’re now trying to shame me for weighing FIVE POUNDS MORE THAN I DID LAST MONTH!!”

Mom said, “Oh Jamila, if you gain weight, you’ll lose your show-”

“Oh my god,” Jamila placed her hand on her forehead. That dream was back, the dream that was reality more often than not when she was a teen. That was her life as Meena Vyas, the child actress on Life According to Bob, then the lead actress on the Disney show, Plain Jane. Daily weigh-ins to make sure she was as skinny as possible. It had been over five years since she last had to deal with that but it was a constant fixture in Jamila’s nightmares.

Rubbing her forehead, Jamila turned on her left. It was 4:30 AM, too early to wake up, but a bit too late to try to get a deep sleep. Then her phone rang and Jamila cracked open an eye. It was Marisa calling and Jamila answered, “Isn’t it too early to be awake for you too?”

“Good morning, I’m a teacher, I wake up this early,” Marisa answered with a laugh.

Jamila grumbled, “It’s too early. Aren’t you going to wake up that athlete boyfriend of yours?”

“Kevin is on a road trip so I’m all by myself. Something told me to call you this morning, Mila, so I did.”

Jamila truly didn’t understand how Marisa was so happy first thing in the morning. She truly didn’t understand morning people. But fuck it, she was awake anyway. Jamila replied, “I had a nightmare, again.”

“Is it the OD nightmare or the weighing nightmare,” Marisa asked with concern as she turned on her macbook.

“It’s the weighing nightmare.”

Jamila sighed as she turned on her side, cutting on her bedside lamp. Chicago was still very much dark, the lights of the city interrupting the pitch black of night.

Marisa said, “I wish I could come there and give you a hug but you’ll have to take my virtual hug.”

“Thanks, Risa.” Jamila smiled. Marisa wasn’t one of the most emotional people in her life so if Marisa said she wanted to give her a hug, Jamila knew it was the truth. “I do have a class this morning, and then I’m teaching two intro groups this afternoon.”

“I still can’t believe you went back to school,” Marisa stated as she began typing. “You hated school.”

“My career has pretty much dried up and I have nothing else to do. I always loved my psych classes, it was everything else I hated,” Jamila murmured as she put her phone on speaker. “Plus, I’m halfway done my thesis.”

“What are you going to do when you’re done?”

“Become a psychotherapist.”

Marisa almost burst out laughing at that statement but she was able to hold it in at the last moment. “That sounds interesting.”

“Hahaha,” Jamila replied sarcastically. She looked out the window, pulling her legs into her chest. “I’m going to try to go back to sleep.”

“Bye Jamila, call me later, okay?”

“I will.” Jamila hung up, still staring out into the middle of the night sky. There were some stars twinkling through the cloudy sky.

Normally, Jamila enjoyed the solitude but for some reason, she felt strangely unsettled. Scrolling through her phone, Jamila checked out her horoscope for the day.

Capricorn: be aware of sudden changes and try to be flexible.

Jamila snickered; horoscopes were always so vague. But her stepmother had told Jamila the other day, she was about to go through her Saturn Return. Jamila had no idea what that was but she was ready for this unsettled feeling to go.

[princessphilly]

27 with Big rig

27) “Oh honey, you know, you really shouldn’t tease me.”

A droop of one sleeve, exposing a bit more cleavage.

A sly smirk as you watch his eyes caress your body.

A crossing of legs, drawing attention to the skirt inching higher and higher on your thighs.

“Oh honey, you know, you really shouldn’t tease me,” Jamie drawled.

“What’s going to happen,” you tease, running your tongue over your lips before sucking your lower one into your mouth.

“This,” was all Jamie said as he pulled you into his lap, his hands palming your ass as he ground you into his erection.

You cooed, “Ooooh,” legs straddling his lap, your lips meeting his.