#Jamie Oleksiak fic

[barkbarkbeauvillier]

i won't say (i'm in love)

pairing: jamie oleksiak x reader

genre: fluff

warnings: sickness, swearing, vince dunn is an asshole,

summary: 4+1. the four times everyone else knew you and jamie liked each other and the one time you both figured it out yourselves

word count: 2.8k

a/n: 1. shoutout to my bestfriend for the title (i was shook). 2. this was written for @antoineroussel winter fic exchange. My giftee is @jxmieoleksiaks it was an honor to get to write for you! I hope you enjoy the fic!

[1.]

Your best friend pointed it out first. 

Jamie was going home for Christmas. You were bummed when he first told you he’d be back in Canada for the break, but you knew not all of your friends could stick around for the holidays. Not everyone in your life was born and raised in Seattle, unfortunately. 

“You’ll be at the game on the 22nd right?” he asked. 

“Don’t I come to all the home games?” You teased. You were a season ticket holder after all.

When Seattle got a hockey team, you were quick to snatch up season tickets thankful to finally have a professional team in your hometown. You never thought you’d end up friends with one of the players–actually multiple players thanks to Jamie dragging you to just about every Kraken function in the last three years. At the beginning of this season, Jamie insisted he give you one of his free tickets to the home games so that you wouldn’t have to pay for tickets, but you declined. 

“Do you think you could take me to the airport after?”

A frown tugged at the corners of your lips. Because, no you really didn’t want to take him to the airport. You wanted your best friend to stay in Seattle with you for the holidays.

“Sure Jame,” you answered. 

“You’re the best,” Jamie sighed. “Do you wanna hang out tomorrow?”

The team had just gotten back from a roadie. You were settling into bed when Jamie called, him doing the same. You hadn’t seen him for a week. You did text every day, and you facetimed once after a rough game. He also called you twice, once because he was bored on his day off and the other one because you got off work late and wanted to be on the phone with someone while you walked from your office to your car. 

“Yes! I work in the morning, but my evening is free.”

“We’ve got optional morning practice so I’ll probably go to that tomorrow. Come over after work?”

Not that anyone could see, but you had the biggest grin on your face. “Sounds like a plan.”

Almost immediately after hanging up with Jamie, one of your girlfriends called. You’d been promising to hang out with her for the last two weeks but neither of your schedules had lined up.

“Ok we need to do something before Christmas. Give me the days you’re free.”

“Tonight and the 23rd,” you answered her.

“Dammit!” She swore. “I’m free tomorrow and the 22nd.” 

“Jamie and I just planned to hang out tomorrow. And by just planned I mean literally I got off the phone with him not even a minute before you called.”

“Ugh,” she grunted. “Fuck him. Oh wait… you’re trying to right?”

You giggled nervously. “Shut up.”

“You’re probably hanging out with him on the 22nd too huh?”

“There’s a game that night and then I’m taking him to the airport after.”

“Oooh taking him to the airport… that’s a big step Y/N.”

Even though she couldn’t see you, you rolled your eyes at her. “I’ve taken him to the airport multiple times.”

“Yeah you suckered yourself into being his ride. It starts with just one quick offer and then pretty soon it’s just a given that you’ll be taking them.” 

“And then they leave you two years later for their intern?” It was a low blow but you didn’t mean it in a hurtful manner, nor did she take it that way. She’d gone through the grieving process of her last boyfriend dumping her and immediately getting with his intern and now you were able to joke about what an asshole he was.

“Exactly!”

“Good thing me and Jamie aren’t dating then,” you added.

“You could be though. It’s pretty obvious you two like each other as more than just friends.”

You decided to change the subject. “What are you doing on the 24th?”

[2.]

Penny pointed it out next.

Jamie’s family was at the game. You recognized Penny almost instantly, it’s not every day a multiple Olympic medalist goes to a Seattle Kraken game– that and you’d been with Jamie on a few occasions when he’d FaceTimed her. It took you a minute to recognize his parents, but you’d seen photos of them at Jamie’s place and on his phone and figured the two people walking with Penny had to be them.

You didn’t hesitate to introduce yourself when Penny joined you at the glass, likely waiting for the team to come out for warmups.

“You’re Jamie’s sister right?” You asked. You held your hand out, giving her a big smile. “I’m Y/N. Jamie’s best friend.”

“I thought you looked familiar,” she said and shook your hand. “Nice jersey. I’m sure it gives Jame an ego boost to see you in it,” she teased.

“He won’t let me wear anyone else’s number. Says it goes against the best friend code.”

Penny rolled her eyes with a laugh.

“So, what are you doing here? Jamie said he was going home for Christmas.”

“We wanted to surprise him. He comes home every year. It’s about time we go to him.”

“Hey Pen.” Jamie’s mom had met you both at the glass, smiling at you the whole time. 

“Hey mom. This is Y/N,” Penny introduced for you.

You swore his mom’s smile got bigger. “We’ve heard a lot about you. Jamie’s so grateful for your friendship. I’m Allison.” She stuck her hand out and you shook it.

“Jamie’s gonna be so excited to see you guys.”

And he was. When Jamie saw the four of you at the glass during warmups, his smile grew ten times its original size.

“Hey, come find us after the game, ok? We’re gonna hang out and wait for Jame and you should stay and hang out too.” Penny asked, just as they were all about to make their way back to their seats as the game was about to start.

“I will. I’m technically his ride anyway,” You laughed. “I was supposed to take him to the airport tonight.” 

When you’d met up with everyone after the game, Jamie insisted you come back to his place with him and hang out even longer. And you couldn’t tell him no when he practically begged you to come over. 

After their parents went to bed, Jamie suggested a movie night with you and Penny. Except thirty minutes into the movie he laid his head down on you like he did during most movie nights and it wasn’t long before he had fallen asleep.

“You can’t tell him I told you this but he totally has a thing for you,” Penny spilled suddenly.

You couldn’t help but smile. “You think so?” you asked, glancing down at the man in question asleep with his head on your lap.

“I don’t just think, I know so. You should give it a shot.”

Your cheeks felt warm at her words. Jamie was your best friend, but of course you always wondered if there was something more there. There was for you, but you never wanted to put your friendship in jeopardy by admitting it. 

“I know you like him too,” Penny added. 

And maybe she was right.

[3.]

Schultzy nagged Jamie about it for weeks. 

“Come on man,” Schultz groaned, eyeing you across the room. “You mean to tell me you haven’t hit that once?”

They were all at the new years team party. You were busy chatting with a few of the girlfriends that had come tonight. Jamie figured you must’ve just been complimented on your outfit tonight as you had glanced down at yourself and turned side to side just slightly, showing off more of the attire.

Jamie shook his head. “And don’t say it like that. Have some respect, man,” Jamie scolded.

Justin put his hands up. “Sorry.”

“So can I hit that?” Vince teased.

Jamie glared at him. “No. And not because I like her, but because she deserves better than some horny hockey guy.”

“It was a joke,” he defended.

“It wasn’t funny.”

Vince nodded his head. “Sorry. You’re right.”

“And you’re positive you don’t like her?” Justin asked. 

“We’re just friends,” Jamie swore. He couldn’t take his eyes off of you though, and the guys he was sitting with caught on.

— —

It was the same during warmups when Jamie had caught your eye. You hardly ever missed warmies during home games and it had now become part of Jamie’s routine to skate by you and place his hand on the glass, you doing the same. It started as a high five, but your hands began lingering longer and longer each time.

“If you don’t like her, why do you always look at her with those lovey dovey eyes?” Schultz chirped, giving Jamie a slight check when he had skated away from you.

“I don’t,” Jamie defended.

Schultz rolled his eyes.

“I don’t!” Jamie yelled after Justin as he skated off.

— —

“Hey, drinks at my place tonight.” Brandon caught Jamie just as he was leaving the rink. 

“Sorry man. I can’t tonight. Y/N’s got car troubles.”

Jamie was on his way to pick you up. You’d had a bad day at work, but the icing on the cake was that your car wouldn’t start so you were stranded there. You called him in a fit just shortly after he’d gotten to the locker room.

“Ditching us for Y/N again?” Schultz asked, throwing his arm around Jamie’s shoulder. “You’re sure you don’t like her?” 

Jamie rolled his eyes. “Let it go.”

“Dude, you’re ditching out on guys night for her. It’s pretty obvious you like her as more than just a friend.”

“She had a bad day, man. I’d do the same for you if you had a bad day. If you were having car troubles, I’d come jump ya, or pick you up.”

Schultz snorted. “Yeah ok. Even if that was true, you gotta admit that it’s different with her.”

And Jamie didn’t want to admit it, but he knew that was true.

[4.]

It was Jamie’s mom who actually got him thinking about it though. Of course it had crossed his mind multiple times and he always felt some pang of guilt when he told his friends he didn’t like you like that. He felt jealous when guys would flirt with you, extra jealous if it was guys on his team. 

Whenever you two were alone, he sometimes wondered if there was something more there than just friends. He tried not to let the thought overwhelm him though.

“So, why do you want my soup recipe again?” Allison asked.

“Y/N is sick. I was gonna make it for her and bring it over.”

“Are you two dating yet?”

“No,” Jamie laughed. “No, Ma. Just friends.”

“Your dad says you look at her the way he looks at me.”

Jamie smiled to himself. “She’s my best friend though. What if I go for it and it doesn’t work out? I don’t want to risk our friendship.”

“What if you go for it, and it works out better than you ever expected?” she countered.

“So that soup recipe?” Jamie changed the subject.

Allison wouldn’t let him. “How many of your friends would make you homemade chicken soup when you’re not feeling well?”

“Y/N would,” Jamie answered quickly. “Oh.” He realized then what his mom was hinting at. Maybe there was something there. Something more.

“It’s obvious to everyone else, but oblivious to you two,” Allison laughed. “Alright. You got a pen ready to write this down?”

When his mom has finished repeating the recipe, Jamie brought up something he never thought he’d ask, or at least didn’t think he’d ask so soon. “Hey Ma… when did you know that you were falling for dad?” 

— —

[+1.]

The knock startled you. Even though you weren’t expecting anyone, you knew who it was before you even opened the door.

“Hey,” you rasped.

“Hey,” Jamie greeted with a smile. “Brought ya somethin’” he said, holding out the large container. “Made it this afternoon. It’s my mom’s recipe.”

You tried to get out a thank you, but started coughing before you could. You turned away from Jamie, coughing into your elbow. Your chest hurt, your head ached, being sick was absolutely the worst.

“You don’t have to stay,” you said when Jamie closed the door behind him and toed his shoes off. 

“I want to.”

“I don’t want to get you sick.”

“I’m not worried about that.”

You laid down on the couch, pulling your blanket over you. You’d spent most of your day in the same position you were currently in, that was after you had slept until almost 2pm. 

“Are you hungry? I can warm up some soup for you,” Jamie asked. He frowned at you in your miserable state. His heart ached.

“Ok,” you said. “But only if you eat some too.” 

“Deal,” Jamie chuckled. “I’ll be in the kitchen.”

“I’ll be here.” You tried to smile at him, but couldn’t muster up much. Damn flu. 

Five minutes later he was back with two bowls of warmed soup. 

You groaned as you sat up. Your whole body ached and from nothing in particular, just the flu bug you’d caught that had run rampant through you. You wrapped the blanket around your shoulders, but still shivered. You’d had a hard time staying warm all day, although the fever would beg to differ.

Jamie placed both bowls on the coffee table and then sat down beside you.

“Seriously, Jame. As much as I want you here, the team will kill me if you get sick.”

Jamie chuckled. “Nah. They’ll kill me for being careless and irresponsible.”

“Exactly! And I like you alive. I don’t know how I’d function with you dead.”

“I’m not gonna get sick. Eat your soup.”

“You’re so demanding,” you teased, rolling your eyes at him.

Jamie handed you the bowl when you were all situated. You hummed around the first bite; the hot broth soothed your sore throat and warmed you right up. And the taste was delicious. You could tell it was his mom’s recipe as it felt like home with every bite you took.

“Wanna watch a movie?” You suggested. Jamie wasn’t going to leave—you didn’t exactly want him to anyway— so you might as well make the most of him being there. 

“Sure. Is it still my turn to pick or do you get to this time since you’re sick?” You could never come to an agreement on who picked the movie whenever you’d hung out so you made a deal to just switch off every time. It worked a lot better than anything else you’d tried—which included everything from rock paper scissors to whoever’s house you were at.

“Rules are rules. You pick.”

You grabbed another blanket from your bedroom as Jamie found a movie to watch. You laid down with your head on the armrest and Jamie sat roughly in the middle, letting you rest your legs across his lap. You had one blanket to yourself but shared the second one you’d brought out and you both settled in for the show.

You were nearly asleep when Jamie cleared his throat. You turned to look at him just as he asked, “Hey, do you ever think of us as more than just friends?” 

He hoped you couldn’t feel the way he was physically shaking as he asked the question. Little did you know that he’d tried to ask it about a million times since coming over. He’d played it over and over in his head, what words he was going to use, how to phrase it, when the perfect moment to ask it would be, how you would respond, if you felt the same way, and if this would change everything for you both. So yeah, he was shaking and terrified.

But to his surprise, you seemed totally calm as you responded. “Often, yeah. Do you?”

“Yeah,” he nodded. “You know other people think of us that way too? Like they think we should be a couple ya know.”

You laughed softly. “Yeah, I know.”

“How come you’ve never brought it up?”

You sat up from the couch, your legs still thrown across Jamie’s lap. “Truthfully, I didn’t think you liked me as more than a friend. Well, until Penny brought it up when she was here for Christmas, that you did like me more than that. Since then I’ve wanted to ask but just been too nervous to I guess,” you shrugged.

Jamie nodded, taking a few seconds to process your words. “So do you like me more than just a friend?” 

He was suddenly so shy. You couldn’t help but smile.

“Yes, Jame. I have for a while.”

Jamie smiled too. “Y/N, when you’re feeling better, will you go on a date with me?” 

“I would love to.”

His smile only got bigger. “You have no idea how bad I wanna kiss you right now. But I’m not going to because I know you won’t let me, because you’re sick.” 

You laughed. “You’re exactly right. That too is just going to have to wait until I’m feeling better.”

[starshine-hockey-girl]

Scent of a Woman - Journey to the Emerald City - Chapter 16

Summary - Lex's embarrassing little secret leads chaos and misunderstanding on a road trip.

Author's Note- A return to fluffy Teddy and Lex. I apologize for the delay. I also apologize for the slight character assassination of Fanny. She seems like a lovely woman.

@pattiemac1 @newlibrary @penstxgal1968 @dutch-tv-fan @irlkpop

If you asked Lex, he would say that he had no idea where the habit began. He would probably deny that there was a habit at all. Truth be told, the desire that fed the habit began within weeks of the start of his physical relationship with Teddy. On a road trip later that fall, he found himself longing for her scent as he spent night after lonely night in hotel rooms.

He couldn't pinpoint the exact descriptions of her scents but there were two variations. One was her "fresh out of the shower” scent of Bath and Body Works Champagne Toast that reminded him of tangerines, berries and champagne. It was sweet and bubbly, just like her. She wore it in layers that ensured that scent lingered throughout the day.

The second was a rare perfume that was intoxicating. It had been a gift from her parents. She wore it sparingly, saving it for special occasions. Each time he smelled it he was transported back to their first kiss outside the Music Hall, to the landing outside the garage apartment where he buried his face in her neck as she tried to unlock the door or that moment she took him deep within her and leaned forward to kiss his neck. The scent was calming yet arousing at the same time. It made him dizzy with desire.

The first thing he "acquired" to satisfy his need for her scent was a scarf that had been tossed in a corner during one of their many races to disrobe each other after any sort of separation. He couldn't help it if the scarf accidentally made its way into his suitcase for the next road trip. Teddy never mentioned the missing scarf. She had convinced herself that she had left it at the Starbucks she had stopped at to pick up their coffee order. He never admitted it was in his possession.

The second item was the emerald green silk nightgown that she wore on their last night together before he flew to Pittsburgh. Obviously, it got mixed in with his clothes as they rushed to make his flight. It was totally normal that it stayed under his pillow and he smelled it before he fell asleep every night. Well until the scent faded into oblivion.

It was during his second return trip to Dallas after his trade that the third and only deliberate theft occurred. He slipped the small bottle of perfume into his pocket when he arrived at her hotel room. It was then that the habit began. One spritz on the hotel pillow and he slept soundly. At the time he had no idea that he would be continuing the action nearly two years later. It was his little road secret and no one needed to know. At least that was the way he planned to keep it until it all came unraveled. How do you ask? Three words- Tyler Fucking Seguin

October 18th- Pittsburgh, PA

Lex walked off the team bus with his cell phone pressed to his ear. Teddy was in the middle of telling him about the latest news in their hunt for a new apartment. He looked up as he began the walk to the arena. “Bliss, I need to go into morning skate. Can I call you” he began when he felt Tyler shove him behind before he reached up and snatched the phone from his hand.

“Teddy!” Tyler laughed into the phone.

“Tyler?” Teddy asked in question, “What happened to Lex? Why do you have his phone?”

“I took it from him,” Tyler laughed again as he turned to see Lex walking towards him.

“You…. took…. the…. phone from him?” she said in disbelief, “How did you do that? WHY did you do that?”

“You doubt my ability to best the Big Rig. Oh ye of little faith!” Tyler exclaimed as Lex approached him with a smile on his face. “I stole it because I texted earlier and you did not respond. I had to resort to desperate measures,” Tyler said before he realized what was about to be his fate. “Teddy!” he shrieked as Lex reached him, “He’s going to put me in a…..”

Tyler’s voice became muffled and Teddy finished his sentence, “A headlock? Seriously Tyler, did you not learn your lesson in September?”

Lex snatched the phone from Tyler’s hand, but continued to hold him in a headlock. Tyler’s arms flailed as Lex spoke, “So as I was saying Bliss- I have to go into the morning skate. I will call you afterwards okay. ”

“Lex…..let him go,” Teddy chided her giant of a boyfriend gently.

“Why? He snatched the phone from me while I was talking to you. That cannot go unpunished, Bliss,” Lex smiled as he tightened his grip. Tyler’s pleas for help could be heard on Teddy’s end.

“Lex…. let him go,” Teddy chided again.

Lex tightened his grip and Tyler inhaled deeply. Then Tyler’s eyebrows knitted in confusion. Finally, Lex released his grip, Tyler stumbled forward before he regained his balance. “Seggy sends his best, Bliss. Don’t you Seggy?” Lex smiled as he turned from Tyler, “I’ll talk to you later Bliss. Will you be at home? Can you help me with some pregame relaxation?”

“As long as Tyler remains uninjured, even if he brought this on himself, I can accommodate your request,” she smiled into her phone.

“Don’t worry about Seggy here. I am sure his pride will recover nicely. Love you. I will talk to you later Bliss, ” Lex laughed as Tyler stood and watched him. When Tyler started to walk towards him with purpose, he stepped back. “Woah, Seggy. You started it, “ Lex held up his hands in mock surrender. Tyler marched up to Lex, grabbed his hand and sniffed it “What the fuck dude?” Lex huffed.

Tyler took a step back and looked up at Lex, “Why do you smell like Teddy?”

Lex stepped back again, “Why do I smell like my girlfriend? I think that you can imagine why.”

“No, I can’t,” Tyler replied, “I can’t imagine why you smell like Teddy in the middle of a road trip.”

Lex blinked slowly. He thought back to his morning in the hotel. In his rush to pack his toiletries he had accidentally sprayed Teddy’s perfume. The mist landed on his hands and sleeve of his shirt. Lex struggled to come up with an explanation.

Tyler continued to pry, “We have been on the road for four days. I’ve seen you shower after games.” Lex lifted his eyebrow at that remark. “Not seen, but know that you have showered after games,” Tyler explained, “There is no reason to smell like Teddy unless……. Is she here? Did she sneak into your room last night? Is that why she didn’t answer my call earlier?”

“No, of course not,” Lex answered sternly.

“Then why do you smell like her?” Tyler eyed him suspiciously.

Lex ran his fingers through his hair and weighed his options. From what he could tell, it was either come clean or come up with an excuse in the next five seconds which seemed highly unlikely. “Fuck,” he huffed as he looked to the sky.

Tyler tilted his head. He had just been giving Big Rig a hard time. Now he was clearly upset. This had quickly gone from teasing to revealing something serious at a speed that made him dizzy.

Lex turned to him and spoke softly, “This stays between you and me, got it?”

“Nope, I am not agreeing to that at all,” Tyler suddenly got equally serious, “If you are going to confess to some sort of shenanigans that affects Teddy, I am telling her.”

“Oh shut up,” Lex hissed. Then he turned around and paced for a bit. “I smell like her because I accidentally sprayed her perfume on my hands while I was packing it this morning.”

Tyler looked confused, “Why do you have Teddy’s perfume? Is this some sort of kink….” He stopped himself short when the memory of the last time he suggested that Big Rig had some sort of kink.

“No, it’s not some kinky shit,” Lex whined, “I just like the smell. It helps me on the road.” Tyler blinked. “I sleep better when I smell it on the road,” Lex explained, “It makes me miss her less. Sometimes I miss her so much and the scent helps me.” His voice cracked at the end.

Tyler opened his mouth to say something sarcastic but words failed him. They stood and stared at each other. Finally Tyler spoke, “How long?”

“Ummm, since the beginning?” Lex replied, “It started off unintentionally with a scarf she left at my apartment. Then it was her nightgown she wore on my last night in Dallas.” Tyler’s eyes widened and Lex glared at him. “Then her perfume may have ended up in my luggage after my trip back to Dallas.”

“You stole her perfume? She didn’t lose it at the hotel?” Tyler laughed.

“You knew about that?” Lex questioned.

“Of course, I knew about it,” Tyler quipped, “She whined to me about it for weeks. It was her special Paris perfume and she lost it.”

“Her special Paris perfume?” Lex asked.

“You don’t know the story of the perfume?” Tyler remarked, “See…. this is why I am the best friend and you are just the boyfriend.”

Lex took a step forward, “Do you need the headlock again?”

“Okay, okay,” Tyler said, “Walk and I will tell you the story.”

“You know that Baxters all went to Paris to celebrate Teddy’s sixteenth birthday? You know Mrs. B- it was a production. One of the activities was a private party at perfumery where you can create custom scents. Teddy made a custom scent for Frankie and Frankie made one for her.”

“That’s the perfume she wears? The scent that Frankie made for her?” Lex interjected.

“Shut up and listen to the story,” Tyler countered.

“They each got two bottles of the scent created for them. Teddy has been using hers since Frankie died. When she finished the first bottle, she switched to alternating between the fruity one and the Frankie one. At least until she thought she lost it at the hotel,” Tyler paused to glare at Lex in disapproval. “She was heartbroken. It was one of the last tangible items she had connected to Frankie. I don’t know how he did it, but Mr. Baxter pulled the rabbit out of a hat and got a replacement.”

“Fuck,” Lex uttered, “I had no idea. I just thought it was a nice perfume.”

“So you stole it?” Tyler quizzed, “Nice… really nice.”

“You can’t tell her,” Lex replied, suddenly panicking about what Tyler would do with incriminating information. “Seriously,” he stammered, “You can’t tell her.”

“Don’t worry, Big Rig. Your secret is safe with me,” Tyler laughed, “It’s kind of sweet in a slightly obsessive-compulsive way. It’s totally on brand for you two.”

“Promise?” Lex asked with a hint of desperation in his voice.

“Dude- relax,” Tyler said in a serious tone, “Your secret is safe with me.”

October 31st- JW Marriott Hotel- Denver, CO

“Big Rig, it’s your lucky day,” the team travel coordinator smiled at him as she passed out room keys. His eyebrows lifted in surprise and in question. “It seems as if someone loves you and upgraded you to a suite!”

“A suite?” Lex asked in a confused tone, “Who would do that?” Then he smiled to himself. He knew exactly who upgraded his room- Teddy. He pulled out his phone and made the call. Teddy was in Los Angeles at a conference for social media influencers. She was scheduled to speak on panels about brand engagement and body image in social media. The conference conflicted with the hastily scheduled WAG “road trip” for the AV/Stars game.

Lex: Bliss? What did you do?

Teddy: I have no idea. What did I do?

She smiled at him as she walked around her hotel room in Los Angeles. She paused and looked out the window.

Lex: You know exactly what you did. The upgrade to the suite?

Teddy: Oh that? I thought it would be a nice treat since I couldn’t make the trip.

Lex: I would rather have a smaller room and you here.

Teddy let out a sigh.

Lex: I didn’t mean it that way. I understand you have your own career. I just miss you.

Teddy: I miss you too. I’ll see you Saturday night?

Lex: I can’t wait. Thanks again for the suite. You spoil me, Bliss.

Teddy: Nothing makes me happier than spoiling you.

Word spread like wildfire among the team and WAGS. Suddenly plans were made- party in Big Rig’s suite. When Teddy got word, she arranged for food and a bar set-up to make the party as festive as possible.

Later that night, the team was sitting in the living room watching Scream. Lex looked around the room and sighed. Couples were huddled close together. He felt a pang in his heart and thought about Teddy. Silently, he got up and went into the bedroom unnoticed by the group with the exception of Fanny, John Klingberg’s girlfriend. Her eyes followed his large frame until he shut the bedroom door. Lex walked over to the window and looked up at the moon. Then he picked up the phone and facetimed Teddy.

Teddy: Hey Lex

Lex spoke in a soft tone: Bliss

Teddy stopped in her tracks: What’s wrong, Lex?

Lex: I just miss you. It’s cuddle central out there and I don’t have my cuddle buddy.

Teddy: I am sorry, Lex. What can I do to make it better?

Lex: Remember last year when you sang me that song? From that mouse movie?

Teddy smiled at the memory: Yes, I remember. It was back when I wanted to say I love you but couldn’t say it yet.

Lex: Do you think you could sing to me again? I am looking at the moon.

Teddy: Of course, I can.

Teddy began singing softly as Lex listened. Outside the door, Fanny paced outside of the door. She turned to walk back to the couch but then gathered up her nerve. She desperately needed to go pee, but Benn and Katie had ensconced themselves in the suite powder room. Nervously she knocked.

Lex turned to face the door. “Yeah?” he answered abruptly, slightly irritated that his serenade was being interrupted.

“Ummm, can I use the restroom?” Fanny asked quietly.

“There is a powder room out there,” he called back.

“Yeah, but there are people in it. It’s kind of an emergency,” she replied.

Lex stared at the door and pondered her answer. “There are people in the powder room?” he thought to himself, “What would they be doing in the powder room?” Then he remembered Fanny was waiting on an answer. He walked over to the door, opened it and pointed to the bathroom. He returned to his position by the window.

Inside the bathroom, Fanny set her phone on the back of the toilet and attended to her business. She could hear Lex speaking in hushed tones, but could not make what was being said.

Inside the bedroom, Lex listened to Teddy’s sweet voice as he considered the powder room situation. Visuals of his very sexy encounter with Teddy in Tyler’s powder room flooded his mind. He was so caught up in the memory that he didn’t notice that Teddy had stopped singing.

Teddy: Lex? You still there?

Lex came back to reality: Yeah, sorry. I was just thinking about something.

Teddy: And what would that be?

Lex glanced over his shoulder: Remember that time in Seggy’s powder room? Remember how I fucked you?

Teddy purred: Yeah, I remember that. I remember it very well.

Lex let out a soft moan: Damn it Bliss. You’re turning me on.

Teddy purred again: Want me to help you out there Big Boy?

Lex heard the bathroom door open and Fanny stepped into the room. He turned quickly back to the window.

Lex: Good God Kitty, you are so fucking sexy. I would love to finish this but now is not a good time. Maybe later?

Fanny froze in her footsteps.

Teddy asked: Too many prying ears?

Lex: Prying ears and eyes

Fanny stepped closer to the bed to hear better. She was almost touching the bed when the scent of Teddy’s perfume wafted into her nose. She looked down and then around. It was a distinctly feminine scent. It was a scent that should not have been present in Big Rig’s room. She looked at the bed and then at Lex. His back was still to her so she allowed her nose to follow the scent to its source- the pillows on the unmade bed. Her mind began to race. Why was the bed unmade? The team had just arrived in town that afternoon. Why was there a scent of a woman’s perfume on the pillow? Her mind lept to the most logical conclusion. A woman had been in the bed. A woman that was not Big Rig’s beloved,Teddy, had been in the bed.

She let out a little squeak and he turned to face her. Their eyes locked for a moment and Fanny turned to race out of the bedroom. In the living room, Fanny mentally replayed the scenario. “Maybe later?” she thought to herself, “He is making plans for later?”

Fanny smiled to herself and exited the room. Truth to be told, she wasn’t a fan of the Big Tex couple. Teddy and Lex had been given the moniker by the players and WAGS sometime during their “friends with benefits” stage and it stuck.

Moments later, Lex walked around and resumed his position for the movie. He didn’t notice the careful watch that Fanny took as he scrolled through his phone, looking at pictures of his beloved Bliss. He tilted his phone slightly to prevent the racier photos from being seen by others. He squirmed in his spot as the longing in him grew exponentially. One particular picture made him lick his lips as he switched over to his messages.

Lex: Good God - remind me never to invite people into my room again.

Teddy: Why?

Lex: I am so fucking horny.

Teddy: Easy there Tiger. Kitty Kat won't be available for another couple of hours.

Lex groaned out loud and looked around the room. Fanny stared at him. They made brief eye contact and he focused on his phone again.

Lex: Save me. I beg you. Fanny is staring at me like she can read my thoughts.

Teddy: Are you still afraid of WAGS?

Lex: Hey, WAGS are scary

Teddy didn’t respond

Lex: except you of course. Please Bliss.

Teddy: You owe me Tiger

Lex: Anything you want

Suddenly his phone rang and the extremely loud sound of Teddy's crocodile tears rang through the phone.

Teddy screamed: Lex!!! Lex!!!

Lex sprung into action. He jumped off the club chair and responded: Bliss!! What's wrong? What's wrong?

Everyone turned to listen to the activity.

Teddy began a torrent of incoherent screaming and crying. Inwardly, he smiled but his face showed concern. He turned to the group, “Sorry guys, Teddy is having a meltdown about her speech tomorrow. I need to talk her down from the ledge. You have to go. You have to go.”

Everyone looked at each other in confusion. He could always go into the other room if necessary. However, no one took the initiative to argue with the Big Rig who made it clear that he wanted everyone out of his room. He wanted them out and he wanted them out NOW.

They slowly shuffled out of the room, whispering amongst themselves. After a quick huddle, they decided to reconvene in Benn’s room. Fanny replayed the scenario from Lex's bedroom over and over in her mind. Should she say something?She would want to know if John was cheating on her. She stewed and finally came to the decision to ask the other WAGS..

She poked Katie in the ribs and nodded her head toward the bathroom. She whispered “It's an emergency.” Katie whispered into Anna’s ear and word spread.

Once all the women crowded into the bathroom, Katie stood against the door with her arms crossed. Because she dated Benn, she was the de facto leader of the group. “What’s the emergency, Fanny?” Katie asked bluntly. Quite frankly, she wasn't a huge fan and she had unfinished business with Benn

Fanny breathlessly described her observations to the group. She was met with immediate disbelief and judgment.

“I don’t buy it,” Andrea Bishop interjected.

“Me either,” Anna Lindell added.

“Look, I know that I am new around here,” Jennifer Spezza said, “But one thing I know for sure is that Big Rig only has eyes for Teddy.”

Fanny started to explain again.

“It’s almost like you are wanting it to be true,” Katie observed. The other WAGS nodded their heads.

“Don’t you think she would want to know?” Fanny questioned. This juicy bit of gossip was not being received the way that she envisioned.

“There is nothing to know,” Katie replied, “You smelled some perfume and overhead what you think was Big Rig making plans.”

“I think that we should tell her,” Fanny interrupted.

“Fuck no,” Andrea answered, “She has a huge presentation tomorrow. The last thing that we are going to do is upset her for no damn reason.”

With that, the group adjourned back to their men. Then the party fizzled quickly after that. John and Fanny walked toward their room. He asked her what the huddle was about. Fanny explained her observations. “Big Rig cheat?” he laughed, “Why would he cheat NOW? Why would he risk it during a WAGS trip even if Teddy is not here? He knows better than that. He is not an idiot like…..”

“An idiot like who?” Fanny whipped her head around.

Klingberg stopped in his tracks. “Shit” he thought to himself, “I said the quiet part out loud.” This was a topic of conversation that he wanted to avoid at all costs. “Fan,” he spit, “I am just saying that Big Rig is smarter than most of us. He wouldn’t make hook-up plans with the entire team literally in the next room.”

“So you are saying that he would cheat if we weren’t around?” she said as her eyes narrowed, “Are you saying that’s what you would do if I weren’t around?”

“Kärlek,” he soothed, “You know I love you and only you. There is no one else in my heart.” Technically, it wasn’t a lie. He didn’t say there wasn’t anyone else in his bed or on his dick. “Come, let me show you,” He grabbed her hand to lead her, “Maybe we can take a fun video on your phone.”

Fanny stopped suddenly and stuck her hand into her pockets. Her phone wasn’t there. She mentally backtracked until she realized that she must have left it in Big Rig’s room. Klingberg tried to convince her to continue to the room and get the phone later. Fanny insisted on getting it then. She had plans to text her sisters in Sweden with the gossip about Teddy and Lex. Even if none of the other WAGS had taken the bait, she was sure that they would.

Back in Lex’s suite, he sat on the couch nude. His phone was propped up on the entertainment center. Teddy’s green silk nightgown had been thrown down in haste when she had called for their planned video fuck. His hand stroke furiously as he watched Teddy expertly bring herself to her climax with Pinky and her fingers. She screamed out in ecstasy as the third orgasm washed over her. Ever the gentleman, Lex made sure that she reached her peak before he succumbed to his desire.

A series of grunts and moans escaped his mouth as he edged closer. Finally, he exclaimed, “Fuck Kitty Kat. Oh God, you fuck your Tiger so good.” Teddy’s eyes widened and he went silent. It was their unspoken rule that those names were reserved for their kinkier, in person play sessions.

“Uhhhhh, Lex?” she questioned.

“Sorry, Sorry, “ he stammered, “I don’t know what I was thinking.”

“Seems like Tiger is in need of his Kitty Kat,” she said seductively, “You like how Kitty Kat is a good girl for you?”

Lex felt his body respond, “Kitty Kat you know I like everything about you.”

Outside the room, Fanny listened in shock. She had arrived just as Lex had screamed Kitty Kat. Her mind jumped to the most shocking of conclusions. She was RIGHT. He had someone in there with him- some whore named Kitty Kat. She smiled to herself in triumph. “Guess I wasn’t so wrong after all. Was I girls?” she thought to herself. She started to walk away in triumph and in anticipation of the salacious update she was about to provide when she remembered her phone. She would need it to text and call people. She turned and knocked on the door.

Inside the room, Lex stroked himself. It took almost a full minute of knocking for the sound to register in his brain. “Fuck,” he uttered in annoyance, “Kitty Kat, someone is is at the door. I gotta go.”

“Lex Love, at least cover yourself up,” Teddy laughed.

Lex called out, “Hold on. I gotta get dressed.” He went to the bedroom and grabbed his gray sweat pants and shimmied into them. His chest glistened with sweat as he opened the door. He saw Fanny standing there with a look of smug satisfaction. “Hey,” he said, not bothering to hide the annoyance in his voice, “I am kind of in the middle of something.”

“I bet you are,” Fanny muttered under her breath as she glanced down. Lex’s erection was evident under the soft fleece of his pants. Lex’s head tilted, not quite sure he heard her correctly. “I….. ummmm…. left my phone here,” Fanny said plainly.

“Oh,” he stepped back and let her enter. Together they stepped into the room. Teddy, hearing voices, disconnected the FaceTime video. Lex’s eyes glanced at the phone. Fanny followed his eyes then moved onto the couch where Teddy’s green nightgown sat out in the open. Fanny scanned the rest of the living room. No other evidence of a woman stood out to her, but her mind raced with the presence of woman’s lingerie. There was definitely something going on.

“I think it may be in the bathroom. I was in there earlier,” she said as she walked in that direction. Lex stepped back to let her pass. Mentally he cursed both himself and her. He could hear her moving around and he paced back and forth.

In the bathroom, Fanny quickly found her phone. She glanced over to the counter where Lex’s toiletry bag sat. She quickly looked in the direction of the living room while she stepped forward. Two things immediately stood out - a small glass bottle with a label printed in French and a condom. She picked it up and smiled.

“Did you find it?” Lex called out as calmly as he could. His heart raced although he was unsure of just why. “How much had she heard?” he questioned himself. The chirps about Teddy and his sex life had just about stopped. If Fanny heard anything, they were sure to start up again. Little did he know the wildfire of gossip she was about to unleash within the group.

Fanny’s head popped up, “Yes, but can I pee real quick?” She took out the phone and snapped photos. She turned on the water to “wash” her hands and formulated a plan. Then she placed the items back to their original locations and held her phone in her hand. She moved quickly into the living room, made a beeline for the couch, snapped a photo of the nightgown on the couch and headed toward the door before Lex could process her movements.

“Thanks Big Rig,” Fanny called over her shoulder, “You should get some sleep. It’s a big game tomorrow and you look exhausted.”

He stood in disbelief. She was up to something but he couldn’t tell what. Then he shook his head. “Dude,” he said to himself, “You’re being paranoid and whatnot. She is perfectly innocent.” Still he couldn’t shake the nagging feeling in his chest. He scooped up his phone and went into the bedroom. Teddy picked up his FaceTime call.

Teddy: Did Tiger behave himself?

Lex rolled his eyes: You know that Tiger only comes out for you.

Teddy smiled: Was that Fanny’s voice I heard?

Lex shook his head: She left her phone in the bathroom earlier. She came to get it.

Teddy’s eyes narrowed: What’s wrong, Lex Love?

Lex sighed: It’s nothing. I just got a bad feeling about her.

Teddy: Love, you are probably just picking up my feelings about her. She is the only one that I don’t get along with. Katie and I can’t stand her.

Lex nodded his head. He had overhead the two best friends venting about her in the past. Fanny considered herself to be the de-facto leader of the WAGS because of Klingberg’s tenure and she resisted any suggestion that Katie or Teddy made.

Lex rubbed his face: That may be it. Talk about a mood killer though.

Teddy winked at him: It’s probably a good thing. I have a big day tomorrow so I should get some sleep.

Lex smiled: How many people will be at your session?

Teddy bit her lip: Almost a thousand. Apparently there is a wait list to get in. No pressure or anything.

Lex studied her for a moment before speaking: Get out of your head, Bliss. You are more than prepared. Your speech is amazing and perfectly on brand for you.

Teddy flashed him a smile: Thank you Love. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.

November 1st - Jamie Benn’s hotel room

Benn rolled over and sighed, “What in hell is going on? You have been texting all night.”

Katie paused, “You won't believe it if I told you.”

Benn yawned “Try me, honey.”

Katie explained Fanny’s initial assertions. “We all said no way,” she added, “but then she went back and found this.” She handed over her phone to show him the pictures of the perfume bottle, nightgown and the most damning evidence- the condom.

“Shit,” the captain said in disbelief, “That’s unbelievable. Lex has never even looked at another woman since Teddy. What the hell?”

“How do you explain those pictures?” she accused.

“I can't,” he replied softly.

“What do I do?” Katie asked, “I should tell her, right? I would want to know. It's going to break her heart.”

Benn thought for a few minutes, “Make Seggy do it.”

Katie looked up in surprise, “Think he will do it? Isn’t there some sort of bro code?”

“If Teddy is being cheated on, Tyler will squeal like a fucking canary,” Benn laughed. Katie knitted her brows together. He pulled her into his chest. “Seriously, if it were anyone else, Tyler wouldn’t say a word. There is no way that he is going to let Big Rig cheat on her on his watch.

With that, Katie sent a message to the WAGS group chat that excluded Teddy. It was a simple “Stand down. I am going to talk to Seggy about it. I think the news should come from him.” The message was met with mixed replies. Half of the group agreed that Tyler would err on the side of telling Teddy while the other half felt he would not sell out his teammate.

Katie was waiting for Tyler in the hotel lobby when the team arrived back from morning skate. He took one look at her face and joked, “What did I do?” When she didn’t smile or laugh, he got serious, “Tell me.”

Tyler listened incredulously as after the narrative began to become clear. He shook his head vigorously from side to side. “Nope,” he asserted, “No way that Big Rig is cheating on her. Not after everything that they have been through together. No fucking way.” Katie listed off the WAGS group accusations against Big Rig.

When she told him about the perfume scent and saw the picture of the bottle, he emphatically answered, “You are barking up the wrong tree.” When Katie asked how he was so sure, Tyler paused. He had given his word to Big Rig that he would keep his secret. He was not about to cough it now because the WAGS had gotten a bee in their collective bonnets.

He similarly dismissed what Fanny overheard. He knew from past conversations with Teddy that they indulged in smutty phone and video calls. Okay, she had never deliberately told him about the calls but Tipsy Teddy let it slip out once in a rush to get Tyler off the phone so she could speak to Big Rig. Again, he wasn’t about to reveal that information, but it convinced him that Fanny had not overheard anything of consequence. He did make a mental note to ask Teddy about the “Kitty Kat” nickname.

However, when she showed him the photo of the condom, he went silent for a moment. Why would Big Rig have a condom in his toiletry bag? Katie sensed his hesitation and pounced. She raised the same question he had just asked himself. Suddenly, the most obvious answer emerged - the condom must be leftover from before they got together. Katie looked dubious.

“Yeah, remember she got upset with him because he had condoms in his bag in the limbo era between his move to Pittsburgh and them getting together, “ Tyler announced, suddenly proud that he came up with a reasonable excuse.

Katie sighed. She wanted to believe the best, but she still had questions.

Tyler stood his ground. “Come on Katie,” Tyler urged, “You know him.” Katie looked at the ground. “Hey, look at me, can I tell you something?” Tyler said softly. She looked up with hopeful eyes.

“You know that it was complicated between Teddy and me. I have a lot of ‘what could have beens’ that linger in my mind,” Tyler spoke from the heart. “I’ve accepted that Teddy and I are best friends. That’s our destiny,” he said as he swallowed. “However, I am still human. Don’t you think if I had the opportunity for a do-ever I would take it? This would be the perfect opportunity, Katie.” She studied his face that was suddenly soft with emotion.

“But I can’t because it’s not the truth. You know and I know it,” he said with an unreadable tone, “We have to shut this shit down. It’s only going to hurt Teddy and she doesn’t deserve that.”

With that, she was convinced. “I’ll do my best to shut it down.”

“Tell them to come see me if they have doubts,” he urged, “Trust me Katie. I know that he isn’t cheating on her.” They went their separate ways. Tyler looked at his phone. It was almost time for Teddy’s presentation. He sent her a quick good luck text. She responded with a thumbs up emoji.

LATER THAT NIGHT DURING THE GAME

Teddy pulled out her phone as she settled into her hotel room for the night. She pulled out her phone and did a double-take. She had 5 missed calls from Fanny along with a text that read “Please call - URGENT”. Teddy’s mind instantly went to Lex. Did something happen with him? Were they trying to get a hold of her? She mentally cursed herself for not turning on her phone sooner. Her heart began to race and she reached for the TV remote. She found the game as quickly as she could. It should be toward the end of the game. Visually she scanned the ice for his large form. He was not out there.

She cussed as she pulled up Google. Nothing new popped up when she searched his name. The broadcast finally did a shot of the bench. There was Tyler, but no Lex.

“Think,” she commanded herself, “Who would know?” She smiled and dialed Katie’s phone number. It went straight to voicemail. She decided to text instead.

Teddy: Hey, is Lex okay?

She saw Katie replying immediately.

Katie: Yes, as far as I know. I think there was an issue with his skate.

On cue, Lex emerged from the tunnel and took another shift.

Katie: Why do you ask?

Teddy exhaled and smiled to herself: Oh, it’s nothing I guess. Fanny has been blowing up my phone. I thought maybe Lex got hurt.

Katie inhaled deeply. “Shit” she thought to herself, “I thought we nipped it in the bud.” If Fanny was reaching out, the genie was about to explode out of the bottle.

Katie: Definitely not hurt. If I were you, I would get some rest and deal with Fanny tomorrow after we all get back to Dallas.

Teddy yawned: As long as Lex is okay, you don’t have to tell me twice to ignore her.

Katie hated lying by omission to her friend, but she didn’t know what else to say.

Immediately following the game, Katie made a beeline to the Stars locker room. Via text she ordered that Benn send Tyler and Big Rig out to see her immediately. Katie paced back and forth in the training room. Shit was about to get bad and about to get bad quickly.

“Yo Rig and Seggy- Katie wants to see you right away,” Benn commanded. They tried to argue with Benn about making Katie wait until they showered. It was a firm “My woman wants to see the both of you NOW for some reason. I am not going to question it. Get your asses out there so I don’t have to deal with her drama.”

Seggy and Lex walked out of the room, half undressed from the game.

Katie: We have a problem. A big Fanny problem

Lex looked at Katie in confusion. Then he looked at Tyler who seemed to understand what she said perfectly.

Tyler: How do you know?

Katie: She is blowing up Teddy’s phone.

Lex: Blowing her phone about what?

Katie narrowed her eyes: About your extracurricular activities

Lex: My what? What extracurricular activities?

Katie: Don’t play dumb with me.

Tyler interjected: Hey, we’ve already gone over this. Riggy is innocent.

Lex screamed: Innocent of what?

Katie: Of fucking around on Teddy.

Lex gasped in horror.

Lex: Why? Why would anyone think that? What does Fanny have to do with this?

Katie: She heard you. She heard you making plans last night and then all sudden we all had to leave your room.

Lex: Teddy was having a crisis. You heard her on the phone.

Katie: Oh yeah? Who’s perfume do you have in your bathroom?

Lex looked at Tyler who threw his hands up in surrender.

Tyler: It didn’t come from me, dude.

Lex: Who did it come from?

His mouth dropped when he started to put together the pieces. Fanny was in his bathroom. He must have left the perfume bottle out.

Katie continued: So you don’t deny that there is a woman’s perfume in your hotel room. Wait, you knew about the perfume, Seggy?

Tyler protested: I am not saying anything. I just know that Rig is not a cheater.

Lex’s mind raced. “Think, think, think,” he screamed internally. He considered the option he had at the moment. To tell the truth and become the laughing stock of the locker room again OR say nothing and let people think that he had been unfaithful. Neither seemed particularly appealing. He cursed his impulse decision two years ago.

Katie prodded, grabbing his attention: Why do you have women’s lingerie?

Lex looked to Tyler for help and was met with a shrug:

Lex: Ummmm, it isn’t what you think?

Katie pushed on: “Why do you have a condom??

Lex’s hands went to his head.

Lex: There is an explanation, I swear.

His voice got soft and low.

Lex: Do you honestly think that I would cheat on Bliss? After everything? Do you think I would be that stupid?

Katie sighed: That’s why I am so confused, Rig. I wouldn’t believe it but Fanny has pictures.

Tyler whistled lowly and examined Big Rig’s face. He was trying to hide the panic but it was evident.

Tyler: “Let’s focus on the immediate problem- Fanny”

Katie and Lex turned to him.

Tyler: You spoke to Teddy?

Katie: Yes, I told her to get rest and ignore Fanny.

Tyler turned to Lex: You have to tell her, dude. You have to tell her before Fanny gets to her.

Lex balked: And tell her what? That there is a rumor that I am cheating on her going through the WAGS? Seggy, you know that will be a complete mind fuck for her.

Tyler stepped up: Now, what will be a mind fuck is if she hears it from Fanny without any warning. You have to man up and tell her.

Lex turned to Katie: You are certain that Teddy won’t reach out to Fanny until tomorrow?

Katie: That’s what I told her to do.

Lex sighed: Fine, I will tell her before Fanny gets to her.

Tyler warned Lex: Just come clean. This is getting out and it will be worse if it doesn't come from you.

Sitting in the bus at the private airfield, Lex looked down at his phone and tried to will himself to hit the call button. He knew what he needed to do but his stupid pride stood in his way. He had no idea how he would explain what a complicated scenario that began with his innocent desire to feel closer to her. His thoughts were interrupted with an incoming call from Teddy.

Lex: Hey Bliss

Teddy: Hey Love. Are you okay?

Lex: Yes, why wouldn’t I be?

Teddy: You didn’t call me after the game

Lex: Oh, I forgot.

Teddy blinked: You forgot to call me?

In the two years that she had known Lex, she could count on two things - that he would text when he landed anywhere he traveled and that he would call within an hour after every road game. You could set your clock by it.

Lex hemmed: Yeah, sorry about that.

Teddy blinked: Is everything okay Lex?

Lex studied her face. He could see the anxiety creeping into her features.

Lex: Yes, everything is fine Bliss. I promise. Are you okay?

Teddy shook the negative thoughts out of her mind: I am good. I am glad to have my talk over. I have just been relaxing and ignoring Fanny.

Lex felt a knot in the pit of his stomach. He struggled to his voice neutral: Fanny? What about Fanny?

Teddy: She has been blowing up my phone. I have no idea why. I am ignoring until I get back to Dallas.

Lex breathed an internal sigh of relief.: Okay, sounds like a plan.

He studied her face and tried to work up the courage to tell her the truth. He longed to hold her as he made his confession. It would be better to do it in person, he told himself. “Yes,” he said to himself and smiled, “It will be better to do it in person.” They would be together tomorrow afternoon. The team would arrive back in Dallas in a few hours, but it would be afternoon before he saw her. Her flight from California would not arrive until after he left for practice. In the end, his fear won out and he didn't say anything.

Teddy: Are you sure you are okay? You seem off tonight.

Lex: Yes, just tired and missing you.

Teddy: Okay. Go get on the plane. See you tomorrow.

November 2nd - Lex and Teddy's apartment

Lex held the large bouquet of flowers in one hand and pressed the up button in the garage elevator. He was looking forward to their upcoming move into a house. He was tired of apartment life and parking garages. He was lost in thought when the elevator dinged. He walked in as a small blonde stormed past him, muttering under her breath in a language that sounded vaguely familiar. Her shoulder bounced off his elbow. He turned to apologize but the woman kept walking. His eyes squinted in disbelief. “Is that?” he questioned himself, “No, it can be. What are the odds?”

He pressed the button for their upper level apartment. Then he used the electronic key fob to open the door. “Bliss?” he called as he entered the apartment, “Are you home?”

“Yes,” she called from the ensuite bathroom, “just unpacking. Hold on.”

He walked into the kitchen and started to put the flowers into her favorite vase.

“Lucy, you got some ‘splaining to do,” Teddy shouted as she walked into the room. She was putting her hair into a messy bun with a fake scowl on her face.

Lex’s head popped. “I what?”

She continued into the kitchen. “You know ‘splaining like Ricky would say to Lucy in ‘I Love Lucy’ when she would do something crazy.”

“Crazy?” Lex's voice rose an octave, “I haven’t done anything crazy.”

“Are you sure about that?” Teddy walked closer, “I had a little visit with Fanny. She was waiting for me when I got home.”

His voice rose even higher, “Waiting for you? Why? Why would she be waiting for you?”

Teddy looked him straight in the eye, “Something about a perfume bottle and some lingerie?”

Lex gulped and felt the bottom fall out of his stomach. He felt the sweat instantly forming in his armpits and forehead. “Fanny told her. Fanny got to her first. Now Bliss thinks I cheated on her,” he thought to himself. The words swarmed around in his brain.

“Bliss, you can’t believe her,” he stammered, “I don’t know why she is saying it, but I am not cheating on you. I swear to God. You gotta believe me.”

Teddy tilted her head, “Wait, you knew what she told me? How did you know?”

“Katie and Seggy told me last night,” he answered.

“And you think I heard what she said and believed that you are cheating on me?” Teddy laughed and crossed over to him.

Lex blinked slowly. “What did she say?” he said softly, cursing himself for being a coward the night before.

“Well…..” Teddy replied as she took his hand and led him to the couch.

THIRTY MINUTES EARLIER

Teddy glanced at her phone as she waited for the garage elevator. There was yet another text message from Fanny.

Fuck,” Teddy groaned as walked off the elevator. The Swedish blonde clad in head to toe Lululemon leaned against the wall outside of their front door. Teddy tried to think of how Fanny even knew the address when she remembered hosting a watch party during the playoffs last season. She cursed her mother for giving her the spirit of hospitality.

Fanny turned around slowly and crossed her arms, “You are a hard person to track down.”

Teddy paused for a moment. Fanny’s tone of voice was aggressive and shrill. She decided to go with a conciliatory tone rather than the snarky tone that felt much more natural.

“I am sorry,” Teddy began to explain as she opened the apartment door, “I was worn out from my speech at the conference. I was all “peopled” out which is why I have been radio silent. What’s up?” She added as much cheer as she could muster to the question.

“I wanted to tell you face to face,” Fanny said with a little too much joy in her voice.

“Tell me what face to face?” Teddy questioned as she placed her suitcase and carry-on by the door. She walked over to the cabinet to get a glass. She filled her glass with ice cold water and turned to face Fanny. She move her hand in a “speed it up” motion.

“Big Rig is cheating on you,” Fanny declared emphatically.

Teddy stood perfectly still but her grip on her glass slightly. It came crashing down onto the kitchen tile. She looked down and then back up at Fanny. “I’m sorry,” she questioned, “What did you say?”

“I said that Big Rig is cheating on you,” Fanny answered.

“With another woman?” Teddy choked out.

“Do you suspect a man?” Fanny asked incredulously.

The very thought of Lex being with a man sent Teddy into a fit of giggles. She tried to imagine his “type” and what his preferred activities might be. She doubled over in laughter, much to Fanny’s chagrin. “I’m sorry,” Teddy replied between laughs, tears streaming down her face. “I don’t know which is funnier,” she continued, “The thought of Lex cheating on me with another woman or the idea of him cheating on me with a man.”

“I am being serious, Teddy,” Fanny exclaimed.

“Oh, I am sure that you are,” Teddy tried to compose herself, “but seriously- Lex cheating?”

Fanny stood upright and crossed her arms, “Do you think I am just fucking with you?” she uttered softly. Her concern almost seemed genuine.

“Okay, I will listen to you,” Teddy conceded, “Why do you think Lex is cheating on me? When exactly was this?”

“It was Halloween night,” the Swede began, “Well, first thing - I smelled a woman’s perfume in his hotel bedroom,”

Teddy’s eyebrow raised, “There is more?”

“You need more?” Fanny countered.

“No, but you said the first thing which implies more,” Teddy replied, “Do you want to respond to each point or wait until the end?”

“Wait until the end I guess,” Fanny said with annoyance.

“So there is the scent and what else?” Teddy prodded.

“Then I heard him make plans on the phone for ‘later’," she continued. Teddy thought of the night in question. She remembered their phone call being interrupted by Fanny needing to use the restroom.

“Go on,” Teddy responded neutrally.

“Then before the movie was even finished, he rushed everyone out of the room,” Fanny continued. “I bet he couldn’t wait to get the little tart into the room.”

Teddy raised an eyebrow, “Tart huh? What are you seventy now?”

Fanny glared but went on, “About an hour later I realized that I left my phone in his room. I went back to get it and it took him FOREVER to answer the door. When he did, it was clear that I had interrupted something.”

“Clear in what way?” Teddy questioned.

“You know,” Fanny whispered as her cheeks flushed.

“Obviously I don’t know which is why I am asking,” Teddy replied even though she had the mental image in her mind.

“First he was covered in sweat and he had,” Fanny looked down and then back up, “He had…..” Teddy willed herself not to laugh when Fanny finally blurted out, “a HARD on”. The picture of one of the many reasons that Oleksiak was called Big Rig flashed before her eyes and the blonde’s heart began to race.

“So he had an erection,” Teddy repeated back. Secretly, she was enjoying watching Fanny squirm even if she was losing patience with the drip-drop method of disclosure Fanny used.

“While I was walking into the bathroom, I saw a green silk nightgown on the couch,” she said with authority. “Big Rig tried to push it under the cushion, but I saw it.” That bit of information got Teddy’s attention and Fanny seized on it.

“Then I went into the bathroom and saw the bottle - sitting right there in the open,” Fanny said breathlessly, “And……” She paused for dramatic effect, “I saw the condom.”

Against her better judgment, Teddy inhaled sharply. It was the first and second bits of information that she didn’t have an obvious explanation for. It wasn’t that she doubted Lex’s fidelity yet, but she was puzzled.

“Is that it?” Teddy finally asked.

“Isn’t that enough?” Fanny challenged.

“I just wanted to be sure that you were done,” Teddy spoke slowly as her mind raced to explain a perfume bottle in Lex’s room. She asked herself if it was possible that one of her bottles may have been inadvertently left in his toiletry bag during a trip. She immediately nixed the thought because she wasn’t missing any perfume. Well, not since her custom-made fragrance from Frankie had gone missing, but that happened before Lex and her had ever traveled together.

Then her mind went to the nightgown. “Think,” she thought to herself, “there is a reasonable answer for this.” Suddenly an idea popped in her head and she grasped onto it. It was a gift. Lex must have gotten her a gift while traveling. She breathed a sigh of relief. She looked up and saw Fanny staring at her with an expression on her face that bordered on smug. Although her mind was racing, there was one thing she was sure of and that was that there was no possible way Lex was cheating on her. It was just about the only fact in her life that she had the utmost confidence in - Lex’s unwavering love and fidelity.

Teddy smiled, “I appreciate your concern, but Lex isn’t cheating on me. I know it for a fact.”

Fanny’s face dropped. This was not the reaction she had envisioned. She scrambled, “Wait, I forgot to tell you. I know what he called the trollop.” Fanny apparently had zoned in all of the synonyms for slut while studying English. Teddy smiled and Fanny continued, “He called her Kitty Kat.”

Teddy smiled again, “I still don’t think he is cheating.”

“But…. but ….. But….. I have proof. I took pictures,” Fanny stuttered.

Teddy stopped in her tracks, “Show them to me.”

Fanny handed over her phone and Teddy studied the pictures. First the condom. Teddy recognized it immediately. She had put it in his Christmas stocking as a joke.

She remembered his loud groan as he pulled it out in front of their families. “Bliss- I am not living that one mistake down, am I?”

“Lex Love, you have made so few mistakes in this relationship compared to me. Let me have this one thing” she smiled mischievously, “Just promise that it doesn’t get used.”

He almost had the inappropriate retort out of his mouth before remembering their audience, “I promise”.

Next was the green nightgown. “Why does that look familiar?” she thought to herself. “I used to have one similar….” she thought, “but I haven’t seen it since the night that Lex went to Pittsburgh.” Her mind reassured her that she must have mentioned the missing nightgown in passing and he bought her one to replace it. There was no way that it could be HER nightgown.

Then she scrolled to the next picture. She audibly gasped and zoomed in. “Is that?” she questioned, “No, it can’t be.” There it was, sitting right next to Lex’s toiletry bag- her custom perfume from France. It wasn’t just any random perfume of some trollop. It was HER perfume. She started laughing. She wasn’t sure if it was from relief that she had proof that all of Fanny’s suspicions about Lex cheating led back to her or relief that she hadn’t actually lost one of the last tangible reminders she had of her sister. Whatever it was, she was filled with joy.

“I am the jezebel,” she said out loud without thinking.

“You are the what?” Fanny asked.

“I am the jezebel,” Teddy repeated and smiled.

“What you talking about?” Fanny exclaimed.

“You heard him on the phone making plans for later than night?” Teddy began her point by point “defense”. “He was talking to me. He was lonely so we made plans for phone sex later that night.” Internally Teddy winced. Lex would be mortified to know that she was speaking so freely about the intimacy, but she was sure that he would be even MORE mortified that people were under the impression that he was being unfaithful.

“Was the scent that you smelled woody and spicy with hints of amber?” Teddy began her next point. Teddy crossed her arms, “That’s my perfume. It is a custom made perfume - the only one like it in the world.” Teddy winced at the small lie. It was close enough to one of a kind for Fanny’s purposes.

“What was next?” Teddy went on. “Oh yeah, the rush to get you out of the room?” Teddy checked off her mental list, “Lex texted an SOS and I obliged with a fake panic attack. It worked like a charm.”

Fanny began to back away from Teddy. No, this was definitely not the way she thought this was going to go.

“Then you very rudely interrupted us because you left your phone like a dumbass,” Teddy stepped toward. She had begun to feel the anger form in the pit of her stomach. She wasn’t sure where it was coming but it fueled her.

“But, but, but…..” Fanny tried to regain the upper hand, “It’s all the tell tale signs of a cheater.”

Teddy stepped up to her, “That may well be true, but you forgot three things.”

“What’s that?” Fanny spouted off.

“One- Lex is not a cheater. It’s not in his DNA,” Teddy said as a matter of fact, “He would break up with me before cheated on me.”

“Two,” she added, “He would have to be a special kind of stupid to cheat on me with my two best friends in the same hotel as well as a gaggle of WAGS apparently watching him like a hawk. Or was that just you?”

Fanny scoffed, “and what is three?”

Teddy laughed, “Well….”

Later, Lex sat on one end of the couch while Teddy sat on the other end. She sat cross legged, her body turned to face him. Lex was covered with sweat and his heart raced as Teddy told him the details of her confrontation. He could not make himself look at his beloved redhead.

“Lex?” she questioned, “Lex, are you hearing me?”

He simply nodded his head up and down.

“Lex Love,” she said softly as she began to crawl towards him, “Lex, look at me.”

“I…. I …..I can’t,” he whispered, “I can’t look at your face after what I’ve done.”

“What have you done?” she whispered back as she reached him. She placed a gentle kiss on his shoulder.

“People think I cheated on you Bliss. They have been gossiping about us,” he whispered.

“Lex Love,” she said more firmly, “Look at me.”

He brought his tear filled eyes to her face. He was expecting to be met with a look of hurt or disappointment, even anger. Instead, she looked at him with eyes sparkling with love.

“Do you think that I believe her? Do you think I believe that you would ever be unfaithful to me?” she pressed her hand to his cheek. “After everything that we have been through, you think I don’t trust you completely?”

“You don’t believe her?” he whispered, praying that he was hearing her words correctly.

“Fuck no, I don’t believe her,” Teddy smiled, “You would never cheat on me.”

“I never would, Bliss,” he placed his large hands on either side of her face and pulled her close so that their foreheads touched. “I would never want another woman. You are the one for me,” he said. His voice was low and filled with relief. “I can’t believe that she actually went to you. I am such an idiot,” he sighed.

“You’re not an idiot,” Teddy kissed him gently, “Remember we are whatever it takes, no matter what.” He grabbed her and pulled her onto his lap. His arms wrapped around her and squeezed her tight. She could feel the slight tremble as he held her. She nuzzled her face into his neck and soothed, “Lex Love, it’s okay. It’s okay. I am not going anywhere, but I do have questions.”

“Give me a minute,” he sighed.

“Take all the time you need,” she murmured as she pressed her lips into his neck. They sat together for a few minutes before he gave her the signal that he was ready. She sat up straight and rubbed her thumb across his forehead.

“So is that my green nightgown she saw in your room?” she questioned as she looked into his eyes. He nodded affirmatively. “Did you take it from my apartment before you left for PIttsburgh?” she asked.

Lex leaned his head back and gathered up the courage. “Not deliberately, but I was happy when I found it shoved in my bag. The scarf had lost its Bliss scent so I was happy to have a replacement.

“The scarf?” Teddy replied in surprise, “My scarf? The blue one?”

He blushed, “Yes, that was my first acquisition. It was an accident- I swear. Both of them were accidents.”

“And you acquired these things why?” she prodded.

“They smelled like you.” he choked out, “They smelled like you and if I had them, I could smell you on the road.”

“You wanted to smell me?” her brows furrowed together, “Why?”

“I kept the things so I could smell you and not miss you,” he looked down.

Teddy lifted his face with her finger so that she could look him in the eye. “You missed me? Even way back then?” she questioned, “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Why didn’t I tell you that I kept your things like some sort of freak with a scent fetish?,” he smiled tentatively, “Why didn’t I tell you that I was crazy about you even then?

Then his face fell again. “I was so crazy that I stole your perfume. I stole your Frankie perfume,” He looked up to judge her reaction. Her face was calm and serene. “I swear I didn’t know that it was your Frankie perfume then. I would have never taken it.” He sighed, “I wouldn’t have taken it if I knew it was your last thing from Frankie.”

“Well, it’s a good thing that it’s not actually lost then, eh?” Teddy laughed as she exaggerated the eh for his benefit.

“You are not mad?” he asked in surprise.

“When did you find out about all of the Fanny shenanigans?” Teddy asked, suddenly serious.

“Ummmm, yesterday - after the game,” Lex answered without thinking.

“What I am not thrilled with is that you knew something was going on last night and chose not to tell me, “she started. He went to interject but she held up a finger to stop him. “I don’t want to make it a bigger deal than it is because we got lucky. Fanny caught me on a good anxiety day where I could think clearly. This could have gone south really quickly and that would have sucked.” She stared into his eyes for a moment. “No matter what, whatever it takes includes the sucky conversations or what you THINK will be the sucky conversations.”

“I thought you would be upset,” he said finally.

“Then let me be upset rather than ambushed in my own apartment,” she countered.

He nodded in understanding. “Bliss, I am really sorry,” he pleaded, “I just didn’t know how to tell you after Seggy told me about the perfume.”

“Tyler knew about the perfume?” Teddy gasped, “For how long?”

“I don’t know- a couple of weeks,” Lex answered.

“Did he know about Fannygate?” Teddy asked.

Lex nodded his head in affirmation. “For the record, he told me to come clean to you. I didn’t listen and it turns out that he was right,” Lex explained, “Dammnit, don’t tell him that he was right. He will never let me live it down.”

“So what lessons we have learned from this?” Teddy questioned.

Lex sighed, “To have the hard conversations.”

Teddy leaned forward and kissed his neck, “and what else?”

“Fanny is a busybody,” he smiled.

“And what else?” she spread her legs and straddled his massive thighs.

“I don’t know. Tell me,” he murmured, “I am a little distracted.”

“Tyler is still a really good friend to you and you give him too much grief,” she resumed her nibbling on his neck.

“True,” he moaned softly, “Anything else.”

“Yes, ask next time you need something instead of taking it. I would have given you my other perfume. You know, the cheaper one,” she remarked.

“Yeah, but that’s not the special perfume,” he said as his hands grabbed her ass and pulled her into him.

“Special perfume?” she asked,

“Yes, the one that you wore when we first kissed,” he kissed languidly. “You also wore the first night that we…….”

“Fucked?” she finished for him, “Lex, you may be the sweetest man to ever exist.”

“You are really not mad?” he lifted her off the couch and started carrying her to the bedroom

“No, I am not mad,” she kissed him passionately. “Now, my dad on the other hand,” she grinned, “He is going to want to have a word with you when I tell him about the wild goose chase you sent him on.”

“Please don’t,” he pleaded with her as he set her on the bed and climbed on top of her body.

“I think I could be convinced to keep your secret,” she moaned, “If given the proper motivation.”

“All my love and devotion?” he grinned as he pushed her top and his mouth made contact her nipple.

“Do that thing with your mouth too,” she purred, “I’ll take that along with your lover and devotion.”

“You got it, Bliss….. You got it.”

[puckmaidens]

If you are taking requests.....can I request anything soft and fluffy with Oleksiak or Seguin helping the reader with depressive episode?

Better Days - Jamie Oleksiak x fem!reader x Tyler Seguin

WC: .7k

Y/N was exhausted, and both Jamie and Tyler being gone didn't help. Sleep was difficult to come by since the playoffs started but definitely with Seattle and Dallas playing each other for a Western Conference Final spot.

Y/N was torn for a multitude of reasons but the biggest one was leaving the house. Her meltdowns and random irritations made being there for both boys hard.

Why am I not strong enough to get up and go see them at the game? None of the other Better Halves struggle like this, they show up and out. Their minds didn't hate them so much that getting out of bed was the hardest thing all day.

She hadn't slept or left the house in weeks, and basic things like bathing and eating were Herculean efforts, and more times then not getting in the shower didn't happen.

She missed them both, but she couldn't call them. Too much was at stake for them, Jamie on a new team making it to playoffs and Tyler making a deep run with the Stars.

I’m only one call away, Superman got nothing on me

Her phone basically stayed attached to the charger unless Y/N was listening to music to fall asleep to. Her laundry was reaching a critical mass and the smell was overwhelming. Even being awake was too overwhelming some days.

Maybe I'll feel better tomorrow...

Y/N let the phone ring, body finally shutting down for sleep.

The door opens and Jamie walks in to find his (and Tyler's) girlfriend fast asleep and distraught in her sleep.

"You take care of us, so let us take care of you, baby. I'll call Tyler and do your laundry. Don't worry, we'll make up for lost time."

"Segs. She's not doing good, found her asleep in her apartment and everything is a mess. I need your help."

"Rig, I'm on my way. Anything for both of you. I'll grab food too. How did we miss this? Y/N, baby we're gonna make sure you're ok. Ok?" Tyler's voice gets soft as he hangs up the phone.

Jamie starts doing Y/N's laundry, sorting out clothes and in-between loads finding out what food was there.

The door swings open and Jamie hears Tyler's footsteps before feeling him bump into Jamie.

"Is babydoll still sleeping? I've got food and some stuff. Soap, laundry detergent, new pjs."

"Out cold, couldn't even get her blanket off her. I checked her temperature and it seems normal. You can go and try to wake her. Ty?"

"Yeah, Jame?"

"You have a plan? I don't think she's going to without a fight. Or without help." Tyler nods, setting his haul down.

"I'll carry her to the bathroom and you'll start the bath. She needs both of us right now. You think the laundry will finish by then?" Jamie drops the last load of laundry in, adds detergent and gets it running.

"Let's go take care of her."

Y/N wakes up to the smell of lavender and arms around her.

"Mmm hi? Aren't y'all supposed to be with the team?"

"Baby, you weren't picking up. Nobody could reach you. We had to use our keys, why didn't you tell us things were getting bad?"

"You both were so busy and I didn't want to be a burden or too much. You both have been working so hard and I didn't want to bog you down with my problems."

Tyler presses a kiss to Y/N's forehead and Jamie pulls her into his chest.

"You are our baby, our partner. Taking care of you is never a burden. We will love you even when things feel hard. Ty and I will make sure you know we love you every day."

The night wanes on with both boys helping you finish your bath, Tyler scrubbing Y/N's arms and Jamie washing her hair.

The bed is heavy with Tyler pressing your neck to his shoulders and Jamie spooning you from the back.

Everyday isn't perfect, but with both of them loving you, it's at least better even when the dark days arrive.

[drewsbuzzcut]

Tangled Sheets, Tangled Lips

jamie oleksiak x fem!reader

warnings: smut

The loud moans and whines coming from you and Jamie eliminate the silence that usually fills your bedroom in the morning of Jamie’s off days.

You’re not sure how it started. It might’ve been because you both went to sleep naked from the hours spent tangled in sheets, pulling orgasm after orgasm from each other, so your naked bodies were pressed tightly against each other in the morning. Maybe it’s because Jamie has wandering hands, and a wandering mouth that couldn’t help but suck on your nipples. Even if all the desire was put out last night, Jamie knew how to spark it up again.

So here you both are, having glorious morning sex. Jamie had already orgasmed, being that he’s always extra sensitive in the morning. You’ve yet to have your first, but you’re enjoying the softness of it all.

Jamie’s large body hovered over your small one, his hands holding onto the headboard as he kept thrusting into you. Every time he thrust back into you, you couldn’t help but moan because it felt so fucking good, and because you knew he was fucking his cum back into you.

You hand one arm wrapped around his neck, that hand buried in his hair while the other hand was clawing down his back.

“Fuck, Jame. You feel so good,” you whimper out. He just kisses your neck in response.

You could feel his mushroom tip glide against your slick walls, causing you to clench down on him.

“You’re so wet,” Jamie comments and leans his forehead down on yours.

“Only for you,” you say in a whine as Jamie slows his thrusts and hits your sweet spot.

“Right there, baby,” you continue.

“You’re so sexy,” he whispers in your ear.

The slow, meaningful rhythm of his hips allows him to reach places you didn’t even know were possible. Your eyes keep rolling to the back of your head, your mouth open and silent moans coming out.

He dips his head down to envelope one of your nipples in his mouth. He sucks softly, but the wet sensation has you arching your back, making Jamie lift his body away from yours.

You’re still laying down, but Jamie is on his knees, grabbing hold of your hips that keep lifting and starts pounding into you.

“Yes! Yes! Right there, fuck. Jamie, I’m almost there,” you practically shout.

“I know, baby. I can feel you squeezing. Come on cum for me,” he moans out.

Your walls keep pulsating around his cock and it drives him crazy, making his thrusts relentlessness.

“I’m cumming!” You moan, throwing your head back and tensing up.

Your mixed juices start leaking down his balls, and he has to refrain from pounding into you again.

Jamie knows you’re up in the clouds, so he lays his body on yours and starts kissing along your neck and jaw.

“I love you,” you whisper, hands carding through his sweaty hair.

“I love you more,” Jamie says against your lips before he’s kissing the life out of you.

For a while you both engage in an intense makeout. It’s slow, but it’s messy. You let your tongues dance together and bite at each other’s lips, hands even started wandering again.

“No more. I don’t think I can even function right now,” you let out with a chuckle, feeling the soreness in all your muscles.

“How about a warm bath?” He asks, face pressed against the skin of your neck.

“You have to carry me.”

“Deal!”

a/n: I love Jamie and I had this random idea, so enjoy!!!

[laurenairay]

Writing prompts-

So many to choose from but....

3) “Don’t say it. Don’t you dare say it.”- with Oleksiak

3 - “Don’t say it. Don’t you dare say it.” – Jamie Oleksiak

1.2k words.

First prompt of the batch – let’s do this! I hope you enjoy!

*

There he was, standing across the room, in all of his 6ft7 glory. Jamie Oleksiak, the man who still held your heart, despite breaking it over a year ago. If you’d known he’d be here at this bar then you wouldn’t have come anywhere near it, but here you were drink in hand, ready to bolt at the first sign of movement.

Maybe it was a little pathetic, more than a little ridiculous, that this guy still had such a hold over you after shattering your heart into a thousand pieces, but he was Jamie. You could never forget your first real love, not when he looked like that, not when he’d been perfect up until breaking up with you out of the blue. Part of you would always love him, you knew that, but that didn’t mean seeing him laughing and smiling across the room was any easier.

Then again, catching eyes with him was infinitely worse.

Jamie’s beautiful blue eyes locked onto you with an intensity that made your breath hitch in your throat, your whole body freeze up, and by the time you’d recovered enough to shake your head out of your stupor, he was already walking over to you. Brilliant.

“Aren’t you a sight for sore eyes. You look just as beautiful as ever.”

“What are you doing here, Jamie?” you sighed, trying desperately to coolly ignore his flirting.

“Can’t a guy want to party every now and again?” he asked, smirking slightly.

Rather than reacting outwardly to that smirk, like the butterflies rioting in your stomach were, you just rolled your eyes.

“I meant here, in Dallas. You fucked off to Seattle after breaking up with me, remember?” you said dryly.

“I didn’t just fuck off to Seattle, I was picked in the expansion draft-” he mused.

Technicality.

“-and we’re playing the Stars tomorrow, so we’re in town for tonight,” Jamie finished, shrugging.

“And that means you’re bothering me…why?” you asked, raising an eyebrow.

Jamie just grinned, sending shivers down your spine. “If you’re really that bothered by me coming over to say hi, baby, then I’ll go.”

“I’m not your baby,” you shot back.

He just stayed silent as you took a sip of your drink, grin widening when you didn’t tell him to leave, like the idiot you were. Weak and foolish for him, just as you used to be. That much hadn’t changed, clearly.

“So how have you been?” he asked, leaning up against the bar top.

“Good. Better than when you broke my heart. Are you really here to make small talk?”

Jamie winced but laughed softly, shaking his head. “You haven’t changed at all. I’ve missed that. I miss you, that fire I lov-”

“Don’t say it. Don’t you dare say it,” you said sharply.

“Say what?” he murmured, eyes never leaving yours.

“That you love me.”

“Why not? You know it’s true.”

“No, it’s not. You just think you love me because you miss how easy our relationship was,” you said, scowling slightly.

Jamie huffed out a laugh, shaking his head. “I think I know my own feelings. I love you.”

“Yeah, right, okay let’s pretend for one second that you love me – what does that change, hm? Does that magically solve anything? You broke up with me, remember?” you scoffed.

“Sweetheart, come on…”

“Don’t call me sweetheart! Jesus, Jamie, what is going on with you?” you asked incredulously, “You broke up with me. You have made no attempt to contact me at all and here you are saying you miss me? That you love me? What is this bullshit?”

“It’s not bullshit. I was an idiot, sweetheart, leaving you behind when I should’ve begged for you to come with me. I missed you the second I stepped on that plane and I’ve been kicking myself for not fighting harder, for taking what I thought was the easy way out. And then I was too ashamed to call you, to text you, when I knew you deserved better. When I saw you across the bar tonight, it felt like I got a second chance to make things right with you. Please tell me I still have a chance?”

Your lips parted in shock as the words poured out of his mouth, far more eloquent in revealing his feelings than he ever had been when the two of you were together. In all honesty, you were stunned, confused, flustered, and so many other things, all of his words ones that you’d wanted to hear for so long and yet now that you’d heard them? It was overwhelming to say the least.

“Jamie, I…”

You trailed off into silence, not finding the words as his continued to overwhelm you, Jamie just standing there staring at you, his pretty blue eyes pleading their case.

“I don’t know what to say,” you eventually murmured, hands clutching at your empty drink glass.

The confidence in his body seemed to drain away, causing him to lean even more against the bar. “I guess I picked the worst possible place to try to win you back, huh?”

You chewed your bottom lip briefly before you sighing, smiling sadly. “Yeah I’m not really sure what you expected to happen, J.”

Something in his eyes sharpened at the use of his nickname, and he tilted his eyes as he made eye contact with you properly again, sending shivers down your spine once more.

“If I called you, would you answer?”

“What?” you asked, confused.

“If I picked up the phone and called you, like I wish I’d done hundreds of times over, would you answer?” he repeated, staring you down.

“Uh, depends on the context, I guess,” you said hesitantly.

“I want to fight for us. I already told you that I know I’m an idiot for breaking up with you. So if I called you, every day, to restart what I should never have thrown away, would you give me that second chance?”

Your breath hitched in your throat at the implication of his words. “You want us to try long distance?”

“It could work. We don’t know until we try, right? I know that I don’t deserve you to even give this a shot, but I’ll get down on my knees right here right now to beg you if you want,” Jamie said, eyes serious even if he was smiling.

“Oh my god J, don’t kneel down here, the floor is disgusting,” you groaned, cheeks heating regardless at the thought of the action.

Jamie grinned, stepping a little closer to you, those traitorous butterflies igniting in your stomach again. “So you’ll answer if I call?”

You bit your bottom lip as you stared deeply into his blue eyes, gasping softly as his hand moved to rest on your waist.

“I…I guess I can answer the phone. But I’m not promising more than once,” you said simply.

You had to protect your heart. If he couldn’t deliver what he promised, fighting for the two of you long distance, making up for breaking your heart, then you couldn’t put yourself through that again. But he was right – you didn’t know until you tried, and you knew you would regret it if you said no.

“Baby you won’t regret this, I promise,” he said happily, hands squeezing your waist to punctuate his words.

You could only hope he was right this time.

[jostyriggslover96]

We’re Really Doing This? Pt. 4

AN: It has been an insanely long time since I updated this, and I am so sorry for that. It was not my intention to make everyone wait that long for this update, but 2022 has been a really challenging year so far. But things are finally starting to look up, so I hope you all enjoy part 4! Not sure when the next update will come, but I have some new stuff in the works! Enjoy and thank you for sticking with this!

Tagging: @laurenairay​ @eberles​ @myhockeyworld87​ @hockeyboysimagines​ @hockeyunits​ @dudde-44​ @fiveholegoal​

Warnings: Mentions of doctors appointments, swearing, mild smut, some angst and tears. Smut and NSFW content are 18+, minors DNI.

Word Count: 3.4k

Part 3

We’re Really Doing This? Pt. 4

“So Y/N, it looks like you blood pressure has recovered quite well. I’m very happy with where its sitting right now,” your doctor stated as she was taking the blood pressure cuff off your arm.

 “Well, 6 weeks of bedrest did the trick I guess,” you shuddered at the thought, your bed rest had lasted much longer than everyone anticipated. Your doctor gave you a knowing smile as she put her stethoscope in her ears to listen to your belly.

 “I know it wasn’t the ideal time frame, but it seems like Jamie took great care of you,” she commented while moving her stethoscope around. You glanced to your right where Jamie sat in the chair by the examination table and smiled. He really had taken great care of you that whole time you were stuck in bed.

“Oh I think I got breakfast in bed every single morning,” you smiled as Jamie smirked at you. He truly had been such a supportive partner the whole time. You were both scared about when your blood pressure would stabilize but he kept you well distracted. He cooked amazing meals for you, even breaking out the recipe for his mom’s ziti, kept the house clean, took care of the flower garden you watched him plant from a lawn chair, and did all of the laundry without any incidents like the time he turned all your white tank tops pink when you first started dating. He also kept you well entertained the whole time; whether it was the mini baby book club the two of you started or binging another show on Netflix, Jamie kept you laughing the whole 6 weeks.

 “You’ve got yourself a good one Y/N,” your doctor smiled as she asked you to lie back on the table. You glanced over at Jamie as you were getting comfortable in the new position, taking his hand in yours, you gave it a gentle squeeze.

 “Oh that I do,” you smiled at Jamie, he sent a wink your way in response before you turned your attention back to your doctor.

 “So like I mentioned, we are going to keep an eye out because we thought you might be developing placenta previa a few weeks ago, but it’s a really good sign that your blood pressure has been stable for 2 weeks,” she commented as she was pressing down on your bladder, which made you have the strong urge to pee.

 “What would placenta previa mean for delivery?” Jamie’s deep voice boomed in your ears as he asked the question he knew you were most nervous about. You felt his hand squeeze yours as you let out a shaky breath.

 “Normally we would schedule a C-section because there can be risk of bleeding with vaginal delivery, but let’s not worry about that yet. You aren’t showing as many signs now as you were before. I want you to go for that 3-D ultrasound tomorrow, that should give us a better idea of where things are.”

 Feeling slightly better at your doctors response you felt yourself exhale tension you didn’t realize you were holding in. “So now that I’m off bed rest…does that mean I can resume all my normal activities?” you asked as your doctor helped you sit up.

 “Absolutely, in fact, dad let’s get her walking a bit more now. You’re 22 weeks, so you can still do many things in your regular routine. Just limit the heavy lifting as that will likely cause some discomfort for you,” you both nodded along as your doctor grabbed a few brochures about this stage of pregnancy.

 There was one other question you knew that both you and Jamie were desperately waiting for the answer to, you couldn’t hold it in anymore, you had to ask. “What about sex?” you blurted out a bit more desperately than intended. Your cheeks heating up as Jamie stifled a laugh. You doctor gave you an all knowing smile, recognizing that you couldn’t have sex while you were on bed rest. It had been a long time for you and Jamie, your hormones were raging and ready to go.

 “You can resume your regular sex life now too. Why don’t we book for next week, so we can discuss your ultrasound and where we go from here?” you both nodded as your doctor wished you well and left the room. Jamie silently handed you your underwear and jeans before helping you off the table.

 “Sooooo,” you smirked at him as he watched you dress your lower half once again.

 “So what?” he questioned as he handed you your purse.

 “So let’s get home so you can fuck my brains out,” you said point blank. It had been so long there was no way to beat around the bush on this one.

 “I would love to, but we planned to stop at the baby boutique that’s close to here,” he pressed a gentle kiss to your forehead as you let out a desperate whine.

 “Baby I need you,” you rested your head on his chest like a disgruntled child. He soothingly rubbed your back but even that was turning you on.

 “Oh I need you too pretty girl, but let’s go take a look and then I can spend the rest of the day fucking you senseless.”

 “You drive a hard bargain Oleksiak,” you grumbled as you took your hand and went back to the waiting room with him. As desperately as you needed your Big Rig right now, you figured that sex in the doctor’s office was not a good look. You had been wanting to check out the boutique for a while, but couldn’t go until you were off bedrest because it was too much time on your feet. You could wait, but not for much longer.

  -------------------------------------------------

 “Can I ask you something?” your attention focused on Jamie as his gaze was fixed on the road ahead. You saw the corner of his mouth twitch as a half-smile formed on his face, probably aware of the fact that your mind was racing a thousand miles a minute.

 “Always,” his rough voice was music to your ears. You took a deep breath because you knew this was a deeper question than he was expecting, but you had to ask. You had to know.

 “How scary were those pregnancy complications for you?” you said while your voice trembled slightly, the memories of those challenging weeks still fresh in your mind.

 “I was very worried about you,” his eyes never leaving the rode as he spoke. You shifted slightly in your seat, so you were facing him more.

 “Jamie, I mean more than that. I know I felt like my world was crashing and crumbling around me. There were moments I thought we would lose our baby. I know that happens to so many women, miscarriages are so much more common than I ever realized. But it was just so clear to me that I don’t know what I would have done if we lost our baby. So I’m asking you, what was that like for you?” you felt tears prick the corner of your eyes recalling some of those darkest days. Jamie let out a deep sigh, pausing for a while. Silence ringing through the car as he gripped the steering wheel harder.

 “I thought….shit, honestly I thought I was watching you lose the dream you wanted for so long. That you worked so hard for, to bring our child into this world. The dream I think we both had before even mentioning it to each other. I felt like I was living in my nightmares,” he glanced at you for a quick moment, his gaze soft. Your hand darted out without thinking, gently grabbing his wrist off the steering wheel so you could intertwine your fingers with his.

 “I felt like that too,” you gave his hand a squeeze, reassuring him and silently thanking him for being open with you in that way. You knew that Jamie appeared quiet to the media and sometimes struggled to share his emotions with those closest to him, but you also knew that there was this loving and caring heart inside him. You absolutely loved getting glimpses of his gentle soul in moments like these. One of these moments, where you caught a glimpse of the gentle giant, so few knew, was when you first realized you loved Jamie. It was these moments where he shared vulnerable parts of himself with you that made you fall more deeply in love with him than the moment he took your breath away when your eyes first met his over 5 years ago.

 “Hey,” Jamie’s voice pulled you from your thoughts, smile spreading on your face without even noticing. “I love you baby.”

 “I love you too Jame, always,” you squeezed his hand gently once more before he pulled his hand away to turn the steering wheel as you entered the parking lot that held the baby store you were so eager to visit. Jamie weaved in between the rows of cars, finding the perfect spot out in front of the store. You perked up, noticing the store that was beside it. “We should grab a Starbucks too!”

 “Yeah, sure….” Jamie trailed off. “Look at that little baseball pillow in the window.” You followed his gaze to the round baseball themed pillow that sat in the window amongst a sea of other plush toys and pillows.

 “Cute!”

 “Reminds me of how we met,” Jamie’s lips spread into a wide tooth grin as he turned his head, his eyes meeting yours. You laughed wholeheartedly, how could you forget that moment.

 “Yeah, who would’ve thought we’d end up on the kiss cam at that Blue Jays game,” you snickered while reminiscing about that awkward yet sweet moment.

 “I didn’t think you’d be willing to kiss me, I was just a random stranger that you happened to be sitting beside,” Jamie bit his lip as he unbuckled his seatbelt.

 “Might’ve been the beers, might’ve been the fact that you’re easy on the eyes, but you’ve gotta give the fans what they want,” you smirked as you grabbed your purse and the two of you prepared to emerge from the vehicle. The two of you were almost giddy looking back on that day, you had no idea that going to a baseball game with your friends would result in you meeting the love of your life, but you’re so happy it did.

 Just as Jamie was taking your hand to help you step onto the sidewalk, the two of you noticed a brunette waving excitedly at you from the Starbucks one door down. As you were opening your mouth to ask Jamie who that was you heard him swearing under his breath. Glancing at him as he ducked his head down and pulled you closer to the baby store, you noted that he never returned the wave of the perky brunette exiting the coffee shop. Once you were safely within the store, Jamie stopped in front of you, brow furrowed and face red.

 “That was Melissa, the ex from before I met you,” he commented while brushing sweat off his forehead.

 “Which one was she?” you remembered Jamie telling you about his exes, there weren’t secrets between the two of you. Jamie opened his mouth to respond before you let out a loud gasp. His expression turned to concern, but you cut him off before he could question you. “Was she the one who was going to give you road head, but her head got jammed under the steering wheel?” you tried to ask quietly but struggled to contain your laughter as you remembered that story.

 “We almost had to call the fire department for help, it was anything but funny,” Jamie playfully scowled at your glee.

 “Call it what you want Riggy, but I think it’s hilarious,” you pulled Jamie further into the store, so you could begin your shopping journey.

 “I just hope she doesn’t come in here,” Jamie muttered as you started grabbing bottles.

 “Don’t worry babe, I’ll protect you,” you snickered. “Now, grab a cart and let’s get this show on the road. Mama wants to start nesting.”

 --------------------------------------

 3 long and expensive hours later Jamie was pulling his truck into your garage. “Okay, I’ve got this stuff, why don’t you head inside?” Jamie suggested as he was putting the vehicle in park. You aggressively pushed the garage door button, so it would close, before going for your seatbelt.

 “I don’t think so Oleksiak, I want you inside me in the next few minutes or I might combust,” you swung your door open and hopped out of the truck, determined to end this dry spell here and now.

 “Baby, we have all this stuff in the truck, give me 20 minutes and then I’ll come eat that pretty pussy like it’s my last meal,” his smirk melted you on the spot.

 “Jamie!” you whined. “We have been waiting 6 weeks, I don’t care that there’s stuff in the car. I don’t have time for unloading the car and I don’t have time for foreplay, I need you inside me. God, I’m practically dripping here just at the thought of you fucking me,” you let out an exasperated sigh, hands falling to your hips. Jamie stared at you silently for a moment before pressing the lock button on his car keys and turning to unlock the house.

 “Look at you so needy for me,” his smirk evident through his teasing tone. “I want you on the bed naked and ready for me baby, let’s go,” he demanded as the door swung open and he ushered you inside, smacking your ass for good measure. You squealed as you started ripping off your clothing while making your way up the stairs.

 The two of you left behind a trail of clothing as you were eager to feel each other in the most intimate way once again. Once you made it to the bedroom you stopped to step out of your underwear, glancing behind you for the first time since leaving the garage. Jamie was naked and stroking his already hard cock, your mouth started to water at the sight before your eyes. Shaking your head you snapped out of your trance, crawling on the bed on all fours, there would be time for blowjobs later, but right now you needed to feel Jamie within your walls. The bed dipped as Jamie crawled on behind you, “You ready baby?” he asked as you felt his tip nudge your dripping entrance.

 “Yesss,” you moaned. “Please just fuck me.” Before you could say anything else you felt Jamie sliding into you, stretching you in the most amazing ways. The room was filled with loud moans and groans as Jamie bottomed out inside you.

 “Hold on baby,” Jamie warned before pulling almost all the way out and ramming back into you. Your mouth fell open as your gripped the bedsheets in front of you, bracing yourself for the ride of your life.

 ----------------------------------------

 The rest of the evening was filled with hot, sweaty, needy sex as you and Jamie were whole again once more. Baby items strewn messily through the main floor of your house, clothes still littering the path to your bedroom. You’d never get enough of the feeling you got with him deep inside you, which is how you found yourself early the next morning. Jamie on his back, hands tightly gripping your hips as your palms braced on his chest while you lowered yourself onto his throbbing member, moaning in pleasure. You were rocking your hips with his and finding a steady rhythm, you felt that coil tightening deep inside you. Suddenly you heard the doorbell chime and loud knocking ring through the house. You and Jamie halted your movements, glancing at each other in confusion over who was interrupting the most amazing morning delight. You rolled your eyes before resuming your movements, grinding your hips against Jamie’s. Whoever was at the door would have to wait. Just as Jamie was planting his feet up the mattress so he could start pounding into you, his phone started ringing. You groaned in frustration as you halted your movements, reaching for his phone on the nightstand.

 “Don’t you dare answer that,” Jamie sighed beneath you while you glanced at the screen.

 “Why the fuck is Tyler calling you at 9am on a Saturday?” you tossed the phone on the bed, digging your nails into Jamie’s chest in frustration. Jamie silently started at you for a moment before his eyes went wide and he was lifting you off him.

 “Shit!” he exclaimed as he rolled away from you.

 “Hey! I wasn’t finished with you,” you cried as Jamie scrambled off the bed.

 “Baby, it’s the 23rd.”

 “So?” you questioned while reaching for him to come back to bed.

 “The 23rd when we begged the guys to come help paint the nursery and assemble furniture. At 9am!” Jamie spat as he pulled on boxers. Your eyes widened as you remembered inviting some of the Dallas Stars to your home because they were eager to help you get ready for the baby.

 “Oh shit!” you screamed as you sprang into action searching the floor for suitable clothing to greet the team with. “Stall them while I get dressed,” you practically shoved a dishevelled Jamie from your bedroom as you pulled on underwear and leggings.

 A short while later the boys were in action getting the nursery ready, so you could start nesting. You stood in the doorway with a tray of baking for the guys, smiling at the chaos before your eyes.

“What do you think of this caption?” Jamie asked absentmindedly as he passed the phone to Y/N. Y/N grabbed the phone and rolled her eyes when she the caption to the newest bump-date photo that Jamie was sharing, ‘Lil Rig is bumping along’.

“I don’t know, seems a bit cheesy to me,” Tyler chirped from over your shoulder. You reached back to smack him as he tried to dodge your impeccable aim.

“Sounds good Jame,” you smiled as you handed Jamie back his phone. You walked further into the nursery that Tyler, Jamie, and John were painting today. John was in the corner looking bewildered by furniture instructions. You chuckled as you sat down on the perfect rocking chair. Once you got the all clear from your doctor to move off bedrest, you and Jamie went to pick out furniture for the nursery. He waited patiently as you tested every chair in the store. Out of the corner of your eye you noticed Tyler haphazardly pouring paint. Glancing at Jamie, you noticed he was still tapping at his phone. Probably finishing his Instagram post. “Seguin be careful! I didn’t bake you brownies, so you could wreck my floor with paint.”

“Hey, I am being careful,” Tyler scoffed as he stood upright too quickly and splattered paint on his shirt. You raised an eyebrow at him, he was already proving your point.

“Dude, I’d listen to her, she’s the boss,” Jamie commented through giggles at Tyler’s clumsy behaviour.

“See and that boys is why I’m marrying this man,” you said as you shot Jamie a wink.

In that moment, through all the chaos you were so happy. You had never felt more content than this moment, watching your fiancé and his friends assemble your nursery. You couldn’t wait for the first moment you got to bring your baby home, the first moment you would hear the pitter patter of little feet running across the hardwood floor, and the first moment you would hear the joyful giggles of your child echo those halls. Despite all the happiness and excitement, you couldn’t help but wonder if this is where your child would spend their life growing and changing. Or would your family be torn away from the perfect home if Jamie were to sign a contract with a new team? Your heart started racing at the thought of packing up your life, but you knew it was a distinct possibility as Jamie only has one year left on his contract. You let out a shaky breath and tried to push those thoughts out of your mind You couldn’t control what the future brought, but in this moment, you were going to enjoy the happiness in front of you.

[typical-simplelove]

can i also request prompt list 42 with jamie oleksiak?

42. "I remember when we first met..." with Jamie Oleksiak (this one's a bit painful)

Claudia's Debut Season of Heartfirst Writing

With a shaky breath, you begin to leaf through the photo album sitting on the table. It was sitting amongst other photo albums and picture frames, on top of a white table cloth. A gold sign in fancy script sits in the middle. It says "Becoming the Oleksiaks."

Your eyes fill with tears as you see all the photos of Jamie from his childhood to now. It's all there from his kindergarten graduation to his first day of high school to his first NHL game. Every moment of his life is captured in this photo album.

Next, you go to the other album dedicated to Jamie's life. As you flip through each page, your heartbeat quickens as you remember many of the memories. Growing up with Jamie, you were there for every step of his first twenty-three years.

Your hand stops flipping through the pages when it lands on the photo of your senior prom, Jamie as your date. You still remember that corsage he pinned onto your dress that his mother eventually had to help pin. You remember how Jamie called you every night for two weeks to discuss the color and make of your dress. You refused to tell him anything, but you finally relented when Jamie told you he need to at least know to color in order to have a matching tie.

"I remember that night," Jamie says from behind you, his deep voice sending vibrations down your spine.

"It was a fun night," you reply, keeping your voice low.

"Are you enjoying yourself?" Jamie asks. You're looking into his eyes and wondering if he knows just how much your heart is breaking right now.

No, I want nothing to do with this, you think to yourself, but you can't. This was the day before the happiest day of Jamie's life, so you couldn't ruin it for him. "Yeah, it's a lovely party."

He nods. "How was your trip out here?"

So, it was going to be small talk. You try to hide how much your heart hurt listening to him ask you that. Before everything happened, you and Jamie were thick as thieves. You told each other everything. Now, though, that connection was in shambles, and you and Jamie could barely muster any small talk.

"Don't," you say. "You don't have to pretend that you want me here. We both know that your mother invited me and basically forced me to be here. Let's just pretend I'm not here." With that, you turn back to the photo album. You flip to a photo of you and Jamie at age five eating popsicles.

"I remember when we first met," Jamie murmurs, taking a few steps closer to you. How could he possibly remember? The two of you were babies. "Well, at least the first memory I have of you. I think it was the first time I realized I loved you, too. It was at the kiddie pool you had growing up. We spent hours there, and that's when I fell in love with you. Well, as much that a four-year-old can. I don't think I ever stopped lo—"

"Stop," you interrupt, knowing exactly where this was going. "For the sake of your fiance, don't tell another person that you love them the night before you get married."

"Don't do this, please," Jamie says. "If you say the word, I'll call this all off, and we can—"

"Jamie, you broke up with me, so you don't get to do this to me."

"I was an idiot! Please, it's always been you. I've only ever lo—"

"I'm leaving," you interrupt. "Congrats on the marriage, if you decide to go through with it."

At that, you walk away knowing that you love Jamie as much as he loves you.

Claudia's Debut Season of Heartfirst Writing! (requests close June 24th!)

[plasticfilth]

number 7 screams jamie o..like he would say that to you when you tease him in public

prompt 'i can't take you anywhere' with jamie oleksiak.

note: explicit language, fem!reader, mentions of alcohol. 

the breeze in the night air was crisp, causing you to hug the coat around your body tighter. jamie’s hand rested on your lower back as you both approached the lit up building, chatter from the nearing crowd growing louder.

you were careful to walk up the stairs, not to trip with your heels. jamie chuckled lightly watching your slow movements up the steps, making sure you were secure in his arm. with a light eye-roll, you let out a smile to him that said thank you. 

“reservation under giordano,” jamie spoke to the employee behind the tall desk as she scanned through a book of listed names. the night was dedicated to the season wrapping up, all the players wives and girlfriends invited, which put you in an uncomfortable position considering you weren’t quite sure where you sat with jamie. it exceeded a fling, but wasn’t quite official. you wondered why he invited you to such an intimate dinner, considering it would be your first public introduction. deep down, you’d much rather spend the night in bed with him, given his hand was crawling up your thigh the whole drive to the restaurant. 

it didn’t take a great deal for jamie to get you feeling hot, he had a way about him, the way he carried himself, the way he’d touch you even when it wasn’t in an explicit manner. you always craved him, and seeing him in a button down shirt rolled at the forearms did not make the night any easier. 

you were escorted through the crowded restaurant and knew the table exclusive to the team was approaching when cheering and applauding men yelling jamie’s name in union erupted. 

you knew the guys in theory, but memorising names plastered on the back of a jersey was different to interacting face to face. you anxiously secluded yourself further into jamie’s arm, gripping his wrist. that gave him a hint you weren’t quite sure what to do, so without hesitating he spoke.

“this is y/n, everyone,” as his teammates came to embrace him and you were overwhelmed with their partners saying it’s so nice to have another partner around, hugging, handshakes. amongst the crowd you were pulled from jamie suddenly, but he quickly reached out to grab your hand and pull you close to his chest as everyone returned to their seats. you looked up at him and smiled, softly he mimes “you okay?” and you nod, pulling him to find your own seats. he takes your jacket, being sure to admire your dress you were hiding underneath all that fabric.

“man i’m lucky,”

the night continued as the food flooded the large table, laughter and you listened intently to the stories the boys told about jamie, which made his face flush red. “alright, you’re gonna scare her away, c’mon,” he tried to get them to simmer down. 

you placed your hand on his thigh under the table, giving a light squeeze, your nails scratching the material of his dress pants. he shifted in his chair, turning his head to look at you, resting his arm on the back of your chair.

“let them speak,” you flashed a grin to him, darting your glance from his eyes to his lips, faces close as your shoulders are touching sitting side by side.

his tongue glided along his bottom lip, and he gave you a look that says, “fine,” and the stories continued. from that point on, it was difficult to pay attention, feeling his fingertips tracing the hair on the back of your neck. you felt his palm warm on your spine, hand dancing soothingly on your skin, revealed through your off-the shoulder dress. chills rose on your arms, as you tried to hold conversation with one of the girls beside you on the table. 

jamie poured you a glass of wine with his free hand, and you caressed his cheek to say thank you. he winked at you, making you let out a light laugh. you raised the large wine glass to your lips, but as you placed it dangerously close to the edge of the table, it bounced in the glass, spilling over the edge and causing you to let a swear under your breath. “fuck,” watching the red stain form on the bottom of jamie’s white shirt. 

“babe it’s fine, relax,” his deep voice spoke calmly, not to draw attention. you reach for a napkin, scooting your chair back to attempt to absorb it, to no avail of course. 

“i don’t even know how that happened,” you sounded foolish, as jamie takes your hand thats trying desperately to wipe shirt, where it’s tucked into the waist of his pants.

“i’ll buy a new one,” he says, again nonchalantly. you were so fixated on this stain that you don’t think you’ve looked up yet, no matter what he said. his large hand crawled around your neck, tangling in your hair. his thumb squeezed your chin, teetering on your lip as he raised your head to look at him. you were absorbed by his piercing blue eyes. reluctantly, you dropped the napkin. 

“it won’t come out,” you responded, placing your hand over his that’s still cradling your cheek. “you might have to take it off,” you spoke sweetly. he sucks in a breath through his teeth, trying to ignore your statement. 

“don’t be a tease,” he argued.

“you’re right, leave it on,” you shrugged, straightening your posture in your chair again. you lean in, mouth hot on his neck, you whisper. not that anyone was paying attention to you, everyone was in their own world.

“leave it on so i can make a mess again later.” you finished.

“this is why i can't take you anywhere,” he countered in a more serious tone.

“because you’re making me want to drag you into the bathroom and bend you over the sink,” his eyes went dark, and you know you’ve got him yearning for you the same way you’ve been craving him all night.

in that moment, some pieces of the puzzle as to why your outings were limited began coming together. the insatiable desire to strip each other at any given chance outweighed a calm, family-friendly gathering. 

“what’s stopping you?”

[hockeyboysimagines]

Sneak peeks!

You guys asked, so here they are.

Brock Boeser

“Hey.” Brock said softly. Shelby was tugging at the bottom hem of her T-shirt, one of his. Her hair was kinked from sleep, and the setting sunlight that filtered into his living room was hitting her just right. He gulped and tried not to look at her legs as she stood a few feet from him, leaned against the side of the wall.

“Did you sleep?”

She nodded and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, rubbing her left leg against her right. The bruise near her eye was purple now but less swollen than he had thought it would be. She was still the most beautiful creature he had ever seen.

“I’m uh-I’m going to sleep out here.” He gestured to the living room nervously taking a step forward “So uhm..I guess you need me this is where I’ll be.” He cleared his throat and felt a redness come to his face.

She bit her lip and nodded again. He couldn’t help himself as his eyes traveled up her long legs that disappeared into a canucks shirt. His name looked so good on her, and he was close enough that he could smell her perfume and it was making him lightheaded.

“Shelby?” He questioned softly. Her big eyes locked on to his, wide and sad but there was something else glimmering behind them he couldn’t quite identify.

Jamie oleksiak

“Well it’s late....or rather early I guess?” He said checking the time on his phone, before standing and stretching. She dumped the remainder of their wine down the drain and followed him to the door.

“This was nice.” He said leaning on the door frame, hands in his pockets, small smile on his face. She felt a little shiver go through her as she stopped in front of him.

“It was.” She nodded looking at her feet “But Jamie, what was this?” She chuckled a little.

“This was just...what it was. “

“ I see.” She said. The shoulder of her cardigan had slipped down revealing a tattooed shoulder, and before he could stop himself he reached forward and let his fingers graze over the lines inked on her skin. She watched his hand as it slid down her arm, gripping the cardigan and pulling it back up her shoulder. Her heartbeat picked up in her chest, as he took a step forward his other hand reaching forward to push her hair off her shoulder, strands tickling her skin. Her eyes closed at his touch, heat pooling in her stomach.

When she opened them she found him extremely close to her, body almost pressed up against her. She took a deep breath and looked up at him.

“Jamie.”

Jeremy Swayman

“I’ve never had many girl friends, Just Kelsey and V, You know that.” She frowned a little and turned to him stirring her drink “Why do you think that is?”

He shrugged and leaned forward pursing his lips “I don’t know. Being too nice, too beautiful? Girls can be pretty jealous.”

She shook her head and smiled “I don’t think I’m that nice and I’m definitely not too beautiful-“

“I think you’re HOT.” He said loudly cutting her off and leaning forward.

The alcohol had numbed his senses and loosened him up more than she’d ever seen him. Things he wouldn’t normally say to her were coming out, and she kind of liked it. Even though they’d known each other for a long time by now, he was still a little bit shy with her.

But this was a whole new Jeremy.

“Really?” She said raising an eyebrow.

“Come on.” He said with a smile, and a small chuckle “You know you are.” Then he frowned “You-you know you’re attractive…right?”

She shrugged “I don’t really think about that stuff. And even if I am it’s never gotten me anywhere.” She paused and then smiled a little “Except on dates with every idiot in Anchorage.”

“Not on any dates with me.” He said taking a sip of his drink and eyeing her.

Arber Xhekaj

“That’s Tabitha’s ex boyfriend.” Alex whispered under her breath to Ashley.

Ashley looked at him appreciatively before turning to her “Why is he your ex boyfriend looking like that?”

“Because he’s a fucking douche. Wanna take him for a ride. He’ll ruin your life.” Tabitha was glaring at him as he walked towards the bar, eyes never leaving hers, even while he spoke to the bartender and gestured at her. She watched as the bartender made what appeared to be her favorite drink and made her way over but Tabitha stopped her before she could reach their table.

“Sorry to waste your time, but I don’t want that. Tell him to choke on it.” The girl looked at her awkwardly and made her way back behind to bar but Tabitha saw that Arber was nowhere to be found.

She craned her neck around looking for him jumping a little when she felt a voice in her ear.

“Playing hard to get tonight?”

She leaned away from him “Only from you. What are you doing here?”

“What are you doing here?”

“Celebrating being single.”

He glanced around and then smiled “Looks like a pretty sad celebration. I haven’t seen a guy over here all night.”

Tabitha felt her face get red, mostly because he was right. She’d been pouting in the booth all night, her worst bitch face on, hoping no one would approach her. The idea of some new guy in her life gave her the ick.

“I think we both know you’re going home with me and not someone else.”

“You wish.”

Let me know what you’re excited for and how you like these!

[ikealamps]

making a reference for jamie and will’s hand size difference……

[starshine-hockey-girl]

Bridge Over Troubled Water- Journey to the Emerald City Chapter Fourteen

Summary- Teddy and Lex head overseas for a romantic trip to Europe

Author's Notes- 4K

@pattiemac1 @dutch-tv-fan @penstxgal1968 @alittlecuddlefish @juuuuuse

July 2019- American Airlines jet

Lex placed his backpack in his first class pod as Teddy sat down in her seat. She smiled and he sat next to her. He smiled and stretched out. The pod offered him ample leg room which would be much needed on the long flight. He looked over and gave a grin, "Did I do well?" 

She sat on her knees on her seat and kissed him over the divider. “This is a great start,” she smiled, “I will warn you. I may have to sneak into your pod for a snuggle session later.” 

He frowned slightly, “You don’t like the pods?”

She shook her head vigorously, “I love the pods. They are so much better than trying to sleep in a regular seat. There is room to stretch and put all of your stuff.” 

“Why do I suspect there is a but coming?” he asked softly. 

“There is a wall between us. It is not really conducive to snuggling. Look though, there is a little seat for me to come visit you or I could just climb on top of you,” she soothed. “It’s my first time flying first class to Europe. I feel so fancy,” she laughed. She hoped that he wouldn’t question her further. 

“How did you fly to Europe before? I know that you have been before,” he asked.

“Well, he who shall not be named and I flew coach when we went to Italy,” she answered. 

“What about when you went for Frankie’s sixteenth birthday?” he prodded. She looked down and didn’t answer. “It was on the jet, wasn’t it? Of course you flew to Spain on a private jet,” he moaned. “I am never going to impress you, Bliss,” he whined. 

Teddy got up and marched around the aisle to the opening to his pod. The aisles were full of passengers walking to their seats. She plopped down on the visitor seat in his pod and poked his leg. “Hey you,” she spoke gently. “You don’t think I am impressed by this trip?. I am not oblivious to how much these tickets cost, plus the cost of hotels and everything else. This isn’t cheap, Lex. I know it and I appreciate it. I know that is a big expense for you and you are not one to throw your money around. However, you are spending it on me because you love me and you value me.” Lex looked up shyly and gave her a grin. “That being said, what impresses me the most is your heart. You have the biggest heart that gives me the biggest love. I appreciate this trip but you impress me the most with the day-to-day stuff. Do you want the list?” she countered. Teddy climbed onto his lap, “You impress me, Lex. You impress me more than anyone I have ever known.” She kissed his cheeks before giving him a full kiss on the mouth. “Say that you believe me, Lex,” she whispered. 

“I believe you, Bliss,” he breathed into her ear, “I believe you.”

“Good,” she said as she sat up and bopped his nose. He smiled as she returned to her pod for takeoff. She held up her hand and he took it into his over the divider. It was their tradition to hold hands during take-off. He leaned forward and kissed it as the wheels lifted off the ground. 

“Hey Lex,” she laughed, “You know what I am really impressed with?”

“No, what?“ he answered. 

“That big dick and how you fuck me with it,” she giggled. 

“Down Kitty Kat- it’s a long flight and there is no way this body can do it in that tiny airplane bathroom” he warned, “but I am glad that you are impressed.”

“Boo. You are a party pooper, Tiger Man,” she pouted. 

“Bliss,” Lex called from the hotel bedroom, “We need to leave soon to make it to the show on time. I know that you don’t want to miss it when the curtain goes up.” 

Teddy examined her reflection in the mirror. She was hesitant about the cut of the dress and the amount of cleavage that was on display, but did have to admit that “the girls” did look spectacular. “Almost done,” she called back. One final glance over and she emerged from the small bathroom. She walked into the room and looked at Lex who was turned away, staring out of the window. He wore the same brown suit as he did in Dallas when they saw Wicked the first time. Teddy bit her lip and took in the sight of his muscular body. Lex turned from the window and stared. His mouth opened and closed a few times before Teddy quipped, “Cat got your tongue, Tiger?” 

He walked over and took her hand into his and spun her around. The emerald green, deep V-necked gown twirled slightly as she moved. “That’s quite the dress, Bliss,” he smiled, “You look fantastic.” His fingers lightly played with her loose curls that were held in a loose up-do. 

“So no comment on Tiger?” she laughed. She had recently given him the nickname during the recent foray into kinkier sex. 

“If I make a comment, then you will say something snappy back and then the next thing you know is that I have you pressed against the wall and we miss the opening number,” he teased.

“Just the opening number?” she joked,

“The whole damn show. You have it memorized so you could probably act it out yourself,” he retorted, “It will save me the torture.”

“Hey,” she said softly, “You are the one that bought the tickets. It was the whole point of the trip. 

 “Yes, I did buy the tickets,” he corrected.“but that’s not the whole point of the trip, Bliss,” 

“What’s the point of the trip?” she asked. 

“You’ll see,” he smiled and pulled her in for a kiss. 

At the theater, he held Teddy’s hand as they ascended the stairs to the theater. His hand was placed firmly on her back as he guided her through the lobby to the bar. They had just enough time for a pre-show cocktail before the show. Lex took notice of several gentlemen giving Teddy double-takes as they chatted in the VIP lounge. She was, however, adorably oblivious to the attention, which warmed his heart. What didn’t escape Teddy’s attention was the subtle looks of envy she received from other women in the well-appointed area. “That’s right, girls- he is all mine,” she teased mentally. 

Lex looked at her and smiled,”What’s going on in that mind of yours? Are you good?”

Teddy placed her hand on his chest and gave him a bashful grin as she peered up at him through her eyelashes. “I am so good, Lex,” she said as she traced small circles on his chest, “I was just thinking how you are the most handsome man in the room and all the other women are looking at you like a snack that they want to taste. However, they don’t have a shot because you are mine.”

He leaned down and whispered in her ear, “What other women? I only see one woman.” Teddy grinned and kissed his cheek. “Let’s go before we miss Glinda’s spectacular entrance. We can’t miss that,” he joked. They walked in and took their front row seats. Teddy’s mouth dropped as she sat down. Immediately she grabbed Lex’s arm and rested her head on his shoulder when he took his seat. The music started and the curtain went up. Lex smiled as Teddy sat forward and became transfixed by the show. He pulled out a handkerchief and handed it to her as “Not That Girl” began. She looked back at him and smiled. He mouthed “I love you” before she returned her attention to the stage. 

At intermission, they walked back to the VIP lounge for another drink. He handed her a cocktail and smiled at her. Teddy gazed into his eyes and suddenly felt the tears form. “Bliss?” he questioned as he pulled into his body, “Tell me.”

“It’s so different than the first time,” she whispered, “yet it feels almost the same. You were so sweet and kind to me. I fell in love with you that night. I didn’t know it then, but I did.” 

“You fell in love that night? I am sorry that I was slower,” he soothed. 

“It’s okay,” she murmured, “I wasn’t that girl to you then.”

“No, you were always that girl, Bliss. I was too stupid to realize it. I am glad I did before someone else snatched you away from me,” Lex said softly. Suddenly he was overcome with emotion, “Shit, why am I crying?” 

“I don’t know. We have to get it together. We are going to blubbering messes later,” she laughed to lighten the mood. He shook his head in disbelief. Yet, he gladly accepted her offered tissue as “For Good” started. He pulled her to his chest and she sang softly, “But I know I'm who I am today because I knew you.”

Back at the hotel, Teddy carried her shoes as she walked barefoot down the hall to their room. “Hey Lex,” she said quietly.

“Yeah,” he nudged her arm. 

“If I forget to tell you later, this has been one of the best nights of my life,” she mused, “You spoiled me.”

“You deserve it, Bliss,” he replied as he opened the door. Teddy walked past him and paused in front of him. He unzipped her dress and kissed her shoulders. She gingerly stepped out the dress and revealed her thigh high stockings and lace panties. He let out a low whistle as she turned around and gave him a shy smile. “What’s on the agenda tomorrow, Bliss?” he questioned as she walked to the closet to hang up the dress. In the three days they had been in London, each day had been full of museum and bus tours. They had been on the go from morning to night. 

She turned to walk to the bathroom but paused. “Nothing scheduled. I would like to go to Harrods sometime tomorrow and maybe go on a river cruise. Why?”

He walked to her and lifted her up. He cradled her in his arms and walked her to bed. “I wanted to know if we have an early morning.”

She smiled, “Oh, do you have plans?”

“Yeah,” he kissed her tenderly as he put her on the bed, “I plan on making love to you all night.”

She lifted her hips and wiggled out of her panties. She tossed them onto the floor. Her hand went to the stockings. “Leave them,” he demanded as he stripped off his clothes, “They’re hotter than hell.”

“You like?” she grinned as he climbed on top of her. She felt his erection press against her body. 

He moaned as he slid into her waiting sex, “More than like. My God, Bliss…..You turn me on. I can’t think straight.”

“Don’t think, Lex- just fuck,” she kissed his neck as her hips rocked to meet this thrusts.

“Yes ma’am,” he groaned as he hooked her leg over his hip to thrust deeper, “Going to fuck you all night.”

Four days later- Paris

Lex sat on the small bed and sighed. They had just arrived in Paris on an early morning flight from London. He swore that the room looked bigger in the pictures. He had been so proud that he had planned the trip without much input from Teddy. To be honest, he had booked flights and hotels. With the exception of the tickets to Wicked, Teddy had planned the daily itineraries. He couldn’t even complain about them. They were detailed, organized and alternated between a busy, full day of sites and a lazy, unplanned day of relaxation. Teddy called them days to “soak up the culture”. 

Teddy stood in the doorway to the bathroom and smiled. “It’s cozy, Lex,” she tried to make the best of it, “I love it.” She took a step to the window and looked at the Eiffel Tower. “The view is lovely.” 

“Bliss,” he laid back and spread his arms wide. His arm span exceeded the width of the bed. His long legs hung over the edge of the bed.  He sat back up and reached to touch her arm. “It’s tiny,” he whined, “It’s so small.” She turned to look at him and saw the look of misery on his face. 

“Do you want me to get us a different room? A bigger room?” she asked sweetly.

“Can you? You know- work that Teddy magic? he asked expectantly. 

Within the hour, they had checked out of the hotel Lex had selected and were being escorted to their suite in the five star hotel that Teddy secured. There had been a war of credit cards at check-in which ultimately Teddy won. “I have not paid for a single thing on this trip- nothing- so let me pay for the better room. I may have splurged just a bit too,” she insisted. Lex could tell right away the hotel was WAY more expensive than his selection. His jaw dropped as the door to the suite opened up. The large suite was bright and airy. There were Eiffel Tower views from every window. Duplex Suite at Shangri-La Paris

“Where’s the bed?” he asked as the bellman pointed to the stairs which led to a large bedroom upstairs. Even Teddy’s jaw dropped as the bellman opened the door to the private terrace with an amazing Eiffel Tower view. Lex tested out the bed and found it to be large enough. 

Teddy walked out onto the terrace while Lex tipped the bellman generously. He found Teddy and wrapped his arms around her body as she stared at the Eiffel Tower. “Thanks for the upgrade, Bliss,” he kissed her neck, “How far behind have I thrown us off your schedule?” 

She grinned, “Actually we are not behind at all. We don’t really have anything planned until this evening. If you are hungry, I have a few restaurants that I want to try. Other than that we can take a stroll or nap.” She turned her head and winked, “We will need our rest for tonight. I do have a couple of things planned.”

“Lunch and then a nap sound perfect,” he smiled. 

LATER THAT AFTERNOON

“Lex,” she said as he gathered his things and put them in the backpack, “Don’t forget your jacket.”

“Bliss, I am already in a sweatshirt and sweating,” he whined. 

“Just put it in the backpack or don’t whine later,” she responded, “It will be cold down there.” He rolled his eyes and zipped up the backpack, which did contain her jacket. There had been quite the debate in Dallas when Teddy had insisted that Lex bring a couple of sweatshirts and a jacket for the trip. They had proved to be invaluable on some rainy days in England. Why he was balking at wearing them in Paris confused her. 

At the entrance to the Catacombs, a young gentleman held up a sign that simply said “Oleksiak”. Teddy and Lex walked up to him and Teddy greeted him, “Bonsoir, I’m Teddy and this is Lex. Are you our tour guide?” 

He looked up at Lex and said, “Yes, I am. Come with me.” They were led past the line that snaked around the building. Julian, the tour guide, marveled at Lex’s size as Teddy tried to explain that Lex played hockey and not football or basketball. They held hands as Lex followed Julian down the narrow, spiral stairs to the catacombs.

"How many steps are there?" Lex questioned as he struggled to navigate the steps that did not accommodate his large feet. His broad shoulders barely fit in the stairwell.

"131 stairs on the way down," Teddy answered.

"Ugh," he whined.

"If it's any consolation, there are only 112 going back up," she tried to joke.

"Who thought this was a good idea?" he looked back and teased.

"Your beautiful and awesome girlfriend who you love so much?",she answered.

He smiled and pulled her in for a kiss, "It's a good thing I adore you. Hey, we only have 70 more steps to go!"

An hour later, they emerged up the stairs from the catacombs. On the street, Lex stretched his arms high above his head, “Bliss, I will do anything for you but never ask me to do that again. It was torture.” 

“It sounded like a lot more fun on the internet. You're right though. An hour of walking around in a dark, cramped space filled with skeletons? I’ll pass on that,” she sighed, “I am sorry I made you do it.” Teddy folded her arms over her body and scanned the sidewalk. Their driver was supposed to be waiting on them. She looked at her watch and shook her head nervously. 

“Bliss Babe, look at me,” he spoke gently as she paced. She stopped and stared at him. “First, I was being dramatic. It was an interesting history." He walked over to her, "Second, you make everything an adventure. I have never had a better travel companion," he soothed. "Third, I made you watch the damn soccer game at that obnoxious pub so I won't complain about one dud experience." He wrapped her in his arms and she rested her head on his chest. "I didn't mean to upset you, Bliss," he said as he kissed her head.

"At least you didn't almost get in a fistfight here," she laughed. 

Lex smiled, "Hey, the asshole grabbed your ass. I had to protect my woman."

"Chivalry is not dead," she smiled at him. He pushed her hair out of her eyes.  "I'm better now," she proclaimed, "Monthly hormone surge was in effect." He nodded in solidarity.

"Ms. Baxter?" A voice called from the street. Lex tilted his head in question.

"Our next adventure- I guarantee that you will not be hunched over!" She smiled. 

When they stepped out of the car at the boat dock, he smiled. "What are we doing, Bliss?" 

She led down the dock and onto the small boat."I heard that you can see some of the best views of the city from the Seine. We have the boat to ourselves for a private tour."

"All to ourselves?" he said in surprise.

"Well, there is a crew and tour guide so not completely to ourselves," she corrected.

"Oh," he replied with a hint of disappointment, "I was hoping for some privacy."

"Privacy?" She grinned as they boarded the small boat, "How much privacy do you want?" The tour guide led them to the front of the boat past the candlelit table. He then instructed them that they would begin the cruise soon. 

Lex in the cushioned wooden chair and pulled Teddy into his lap. He kissed her temple. "I want enough privacy to make out with my woman if I choose."

"I think that can be arranged," she replied, "We have dinner and the cruise. We end at the Eiffel tower."

"This is fancy, Bliss," he remarked.

"Better than the catacombs?" She asked quietly.

He stretched out his arms and legs, "so much better."

"I redeemed myself?" She smiled.

"Oh yeah," he took his finger to turn her head to kiss her gently. 

"Welcome to the City of Love, my love," she whispered as she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him.

Three days later-Giverny France

Lex held Teddy's hand as they walked along the road between the bus stop and the entrance of Monet's Garden. "So what is the place, Bliss?"

"You have heard of Claude Monet, right?" she started to explain. 

He stopped short and stared at her in disbelief. "Yes, the French impressionist painter- I am a hockey player- not an idiot."

"Sorry," she continued, "I know that you are not an idiot." She walked back to him and kissed his chest. "This is his house and gardens where he painted."

"No shit? Really?" He gazed ahead. "That is impressive. Is it open to the public?"

"Yes," she smiled, "Are you really interested?" Teddy was somewhat shocked after his tepid response to the Louvre.

"Is this about the Louvre?" he questioned, "I was interested in the art, Bliss,  at least for the first two hours of it. I lost interest after the Mona Lisa. That was a complete let down." Teddy smiled at the memory of Lex's disappointment at the size of the disproportionate crowd to artwork size. He read her mind and laughed, "Come on, Bliss! That painting was tiny and I had to elbow through the crowd to get you to the front." Teddy laughed as she remembered how the crowd parted as he walked. His size had the power to speak internationally.

"Then come on Lex. I want to beat the crowd," she said cheerfully. 

Once Teddy showed their pre-ordered admission, they sailed past the line into the house of Claude Monet. Surprisingly it was Lex who spent time reading each and every informational plaque. Teddy stood next to him and wrapped her arms around his waist. 

Finally they made their way out of the house and into the garden. They strolled through the first section before taking the stairs and tunnel to the second section. Teddy gasped when the water gardens came into view. "It's so pretty, Lex" she whispered as she gazed at the wisteria-covered Japanese Bridge.

 Lex pointed to a bench which offered a perfect vantage point. As they sat, his head tilted slightly. "Bliss, why does this look familiar?" He paused and stared again, "Wait, don't you have this? It was in your apartment when we met." He continued, "What happened to it?"

"I got rid of it when I changed apartments after you got traded," she explained and then turned silent again. Lex turned to her, suspicious of her silence. She sat and observed the scenery as tears fell from her eyes. "Bliss?" he questioned softly. She shook her head slowly before she reached for his hand. He readily gave it and squeezed hers tight. He studied her face which appeared serene despite the tears. She wiped her tears and smiled at Lex. He wrapped his large arms around her shoulders and brought her to his chest. He gently stroked her hair as they sat silently. 

"I'm sorry," she finally said in a low voice, "I didn't expect to get emotional. Wow, I can't believe I am actually here. It's like a dream come true."

"You dreamt about coming here?" Lex asked, "You didn't mention it when we were planning. Why?"

Teddy looked away, "It's complicated." She stared at the bridge and then down at the ground. "Frankie loved Monet. When she went to Tech, she had a print of this bridge in her dorm room. After she died, I took it," she rambled. Lex placed his hand on her back and rubbed slowly. "When I moved out into my first apartment, I took it with me," she continued, "At the time, I didn't know much about Monet other than I loved the painting. When things got bad with….." She paused and took a deep inhale, "when he would rage at me for whatever infraction I had committed that day- disagreeing with him or embarrassing him in public. Some days it was breathing. On those days, I would stare at the print and fantasize about what it would be like to be in that world. It looked so beautiful and peaceful." 

"I didn't know that this was a real place. I thought Monet had just painted it from a picture in his mind. It was my mom who gave me a book about Monet for Christmas that I knew it existed," she confessed. She looked at the wisteria and inhaled the scent. "As bad as it was then, there was a part of me that knew I would get here one day. I knew that I would escape and find this place," she sighed. “Then when I got that new apartment, I got rid of it. It was just another painful memory to get rid of like all of the stuff associated with you."

"Bliss," he spoke softly, unsure how to respond. 

"Honestly, I forgot about it until just now," she turned to Lex. She pushed herself into his lap. He wrapped his arms around her as she buried her face into his neck. "In all of those times, when I was dreaming of finding this place, I was alone. I never dreamed that I would have someone to be with me. I thought if I escaped that I would be too damaged for someone to love me."

She looked at his face, "I didn't dare to dream this big. I didn't know that I would find a love this wonderful. I didn't know that we would find each other."

"I forgot about the dream because my reality is better than the dream. I made it Lex. I escaped and finally made it to the place of my dreams," she whispered as she looked into his eyes, "with a man better than I could imagine."

"Are you glad you came here?" He kissed her lips gently.

Teddy turned to take in the breathtaking scenery, "Yes, I am especially since I am with you."

She turned to find him staring at her face. She smirked, "What? Look at how beautiful it is."

"I know it's beautiful, Bliss, but I am looking at my favorite view," he smiled.

"Awwww,” she blushed, “Do you mind if we just sit here for a while. I want to soak in this moment.”

"Maybe we can get a new print? A new one to go along with our new memory?" he asked, "We can put it above our bed."

"I would like that Lex. I would like that a lot," she smiled.

"Me too," he pulled her close. They settled in for a long snuggle.

[butgilinsky]

seizing the moment // jo

warning; mutual pining and two dummies that can't get it together, fluff, i probably cursed at some point bc it's me

summary; The winter season is lonely without anyone to wake up beside. It's also the time where friends realize they might be lovers after all.

word count; 3k+

this is for @antoineroussel 's winter fic exchange! I'm sorry it's so late but I hope you like it @typical-simplelove <3 it only has the smallest bit of angst since it's mutual pining but I promise I gave you a happy ending

The longer you sat on the sofa, the more you wanted to leave. The cushions were comfortable enough but being tucked in the corner of a couch filled with people happily chatting beside you was deafening. Nobody was speaking to you and to be fair, you weren’t engaging in any coverations. It’s exactly how you saw the night being panned out; the exact reason you gave to your roommate when she begged you to come. These were her friends and while you knew a few of their names, you were sick of hearing them all talk about work and school. 

It was no secret that you were going through a rough patch. Brought on by the many wonders that life throws at you, the year was turning out to be a major disappointment. Your room that would normally be lined with tinsel with a tall tree tucked in the corner stood barren. The clothes scattered across the floor was a reflection of your brain that never seemed to stop. Being the first winter without your family was hard, and while Amber thought she was doing you a favor by dragging you out, she was doing the opposite. 

After promising you to stick by your side as much as she could possibly manage, she disappeared within the first few minutes of you being here. Getting out was the only goal at this point. Getting off of this sofa and into your own bed. 

The sound of the door opening and shutting was muffled by the endless conversations happening throughout the room. Your focus was set on the end of the hallway that led to the door, anxiously waiting for your saving grace. 

When he walked in your eyes lit up, feet practically propelling you off of the couch and over to him. He saw you just a moment after you had but he’s quick to welcome you into his embrace. His arms wrap around you naturally and you’re enveloped in the warmth that is Jamie. He was your favorite blanket every day of the year and he was proud to be so. 

“You okay?” All it takes is a quick nod from you and he’s heading back towards the same door he entered through, this time with your hand in his. You don’t bother to tell Amber goodbye, seeing as she hadn’t bothered to stay with you longer than it would’ve taken her to find the restroom. Jamie doesn’t question where she is or even look for her as he beelines for the door. 

It’s not until he’s pressed the button to the elevator that you let out a deep breath. He looks at you with his soft eyes before wrapping you in his arms once again. The silence is comforting, something you’re used to with Jamie. In all of your years of knowing him you’d never recalled an awkward silence between the two of you. Even sitting across awkward family dinner tables together, you managed to crack smiles and nudge each other out of sight from any angry relatives. 

Jamie had been your best friend for longer than you could remember. He was the one that walked you home from school until your parents rounded up the money to buy you a car. School dances were always attended together, hand in hand. When your boyfriend broke up with you because he didn’t want to be “held down in college” Jamie was the one that showed up on his doorstep and told him what an idiot he was. It was always the two of you, no questions asked. Regardless of how many times people asked if there was anything beneath the surface, the answer was always the same. 

We’re just friends. 

It stung every time. Any time he dropped you off and walked you all the way to the door, coming inside to greet your parents more often than not, your lips burned in anticipation. You waited for the day he ducked his head down just enough to press his lips against yours. Kissing Jamie was everything you wanted and more. More so because of what it meant for the two of you. 

Being with your best friend in every way you wanted to be would’ve been every dream come true. Waking up beside him and cooking meals together was something you’d thought about for years. Holidays were already spent together, you already knew practically everything about each other, and there was no earthly way you’d ever grow sick of Jamie Oleksiak. 

Throughout the years you’d seen him fall in love. It was painful for you, hearing all of the wonderful things he said about every girl he liked. His feelings were so pure, and his words were strung together so beautifully. It was no secret that it was an honor to be loved by this man. Any eyelash and coin tossed down a well had the same wish wrapped around it. 

As long as he was happy. 

That’s what kept you going. After all this time and all the things you’ve felt, it was his happiness that kept you grounded. If he was happy with whatever her name was, then so be it. They were nice most of the time, and so it wasn’t so hard to put up with them. If they made him happy then they could stay the remainder of their trip. 

It never lasted long though. Jamie gave them a year, maybe two if they were lucky. Long enough to impact you but not long enough for Jamie to mourn them too terribly. He seemed to move on quickly, quicker than you expected him to the first few times. You figured it was just his way of getting back to himself and starting over. 

There hadn’t been a day that he’d known you that he hadn’t felt overwhelming love for you. Holding you as closely as possibly was important but he was afraid to grab on too tightly. What if he broke you? What if he pulled you too close and you pushed him away? He wasn’t sure he could handle rejection from you. Girls in a bar that he didn’t even know the name of had no impact on his ego. Shrugging them off was as easy as skating to him. 

You were different. You were everything. He couldn’t get you close enough in his eyes. He hated that you were going through this tough time. Your parents had always made the trip out to Seattle to see you during the holidays, or managed for you to get to them back home. They blindsided you with their newfound love for holiday vacations. Flying across the world in December seemed merry to them while it left you in the wake of a messy room. 

So he stayed close. He didn’t go home even on his time off and he made sure to keep his phone on him at all times. Nights like these made him grateful for doing so. It only took him two minutes to respond to your SOS. He picked you up seven minutes later. 

Before you knew it you were sitting in the middle of a parking lot. To what, you were unsure of. The look Jamie gave you was everything you needed to know though. There was no way he could look at you with eyes that soft and a smile that pure if he was taking you somewhere bad. So you climbed out of the car without questioning it and let him lead the way. 

The sight of ice sent a chill down your spine. The involuntary whine that escaped your lips brought a laugh out of Jamie. The sound covered you in goosebumps but you quickly ignored the aching feelings and wondered what size skate you were supposed to get. 

“You know I can’t skate.” The look of mischief in his eyes had you rolling. 

“I know that. That’s why we’re here.” It doesn’t make sense to you how those two things line up but you’re not sure how to dispute the joy seeping out of him right now. So you tuck your complaints into your pocket and let Jamie order both of you skates. 

It doesn't take even a minute of you trying to tie your laces for Jamie to swat at your hand and kneel down in front of you. Your hands grab onto his shoulders for leverage as he yanks and ties quicker than you can tie your tennis shoes. The warmth comes back when he finishes the first one and grabs your calf gently. He taps lightly and when you switch and present your other foot he hums out in approval. 

You're lost again in a mess of thoughts about a life with Jamie. Frosting cookies with various colors and images that definitely don’t turn out how they’re intended. Waking up at an all too early hour to watch him open gifts you’d been excited about for weeks. Your dogs would be on a constant playdate, never having to leave one another ever again. 

His hand is warm in yours despite him dragging you into an ice rink. All heat seemed to rush to your hands, focused on the physical connection between the two of you. It switches to both hands when he pins around effortlessly to give you ample support. 

Fear creeps deep in your chest then as you hope and wish on everything that you’ll stay up on your feet. The embarrassment of wiping out in front of Jamie would be hard to recover from. You could picture the goofy smile he’d wear while clutching his abdomen as he laughed way too hard at your misstep. The embarrassment would eventually drown in the beauty of his smile and the melody of his laugh that you can’t seem to get enough of. Anything to make him smile like that. Part of you wonders if you should stumble on purpose. 

Jamie’s holding onto your hands for dear life as he can sense your fear grumbling inside of you. He watches your eyes lock onto your feet despite him telling you not to. Words of affirmation and soft laughs aren’t enough to get you to look up at him as you worry your feet will fly out from underneath you. 

“If you look at me you won’t fall. I promise.” his voice rings in your ears, soft and sweet like a freshly baked cookie. The thought makes your stomach turn in hunger but you push past it. You’re not voluntarily letting go of Jamie’s hands anytime soon. 

Skating’s never been your strong suit. Balance wasn’t your forte and staring at your unstable feet was the only thing you could do for the first ten minutes on the ice. Standing on razor blades and walking - well not actually walking, it’s more like gliding - was not something you did everyday if the week like Jamie. He was practically born in hockey skates with a chipped tooth smile. 

Holding onto Jamie’s hands was the only thing that got you through it. The winter chill froze your nose to an aching point but your hands felt so warm in his. His gentle pokes and prods telling you ways to get better felt like a blanket fresh out of the dryer. The look he gave you when your eyes finally detached from your feet and traveled up to his was gut wrenching. 

It was a look you’d known all too well. It was the same look he gave you when you failed your driving test for the first time, and the same one you got when he heard the news of you getting accepted into your dream school. Jamie’s eyes bore into you like they were the key to a heavily locked gate. 

He never knew why you opened up so easily with him. For the longest time he assumed it was out of habit. You’d known each other for years, too many to count at this point. Nobody knew one of you without knowing the other. It was always the two of you, never just one. 

Secretly, both of you liked it that way. 

Longing looks and aching hearts were all there was to show for it. Jamie never made a move and you wouldn’t say something until you were sure there was something to be said back. Risking this was a game you didn’t want to play. 

Despite how warm his hands felt and how easily his eyes sank into you, you swallowed that love and adoration and shoved a sheepish smile to the surface. He didn’t say anything about it, never does, and the routine started again. 

Normal conversation blanketed over the two of you for the remainder of your time at the rink. He opened and closed the door for you and let you choose the music on the car ride home. You noticed he took the long way to your place and he thanked you silently for never mentioning it. 

The night ended with a gentle kiss to the top of your head, nothing you hadn’t experienced before, and a simple goodnight. The clock ticks were a painful reminder of every moment you missed with him, every moment you missed him. Being left alone makes you realize just how much you wished you could get over that stupid fear. 

Jamie spends his entire ride home regretting the missed moment: the moment he’s dreamed of your entire friendship. He walked you all the way up to the door and held your head in his hands. His eyes lingered on your lips while his mind raced tenfold. The thoughts ran so fast he could hardly keep track of them and by the time he came back down to Earth, he was kissing the top of your head instead of your lips. 

It’d be so easy, he thinks. Everything is easy with you, except this. This is harder than he could’ve ever imagined. One wrong move and everything could come crumbling down. 

That’s why he doesn't push it. When he finally caved in and let’s you push him into building a gingerbread house, the moment’s there. Even when your fifth attempt fails and you look up at him with sad eyes and a pouty lip. He thinks about how he could kiss the frown away, he could take your mind off of the gingerbread pieces that would surely break any moment. 

But what if you pushed him away? 

The moments there when you’re standing at a bar waiting for drinks and he slinks his arm around you. His teammates are watching and take bets on if you even notice the way you fall into his side so easily. The moment is there when your shoulders deflate in defeat and you look up at him for help. Instead he just nods at you gently and uses his height to his advantage. 

Moments come and pass as they have for years. Jamie hardly thinks much of it, he’s been coping with it for years. He has no idea you’re catching onto these moments, that you’re pining for everything he is and more. 

After watching your best friend land the sloppiest grin-filled kiss on her boyfriend of three years your stomach turns and you can hardly take it anymore. Jamie’s not there and you can think of a million reasons why you wish he was. 

The moment finally comes around again after a long night with friends. Jamie’s teammates and their loved ones, your friends from school that have found their way into this rather large group. It’s a night filled with laughter and stories from so many people you can hardly remember any of them. The entire way home, the night leaves you. You don’t think of dinner or who was there, rather just the way Jamie’s hand feels on your thigh.

It’s like he doesn’t notice it’s there. He drums his fingers lightly to the beat of the radio. Every tap brings goosebumps to your skin as you just hope with every fiber of your being that tonight is the night Jamie realizes what’s in front of him. 

The walk up to your place is longer than it normally is and the elevator ride is painfully quiet. Jamie hangs his head the whole way down the hallway. He doesn’t say anything until you reach the door and it sends your heart down to your feet. 

“See you tomorrow?” You nod weakly. He will in fact see you tomorrow, but you wish he had said almost anything else. 

“Yeah.” he nods once and moves closer to you. You give yourself false hope and allow your heart rate to pick up, only to feel a warmth on your forehead. 

You’re warm but not enough. There’s something missing in the motion and it’s not until Jamie’s halfway down the hallway that you speak. 

“Jamie.” He turns on his heels and looks at you with a questioning gaze. He knows nothings wrong because of the tone you’re using, but he also knows there’s a severity to it. “Why haven’t you kissed me yet?” 

It’s his heart that sinks now as his words get caught in his throat. What’d you just say? Surely you didn’t just say that. 

Right? 

“I- I didn’t know you wanted me to.” It’s entirely not the right thing to say, it’s not even what he wanted to say but his heart’s in the floor and his brain flew out the window ages ago. 

“Of course I do. That’s all I’ve ever wanted.”

There’s a beat of hesitation - that’s what you think it is at least. Jamie’s not hesitating but rather replaying your words in his brain to fully convince himself that you truly said them. 

One more time and he nods gently to himself before taking as little strides as it takes to reach you. His hands find your cheeks faster than they ever have before and his lips are on yours in no time. It quite literally knocks the wind out of you but you can’t seem to do anything but kiss back with as much fever. 

Everything you wanted was wrapped up in front of you. Jamie on a silver platter, and he was yours for the taking. 

“By the way,” He pulls back to look down at you, lips parted in disbelief that he was getting his moment. “This is all I’ve ever wanted.” 

Your smile hurts your cheeks, but he sends it right back to you. You’re both grinning like idiots in the hallway but all you can think about is this moment. 

Your moment. 

[drewsbuzzcut]

yeah… expect a new jamie fic soon! this content OMG HE IS GORGEOUS

[ilyasorokinn]

the lover series

all these fics are standalones, so they can be read in any order as well. i don't really know what brought this series on. i was inspired by a grey's anatomy edit on Instagram.

these are a few of my favorite book tropes, so if you'd like to read of few books similar to these, i have a book wrap-up/book club post. here's the masterlist. just in you're interested.

these will be dropped at any time and in any order, the order below isn’t the order in which they will be dropped.

tw: so, some of these fics will include death. there will be trigger warnings on the fics themselves, so keep an eye out for those.

star-crossed lovers - two people meant to be together forever and doomed due to fate. (freddie andersen)

in another life - two people who are ripped apart but it's not "goodbye". it's "see you later". (colton parayko)

the one that got away - two people who deeply love each other, but it doesn't work out and they're left with regret. (jeremy swayman)

friends-to-lovers - two people that are in an established relationship become romantic partners. (tyson jost)

enemies-to-lovers - two people that overcome their differences and misconceptions end up falling in love. (jamie oleksiak)

fwb-to-lovers - two people who are physically intimate, yet not committed to each other, fall in love. (pyotr kochetkov)

right person, wrong time - two people made for each other, but due to circumstances, can't be together. (nathan mackinnon)

brother's best friend - two people that are connected by one person (a sibling and a brother), and end up falling in love. (william nylander)

childhood-friends-to-lovers - two people that have been friends since their youthhood fall in love. (alex lyon)

opposites attract - two people who are not similar in any way somehow fall in love. (josh norris)

the other woman - two people who aren't together due to one person being in a relationship, which causes the other person to feel like the second option. (joel farabee)

soulmates - two people who have a feeling of deep natural affinity. two people who are perfectly suited to another. (elias pettersson)

unrequited love - one person is in love with the other person who doesn't reciprocate those feelings. (anthony beauvillier)

second-time-around - two people that have broken up once before, and find their way back to each other. (juraj slafkovsky)

slow burn - two people who gradually and naturally fall in love or lust before beginning a romantic relationship. (nick blankenburg)

fake dating - two people who make a deal and decide to start dating each other out of convenience for each other. (brendan brisson)

marriage of convenience - two people who decide to get married for their own personal gain, but end up falling in love with each other. (oliver ekman-larsson)

two person love triangle - two people in love, but one person’s job takes importance in the relationship. (sidney crosby)

"love isn't for me" - one person who isn't against love but isn't actively trying to find it ends up finding their perfect match. (joel edmundson)

relationship in trouble - two people who are in a pre-established relationship, but their relationship is slowly falling apart. (dougie hamilton)

secret baby - two people who, after spending one night with each other, end up with a baby, but one of them doesn't know the baby exists. (andrei svechnikov)

love at first sight - two people who fall in love as soon as they meet. (nico hischier)

grumpy-sunshine - two people who have two completely different personalities. (teuvo teräväinen)

tragic love - two people who fall in love, but one of them guards themselves from the other person. (mat barzal)

add yourself to my taglist!

tagging some friends so this doesn’t flop: @2manytabsopen @tysonjost-taylorsversion @rosesvioletshardy @jostystyles @laurenairay @joshsandersons @miracleonice87 @joelsfarabees @comphyjost @myhockeyworld87 @islesnucks @fallinallincurls @idblowburrow @iwantahockeyhimbo @broadstflyers @hockstuff @kentjohnsons @nylwnder @duhaimes @sydnikov @tonyspep @quietblues @youngbeezer @prettyboyjackhughes @lam-ila @thetysonjost @boesersdrurys @bb-nhlqueen7 @boqvistsbabe @oleksiak-pettersson @senditcolton @hugheshugs @boeswhore @bananarantanen @straussmann @mackiesamo @raysofcrosby @sebbyaho @bords @harlowhockeystick @owenpwr @bitchinbarzal

i apologize for any heartbreak this may cause.

[heartmix]

Some Sleep-Jamie Oleksiak

Pairing: Jamie Oleksiak x fem!reader

Word Count: 900+

Warning: unhealthy habits, mention of injury, fluff

A/N: I don't really like this one but I wanna get this out of my drafts. I wrote this while he was still in Dallas :(

Masterlist / Hockey Masterlist

You were never a selfish type of person. You'd always make sure others around you were doing great before you even thought of yourself, even then sometimes you forgot that you were responsible for taking care of yourself. In the case of your boyfriend getting hurt, that's selflessness was heightened.

After Jamie dislocated his shoulder in a game against Nashville your mother mode was immediately activated. The first few days you were the worst, treating him like a fragile baby every second, doubt it seemed a bit overbearing but Jamie slightly enjoyed it.

One of the things that he found highly unnecessary was your sleeping pattern. Since Jamie got hurt you would wait till he fell asleep before you even thought about getting sleep. It's been like this for 2 weeks already and no matter how many times Jamie said he would be okay if you went to sleep before him you wouldn't budge. Your body won't allow you to do that and it has become a regular routine now. 

"You're ridiculous," Jamie said as he got ready to go to bed while you sat with a laptop on your lap preparing to binge a show for a few hours. 

"That's your title babe, not mines." You spoke not even looking in his direction knowing he was rolling his eyes. 

"Seriously, fall asleep with me, I wanna cuddle." He whined making you look over at the 6 foot 7 hockey player, it was interesting how he can go from 'big rig' to a big teddy bear. 

"You can do a lot of cuddling with that shoulder huh." You teased knowing he can't cuddle the way he wants to.

"You suck." He pouted laying his head aggressively against the pillow like a child. 

"Yes, you know I'm a pro at that." You said laughing before continuing to look at your watchlist for tonight. 

A few days after that incident life became busy, you were working more and Jamie was working even harder with rehab since the doctor said he could be back training next week if he kept his progress up. With working more, it meant that you became more tired causing you to sleep earlier. You would sneak a few naps here and there when he was at rehab, but you were still in mother mode over Jamie's injury even though he was out of the sling and it was getting better. Practically back to normal.

"Yeah, she probably is waiting up for me," Jamie spoke on the phone to his mother who called to check up on the pair.

"She is so good, I'm so glad you're with her, but she needs to take care of herself also." Mama Oleksiak said to her son who couldn't agree more. 

"Oh I tried, believe me. I will not try and argue about it again." He said chuckling at the memory of when he tried to argue with her the first time, let's just say he couldn't get a word in.

"Oh yes, you will not win an argument with her." His mother chuckled with him also. 

"It is im-" He went on as he began to walk through the living room but stopped when he saw her sleeping with her work spread out through the table.

"Is everything okay?" His mother asked concerned at the sudden silence.

"She's sleeping." Jamie whispered.

"Really?!" His mother said in shock. 

"Yeah, I'll call you tomorrow mom, I don't want to wake her up, I love you." Jamie said before saying goodbye to his mother.

He couldn't remember the last time she fell asleep this early and before him. It was unlike her to do that. She knows his rehab time and if she took a nap she was up before he got home, he knew that she would do that even if she tried to hide it. Quietly placing his stuff down he made his way over to her making sure not to make any noise. Cleaning up her area he was surprised that she didn't wake up from the noise, she was a light sleeper when she got into 'mother mode'. 

Looking down at her he couldn't believe that he got so lucky, how did he get this lucky. Noticing she was moving in her sleep was an indication she was going to wake up soon making him move from his spot so he didn't look like a creep although this wasn't the first time he watched her sleep if he was being honest.

"My god." He heard her mumble making him chuckle.

"Holy shit, baby! I'm sorry I thought I'd be up by the time you got home." She said getting up a little too fast which made her dizzy.

"Slow down there, I don't know why you're apologizing. You took a nap because you're tired, people do that." He said sitting down and pulling her into his side as she immediately relaxed knowing it was his good shoulder. 

"I know but I'm usually up before you get home, I don't know how I overslept." 

"Look at me. You need to take care of yourself also. I may be the one with an injury but taking care of your health is just as important. I don't want to hear any arguments about it because you know it's true. I promise I'm okay, I got news today that I can start doing my regular workouts. I'm all good." 

"You are so lucky I'm too tired to fight." She mumbled making him laugh as he placed a kiss on top of her head. 

"So is there a way I can fall asleep cuddling you?" He asked making her chuckle at his 100th attempt the past week alone. 

"You really are getting me in a vulnerable state. Smart man." She groggily said making the hockey player laugh while pulling her to their shared bedroom. 

[typical-simplelove]

can you please do 239 from the songs with Jamie O

239. You Belong With Me (Taylor's Version) Claudia's Debut Season of Heartfirst Writing

All I'm going to say is that I'm sorry.

His eyes stared straight ahead at a familiar head of hair. He hasn't seen that hair in a really long time, but it still sends a pang through his heart. Just like that, all the memories came flooding back to him. The hanging out on the high school bleachers, the pizza parties in his basement on Friday nights, the lazy walks around Dallas and Pittsburgh, the meets at the ice during hockey games. But then, it all stopped, and although he wants to admit that he hasn't thought about his childhood best friend/sweetheart, that'd be a lie. He hasn't stopped thinking about the way things should have been.

It's been exactly five years since he's seen you, and you've changed. You've grown, and you've matured, but to Jamie, you're still the same person that Jamie fell in love with at thirteen. You haven't changed all that much because Jamie still seems so much of why he fell in love with you in the first place.

What were you even doing in Seattle? He knows you left Dallas and Jamie behind when you got an amazing job opportunity in another country. According to you, you couldn't let Jamie's life fall to the wayside while he waited for your return. You shattered his heart when you left, but Jamie knows that if you asked him to take you back, he would. That's how sure Jamie was of you. That's how confident Jamie was in the love and bond you shared.

Jamie's breath goes shallow as he continues to watch you from across the park. You haven't noticed him yet, and Jamie isn't sure if he wants you to notice him. It'd be awkward if you did notice him, though.

He's sweating in the park. He doesn't know why he agreed for these photos to happen outside because it was sweltering, and Jamie really wanted to get out of his suit jacket, but he knows his mother would have his head if Jamie wasn't wearing his suit jacket in the photos.

As if you could sense that Jamie was staring at you, you turned your head in shock and confusion. You look around the park, scanning to try to find the person that you know the stare belonged to. Your body knew by the way it heated up. Jamie was staring holes into your back, and when your eyes locked with Jamie's, your entire heart stopped.

When one of your best friends convinced you to make the trip to Seattle for a few days to visit them, you thought you wouldn't run into Jamie. He should be back in Toronto, right? It was the off-season; he shouldn't be here.

Neither of you moves. You're both entranced and still staring into each other's eyes from across the park. It was as if you and Jamie knew exactly what the other was thinking. You were both thinking about what would have been if you didn't leave. You were both thinking about what would have happened if Jamie proposed and convinced you to stay. All those what-ifs are swirling in your mind, and it makes your head hurt at the pain. Still, you decide to go say hi. It would probably be as awkward as you'd think, but it'd be worth it if you got to talk to Jamie for the first time in five years.

You make two strides towards Jamie but stop when you see the woman who walks over to him and captures his attention. She's wearing a long white gown, a wedding gown. Your heart falls to your stomach. He's married. Jamie got married.

Although you know that you left Jamie to chase a job opportunity, you never ceased to believe that you'd end up together. You thought you and Jamie belonged together, but it seems Jamie didn't think so.

If only you could read Jamie's thoughts because then you'd know that he so badly wishes you were the one in the white gown.

Right people, wrong time, it seemed.

Claudia's Debut Season of Heartfirst Writing