22. Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Two

W e're a month away from the season opener, and I can tell the guys are getting jittery. Nerves are running high, and I can tell in practice that they've been running themselves into the ground to make sure the first game goes well. They may only be exhibition games, but those games set the tone for the season.

Maybe we should have a fun, chill night instead of going out and getting into trouble since it's the weekend. I'm still staying at the common house most nights, so it shouldn't be a problem.

We're sitting in the living room as the guys discuss plans for the night to blow off steam. I clear my throat as I throw out the idea. "Would you guys mind staying in for the night, and we can do movies and popcorn?"

Vicy tilts his head in question. "You want to stay in?"

I shrug. "I think it's better than going out and causing trouble. The media is going to be focused on you guys for the next few weeks since the season is about to start. They are going to look for anything and everything they can post about you guys."

Taz groans. "She has a point. We don't want a repeat of what happened last year."

Consider my interest officially peaked. "Last year?"

Ozzy face-palms and groans. "Did you seriously have to bring that up?"

A grin spreads across my face. "What happened last year? Now you have to tell me."

There's a chuckle behind me as Mac leans over the back of the couch. He smirks and points at Ozzy. "Our defenseman over there drank a bit too much at a club one night."

"We told him going clubbing was a bad idea," Dean adds before shrugging. "But he didn't listen."

Ozzy winces. "It wasn't my fault."

Mac hops over the couch to sit beside me. "You were the one who kept taking shots."

Ozzy throws up his arms and grunts. "How was I supposed to say no to a bunch of pretty ladies buying me shots?"

I snort a laugh. "Um... you say ‘no thank you'."

"They were puck bunnies. He wouldn't have said no," Tuck adds.

"Would you have said no, Bobby?" I ask, smirking.

He grins and replies, "I would have if you gave me that look and said my name like that." He shivers. "It's like my sister scolding me."

I hold up my hands in a placating gesture. "Alright. Alright. No going out and taking shots. So... movie night?"

Vicy jumps up from the floor and heads toward the kitchen. "I'll get the popcorn."

Taz rolls onto his stomach to push himself off the floor. "I'll get the beer."

I grin as I look at the others. "What movie do you want to watch?"

Tuck shrugs. "I don't care. As long as it's not one of those sappy romantic movies."

I snort. "Fine no sappy romance. Any other requests?"

Dean and Mac shrug as Ozzy says, "You pick."

"Me? You want me to pick?"

Tuck hums. "Why not?"

I tap my lip as I try to come up with a movie everyone will enjoy. Dean bumps my shoulder and whispers, "We could watch Howl's Moving Castle ."

I arch a brow. "Really?"

He shrugs. "We could have a Hayao Miyazaki marathon."

I can't help but squeal in excitement. He's favorite Japanese animator, and I love all his movies. I want nothing more than to share that with them. I'm a Studio Ghibli girl for life!

Vicy comes out of the kitchen with two large bowls of popcorn, followed by Taz carrying several bottles of beer. Vicy plops down between my legs as he hands me a bowl. "What's the plan?"

"A Hayao Miyazaki marathon."

He chuckles and hands me the remote. "Nice. What are we watching first, boss lady?"

My eyes are glued to the TV as I search for the movie first on the list. When I finally find it, I click on it and Vicy hums. "Good choice. We should watch Spirited Away next."

"Good choice," I say in approval. "But first, the adventures of Sophi and Howl." I settle into the couch between Mac and Dean. They've become touchier when we're here at the common house. The others don't seem to mind though. And I see their grins when they catch Mac and Dean pressing quick kisses to my cheeks randomly.

Even if the others don't seem to mind, I know it would be bad if upper management found out that I am even entertaining the idea of a relationship with my players. Which is why I've been holding back when around the others. It's one thing at the apartment when no one but us knows what is going on. It's an entirely different scenario when it's around the other teammates.

Deep down I know none of the guys will say anything. It honestly feels like they are trying to encourage it. Maybe I need to stop worrying about things and learn to just live in the moment. My whole life has been spent worrying about things and playing by the rules. Maybe a little fire and ice would be good for me.

Tossing a handful of popcorn into my mouth, I look to Mac on my right. He's watching the movie, but his arm is resting on the back of the couch. I have been so consumed with my thoughts that I didn't notice that his fingers are tangled in my ponytail. He slowly twirls my hair around his fingers without thought.

Fingers slip into mine, and I look down to Dean's fingers intertwined with mine. I look up to see if he's watching me, but he's not. He's completely entranced by the movie, as his thumb slowly caresses the top of my hand.

I turn back to the movie and try to pay attention, but it's a bit hard when I think about these two men showing me affection in the smallest of ways. And I love it. I love that they give me their attention. That I mean something to someone. Two someone's.

As the movie nears the end, I hear Dean's whispered words beside me. He repeats what Sophi says to Howl. "A heart is a heavy burden."

I turn to him, and I see his eyes shining as he worries his bottom lip. I realize then that this movie hits differently for him. The relationship with his parents was difficult, and the relationship he had with Mac's mom was the only one to show him love.

I give his hand a soft squeeze as I lay my head on his shoulder. My words are soft and quiet as I say, "Your heart may be heavy, but we're here to help carry the weight of your burden if it becomes too much."

His breath hitches and gives my hand a squeeze. "Thank you," he whispers.

A tug on my ponytail has me turning toward Mac. He gives me a smile before pulling my head toward his. I don't even get a protest out before his lips are on mine. It's a quick kiss before he pulls away just enough that his lips caress mine as he whispers, "Thank you."

I didn't realize my eyes had closed. They flutter open, and I pull back enough to glance up at him. He's looking down at me with affection. My words sound a bit breathless as I ask, "For what?"

Dean's eyes flick over my face before he answers. "For caring and for taking care of us."

My eyes widen for a moment before I smile. "Why wouldn't I? You do more than that for me."

He arches a brow, smirking softly. "Who's that, Chérie?"

I shrug, not entirely sure if I'm ready to reveal myself. I could probably word vomit everything that they do for me and then some. So I settle for the most important thing. "You... you make me feel safe."

His smirk grows into a grin, then he leans to press a quick kiss to the tip of my nose. "Good."

I jump away from Mac when Vicy asks loudly, " Spirited Away is next, right?"

I turn and find Vicy smirking up at me from his spot on the floor. My cheeks flush as I've been caught again under his unintentional watchful gaze. Clearing my throat, I nod. "Yeah. If you guys are up for another movie."

Taz snickers. "We'll turn the lights down low this time, so you guys have more privacy."

I kick my leg out toward him, but he just chuckles and moves out of reach. My eyes narrow on him as I grunt, "Asshole."

"So you want us to turn the lights down?" he teases.

Before I can reply we are bathed in darkness, the TV the only thing illuminating the room. Ozzy huffs as he plops back down on the love seat. "Stop fucking with her or she'll never date them."

My mouth drops open. They don't have a problem with me dating the two guys beside me? Vicy hums before saying, "He does have a point. It's taken her this long to be okay with us even catching a glimpse at the fact that she likes them."

Taz groans. "Fine."

The room falls quiet as Vicy starts the next movie. I look around the room at the men and can't help but huff out a laugh. I really have found a little family of my own.