part 3

“OMG its 6 o’clock” she screamed when she checked the time. “Ohhhh I need a shower!”


She almost sprinted into her shower. She quickly blow dried her hair, pulling it up into a ponytail leaving her fringed bangs down.

“You need some make-up” she told her reflection. “He may not be Sidney, but damn he’s close”

She dug through her make-up basket for some mascara, concealer and chap stick. She was never one to wear a lot of make-up but she never left the house with out Chap Stick.

“What to wear?!” she asked franticly

She pulled out a pair of dark wash jeans and a simple dark blue t-shirt. She shoved her phone in her pocket and grabbed her coat, shoes and duffle bag just as a knock came to the door. She floated to the door and opened it with a smile.

“You ready?” he asked with a grin.

He had obviously just gotten out of the shower, his hair still wet; the smell of his body wash filled the doorway. She smiled.

“Yeah”

She pulled the door shut behind her and the walked to his car, a silver BMW.

“Well hello” she said smiling at his car.
“I’d take your jag for this car any day.” He said laughing.

She threw her bag in the back and got in the car.

“So did you figured out who I am yet?” he asked
“No. You haven’t even told me your last name yet.” She said
“Well you haven’t told me yours.” He mocked back.
“Lidwell”
“Backstrom”

Brooklyn’s face snapped into a confused look. Nicklas Backstrom. Why was that so familiar? She ran the name over and over through her head. Nothing.

“Well…anything?” he asked after giving her a minute to think.
“Nope, I know it from somewhere. I won’t sleep till I figure it out.” She responded.
“Well my phone is on all night, when you finally figure it out” he said with a wink.. “Alright, we’re here let us see how a Canadian girl plays hockey.”
“As long as you promise not to cry when I beat you” she said with a competitive smile.

He promised and they walked into the rink. She could smell his body was and a few times the brushed hands. She could feel her cheeks warm as she blushed. As they were lacing up, Nicklas noticed the scar running over Brooklyn’s ankle.

“Skate blade?” he asked concerned.
“No, surgery a few years back. I tore a bunch of tendons and they wouldn’t heal. It still hurts when I skate.”
“Here, I’ll show you a trick.”

He showed her to tie the lace around the back of her ankle and then under the top of the blade to pull her ankle forward.

“Well look at you Mr. Hockey.” She said with a thanking smile.
“Well I do play professionally.” He said a smile in his eyes.

Another hint! Nicklas took off onto the ice before she could put all his hints together. She quickly followed. She never had to skate that fast to keep up with someone before. After half an hour she had only gotten the puck once, and only because he sneezed. She felt like she was going to pass out. She stopped at center ice and hunched over, hands on knees trying to catch her breath. Nicklas slid in beside her.

“Aww is Canada out of breath” he mocked not even sweating.
“Keep it up Sweden and I’ll kick your ass like Russia did.” She shot back then smiled.
“Oh, sassy. I like it.”

She stood up straight and they skated around the rink, gently passing the puck back and forth. The talked about hockey, how what things were like back home, and how Brooklyn’s team had won their championship game. She could tell he was impressed and she couldn’t help but smile. An hour later they were walking back to his car. They threw their sticks in the back seat and sat warming their hands in from of the heater. As they pulled out he asked her if she was hungry, she of course said yes.

“I make a mean frozen pizza.” He said trying to act serious.

She laughed and looked out the window at the late afternoon pink sky. She felt his hand softly interlock with hers. She didn’t turn to look at him but she smiled and relaxed her hand in his.

When they walked into his apartment Brooklyn took off her shoes and dropped on the couch. She couldn’t feel her legs but there was no way she was about to admit that to him. 20 minutes later Nicklas walked in carrying two plates of pizza. He handed her one and sat down next to her. He, being a normal guy, flipped through the channels as they ate.

“WOAH! CSI: go back” she almost screamed.
“You like CSI:?” he said almost shocked.
“Yeah. I could watch it all day. Not that Miami crap, only the original.”
“No way. Miami is my favorite.”
“Eww” she threw at him.

They finished their pizza and settled back on the couch, she couldn’t believe how close he was sitting next to her. She didn’t mind, she liked it. She felt his arm wrap around her back and his hand lay on her hip. How slow and gentle he was gave her chills. She let her heavy head softly fall on his shoulder and a smile fell upon both their faces.