Page 24

halle

Emily still didn't make an appearance at my apartment. In fact, I arrived home to a note along with a check.

Halle,

I've contacted the land lord about breaking my part of the lease. Here's my portion of the rent for October. Hopefully you can find a roommate who is a better friend. Don't be stupid.

Em

I threw the note away. I didn't want to rekindle things with Emily. I didn't want that friendship back. She'd said cruel words to me that I didn't think I could forgive. I didn't need any more reprimands.

So I moved on from Emily. I saw her on the rare occasion on campus, but she was always accompanied by those guys from our old dorm and another girl I vaguely recognized. I, on the other hand, was always alone. Except I wasn't, not really. I had a whole group chat of supportive women who would respond to my text or calls the second I asked sent them. They didn't complain about my loneliness. They didn't make fun of my need for attention. They supported me and kept me company over FaceTime on the loneliest of nights. When Tyler couldn't text me, there was always Tayler, or Lyndsey, or Alex. Sometimes it was Britt Murphy, or Chaunette Shaw. I'd even started texting Patrick Kane's girlfriend, Amanda.

I had an even balance of school, hockey games, and contacting my friends. And Tyler, of course. He was just less available. I didn't mind. I let him do his thing, not expecting a fast reply. It would've been harder without my girls. We FaceTimed on occasion when he was in hotel rooms. Another teammate, usually Adam or Dominik, was always present. Dominik was usually more respectful to our calls, but Adam shamelessly teased Tyler and I. I missed the quieter days of our sessions. Still, I wouldn't and couldn't complain. Tyler hadn't lost focus in a game yet. The Hawks had only lost three games; one to the defending Stanley Cup champions Tampa Bay, one to Washington, and one to the class act that was Edmonton this year.

The Blackhawks and the Oilers had played only once this year, but the game had been back and forth for the whole three periods. After ending regulation and overtime at only one to one, Chicago had lost in a bad luck shootout where Alex and Dominik both hit the post. Unfortunately, neither shot had been bardown in the desired way. Tyler had been particularly annoyed after that game. I knew why. The team from Edmonton consisted of two ridiculously skilled players, both major competition against Tyler's point range. He'd been neck and neck with them almost all of last season, before finally pulling away at the end and completely blowing the league out of the water. This season, there was a noticeable gap between Tyler's points and the other two leaders, but I knew he was still under pressure.

It was my goal not to be a burden on his already full plate. Half-way into October, I had to admit that I was doing a pretty good job flying under the radar. I sat back and let Tyler live his life. I supported him where I could. He didn't ask it, but I was always there when he was stressed or upset after a game. Especially after tough losses on such a stellar team. I knew what Tyler's hopes for the season were. They involved improving and not losing any more games.

Tyler invited me up for a visit closer to Halloween. I was already planning the days. It pained me to miss Monday's classes on the second, but the first day of the week had the least important classes for me. It would be so much easier if Tyler could come here. I'd be able to go to classes but still spend time with him. This time, he had two games I would be attending. They were Saturday and Sunday, double headers that would leave Tyler tired and sluggish the following mornings. At least I had Friday night to spend with him.

I knew Tyler was excited for the Calgary game on Saturday. He'd told me all about the physical and agitating player on the Canadian team that was a good friend to him. Just like the two Hughes brothers, another set of siblings had grown close to Tyler over years of junior league playing and being on the same team. I knew each of the young players on various teams by name now. I even had Mitch Marner's number. My parents and brothers would lose their minds over that one. In the past month, my contact list had grown considerably. Each week left me with a new number to add. Tyler insisted, in case I ever needed help from one of them. His exact words were:

"If I leave you a youthful widow, you gotta get money from somewhere. Well, not that depressing. I just feel better with you having their numbers. These guys will help you out no matter what happens. They're good people."

I had no idea what Tyler meant by those words. How he could feel safe when I'd never met any of these players in person was beyond me. Weren't his own teammates enough?

The Core Four girls and their boyfriends, including Ty and I, were all in a group chat. I knew Tyler was extremely annoyed when we texted nonstop while they were away. But it was sweet when we texted encouraging messages in the middle of games. We did it whenever there were awesome plays, crazy moves, and teamwork. I knew it puffed their egos enough to play hard for the next game. It gave us something to gush over in the middle of a game if we couldn't let our adoration out.

Instead of texting the group chat, I decided to text Tayler individually. If anyone had helped me adjust to the ways of being an NHL girlfriend, it was Tayler. Although I didn't know if I counted as a girlfriend yet. Did Tyler have to ask me again? Was there a point to the title? Couldn't Ty and I just be whatever we wanted? There was one person who I wouldn't feel guilty asking. Tayler's opinion was always well-thought out and rational. She knew how hockey players thought, and I had to assume Dylan and Tyler weren't that far off.

I checked the clock before calling my best friend. I had two hours before my lab class. Enough time for a quick call. I shot a text to Tayler and asked if she was available. My answer came in the form of the incoming FaceTime screen. I grinned before answering.

"Hey girly! What's up?" Tayler's face was partially obscured by her dog, Wrigley. I laughed.

"Nothing much. Hey Wrigs!" The fluffy golden dog shifted again. Tayler groaned.

"He's not a puppy anymore. Too big to be doing this."

"Aww, let him have his moments. Ok, I need your opinion on a few things. First, I'm coming up the thirtieth to the second at the end of this month. Like, the end of this week. The thirtieth is a Friday. Should I bother planning a date night? Ty said I could, but I know he's gonna be exhausted." I started to play with the tassels on my heavy blanket.

"I mean...you could, as long as it's not too exhausting. It's gonna be Halloween. Dyl and I were gonna stay in for dinner..." She paused thoughtfully. "Hey...why don't we invite you guys? And we can invite Lynds and Alex and El and Lex." I grinned. Tayler was a savior.

"That sounds perfect. Want me to bring anything?"

"Nah, we'll cover it. I'll get champagne and pasta and it'll be a real dinner party."

"That sounds awesome Tay. Thanks again. Ok, next thing. Ty hasn't officially asked me to be his girlfriend yet...do I get weird about it?"

"I mean, technically he already did once. Right?"

"Yeah...but..."

"Then it was just a break. I don't think he needs to ask again. You guys are too tight to be seen as anything else. I've never seen him more relaxed. He comes over and literally just lays on the floor with Wrigley. He doesn't even talk to Dyl or I. He just comes for the dog." I wrinkled my nose. I couldn't see why. Wrigley was smaller than the dogs I'd grown up, but he had just as much slobber and hair. I didn't like the thought of owning a ball of fur like that.

"Don't make that face, Cat Lady." Tayler pouted at me. "Just because you're not in love with Wrigley doesn't mean Tyler isn't. Everyone here loves him. Isn't that right Wrigs?" She cooed to the large golden retriever. I shook my head.

"I haven't met the third Strome yet. I will soon." Tayler grinned over Wrigley's furry back.

"I'm not a Strome yet. Currently awaiting a ring. I keep dropping hints, but I guess Dyl will do it when he's ready." She sighed. I hid my smile.

"I'm sure he'll do it soon. You guys are too perfect to not get married." Tayler looked down, smiling as well.

"Thanks Halls. I definitely think I'm next. So it'll be Lyndsey, me, Alex, then you."

"Whoa whoa, why Alex first?"

"Because she's twenty-eight Halls." Tayler laughed. "You are a young lady who's still completely involved in school. You're still a teenager. Don't rush things too much. Especially with this lifestyle."

"I know, I know. You sound like my mom." Tayler made a face at me.

"Your mom doesn't even know."

"About the hockey, no. But she knows vaguely about what happened with Tyler and Kirby." Tayler shook her head.

"Still can't believe that happened. Are you sure you're good now?"

"Definitely. Felt like shit about it for awhile, then made up with Ty and now things are perfect. I'm just regretting not kissing him last time I was up there. It's been almost a month and I'm seriously touch-deprived." Tayler looked concerned.

"Do you talk to people at school? I mean, I know that Emily girl wasn't nice to you. But is there anyone else?"

"Not really. I talk to people in classes but nothing after. I'm ok with that though. All my people are in Chicago." I smiled at her.

"You know it. Come back Halls." Tayler whined lengthily. "We miss you."

"This weekend. Then I'll be up, k?" I checked the time fleetingly. "Ok, Tay. I'm gonna go grab some food before my lab. I'll talk to you later."

"Bye girly!"

I felt better after the call. Tayler was good at that. She always made me smile and laugh, even when there was nothing to be happy about. If only she could come to lab with me and make me smile there. I changed out of my shorts into a pair of old sweatpants and a long sleeved T-shirt. It was the normal lab attire. No shorts, hair in a bun, and sneakers. I left my jewelry on my kitchen table as a precaution. It wasn't like we dealt with crazy chemicals all the time, but if we weren't as safe as possible, my professor wouldn't allow us participate. Not participating meant no way to make it up, and a zero for the write up and analysis. I couldn't afford zeros in this class. Especially when I was always running off to a city far in the north. Those classes would be suffering enough this semester.

I grabbed my wallet and apartment keys from the counter, along with my bag. I would have to walk to campus, or take the bus. I didn't have a car to use anymore, now that Emily was gone. I'd been walking lately, but today was miserably rainy and windy. A sigh escaped me as I shouldered my bag and stepped outside of my apartment.

Three hours later, I was thoroughly fried from the lab class. At least it was my last lab class of the week. The next two days were math and smaller lectures, only about an hour. I was fine with that. The minor classes were easily my favorite.

Before leaving campus, I dropped into the food court to grab more food. The small meal from before the lab had worn off long before. It was four in the afternoon, so not too far off from dinner. I scrunched my face as I tried to decide what I wanted. Not much was appealing to me. Especially not greasy and unhealthy food.

I finally settled on a smoothie and a soft pretzel. As I waited for the smoothie to be mixed behind the counter, a familiar voice sounded from the entrance to the court. I cursed silently. I recognized it immediately. It was hard not to, when it was someone I'd heard almost every day for my entire childhood. I didn't turn around until I'd gotten the cold cup of mango smoothie. She was surrounded by the short girl and the tall blonde I vaguely recognized. She hadn't noticed me yet, so I tried to make my way to a table quietly.

A small table wedged into a corner of the center was sufficient enough for me. I let my bag fall from my shoulder onto the plastic surface. As soon as I was sitting, I pulled my phone out. I had a few various texts from the group chat and some individual ones. I only cared about one.

I took another bite and finished my pretzel. Instead of staying there to finish my smoothie, I got up and started to leave. Hopefully the rain had stopped so I didn't have to take the bus. I let out a sigh as I saw the drops hitting the pavement.

"Halle!" I turned at the voice. "Let me drive you back."

"Uh, thanks Emily, but you don't have to."

"Just let me do it." Her smile was weak and hesitant. It was the most we'd talked since early September.

"Fine." Her smile strengthened. She waved her car keys in the air.

"Ok, come on. I'm not far from the entrance."

I followed her out the door, ignoring the stares of her little friend group. We approached the gray Toyota in silence. Why was I agreeing to this again? Once we were in the car, Emily tried to make conversation.

"So...seen Tyler lately?"

"I'm going up this weekend." My voice was plain, not showing any emotion. I looked out the window at the gray sky instead of my former friend.

"Ah. That's cool. You look like you have fun up there on Instagram."

"Yeah. It's nice."

"Who are those girls you're always with?" I didn't miss the note of jealousy.

"Bunch of girls I'm friends with up there. They're awesome."

"I'm glad you met new people." I frowned slightly, but didn't reply. "Probably better friends than I ever was, right? Definitely prettier." The note of distaste crept into her voice. I wasn't going to indulge her. Emily kept digging for a reaction. "What's the deal with them anyway? You all look the exact same. Guess you fit the part."

"I'm not fighting with you right now. If you want to get nasty, you can drop me off here." Emily looked surprised at my response.

"I wasn't trying to-"

"Yes you were. You didn't mean to be insulting but you were anyway."

"Well damn, sorry." Emily looked annoyed. I expected her to drop it, but she didn't. "You're just so damn annoying it's hard to not be a little rude." I stared at her in shock. "You're so fucking spoiled and you never realize it. It's not fair that you get to be with literally the best known hockey player in the world right now. You don't even appreciate it! You've always had money and a comfy life. Why should you get the chance to get even more money? It's not fair. You don't deserve someone like Tyler. Tyler should be with someone who appreciates his money and doesn't throw tantrums over stupid little things like trust issues."

My mouth was slack in shock. How was I supposed to respond to that? What did Emily expect me to say?

"And it's not just you! Look at all those dumb bimbos who get hockey boyfriends and hockey husbands just because they're pretty and blonde. You're just another one. Tyler wouldn't go for you if you weren't blonde and tan. Look at your new 'friends.' Are they really your friends or are you just pretty enough to fit their standard?"

"Stop the car and let me out. This is exactly why I'm not friends with you anymore. Are you really that jealous that you can't be happy for me?" Emily pulled over as I glared at her.

"It's going to ruin you Halle. When he breaks your heart and your new friends leave you high and dry and your parents cut you off, don't come crawling back to me. I don't want to hear any of it."

I didn't reply. I shouldered my bag and slammed the car door. The rain didn't bother me right now. In fact, the cold droplets on my face hid the hot tears that gathered in my eyes. I wouldn't listen to Emily. She was a jealous ex-friend who I didn't need in my life. She was negative and toxic. I wouldn't deal with her any more.

My fingers tried to tap away at my screen to text Tyler. The rain prevented anything from appearing on the screen. I groaned in frustration and threw my phone back into my bag. I hurriedly walked down the sidewalk in a desperate attempt to reach my apartment. I couldn't get there fast enough.

I just wanted to go to Chicago. I wanted to be with Tyler. I wanted to be with my friends who were accepting and supportive. I didn't want to be at Duke anymore.