Page 34

A little more than a month after we'd met Tyler's family, our new apartment was finally ready to move into. Tyler had yet to see the living space, but our things were all there already. My friends had helped me move our things in whenever Tyler was away.

Between moving in, starting my new classes, and helping Lyndsey plan her wedding, I'd been quite occupied while Tyler was away. February flashed by without a second glance. I settled into my classes with ease. Although it was strange, having people in my class who knew who I was and who I was dating. The city might've been big, but I was no stranger to its inhabitants.

I'd dove right back into my schoolwork, not wanting to be behind any more than I had to. There were going to be days where I missed because of traveling or something else important. Hopefully not many, but when they came I wanted to be ready. The schooling here wasn't nearly as intense, and fit into my schedule well.

In addition to my gloriously decorated new apartment, Tyler had convinced me to go get my dream car. Although it hadn't been a dream until I'd seen the sleek model online. Tyler didn't mind that he was paying for a lease on a new car, claiming that he'd rather see me being able to get around when he had the Mercedes. I ended up with a silvery-blue BMW, brand new M3 model. The car was slick and sporty and absolutely 'me.' I wondered how my parents would react if they saw me driving the elegant and expensive vehicle around.

With so much change in such a short amount of time, I felt older and more experienced. I had my life figured out. A steady relationship, a place to live, and a school I liked. What more could I ask for? It felt like I was living the dream. The only hard part was how often Tyler was away. I was a dutiful watcher when he played, but that wasn't enough when I missed him. At least I wasn't alone. I had Taylor and Lyndsey. And Alex, when she came in from Lugano.

The first day of March, Tyler finally came home. He'd be home for five straight games before leaving again. It was time to show him our new home, away from the prying eyes of Kirby and his girlfriend. I strongly disliked the blonde girl, but it looked like Hannah was sticking around. It might've helped impressions if she didn't look down on all the girlfriends and wives like we were pesky bugs. I wasn't the only one who noticed the way she tried to make eyes at Tyler. She was lucky I wasn't prone to jealousy. Although the thought of having to see her the next night at the game left a sour taste in my mouth.

I grabbed my keys from the smooth quartz counter of the kitchen island. I did a quick once over of the apartment before leaving. Normally, Tyler drove himself to the airport. This time, I'd insisted on driving him to and from the landing strip. I wanted him to get the full experience of pulling up to our new apartment building and going up the floors. I hoped he liked the renovations and furniture Lauren and I had decided on. It had mostly been the interior designers choices, and I'd listened to her gladly. I didn't regret that.

I'd grown more comfortable with city driving in the past month. Having to fight the traffic was a normal every day when I drove to class. I was just glad I didn't have class today. One outing in a day was enough for me. Once I was situated in my car, I plugged in the airport address. As soon as I cleared the main part of the city, it wasn't as miserable of a drive to the airport. I was thankful it wasn't the main one of the city. This one was closer and easier to access. The lack of traffic surrounding the strip was a relief.

I showed my sticker of admittance to the security guard, who waved me into the private parking lot. I spotted the familiar cars of Tyler's teammates. Carefully, I pulled into an empty spot next to Dylan's Audi. The silver car was taller than my BMW, so my sight was blocked from the runway. I debated moving, but decided not to. Hopefully Tyler would get the text I'd sent him.

Two songs later, my ears were roughly assaulted by the roar of a plane's engine. I sat up, watching it idle in through Dylan's car window. When it was out of sight, I texted Tyler again. I watched as teammates began to disperse to cars. Some waved if they noticed me. Finally, Tyler and Dylan appeared in from of my car. Tyler said something to Dylan, then got into the car. He grinned at me.

"What's got you so happy?"

"Dylan's proposing to Tayler tonight." My eyebrows shot up.

"Oh my god. Really?"

"Yes. You can't say anything to anyone. Dylan only told me since he knows how close you and Tay are." I mimed a zipping my lips motion.

"Won't say a thing. Promise. She'll be pissed when she finds out I didn't tell her." Tyler smiled at me.

"She'll survive. Now drive, chauffeur. I want to see my new digs." I smirked.

"You better like it. I dropped tons of money into it and Lauren flew here a bunch."

"You mean, you dropped my money into it?" I grinned sheepishly. Tyler chuckled. "I will, as long as things aren't bright pink and covered in glitter."

"Oh. Uh oh." Tyler's smile dropped at the sadness behind my tone.

"You better be kidding." I couldn't hold my face for long. When I broke into a laugh, he relaxed. "Ok good. I'd get chirped so hard for that."

"Relax, I'm not that crazy. I do think you'll like it though. It's simple. Modern."

We listened to music for the remainder of the drive. When I finally reached the parking garage, I drove up the floors until I found my spot next to his Mercedes. Tyler looked confused.

"When did you move it here?"

"While you were gone. Think they look like a good match." I was admiring the two cars parked next to each other. Tyler was impatient.

"You're killing me."

"Oh relax." I started for the elevator. Tyler trailed behind me, less in a rush now. I was apprehensive. Would he like the redecorated living space? I desperately hoped so.

With my key, I unlocked the apartment door. Tyler pressed at my back. He was obviously eager. I purposefully opened the door slowly. Finally, I stepped forward. My eyes flicked over everything at the same time Tyler's did.

The kitchen that we'd walked into was modern, with white quartz countertops. The island appeared to be entirely stone, extending over black cabinets. The rest of the cabinets and fridge were also matte black. Above the quartz accenting the sink, dark aged wood panels stretched up until they met the white ceiling. The lighting fixtures were simple but bright. The light gray wooden floors added another sharp contrast. As I studied the kitchen, Tyler was exploring it and nodding excitedly. When he moved across the open space to the living room, I followed. The white flooring turned into dark hardwood, almost black with stain.

The large gray couch formed a rectangular U-shape around the two low circular coffee tables. Below the furniture was a soft light gray carpet. The couch was facing a massive flat screen, mounted above an oil-fed fireplace. The modern touch with the flames was solely for looks. The wall behind the television and next to the fireplace was sleek and slightly bronzed iron slabs. The floor-to-ceiling window next to the couch was framed in the same matte black as the kitchen.

I almost couldn't wait for Tyler to see the bedrooms and bathrooms. I let him look around the wide space for a minute more before tugging him past the dining area. Tyler complained, his eyes flickering over the futuristic iron table with its ornate lighting fixture. I ignored his groans. I paused at the dark door, grinning back at him.

"You're going to love this. You can move this stuff where you want, but I like it in here." Lauren had let me step back with the aesthetics of the apartment for our bedroom. I was allowed to add spurts of color. I'd been waiting for Tyler's reaction to this for way too long.

I let him go in first. Tyler stopped almost abruptly, his jaw slack slightly. I grinned.

Along the black paneled wall, I'd framed various things. First, his rookie jersey. Then one picture of him playing. The last framed item on the left wall was him posing with the trophies he'd won the previous year. The right wall had spaces for things to be hung, but I'd left them blank so he could customize it himself.

The rest of the room was similar to outside. The floor was black marble tiles, visible around the edges from under another gray rug. Before the bed, there were two black velvet arm chairs. There was a circular table in front of them, holding games for Tyler's PlayStation. Like the couch outside, the chairs faced a TV. This one was smaller, but was plugged into his gaming consoles.

After the chairs, Tyler's familiar and massive bed was centered against the back wall. Lauren and I had added a new frame to it, with white panels that matched the design of the darker walls. I'd also chosen new sheets and a comforter for the bed. The lighting above the it was a mass of round glass orbs. The bulbs cast fluid reflections across the room.

There was more to the room, but Tyler had obviously been impacted enough. He turned to look at me with awe.

"I love it."

"I'm gla—" He cut me off with a kiss. I smiled at his show of affection. When he pulled away, he was grinning just as wide.

"Get on the bed."

"Whoa whoa, you haven't even seen the bathroom yet." I rose an eyebrow at his words.

"Not like that. I'm taking a picture for my Instagram story." I shook my head, but did as he'd instructed. I posed on the bed, smiling at the camera on his phone. Tyler had positioned himself so that the images in the back were visible.

"Thank you babe." I blushed when he added a kiss to his words.

"Now will you go see the bathrooms?"

"Fine. I should take pictures to show my...to show Gram." I didn't miss how he stumbled over the words. I wasn't sure if he'd ever get used to saying them. Janet had insisted that he call her that, especially since he'd been in contact with her whenever he could. I was extremely happy that he was talking to his family regularly.

I tailed him as he left our bedroom and went into the bathroom that was connected to it. The bathroom had the same dark interior, similar to the bedroom. The guest room and that bathroom was different. Tyler went that way now. I leaned against him as he looked around the first lighter guest room.

"We could have my parents over now."

"But you told them you moved in with Tayler." I bit my lip.

"I know. Maybe next year?" He nodded. "Ok, one more room. This is my office for homework and yours for whatever you want to do. I added something else you might like."

The next room I had ordained 'WineGame Time.' I had a desk in the room, but the desk was originally meant to be a bar. Behind the counter there was endless room for alcohol. Lauren had offered to buy bottles for us purely for decoration, but I'd politely refused that offer. Tyler and I could fill the shelves together when we were old enough. I didn't mind waiting a few months.

Besides my bar workspace, there was a ping pong table in the center of the room. I'd customized the table to bear the Blackhawks colors and the logo on both corners. Behind the table, there was a trophy case with the mini versions of the awards Tyler had won the previous year. The glass case also bore the items he held close to his heart. His first pucks and the special signing pen. While Tyler studied the case, I flipped up a panel on the wall. It would've been invisible if I hadn't known it was there.

Quickly, I hit both green buttons on either side of the panel. At the ends of the black wall, the paneling began to slide away. Tyler looked back at me, confused. I grinned.

"You need somewhere to store all those suits." He stuck his head into the closet.

"Wow. I didn't know you'd be doing this. I feel like my suits are unworthy."

"Oh hush. Look, I have one too!" I excitedly pointed into the opening on the right. Tyler crossed the room to look in mine. He whistled.

"Damn, and you have a lot more stuff."

"I know. That's why my side is bigger. Your side still has plenty of room for clothes and shoes."

"I'll have to start a collection." He smiled down at me.

"Hungry? I can make dinner."

"Yes please. I'd love some eggs, if we have any."

"You're in luck. I just got some. Omelette? Scrambled? Benedict?"

"Hmm...omelette. The usual, ma'am." I mock-saluted in his direction. Eggs sounded nice right now, despite the fact it was almost eight.

Two cheesy and olive filled omelettes later, my adventures in smoothie making were disrupted by my phone. From my the pocket of my sweatpants, it began to ring loudly. Tyler looked up as I smacked my hand down on the counter in front of him. I left the fruit in the blender, pushing his omelette forward.

"It's Tayler! I think we know what this is." He pulled me over to his side before I answered. I pressed the button, sucking in a breath.

Tayler and Dylan's face popped onto my screen. Before she said anything, Tayler held up her hand. I let out a shriek as I saw the large ring on her finger. Tayler squealed at the same time. The camera shook violently. I could hear Dylan laughing from behind her.

"Oh! Congrats you guys! I'm so happy for you!"

"Wow, can't believe Dyl worked up the courage." Tyler imputed his own opinion. I nudged him.

"I'm literally still shaking. Can you believe he waited this long?" Dylan complained.

"Yes he does that when he's supposed to pass the puck, too." Tayler laughed loudly.

"You're not wrong. Hear that Dyl? You have a reputation. Do me a favor, Ty?"

"Sure, what is it?"

"Put a ring on Halle's finger before she gets bored. I almost walked out on Dylan." Tayler sobered. "But Halls, we should get together soon and talk about Lyndsey's wedding."

"Sure thing. Send me a time and we can go get coffee."

"Thanks girly. Love you two!"

"Bye, Tay. Congrats again!" Tyler still had his arms wrapped around me. I didn't mind. My head was full of thoughts about marriage. The omelette I'd made for myself was completely forgotten.

"Don't get too ahead of yourself Halls." Tyler's voice was full of amusement. He let me go in order to start consuming his food. I shook my head. It was as if he could read my mind.

"I'm not. Well...I don't know. Alex and I are the lone girls now. And that won't last long."

"We're still young." His reminder made me sigh.

"I know. We don't want to rush anything, right?"

"Exactly. You won't have too much longer to wait, I promise." He leaned over to kiss my cheek. I waved him away, holding my nose.

"Ew, peppers." He blew a breath at me. I complained, pushing away. My attention returned to the smoothie ingredients that were waiting for me. I had the protein powder out, knowing Tyler would take it whenever he could.

The mix of greens and powder in his smoothie wasn't what I would choose, but he never seemed to mind. I'd already decided to let the hockey happen. Tyler had already explained that he was going to get some simple workout things, more to help him relax after games and practices. I had no doubt that the WineGame room would be the victim of the new devices. I vaguely remembered what he wanted from a text a few months ago. Now he had the space for it.

As I started the blender, Tyler finished his omelette. I slid mine towards him, not particularly hungry. Tyler gave me a glare. When the motor finally shut off, I explained.

"I was snacking before you got here. So I'm good. You need it more than I do. Just eat it."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes." I nudged the plate again. He grinned at me.

"Thanks." I nodded as I poured the smoothie into a glass. From the end of the counter, I slid it towards him. He stopped it with one hand.

"How do you think tomorrow will go?" Tyler shrugged.

"Dunno. It's Nashville. They're decent this year. We'll see." I nodded, not pressing further. If Tyler wanted to talk about it, he would. I was pleased when he spoke again. "I did get to play with Josi, so that's definitely going to help me predict his playing. Shouldn't have let me go to the All Star game. I'm too dangerous."

"Someone's cocky." Tyler shrugged.

"I'm good at reading people. Especially when I've played on the same team as someone. Could take me a few seconds to pick up your style."

"I guess that does make you dangerous. Or your head is too big." Tyler scoffed.

"Thanks."

"Anytime, hon." I blew a kiss at him before leaving the kitchen. I smiled to myself as I entered the bedroom.

Our first day in our new apartment, yet I felt more at home than ever. With Tyler, and the rooms I'd helped to design, I was completely comfortable. There were no worries about anyone else intruding. There were no worries about how little time I had before I flew back to school. This was it. I was home. Permanently.