Meant For You

sixty-two.

Miles Dempsey

The celebration after we won the Conference Finals versus the Dallas Stars was huge. Everyone, and I mean everyone, showed up to the after-party at some random club in Dallas. Every player, coach, and significant other was present after game six. We won the first three games but choked the next two so we had to go all the way to game six.

It scared me for a second but I think after three hard won games, we were all tired. Myself included. In game six we went out onto the ice and swept the Stars in their home base. It was exciting, exhilarating, entertaining, and any other e-word you can think of. We had it in us to take them down and now we were one step closer.

One step closer to what we've been veering towards this season.

One step closer to what some of us have been waiting for our whole careers.

The Panthers wiped out the Hurricanes in a 4-0 series. They're coming in with big heads but the guys are ready for it. Especially me. God knows I've been waiting for this for six years. After my rookie contract was over, people spectated me leaving. They said I was as 'too good' for the Kings and that I could find success on another team but I stayed. Los Angeles became my home, my parents' home. There was no way I was leaving.

If it's my choice, I'll stay here forever.

The only thing that lacked that night was my girlfriend. Nola was in Los Angeles so I had no choice but to be without her. While it sucked, it played in our favor. The team was out in a public club. I wouldn't be able to be near her in the way I would want to be. There were too many people at the club who were a bunch of randoms. Our relationship is low-key. Just between us and those in our life. It made me upset that she couldn't be here though. I was still thinking about her the whole time.

I'd be in Los Angeles tomorrow and drive straight to Oak Hill to see her. She's been spending a lot of time there because she's training in Irvine and it's closer to Oak Hill than it is to Los Angeles. On my off days, I was with her up in Oak Hill. She would show me around the city or we'd hang out at her parent's house. I've been trying to get Mr. Scott to grow on me and I think it's working.

He's still a bit snarky with me but overall, I think I've made him smile at least three times. Nola's mom has also grown a liking to me which makes me happy. Nola told me that her dad told her mom about the conversation we had outside the day I came over for dinner. Her mom cried when Mr. Scott told her how I felt about Nola so I think that gave me brownie points with her.

Nola's siblings are also cool as fuck. Yeah, I'm kind of jealous. I always wanted a sibling and hanging out with hers makes me want it more. Kiersten and I are besties, won't lie. Foster also talks a lot more to me. He's a cool dude. Brooks and I have always been tight and Kayce seems to tolerate me so I'd say all is good with the girlfriend's family.

All is also good with the girlfriend. I've loved spending almost every day with her and her family. It's brought us a lot closer and I can't wait to see what the future holds for us. It excites me to think about it.

On the plane ride home, everyone was mostly hungover. I'm surprised everyone made it back on the flight since it was scheduled for 8 am. I was as cool as a cucumber since I only had about three beers last night. JT was in sunglasses asleep next to me and Tate and I laughed at him and snapped a couple of pictures for Ember.

My best friend was also sober.

We had the next two days off before we practiced for the Panthers. Just like against Dallas, the first two games would be in Los Angeles. The third and fourth were in Florida. The next in LA, then Florida again. Hopefully, the series will end in LA. That'll make things extra special for us. Our city has been waiting for a championship for years.