Between You and Me (A college hockey romance)

Twenty-six

Greyson

The next couple weeks goes by in a flash. We play two more home games, winning both, and I get started on my classes. I focus all my attention  on those two things, becuase that's how much energy I have to give at the moment. 

The house is falling apart, to say it nicely. Owen and I haven't spoken since our fight, and Shane refuses to come over before we fix our shit. Justin tries every night to get us to eat dinner together and as much as I try to be a good friend I can't be bothered if we're just going to sit in silence or get yelled at. Louis pretends nothing is happening, as always. 

Lennon and I have been to the team - who I've now learnt is called the 'Flying Acorns', decided on a team vote - twice, but we have arrived seperately and not spoken more than needed. If that's what she wants, then I'm fine with abiding to that. The balls in her court, now. 
The rink they are building is coming along well and should be finished by the end of the month, which is perfect for the start of November. 

I really enjoy visiting them, more than I thought I would. 

Today, I'm back at Arlo's. I have been by every day but Lennon hasn't been for the past month. I'd say she's probably overwhelmed, because every time I've seen her, even in passing, she's been juggling about twelve books. That doesn't stop me from coming here, though. One day she's going to find time to come back, and when she does I will sit here and annoy her the way I did for the first two weeks of this semester. 

I bring my laptop out and leave my book on the table. 

Yes, my book. 

After Lennon made me buy it - ok I bought it, like a lovesick little puppy wanting to impress her - I have actually been reading it and while it's definetly not my preferred past time, it's also not horrible. So I've been reading it every now and then when I need a break from my own life. 

 Arlo comes over with the food I ordered. "Thank you, Arlo" I tell him. 

"How you holding up, kid?" he asks. I'm so thrown off by the question I almost forget to answer him. He looks at me with expectant eyes, his grey mustache barely covering the small smile on his face. 

I clear my throat. "I'm fine." 

"She hasn't been around much lately. I hope she's fine" he says. I raise my eyebrows. "Oh, uh- yeah, Lennon?" I sputter. "She's good. Just busy" I don't want him to worry but he seems content with my reply. "She usually shuts down when she's got a lot on her plate. Keep an eye on her" He gives me  a nod and moves back behind the counter to take someone elses order. I never knew how well Lennon knew him but the amount of time she spends here I'm not surprised it's well. 

I return my focus on the document open on my laptop. I'm supposed to write a paper on negotiation in my business class, but it's been really dry and with everything else going on I haven't prioritized it. Hence why I'm here, focusing.
I've always been pretty effortlessly good at school. I don't have to do much reading because if I follow along in class, I usually remember the information. It has come in handy in high school and in university because my main priority and focus is hockey. I'm only here to have something to fall back on. 

Hockey is unpredictable and fragile. You are on top of the world one minute, and then your career is over the next. You get beaten up physically five times a week, and that is without the mental aspect of the sport. And going pro is just going to be harder. You need to be just as strong mentally as physically to play in the NHL and even if you are, nothing is guaranteed. 

And I guess negotiation is not a bad skill to have with the career I'm about to have. 

The next half hour flies past as I get in the zone, and I don't even notice she's walked in until she's sitting down in the booth with me. I look up at her to find her scowling at me.