NHL Imagines

Connor McDavid (Edmonton Oilers)

"Babe, you gotta calm down," I laughed, gripping his forearm. "You'll be fine,"

His hand immediately found mine and he intertwined our fingers out of nervousness, eyes wide and cheeks tinted pink. "You survived with me through the draft. You should be okay today,"

I could tell he was trying his best to lighten the mood, but his uneasiness couldn't have been missed by anyone. As soon as I noticed his parents walk in, I pulled Connor their way. There's nothing better than a mother's love. 

The exhaustion and anxiety was clear on his face and it made my heart clench. A frown made its way onto my face, but I smiled lightheartedly when his dad came into view.

"Don't feel bad, (Y/N). Connor has always gotten overly nervous about things like this. On draft day to the OHL, he told me he thought about leaving for the sake of saving his dignity if he wasn't drafted to a team," 

I let out a soft laugh, trying to keep from frowning over at my panicking boyfriend. His forehead was creased with worry and he would chew at his fingernails, then get his hands smacked away by his mom.

"Jesus, Connor," I mumbled, pulling my phone out of my bag. 

"Mama Kelly," I called to her, tapping my wrist. "He has to get ready to be on stage and we have to go sit down,"

She nodded and kissed his forehead gently, hugging him tightly. I walked to him and pecked his cheek, wiping away the dark lipstick left on the flushed skin. 

"I love you," I cooed, fixing a loose strand of hair.

"I love you, too," he murmured, squeezing my hip lovingly. "I just have to walk up for the beginning ceremony, then I'll be back down to wait for the Calder nominations,"

"Don't fall," I teased as he walked away, rolling his eyes.

We all took our seats, ending up next to Shayne Gostisbehere's family. His mom and dad were very kind to us, making sure to wish Connor luck as we did the same for Shayne. Myself and Kelly took as many pictures of Connor as we could while he was up on the stage.

The players were finally allowed to sit with their families, Connor practically running to get to us. Artemi Panarin smiled and waved at me on the way up to his spot, making a sense of protectiveness wash over Connor. He scowled to himself and wrapped an arm around my shoulders as the oblivious Russian passed.

"Hey, there is absolutely no need for that," I slapped his chest lightly. "He was just being nice,"

He hummed in response, sitting up further in his seat. 

I let out a long breath and turned my attention to the front where a younger boy stood to announce the Calder Trophy recipient.

"And the winner is... Artemi Panarin,"

I clapped and cheered along with others in the crowd, being sure not to overdue it so I didn't upset Connor. He never met my eyes after that, a feeling of irritation flooding through me. We sat through the rest of the awards in silence, his parents even noticing the slight tension between us. 

By the time the show had come to an end, I wanted nothing more than to just go back to the hotel. There was talk about us going out to look around Vegas with a few others for awhile, but I was sure that there wouldn't be much for two teenagers to do.

"I'm just saying it was a little ridiculous that you got mad at him for a simple wave, Connor," I huffed, pulling my sweater closer to me. 

"Will you just drop it?" He snapped, flinging the hotel door open.

"No, Connor. I will not drop it because you're pissed off at me for no reason and I'm not going to sit here with you acting like a complete child," 

"I'm not pissed off at you!" He shouted, slamming the keys onto the desk nearby. "I worked my ass of this whole season and one goddamn fall into the boards ruined the entire thing,"

I sighed knowingly. "That's what this is about? You're sad that you didn't win? Baby, it's okay. It's not your fault that you were hurt. Even if you hadn't gotten injured, it's likely he still would've won. I mean, come on, Panarin is on a line with one of the best players in the NHL right now,"

He shook his head and rubbed his eyes."But I wanted to prove myself, you know?" 

"What more could you have done? People call you McJesus for Christ's sake. Sidney Crosby has said that he sees a lot of himself in you. Hell, Wayne Gretzky himself said that you were the best to come along since Crosby and Lemieux," I praised. "Just because you didn't win the Calder doesn't make you lesser of a player,"

Connor hooked his arms around my thighs and rested his forehead against my stomach. I positioned myself on the bed so I had my legs across his lap, allowing him to rest his head on my shoulder.

"I'm sorry," he mumbled into my neck. 

"Don't be sorry, Connor. You don't have to be sorry," I whispered, tangling my fingers in his hair. "I'm so proud of you and you should feel amazing about everything you've done," 

Requested by lynseyhh :)