Rising Star (Patrick Kane)

Chapter Twenty Three- Where I Belong

Patrick

We had a game against one of the other teams out in Europe and we had to take the bus to get there. I sit next to Tyler since he was one of the few guys on the team who spoke English. I put my headphones on and check my phone.

Elizabeth sends me a bunch of pictures from a photo shoot for a music video they were doing. She was wearing a dark blue dress that wasn't like she usually wears for the bar. It was loose and flowing and she looked so comfortable. She had her curly hair out natural and big with a dark burgundy lipstick and smokey eyes. Her smile shines bright in the dark Chicago sky. She was on the beach with her band as they set up to start recording. It was 11 pm there and 6 am here so we were both up for once. I smile at my phone as I go through the pictures and laugh at the silly ones she sent. She looked so good and it made it that much harder to be here.

"What's got you cheesin" Tyler asks nudging my side. I show him the pictures and he raises a eyebrow at me.

"You... left her" he asks and I nod.

"She pushed me. She knew this was how things had to be. She is by and far the best thing that had ever happened to me and I thank god every day she's mine. I'm just glad she's living her dream and I'm living mine" I admit.

"She sounds amazing" he admits.

"She is" I agree. I look at my phone and see that she sent a video so I take my headphones out and played it for both of us to watch.

"Hi honey! It's about midnight here and we're only halfway done with shooting. I'm freezing my tits off but we're having a great time. I've only tripped in the sand once so far. Oh! Even Precious will be in the video! I just wanted to say I miss you and love you so much. Good luck at your game tonight" she smiles. She turns the camera around to show the scene and the city, it was so pretty. It's only been a week and I've missed it so much.

"Dang, that's your view every night" he asks as the camera pans to Elizabeth with the city behind her. Everyone took turns saying high to me and it made me feel so loved.

"Yeah. That's the best part of waking up, seeing that most mornings" I admit. She turns the camera around again so she's behind it and Vivian appears.

"And this is my best friend Vivian who is in love with Tyler. She's single, loves to cuddle, and looks super adorable in her nightgown" Lizzie giggles and Viv smacks the camera.

"For your information my ass looks amazing in that night gown" Vivian teases causing Elizabeth to crack up.

"Well I have to get back to work and you need to focus. Make me proud, I love you. Byeee" she says blowing a kiss and the video ends. I feel my heart flutter as the screen turns black. She's so great.

"So... how old is that Vivian girl" he asks and I roll my eyes.

"She just turned 24" I say.

"Oh yeah? I like older women" he says and I punch his side.

"I'm kidding. Kind of" he smirks.

We get to the arena after a 7 hour drive and get through a afternoon skate. I get some lunch with some of the guys and finally it was time. I was able to compete once again and Elizabeth was right, this was great. I look up to the stands and see my mom there. I wave and she shows that she has on my jersey, cute. I warm up all alone on the ice and smile to myself. The ice her is larger than I'm used to, I can work with this. Maybe his isn't as bad as I originally thought.

The game gets started and it takes no time for me to get comfortable. I was home again and I was in love. This was where I needed to be and I was going to make the most of it.

I go out for my shift and spend some time in the defensive zone. The defenseman shoots the puck out and I chase it and soon enough it was just me and the goalie. I shake a defender and shoot top shelf over the goalies shoulder.

"Yeahhh" I yell as my teammates come over to cheer with me. I look around at everyone who had my jeresy on celebrating with me. This was one of my first games back to playing and people are already connecting with me. I have fans even out here, that's so cool. I skate back to the bench as they show the goal and the video board and congratulate me. It's no madhouse on Madison, but it's still pretty special.

We end up winning the game and I had a goal and assist. We do interviews and I give all my answers in English. I'm sure it's annoying but I really have no clue how to speak any of the languages spoken here. I shower and change and finally make it to the hotel. I chill there and watch highlights from tonight, I remember why I loved playing in the first place. How it felt to compete, to show what I can do. It felt amazing. I was about to fall asleep until my phone rings and see Elizabeth is trying to face time me. I answer and the only thing that shows up is Precious.

"Oh my god, you've changed" I joke and she appears on the screen. She puts precious in her lap and he looks at the camera.

"Great job tonight... this morning... whatever" she giggles.

"Thanks, isn't it like 5 am there" I ask.

"Yeah. But I wanted to watch you play, see if the product is as good as its advertised" she jokes.

"Were you not satisfied" I teased.

"I was impressed, you did well for being rusty. But it was great to watch you play, you looked like you enjoyed yourself out there" she notices.

"I felt great. It felt natural to be gliding across the ice again. It's been to long since I've played in a real game" I admit.

"I'm glad you can have that feeling again" she says. I know that this is exactly what she wanted for me and I hated admitting she was right. But she was, this is my dream and it feels great to be living it again.

"Thanks. So when will I be able to see your pretty little face on YouTube" I ask.

"The video drops the same day of the album, so late November. And no, it's not a birthday present" she laughs.

"All I want for my birthday is you" I admit.

"You're getting a gift card" she teases and I gasp.

"You're so mean" I laugh.

"I'm kidding. I'll get you something a little more thoughtful" she assures me. We talk for a little before we both get too tired to function. We hang up and I go to bed feeling a lot better than I have in a long time.