Full Strength

Scottie

        Dean and I have been dating for a month. It’s the beginning of October, and preseason games have just finished. Dean secured his spot with the Blackhawks, and knows he won’t be sent back down to Rockford anytime soon. The team got back from Dallas the Friday after their first regular season game against the Stars. They won 3-2 in a shoot out, Dean got to play more than he expected, but it was awesome. The team has the day off before their home opener against Buffalo.

        I had a class in the morning, but now I’m waiting in my dorm room until Dean calls to tell he made it to campus. He decided to drive up after they landed, and then drive with me back home. It will give us some alone time to talk. It may just be about a thirty-minute drive, but when we spend most of your time with your boyfriend around a hockey team, thirty minutes is precious time.

                  Dean and I still can hardly get enough of each other; any free time we have while I’m home, we spend together. We see each other every weekend, and we either hang out at my house, or at his apartment. The whole team knows we’re dating, and so does my dad. Dad isn’t too upset with it. He likes Dean. Derrick told me that the week after we started dating, dad called Dean into his office. Said something about being smart, and that the hockey team wouldn’t be too happy if he messed up. It’s really funny to see the team give Dean a hard time about this.

                  The only person I’m worried about is Hannah. I’ve seen her multiple times in the past, and I was with Dean a few of those times. Neither of us has told her, so if she knows she isn’t saying anything. As far as I know, she was staying away from both of us.

                  Since opening night is just around the corner, I’m not allowed to practice with the team. I still go and help coach, but I don’t suit up. Dad doesn’t want me to throw of the team’s chemistry. Whenever the season starts, I hardly practice with the team, which I’m okay with. I have lacrosse now, and I can always come to the practices and help out. Today the team is scrimmaging. The first game is Friday night, and you can tell everyone is getting serious. They play the Detroit Red Wings, which is no biggie, I know the guys can win it.

                  I’m meeting Dean’s parents and younger brother the next Saturday. They are coming for his first game, and Dean thought it’d be a good time to just go ahead and meet them. The live in Canada, so who knows when the next time the visit would be. We’re all going out to dinner, and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous.

                  I was sitting on my bed reading a book, when my phone started to ring. I probably picked it up a little too quickly out of my excitement, but oh well.

                  “Hello?” I knew it was Dean, but out of habit, I stupidly greeted him.

                  “Hey, Scot, I’m parked outside of what I think is your building, but I’m not completely sure.” Dean laughed into the phone, and I smiled because of his cuteness. I looked out my window, which faces the road and parking lot, and I saw him leaning up against his black car looking around, confused at the rest of campus.

                  “I’ll come get you. Stay put.”

                  “I will.” I could almost hear the smile in voice, but I knew he was smiling because I could see him. I hung up the phone and ran down to the door. I pushed it open, and yelled to get Dean’s attention.

                  “Yo! New Guy! You gonna stand at your car all day, or come say hi to your girlfriend?” I yelled as I leaned up against the door, propping it open. Dean’s head shot up, and a smile spread across his face. He immediately pushed off his car, and jogged to meet me at the door. Dean engulfed me in a bear hug, which practically pushed us inside the building. Once inside, Dean took a step back, and looked into my eyes.