My Hockey Alpha Neighbor

Sunlight spills through the windows of the cozy café, dappling the small tables and comfortable decor. Fiona and I sit across one of the small tables from one another with a few small bites between us.

The conversation between us flows as easily as it always does, as we catch one another up on our lives. These little meetings have become a weekly ritual for us. It gives us a chance to unwind and share our updates over a hot cup of coffee and a plate of delicious pastries.

Considering how hectic my life has been recently, this meetings a welcome escape. Dealing with hockey players, team managers, and important businessmen was not my usual crowd. I can’t help but smile fondly at Fiona as we fall into familiar

patterns.

“So! Tell me about this new job of yours,” Fiona says brightly, clapping her hands with excitement. Her energy and curiosity are contagious, and I smile as well.

Discussing my job always comes with a mixture of both excitement and nervousness. It’s almost unbelievable how much my life has changed in the past few months- and I think it all began with a chance meeting with my handsome neighbor.

“It’s been busy — very busy. It’s quite a bit more dramatic than my last job, too. But It’s busy in a good way. I feel like I’m finally starting to get in the swing of things. It feels like I’m finally finding my place on the team.”

Although the hockey players were a bit standoffish with me, at first, I didn’t hold it against them. It makes sense that they would be suspicious of some nobody trying to scam their way into celebrity status. Despite this, I can feel that their respect for me has begun to grow.

“That’s great to hear! Still, I have to ask….. Things are moving pretty quickly, aren’t they? It’s been, what, less than half a year since you met Aiden? It seems like you’ve only been back to your old apartment a few times since then. Are you thinking about making the move more Permanent?”

ning. That’s theContent (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

My gaze drifts to the window. The bustling city streets outside suddenly seem overwhelming instead of charming. exact question that I’ve been grappling with for weeks.

I feel like I’ve read the pros and cons dozens of times by now. Although my life has unquestionably changed, something about giving up my old apartment feels like burning my safety net

“I’m considering it,” I admit. “It would be ridiculous not to at this point I mean. Aiden’s place is better in every way, and we’ve practically been living together already…”

Fiona reaches across the table, her hand, warm, and reassuring on mine. “Hey, hey, I didn’t mean to stress you out It’s OK to feel uncertain. Whatever you end up deciding, all that matters is that you decide what’s best for you. You deserve to he happy, Carol. Don’t let anything hold you back.”

st what toy,” I say. “Thank you. That means the world to me.”

I squeeze Fiona’s hand gratefully. “You always know just

“Don’t get sappy with me now!” Fiona says good-naturedly. “I mean it. I care about you.”

The two of us fall back into a comfortable conversation. Fiona tells me all about how journalism has been going for her – I can’t think of a job that suits her better. And surprisingly, her work has led to her being well aware of everything going on with Aiden and me in the news.

Fiona takes a few minutes to question me all about the most recent game and Aiden’s injury – it sounds like the press has picked up on it after all. I raise my hands and feet.

“You’re making me nervous, Fiona. Is this a lunch date or is this an interview?” I tease, and Fiona looks slightly embarrassed.

“Listen, I can’t help it. I go into journalism, and suddenly, my best friend is the hottest topic to do journalism about! This is off the record. I promise. I only want to know for my selfish reasons.”

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I describe a recent experience at the hospital. After some hesitation, I mention our encounter with Mr. Cruz, too. As much as I feel uncomfortable talking about Aiden’s family matters, I’m really happy to get this off my chest.

Fiona lets out a long whistle as I finished my story. “D*mn. No wonder you’re so stressed. I can’t even imagine facing someone like Johnathan Cruz and making it out on the other side unscathed.”

I shrug helplessly. “I didn’t feel unscathed,” l’have to joke.

“It’s probably best you didn’t say anything. People like him will take anything you say, twist it, and use it against you.”

I swallow nervously. “Really?”

“Yes, really,” she said. “It’s obvious he doesn’t approve of you – no offense- so I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s trying to stir up

some sort of blackmail.

I rub my forehead. I can feel a headache coming on already. “That’s what I’m afraid of,” I admit.

“Your life has gotten crazy,” Fiona says emphatically, “I can’t even imagine living like you. It’s like you’re in some sort of dramatic TV show or something.

“Or something.” I echo.

Fiona and I spend a little bit more time catching up before our lunch hours end. Fiona goodbye. I wave back, genuinely sad to see her go.

gives me a

a tight hug and waves

Reflecting on my relationship with Aiden, and the drama in my life has given me a new sense of perspective. Things have been difficult, of course, but somehow they’ve been better than they ever were. There’s only one reason I can think of.

Aiden. It was Aiden that made all of this worth it. Never since our relationship began have I genuinely regretted the path that I followed. Even in my worst or most frightening moments, I’m thankful for what I have now.

I’ve always been a cautious person. I’ve never been able to dive into a meaningful relationship like this before. Holding onto my old apartment. It’s exactly the sort of Safetynet that the old Carol would’ve relied on. But I’m not the old Carol anymore.

I’m struck with a sudden sense of clarity. I know what I need to do.

Later that evening, as the sky turns into a deep shade of purple, wait outside the front door of Aiden’s villa. Our villa, as he’s always said. I feel uncharacteristically nervous as I step inside.

Aiden comes to the door quickly after I enter. He greets me with a warm smile, his eyes lighting up at the side of me, “Hey, you’re home early,” he remarks. I’m touched that even while using crutches, he rushed to the door to greet me.

I return his smile, although I can’t help the undercurrent of nervousness I feel. “There’s something I need to tell you, I say. I’m shocked that my voice is steady, considering the nervousness inside of me.

Aiden’s bright expression is clouded with concern. “Of course, is something wrong?” He asks. As attentive, as always, I think fondly.

“I think I want to end the lease on my old apartment,” I say, quietly. I can’t bring myself to meet his eyes just yet. For some reason, my heart is pounding out of my chest. I’m suddenly afraid Aiden will see in me what his family does and cast me

away.

Instead, I feel Aiden, strong arms around me as he pulls me into a tight embrace. He immediately understands the underlying meaning of my words – I want to move in, permanently.

“Of course, I would love that,” he whispers, pressing a kiss to my forehead. His voice is as excited as I’ve ever heard it before. I feel my heart fluttering, my nervousness melting away.

Aiden is so pleased by my proposition that he leans in for a passionate kiss. Reluctantly, I put a hand over his mouth.

“As much as I would love to let you whisk me off to the bedroom right now, I was hoping to start packing. Tonight, if possible.”

Aiden’s disappointment doesn’t last long. He happily agrees. We decide to part ways as Aiden plans to sit in on his practice for the evening. He offered to drive me back to our apartment complex, but I declined.

“Go to practice,” 1 urge. “I know it’s important for you to be there, even if you can’t play just yet.”

Aiden smiles gently. “Fine. You have to let me pick you up as soon as I’m done.”

I agree, and we share a short but sweet kiss. Aiden drives off to practice, and I spend some time gathering a few bags. After a while. Aiden’s private driver stops by and takes me back to the old apartment

I head straight up the stairs to my old floor. Although 1 feel nostalgic, I feel even more eager to embrace this new chapter of my life. I paused for a moment outside the front door of my apartment, unable to help but reminisce about the moment that Aiden and I met

When I finally decided to unlock the door and step inside, I fumbled over the light switch for a moment. I expect my apartment will look somewhat empty and abandoned, just like Deft it. Instead, when I turn on the lights, a very different sight greets me.

The apartment is in disarray, furniture, overturned, and my belongings strewn about haphazardly. My hand stays frozen on the light switch as panic seizes my heart.

Something is very wrong. I realize.

My body tensed, ready to flee when I feel a large hand cover mine on the light switch. In an instant, the room is drowned in darkness yet again. Before I can scream, another hand covers my mouth. I have no time to react before I am dragged into the darkness.