”
“Okay.”
He gives me a piece of paper and in very messy handwriting I see it’s my prescription, and his number. We exit the room and before I leave I schedule my next appointment with him. When I get home, I see Dylan’s jeep parked next to my usual spot and I rush up to my apartment. I get up to the three flight of stairs, and my door opens revealing a smiling Dylan, his arms opened up to me. I run right to him and just let him comfort me.
Getting help is something I never thought I would do and it wouldn’t have happened without him.
“My turn.” Suddenly I’m being pulled from Dylan into Tegan’s arms and I hug her a little tighter than necessary.
“Alright missy. What happened?” she says.
We sit on the couch and I tell them about the appointment, and I also mention that I’m officially scheduling the breast reduction surgery for Christmas break. I’m hesitant to mention my chest in front of Dylan, but I know I won’t be able to hide being on bed rest for a week. As I explain it all, Dylan’s arm wraps around my shoulder and I feel like everything I’m doing is right.
“Thank you guys. Seriously, I wouldn’t have gotten help if it wasn’t for both of you.”
Instead of saying anything, I’m wrapped in a death gripping hug, by the guy I never thought I would meet in a million years.
After we make a healthy dinner, I tell them about the hockey tournament my family is coming down for and they’re excited to meet them. Tegan’s excited for them to see how much progress I’ve made, but I won’t tell her that I don’t think it will matter. I’m going to concentrate on right now, and right now, as I lay next to Dylan and look out at Tegan sitting across from us, as we watch TV, I’m actually excited about my future.
But I should know better then to get my hopes up.
CHAPTER 19
Dylan
I’m so proud of her.
This broken girl is putting herself back together just like I knew she would. And what makes it even better, is she’s letting me help. That part right there shows me she’s stronger than ever. Her family is coming down this week for that Thanksgiving hockey tournament Chris planned, and last night she was Skyping with her brother while I was over. We talked a lot of hockey. Who would make it to the Stanley Cup this year, the trades we think should happen and the draft I’m hoping to get into. He asked if I could practice with him and his team while they were here and Elli seemed so happy that her brother had someone to talk to.
“You’re a positive influence Dylan. It means a lot to me that you got along so well with him.”
“He’s a good kid, and he’s your brother. Of course I would.”
For some reason, when her brother mentioned her dad just got home from work, she said she had to go and said goodbye. Her brother seemed to understand. I didn’t think anything of it, but she was a little off the rest of the night.
I have a game tonight and Elli took off of work so she could come. She’s bringing Tegan along and we might go out to the Ale House afterwards with some of the guys from the team, but that’s completely up to her. She’s doing so well and I’m not going to derail her progress.
As I get changed in the locker room, the guys are blasting some of their techno music while I listen to my ipod. Elli sent me some songs she thinks I would like, and I’m not just paying attention to the way they sound. I’m actually listening to the lyrics. There’s one song she sent me that makes me so happy, because I know that’s how she’s feeling. They sing about having scars on their future hearts but they never look back.
As I lace up my skates, I see the rest of the team putting the last of their gear on and I smile. This is my team, and I’m doing something I love. Even if I don’t make it into the draft, I’ll never stop playing. It’s something I love and when I play, I know it’s where I should be ; a nd with Elli in the stands, everything is
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