5. Tyler

I woke up with my dogs licking my whole face. Jezz! How did they manage to get in when-- "Oh shit!"

I cursed when the realization dawn me that I had a girl over in here last night, I guess. I’m not sure. I mean, I don’t know! I am way too drunk last night to remember what happened, all I know is that I had a wild sex last night. In the restroom if I may add.

Puck bunnies just loves me.

Aside from that, my team just recently won the Ice Hockey World Championship Cup two weeks ago. Our feet haven't touched the ground yet, we are still on the sweet bliss of winning the cup, hence, the plenty of girls coming over at my place or hurdle over me at the bar ready to award me with sex.

I walked out of my room and head to the kitchen to grab something to eat, when I arrived a girl with the sexiest curves is busying herself on the kitchen cooking. I sat on the chair at the breakfast bar admiring her ass silently, she didn't happen to notice me there but my dogs who followed me from my room started barking at her which made her flinched.

"Oh! Hey handsome. Good morning."

"Good morning Tricia." I greeted back.

I exactly remember how I tapped this chick in the restroom last night. It’s the wildest sex I have had in a while. It’s even better than the first time we both hooked up. Yeah, we fooled around twice now. Which is totally against my rules, but I think she already know what's the real deal here.

Does she?

Oh shit. What if she doesn't? She's now cooking a goddamn breakfast for me in my kitchen, for me!

"Why are you cooking breakfast? Why are you still here?" I asked without any hesitation, because I am like that. I always go straight to the point when it comes to girls I hook up with. They always need to know that there are no strings attached, it's just sex.

Don't expect more!

She placed the plate of omelet that is good for two people in front of me but her eyes are glued to mine showing the surprise on her face about what I just asked.

"What? Are you kicking me out?"

"No! I just-- you know! You know what this is right?" I started explaining. "This is just a one night thing. I mean, yeah! We slept together twice now but you know this is just a plain hook up, right?"

She's silent. And fuck! I know that face...

She's disappointed. She's expecting more. Damn! How come she expects more? Is she stupid enough?

"We only slept together once, we di—“ She started but I stopped her right away.

"Tricia, it was just a hook up. Nothing more and nothing less." I said and sighed because I also felt guilty. "Look, I'm sorry but I just don't do relationship right now. Wait—what did you just say?"

“We didn’t have sex last night.”

“What do you mean we didn’t have sex last night?” I asked in complete confusion. I totally remembered having sex last night and literally shouting my lungs off twice when I hit it, if it’s not Tricia then who?

She grinned. “Seriously, we didn’t. You were so drunk last night and you drunk called me so I went and picked you up and I took care of you the whole night.”

Oh damn it! I got really shit-faced then! I don’t exactly remember what happened the whole night though. All I know was that I had sex but I can’t remember with who anymore.

Well, probably one of the puck bunnies that’s for sure. Now I feel guilty for her. Damn! This is getting awkward.

Tricia is fine. She's hot, she looks gorgeous but I just don't do any relationship as of yet. I'm way too busy with hockey, winning games, thinking about my business and all that.

I have no time for girlfriends yet. I had a relationships before but they just can't keep up with the life I have. Being constantly away because of games and training camp, they can't keep up with it. And as of now, I'm enjoying my single life. Especially now that I am Ice Hockey World Cup champion again.

Damn! It's such a great feeling by the way.

“Tricia…” I hesitated. “Drunk calling you was bad and I just want you to know that there’s nothing serious going on between us two.”

“Oh! Ohm… Yeah of course but—“

“I’m sorry.” I cut her out again because I don’t want to hear a speech about expecting much out of this awkward thing. “I just don’t do girlfriends.”

"Well then, can I at least change your mind perhaps?"

Jezz! She really wants it.

I shake my head right away. I have no interest on dating her even if I change my mind and consider being in a relationship once again. She may be gorgeous and all but she's certainly not my type.

"Well, not now." I said just for me to stop from letting her down again. I already hurt her I don't want to add another burden.

"Not now, okay…" She repeated as her eyes twinkle mischievously. "Then I guess you'll just let me know if you change your mind soon, maybe?"

"You’ll definitely receive my call."

That's another lie right there.

“Great!" She said and planted a kiss on my cheek, grab a bite on the omelet she just cooked and walks out leaving me to marvel in the kitchen over how easy the negotiation went. I was expecting for the conversation to be even more awkward as it was but Tricia had accepted the situation like a champ.

How I wish all women are like that! It would be less stress and less drama that's for sure.

I finished the omelet she just made me just in time she went out from my room completely dressed up this time with a full make up on. After walking her out of my door I immediately went back to my bedroom, drink some Tylenol and throw myself on the shower.

Martin, Niko and I are doing another sort of media appearance today. In the past two weeks after winning the championship cup we didn't have time to relax or went back to our respective countries for a vacation yet because every single day we have interviews, organization events to go to and appearing to some events for the charities supported by the Texas Blue Dragon’s Hockey League.

Today, I'm going to Arthur School and Community Center to attend a meeting on the groundbreaking for the new building they're going to build. Plus, my team is currently supporting a summer project of the said school called ‘stick-in-reading’ and of course, our appearance is necessary for some photos in giving textbooks to kids.

I went out of the shower and changed into some gray cotton shirt and black skinny jeans, keeping it casual. And just as I was about to fix my hair my phone started ringing, and it's Niko Fuentes calling.

"Yup?" I answered putting on speaker phone while I'm fixing up my hair.

"Where the hell are you? Everyone's here already." Niko said. "I've been calling you for the past thirty minutes and you're not answering."

"I'm sorry, I slept in." I replied.

"You went home really late last night, didn't you?" He asked but I didn't bothered answering it. He already knows the answer to that anyway. They were with me partying last night but both of them left the bar early.

"Be there in five minutes. Bye!" I said ending the call without waiting for him to say bye.

Instead of gelling up my hair I just decided to put a baseball hat on instead and head to the garage right away. Jezz! I'd totally look like shit today because I didn't fixed myself that much. Damn! I should probably stop from partying already.

When I arrived at the school, Niko and Martin greeted me together with some of the school's faculty members. Immediately after I arrived, our group went straight to the reading area where the kids of the school and some media people are waiting for us.

One of the faculty members started talking to Martin about the event today. The team captain is very hands on when it comes to this stuff, maybe because this particular school is the reason behind our Stanley Cup win.

"You got shit-faced last night, didn't you?" Niko suddenly voiced out while we follow Martin and the rest of the group to the reading area.

I just rolled my eyes. "Obvs."

But I can't help but notice two pairs of eyes staring at me like it's as if they are judging me so hard at the back of their minds.

"What? I'm allowed to get drunk once in a while. Come on!"

"Once in a while? Really? Is once in a while means getting drunk every night?" Martin chimed in sarcastically after he talks to the faculty member he was with a while ago.

Niko tapped Martin's back giggling. "It's the off-season bro, come on. Give him a break."

"Thank you!" I said appreciating the fact that Niko got my back.

"But seriously Ty, moderate drinking." Niko added which made Martin snickered and both of them continue from walking leaving me behind.

I drink fine! I said at the back of my mind and I don’t get drunk every night. I mean, in the past few weeks after winning the Championship Cup I did but I am not like that.

Like the way my friends think of me, I know my limit.

I arrived at the reading room of the said school being welcomed with some of the school faculties and forty-year old woman named Brenda, the organizer of the said project. She’s giving us talks about the mini event at the moment and thanking us at the same time.

While waiting for the program to commence I settled on the table on the corner, I am supposed to mingle with the kids on the other corner of the room but my head is killing me. Plus, I am still way too occupied with the fact that I fucked a random girl last night. Yes, I sleep around but only with girls that I already know personally. I don’t sleep with strangers that’s my number one rule in hooking up but damn it! I broke my own rule, because I was drunk.

“Regretting for drinking way too hard last night?” Martin remarked as he seats on the chair in front of me.

“No.” I lied.

“Seriously, Ty. I understand how hard it is for you to move on. Sleeping around is fine because you’re single but drinking more than your actual limit is something that I personally don’t tolerate.” Martin said sighing. “Move on bro.”

“Easy for you to say. Let’s just not talk about it please.” I replied brushing the conversation off. It’s been two years and everything still stings if I think how messed up that was. Martin knows what happened, he’s my closest friend on the team and he was the one who helped me find out the truth about my ex-girlfriend’s behavior.

I’m trying to get over from her, yes I am.

But it’s really hard to do sometimes. Especially thinking that you were really close to what you really want but then everything just turned out into stone.

It’s fucking hard!

“What are your plans anyway? We won’t be back until August.” Martin asked to change the topic. One thing that I love about this guy? He may be rough when we’re on the ice pushes and annoys the heck out of us sometimes but when we are off the ice, he’s the sweetest and sincere person I’ve ever met.

He has a soft heart behind those aggressive walls he shows during games.

“Take care of my business probably. Rehab, therapy, get involve on the organization just so I can clear my name." I replied spilling my plans over the next few months of the off-season.

Because aside from being a hockey player representing the state of Texas myself, I am also managing my own clothing line. It’s been two years since the last time I got totally involved and pretty hands on with it, my ex-girlfriend used to handle it before but when we broke up I tend to neglect it letting the investors to do it themselves but now I have to get back on the grind again.

Martin snorted. “You’re track record isn’t bad Ty. But I’m glad that you’re finally back with your senses.” Martin commented.

To be honest, I don’t really feel taking care of the business back yet. But fans are asking for it and just because of the fact that our team just recently won the cup is a great profit out of that once I release a new set of merch.

“Did Elise forced you into doing this again or something?” Martin asked.

“No. She didn’t.” I said right away. “But speaking of which, she wants to talk to me.”

“Really? After a year of shutting you down? She wants to talk again?”

I nodded.

“And you’re okay with that?”

“It’s just for plain business. I have a feeling she’ll withdraw her investments, and maybe some catching up I don’t know. We’ll just see what happens.”

“You’re not actually thinking about rekindling your relationship once again, aren’t you?”

“Fuck, no! I’m done with her.” I replied. “Besides, she’s already engaged.”

I still do love her, I still miss her and I am still thinking about those days with her that I looked forward to but didn’t really happened. However, what she had done to me and to our relationship was unforgiveable. So even if it was still hard for me, I won’t be stupid enough to get back into her.

I’m fine without her. Or even anyone else in my life.

I’m good on my own!