chapter sixty;

"ALLY! ARE YOU KIDDING ME?"

I look at my laptop screen to see an angry Steph looking back at me. We're on skype after my first game with the leafs where they won 4-2. Her blue eyes are glaring through the screen and her hair was in a bun on the top of her head. She rubs her face before talking to me again.

"WHAT?! We'll probably just go out for dinner or something! It's not like Tyler said it was a date. It's simply showing me around, plus some of the other guys are going."

"But, what if Tyler wants to get you alone?"

"I won't let him."

She snorts quite loudly, "Yeah, well what if he gets you drunk? You sure can't control yourself when you're drunk. I KNOW THESE THINGS, ALLY."

"Well, then ... I'll just make sure there is no drinking involved." I sighed, "Why does this matter anyways? I told you what Brent said."

"Yeah, but he's been sulking since you left. But he said he wanted what was best for you. He's terrified you'll meet someone, and you have."

"Ugh," I replied as I could feel the tears burning up, "I just don't know what to do. He means everything to me, but he just drives me fucking insane. You've seen how bad he used to treat me."

"I know. But he always somehow makes up for it."

"Yeah, but that's not enough this time. It's just not."

"So what are you going to do?"

"Try and be friends with Tyler, and see where it goes. I'm still young Steph, I should have my fun."

"You're right, Ally. You've been through enough. Just don't do anything stupid."

"I won't," I say as a smirk appears on my face, "Do you know what Tyler looks like?"

She smirked back, "No, show me a picture."

We both laugh quietly as I quickly head over to google and type in Tyler's name. He was pretty hot, there was no denying that. My god, and his smile ...

"HOLY SHIT!" Steph gasps as I email her a picture.

"I told you."

"So he's somewhat cute, just don't do anything dumb."

"Somewhat? Okay then."

"Fine, Ally. You win. Tyler Bozak is insanely good looking, and he obviously likes you, so you should go out with him, are ya happy now?"

"Who's Tyler?"

We both freeze. Steph looked like she saw someone die. I knew that voice better than my own. Before I knew it, Brent's tall shadow was standing behind Steph before his firework eyes peered into the screen. This can't be happening.

"Uhm, Hi." I said.

"Ally, who is Tyler."

"He plays for the leafs ..."

"And?"

"What?"

"Jesus christ, Ally. I heard your whole conversation with Steph. Do you like him or something?"

"What do you want me to say?"

"The truth."

"I don't know. I only met him last night. He just offered to show me around the city a bit."

"He's practically implying a date."

"He is not!"

"Steph, can you leave please."

"Uhm, it's my fucking computer to you fatass."

"STEPH SERIOUSLY! LEAVE" Brent snaps at her.

She rolls her eyes and leaves. At this point, my knees are up to my chest and I'm crying. I look into the screen and Brent is just staring at me. I didn't know what to say. It was him who said he wanted to give me space and let me be free. So why is he making such a big deal out of this?

"Ally, I don't get it. You're gone one day, and you've found someone else. Am I not good enough for you?"

"Brent, don't take this the wrong way."

"How can I not take this the wrong way? I've been in the worst depression since you've been gone. I finally realized what an asshole I've been and I took you for granted every chance I could. I would pull stupid shit and not feel bad about it because I knew you'd come back to me."

"Maybe part of that's my fault! Maybe after your little stint at the olympic development camp I should've walked away, but I couldn't."

"Ally, I loved you, I still do."

I'm choking on my own tears and I can't even look at the screen, "If you loved me, you wouldn't be freaking out like this. You're being awfully hypocritical of yourself right now."

"Oh, am I?"

"YES! What was all that 'ohhh, I'll give you something to believe in, and maybe finding someone better might be the best thing for you' - huh? What was all that?"

"The fucking truth! I just didn't expect you to actually find someone."

"You need to sort your shit out, Brent. When you do. Then you can talk to me."

"Whatever, just go off with your new guy who plays for the worst fucking team ever."

"So now you're dogging on his team? REAL FUCKING MATURE."

"When you're done being a bitch let me know."

"FUCK YOU BRENT SEABROOK."