Eight

The day after Nathalie had rejoined a handball team, she woke up in an empty bed. Curious as to where Nicky could be, she wrapped a blanket around her and staggered down the stairs.

   “Nicklas?” She called, waiting for a reply. When he didn't answer, she carried on. “Nicky?” No response. “Nickynick? Lars Nicklaaaas?”

He hated when she used his middle name, and that's why she used it when she wanted his attention, or just wanted to tease him.

Nathalie changed course and walked into the kitchen. There, she found a note on the table.

'Morning Nat.

Boudreau called an extra practice today, so I had to leave before you woke up.

I'll call you when we're done, and we can have brunch, okay?

Love you. Nicky'

Nathalie smiled. He was so cute, he always had been. Her friends in the States used to call him Angel Swede, because of his blonde hair and good looks. Nathalie had to agree though, he was an angel.

After reading the note again, Nathalie realized that she didn't know when he had written the note or when he would be back, so she hurried in the shower, took a quick shower and started blow drying her hair.

Just as she finished, Nicky called to say good morning and that he'd pick her up in five minutes.

She sat on the stairs and played Angry Birds on her phone while waiting, and managed to get three stars on two courses.

Celebrating her achievements, Nathalie hopped into Nicky's car with a smile.

   “Hi.” She sang and fastened her seatbelt.

   “Hey.” Nicky laughed. “Why so happy?”

   “It's a beautiful day, I'm spending time with you, and...”

   “And...?”

   “Well, I got three stars on two courses.”

Nicky sighed.

   “Don't you ever get sick of that game?”

   “Don't you ever get sick of asking me that?”

Nicky shook his head as usual, and drove out on to the highway. After a mile or two, he turned to Nathalie.

   “Where do you want to go?” He asked her, keeping the car at a steady pace.

   “Uh...” Nathalie searched her brain for a good restaurant. “Are we having brunch or lunch?” She asked.

   “What's the difference?”

   “Brunch is kind of breakfast at lunch time, and lunch is... well... lunch.”

   “It doesn't matter to me.” Nicky said. “You decide.”

   “I'm in the mood for pasta...” Nathalie said as her stomach made a noise, telling her that she was hungry.

   “Sounds like I should pick up the pace, huh?” Nicky grinned and winked as he steered the car off the highway and slowed down.

They pulled up to Nicky's favorite Italian restaurant and Nathalie hurried inside, freezing because of the cold that was closing in over D.C.

   “Pasta carbonara!” Nathalie exclaimed when she opened the menu. “That's what I want!”

Nicky chuckled.

   “Okay, Nat, you can have carbonara.” He scanned his menu. “I'm not sure what I want though...”

   “Oh, come on.” Nathalie said, smacking his hand. “You know perfectly well what you want. You've been here like a hundred times. You know what you want, I know what you want and that guy over there knows what you want!”

Nathalie tended to be whiny and easily annoyed when she was hungry, and she most definitely was now.

   “Chill, Nat.” Nicky smiled. “I'm just teasing you.” He leaned over the table and kissed her softly. “I'm sorry for the bad timing.”

He raised his left hand to one of the waiters, and the one named Jack approached them.

   “Ah, Mr Backstrom, Ms Andersson. Lovely to see you.”

   “Hello, Jack.” They said as one, smiling at him.

   “The usual, I suspect, Mr Backstrom?” Jack said, causing Nathalie to give Nicky a 'I told you so' look.

Nicky smirked, nodded and sipped from his glass of water.

   “And for you, miss?”

   “I'll have the pasta carbonara, please.” She said and handed him the menu.

   “Good choice.” Jack said, taking Nicky's menu as well. “Feel free to help yourselves with bread and salad over there.”

   “Thanks, Jack.” Nicky said.

   “So what was the extra practice for?” Nathalie asked, curious to find out why her boyfriend's day off had been taken away.

   “Boudreau was worried we hadn't understood his gameplan, so he had to bring us in and find out.” Nicky paused. “Why he couldn't wait until tomorrow is beyond me...”

   “You know how he is...” Nathalie said. “Once he's got something on his mind, he can't let it go. I bet he was driving his family crazy.”

   “Yeah, you're probably right.” Nicky stretched out and yawned. “I wish he had told us last night though, I could have been asleep right now if we'd had the day off.”

   “No, you wouldn't.” Nathalie argued. “It's eleven thirty, and I know you: you can't sleep after ten am.”

   “Fine, but you get my point. I'm tired now. He made us skate our asses off, literally. I bet I've lost a couple of pounds.”

   “Oh, boo hoo.” Nathalie smiled and shook her head. “You're not allowed to complain, Nicky.”

Nicky laughed.

   “I'm sorry. I need a nap when we get back home. When is your practice?”

   “Six... So we can have dinner at four or eight. Your choice!”

   “Hm...” Nicky said, interrupted by Jack bringing their food. “Thank you.” He said and picked up his fork. “I think... eight. And I'll cook!”

   “Wow...” Nathalie almost dropped her food. “What's the occasion?”

   “What? Can't I cook for my girlfriend without having a hidden agenda?”

Nathalie raised her eyebrows.

   “Fine...” Nicky sighed, admitting defeat. “Some of the guys are coming over to watch football tomorrow.”

   “You don't even like football...” Nathalie stated.

   “But they do, and it'll be fun. That's okay, right?”

   “Of course, who are coming?”

   “Sasha, Mike, Brooks, Marcus and Mathieu.” Nicky said after swallowing.

   “Marcus likes football?” Nathalie looked surprised. “Marcus Johansson?”

   “No, not really. He just wanted to hang out. And then it'll be two of us who doesn't understand anything.”

   “Make that three.” Nathalie said, rolling her eyes. “I don't get what they see in that game.”

   “Maybe we can convince them to switch to hockey once in a while.

   “So, do you want me to go out or stay in with you?”

   “That's up to you, but I was hoping you'd stay. You're on mine and Marcus' side, and you're most definitely a better negotiator than me, at least in English... But as I said, that's up to you.”

Nathalie laughed.

   “I'll help you convince the guys, don't worry about it. Didn't Marcus have an A in English though?”

   “He did...” Nicky admitted. “But you had an A+.” Nathalie blushed.

   “Ah, come on. You know half my family live in the States, and you know my parents spoke both Swedish and English to me as a child.”

   “That's exactly why you'll be the one to convince them. Good luck with Mike, by the way. He can be extremely stubborn.”

   “Honey...” Nathalie said as she finished her food. “Have you ever seen me admitting defeat?”

Nicky shook his head.

   “Exactly.” Nathalie winked and stood up, ready to leave.