Until The Buzzer

One: Victoria

*Buzz* *Buzz*
If I wasn't addicted to TikTok, I would be throwing my phone across the room. Whoever is brave enough to wake me before eight is in for a rude awakening.I crack my eyes open and grab my phone to find my dad calling, panic and anxiety pumps through my brain as I can only imagine the worst for him to be calling at this hour. Dad is a man of few words, he wasn't always like that, only when mom passed is when he closed off from me. Don't get me wrong he's an amazing dad who supported me and stepped up when he became a single parent, we just don't do the whole "talk about our feelings with each other"
" Hey dad, is everything ok?" A hint of wary creeps out of my voice
" Yes sweetheart i'm all good stop your worrying now", his gruff and deep voice tells me he also just woke up, which in fact worries me more.
" Dad it's barely six in the morning.... What's going on?"
" I know, I know. Sorry about that, I know how you are without your coffee in the morning. He laughs slightly "But listen, I need to ask you for a favor" my pulse all but spikes even more, the great and powerful Travis Shaw rarely asks for favors.
"What's up dad?" I sit up straighter on my bed with my heart pumping
" Well Vic, I need you to step in for my therapist. Sharah had to leave - family emergency- and I need a replacement till... honestly I don't know when."
My eyes widen at the same time my heart falls. I let the words sink in for a split second  " Wait.... Why me? Dad you know how I-"
" Yes,yes I know how you feel about hockey right now. But you are the best I know, you've got the skills, you've worked with a hockey team before. I need you chicken nugget" Damn he really means business when he busts out the childhood nickname. Apparently when I was five I went through a phase where all I wanted was chicken nuggets, so hence the nickname.
" Dad,I would have move, halfway across the country I would like to add, pack up my stuff and find a place to live" my mind races with things i would need to do in such a short amount of time to even consider what he's asking.
" Vic, the team would pay for your moving expenses. Plus you could always stay with me"
A snort escapes from me " No offense Dad but I've been living on my own for a bit now and I don't want to move back in with my father at the age of 23."
I hop off my bed and start pacing from my bed to the door.
" The Heatwaves bought the top three floors of an apartment complex,that's not even five miles from the arena. You can live there for however long you'll be here working for us." He has really thought this out, i guess either he misses me or just really wants this spot filled out and I was the only option on the short notice.
" Can you give me an hour or so to think this over please"
"Of course" he gruffs out " I love you Vic, it would be amazing to work with you"
" I love you too dad" I hear the click off the phone call end and just stare out into the darkness of my room
                                    .............................
" Bitch you better have a good reason to be calling me this early" I cringe as I realize the time difference between us.Lilah has been my best friend since middle school, one day this group of girls were picking on me and she stepped up and defended me, the rest is history.
"Sorry girl, I forgot its four over there. I just got off the phone with my dad and need your help"
i hear some rustling in the background,and a male voice grunting. " sorry if i was interrupting you and you male friend over there" i snicker
" Shut up he's a guy I met at the bar, I was actually getting my beauty sleep after a mediocre performance from him- no not you some other guy" she remarks at him, i hold in my laughter as i hear more noise, which i assume she's moving to somewhere more private
" okay hit me, what's so important that you had to wake me up for?" I quickly, but not so calmly, relay the conversation to Lilah. As soon as I finish my ear is met with a screech
" so you're telling me you're moving back to San Diego?!" She screams at me. Im not surprised she only focused on that part of the story.
"If i take the job then yes ill be back. But did you not hear the most important part, I have to work with hockey players" I groan as a frown spreads across my face, unwanted memories and feelings spread replay in my mind.
" That's one negative thing about this Vic. All your expenses will be paid for and you will have your own place" she points out, i can hear the wide grin on her face. Which only makes me feel a little better.
"Look I know how you feel about hockey because of Theo-"
"We do not speak his name" I interrupt her with a stern voice. "Okak, okay, jeez my bad." She wines " But not every hockey player is like him, think of this as exposure therapy.You'll get over this fear of players by joining the team"
"I don't have a fear, its just...." My brain struggles to come up with an answer.
" Listen girl you haven't been back in almost a year. I miss you and you know your dad misses you. I know you miss being a physical therapist, and hockey is the best sport for physical therapists."
I take a sip of my coffee as I think it all over. A million thoughts rush into my head but she makes a good point. I do miss home but it just brings back memories that are hard to swallow.
" You know I'll support you in whatever decision you make, i just think that being home will do some good for you"
"Okay....... I'll do it" another scream blesses my ears.
"OMG YAY!! I was totally lying. I was going to keep guilt tripping you till you cave" I let a laugh slip out at my crazy friend. We chat for a couple more minutes till she tells me she needs to head back to her beauty sleep.
While an exciting buzz flows through my body I grab  my phone to call dad. He picks up after the second ring. " When do I start?