close as strangers // mitch marner

that night

It's been a month since that phone call with mitch and I was definitely not at my best. I regretted turning him down so much. I avoided all social media to take away the threat of seeing him on my feed, especially in case he got a girl since I last talked to him.
It's been a month and I still can't get him out of my head. How pathetic is that? If I think about him this much I should've said yes that night, but I'm a dumbass. I decided to go to Mitch's game tonight and talk it out, maybe he wouldn't have a girlfriend and would want to get back together.
------skip to rink------
I got off the train and walked into the Air Canada centre. The game was just starting and I was beyond excited to chat with mitch after the game. I went over to the wives and girlfriends of the players, joining their conversation.
---------------------
The leafs ended up winning 3-2, so I made my way down to the locker room to congratulate mitch when he came out of the locker room
"Hey jack." Mitch said, hesitating.
"Hey mitch, congratulations on your win!"
"Thanks!"
"Listen mitch, I need to talk to you. I'm not ready for a relationship right now, because I want to focus on my school work and things of that matter, but I would like to stay friends if you're willing."
"Of course, jack. I'd rather stay friends than lose you all together."
"I figured you would say yes but you know me, always prepared for the worst." He pulled me in for a hug.
"We're going out to celebrate our win so would you like to join us?"
"Of course, mitchy! I wouldn't miss it for the world. Who's going?"
"I think just you, aus, and I. I'm not sure what everyone else is doing but we're celebrating."
"Sounds good. Where's auston?"
"He should be out any minute now."
We talked for a bit before auston finally came out of the locker room.
"There he is, the man of the hour."
"Oh hi jack. I didn't know you were here."
"I live here so I'm always here." I joked, making all of us laugh.
"So where to now?"
"We're going to a bar right down the street. We just need to put our stuff in our cars."
I walked with them out to their cars, then over to the bar.
We sat down at the counter and ordered our drinks.
"So jack, what do you do for a living?"
"I'm a university student right now at UTM."
"Oh nice. What are you studying?"
"Forensic science."
"Oh that's cool. What are you planning on doing with that?"
"I'm hoping to become a crime scene technician."
"That sounds cool."
"Yeah I really like it so far so I hope it works out."
"Yeah me too."
Sensing a lull in the conversation, I took a sip of my drink.
"So what do you do in your spare time?" Auston asked me just as I finished drinking my drink.
"Normally I'm doing school work but I like to draw and play hockey when I have the time."
"Oh you play too?"
"Yeah, I'm just not on a team right now. Hold up, where did mitch go?"
Both of us scanned the room for our friend.
"Well I found him," Auston spoke up," chatting up a blonde girl."
"Figures." Even though we weren't dating I couldn't help but feel a pain in my chest as I saw him talking to that girl.
I downed the rest of my drink, needing something to get my mind off of what I just saw.
Soon enough, mitch walked out of the bar with the blonde on his arm. "I think we should leave now." I suggested to auston.
"Yeah. Do you want me to drive you back to campus or do you wanna spend the night at my place?"
"I'll go to your place. Thanks for letting me stay over."
"No problem."
We walked out of the bar, auston's arm loosely around my waist since I was a bit tipsy. We got in his car and drove to his apartment.
"You can sleep in my bed and I'll sleep on the couch."
"Ok."
I tried to get to his bedroom but I kept bumping into things.
"I can carry you there if you want."
"Yes please."
I wrapped my arms around his neck as he put his arms under my body. I looked up at him. damn, he's cute, and out came my drunk thoughts.
"Goodnight, jack." He said, kissing my forehead.
"Goodnight, aus."
Soon enough, I was out like a light.
------------------------
I woke up to the smell of bacon coming from the kitchen.
"Good morning."
"Good morning auston. Thanks for letting me spend the night."
"It's no problem."
"Can you take me to the train station once we're done eating?"
"Sure."
"Was I really drunk last night?"
"No, you were a little tipsy but not too bad."
"Ok good. I wouldn't want to embarrass myself."
"If you were, I'm sure it wouldn't be embarrassing."
"It's better to be safe than sorry."
"True."
We finished eating and drove to the train station.
"Thank you so much aus."
"Again, it's no problem."
He pulled me in for a hug.
"Well I have to go now. Bye."
"Bye."
I boarded the train and went back to UTM.
------4 days later------
I was sitting at my desk in my dorm room when my phone rang.
"Hello?"
"Hey jack, it's me. Auston."
"Hi auston. How are you?"
"I'm good. You?"
"I'm good, just getting some work done."
"I'm not bothering you am I?"
"No you're fine. What'd you call me for?"
"I have something to ask you."
"And that thing is?"
"I know this is sudden, but would you like to go on a date with me?"
"Sure. Just let me know when and I'll be there."
"How about Friday at 7? I'll come pick you up."
"Sounds like a date! I'll see you then.
"Bye jack."
"Bye aus."
I couldn't believe I landed a date with not only a cute guy, but a cute guy who knows about my history with mitch. I did a little happy dance, and then got back to my work.