Elle's POV
"I don't want you to leave, Jamie. I'm gonna miss you," I whine. Jamie wraps his arms around my waist.
"It's only a two week road trip, baby. I'll be back by next Wednesday, okay?"
"Okay. But make sure you call me every day," I say. Jamie laughs.
"I'll call you whenever I can,"
"Promise?"
"I promise,"
The Ducks have a two week road trip starting in Nashville tomorrow. The trip is actually a little less than two weeks but I'm still really going to miss Jamie.
Jamie gives me one last kiss on the lips before boarding the plane. I go back home and sit down on the couch, snuggling beneath a blanket and turning on The Bachelor.
Jamie's POV
When we arrive in Nashville, Trevor and I go to our hotel room. The team designated Trevor and I as roommates while on the road since we already live together back in Anaheim although I would rather room with someone different like Mason or Troy.
About an hour after we arrive, Trevor decides to take a shower and I lay on my bed looking through Instagram. My phone rings with a call from my coach and I answer, confused as to why he's calling me.
"Hello?"
"Drysdale, sorry to bother you, but I just got a call from the guys back home and I have something to tell you." Coach says. I frown.
"Oh? What'd they want you to tell me?"
"They wanted me to let you know that you are being traded, Drysdale." Coach replies. My eyes grow wide and I sit bolt upright.
"What?! Why? Where are they sending me?" I ask. Coach sighs.
"Well, this NHL prospect, Cutter Gauthier, was recently drafted to the Philadelphia Flyers, but he no longer wants to play for them and refuses to sign a contract with them. The Flyers contacted us and requested a trade. We agreed to trade you for Cutter. Now I know this isn't the most ideal trade. Believe me, I wish this could have gone on after the season was over but I told it had to be effective immediately."
"Immediately? Like how immediate?" I question.
"Well, we got you an early morning flight to Philadelphia for tomorrow morning." Coach replies. I nod.
"Okay,"
"Now, if I were you, I'd tell your family about all that's going on especially that girlfriend of yours." Coach says.
My stomach clenches at the thought of how Elle is going to react when I tell her this. She'll be heartbroken.
"Drysdale, I'm glad I could coach you and I wish you luck on the Flyers," Coach adds. I nod.
"Thanks coach. Bye,"
I hang up and set my phone down. I run my hand over my face and through my hair, staring at my phone and terrified about what to tell Elle.
Trevor walks out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around his waist. He must notice how worried I look and sits down next to me on the bed.
"Jimmy, what's wrong? You seem down," he asks. I sigh.
"Coach just called and he told me that I've just been traded to the Philadelphia Flyers,"
"The Flyers? Why?" Trevor asks.
"Some prospect named Cutter Gauthier refused to sign a contract with the Flyers so they contacted the Ducks and they decided to trade me for Cutter," I explain. Trevor frowns.
"Did you call Elle yet?"
"No. What should I tell her?" I ask. Trevor shrugs.
"Everything. Tell her what's going on and see what she has to say,"
"Okay. I think I'll call her then. Thanks Trev," I say. Trevor nods.
"Don't mention it. I'll leave you alone,"
I dial Elle's number and wait for her to answer.
Elle's POV
My phone rings with a call from Jamie. I didn't expect him to call me after only being there for an hour. I answer it immediately, still happy to talk to him.
"Hi Jamie? What's up?" I ask.
"Hey Elle. I want to tell you something," Jamie says. I frown.
He sounds sad and I really want to know why right now.
"Okay. What is it?"
"Well, I got a call from my coach a couple minutes ago and I've just been traded to the Philadelphia Flyers." Jamie says.
I can barely comprehend what Jamie just said. I want to cry but I know that I should be strong for Jamie right now. Playing for the Flyers could be a great opportunity for him. Jamie could play in the playoffs this year which he's never done while playing for the Ducks.
"Hello? Elle? Are you there?" Jamie asks, bringing me back to reality.
"Yeah, yeah. I'm here,"
"Well? What do you think?" Jamie asks. I sigh.
"I think that playing for the Flyers could be a great opportunity for you. The Flyers are a great team and you'd be a great addition to the team,"
"You really think so?" Jamie says. I nod.
"I know so,"
"But, what about us? You still have a life over in Anaheim,"
"Jamie, you don't have to worry about that. Once the school year's over and the hockey season is over as well, I'll find a job in Philadelphia and move there with you." I explain.
"Are you sure you wanna do that? This is a big transition, Elle." Jamie says. I smile.
"I'm sure. I love you and you don't need to be alone in Philly. I'll live there with you and be your number one fan,"
"Thanks Elle. You don't know how much I appreciate and love you,"
"I love you too, Jamie. When do you have to go to Philadelphia?" I ask. Jamie sighs.
"Early tomorrow morning. They want me to play at their next game against the Canadiens,"
"Okay. I love you, Jamie. I guess I'll see you in a couple months," I say. Jamie sighs and nods.
"Yeah. I guess I'll see you then. I love you, Elle. Bye,"
"Bye Jamie,"
As soon as Jamie hangs up, I burst into tears. It took every fiber of my being not to cry when I was talking to Jamie. I look at my watch and decide that it's still not too late to call my parents and tell them what's going on.
I call my mom and she answers quickly.
"Hello?"
"Hey mom. How are you?"
"I'm good. How about you?"
I start crying again and my mom hears me sobbing.
"Sweetheart? Are you alright? What's going on?"
"Jamie has been traded to the Philadelphia Flyers, mom. He's moving to Pennsylvania," I say. My mom clicks her tongue.
"Oh sweetheart, I'm so sorry. Are you going to move there with him?" She asks. I sigh.
"Yeah. I'm thinking of moving there after the school year and hockey season has ended. Is that okay?"
"Yes sweetheart. It's okay," my mom says.
My mom's family all lives in North Carolina and my mom went to the same college as my dad. The college was in California and that was how my mom and dad met. My mom was willing to move to California for my father and I'm now willing to move to Pennsylvania to be with Jamie.
"But, if you're going to live there, you have to promise us that you'll come visit as much as possible." My mom explains. I laugh.
"Okay. I promise, mom."
"Good. Now don't be sad. You'll see Jamie soon. Good bye sweetheart,"
"Good bye mom,"
I hang up and set my phone down on the couch. While I'm still sad that Jamie's so far away, a part of me is happy that when this year is over, I'm going to be with him again.
Jamie's POV
I run a hand through my hair and yawn as I leave my hotel room at around two in the morning. Trevor was still fast asleep when I left and I tried as best as I could not to wake him.
When I get to the Nashville airport, I buy a coffee from the Starbucks and wait for my flight to be called.
They call my flight about a half an hour later and I walk through the door to the plane. I find my seat and sit down in my seat. I stare out the window and drift off to sleep, too tired to even think about playing hockey.
*
I get to Philadelphia airport at five forty-five and check into my hotel near the Wells Fargo Center. I hope I'm not at the hotel for very long. Hopefully I can room with a teammate until the season's over.
The Flyers have practice at one p.m. today so I decide to go back to bed in order to get a few more hours of sleep before practice.
After almost a four hour nap, I get up and go for a run and eat a small lunch before going to practice.
When I get to the Wells Fargo Arena for practice, I find a practice jersey and gear waiting for me beneath a locker with my name printed on it. My number is different for this team. I am now number nine instead of number six.
I put on my new gear and go out to the practice rink with the rest of my new team.
I stay quiet as I begin practicing, not really wanting to talk to anyone unless they talk to me. I was always a very quiet and reserved person which is why Trevor and I rooming together always meshed so well.
During warm ups, the Flyers goalie, Carter Hart, skates over to me. He's the back up goalie tomorrow so he's not goal tending right now.
"Hey. Jamie, right?" He asks. I nod.
"Yep. That's me. Why?"
"Well, I figured that since you're new, you could use a roommate. My last roommate got his own apartment a couple weeks ago," Carter says. I smile.
"Oh. Yeah. For sure. But I probably won't stick around after the season's over. My girlfriend's moving to Philadelphia and we're going to live together."
"Okay. Totally understandable. Your girlfriend's from the Ducks Power Players, right?" Carter asks. I nod.
"Yeah. Her name's Elle and she's the most amazing girl I've ever met,"
"I'm sure. Well, I'll see you later, Jamie. If you want, you can move into my apartment today after practice. That way you won't have to worry about somewhere to keep your things while we're on the road this weekend," Carter explains.
"Um, yeah. Thanks Carter. I'll stop by my hotel after practice to get my stuff and then come over to your apartment," I say. Carter smiles.
"Great. I'll give you my address after practice,"
"Awesome. Thanks again, Carter. I appreciate it," I add, patting Carter's shoulder.
Elle's POV
I FaceTime Jamie after his first practice. He doesn't answer right away, so I assume that he must be in the shower. Obviously he was because he answers me a few minutes later, his hair wet and his chest bare.
"Hey Elle. Sorry I didn't answer right away. I was in the shower," Jamie says. I laugh.
"I can tell,"
I strain as best as I can to see Jamie's bare chest and Jamie notices it.
"What are you looking for? This?" He asks, setting down his phone and starting to flex his arms. I bite my lip.
"Mhm. That's exactly what I was looking for. You look so hot right now,"
"Well you look gorgeous, Elle." Jamie says. My cheeks flush.
"Aww. You're too sweet, Jamie. So, what's been going on with you in the last twenty four hours?"
"Nothing much. My new teammate, Carter, offered to let me room with him. I said I'd room with him till the season's over or if I find a house before then," Jamie explains. I smile.
"Great. I'm glad you have a roommate already. You miss Trevor?"
"Yeah. I really miss him. But I miss you more, Elle."
"Naw. I miss you too, Jamie." I say, looking into his blue grey eyes.
"Well, I should probably go. Carter and I are joining the team for drinks tonight before we hit the road for a road trip tomorrow." Jamie explains. I smile.
"Okay. Good bye, Jamie. I love you,"
"I love you too, Elle." Jamie replies, blowing me a kiss. I blow one back to him which he pretends to catch and then hangs up, waving goodbye to me.
I wish I could be in Philadelphia right now with Jamie, laying in bed with him as I run my hand through his dark brown hair and he has his arms wrapped around my waist.
I sit on my couch in my apartment, wanting so badly to kiss him and to touch his toned muscles.
I skim through the Ducks' hockey schedule and I discover that we have no games against the Flyers. I begin crying once again, knowing that I won't be able to see Jamie in person for months.