••• SEVENTEEN •••
Sophie

    When we pulled into the parking lot of the United Center, I could tell Ashton was nervous. He barely said anything the whole drive here and held my hand like I was about to jump out of the car at any second. I squeezed his hand before he could exit the car and he looked at me. "You're going to be amazing tonight, Ashton. Just relax." I said and he gave me a grateful smile as he nodded.

  "Thanks, Soph. I'd be lost without you." He chuckled, lifted our hands to his lips, and kissed the back of my hand. "I have to tell you about something," He said apprehensively and I was suddenly nervous. My mind started racing and I could feel my heart start to beat faster, but before I could let myself freak out, he finally spoke. "My parents are coming to the game tonight."

    I let out a breath of relief as I placed my hand over my heart and shook my head at him. "Jesus, Ashton! I thought you were breaking up with me or something." I chuckled and took in a slow deep breath to calm my racing heart. "So, what's the big deal? I've met your parents before and you know I won't let them do or say anything to you that would ruin tonight for you." I assured him and he shook his head.

  "I know, Soph. I just want you to be prepared for what's going to happen after the game once they find out that you and I are dating." He said and I stared at him in confusion.

  "What's going to happen?" I asked and he sighed as he looked down at our intertwined hands that were resting in his lap.

  "Sophie, my parents have always known that I had feelings for you and they were never a big fan of us being together. I just wanted to tell you before tonight so when we tell everyone about us you aren't hurt by what they might say." He said gently and I blinked a couple of times as I realized what he was saying.

    His parents didn't like me. Well, they liked me but they would not like me if Ashton and I were together. I knew tonight was probably not going to go well, but now on top of worrying about Patrick, I had to worry about Ashton's parents finding out about us. "Please don't hate me," I slowly said as I shut my eyes, unable to look at him. "But, can we wait to tell everyone tomorrow? I don't think I can handle telling Patrick and your parents at the same time." I admitted and slowly opened my eyes to see Ashton staring at me with hurt in his eyes.

  "I could never hate you, Sophia. I don't want to wait anymore, though. We've been together for six months and it has been crushing me not letting everyone know that you're mine." He whispered and took in a ragged breath. "I hate that you have to lie about spending the night at Katie's house when you're actually with me, I hate that I can't be seen with you in public because the paparazzi might see us together, I hate that I can't tell my best friend about the girl I am crazy about, but the one thing I hate the most," He looked up at me with tear-filled eyes as he squeezed my hand and I felt my heart break seeing him cry and that I was the reason he was feeling this way. "I really fucking hate that I can't tell everyone I know how deeply I am in love with you."

    We stared at each other silently for a few moments and I knew he was waiting for me to tell him to screw everyone and everything, that we'll continue with our plan and tell everyone tonight, but I couldn't. I wasn't brave enough. He took in a slow deep breath and gave me a curt nod as he opened his car door. "I'll see you inside." With that said, he reached into the back seat to grab his duffel bag and then exited the car.

    I watched him walk into the United Center and felt a tear fall from my eye and roll down my cheek. I had no one to be upset with, but myself and I cursed at myself for being such a coward. Why did I have to screw everything up? I wiped away my tears and climbed out of his car, then followed him inside. I looked around to see if he was waiting for me, but he wasn't. I mentally groaned as I started to head upstairs to our suite and tried to prepare myself for seeing Ashton's parents for the first time in years.

    "There you are!" Katie exclaimed as she ran up to me with Christina trailing behind her excitedly. "I was just about to call you! They're about to warm up in like five minutes." She informed me as she engulfed me in a hug and I instantly wrapped my arms around her waist and rested my head on her shoulder. "Whoa, Soph, what's wrong?" Katie said, gently as she rubbed my back and I let out a small sob as the tears I was trying to keep from falling escaped from my eyes.

  "I think I just ruined everything with Ashton." I croaked out and Katie pulled back slightly to stare at me.

  "Wait, what? Why do you say that?" She asked in disbelief and Christina gently placed her hand on my shoulder and shook her head.

  "There's no way of that ever happening, Soph. Ashton is in love with you. Anyone can see that." Christina said gently and I rolled my eyes as another tear fell.

  "We were going to tell everyone tonight that we're in love, but I just found out Ashton's parents are here and apparently, they hate the idea of us being together. I just can't tell them and Patrick on the night that is supposed to be special for both of them." I said, so embarrassed by how childish I was acting, but I couldn't help it. "So, I asked Ashton if we could please just tell everyone tomorrow and he got so upset and looked so heartbroken and I just let him walk away. I didn't even try to stop him." I chuckled humorlessly and they both frowned at me.

  "Oh, Sophie," Katie said sadly and I shrugged.

  "I just want to get this night over with and spend the night at your house, get in some comfy pj's, and watch sad rom-com movies." I sighed and they nodded in understanding.

  "Is it okay if I join you guys tonight?" Christina asked and we nodded eagerly.

  "Hell yeah, we can all put our heads together and think of a way for you and Ashton to work this out," Katie said, full of determination and I smiled as I nodded.

  "Please help me, because I have no idea what to do." I chuckled and they laughed as we wrapped our arms around each other and I pulled them close. I was grateful for Katie and Christina. I know it must be difficult for Christina to keep my relationship with Ashton a secret from my brother, but she never judged me and never pressured me into telling him. They were probably the greatest friends I've ever had and I was so glad they were here with me.

  "Girls," My Mom called out and we pulled apart to see her standing in the doorway to our suite. "Get in here, they're starting warm-ups!" She waved at us frantically and I took a deep breath before plastering a fake grin on my face and making my way over to my Mom.

  "Thanks, Mom," I said and was about to step inside but before I could she stopped me and studied my face.

  "You've been crying," She pointed out gently and I froze in place. "What's wrong, sweetheart?" She placed her hand on my cheek and I wanted to spill my guts to her right then and there, but I couldn't. Not when I noticed Ashton's parents standing behind her and staring at us curiously.

    I smiled at her as I placed my hand over hers and shook my head. "I'm okay, Mom. Just... wishing Dad was here to see this." I whispered. That wasn't a total lie. I wished more than anything for our Dad to be here tonight to see Patrick and Ashton play. I could imagine him cheering as they skated onto the ice for the first time and being so proud of his boys.

    My Mom gave me a watery smile as tears appeared in her eyes and she nodded in agreement. "Me too, baby." She kissed my head then wrapped her arm around me and pulled me inside.

    When we walked over to where Ashton's parents were standing, they smiled at me widely and if Ashton hadn't told me their real feelings toward me, I would've thought they were genuinely happy to see me. "Oh my, little Sophia, look how much you've grown!" His Mom, Claire, exclaimed in awe as she eyed me from head to toe.

  "You've gotten so beautiful, Sophia." Ashton's Dad, David, smiled down at me proudly, and then both pulled me in for a quick hug.

  "It's so nice to see you, Mr. and Mrs. Maverick." I greeted them and gave them the best fake smile I could muster up.

  "It's been way too long since we've seen you and your wonderful Mother and brother, I was just telling your Mother here how proud we are of both Ashton and Patrick for finally playing for the Blackhawks." She grinned like she had a hand in helping Ashton and Patrick make it where they are today and I wanted nothing more in the world than to wipe that smile off her face.

  "Yes, we're all so proud." I agreed with a tight-lipped smile and thankfully, before I could say anything else, the siren went off signaling that warm-ups were about to start.

  "It's so nice of you to wear a jersey for Ashton tonight, but may I ask why you aren't wearing one for your brother?" Claire asked with a raised eyebrow and I could tell that she was thinking that something was going on between me and Ashton when she saw me wearing his jersey.

  "I wanted to show support for Ashton since we had no idea that you guys were going to come tonight, so let's go out there and watch our boys win." I said with a fake smile and quickly walked toward Katie and Christina who were staring at me worriedly.

  "How did it go?" Katie asked and I shrugged.

  "I just hope I don't have to speak to them the rest of the night because I don't know if I can pretend like everything's fine when I know they secretly hate me." I groaned and looked down at the ice just in time to see a player skate on the ice.