Chapter Text
After dinner their host patted Scott on the back and said,
“I wanna steal this guy away to show him the new masonry on the patio. I’m guessing you ladies have enough to keep yourselves occupied?” Babsy grinned.
His wife said, “Finally! I’ve been waiting for a chance for Tessa to show me her new line. See ya, boys.”
With that Scott and his mentor meandered outside. He was immediately drawn to the beautiful stonework and excitedly commented on how pristine of a job it was. Out of nowhere, a mighty hand flew and hit the backside of Scott’s head.
“Babsy! What was that for-?”
Mike quietly cut him off, “Get off the bench, son” as he pointed back at the house. At this point he locked eyes with Scott and placed a firm yet gentle grip on his shoulder.
“I’ve never interfered in your love life before, correct?” Scott nodded as he looked slightly terrified.
“Listen to me, kid…you will lose that gem for good if you continue with this play. You will lose her.” Scott had never seen Mike Babcock more serious than in that instant. He knew not to joke off the intensity of the moment.
“Where’s this coming from, Babsy?”
“How long do you think she’s going to hold out for you? Why the hell you keep finding these little substitutes over and over again is beyond me! Do you actually think there is someone better suited for you out there, moron?” Scott was speechless as he stood frozen unable to look away.
“That thirst for another Olympics will never go away. Never. Why do you think I coach?!? But another medal won’t be worth losing her for. And you will, if you keep this up. I promise you that.” Mike placed his other hand on Scott’s other shoulder and said in measured words, “Do you trust my discernment, son?”
“More than anyone’s, Babsy! Look at what you’ve done with the Leafs-“
“She is too smart and has way too much integrity and self-respect to put up with this ‘we have a unique relationship’ bullshit for much longer. You fix this. One way or the other, sort this out. Are you hearing me?” Still looking terrified, Scott swallowed the massive lump in his throat trying, but failing to sound unscathed,
“Yes…I’m hearing you.”
“Good. Tell me one thing you’re going to do differently as of right now.”
Scott was accustomed to Mike quasi-coaching him and Tessa with this technique, but he never expected that it would be applied like this. He was stunned by this whole discourse but if he was honest with himself, he knew he’d eventually have to face the thing that scared him the most…the prospect of losing her if he tried shifting their dynamic.
Mike squeezed his shoulders as the pause extended. Scott knew to not keep the man waiting. After taking a deep breath and heavily exhaling, Scott surprised himself with what he said next.
Inside the Babcock's
Tessa had a hard time keeping her eyes away from the patio doors. She and Maureen were looking at some of the jewelry pieces that Tessa had brought with her. They were also thoroughly enjoying their wine. She tried to stay focused on her host and the pieces, but it proved to be challenging. At one point she saw Mike holding Scott by the shoulders and both looked incredibly serious.
“Maureen, what do you think’s going on out there?”
Maureen turned to look at the scene, then she leaned back in her chair and studied Tessa for what felt like hours, “Hmm…better question is, what do you think’s going on?” Maureen’s smile was gentle yet her eyes were resolute.
Tessa nervously laughed, “I haven’t the slightest clue”
Maureen looked outside again seeing that the two men were in the same stance. She leaned toward Tessa and said, “When was the last time you saw Mike looking that intense?”
“Well, when he gave us his pep talk in Sochi.”
The older woman nodded,“Since there’s no games that you’re attending in the next few days, he’s probably talking about something of equal importance…what do you want them to be talking about, dear?” Tessa could see that the wine was starting to take effect on both of them. Maureen was usually more reserved.
“I really don’t know!” Tessa sighed.
“Like hell you don’t, honey. Just a side note, it’s worth it, the change. It’s worth every single bit of it.”
Tessa looked confused and Maureen waved her hand dismissing her own comment, “Anyway, come help me pick out another bottle of vino. The EX is over and the night’s still young!” They laughed as they got up but Tessa was fixated on what exactly was the change that Maureen spoke of.
After a few more glasses of wine and lots of laughs over stories Maureen told, the boys finally came in from the patio.
“Did you have Scott out there re-doing the stonework or what? We thought you guys were going to set up camp!”
“Tell me about it! Couldn’t get fanboy to stop askin’ every possible Leafs question that could be asked.” Mike sighed and gave Scott a subtle, knowing wink.
“Sorry to break this party up but I’m not a young as I used to be. I can’t keep up with you animals! It’s 10:15 and I’m about to collapse!” said Scott in a weak attempt to sound normal.
“Told you they’d be lightweights, honey!” Maureen called across the room.
“Everyone knows I’m a lightweight, Mo! But yeah, time for me to hit the hay. I definitely overdid it on the fairway today!” Tessa laughed and was practically shouting at this point.
They said their goodbyes and hopped a cab to the hotel. It was evident that Tessa had more than her fair share of wine, based on her volume as she babbled to Scott about a new TV series she wanted to get into. Scott’s head was slightly buzzing, but the gravity of the dramatic shift in conversation with Babsy properly sobered him.
Tessa plunked her head on his shoulder and yawned, “Soooo sleepy, Scotty. How ‘bout you?” Scott found himself struggling to find simple words to respond. Tessa turned to face him with a look of concern coupled with curiosity, “You okay, handsome?” He started to breathe a bit easier. She always called him handsome when she drank.
“Yeah! I’m beside you, aren’t I?!” She returned her head to his shoulder.
“Hey Tess…can you bunk with me tonight?”
Since they were kids they’ve always had an unspoken agreement that they’d sleep in the same bed if the other was feeling off – no questions asked. Despite what everyone else assumed, nothing had ever happened. Perhaps this was because they were so focused on the other person feeling anxious, scared or depressed that it was easier to ignore their own emotions and hormones.
Tessa grabbed his hand, “You’ve got it.”
In a lot of ways it was ironic that Tessa was at the root of his anxiety, yet having her stay with him was the only calming thing he knew.
Scott was supposed to catch a flight to Winnipeg the following afternoon – it was booked weeks ago. He felt knots tightening within him as he contemplated what getting on that plane would ultimately mean.
Once they reached Scott’s room, Tessa threw on a tank top and sleeper shorts, and Scott went with boxers and an old Jay’s tee. Tessa effortlessly pulled her mahogany locks into a messy bun and she didn’t notice Scott staring at her spellbound across the room. As they were going through their routine of getting ready for bed, somehow Tessa still had so much to say and seemed pleasantly amused with herself. As always, Scott found this to be hilarious and adorable. He was relieved that in her tipsiness she didn’t notice how quiet he’d become or see that he was scared shitless.
His relief dissipated as they brushed their teeth side by side and Tessa abruptly stopped in the middle of a sentence about a show.
“You’re pale! Oh my god, Scott – you’re almost as pale as me right now.” She held her hand against the side of his face and leaned toward the mirror in fascination which quickly transformed into concern. “Are you feeling alright?” she said as she automatically cupped his face with her hand.
“Oh yeah, I’m good. I guess I’ve been listening to all of your wear-sunblock-everyday encouragements.” He tried to joke it off but Tessa stared at him in the mirror seeing full well that Scott wouldn’t be bearing his burden with her tonight.
Whenever he had a girlfriend, there would be these moments when she couldn’t access what was going through his head or heart. She knew the same was true when she had boyfriends, but that wasn’t nearly as often. She tried to accept that this was just the way it was and maybe it was a healthy boundary, but she loathed whatever “this” was.
Scott stared back at her seeing that she instantly saw through his bull. He reached up a hand and tenderly held hers against his face. For a brief moment he closed his eyes almost as if in a desperate prayer, now clutching on to her hand.
After a few moments, he gently let go and dramatically yawned, “I’m about to pass right out. Time to hit the hay, T.”
As he made his way to the bed, Tessa remained frozen in front of the mirror, stunned not knowing what to make of the moment. While her mind was yet again muddled trying to decipher what happened, her body beckoned her to sleep.
She uneasily slid into bed facing away from him yet, Scott’s hand instantly found hers.
“G’night, Tess” he said quietly. “G’night, buddy boy” Tessa slurred and started to mutter incoherently. Scott smiled as he watched his partner do her typical drunk sleep routine. As his mind raced with all of the decisions he needed to make, he was certain he heard Tessa say,
“What’s this change, Mo? You say I know but – what change?” Scott couldn’t figure out what she meant, but it made him uneasy.
At that moment a phone started vibrating on the nightstand. He picked it up and it read,
“Hey gorgeous. You up?” It was Tessa’s phone and Scott didn’t know who “B” was. He put the phone down and felt more petrified than ever before.