Twenty Four, where's Kiefer Sutherland when you need him?
Title: You Are My Signal Fire (Part 24)
Characters: Andrew Raycroft / Ian White, appearances by Matt Stajan and Kyle Wellwood
Word Count: 1212
Rating: PG-13
Setting: Gravenhurst, Ontario (Lake Muskoka)
Disclaimer: I don’t own these players, nor do I know their sexual preferences. The whole thing is a work of my imagination. The title is part of the lyrics from snow patrol’s song ‘Signal Fire’. Avvy made by horselovergurl
|| Part 1 || Part 2 || Part 3 || Part 4 || Part 5 || Part 6 || Part 7 || Part 8 || Part 9 || Part 10 || Part 11 || Part 12 || Part 13 || Part 14 || Part 15 || Parts 16 & 17 || Part 18 || Part 19 || Part 20 || Part 21 || Part 22 || Part 23 ||
Andy’s POV
We’d sent Ian out to go get some more beer, even though we had 2 cases left. We argued with him for a good fifteen minutes that we would definitely run out before he finally gave in and went into town. We sat around the kitchen table plotting something special for him as we played cards.
“Okay so we’re agreed, we’ll stay up here for his birthday.”
I nodded, “Well that much is pretty simple. He likes it better up here anyways…I think it reminds him of back home.”
Kyle and Matt nodded. Matt speaking first, “So um…you guys want the place to yourself on Monday night?”
“No, no. That’s not necessary. It’s a nice sentiment, but I’m not turning you out of your own cottage Matty.”
Kyle grinned across the table at me, “No, it’s cool really! We passed this awesome looking inn on the way up. Besides we wouldn’t mind having a place to ourselves too…it’s kind of sucked having to restrain ourselves with you guys here. See, if we stay there then we can be a little less inhibited.”
I laughed openly at the statement, “I’m sorry you guys have been “restrained”? Jesus…what the hell do you guys do in private? You make me and Ian look like prudes.”
“Yeah well…if the shoe fits.” I threw a pretzel at Matt for the comment.
“Okay, so I’ll go into town tonight and get some things like a birthday cake for one. What should we get for dinner?”
“Isn’t that your department? What does he like to eat…besides pizza?”
“Um…he’s just a take-out kind of guy. Any good Chinese food places around here? It’s his favourite.”
“I’m sure we can find something.”
The door shut with a click, “Find some what?”
“Someone to take your mom out so she’ll stop asking me.” Kyle shot back, “Mind your own business.”
“I’m not stupid. I don’t want anything guys really…”
Matt shrugged off the situation, “Don’t be so conceited Ian. We weren’t even talking about you.”
“Likely story.” He lifted the beer case onto the counter, coming over and kissing me on the forehead before sitting down, which caused the corners of my mouth to curve upward ever so slightly at the subtle greeting. I liked hanging around with Matt and Kyle because we could just act natural. Ian took a seat beside me and Matt dealt him into the game. The three of us exchanged a look that said this would be continued later.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Later on in the afternoon the guys decided to go fishing and I said I wasn’t feeling well. So I let Ian tuck me into bed with a cup of tea and waited for the motor of the boat to fade into the distance before I got out of bed and got dressed to go into town. My hand shook slightly as I buttoned my shirt, I scowled down at it, willing it to stop and losing the battle. So I opened my suitcase and reached for an orange bottle, twisting off the lid and tossing a pill into my mouth, letting a gulp of water chase it down my throat. I involuntarily looked over my shoulder half expecting someone to be there only to see an empty room, guilty conscience I suppose.
I got in my car and drove into town half in a daze, surprised that I had even made it there without ending up in a ditch. Finally a bakery! The door chimed as I walked through the door, announcing my arrival. A plump, cheerful looking woman in a flour covered apron appeared behind the counter, hair in a bun all wrapped up in a hairnet, “What can I get for you sir?”
“I’m not sure yet…” I grinned as I walked over to the counter, pulling my sunglasses up to rest on the rim of my hat.
Her face brightened immediately, “Oh…Mr. Raycroft…I heard from my brother that you were in town, but I didn’t believe him.”
“I guess that’s the thing about small towns…news travels pretty quickly.” I leaned down looking through the glass of her display counter at the many sweet confections. Ian’s favourite was definitely chocolate. I pointed to one of the chocolate cakes, “Which of these would you suggest?”
“What for?” she asked, eagerly leaning down on the other side to join me in the viewing.
“A birthday.”
“Hmm…well although the black forest is popular. My personal favourite is the chocolate mousse cake. It really sets a certain mood to any occasion, not to mention it’s delicious.”
I stared at it through the glass, “Looks good. I’ll take it.”
“Excellent.” She pulled it off the rack carefully and placed it on the counter, “Who’s birthday is it?”
“Sorry?” I asked distracted by a lemon torte.
“The birthday boy or girl? I need a name for the top of the cake.”
“Oh. It’s Ian.”
She smiled sweetly, “Splendid. I’ll put it in maple leaf blue writing.”
I nodded, taking a seat while I waited for her to finish. She brought it over for my inspection (she had lovely writing) and I nodded my approval. So she wrapped it up, bringing me over a plate of cookies and a cup of coffee, “On the house.”
“Thanks”, I bit into a white chocolate and macadamia nut cookie. It was delicious. “Mmmm this is really good. I might have to come back here to get some before we leave.”
She’d disappeared behind her counter again and reappeared with what looked like a piece of paper and sharpie marker, I knew what was coming. She placed the photo on the table in front of me and held out the marker, “Could you sign this for my son? And one for the shop? I’d be really grateful. I’ve been carrying them around in hopes of running into you. My son is a goalie too.”
“What’s your son’s name?” I smiled at her, accepting the marker.
“Oh, it’s Malcolm.”
Malcolm, you’re a lucky kid to get this kind of dessert every day. Keep that glove high, Andrew Raycroft #1
“And one for the bakery so people know I’ve had you in here,” she pushed the other picture in front of me. I signed it in similar fashion and chomped down the last cookie. Her face lit up as she handed me the box, “Thanks again Andrew. Hope it’s a fun party. Good luck this season, we’re all cheering for you guys.”
I smiled back at the pleasant woman, “It’s nice to have the support. And cheers!”
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
I was stretched out on the couch when the guys got home, Matt holding up a big largemouth bass, “Got dinner!”
I laughed at him from where I sat, “Pure coincidence, I’m sure. Well…lucky, if it’s anything like your goals.”
He flipped me off before going into the kitchen to filet and marinate the fish, Kyle going to assist with dinner. Ian came into the living room and sat on the couch beside me, putting a hand on my forehead to check my temperature. I smiled at him, “I’m fine…really.”
He kissed my forehead and then the end of my nose, leaving my lips for last. “I’m just making sure for myself.”
“Whatever you say Dr. White.”