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brainrattlers · 2 years

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Play It Cool - Tyson Jost (9/n)

Author’s notes: This section is LONG. It probably should have been two parts, but were too short on their own, so, it became a big long chapter. It does make up for the last chapter being kind of short too. Good times though, AJ and Tyson are at least admitting to others they’re a thing, but it isn’t super public yet. They finally get Jess (OFC) and Nate to come out for a double date even! The second part of this story though does contain some graphic content that happened during a game in December, so just a heads up. Also it’s from a little blurb I wrote back around the time of the incident, so it might be familiar.

Pairing: Tyson Jost x OFC

TW: Language, player injury (not Tyson, not Nate, but a fellow Avalanche player), anxiety attack. Mild adult situations. Word Count: 4124-ish Miss Part 8? https://brainrattlers.tumblr.com/post/687046761391456256/play-it-cool-tyson-jost-8n The next few weeks were a bit of a blur. A few roadies, lots of work, a few home games. Nate and AJ played makeup games of Fort, AJ and Jess traded a lot of texts back and forth spilling all sorts of secrets about Tyson and Nate. Nights that there were home games, Jess and AJ sat together, standing near the glass at warmups. Tyson made it a habit to kiss the knuckles of his glove and fist bump AJ through the glass. Nate… was his stoic, focused self. Nate still pointed at the women when he’d score a goal though, both would point back, further confusing social media. All in good fun though.

Roadies? Jess and AJ would hang out with each other either at a bar, or at either’s home, making it a girls night, but definitely cheering on the team. Let’s just say many margaritas were consumed… both home and away games. Made for a lot of ridiculous nights, for sure.

There finally was a small break in the schedule, and things had been going well still with Tyson and AJ. Couple dates a week. Fortnite nights with Nate slowed again, but Jess would admit they were having dinner at his place. Finally an evening off for everyone, AJ wrangled up the three of them into having a group date on a Monday night. Tyson had been pushing for hints, but AJ refused. The only thing she told all of them was to wear something comfortable that they could move around in. It was such a huge secret, so much that AJ picked up Tyson, and then went over to Nate’s to pick up he and Jess.

AJ pulled into the parking lot of the Lakewood Bowlero.

“Thought it might be fun to have a night of bowling, maybe some fried food and beer. Live a little!”

Tyson was down, Jess was down… but Nate had his apprehensions.

The foursome walked inside and got in line to get a lane and shoes, but AJ told Tyson she’d be right back. She came back to find that they’d already been placed on lane 12 shoes in hand. Behind her was her bowling bag, which she started pulling out her own pair of bowling shoes, as well as a wrist brace to help get more revs on one of the two balls she lastly pulled from the bag. Nate was suddenly terrified. Tyson sat there with his mouth agape, before saying anything.

“Ummm what’s all this?” Tyson questioned.

“Just my bowling equipment?” AJ giggled and winked. “Didn’t you ever wonder what I was doing on Wednesday nights? I’m here… in a league?” She finished tying her shoes (which weren’t the stereotypical red/blue rentals, but a slick pair of white/black shoes), and taping up her hand before putting on the brace. Lastly she went up to the lane computer and started putting in the order, complete with nicknames… SportySpice, NateDogg, Strike King, and… The Dudette. (What can I say, one of AJ’s favorite movies is The Big Lebowski!) Before taking the protectors off her shoes, she ran up to the bar and ordered some drinks, as well as some wings, fried pickles, and onion rings. “Alright, you’re up SportySpice, show us what you’ve got!”

It was a slow start for everyone, until they got into the swing of things - literally. SportySpice threw a 5 and 3, NateDogg rolled a 4 and a gutter, Strike King failed to keep up his namesake and threw a 4 and picked up 2, and The Dudette picked up a spare. Food arrived while the two couples rolled balls down the lane, drinks flowed. Lots of laughter, and so many chirps between them all, especially Tyson and AJ. As expected, AJ was high score the first two games, but Tyson and Jess were neck and neck. Nate brought up the rear, clearly frustrated in his performance. The competitive sides came out, especially before the last game started.

“Alright, how about… guys vs girls?” AJ smirked, high-fiving Jess.

Tyson’s face showed signs of fear, “I don’t want Nate on my team!”

Nate scowled at Tyson, then glared at AJ.

“Alright, fine, I’ll take Nate on my team. Jess, Tyson? Bring it.” AJ threw down the gauntlet, Nate nodded in approval. She managed to get Jess to trade her spots at the table, allowing her to coach Nate in an effort to maybe eke out a win in this. She was going to have to bowl one of her better games, and hopefully Nate would be able to break 100.

Tyson and Jess were whispering about something, until Jess had an announcement. “We’d like to make some bets on this game.” She whispered something in Nate’s ear, and his eyes went wide. Tyson came around to AJ’s side, whispering in her ear as well. “Whomever loses has to cook a 3 course meal for the other. And… a backrub.” Before he went back to his seat, Tyson nipped at AJ’s earlobe and flashed a grin.

All AJ could do was smirk, followed by, “You’re on, Jost. I’m already thinking of what I want for an appetizer.”

The game started off sluggish, but AJ was able to get Nate to pick up a couple spares to get a decent score. She herself wasn’t struggling but wasn’t excelling. Both Tyson and Jess seemed to know what they were doing all of the sudden, stringing some marks together. It came down to AJ’s last frame. She needed a strike and a spare to let her doubles team beat the other team. Nate’s 115 (which was great for him) was still the low score, with Tyson and Jess totalling a 312 together.

AJ took a deep breath, with Nate trying to coach her using the same ideas that she was using with him. Tyson smirked. Internally he was conflicted - he wanted AJ to bowl well, but he really was looking forward to dinner and a backrub. AJ stood on the approach, ball in hand. She visualized where the ball would roll, where it would flip, and where it’d hit in the pocket. With a push off, AJ’s feet led her down the approach, arm swinging and rolling the ball down the lane. Her pose was held, her breath was held as she missed her mark, but the bowling gods smiled upon her, giving her a Brooklyn strike. Before turning around she put on a confident face, like I meant to do that.

Nate looked at her with a hopeful look, mouthing, “you’ve got this.”

One strike would seal the win.

AJ stepped onto the approach, grabbing her ball from the return. Deep breath, visualize, push off for the approach to the foul line. Released the ball, hit her mark, hit the pocket… and left a ringing ten pin. She tried to not to show emotion as she turned around to walk back to the return. Out of the corner of her eye, AJ could already see Tyson and Jess leaning in, watching intently. Nate was looking toward the lane, but not at AJ. Leaning over, she picked up her spare ball, and lined up on the lane approach, left side to throw across the lane. The ball rolled through the oil and flipped just a little too early, but still had momentum toward the ten pin. However, it arced too soon, and switched directions, missing the pin by a hair. The pin even wobbled, but never fell down.

Nate looked down at his feet. AJ fell to her knees on the approach facing the table, arms in the air, cursing. Tyson and Jess cheered triumphantly, high-fiving each other.

“I do believe someone owes me a hell of a dinner…” Tyson laughed. Being a gracious winner, he did pick up AJ’s balls from the return as she pouted at the table, taking off her shoes and wrist brace.

“Sorry I lost us the game, Nate. What do you have to do for your loss?”

“I don’t want to talk about it. But you owe me BIG TIME.”

AJ chuckled, having no idea what Nate was going to have to do because of Jess’ bet. She was more focused on trying to figure out what Tyson was going to ask for dinner, along with when this actually was going to happen.

Unfortunately for Tyson, but fortunately for AJ, schedules didn’t line up for a while, they both had time to figure out a good night to fulfill the details of the bet. Work was wild for a bit for AJ, Tyson was on the road for an extended stint, but was so happy to get home, even if it meant they had a home game the next night. AJ couldn’t make it to the game, and Jess was working, so she watched by herself at home. She sat in horror, staring at the TV screen as MacDonald just fell to the ground like a sack of potatoes after the nasty collision. Having been a hockey fan this long, AJ had seen that a few times before, but it never got easier.

In fact, it was now worse that she was friends with players. And dating one.

It wasn't even a week earlier that Nate got hit mid-ice, and had been taken back immediately for concussion protocol. AJ felt so powerless, absolutely sick to her stomach, until she saw Nate return for the next period. She had texted him immediately, even though she knew she wouldn't hear back from him until after the game was long over.

But this feeling was absolutely worse, trainers from both teams on the ice tending to a not-moving player. Eventually he was placed on a stretcher and taken to the locker room for examinations. There was definitely a heavy feeling to the game. The players felt it too, as things were becoming more and more physical.

Two minutes left in the game, the Panthers were trying to tie it back up after Burky's hat trick. Some dirty hits and plays in front of Kuemper left tempers flared, and it came to a boiling point. Jost ripped a player to the side, his visor being pushed back. A soft punch was landed, but the linesman pulled them apart. AJ could see Jost saying something to the other player, and it wasn't a playful chirp. There was a coldness in his face she'd never seen.

AJ saw it one more time that night at the conclusion of the final horn announcing the Avs' win. Rantanen squared off with someone at center ice, and a few other players joined in, including Tyson. She hated seeing him get physical, even though it's part of the game.

The players all separated, the Avs saluted the crowd. There were announcements all over Twitter that MacDonald was up and moving around, coherent and seemingly okay in the locker room - he hadn't been transported to the hospital, a great sign. Three stars were crowned, Burky dropped an F-bomb on television. Needless to say, it was a wild night of hockey.

Regardless, AJ was struggling with the night's events. While most of her was ecstatic for the hard-earned win, there was a dark corner of her mind absolutely losing it. Not even thinking clearly, she grabbed her phone and texted Tyson.

AJ: Can I come over and see you tonight? Or you come here? I'm not in a good place.

She knew he wouldn't be able to respond right away, but it didn't stop her from pacing until her phone buzzed with a notification from him.

Tyson: It's closer for me to get to you than for you to get to my place. I'll be there in about 15. Are you okay?

AJ: No. I mean yes, but... not really. I just need to see you. Door's unlocked, let yourself in.

Tyson: I'll be there as soon as I can babe, leaving now.

Tyson raced through traffic, concerned. He knew that AJ was strong, but between the two of them hanging out, and what he'd learned from Nate, she had her fragile moments. He was worried this was one of them. He got to her home, dashed up the front steps and opened the door.

"Babe? Where are ya?"

His eyes found AJ sitting on the floor against the sofa, knees to her chest, her eyes puffy. Instantly, his heart broke at the sight in front of him. Closing the door quickly behind him, Tyson sat on the floor next to her, not sure if he should give her space or not.

"I'm so sorry to make you come over," AJ whispered, "I... I needed to see you." The tears started streaking down her face silently.

"Hey, hey, what's going on?" Tyson instantly wrapped his arms around her, pulling her body onto his lap.

She curled up into him, arms snaking around him and holding tight. A few deep breaths kept the sobs at bay, but she was still having trouble formulating coherent thoughts. He held her just as tight, kissing the top of her head. He felt the tears dampening his shirt. The two sat in relative silence for a few moments.

"What if it had been you?" AJ squeaked out, somewhat muffled by her face in his shoulder. "What if it had been you, Tyson?"

"What are you talking about?"

"What happened to (sniffle) MacDonald. I don't know what I'd do if it were you instead." Tears were still coming.

"But it wasn't me, babe. I'm right here, I'm fine."

"But what if..."

Tyson stopped her, and pushed AJ’s chin up so her eyes would meet his. In all this, it was a normal thing for him to see players get hurt. No one wants to see it, but it's a physical game. It suddenly was clicking just how much she cared for him. It hit different that it wasn't just about him anymore if he got hurt, it affected her too. He sighed.

"It's scary, I realize that. But I'm here right now with you. It's just part of my job. I do what I can to protect myself. And now that I have you, I'll try even harder to stay safe. For you, us." Tyson chuckled. "You know, that day you came in with that bandage on your hand because you grabbed that thing at work wrong and cut it up bad? I was worried then. Or when I think about you on those super tall ladders... I don't like it. But it's part of your job, even if it scares me." He smiled gently, and wiped a random tear from her face with his thumb.

AJ mimicked the motion, her thumb brushing over the slightly raised red mark still on Tyson's cheek from Aube-Kubel accidentally cross-checking Tyson's face the week prior.

"I'm sorry, I just got really worried all of the sudden... I overreacted," she cringed a little as she apologized. "But... I swear if Nicholas, or anyone else, does this to your face again... don't get me started."

The two stayed curled up together for quite a while. She told Tyson he didn't have to stay later if he didn't want to, afraid he would be exhausted at practice the next morning. He let her know it had already been canceled as they're playing Tuesday, and that if she was okay with it, he wanted to stay with her to make sure everything was good.

This was a bit of a conundrum for AJ, because despite the fact of how well the relationship had been going over the almost two months, the two managed to have not yet spent the night with each other. Tyson was completely leaving it up to AJ, despite how many times he wanted her to stay with him, the nights that things heated up between the two of them… one (or both) of them would have something going on early the next morning, be it practice, work, etc., and one would go home. Even though things were okay all things considered, something clicked in AJ’s mind, and despite having to be at work in a few hours, she wanted Tyson to stay.

After a few moments of quiet contemplation on AJ’s part, and a few nerve-wracking overthinking moments on Tyson’s, AJ made her decision known, albeit still with a little sound of nervousness. The two talked about it for a few moments, and Tyson put it out there that everything was still up to AJ.

With a small smile, AJ climbed out of Tyson’s lap, standing up with her hand extended to him, ready to lead him to the bedroom. Tyson nodded, slipping his hand around her much smaller one, and standing up with her. The two of them made their way to the bedroom, quite sleepily, I might add. Even though they’d seen each other pretty much naked, this was a completely different scenario, and there was a little apprehension felt. There had never been a next morning with these two.

And not to make it weird, but a scenario AJ actually had been possibly preparing for. Tyson sat on her bed while she rummaged around in the bathroom a bit, before coming back out and motioning him to come with her. As she rounded the corner with him, she cocked her head at the vanity, smiling.

“What’s this?” Tyson was caught off-guard, looking in the open drawer, finding a new-in-package toothbrush, a contact case, and a few other odds and ends.

“I mean, I’d hoped you would eventually stay over, and I thought I’d at least get a couple things here for you that you’d need. I wasn’t sure what toothpaste you used, or contact solution, but you’re welcome to use mine… did I just make this weird? I did, didn’t I?”

Tyson turned and wrapped his arms around AJ with a huge smile on his face.

“Weird? Not even. I was worried I was going to have to sleep in my contacts tonight… You’re phenomenal… this is just one of the reasons that I love you, the fact you even thought to do this.” Tyson was beaming, and leaned down to kiss AJ’s forehead.

AJ suddenly thought she was asleep and dreaming, before the reality of what was just said kicked in.

“Wait… you… love me?”

The look on Tyson’s face never faltered, and he had a confidence in his voice that never wavered. “Yep. Definitely love you.”

AJ bit her lip before looking back up at the man holding her close. “Love you too, Tyson.”

Before she could even process it, Tyson had picked up AJ and spun her around, causing her to squeal and plead to put her down on the ground again. He flung her over his shoulder, which terrified her more for the fact that she was not a small girl and was afraid of hurting him. As Tyson carried AJ back to the bedroom, she smacked his butt just as he was lifting her to gently toss her onto the bed.

“Gotta go brush my teeth and take my contacts out, I’ll be right back!”

AJ laughed from the bed, and sighed happily, her attitude making a 180 flip from where it was just an hour earlier. Hopping up, she grabbed some shorts and a tshirt from the bureau, and then wondered what Tyson was going to wear to bed. She didn’t have to wonder long, as he hung out in the doorway to the bedroom, squinting at her due to lack of contacts, but looked damn good in just his pair of boxer briefs.

“Is this okay to sleep in?” Tyson chuckled at AJ’s blatant staring. “AJ, my eyes are up here…”

She pried her eyes away from Tyson’s torso, and swallowed hard. “Uh, yeah, that’s… great. I uh, um, yeah I gotta go take out my contacts… er something.”

Tyson continued chuckling at her awkward statement. Pulling back the blankets and top sheet, he looked to see which nightstand AJ had her phone on, and picked the opposing side to climb into, and divided up the pillows on the bed. AJ came back in, smiling at the sight of him curled up under the blankets already. Flicking the light switch off, she tripped over her own shoe on the floor and kicked it aside, but crawled into bed, finding Tyson there with open arms. The two squirmed around a bit trying to find a comfortable position for both of them (which is next to impossible, someone is going to end up with a body part that goes numb, that’s just the rules of cuddling in bed), but for the time being, Tyson rolled onto his side, getting ready to pull AJ in as the little spoon.

His eyes drifted down the back of the shirt she was wearing, as he noticed the 17 and his own last name across the fabric covering her back. Tyson wanted to run his fingers over it, but feared somehow ruining the moment. The moment was forever tucked into his memory, as he wrapped his arms around the woman he loved. Tyson could smell the faintest touch of AJ’s hair conditioner as he crooked his neck to kiss her shoulder. The lightest hum could be heard from AJ as she melted into his body pressed up against her back.

“Good night, my little Eggo. Love you.”

Tyson felt AJ’s body shake a little as she giggled.

“Love you too, my maple syrup man.” AJ kissed Tyson’s wrist that was nearest her face as he held her.

The ridiculous cuteness of it all lasted maybe ten minutes. Tyson started fidgeting a bit as his right arm started getting tingly from lack of circulation, and AJ started kicking the blankets around. She rolled over, able to make out the features on Tyson’s face in the dark. He raised an eyebrow at her.

“You’re a damn furnace, you know that Jost?”

Tyson always knew she was giving him crap when she called him Jost. Also she had set him up for an easy one.

“I can’t help it, you know I’m a hottie.”

AJ rolled her eyes and hugged him tightly. “You’re right, you’re right,” she twisted her torso to look at her phone on the nightstand, “I have to be up in about 4 hours for work, no more funny business, mister.”

Tyson was impressed by how limber she was to twist around like that, keeping her hips next to his, the rest of her twisting, letting her grab the phone behind her. He nodded, trying to keep those sort of thoughts at bay, leaving the two to retreat to their own sides of the bed and get comfy, but keep their feet touching. He let his toes run up the side of her foot and shin one to make AJ giggle one more time before letting her sleep. He hoped to hear that sound so much more often, now that crashing at each others’ places was on the table.

With Spotify playing a playlist a few hours later, AJ bolted upright, realizing she had another issue to contend with. Remember how I told you she has curly hair? Fun fact about curly hair - bed head is so much more real and so much more worse than for those with stick straight hair. Tyson had already been awake for a bit, laying there playing a game on his phone. The sight before him, well, to his side anyway, was epic. Fuzzy curls were in every which direction. AJ hadn’t turned around so she never noticed him trying to keep from laughing. Grumbling, she quickly got up and headed to take a shower to get ready for work.

Freshly showered, she walked into the bedroom wearing a towel to grab her clothes for the day. AJ was greeted with a low whistle, feeling Tyson’s eyes scan up and down her body. She just rolled her eyes, getting dressed with a little privacy from the closet door. Tyson finally did get up out of bed to have a cup of coffee and got dressed as AJ packed her lunch to head to work. She insisted Tyson could stay and get a couple more hours of sleep if he wanted, only requesting he lock the door behind him when he left. It was almost a little overwhelming how much she just trusted him suddenly, but it was also a good feeling knowing that their emotional bond was growing and she was open to trusting him.

“Have a good day at work, babe.” Tyson snuck in a quick kiss before AJ darted out the door. She didn’t notice the mischievous look on his face either, which worked out into his favor.

Chapter 10: https://brainrattlers.tumblr.com/post/688315137261797376/play-it-cool-tyson-jost-10n

#Tyson Jost #Josty #Play It Cool #Tyson Jost x OFC #TysonTuesday

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