Mel

The hockey season is kicking into full gear, which means the team will be traveling more for games soon. In light of that, I wanted to spend what time Liam and I have together making fun memories.

I still feel horrible about the way our date ended at the arena. Liam was so thoughtful and planned everything so beautifully. Since everything settled down after that, I've been trying to think of a way to make it up to him.

After what he did with Tammy's rink, I think I finally have a perfect idea. I had to call in reinforcements to help get everything set up, but we were able to do so quickly while the guys were gone. Once he and T.J. get home, I will steal him away and take him on our date.

~

Their practice wasn't as long as usual. They'll be leaving tomorrow to start another road trip, so Coach is taking it easy on them today. It's something I'm grateful for since this date will last several hours.

I hope Liam likes it.

Taylor shoots me a wink as the guys get home. She and Lins helped set everything up for the date, so she knows exactly what I have in store for my favorite hockey player.

As soon as Liam sees me, happiness spreads across his face. He strides through the room, crushing me against him in a tight embrace. "How's my girl?"

I smile as I wrap my arms around his waist, sighing dreamily. "I'm doing well. I have a surprise for you," I tell him as he plants kisses on top of my head.

"Yeah? Where is it?" He asks, the excitement evident in his voice.

I chuckle as I reply, "I'll show you, but you need to change real quick. You'll want some jeans and a warm jacket."

Liam doesn't argue but eyes me curiously as he backs his way to his room. Less than five minutes later, he emerges dressed and ready to go. With a quick goodbye to T.J. and Taylor, we head to our first stop.

~

Liam squeezes my hand as we stand outside the pizza parlor. It's his favorite restaurant, and it happened to be one of Justin's favorites as well.

"We don't have to eat her, Mel, really." The look in his is guarded. I can feel a slight tension as he grips my hand.

He's worried about me, but I'm alright. I feel no heaviness coming here now. It's a place full of memories- all of them good- and I'm excited to move forward and make many new ones in the future. Starting now.

I give Liam a genuine smile. "I want to do this, Liam. I'm alright. I promise."

He loosens up a bit, softening his grip and relaxing the muscles on his face. "Plus, they have the best pepperoni pizza in the city," I add with enthusiasm, pulling him inside so we can kick this date off right.

~

After we finished eating, I presented Liam with a pair of movie tickets to the same theater we went to on our maybe-it-wasn't-a-date date. He chuckled as we made our way to the building to catch our show. I think he figured out my plan at that point. If he didn't, our next stop was sure to give it away...

He chuckled as we walked closer and closer to the zoo. "Are you trying to recreate something here, Mel?" He asked, hugging me into his side.

My smile was hidden as I burrowed into his chest. "You mean, like our actual first date? You know, the one we were too stubborn to admit was a date..."

Liam's laughter echoed through his chest, sending warm waves down my spine. "So, that was our first date, huh?"

He was letting me choose as he always did. If I wanted that day to be our first official date, it would be. "Yes, it was," I said confidently, looking up at him.

Liam cupped my cheek, bringing our lips together slowly. When he pulled back, he whispered, "Then let's relive our first date."

I smiled as he led me straight to the penguins, flashing me a loving look that told me all I needed- I was his penguin, and he was mine.

~

"We have one last stop," I told Liam as we exited the zoo.

He looked at me curiously. "And where is that?"

I smiled as I flagged down a cab. "You'll see."

As we pulled up outside Liam's new rink, he cocked his head to the side, narrowing his eyes at me. I took his hand in mine, leading him inside.

As we got closer to the ice, soft music could be heard, and the swirling lights became visible. It was a recreation of what Liam did for the sweet date that I ultimately ruined.

"Mel, what is this?" He asked cautiously as he took in the sight.

"I wanted a redo of the date you planned for us. It was incredible, Liam, and I thought we deserved to give ourselves a happier ending to that date." I held my breath as I waited for his reply, hoping this part of our date wouldn't ruin everything.

After an agonizing several seconds, he said, "I love it. Thank you, Mel."

Instant relief washed over me at his words, and we changed into the skates I'd set out for us.

We danced around the ice, laughing and joking as the star projections swirled around us, stealing kisses and lingering touches every few minutes. I asked Liam to teach me a few things, showing him the pucks and sticks I'd stashed earlier in preparation for the date.

He happily obliged me, ensuring my hand placement was correct as he pressed his hard body against my back, helping me take practice shots into the open net. My first few were decent, but the longer Liam stayed pressed against me, the less I was able to concentrate on where I was aiming.

I could feel his focus shifting as well as my shots grew sloppy. I arched my back, rubbing against him before spinning around and skating backward off the ice. Liam's eyes were heavy with need as I crooked a finger, beckoning him toward me.

He dropped the stick and raced my way. I barely escaped his reach as I found the rink's edge and quickly hopped off the ice. I tore my skates off and headed down the hall toward my new office. Liam did the same, following right behind me.

When we reached the office, the glow of candlelight was visible through the frosted glass window. I'd given Tay a heads up before we left the zoo. She happily set the office up for me and turned on the lighting and sound prior to our arrival.

She even set up a table with two mugs and a thermos- full of homemade hot chocolate, compliments of Lins. It was the same recipe Liam made for our date at the hockey arena. This time, though, I was determined to have a better ending.

Liam's eyes widened at the sight as I pulled him into the office, walking backward until my legs bumped the desk. "You planned this all out for us?" He asked in a husky tone.

I nodded. "I wanted us to have a better ending than last time."

Sitting on the edge of the desk, I continued, "And I think I know just how to accomplish that."

Liam's eyes drifted to my chest as I unzipped my jacket, shrugging it off before moving my hands to the hem of my shirt. His breath became bated as he watched me strip down to nothing but my panties.

When my hungry eyes met his, he quickly rid himself of his clothes. We spent the next hour making amends for the disaster date we'd had months ago, assuring that this one would far overshadow any memory of that day. 

A/N:

Surprise! Double update!!

One more chapter left. It's bittersweet, but the story always had an end date looming. I hope you all enjoy. Stay tuned for the final chapter in Mel and Liam's story and the Puck Me series. Likely releasing later today!! 

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