Tanner

Things with Jenna are going so well. I feel like this has really been my year. I became a member of the Cobras, we won the championship, and I got my girl. I feel like my life has changed so much over the last several months into something unrecognizable- something far better than I ever imagined for myself.

Growing up, I never really had support from the people closest to me, the people who were supposed to care about me. They were supposed to show me love and affection, to teach me how to be a decent human being. Instead, they taught me about the ugliness in the world. They showed me what not to do.

They were cold and distant, always making me feel like I didn't matter, that I was a waste of space. They turned me into the monster that I used to be, the uncaring, cold-hearted playboy that I used to thrive on being.

It wasn't until I moved to New York and met Jenna that my views started to change. It took a while for me to figure it out, but just by knowing her, I wanted to be a better person- a better man- for her. She's changed me in ways I never thought possible.

Her unending support has shown me that I am worthy of good things in this world- things like love, affection, friendship, and family. Jenna has opened my eyes to a future a young me could only ever dream of- a future so full of love and joy. A future where I can trust those around me to have my back and have my best interests at heart. She's shown me that I deserve to have a family that cares about me, and we're starting to build that together.

With Jenna and the team, I feel like I finally have the family that I so desperately needed growing up. Who knows, if I had that as a kid, maybe I wouldn't have spent so many years of my life acting like such a douche. Perhaps I would have been known as the 'family man' instead of the 'playboy.' But if that were the case, maybe I wouldn't have ended up here with Jenna. And that's something I'd never give up.

No, I'd go through my hellacious childhood all over again a thousand times if it meant I'd end up here at the end of it all with my girl. She's worth everything that I've ever had to go through and so much more.

Nothing in this world means more to me than her. She's the one to thank for my current state of mind, the peace and happiness that resides there where pain and frustration used to hide.

Yeah, the new and improved Tanner Levine is all thanks to Jenna.

I love her so freaking much! I don't know what I'd do if I ever lost her.

Since the season ended, Jenna and I have had so much more time together. We've been able to go out on dates and do couple-y things like hand-holding and stealing a kiss here and there.

The tabloids have had a hay day with it. They've let off a little since Jenna and I first went public with our relationship, but they still creep around every now and again to try to nab a juicy scoop.

Fucking vultures!

They hounded us relentlessly when they first caught wind of my relationship with Jenna. They published stories insinuating all kinds of things- marriage, secret love child, gold-digging. You name it; they printed it. I'm just glad my girl has an iron resolve and didn't pay too much attention to the stories coming out about us.

She said they didn't matter, and she knew they were just trying to make a quick buck. One story they came out with warned crazed fans to back off, though. It said Jenna punched a girl in the face- Val- for hitting on her friend's boyfriend, referring to the incident with Val and Lindsey in the women's restroom at the bar.

The details were wrong, but neither of us bothered to correct them. We think the story was leaked to the press by either Val or Jenna D., but either way, it got my crazy female fans to back off when they see me around the city. And that is something both Jenna and I are very happy about.

It's been a little while since the paparazzi have hounded either of us. Though, the other day, Jenna said she thought one was following her to and from work. It really creeped her out because typically, they don't hide in the shadows as this guy did. Usually, they blatantly snap photos and scream questions at us as we go about our business. I guess they're getting sneaky since we've become boring to them.

They probably hope to catch one of us doing something unwholesome so they can drive a wedge between us.

Sorry, shitheads, that's not gonna happen!

I'm on my way to meet some of the guys for lunch. As I turn a corner, I see someone in the corner of my eye. He's dressed like a movie stalker- baseball cap, long beige trench coat, and sunglasses. When I turn to look at the guy, he dips quickly down an alleyway.

Damn, tabloid vultures are back at it. Could the guy be more obvious?

I shake my head as I continue on my way. A few minutes later, I arrive at the restaurant. I see Rob, Drew, and Damien waiting for me. I greet them as I walk up, noticing Rob looking over my shoulder.

"What's up, man?" I ask as his brows furrow at whatever he sees outside.

Rob looks at me, nodding his head to the door. "Do you know that guy?"

I turn around just in time to see Mr. Trench Coat buzz off again. "Fucker!"

I heave a sigh as I look back at Rob. "It's one of those damn tabloid reporters. I saw him following me earlier too."

Rob curls his lips in disgust. "Those jackasses need to get a life!"

Drew and Damien nod in agreement. I shake my head again, ready to get the tabloid asshole off my mind. "Yeah, tell me about it."

Mr. Trench Coat is soon forgotten as our server shows us to our seats. Once we've ordered, Damien, Drew, and Rob start telling me how their guys' trip to the Bahamas went. Apparently, they had a blast and met several new fans there- mostly female. They said they spent most of the vacation drinking on the beach with their new companions and getting the first-hand show of Bahamian hospitality.

I laugh along at the stories they tell and share what I've been up to. Drew smirks as he takes a sip of his beer. "We saw a photo online while we were there of you and Taylor. You guys looked cozy at that little Italian place you went to."

Damien laughs. "Oh, yeah. You looked so dopey, man. You had googly eyes and everything. I thought you were gonna start drooling at one point."

Rob takes his turn to harass me. "Yeah, turns out Tay has our retired playboy here whipped." He drives his point home by making a whip-cracking sound.

I don't even try to deny it. My smile spreads at the memory. I know the picture they're talking about. I took Jenna to her favorite Italian restaurant one night for a date. She wore that dress and the heels I bought her. Yeah, I'm shocked I didn't start drooling. She looked good enough to eat.

"What can I say? She makes me happy. I landed my dream woman."

Damien shakes his head as he pulls up another photo taken that night. "Dude, it looks like you two are on the verge of fucking right there in the middle of the restaurant."

Drew and Rob look at the picture. Drew holds a fist to his mouth, trying to hide another bout of laughter. "Shit, Damien's right! You look like you're about to rip that dress right off of her!"

I take another sip of my drink, trying to hide my amusement. "See why I'm so whipped? You three are just jealous."

Rob shakes his head, still looking at the picture on Damien's phone. "Fuck yeah, we are." He pulls his lip into his mouth.

I roll my eyes, knowing where his mind is going and not liking it one bit. I grab the phone from his hand and exit out of the web page before handing the phone back to Damien. It turns out it will take some practice to get my caveman to calm down in these situations. He's still very territorial of our girl.

~

It's been a few days since I met with the boys for lunch. Jenna left for work a while ago, and I'm supposed to meet up with the team for an interview with one of the local news stations. They want a story on the championship hockey team.

I'm in the backseat of the car, heading to the interview, thinking about what to do later tonight with Jenna. Lunch with the boys made me realize how happy I am to have Jenna in my life, and I want to make tonight special for her. She won't expect anything since we just had a dinner date two days ago, but I want to shower my girl with gifts and special dates. I want to show her how much she means to me.

I'm checking my phone for ideas as the car heads off to the interview. Suddenly, I hear a loud crash. I feel something sharp and painful. I start blinking, trying to figure out what happened.

It feels like I'm upside down, and I still feel the pain from a second ago.

Then, everything goes black.   

A/n: 

Predictions?

Also, please don't hate me... I have a reason for everything. Hang in there guys.

Much love 

❤️