Coming Up Roses
PART TWO PART THREE
John Logan x Fem!Reader
NO USE OF Y/N
3.3k words
Summary: A Hawk House Party leads to devastating news about the team's new Physical Therapist, who just so happens to be the girl John Logan can't seem to keep out of his head.
Warnings: Alcohol Consumption, Crude Language, Protective John Logan, Mentions of SA/R, Descriptions of Panic, Tooth-Rotting Fluff, Overprotective Hawks Team
A/N: I genuinely hope you enjoy this fic, because I had so much fun writing it. My birthday is today, so this fic feels like a present from my brain <3
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Music thumps loudly, practically shaking the walls as you and Allie dance around one another, keeping close on the packed, make-shift dance floor of the hockey house’s living room. The home is brimming with people after yet another triumph on the ice, the second of three games that will lead The Hawks closer to winning the NCAA knockout rounds.
Tuck weaves through the crowd, flashing stressed smiles at everyone he passes before finally reaching the kitchen and sighing as he pulls out his fifth appetizer of the evening.
Logan stands from fixing yet another leak under the sink, “Jesus, Tuck. When do you sleep?” He breathes, shaking his head as he pulls off the bandana he had on, “You are incredible. Cooking for these drunks.” He teases. “You are far better than I.”
Tuck’s hand’s brace on his hips as he smiles at his friend, “I really appreciate that, man. Thanks.” He turns and grabs a sample of his freshest dish, holding his hand under the food as he nods - “Bite?”
“Much obliged,” John leans towards his friend, basically inhaling the snack from Tuck’s hand. His brown eyes roll as he hums, chewing and swallowing the food quickly.
“Good?” Tucker’s eyebrows raise as he awaits his friend’s reply, “I hope?”
Logan’s brow lace together as he snarls, “You hope? That shit is delicious, Tuck!”
Tucker smiles, “Thank you. Really, dude. Thanks.” He turns to his phone, scrolling through his Spotify before he looks back up to John, “What’re you thinking?”
Logan’s eyes shift over to where you and Allie dance, “Whatever keeps those two dancing. I haven’t seen this kind of entertainment since Dean and Graham went streaking on the ice sophomore year.”
“What have I missed?” Dean’s wide hands playfully slap down onto Tuck’s shoulders, scanning the room before his gaze quickly falls back to his friends, “Busy night, huh?”
John Logan nods as he braces his hands on the kitchen island, “Damn right, Di Laurentis. Packed house, yet again.”
“I haven’t seen this many people in our house since fall semester. I’m just happy no one’s called the cops.. Coach would kill us,” Tucker slightly shakes his head before stress eating an hor d'oeuvre. “Maybe we should shut things down? Call it a night? The house is definitely beyond capacity.”
“Hell no!” Dean protests, rubbing his hands together as he walks around the island and towards the crowd. “Let's ride things out and see where the night takes us, huh?”
“Whatever you say, man,” Logan’s eyes remain on where you continue to dance. A ridiculous smile spreads across his face as he sees you and Allie start to scream hearing the beginning notes of some Charli XCX song.
“You know you can go talk to her, right?” Dean says as he nods towards the living room. “Just because she’s our physical therapist doesn’t mean you can’t converse with her. We’re all adults here.”
John’s forehead creases as his eyes shift back to his friends, “I thought Garret said she has a fiance?”
“Nah, man.. I haven’t seen a ring on her finger,” Dean’s brows raise as he eyes Logan. “She’d have a ring on her finger right now if she were engaged.” All three men stare, trying to scope out an engagement ring on your finger.
“What the hell are you guys looking at?” Jules says, startling the hockey players.
Logan turns towards Dean, looking embarrassed as he looks down at his sibling. He shrugs, slightly shaking his head, unable to find the words to say.
“Alright, Fifth Line. What’s the deal with Stretch?” Dean leans towards Jules. “Why did she leave MU?”
Jules inhales with a hiss, “She actually got fired from Minnesota.”
“There’s no way she got fired,” Beau interjects as he saunters up behind the boys. “She puts up with all of us idiots daily, and then puts up with you idiots too. I dare say she might be a saint. No one fires a saint.” He takes a sip of his beer.
“She has to be a saint to have put up with the assholes at Minnesota,” Dean shakes his head. “So pretentious and entitled.”
“Wait,” Tuck sounds concerned as he pulls out his phone. “We play Minnesota tomorrow, do we not?” He scrolls and clicks on the screen before laying his phone down on the countertop.
ROUND THREE: BRIAR HAWKS V MINNESOTA FROST 6 PM
“Shit,” they all collectively curse before directing their attention to where you and Allie dance.
Jules blinks before making a face, “Well, that’s not gonna be good.”
“Yeah, it’ll probably be super awkward,” Tucker puts his phone back into his pocket.
Jules' head shakes, “It’s not as simple as her just ‘getting fired’. She got fired after accusing three MU hockey players of sexual assault... I thought this was known news.”
The guys turn towards Jules immediately, shocked and disgusted at hearing what you had endured.
“What?” Logan’s voice is flat, his nostrils flair as he grips the liquor bottle in his hand.
“Yeah,” Jules takes another sip of their drink. “Her case didn't even make it to court, which is insane because of what she accused them of doing to her.” Their eyes roll before glancing over to you, “At least she’s made friends here already. She seems like a great addition.”
“She is,” Tucker says as he mixes ingredients in a bowl. “She fixed my hamstring! She clearly has a gift.”
Dean’s eyes are locked in on the dance floor, “Minnesota will have to face us if they fuck with Stretch.”
“Wait, what happened with the hockey players?” Logan asks as he opens the bottle of liquor and pours it into a shot glass before tossing the liquid into his mouth.
“Absolutely fucking nothing,” Jules pulls out their phone and scrolls before pointing at the screen. “The accused are actually Minnesota’s starting line.”
The men all share the same primal look before Dean says, “Guess we’re wrecking Minnesota tomorrow.”
“You’re damn right,” Logan agrees before taking another shot. He watches you dance around, carefree and happy. His stomach ties in knots thinking of what you had been through.
You can’t help but to feel like you’re being watched as you start to scan the room, still dancing around Allie. Your line of vision lands on the kitchen where a small group of athletes stand awkwardly behind the kitchen island; each of the men stare off into different parts of the room. Jules smiles and waves before taking another sip of their drink.
You wave back, confused before turning back to Allie. “What is that about?” You ask, breathless as you continue to dance along to the rhythm of the loud music. “That was weird, right?”
Her brown eyes shift over to the kitchen before falling quickly to the ground, “I- uh.. Y-you know them- there’s no telling.”
Your brows lace together seeing Allie’s apprehension, “What’s wrong?”
She shakes her head, “Nothing, nothing. I think the crowd might be getting to be too much.” You notice her eyes shifting over to the kitchen island again, her gaze lingering before ultimately falling back to the carpeted floor, “Maybe I’ve just drank too much.”
“I’m sure Tuck would be more than happy to feed you,” You motion towards the kitchen. “C’mon, let's get you sober.”
As the two of you push through the crowd, Hannah and Garrett descend the stairs, looping around the foyer to the kitchen and running into you and Allie at the island.
“Holy shit at this crowd,” Hannah says loudly over the bumping music.
“How have you guys managed?” Garrett asks.
“Alcohol, Graham. Alcohol,” Dean teases, taking a shot before he turns away from the group and heads towards the dance floor. “In fact, I’m about to be managing even better.”
“So, were you helping tutor Garrett?” Allie teases as she gives Hannah a hip bump.
Hannah smiles widely, blushing as she bumps her hip back at Allie, “Oh, shut up.”
Garrett’s hand wraps around Hannah’s waist as he plants a gentle kiss on the back of her head, “I’m gonna take the trash out real quick, okay?”
“Okay,” She nods as she turns her head towards her boyfriend, kissing him sweetly before turning back towards you and Allie.
“You guys are adorable,” you smile.
“Thanks,” she peeks over her shoulder, watching her boyfriend head out towards the trashbin outside. “He’s pretty great. I’m lucky.”
“Han,” Allie says, her brown eyes darting towards the staircase. “Bathroom trip?”
“Of course,” Hannah replies before she looks at you, “Bathroom trips are for the girlies only. Would you like to join?”
“I’m actually good,” you flash them both a smile. “I’m honored to have been invited though. Next time!”
“Fine,” Allie says. “You’ll be missed.”
“However will you pee without me?” You tease.
“I’ll hold her hand, don’t worry,” Hannah jokes. “Be right back!”
“Good luck!” You say before turning towards the countertop where most of the hockey players stood, bumping right into Logan’s chest. “Oh my god, I’m so sorry.”
“No need to apologize,” he shakes his head, his warm eyes gaze down at you. Beau accidentally backs into you as a group of puck bunnies make their way through the house, pushing you back into John’s chest. “Are you good?” he gulps at your nearness.
“Feeling a tad squished,” your chest presses firmly against the man towering over you, “And very short.”
Logan nods, “You are quite short.”
“Hey!” You give him a sassy look. “Maybe you’re just insanely tall?”
John’s face is only inches from yours as he says, “You know, I just realized I never thanked you for fixing my neck a few weeks ago. That thing was killer and you magically made it go away.”
God, he smelled so good.
“Thanks, Logan.”
“No, ma’am. Thank you,” he licks his bottom lip before smiling at you again.
“I am so sorry, Stretch,” Beau turns, dusting you off and giving you room to breathe again. “It was a little cramped there for a bit. Sorry about almost squeezing you to death.”
“It’s okay, Beau,” you reply, feeling like you should be standing on a step stool as you stand sandwiched between the two athletes. “Would you guys want to do a shot with me? Hannah and Allie aren’t here and I don’t like drinking alone. It’s okay if not.”
“Hell yes!” Beau grabs three shot glasses and nods at Logan, “Three shots, good sir.”
“Gladly,” John bows, smiling widely as he fills the small cups with liquor. You each grab your respective glass.
“Cheers to our incredible physical therapist,” Beau says as he holds his shot glass up.
“No, no, no,” you raise your glass. “Cheers to the Hawks being undefeated this semester!”
“To Stretch!” Dean yells from across the living room, holding up an invisible glass as he dances behind a beautiful redhead.
“When did he get so plastered and who allowed it?” You turn to both boys. “Who was on Dean watch?”
The guys look at each other and then to you.
“It was Tuck,” Beau says quickly, shrugging.
“Oh, no no no, Maxwell, you two aren’t pinning this on Tucker, because he has been graciously hosting all of us. You-,” you point at Beau. “-were on duty tonight. Weren’t you?”
“I can try to wrangle him in,” Beau says before abruptly knocking back his shot and stretching his neck from shoulder to shoulder. “Wish me luck.”
“Good luck!” You yell over the music as Beau shimmies his way into the crowd.
Logan’s laugh grabs your attention.
“What’s so funny?” you ask, still holding your full shot glass.
“Nothing, really. There’s just never a dull moment. Hasn’t been one since I’ve gotten to Briar U,” He watches his friends before directing his brown eyes at you. “We still need to take these shots!”
“Oh, shit!” You hold your glass up to the man. “Cheers to you, John Logan.”
“No, ma’am,” he touches his glass to yours. “Cheers to you. We’re lucky to have you.”
“You are always so sweet to me, John. Thank you,” you nod before taking your shot, shaking your head as warmness spreads through your stomach.
“You’re easy to be sweet to, Stretch,” his cheeks hurt from smiling as he throws the shot into his mouth, hissing before placing the glass back onto the island countertop.
“Looks like Beau has successfully corralled Dean,” you nod towards the two men wrestling on the living room floor, grunting and laughing as they each take turns overpowering the other. “I guess?”
“This is normal behavior, so I say Beau’s wrangling of Dean was a success. Now to get Dean to go to sleep..” John laughs as he watches Beau get Dean into a playful chokehold.
“How are you feeling about tomorrow’s game?”
His question makes your heart race.
“I- uh, I think you guys will do well if you all stop drinking,” you tease, though your voice is laced with melancholy. “No, really. I think you guys will easily win. Your line of defense is too strong to lose.”
John’s eyes look sad as he stares down at you.
“What?” Your brows furrow. “Did I say something?”
“No, no,” he shakes his head. “I.. uh-I was asking because Jules kind of told us why you left MU.” He shakes his head at his sudden word vomit. “But- but, it's not a big deal, I swear.”
Your heart sinks into your stomach. “What? Oh god.. You guys know?”
John is at a loss for words, swallowing hard before he clears his throat.
“Oh my god,” you feel lightheaded from the rush of anxiety washing over you. Faint ringing silences the noises from the party around you. “I-uh, I have to go.”
You feel like you’re outside of your body as your feet begin towards the front door of the house. John quickly follows as you head out of the house and start down the sidewalk, not even walking in the direction of your room.
Your feet pick up the pace as you begin to run, hoping to escape the shame and embarrassment you felt as hot tears run down your face.
Logan runs after you, his long legs catching up with you as his large hands reach out to grab your arm. “Hey, hey-” he coos, bringing you both to a halt. “Hey, look at me. Please.”
You blink back tears as you stare at the ground. “You guys weren’t supposed to find out.. no one was. Coach Jensen said the news would never get out,” you shake your head. “I told him you’d all find out eventually and that you’ll think differently of me.. Maybe even hate me. Or-or maybe you’d be uncomfortable to be around me if you knew.”
“You thought we would hate you after finding out three grown men sexually assaulted you?” He lets out an exhausted scoff. “You should have been worried that we would kill the assholes that hurt you after we found out what happened.”
Finally, your saddened gaze meets John’s deep eyes. The tears streaming down your face shine under the streetlamp, breaking Logan’s heart as he swallows down his building rage, not wanting his defensiveness to scare you.
He points in the direction of the stadium, “If any of those motherfuckers even look your way tomorrow I will personally beat the shit out of each one of them.” His lips press together as he exhales slowly, shaking a bit as his fingers rake through his locks. “Look.. No one is ever hurting you again. None of us will allow that shit.. Especially me.”
“I don’t know what to say,” you murmur, staring at the beautiful man in front of you. “I-I was so scared for you guys to find out why I had to leave Minnesota. Especially you..”
“Me?” He’s taken aback, brows furrowing as he blinks. “Why?”
“Who wants to be with a girl who got raped by three different guys?”
“I’m sorry, what? They raped you?” John starts seeing red as he begins to pace. “And no one believed you?”
“People would rather not believe me than believe their star hockey players are monsters,” you try to relax your aching jaw from clenching your teeth so tightly. “I should have never come forward. I probably should have just stopped being a physical therapist after everything happened.”
Logan stops pacing, “You were right in coming forward. I believe you. We all believe you.”
Your voice is small as you say, “I’m scared to see them tomorrow.”
“You can be scared, that’s valid,” he locks eyes with you again. “But you need to know, no one will hurt you while I’m around. I swear on my life.”
“You don’t think differently of me?” You ask, confused by his protectiveness after finding out your deepest shame.
“Hell no,” he says, stepping closer to you. “If anything, it makes me even more protective of you than I was before.”
“You wanted to protect me before?” You choke in disbelief that John Logan even thought of you outside of being the hockey team’s physical therapist.
“Yeah, I did.. And I still do,” his chest rises and falls as he looks down at you, his fingertips brushing against yours before his hand wraps around your shaking palm. “You are an incredible woman.”
You instinctively stretch out onto your tippy toes and plant a chaste kiss on Logan’s stubbly cheek. “Thank you, Johnny,” you whisper. “Thanks for believing in me.”
His cheeks flush as he nods, his hand reaches out to wipe the tears from your face. His voice is so kind as he whispers, “You’re welcome, Stretch.”
You look away bashfully just as John’s warm lips meet your cheek, shocking you as you turn back to him, blinking wildly as a gleeful smile spreads across your face, “Thank you.”
“For what?” He looks confused. You point to your cheek, blushing. “Are you thanking me for kissing you on the cheek?” He smiles, “I’ll do it again.”
His free hand gently cups your face as he slowly leans down and lovingly kisses your cheek before moving to your opposite cheek, tenderly kissing your flesh and sending butterflies rushing through your gut.
He stands a little straighter, your cheek remains cradled in his large hand as he says, “Let me take you home. I’ll even come get you tomorrow before morning skate so I can take you to get brunch at Malone’s before my pre-game nap.”
You laugh, “You take a pre-game nap?”
“Yes ma’am. They’re glorious, and greatly encouraged by Coach,” he smiles. “You’re more than welcome to join me in whatever you feel comfortable doing. I do happen to have an incredibly comfortable blow up mattress I can sleep on, so you can take my bed if you decide to partake in nap time at the hockey house.”
You can feel your cheeks heating up as you reply, “I’ll have to consider that. I guess we’ll just see where the day takes us, Logan.”
“Whatever you do tomorrow, please don’t be alone,” he sounds like he’s pleading. “You need to stick with me and the boys, or Hannah and Allie tomorrow since those assholes will be around town.
The anxiety from early comes creeping in as your heart starts to race.
“Hey,” he murmurs. “Hey, look at me.. Please.”
Your wary eyes scan up to meet his deep gaze.
“Remember that I am right here, always. You need me at 3 am? Call me. You want me to go egg the hotel where MU is staying? Say less, let's go right now.”
You smile weakly at John, “You’re too sweet to me.”
“I’m serious. Please.. If you need anything or feel scared.. Anything.. Just, please- please promise me that you’ll call me so I can be here for you,” he pleads. “I just want to make sure you’re okay. I need you to know that I’m here for you.”
“I promise, I will,” you nod. “Walk me home?”
“Okay, Stretch,” his thumb strokes the apple of your cheek before he motions towards the Hawk House. “Lets get out of here.”
———
A/N: soooo, what did you think? I hope you enjoyed this read and that you have a great day <3 - Cait
🥹🥹🥹💕💕💕
