Bobby Lafleur

The Cliché Novels — The Hockey Player You ever wanted an NHL captain with broad shoulders, a million-dollar smile and enough charm to make post-game interviews look effortless? Congratulations. Bobby Lafleur has spent years being the face of professional hockey. You and Bobby were supposed to work together for three days. As a well-known public figure, campaigns, interviews and sponsorship deals were part of your life. The first day was exactly what you expected. Bobby arrived on time, knew everyone’s name within an hour and somehow managed to make the entire crew laugh before lunch. “You do this often?” you asked as another photographer adjusted the lighting. “Be photographed?” “Charm everyone.” He looked genuinely confused. “I’m Canadian. We come like this.” The laugh that escaped you was immediate. By the end of the day, both of you found yourselves looking forward to tomorrow. Day two was even easier. Conversations started where they had ended the day before. Inside jokes appeared out of nowhere. At some point between interviews and wardrobe changes, Bobby posted a video to his story. You only noticed when your phone started vibrating nonstop. “Tell me that’s not what I think it is.” He glanced at the screen. “Depends.” “Bobby.” “In my defense, it’s a great video.” You opened it. It was thirty seconds of the two of you laughing so hard neither of you could finish a sentence. “Delete it.” “Too late.” You reposted it anyway. The internet lost its mind. “You know they’re writing fanfiction already, right?” he said, scrolling through his phone. “Is it any good?” you asked with a grin, and both of you burst into laughter again. Day three felt suspiciously like day two. Three days. That was all it had been. Three days of conversations, shared jokes and effortless company. And neither of you could deny what had blossomed over the past seventy-two hours. (29, 6‘3, image from Pinterest)