Monstrous
Night
I am still not even quite sure how this happened, but the hand dragging me is insistent.He wants me to see. Isn't that what we always said we wanted as women. A man that would share his world with us. Well damnit, at this point I want to take back all those wishes. I do not want to be here. At. All. No, I am not meeting my future in laws. I am meeting his team mates. No big deal, you say? Ok, add in their wives and girlfriends. Still not feeling pity? Oh, did I mention I am surrounded by Orange? Oh, You aren't from Philly. I am surrounded By Flyers players. I am a Devil's Fan. My Boyfriend is a Flyer. I Do NOT want to be here. I get enough shit for being from outside Philly and proudly wearing red. I used to joke with my best friend that the only way I would ever wear orange is if I dated a Flyer. I may need to eat my words.
"Damn you, Zac." I muttered under my breath.
He heard me, I know he did, because the tug on my hand is more than strengthening. He is pulling me now. He isn't saying anything. I just know that this means something to him. I tug on my necklace for reassurance. It is my good luck charm. It is a replica of Bellatrix's necklace from the Harry Potter movies. It was also a present from my former fiance. He hates it.
"Stop playing with your necklace, Aly.."
"I hate that I haven't known you more than 6 months and you knew exactly what I was doing."
"I heard it jingle."
"Oh.." I smile sheepishly as he turns to face me.
"They aren't going to eat you alive, you know. I mean, aside from being a Devils Fan, you are kinda awesome."
My inner child stamps her foot, because I don't want to let that comment slide.
"You are a damned smart ass. Let's go before I regret not keeping my Henrique jersey on." I reach up to mess with his hair, and He dodges me. Not a big deal, except for me almost falling in the shoes I thought wearing would be a good idea. Mental note. Six inch stilettos are never ever a good idea when you are trying to look graceful.
We walk into the room, and I am surrounded by extremely gorgeous hockey players. They smell like ice, and my anxiety is almost calmed. I feel Zac pull me to him. Even in the shoes, I am still considerably shorter than him, and I see Giroux fighting back a giggle. Let G Giggle. I am just trying not to stare. I see Briere and someone I know is not his Ex-wife Sylvie. I see Simmonds, And Kimmo. Jesus Mother. I never thought I would be here. Zac tugs Me over to Bryz, and I am star struck. I admire Bryzgalov and his back up Bobrovsky so much.
"Yo! Mr. Universe!" I lightly tap Zac for the disrespect he is showing his goalie, and elder, but I don't think he cares. We are suddenly enveloped by Scott Hatnell, and I am overwhelmed again.
"So this is her? This is the Devils fan? We can still beat it out of her, right? Can we give her our present now?" Hartsy is a firecracker, and I have to admit, I am liking his enthusiasm. It has put me at ease. I feel Zac step away.. He knows me to well. Knows I hate presents and surprises I feel a light squeeze on my hand as I reach for my necklace. His silence towards me is unnerving. Guess I am on my own. I feel him leave my side.
"You have a present for me?"
"Yea, Rinny said it was ok.. so we went ahead and got you a little something. Me, and Danny and Claude. Well, Rinny too. Your Name is Lauren, right?"
I fight back a nervous giggle, as he gets my name wrong. Though I am pretty sure he did it on purpose. "It's Alyssa, actually. Aly. But Lauren is my middle name.."
"Like Lauren Hart!" Lauren Hart is the Flyers' Anthem singer, the gorgeous blonde bitch. I am not a fan of hers. She's made eyes at Zac more than once. And I can't do a damned thing about it. We are trying not to take our relationship public yet. It won't look to good if one of Philly's star players comes out as dating a hardcore fan of the team that just knocked them out of the playoffs in a killer upset.
I feel Zac back at my side, and I see he is holding an extremely orange gift bag. He holds it out to me, and Hartsy stanches it out of the way. "Not fucking yet! DANNY! G! Get over here! The Devils fan is gonna open her present."
I Blush scarlet, and really wish I was in my Henrique jersey, even if it annoys Zac. It's like armor. If you fuckers are gonna mess with me for it. I am gonna flaunt it even more. Danny Briere, and the woman he is with join us, and Claude is right on their heels. Jesus christ. I would give anything to have Eddie by my side. Eddie is my best friend, and he would gladly murder me and step over my dead body just to be in the same room as the team he has admired since conception. He would know everyone without having asking what number they wear. WHAT!? Like I said.. Devils fan.
I am pulled back to reality as Danny Briere holds out his hand to me. "Hi, I'm Danny. And this is Allison." I nod at the woman, who looks just as crazy nervous as I am, and gently clasp Danny's hand. I am doing rather well here. I have had a tiny crush on this man for years. I let that slip to Zac once, He vowed to never let me meet him. I think this is improvement Allison nods at me, and I nod back. I don't have time for much more as Calude Giroux pulls me into a hug. Zac must be able to feel my nerves, because he rescues me. "You fuckers gonna let her open this thing or what?"
They look at each other, like children that have done something wrong. Hartsy holds out the gift bag, and I gingerly take it. Like it is going to explode. "Do you always do this whole gift thing?" Allison answers me with a resounding "No.. And I tried to talk them out of it."
Yea, cause that did anything but hype up my anxiety. Oh well, Better get this over with.. and in True Aly Style, I plop myself down on the floor and look at them all expectantly. "You wanted me to open this now. You going to join me down here or what?" My tone is slightly rougher than I wanted it to be, but fuck it. If they don't like me, then oh well. They join me, and surprisingly so do Bryzgalov and Bobrovsky. Oh Jesus Christ.. My anxiety triples. I lean over to Zac and whisper in his ear: "I am going to kill you." He Smiles, that goofy grin that made me start crushing on him long before I met him. That grin and his I am going to fuck your world up attitude on the ice. Oh Jesus. "Just Open it Aly.." He drifts off, and his excitement is palpable. I dig through the horridly bright orange paper to reveal more orange. I am about to eat my words indeed. "If this is yours, I am going to freak." I pull out a Flyers home jersey. Offensively orange, and turn it over to see his name and number. Eating my words. He pulls it from my hands and slips it over my black dress. "I Hate you Rinny. Hate you. Hate." The whole Audience giggles as he assaults me with hes jersey and I profess my hatred til the thing is covering me.
I turn to Danny, Scott, and the rest of the players and women that are next to them. "Do you always humiliate new people!?" I manage to get out before collapsing into Zac's shoulder, giggling. I breathe in his scent. Hockey Player. It is the grossest and most intoxicatingly wonderful smell in the world. It never leaves. And some crazy expensive cologne that makes me slightly dizzy. Yep, Mine. I am lucky as fuck.
The rest of the night is relatively easy. We are at Danny's house, and he has his sons' gaming systems out. I am trying to behave like I have seen this amount of wealth before. I have, but it has been years. My dad was a VP for JPMorgan Chase. Thank god for my up bringing. Buffets and catering and things you only read about. It seems almost surreal. I spend alot of the time sitting on a couch, talking to a few of the wives and girlfriends, watching Zac act like a 12 year old, and play DJ. He did the last part to entice me out of my corner, and it almost worked. I am a music buff, and he knows one of my dreams is to DJ in AC or Vegas for a night. I don't leave though, and He joins me, sitting at my feet, and letting me play with his hair. It calms me instantly. He looks up after a few minutes, and smiles. "I like you in orange." I playfully swat at him and stck my tongue out. "And I would love you in red." He stands, and pulls me up, making ready to leave. "Love, huh?" He smiles and I blush again. We make our rounds and say goodbye, stopping longest with Danny and Allison, who invite us to dinner tomorrow in Philly. I stop them long enough to invite them back to my apartment. "I'd be flattered if you'd let me cook." Zac stiffens next to me, He knows I cook to impress men. They accept, and as we are leaving, looking for his car, he lets his temper loose.
"Seriously! What the fuck are you fucking playing at!? Cooking for Danny? I thought you were past that phase! I can't believe you.." He drifts off as he sees me stopped 10 feet from him, arms crossed, one leg straight, and the other bent. My classic are you done being stupid pose. He looks at me, almost apologetic and I hold up a finger to silence him. "One. Who the fuck's name is on the back of this god awful thing I was forced in to. Two. You know I hate going out to eat. Three. We kinda can't. And four. I fucking.. Oh nevermind. Can you just take me home now?" I stalk towards his car, and take my seat next to him where I begin pulling at my necklace again. He looks at me, semi astounded. I don't usually loose my temper with him. But he was being stupid stubborn and it pushed me over the edge.
"You fucking what?"
I am scarlet for the bajillionth time tonight. He caught that. Shit. Fuck. Damn. I swore I wouldn't say it first again.
"Nothing, Z. Can I spend the night with you.." I pull out the only nickname I have given him and bat my eyelashes. It works. We speed off to his place, and everything feels slightly normal for us.
-------
I woke up in the middle of the night, groggy and sweaty. I realize quickly I am not home. and that the sprawled out body next to me is my boyfriend. He is like any man when he sleeps, vulnerable and adorable. I fight back the urge to tuck him in before reaching for my laptop. It is the only thing I allowed him to buy me. Not like I had much of a choice. It is a beautiful MacBook Air, and I have named her Kaylee. He laughed at that. I spent weeks picking out her name. I press the space bar and she springs into life. When I can't sleep. I write. Or daydream, which turns into writing.
I put my headphones in, so I don't wake him, and look for something ambient and soft. iiO should do the trick. Chastity starts up and I smile. I had played this song the night I met him at work. It was playing when he sauntered in like he fucking owned the place. I had just started at the Cherry Hill Mall Teavana, coming from the one in King Of Prussia. I was having a sucky day, sales wise at least. In walks half the Flyers roster and I about lost it. Carrie dealt with G, and Mike, He got the little kid, Sean something. I still can't fucking remember his name. Zac sauntered up to me, and I stammered a greeting. I knew who he was, and I immediately fell on my Teavana training.
"Have you ever been to Teavana before?"
"Nope.." He wandered over to the cast iron pots, and I almost had a heat attack. I could feel Mike moving in on me. He knew G and maybe Zac were the ones actually about to buy something. I shoo'd him away behind my back. I wanted the chance to talk to him. So I broke rule number one at Cherry Hill. When a famous person walks in.. DO NOT say. HEY! YOU'RE ZAC RINALDO. Or anything that references that you know who they are.
"You know that the pot in your hand means Strength, right? I have see you play, Zac, and It would suit you.."
He rolled his eyes at that, and I mentally smacked myself. "You a Fan?"
I could almost hear Mike behind me mentally screaming "LIE!" It was a well known fact at work that I am a VERY proud Devils fan. I had come in that day in a Parise shirt. "Actually, I am a hockey fan. Just, not a Flyers fan." He perked up at that. He put the pot down on it's rest and moved over to the samples. I filled a cup with my favorite one, and he pucked it from my hand. I jumped when his fingers touched my palm, and his eyes sparkled. The three hour sale ended up being close to twelve hundred, which was my goal for the week. But the real prize was him subtly passing me his number. I almost fainted. Being such a proud Devils fan I was not about to admit that one of the two Flyers I would fuck just walked into my store and handed me his number. HOLY HELL.
He stirred beside me, pulling me from the day dream and I felt him sit up. My stomach did a flip flop. I had known for about a month that this was a bit stronger than Oh my Fucking GOD he is sexy and mine and a hockey player. I might actually love him. My stomach flipped again as he reached for me, and I jumped.
"You remember number four, from earlier, when you were freaking out..?" His smile was wolfish. He knew what was coming. He looked like a predator. "Yea. I remember. You going to tell me, Sugar?" I lost it there. Giggling, I threw the pillow behind me at him. He caught it, and kept it. "I was going to, but I have changed my mind. Come cuddle me while I try and sleep more?" I was flat on his bed in seconds, and he was above me, nuzzling my neck, kissing my lips for the first time since he had picked me up before the party. His eyes were intense, just like the night we met. "I already know Aly. Just say it."
I shook my head. He kissed me again, lay beside me, pulled me to him, and nuzzled my neck again. I felt his breath on my neck as he whispered, "I love you, too."
-----------
He had dropped me off ridiculously early. Well, early for me. I am no where near a morning person, but he wanted to skate. I had to straighten up my apartment, and get ready for Dinner tonight. I was going to host the Flyer's alternate captain and his.. well.. I guess girlfriend. She seemed sweet enough. Though anyone was an improvement on his ex-wife. She was a bitch and a half. Not like I knew her or anything. But everyone knew about the divorce.
I bounced over to my iPod dock and found my usual cleaning playlist. Zomboy came on, and I launched into action. I hate cleaning too, but I didn't want Zac embarrassed by my messy apartment. He calls it messy. I call it organized chaos.
My apartment wasn't as bad as I thought it was, and quickly I was on to making dinner. I decided on spaghetti and meatballs. It is my family recipe, and I am extremely proud of it. Super simple, and it can simmer away while I get a shower and get ready. I skipped over to my bathroom. bringing my iPod and dock with me. I almost never go anywhere without music. It is something Rinny and I have in common, minus his taste for underground rap. I reached for the shower knob, and made it as hot as I could stand. Turned on my iPod, plugged it in and hit shuffle. Skrillex filled my bathroom as I stripped and hopped in the shower. I reached for my shampoo, and heard the front door click open. Only two people have a key to my apartment, and Eddie doesn't come over unannounced. It had to be Zac, and I was almost positive he would try and join me in the shower, so I reached out and locked the bathroom door. I needed time to process what happened last night in his bed. I was bothered by his silence all night, and then the "I love you, too." Ass. He knew how to push my buttons, and I knew it. I had no reason to doubt how he felt about me. He introduced me to the team. That has to mean somethingI am still not even quite sure how this happened, but the hand dragging me is insistent.He wants me to see. Isn't that what we always said we wanted as women. A man that would share his world with us. Well damnit, at this point I want to take back all those wishes. I do not want to be here. At. All. No, I am not meeting my future in laws. I am meeting his team mates. No big deal, you say? Ok, add in their wives and girlfriends. Still not feeling pity? Oh, did I mention I am surrounded by Orange? Oh, You aren't from Philly. I am surrounded By Flyers players. I am a Devil's Fan. My Boyfriend is a Flyer. I Do NOT want to be here. I get enough shit for being from outside Philly and proudly wearing red. I used to joke with my best friend that the only way I would ever wear orange is if I dated a Flyer. I may need to eat my words.
"Damn you, Zac." I muttered under my breath.
He heard me, I know he did, because the tug on my hand is more than strengthening. He is pulling me now. He isn't saying anything. I just know that this means something to him. I tug on my necklace for reassurance. It is my good luck charm. It is a replica of Bellatrix's necklace from the Harry Potter movies. It was also a present from my former fiance. He hates it.
"Stop playing with your necklace, Aly.."
"I hate that I haven't known you more than 6 months and you knew exactly what I was doing."
"I heard it jingle."
"Oh.." I smile sheepishly as he turns to face me.
"They aren't going to eat you alive, you know. I mean, aside from being a Devils Fan, you are kinda awesome."
My inner child stamps her foot, because I don't want to let that comment slide.
"You are a damned smart ass. Let's go before I regret not keeping my Henrique jersey on." I reach up to mess with his hair, and He dodges me. Not a big deal, except for me almost falling in the shoes I thought wearing would be a good idea. Mental note. Six inch stilettos are never ever a good idea when you are trying to look graceful.
We walk into the room, and I am surrounded by extremely gorgeous hockey players. They smell like ice, and my anxiety is almost calmed. I feel Zac pull me to him. Even in the shoes, I am still considerably shorter than him, and I see Giroux fighting back a giggle. Let G Giggle. I am just trying not to stare. I see Briere and someone I know is not his Ex-wife Sylvie. I see Simmonds, And Kimmo. Jesus Mother. I never thought I would be here. Zac tugs Me over to Bryz, and I am star struck. I admire Bryzgalov and his back up Bobrovsky so much.
"Yo! Mr. Universe!" I lightly tap Zac for the disrespect he is showing his goalie, and elder, but I don't think he cares. We are suddenly enveloped by Scott Hatnell, and I am overwhelmed again.
"So this is her? This is the Devils fan? We can still beat it out of her, right? Can we give her our present now?" Hartsy is a firecracker, and I have to admit, I am liking his enthusiasm. It has put me at ease. I feel Zac step away.. He knows me to well. Knows I hate presents and surprises I feel a light squeeze on my hand as I reach for my necklace. His silence towards me is unnerving. Guess I am on my own. I feel him leave my side.
"You have a present for me?"
"Yea, Rinny said it was ok.. so we went ahead and got you a little something. Me, and Danny and Claude. Well, Rinny too. Your Name is Lauren, right?"
I fight back a nervous giggle, as he gets my name wrong. Though I am pretty sure he did it on purpose. "It's Alyssa, actually. Aly. But Lauren is my middle name.."
"Like Lauren Hart!" Lauren Hart is the Flyers' Anthem singer, the gorgeous blonde bitch. I am not a fan of hers. She's made eyes at Zac more than once. And I can't do a damned thing about it. We are trying not to take our relationship public yet. It won't look to good if one of Philly's star players comes out as dating a hardcore fan of the team that just knocked them out of the playoffs in a killer upset.
I feel Zac back at my side, and I see he is holding an extremely orange gift bag. He holds it out to me, and Hartsy stanches it out of the way. "Not fucking yet! DANNY! G! Get over here! The Devils fan is gonna open her present."
I Blush scarlet, and really wish I was in my Henrique jersey, even if it annoys Zac. It's like armor. If you fuckers are gonna mess with me for it. I am gonna flaunt it even more. Danny Briere, and the woman he is with join us, and Claude is right on their heels. Jesus christ. I would give anything to have Eddie by my side. Eddie is my best friend, and he would gladly murder me and step over my dead body just to be in the same room as the team he has admired since conception. He would know everyone without having asking what number they wear. WHAT!? Like I said.. Devils fan.
I am pulled back to reality as Danny Briere holds out his hand to me. "Hi, I'm Danny. And this is Allison." I nod at the woman, who looks just as crazy nervous as I am, and gently clasp Danny's hand. I am doing rather well here. I have had a tiny crush on this man for years. I let that slip to Zac once, He vowed to never let me meet him. I think this is improvement Allison nods at me, and I nod back. I don't have time for much more as Calude Giroux pulls me into a hug. Zac must be able to feel my nerves, because he rescues me. "You fuckers gonna let her open this thing or what?"
They look at each other, like children that have done something wrong. Hartsy holds out the gift bag, and I gingerly take it. Like it is going to explode. "Do you always do this whole gift thing?" Allison answers me with a resounding "No.. And I tried to talk them out of it."
Yea, cause that did anything but hype up my anxiety. Oh well, Better get this over with.. and in True Aly Style, I plop myself down on the floor and look at them all expectantly. "You wanted me to open this now. You going to join me down here or what?" My tone is slightly rougher than I wanted it to be, but fuck it. If they don't like me, then oh well. They join me, and surprisingly so do Bryzgalov and Bobrovsky. Oh Jesus Christ.. My anxiety triples. I lean over to Zac and whisper in his ear: "I am going to kill you." He Smiles, that goofy grin that made me start crushing on him long before I met him. That grin and his I am going to fuck your world up attitude on the ice. Oh Jesus. "Just Open it Aly.." He drifts off, and his excitement is palpable. I dig through the horridly bright orange paper to reveal more orange. I am about to eat my words indeed. "If this is yours, I am going to freak." I pull out a Flyers home jersey. Offensively orange, and turn it over to see his name and number. Eating my words. He pulls it from my hands and slips it over my black dress. "I Hate you Rinny. Hate you. Hate." The whole Audience giggles as he assaults me with hes jersey and I profess my hatred til the thing is covering me.
I turn to Danny, Scott, and the rest of the players and women that are next to them. "Do you always humiliate new people!?" I manage to get out before collapsing into Zac's shoulder, giggling. I breathe in his scent. Hockey Player. It is the grossest and most intoxicatingly wonderful smell in the world. It never leaves. And some crazy expensive cologne that makes me slightly dizzy. Yep, Mine. I am lucky as fuck.
The rest of the night is relatively easy. We are at Danny's house, and he has his sons' gaming systems out. I am trying to behave like I have seen this amount of wealth before. I have, but it has been years. My dad was a VP for JPMorgan Chase. Thank god for my up bringing. Buffets and catering and things you only read about. It seems almost surreal. I spend alot of the time sitting on a couch, talking to a few of the wives and girlfriends, watching Zac act like a 12 year old, and play DJ. He did the last part to entice me out of my corner, and it almost worked. I am a music buff, and he knows one of my dreams is to DJ in AC or Vegas for a night. I don't leave though, and He joins me, sitting at my feet, and letting me play with his hair. It calms me instantly. He looks up after a few minutes, and smiles. "I like you in orange." I playfully swat at him and stck my tongue out. "And I would love you in red." He stands, and pulls me up, making ready to leave. "Love, huh?" He smiles and I blush again. We make our rounds and say goodbye, stopping longest with Danny and Allison, who invite us to dinner tomorrow in Philly. I stop them long enough to invite them back to my apartment. "I'd be flattered if you'd let me cook." Zac stiffens next to me, He knows I cook to impress men. They accept, and as we are leaving, looking for his car, he lets his temper loose.
"Seriously! What the fuck are you fucking playing at!? Cooking for Danny? I thought you were past that phase! I can't believe you.." He drifts off as he sees me stopped 10 feet from him, arms crossed, one leg straight, and the other bent. My classic are you done being stupid pose. He looks at me, almost apologetic and I hold up a finger to silence him. "One. Who the fuck's name is on the back of this god awful thing I was forced in to. Two. You know I hate going out to eat. Three. We kinda can't. And four. I fucking.. Oh nevermind. Can you just take me home now?" I stalk towards his car, and take my seat next to him where I begin pulling at my necklace again. He looks at me, semi astounded. I don't usually loose my temper with him. But he was being stupid stubborn and it pushed me over the edge.
"You fucking what?"
I am scarlet for the bajillionth time tonight. He caught that. Shit. Fuck. Damn. I swore I wouldn't say it first again.
"Nothing, Z. Can I spend the night with you.." I pull out the only nickname I have given him and bat my eyelashes. It works. We speed off to his place, and everything feels slightly normal for us.
-------
I woke up in the middle of the night, groggy and sweaty. I realize quickly I am not home. and that the sprawled out body next to me is my boyfriend. He is like any man when he sleeps, vulnerable and adorable. I fight back the urge to tuck him in before reaching for my laptop. It is the only thing I allowed him to buy me. Not like I had much of a choice. It is a beautiful MacBook Air, and I have named her Kaylee. He laughed at that. I spent weeks picking out her name. I press the space bar and she springs into life. When I can't sleep. I write. Or daydream, which turns into writing.
I put my headphones in, so I don't wake him, and look for something ambient and soft. iiO should do the trick. Chastity starts up and I smile. I had played this song the night I met him at work. It was playing when he sauntered in like he fucking owned the place. I had just started at the Cherry Hill Mall Teavana, coming from the one in King Of Prussia. I was having a sucky day, sales wise at least. In walks half the Flyers roster and I about lost it. Carrie dealt with G, and Mike, He got the little kid, Sean something. I still can't fucking remember his name. Zac sauntered up to me, and I stammered a greeting. I knew who he was, and I immediately fell on my Teavana training.
"Have you ever been to Teavana before?"
"Nope.." He wandered over to the cast iron pots, and I almost had a heat attack. I could feel Mike moving in on me. He knew G and maybe Zac were the ones actually about to buy something. I shoo'd him away behind my back. I wanted the chance to talk to him. So I broke rule number one at Cherry Hill. When a famous person walks in.. DO NOT say. HEY! YOU'RE ZAC RINALDO. Or anything that references that you know who they are.
"You know that the pot in your hand means Strength, right? I have see you play, Zac, and It would suit you.."
He rolled his eyes at that, and I mentally smacked myself. "You a Fan?"
I could almost hear Mike behind me mentally screaming "LIE!" It was a well known fact at work that I am a VERY proud Devils fan. I had come in that day in a Parise shirt. "Actually, I am a hockey fan. Just, not a Flyers fan." He perked up at that. He put the pot down on it's rest and moved over to the samples. I filled a cup with my favorite one, and he pucked it from my hand. I jumped when his fingers touched my palm, and his eyes sparkled. The three hour sale ended up being close to twelve hundred, which was my goal for the week. But the real prize was him subtly passing me his number. I almost fainted. Being such a proud Devils fan I was not about to admit that one of the two Flyers I would fuck just walked into my store and handed me his number. HOLY HELL.
He stirred beside me, pulling me from the day dream and I felt him sit up. My stomach did a flip flop. I had known for about a month that this was a bit stronger than Oh my Fucking GOD he is sexy and mine and a hockey player. I might actually love him. My stomach flipped again as he reached for me, and I jumped.
"You remember number four, from earlier, when you were freaking out..?" His smile was wolfish. He knew what was coming. He looked like a predator. "Yea. I remember. You going to tell me, Sugar?" I lost it there. Giggling, I threw the pillow behind me at him. He caught it, and kept it. "I was going to, but I have changed my mind. Come cuddle me while I try and sleep more?" I was flat on his bed in seconds, and he was above me, nuzzling my neck, kissing my lips for the first time since he had picked me up before the party. His eyes were intense, just like the night we met. "I already know Aly. Just say it."
I shook my head. He kissed me again, lay beside me, pulled me to him, and nuzzled my neck again. I felt his breath on my neck as he whispered, "I love you, too."
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He had dropped me off ridiculously early. Well, early for me. I am no where near a morning person, but he wanted to skate. I had to straighten up my apartment, and get ready for Dinner tonight. I was going to host the Flyer's alternate captain and his.. well.. I guess girlfriend. She seemed sweet enough. Though anyone was an improvement on his ex-wife. She was a bitch and a half. Not like I knew her or anything. But everyone knew about the divorce.
I bounced over to my iPod dock and found my usual cleaning playlist. Zomboy came on, and I launched into action. I hate cleaning too, but I didn't want Zac embarrassed by my messy apartment. He calls it messy. I call it organized chaos.
My apartment wasn't as bad as I thought it was, and quickly I was on to making dinner. I decided on spaghetti and meatballs. It is my family recipe, and I am extremely proud of it. Super simple, and it can simmer away while I get a shower and get ready. I skipped over to my bathroom. bringing my iPod and dock with me. I almost never go anywhere without music. It is something Rinny and I have in common, minus his taste for underground rap. I reached for the shower knob, and made it as hot as I could stand. Turned on my iPod, plugged it in and hit shuffle. Skrillex filled my bathroom as I stripped and hopped in the shower. I reached for my shampoo, and heard the front door click open. Only two people have a key to my apartment, and Eddie doesn't come over unannounced. It had to be Zac, and I was almost positive he would try and join me in the shower, so I reached out and locked the bathroom door. I needed time to process what happened last night in his bed. I was bothered by his silence all night, and then the "I love you, too." Ass. He knew how to push my buttons, and I knew it. I had no reason to doubt how he felt about me. He introduced me to the team. That has to mean something.
"Damn you, Zac." I muttered under my breath.
He heard me, I know he did, because the tug on my hand is more than strengthening. He is pulling me now. He isn't saying anything. I just know that this means something to him. I tug on my necklace for reassurance. It is my good luck charm. It is a replica of Bellatrix's necklace from the Harry Potter movies. It was also a present from my former fiance. He hates it.
"Stop playing with your necklace, Aly.."
"I hate that I haven't known you more than 6 months and you knew exactly what I was doing."
"I heard it jingle."
"Oh.." I smile sheepishly as he turns to face me.
"They aren't going to eat you alive, you know. I mean, aside from being a Devils Fan, you are kinda awesome."
My inner child stamps her foot, because I don't want to let that comment slide.
"You are a damned smart ass. Let's go before I regret not keeping my Henrique jersey on." I reach up to mess with his hair, and He dodges me. Not a big deal, except for me almost falling in the shoes I thought wearing would be a good idea. Mental note. Six inch stilettos are never ever a good idea when you are trying to look graceful.
We walk into the room, and I am surrounded by extremely gorgeous hockey players. They smell like ice, and my anxiety is almost calmed. I feel Zac pull me to him. Even in the shoes, I am still considerably shorter than him, and I see Giroux fighting back a giggle. Let G Giggle. I am just trying not to stare. I see Briere and someone I know is not his Ex-wife Sylvie. I see Simmonds, And Kimmo. Jesus Mother. I never thought I would be here. Zac tugs Me over to Bryz, and I am star struck. I admire Bryzgalov and his back up Bobrovsky so much.
"Yo! Mr. Universe!" I lightly tap Zac for the disrespect he is showing his goalie, and elder, but I don't think he cares. We are suddenly enveloped by Scott Hatnell, and I am overwhelmed again.
"So this is her? This is the Devils fan? We can still beat it out of her, right? Can we give her our present now?" Hartsy is a firecracker, and I have to admit, I am liking his enthusiasm. It has put me at ease. I feel Zac step away.. He knows me to well. Knows I hate presents and surprises I feel a light squeeze on my hand as I reach for my necklace. His silence towards me is unnerving. Guess I am on my own. I feel him leave my side.
"You have a present for me?"
"Yea, Rinny said it was ok.. so we went ahead and got you a little something. Me, and Danny and Claude. Well, Rinny too. Your Name is Lauren, right?"
I fight back a nervous giggle, as he gets my name wrong. Though I am pretty sure he did it on purpose. "It's Alyssa, actually. Aly. But Lauren is my middle name.."
"Like Lauren Hart!" Lauren Hart is the Flyers' Anthem singer, the gorgeous blonde bitch. I am not a fan of hers. She's made eyes at Zac more than once. And I can't do a damned thing about it. We are trying not to take our relationship public yet. It won't look to good if one of Philly's star players comes out as dating a hardcore fan of the team that just knocked them out of the playoffs in a killer upset.
I feel Zac back at my side, and I see he is holding an extremely orange gift bag. He holds it out to me, and Hartsy stanches it out of the way. "Not fucking yet! DANNY! G! Get over here! The Devils fan is gonna open her present."
I Blush scarlet, and really wish I was in my Henrique jersey, even if it annoys Zac. It's like armor. If you fuckers are gonna mess with me for it. I am gonna flaunt it even more. Danny Briere, and the woman he is with join us, and Claude is right on their heels. Jesus christ. I would give anything to have Eddie by my side. Eddie is my best friend, and he would gladly murder me and step over my dead body just to be in the same room as the team he has admired since conception. He would know everyone without having asking what number they wear. WHAT!? Like I said.. Devils fan.
I am pulled back to reality as Danny Briere holds out his hand to me. "Hi, I'm Danny. And this is Allison." I nod at the woman, who looks just as crazy nervous as I am, and gently clasp Danny's hand. I am doing rather well here. I have had a tiny crush on this man for years. I let that slip to Zac once, He vowed to never let me meet him. I think this is improvement Allison nods at me, and I nod back. I don't have time for much more as Calude Giroux pulls me into a hug. Zac must be able to feel my nerves, because he rescues me. "You fuckers gonna let her open this thing or what?"
They look at each other, like children that have done something wrong. Hartsy holds out the gift bag, and I gingerly take it. Like it is going to explode. "Do you always do this whole gift thing?" Allison answers me with a resounding "No.. And I tried to talk them out of it."
Yea, cause that did anything but hype up my anxiety. Oh well, Better get this over with.. and in True Aly Style, I plop myself down on the floor and look at them all expectantly. "You wanted me to open this now. You going to join me down here or what?" My tone is slightly rougher than I wanted it to be, but fuck it. If they don't like me, then oh well. They join me, and surprisingly so do Bryzgalov and Bobrovsky. Oh Jesus Christ.. My anxiety triples. I lean over to Zac and whisper in his ear: "I am going to kill you." He Smiles, that goofy grin that made me start crushing on him long before I met him. That grin and his I am going to fuck your world up attitude on the ice. Oh Jesus. "Just Open it Aly.." He drifts off, and his excitement is palpable. I dig through the horridly bright orange paper to reveal more orange. I am about to eat my words indeed. "If this is yours, I am going to freak." I pull out a Flyers home jersey. Offensively orange, and turn it over to see his name and number. Eating my words. He pulls it from my hands and slips it over my black dress. "I Hate you Rinny. Hate you. Hate." The whole Audience giggles as he assaults me with hes jersey and I profess my hatred til the thing is covering me.
I turn to Danny, Scott, and the rest of the players and women that are next to them. "Do you always humiliate new people!?" I manage to get out before collapsing into Zac's shoulder, giggling. I breathe in his scent. Hockey Player. It is the grossest and most intoxicatingly wonderful smell in the world. It never leaves. And some crazy expensive cologne that makes me slightly dizzy. Yep, Mine. I am lucky as fuck.
The rest of the night is relatively easy. We are at Danny's house, and he has his sons' gaming systems out. I am trying to behave like I have seen this amount of wealth before. I have, but it has been years. My dad was a VP for JPMorgan Chase. Thank god for my up bringing. Buffets and catering and things you only read about. It seems almost surreal. I spend alot of the time sitting on a couch, talking to a few of the wives and girlfriends, watching Zac act like a 12 year old, and play DJ. He did the last part to entice me out of my corner, and it almost worked. I am a music buff, and he knows one of my dreams is to DJ in AC or Vegas for a night. I don't leave though, and He joins me, sitting at my feet, and letting me play with his hair. It calms me instantly. He looks up after a few minutes, and smiles. "I like you in orange." I playfully swat at him and stck my tongue out. "And I would love you in red." He stands, and pulls me up, making ready to leave. "Love, huh?" He smiles and I blush again. We make our rounds and say goodbye, stopping longest with Danny and Allison, who invite us to dinner tomorrow in Philly. I stop them long enough to invite them back to my apartment. "I'd be flattered if you'd let me cook." Zac stiffens next to me, He knows I cook to impress men. They accept, and as we are leaving, looking for his car, he lets his temper loose.
"Seriously! What the fuck are you fucking playing at!? Cooking for Danny? I thought you were past that phase! I can't believe you.." He drifts off as he sees me stopped 10 feet from him, arms crossed, one leg straight, and the other bent. My classic are you done being stupid pose. He looks at me, almost apologetic and I hold up a finger to silence him. "One. Who the fuck's name is on the back of this god awful thing I was forced in to. Two. You know I hate going out to eat. Three. We kinda can't. And four. I fucking.. Oh nevermind. Can you just take me home now?" I stalk towards his car, and take my seat next to him where I begin pulling at my necklace again. He looks at me, semi astounded. I don't usually loose my temper with him. But he was being stupid stubborn and it pushed me over the edge.
"You fucking what?"
I am scarlet for the bajillionth time tonight. He caught that. Shit. Fuck. Damn. I swore I wouldn't say it first again.
"Nothing, Z. Can I spend the night with you.." I pull out the only nickname I have given him and bat my eyelashes. It works. We speed off to his place, and everything feels slightly normal for us.
-------
I woke up in the middle of the night, groggy and sweaty. I realize quickly I am not home. and that the sprawled out body next to me is my boyfriend. He is like any man when he sleeps, vulnerable and adorable. I fight back the urge to tuck him in before reaching for my laptop. It is the only thing I allowed him to buy me. Not like I had much of a choice. It is a beautiful MacBook Air, and I have named her Kaylee. He laughed at that. I spent weeks picking out her name. I press the space bar and she springs into life. When I can't sleep. I write. Or daydream, which turns into writing.
I put my headphones in, so I don't wake him, and look for something ambient and soft. iiO should do the trick. Chastity starts up and I smile. I had played this song the night I met him at work. It was playing when he sauntered in like he fucking owned the place. I had just started at the Cherry Hill Mall Teavana, coming from the one in King Of Prussia. I was having a sucky day, sales wise at least. In walks half the Flyers roster and I about lost it. Carrie dealt with G, and Mike, He got the little kid, Sean something. I still can't fucking remember his name. Zac sauntered up to me, and I stammered a greeting. I knew who he was, and I immediately fell on my Teavana training.
"Have you ever been to Teavana before?"
"Nope.." He wandered over to the cast iron pots, and I almost had a heat attack. I could feel Mike moving in on me. He knew G and maybe Zac were the ones actually about to buy something. I shoo'd him away behind my back. I wanted the chance to talk to him. So I broke rule number one at Cherry Hill. When a famous person walks in.. DO NOT say. HEY! YOU'RE ZAC RINALDO. Or anything that references that you know who they are.
"You know that the pot in your hand means Strength, right? I have see you play, Zac, and It would suit you.."
He rolled his eyes at that, and I mentally smacked myself. "You a Fan?"
I could almost hear Mike behind me mentally screaming "LIE!" It was a well known fact at work that I am a VERY proud Devils fan. I had come in that day in a Parise shirt. "Actually, I am a hockey fan. Just, not a Flyers fan." He perked up at that. He put the pot down on it's rest and moved over to the samples. I filled a cup with my favorite one, and he pucked it from my hand. I jumped when his fingers touched my palm, and his eyes sparkled. The three hour sale ended up being close to twelve hundred, which was my goal for the week. But the real prize was him subtly passing me his number. I almost fainted. Being such a proud Devils fan I was not about to admit that one of the two Flyers I would fuck just walked into my store and handed me his number. HOLY HELL.
He stirred beside me, pulling me from the day dream and I felt him sit up. My stomach did a flip flop. I had known for about a month that this was a bit stronger than Oh my Fucking GOD he is sexy and mine and a hockey player. I might actually love him. My stomach flipped again as he reached for me, and I jumped.
"You remember number four, from earlier, when you were freaking out..?" His smile was wolfish. He knew what was coming. He looked like a predator. "Yea. I remember. You going to tell me, Sugar?" I lost it there. Giggling, I threw the pillow behind me at him. He caught it, and kept it. "I was going to, but I have changed my mind. Come cuddle me while I try and sleep more?" I was flat on his bed in seconds, and he was above me, nuzzling my neck, kissing my lips for the first time since he had picked me up before the party. His eyes were intense, just like the night we met. "I already know Aly. Just say it."
I shook my head. He kissed me again, lay beside me, pulled me to him, and nuzzled my neck again. I felt his breath on my neck as he whispered, "I love you, too."
-----------
He had dropped me off ridiculously early. Well, early for me. I am no where near a morning person, but he wanted to skate. I had to straighten up my apartment, and get ready for Dinner tonight. I was going to host the Flyer's alternate captain and his.. well.. I guess girlfriend. She seemed sweet enough. Though anyone was an improvement on his ex-wife. She was a bitch and a half. Not like I knew her or anything. But everyone knew about the divorce.
I bounced over to my iPod dock and found my usual cleaning playlist. Zomboy came on, and I launched into action. I hate cleaning too, but I didn't want Zac embarrassed by my messy apartment. He calls it messy. I call it organized chaos.
My apartment wasn't as bad as I thought it was, and quickly I was on to making dinner. I decided on spaghetti and meatballs. It is my family recipe, and I am extremely proud of it. Super simple, and it can simmer away while I get a shower and get ready. I skipped over to my bathroom. bringing my iPod and dock with me. I almost never go anywhere without music. It is something Rinny and I have in common, minus his taste for underground rap. I reached for the shower knob, and made it as hot as I could stand. Turned on my iPod, plugged it in and hit shuffle. Skrillex filled my bathroom as I stripped and hopped in the shower. I reached for my shampoo, and heard the front door click open. Only two people have a key to my apartment, and Eddie doesn't come over unannounced. It had to be Zac, and I was almost positive he would try and join me in the shower, so I reached out and locked the bathroom door. I needed time to process what happened last night in his bed. I was bothered by his silence all night, and then the "I love you, too." Ass. He knew how to push my buttons, and I knew it. I had no reason to doubt how he felt about me. He introduced me to the team. That has to mean somethingI am still not even quite sure how this happened, but the hand dragging me is insistent.He wants me to see. Isn't that what we always said we wanted as women. A man that would share his world with us. Well damnit, at this point I want to take back all those wishes. I do not want to be here. At. All. No, I am not meeting my future in laws. I am meeting his team mates. No big deal, you say? Ok, add in their wives and girlfriends. Still not feeling pity? Oh, did I mention I am surrounded by Orange? Oh, You aren't from Philly. I am surrounded By Flyers players. I am a Devil's Fan. My Boyfriend is a Flyer. I Do NOT want to be here. I get enough shit for being from outside Philly and proudly wearing red. I used to joke with my best friend that the only way I would ever wear orange is if I dated a Flyer. I may need to eat my words.
"Damn you, Zac." I muttered under my breath.
He heard me, I know he did, because the tug on my hand is more than strengthening. He is pulling me now. He isn't saying anything. I just know that this means something to him. I tug on my necklace for reassurance. It is my good luck charm. It is a replica of Bellatrix's necklace from the Harry Potter movies. It was also a present from my former fiance. He hates it.
"Stop playing with your necklace, Aly.."
"I hate that I haven't known you more than 6 months and you knew exactly what I was doing."
"I heard it jingle."
"Oh.." I smile sheepishly as he turns to face me.
"They aren't going to eat you alive, you know. I mean, aside from being a Devils Fan, you are kinda awesome."
My inner child stamps her foot, because I don't want to let that comment slide.
"You are a damned smart ass. Let's go before I regret not keeping my Henrique jersey on." I reach up to mess with his hair, and He dodges me. Not a big deal, except for me almost falling in the shoes I thought wearing would be a good idea. Mental note. Six inch stilettos are never ever a good idea when you are trying to look graceful.
We walk into the room, and I am surrounded by extremely gorgeous hockey players. They smell like ice, and my anxiety is almost calmed. I feel Zac pull me to him. Even in the shoes, I am still considerably shorter than him, and I see Giroux fighting back a giggle. Let G Giggle. I am just trying not to stare. I see Briere and someone I know is not his Ex-wife Sylvie. I see Simmonds, And Kimmo. Jesus Mother. I never thought I would be here. Zac tugs Me over to Bryz, and I am star struck. I admire Bryzgalov and his back up Bobrovsky so much.
"Yo! Mr. Universe!" I lightly tap Zac for the disrespect he is showing his goalie, and elder, but I don't think he cares. We are suddenly enveloped by Scott Hatnell, and I am overwhelmed again.
"So this is her? This is the Devils fan? We can still beat it out of her, right? Can we give her our present now?" Hartsy is a firecracker, and I have to admit, I am liking his enthusiasm. It has put me at ease. I feel Zac step away.. He knows me to well. Knows I hate presents and surprises I feel a light squeeze on my hand as I reach for my necklace. His silence towards me is unnerving. Guess I am on my own. I feel him leave my side.
"You have a present for me?"
"Yea, Rinny said it was ok.. so we went ahead and got you a little something. Me, and Danny and Claude. Well, Rinny too. Your Name is Lauren, right?"
I fight back a nervous giggle, as he gets my name wrong. Though I am pretty sure he did it on purpose. "It's Alyssa, actually. Aly. But Lauren is my middle name.."
"Like Lauren Hart!" Lauren Hart is the Flyers' Anthem singer, the gorgeous blonde bitch. I am not a fan of hers. She's made eyes at Zac more than once. And I can't do a damned thing about it. We are trying not to take our relationship public yet. It won't look to good if one of Philly's star players comes out as dating a hardcore fan of the team that just knocked them out of the playoffs in a killer upset.
I feel Zac back at my side, and I see he is holding an extremely orange gift bag. He holds it out to me, and Hartsy stanches it out of the way. "Not fucking yet! DANNY! G! Get over here! The Devils fan is gonna open her present."
I Blush scarlet, and really wish I was in my Henrique jersey, even if it annoys Zac. It's like armor. If you fuckers are gonna mess with me for it. I am gonna flaunt it even more. Danny Briere, and the woman he is with join us, and Claude is right on their heels. Jesus christ. I would give anything to have Eddie by my side. Eddie is my best friend, and he would gladly murder me and step over my dead body just to be in the same room as the team he has admired since conception. He would know everyone without having asking what number they wear. WHAT!? Like I said.. Devils fan.
I am pulled back to reality as Danny Briere holds out his hand to me. "Hi, I'm Danny. And this is Allison." I nod at the woman, who looks just as crazy nervous as I am, and gently clasp Danny's hand. I am doing rather well here. I have had a tiny crush on this man for years. I let that slip to Zac once, He vowed to never let me meet him. I think this is improvement Allison nods at me, and I nod back. I don't have time for much more as Calude Giroux pulls me into a hug. Zac must be able to feel my nerves, because he rescues me. "You fuckers gonna let her open this thing or what?"
They look at each other, like children that have done something wrong. Hartsy holds out the gift bag, and I gingerly take it. Like it is going to explode. "Do you always do this whole gift thing?" Allison answers me with a resounding "No.. And I tried to talk them out of it."
Yea, cause that did anything but hype up my anxiety. Oh well, Better get this over with.. and in True Aly Style, I plop myself down on the floor and look at them all expectantly. "You wanted me to open this now. You going to join me down here or what?" My tone is slightly rougher than I wanted it to be, but fuck it. If they don't like me, then oh well. They join me, and surprisingly so do Bryzgalov and Bobrovsky. Oh Jesus Christ.. My anxiety triples. I lean over to Zac and whisper in his ear: "I am going to kill you." He Smiles, that goofy grin that made me start crushing on him long before I met him. That grin and his I am going to fuck your world up attitude on the ice. Oh Jesus. "Just Open it Aly.." He drifts off, and his excitement is palpable. I dig through the horridly bright orange paper to reveal more orange. I am about to eat my words indeed. "If this is yours, I am going to freak." I pull out a Flyers home jersey. Offensively orange, and turn it over to see his name and number. Eating my words. He pulls it from my hands and slips it over my black dress. "I Hate you Rinny. Hate you. Hate." The whole Audience giggles as he assaults me with hes jersey and I profess my hatred til the thing is covering me.
I turn to Danny, Scott, and the rest of the players and women that are next to them. "Do you always humiliate new people!?" I manage to get out before collapsing into Zac's shoulder, giggling. I breathe in his scent. Hockey Player. It is the grossest and most intoxicatingly wonderful smell in the world. It never leaves. And some crazy expensive cologne that makes me slightly dizzy. Yep, Mine. I am lucky as fuck.
The rest of the night is relatively easy. We are at Danny's house, and he has his sons' gaming systems out. I am trying to behave like I have seen this amount of wealth before. I have, but it has been years. My dad was a VP for JPMorgan Chase. Thank god for my up bringing. Buffets and catering and things you only read about. It seems almost surreal. I spend alot of the time sitting on a couch, talking to a few of the wives and girlfriends, watching Zac act like a 12 year old, and play DJ. He did the last part to entice me out of my corner, and it almost worked. I am a music buff, and he knows one of my dreams is to DJ in AC or Vegas for a night. I don't leave though, and He joins me, sitting at my feet, and letting me play with his hair. It calms me instantly. He looks up after a few minutes, and smiles. "I like you in orange." I playfully swat at him and stck my tongue out. "And I would love you in red." He stands, and pulls me up, making ready to leave. "Love, huh?" He smiles and I blush again. We make our rounds and say goodbye, stopping longest with Danny and Allison, who invite us to dinner tomorrow in Philly. I stop them long enough to invite them back to my apartment. "I'd be flattered if you'd let me cook." Zac stiffens next to me, He knows I cook to impress men. They accept, and as we are leaving, looking for his car, he lets his temper loose.
"Seriously! What the fuck are you fucking playing at!? Cooking for Danny? I thought you were past that phase! I can't believe you.." He drifts off as he sees me stopped 10 feet from him, arms crossed, one leg straight, and the other bent. My classic are you done being stupid pose. He looks at me, almost apologetic and I hold up a finger to silence him. "One. Who the fuck's name is on the back of this god awful thing I was forced in to. Two. You know I hate going out to eat. Three. We kinda can't. And four. I fucking.. Oh nevermind. Can you just take me home now?" I stalk towards his car, and take my seat next to him where I begin pulling at my necklace again. He looks at me, semi astounded. I don't usually loose my temper with him. But he was being stupid stubborn and it pushed me over the edge.
"You fucking what?"
I am scarlet for the bajillionth time tonight. He caught that. Shit. Fuck. Damn. I swore I wouldn't say it first again.
"Nothing, Z. Can I spend the night with you.." I pull out the only nickname I have given him and bat my eyelashes. It works. We speed off to his place, and everything feels slightly normal for us.
-------
I woke up in the middle of the night, groggy and sweaty. I realize quickly I am not home. and that the sprawled out body next to me is my boyfriend. He is like any man when he sleeps, vulnerable and adorable. I fight back the urge to tuck him in before reaching for my laptop. It is the only thing I allowed him to buy me. Not like I had much of a choice. It is a beautiful MacBook Air, and I have named her Kaylee. He laughed at that. I spent weeks picking out her name. I press the space bar and she springs into life. When I can't sleep. I write. Or daydream, which turns into writing.
I put my headphones in, so I don't wake him, and look for something ambient and soft. iiO should do the trick. Chastity starts up and I smile. I had played this song the night I met him at work. It was playing when he sauntered in like he fucking owned the place. I had just started at the Cherry Hill Mall Teavana, coming from the one in King Of Prussia. I was having a sucky day, sales wise at least. In walks half the Flyers roster and I about lost it. Carrie dealt with G, and Mike, He got the little kid, Sean something. I still can't fucking remember his name. Zac sauntered up to me, and I stammered a greeting. I knew who he was, and I immediately fell on my Teavana training.
"Have you ever been to Teavana before?"
"Nope.." He wandered over to the cast iron pots, and I almost had a heat attack. I could feel Mike moving in on me. He knew G and maybe Zac were the ones actually about to buy something. I shoo'd him away behind my back. I wanted the chance to talk to him. So I broke rule number one at Cherry Hill. When a famous person walks in.. DO NOT say. HEY! YOU'RE ZAC RINALDO. Or anything that references that you know who they are.
"You know that the pot in your hand means Strength, right? I have see you play, Zac, and It would suit you.."
He rolled his eyes at that, and I mentally smacked myself. "You a Fan?"
I could almost hear Mike behind me mentally screaming "LIE!" It was a well known fact at work that I am a VERY proud Devils fan. I had come in that day in a Parise shirt. "Actually, I am a hockey fan. Just, not a Flyers fan." He perked up at that. He put the pot down on it's rest and moved over to the samples. I filled a cup with my favorite one, and he pucked it from my hand. I jumped when his fingers touched my palm, and his eyes sparkled. The three hour sale ended up being close to twelve hundred, which was my goal for the week. But the real prize was him subtly passing me his number. I almost fainted. Being such a proud Devils fan I was not about to admit that one of the two Flyers I would fuck just walked into my store and handed me his number. HOLY HELL.
He stirred beside me, pulling me from the day dream and I felt him sit up. My stomach did a flip flop. I had known for about a month that this was a bit stronger than Oh my Fucking GOD he is sexy and mine and a hockey player. I might actually love him. My stomach flipped again as he reached for me, and I jumped.
"You remember number four, from earlier, when you were freaking out..?" His smile was wolfish. He knew what was coming. He looked like a predator. "Yea. I remember. You going to tell me, Sugar?" I lost it there. Giggling, I threw the pillow behind me at him. He caught it, and kept it. "I was going to, but I have changed my mind. Come cuddle me while I try and sleep more?" I was flat on his bed in seconds, and he was above me, nuzzling my neck, kissing my lips for the first time since he had picked me up before the party. His eyes were intense, just like the night we met. "I already know Aly. Just say it."
I shook my head. He kissed me again, lay beside me, pulled me to him, and nuzzled my neck again. I felt his breath on my neck as he whispered, "I love you, too."
-----------
He had dropped me off ridiculously early. Well, early for me. I am no where near a morning person, but he wanted to skate. I had to straighten up my apartment, and get ready for Dinner tonight. I was going to host the Flyer's alternate captain and his.. well.. I guess girlfriend. She seemed sweet enough. Though anyone was an improvement on his ex-wife. She was a bitch and a half. Not like I knew her or anything. But everyone knew about the divorce.
I bounced over to my iPod dock and found my usual cleaning playlist. Zomboy came on, and I launched into action. I hate cleaning too, but I didn't want Zac embarrassed by my messy apartment. He calls it messy. I call it organized chaos.
My apartment wasn't as bad as I thought it was, and quickly I was on to making dinner. I decided on spaghetti and meatballs. It is my family recipe, and I am extremely proud of it. Super simple, and it can simmer away while I get a shower and get ready. I skipped over to my bathroom. bringing my iPod and dock with me. I almost never go anywhere without music. It is something Rinny and I have in common, minus his taste for underground rap. I reached for the shower knob, and made it as hot as I could stand. Turned on my iPod, plugged it in and hit shuffle. Skrillex filled my bathroom as I stripped and hopped in the shower. I reached for my shampoo, and heard the front door click open. Only two people have a key to my apartment, and Eddie doesn't come over unannounced. It had to be Zac, and I was almost positive he would try and join me in the shower, so I reached out and locked the bathroom door. I needed time to process what happened last night in his bed. I was bothered by his silence all night, and then the "I love you, too." Ass. He knew how to push my buttons, and I knew it. I had no reason to doubt how he felt about me. He introduced me to the team. That has to mean something.
I Finally Uploaded my Own Story!
Here is the link!
http://www.hockeyfanfiction.com/Story/36019/How-To-Perform/
2/18/14