Ali was waiting downstairs for James, eyeing her watch as the minutes ticked by. “Come down! I want to see!” she yelled up the stairs.

“Two minutes!”

Four minutes went by and Ali laughed. “James, you’re worse than a girl!”

“Almost done, I swear!”

She heard their bedroom door open and then a rumble of feet pounding down the steps. When James presented himself, Ali busted out laughing.

“Oh. My. God.”

James nodded proudly. “Yeah? A winner??”

He lifted his hands out so that the full front of his ugly sweater was on display. Ali held a hand up over her grin as she watched him do a spin. He wore the ugliest pair of light gray plaid pants that only an old man on a golf course would wear. He had no shirt on, with just a hunter green sweater vest on. The vest was straight out of the 80s, with teddy bears opening glittered presents all over it. In fact, they were the creepiest teddy bears Ali had ever seen.

“Wow. Just…..wow.”

James never looked happier. “I told you teddy bears were the way to go.”

“Oh yeah, especially since they go SO well with your tattoos.” She couldn’t stop giggling. James came over to her and wrapped his bare arms around her equally heinous sweater.

“You’re just jealous because all you could find were Christmas cats” he said, eyes bright and alive. “Aren’t you? That’s really it, isn’t it.”

Ali almost snorted. “Um…sure. Yes. That must be it.” She looked down at her giant red sweater with sleeves that could have fit over a wrestler’s arms. It had two cats under an obnoxious Christmas tree, playing with sequin baubles on the tree.

“I actually think mine’s pretty sexy” she replied.

“Yeah…on the floor.” James laughed when she playfully pushed him away from her.

“Come on, we better get going or we’ll be the last ones there” she said, going to grab her purse. “And if we are, I’ll just tell Sid you were busy gelling your hair for an hour.”

“Rule number one, babe” James said, taking her car keys from her, “you show up anywhere wearing teddy bears? Your hair better look good.”

James insisted on driving, so as a result, they got to Crosby’s house in record time. Ali and James could already see lines of cars parked in his lengthy driveway and further down the street. They parked towards the end of the line, grabbed the beer they bought on the way over, and headed up to the front door.

What was always hilarious to Ali was the size of all these guys’ houses. Sid’s house was twice as big as James’, for a guy who was so perpetually busy that he could’ve lived in a condo and still had too much room.

As they walked together up the driveway, James’ goosebumps were clearly visible all over his arms. They knocked on the front door and waited. Ali shook her head at him, but James just smiled.

“Jealous” he whispered.

“Worse than a girl” Ali whispered back.

The door flung open to reveal a very merry looking Pascal Dupuis, dressed in tight red velvet pants and a black, turtleneck sweater with a giant Santa Claus on it.

“NEALER’S HERE!”

Behind him, a roar of voices cheered. As the couple entered, Dupuis stood staring at James, trying not to smirk. “Couldn’t find a sweater with sleeves, huh?” He slapped him on the shoulder in his typical good-natured way.

“So many people jealous of the vest! I can’t believe it! Can you, babe?”

Ali smiled at Dupuis. “He just wouldn’t leave the guns at home, no matter what I tried to tell him.”

Dupuis laughed, taking the case of beer she was holding. “Agh, it’s old hat with Nealer. How the hell have you been?”

“Amaazzzing. And you? How’s the fam? Nice velvet pants, by the way.” They talked a little together as they made their way into the massive living room where most of the others were. Ali could see a few bodies in the kitchen where bottles upon cans upon cases of liquor and beer stood on his spacious counter top.

“Nealsy! Ali!” Geno hurried towards them, but threw both arms around Ali below her butt and lifted her into the air.

“OHMIGOD!” She was laughing uncontrollably as he slung her over his shoulder like a rag doll. “Geno!”

“You not with Nealsy tonight, you with me!” His voice loud and prominent as he laughed with her.

When he put her down, she landed with a thud but instantly hugged him. “You’re crazy! And I love it!”

He gave her a quick kiss on the cheek, then went to harass James. Ali was bombarded with hello’s by everyone there; most of them just other players on the team, but a few, like Kunitz and Fleury, brought their wives. The best outfit in the room that she saw went to Tanner Glass, who dressed up in a piece of giant green felt shaped like a Christmas tree. The others chirped him for wearing a costume and not a sweater, but Tanner was all about it. He was the happiest tree that Ali had ever seen.

While James was one of the most popular people there, he was still as attentive as ever. He brought Ali a drink he mixed for her in the kitchen, gave her a kiss, and then went back to floating around the room. Ali tried to spot Sid in all the commotion, but couldn’t find him. When she went to take a peek in the kitchen, she finally spotted him. He was talking to Letang at the time, but both men looked over and smiled when they saw her.

“Hey! You made it!”

Ali felt Sid’s strong embrace as he hugged her. It was as comfortable as it was the last time they hugged, back when they had their talk at her house. Ali realized how much she missed it.

When they parted, Kris moved in. “Hello Ali, how are you? Been awhile, eh?” His accent was as thick as ever. He held her out for both him and Sid to take a look at her sweater, and they both chuckled.

“Nice one” Sid said, his off center smile as friendly as ever. “Puts mine to shame.”

Ali disagreed. If anyone could see Sidney Crosby at that moment, they’d die. He wore a red and green striped sweater that had tiny silver pom-poms all over it. Ali pulled him gently to the side so she could inspect the back of the sweater, which was also covered in mini pom-poms.

“Wow….” Ali was equally as impressed as she was embarrassed. “That’s one special sweater, Sid.”

Kris laughed. “I told him he looked like he had a rash.”

Sidney rolled his eyes. “All the cat sweaters were already sold when I went to the resale store.” He nudged her in the side and winked.

“Hey Tanger! Where’s Tanger?” came a voice from the living room.

“Oh no” Kris said with a smile. “I’ll be back, guys.” He headed out to the living room, leaving Ali and Sid alone. They looked at one another, but Ali lowered her gaze to the liquid in her cup. She felt Sid’s hand on her arm.

“How’ve you been?”

“Oh…I’ve been good.” She smiled up at him. “Same ol’, same ol’, really. You?”

Sid laughed. “You know how I’m doing since you watch it on the ice.”

“Besides the ice, Sid.” She could actually see him thinking, which she found interesting.

He ended up shrugging. “I’m about as good as ever, I guess. Or as good as a guy can be when he’s wearing a pom-pom sweater.” His flawless face changed from questionable to bright in one second flat. Ali liked this look on him better.

“Well I think this is a great idea for a party. Thanks for the invite again…incase I haven’t said it already.”

“You were the only one I really cared about making it” Sid replied. “…If that’s okay.”

“It’s very okay.” Ali swallowed some of her drink, then smiled. “I better head out there and see what trouble James is causing.”

“Don’t be a stranger.” He used his and Ali’s favorite parting phrase, which made the smile remain stamped on Ali’s face as she left the kitchen.

In the living room, James was laughing hard about something with Bortuzzo when Ali sidled up beside him.

“Hey!” His arm went around her shoulders. “Missed you. Where’d you go?”

“Making the rounds.” Her and James clinked cups and drank. Rob was standing there with a ridiculous look on his face, watching James rub the back of Ali’s neck, her hair moving over his hand.

“You’re looking like you need another drink, Borts.”

“Is that this look?” he said with a chuckle. “I’ll take that offer, then! You two want refills?”

James looked at Ali. “Babe?”

“I’m good, thanks Rob.” She and James turned to one another when he left.

“Even in an ugly sweater, you look sexy,” he told her quietly. “You know…if my knee wasn’t so fucked up….”

“Behave!” Ali kissed him on his fuzzy cheek. “Later, okay?”

James took a drink and moved his eyebrows at her in a goofy sort of way. This let Ali know he was happy enough with just the thought of something happening later. In fact, Ali actually was hoping to get a decent buzz. She wanted to go home with a buzz, treat James to a rubdown like he’d given her last night, and get lost in all the angles of his body.

His bare arms weren’t helping the matter. He honestly didn’t understand that going shirtless, even if there was a sweater vest covering up half of him, was a dangerous thing. His arms, a contrast of colored ink and bare skin, kept pulling Ali’s eyes away from his face down to their sculpted lines. Not often was she treated to this sight in public.

Geno was quick to see that James was free, so he came over. He looked ridiculous in his blue and white sweater with an embroidered Menorah, which was about three sizes too small on him. The two of them did a little nudge type of handshake with their shoulders, which Ali thought was kind of cute.

As the two of them chatted, Maureen Kunitz stepped over and tapped Ali on the shoulder. When Ali turned, she was surprised to see it was her. Her long hair was pinned up into a ponytail, held by a gaudy red scrunchie; her sweater a mix of metallic threads that made a snowman scene on a cream background.

“Hiiii, I’m not interrupting, am I?” she said bashfully. “I just haven’t seen you in so long, and I was happy to see you here!”

“I know, right?” Ali and Maureen hugged, which made her feel really welcome. “When was the last time I saw you, anyways?”

“Not since June, I think?” Maureen flipped her hand and laughed. “Who cares, you’re here now! So how are things?” She nodded her head subtly towards James.

“Things are really, really good” Ali said, feeling proud to say so. “How’s everything going in the Kunitz household? James told me your youngest is learning to swear.”

Maureen laughed. “And guess who he learned that from?”

“Maureeeeensy!” James finally pulled himself away from Geno to notice that’d she came over to chat. “Whoa. Nice antlers.” He leaned into her. “Or would Kuni kick my ass for saying that?”

She straightened the brown felt headband and struck a pose. “How do I look?”

“Gorgeous as ever.” James gave her a kiss on the cheek. “I’ll let you two girls talk about whatever girls talk about.” This time, he pressed a kiss to Ali’s lips, lingering for just a moment before leaving them alone.

Ali knew exactly what he was doing, and Maureen’s facial expression proved it.

“You two are something else!” she exclaimed. “I mean….James is like….I don’t even know! I’m not sure I’ve seen him act this way since we met him.”

Ali had heard it all before, which made the butterflies that always took up residence in her tummy return yet again. “I can’t deny it, I’m pretty sure it’s love.” It was meant to come out light-hearted, but Maureen took her arm and led her over towards Sid’s bay window.

“Can I tell you something?” she asked her.

Ali hated anything that started with that phrase. “Sure?”

“None of us really thought James was serious” she said. “In fact, none of us thought it would last longer than a month. Chris didn’t, anyways.” Maureen’s friendly face lifted into an encouraging smile, and she rubbed Ali’s arms. “So when I say this, I mean it: James is like a whole new man with you.”

Butterflies…nothing but butterflies. “Thanks, Maureen. Really.” Ali replied. Just the fact that Maureen sought her out to say hi had relaxed Ali a little. She never really knew what the wives of the other players thought of her, or James, or of their relationship. But now, Ali felt pretty confident that they accepted her; at least Maureen, anyway.

“So. Since it has lasted, and it doesn’t look like it’s going to ever end….When are you going to sit with the rest of us wives at a game?”

Ali laughed. “The rest of ‘us wives’, Maureen?”

“Oh, come on, you’re close enough.”

She always wondered when it would come up, she just didn’t think it would come up at an ugly sweater party. “You know, I never really thought—“

“—That’s your problem, Ali. Don’t think!” Maureen smiled. “But I’ve hounded you enough tonight. Just consider it, okay? We’d all love to have you. You’d be like a breath of fresh air in that suite, and I know some of the others are dying to meet the girl who changed James Neal.”

“I’ll definitely make it up there one of these games.” Ali hugged Maureen again. “And thanks….For, you know…” She waved her hand. “Everything just now.”

“You’re welcome, hun. You’re officially part of the Pens family; it’s time for you to start feeling that way.”

As Maureen went to rejoin her husband, Ali was swamped in all sorts of emotions. Pens family. They consider me family. ME. Family! But how?

“Looks like you need another drink.”

Ali saw Bortuzzo standing in front of her, grinning wildly.

“Is that this look?” Ali said, mocking his earlier question.

“Very funny” Rob said. “Nealer’s dipping into the tequila, so you better go claim some before him and Sid kill the bottle.”

“Him AND Sid?” Ali had to see this.

James, Sid, and Geno were all finishing a shot of silver tequila when Ali joined them. Sid was stomping on the floor as he swallowed.

“Fuck” he exhaled.

“The Champ is here!” James cried, seeing Ali. He grabbed another shot glass and handed it to her. “Here guys – we have to do another while the Champ is present.”

“The Champ?” Ali laughed. “When did I become the Champ?” She was giggling as James spilled a little of the liquid he poured into her glass.

“Personally, babe…” he handed her the shot, then refilled his own. “You were the Champ the minute you took my dick into your mouth the first time.”

“James!” She shouldn’t have laughed, but she did, and James did too.

“Well!? It’s true!” He lifted the shot glass and turned to the guys. “But now, we salute the champ of tequila drinking! Raise your glasses, ladies.”

Geno, Sid, and Ali all raised their glasses. The fact that they were all dressed in such absurd sweaters, especially Geno in his tiny Hanukkah sweater, made the moment all the more hilarious.

“This one’s for you, babe.”

James downed the liquid, and Ali felt the delicious burn fill her from her mouth to her toes. As she set the glass back on the counter, she noticed Sid smiling at her. It was that smile, and whether he was starting to get a buzz or if he did it on purpose, Ali didn’t care to know.

She tapped James in the arm. “Another, please. And don’t stop refilling this until I tell you.”


* * *


Ali definitely achieved her goal. Both her and James were flying pretty high by the second hour of the party. It felt great to let loose somewhere that wasn’t a bar, and apparently James felt the same. At one point in the evening, he had Ali pinned against Sid’s washing machine, which was in a smaller room near the kitchen. He closed the door behind him, locking them in the small space.

“All mine now, nowhere to run.” James could easily tell he’d taken one too many shots, but he wasn’t past the fun part of being buzzed just yet. In front of him, Ali was giggling in her usual way as he pressed himself against her more.

“You’re bad, James.”

James agreed, and he wanted to be even worse. Outside, two male voices were talking; audibly walking past the door they were behind. They waited quietly in the dark of the room. James grinded his hip into Ali, and she didn’t need the lights on to know he was hard.

“Your knee, though” she whispered, feeling James stubble drag along her neck as he kissed her.

“Fuck my knee.”

“No, really.” She placed her hands on his chest, but his lips stayed locked on her throat. “We can’t do this here anyways! What if someone comes in here?”

“I know Sid’s boring, but I don’t think he’ll be doing laundry until tomorrow.”

“But you’re kind of a huge dude, don’t you think someone will notice we went missing?”

James silenced her with his mouth, his tongue darting inside, eliciting a soft moan from her. “You think too much, baby. Just let me have a taste, will ya?”

Ali couldn’t see a thing, which heightened her sense of touch. The feel of James’ strong hands sliding up her stomach beneath her sweater made her wet in ways he didn’t understand. One hand adeptly released her belt buckle, then the zipper of her jeans, and in no time was feeling just how wet she was.

James’ fingers, skilled from months and months of learning her every curve, knew exactly where to go, how hard to press, and exactly what reaction he would get from her. He knew which moans meant what, and what do to if he wasn’t getting the one he wanted.

”Mmphh, James…” She tried to talk, but James made sure she didn’t get many words out. His thumb continued to rub her most sensitive spot while he went a finger deep inside her. As much as she was enjoying it, it was killing him not to shove his cock into her right then and there. He was getting her worked up enough against the washing machine with just his hand that he sacrificed fucking her….for now.

She moaned into his mouth again, and he laughed softly. “Awfully sensitive tonight, aren’t we?” he whispered.

Even in the darkness, Ali knew James was grinning. She bit her lip and let his fingers work her, trying as hard as she could not to make a sound. Outside, more voices were heard walking past the door and both Ali and James froze. It was definitely Beau, and what sounded like Kris, but Ali couldn’t exactly keep her focus. Though neither of them dared to breathe, James kept working his thumb over Ali’s clit, bringing her dangerously close to the brink.

“James…” She tried to keep quiet, but it was becoming increasingly difficult. Her breathing was the problem; she couldn’t stand still, but James’ weight was doing a good job at forcing her. “Don’t…” Don’t stop. “Save it for later…”

“Cum for me” James commanded. He wanted her to, because he was in Sid’s house. He was marking his territory right there in the Captain’s laundry room; with him somewhere outside the door. He didn’t care who noticed them missing; he wanted to have the knowledge that he’d gotten his girlfriend off in Crosby’s house.

Ali let out a louder moan and James cupped his other hand over her mouth. The fact that she was trapped and had no choice but to accept James finger-fucking her only turned her on more. She was tipsy enough to not care, either. Something in her mind told her this wasn’t smart, but the finger in her pussy told her otherwise. She could almost see the bluish-green of James’ eyes as hers finally adjusted to the dark. He pressed his mouth next to her ear, his breathing slightly less heavy than hers, but she knew he wanted it. She felt it all over his body.

What she actually felt was a second thick finger push inside her to join the other. It was all too much; the tequila buzz, his arms, the way he moved his hand beneath her thong, being restrained, being in a damn small room with one of the largest Pens on the team…her body was a willing victim to them all.

James knew by the way Ali’s body tensed up that he finally had her. He kept his hand cupped over her mouth and spoke the encouragement she needed to be pushed over. She let loose over his fingers, moaning hard into his hand, her hot breath against his skin. James didn’t care if he was drunk or not; that moment was one of power and territory. Sidney could go fuck himself; Ali was his. He saw the way Sid looked at her. He saw how close he stood to Ali when they talked. James would have fucked her right there if he could, and he wouldn’t feel any remorse at all. And if someone found them? All the better.

Finally, James felt Ali’s pussy finish fluttering against his fingers. Against every desire he had in him, he removed his slickened hand from beneath her jeans. His cock was throbbing painfully now; he needed her as much as he wanted her, but he would have to wait.

“Beautiful, baby.” He kept his voice soft as he kissed down her neck, feeling her heartbeat racing beneath his lips. She exhaled a contented sigh, and James smiled against her neck. “Feel good?” he asked quietly. He knew the answer, but wanted to hear it.

”Yes…”

“Do you want it again later?”

She murmured something that sounded like a yes, but James’ mouth didn’t leave her much time to answer. Their kiss was slower now, but no less deep. With his dry hand, he held the side of her face and kept kissing her until her breathing settled.

“I want to go home now.” Ali was tugging on his sweater vest. “I want more of you.”

“But my knee” James mocked.

“We never ruled out other stuff.”

God, I love you he thought again. It was the most common thought he had.

“How are we going to get out of here?” Ali asked, zipping up her jeans. Her wits were finally coming back to her now.

“You go first? I’ll come out in five minutes?”

“That’s so obvious.”

“Okay, so let’s go together” he whispered. “We’ll say we got lost if anyone asks us why we were in here.”

Ali giggled softly. “Alright, let’s go.” She grabbed his hand, and immediately made a face as she felt the wetness on it. “Oh my god!”

“Well!?!?” James laughed. He wiped his hand on his sweater. “Better?”

“Yes.” Ali was as relaxed now as she would ever be. She honestly didn’t care either who saw them. The minute they left together, everyone would figure out why anyway.

They opened the door and the light hit them both rather suddenly, marking just how dark it was in the room. To their surprise, no one was in the little hallway that connected Sid’s laundry room to the kitchen area.

To James’ surprise, however, Ali took the lead and walked them both out into the kitchen proudly. Her hand was still clasped in James as they appeared before the guys who were milling around the liquor. To her luck, Sid wasn’t among them.

Ali smiled. “Hi guys!”

They stared at her, and then immediately stared at James. When they saw James smile, they knew then without having to ask any questions.

“Sorry fellas, I have an early curfew tonight” he said as Ali pulled him towards the living room. “Catch ya tomorrow?”

“You tell us!” Beau called. James heard him laughing behind him as they made their way through the living room.

“Where you been, Lazy?” Geno asked.

Ali walked right past him, but James gave him a sympathetic smile. “Sorry man, gotta leave. We’ll talk tomorrow, k?”

Maureen stopped them by standing in front of Ali. “Hold it. You two okay to drive?”

Ali looked at James and he shrugged. “Are you offering?” she asked her.

“Absolutely.” Maureen grabbed her purse nearby and pulled out her keys. “Come on, I’ll take you guys.”

“Oh no! Leaving already?” Sid came over when he saw Maureen holding her keys.

When Ali saw him, she felt a terrible amount of guilt come over her. He was also pretty drunk, which eased her guilt somewhat, but she had a hard time looking him in the eyes.

She let go of James’ hand to hug him goodbye. “Thanks for a fun party, Sid. This needs to happen every year!”

Sid’s gaze went to James while he hugged Ali. He just stood there grinning that damn grin Nealer always had.

“You’re welcome, Ali” he said, letting her go. “See ya in two mornings, Neal?”

“You got it, Cap.”

And with that, James and Ali headed home.


* * *