The Games We Play
Fifty-seven
The boys were in Anaheim, but Ali could only catch glimpses of the game because she was at work. In fact, she was working a double shift; covering for Becky, whose youngest fell ill a few hours before her shift was supposed to begin. Ali gladly offered to cover, but it made for a very long day.
When her most recent guest finished checking in, she lifted a leg and removed one of her heels. She flexed her toes and rotated her ankle, then did the same with her other foot. With her eyes lifted to one of the flat panels across the room, she kept track as best she could of what was happening in James’ world. So far, so good: they were up by one, but they had a lot of turnovers. It worried her, especially when she heard the crowd in the lounge cheering or sighing, depending on the play.
Ali slipped her heels back on and checked her phone. Brittany had been texting with her for most of the night, telling her about her new apartment she got in a new part of Boston. She had sent her pics, which made Ali happy to see. Now, though…all the lines were quiet. No texts, just a blank screen.
It was nearing the 9 o'clock hour on the east coast, and the game was only an hour old. It would be a long night if Ali planned to wait up for James. It would be an even longer night for her if he decided to call her again at 4 in the morning.
On the screen, Sid was frowning at one of the refs, who called a roughing foul on him. He reluctantly went over to the penalty box, hanging his head as he inspected the tape on his black stick.
Ali wondered what happened with him the night that James called. Sid wouldn’t fall for a dumb waitress, would he? Then again, what strings did Sid have other than his career on the ice. In her opinion, he took it was too seriously. He was allowed to have fun, like the rest of them.
The penalty kill unit was on the move, consisting of James, Malkin, Letang, and Martin. They looked scattered on the ice, but got the puck enough times through the two minutes to keep it away from Fleury. Ali breathed a sigh of relief as Sid came sprinting out of the box and back into play, happy the Ducks hadn’t scored.
Bringing her attention back to those in the hotel, Ali quietly watched couples come and go, now and then a pilot or two who were heading to the main terminal to go wherever they were going. Airports fascinated her as much as the entire airline business did; it’s the main reason she went to college and majored in it. Sometimes though, she wished she was anywhere in the world but behind the desk where she currently stood.
I really, really, really need to go to grad school.
She sighed. All that thought did was scare her. The future scared her in general, but grad school seemed like such a burden. It was two years since she graduated from undergrad, and she was so far out of the school scene that it was starting to seem like a bogus idea.
Happy shouting came from the lounge, which drew Ali’s eyes up to the tv panel again. There was a celebration huddle happening behind the Duck’s net, with Sutter’s line out on the ice. The camera focused in on Sutter, who must have had the goal.
“Who scored?”
Ali looked over as a businessman in a pressed black suit came walking from the elevators. “I’m sorry?”
He pointed at the screen. “The game?”
“Oh…I think Sutter did. I wasn’t paying attention at the moment, so not sure.” She laughed. “Which only figures, since I’ve been trying to keep my eye on it all night.”
He smiled at her. It was late, but he was dressed impeccably for the hour. She noticed even his salt and pepper hair had been styled, complimenting his sharp image. His smile appeared warm, but he had a keen look in his eyes.
“I was watching upstairs” he said. “Which only figures, since it takes exactly 30 seconds to make it to the bottom floor, and they go and score.”
Ali nodded. “Figures!” She enjoyed the man’s attempt at joking with her. “So did you need to check out, sir?”
“Not yet.” He ran his eyes over her slowly. “Might hang around a bit.”
Greeaaattt, she thought.
The game came back from commercial, showing Sutter on the bench and looking up at the screen hanging above him, re-watching his play. James sat to his right, just barely on screen. Ali kept her eyes on him, noticing his beard was getting slightly fuller than the last time she’d seen it. It made her smile to herself a little.
The man, who had also been focused on the game at the moment, glanced over to see Ali smiling. “What’s caught your eye?”
She shook her head. “Nothing.”
He leaned over the counter of the large desk, which made Ali look at him. His look was cocky, especially when he raised an eyebrow at her.
“Well now something had to make that pretty face prettier in the last minute.”
He thinks it’s him! Ali laughed, staring at him. “Ahhhhhh yeah, but you wouldn’t understand.”
“Try me.”
Ali faced him. “Is there something I can help you with, if you’re not checking out?” She faked a smile.
In response, the man stood up straight and adjusted his suit coat. “No, I think you’ve done all you can for me tonight.”
Ali smirked at him as he turned to leave, heading out the glass doors, swishing open to allow him through. Every day she had to deal with people who were assholes, but she never quite realized how many assholes there really were.
“That look must mean you made another new bestie!” Tamra came from the break room, her long blonde hair now pulled up in a ponytail. “Am I right?”
Ali laughed. “Can you please explain to me why men think it’s okay to hit on women when they’re on travel?”
“Did he have a ring on?” Tamra asked, sliding her purse back under the counter in front of her.
She tried to think. “I didn’t notice, but then again I wasn’t looking.”
Tamra shrugged and signed in to her computer. “Listen, love…” Her fingers quickly typed her password in and she then turned to face Ali. “I’ve been working at this desk for years now, and it’s become so automatic at times, I don’t even notice it when they do it anymore.”
Ali rolled her eyes at the thought of it. “Sorry to hear that” she said, sympathizing with her coworker. Tamra smiled, and then went back to her computer. “Have you heard from Becky?”
“No, have you?” Tamra looked over.
She shook her head. “I was hoping you did. You think Ethan will be okay?”
“I think so. I hope so.”
The girls looked at one another, both concerned for their friend’s sick boy. Ali was hoping she would have received a text or a call to the desk from Becky by now, but again, all was quiet. She didn’t know if that was a good or a bad sign.
At the entrance to the lobby, the glass doors swished open again, letting a man in a FedEx uniform enter. He headed for the front desk, a friendly smile on his face.
“Hi, can I help you?” Tamra asked.
“Yes, I have an Expedited Delivery fooorrr….” He glanced down at the envelope in his hands. “Allison Diserelli?”
Ali’s brows lifted in surprise. “Me?”
The delivery man smiled and handed her the envelope. “Sign here, please.”
She took the envelope first, then the small electronic device and signed her name as best she could. The FedEx man thanked them and then hurried on his way back out the doors.
Tamra looked over at Ali. “You don’t know what it is?”
Ali was looking down at the envelope with question. “No, and there’s no return label on it, either.”
“Well open it! Let’s see!” She sounded excited as she stepped closer. “Who knows what it could be!”
“Exactly” Ali replied, although she wasn’t positive it was something good.
With her finger, she pulled the little tab that held the envelope together. The thing was so light, she thought maybe someone was pulling a prank on her. As she looked inside, another round of cheering came streaming from the lounge nearby.
At first, it looked like nothing was inside but a couple pieces of shipping paper. Ali pulled the papers out, but when she saw what else was inside, she gasped.
Tamra was staring at her. “Ali? You okay?”
Ali’s eyes scanned the papers, her heart nearly stopping.
FLIGHT: DELTA AIRLINES DL31
DESTINATION: DENVER CO
PASSENGER: DISERELLI/ALLISON
GATE: D78
DEPARTURE: 6:43 AM 1 FEB 2014
BOARDING ZONE: 2
SEAT: A15
“It’s a ticket….” Ali said, her voice barely above a whisper. If Tamra said something in response, she didn’t hear it. She couldn’t hear much other than the heartbeat in her chest and in her ears and the echo it made through her entire body. Quickly, she flipped to the papers, the first of which was a printout with the picture of an elaborate ski chalet looking building.
Welcome to the Mountain Valley house: only 5 miles from the heart of Aspen, Colorado! Your romantic getaway awaits you!
Ali inhaled sharply. “My WHAT!??!”
This private, four bedroom home, 4000 square feet, is on a private lane at the edge of the National Forest. The home features a fully stocked kitchen, a great room with unparalleled views of the mountains, 3 fireplaces (one outdoor), 2 full and 1 half baths, central audio visual system, large exterior decks with grill, outdoor hot tub/jacuzzi, attached two car heated garage, and snow melted decks and driveway.
“Oh. My. God.”
Plane tickets.
Private rental home.
On the screen above her, James skated with the rest of his team while she read through the second of three papers:
Thank you for choosing Hertz! Here is the vehicle you have selected: Range Rover Sport 2014 LR-V6.
Stunned into silence, Ali flipped to the final paper:
Thank you for booking at The Remède Spa at the St. Regis Hotel in Aspen, Colorado. Below is your reservation for February 2, 2014 at 9 AM MST:
REMÈDE SPA SANCTUARY
Allow Remède to indulge you in a day of decadence. Your package includes a 60 minute customized facial, 60 minute customized massage, 30 minute body scrub, manicure, pedicure and a light lunch.
Additions to package include: Champagne, dark chocolate truffles.
RESERVATION BY: JAMES NEAL
RESERVATION FOR: ALLISON DISERELLI
Ali couldn’t see the papers or the tickets through the water that sat heavy in her eyes. She hurriedly wiped away a stray tear that managed to sneak out, catching it before it fell and dampened the various reservations she held in her hands. Looking up slowly, the only thing she saw was the television screen. The camera was, ironically enough, zoomed in on the Penguins bench where James Neal sat, plain as day, chewing on his mouth guard.
* * *
James saw Ali called four times when she knew he was on the ice. This didn’t sit well with him, but there was so much confusion and movement after their win against the Ducks, he never got a chance to call her back. She never sent a text either, so he had no clue as to why she had called so many times.
In his seat on the plane, James rested his chin on his hand, his elbow on the armrest. He bounced his knee nervously, which was brushing against the seatback tray in front of him. The sound was annoying, so he stopped.
With as much room as they had on this particular charter plane, James had the row to himself, but didn’t feel much like spreading out. His back was bothering him from a hard hit against the boards, so the thought of twisting to fit across three small seats wasn’t appealing to him at the moment.
Why would she call me when she knew I was playing?
In the row in front of him, Tanner Glass slid in and loudly dumped his bag in the seat. He followed Glass with his eyes before he dipped below the seat cushion. He swore he heard him snoring within minutes.
Well if he’s going to fucking snore, I need my ipod.
He reached over in his bag and grabbed his earbuds and ipod. Since he was too nervous to sleep, at least right away, maybe he could listen to something that would calm him down.
She knew I was playing. Does that mean she was in trouble? Did she need me and I wasn’t there?
She would’ve texted me if something was really wrong, though.
Pushing the two white buds into each of his ears, he flipped down through the list of random music collections, looking for anything with a mellow beat. He selected the first boring song he came to, then watched as the rest of his team boarded the plane. Geno got on and took the row next to where Glass sat. He gave him a nod, and James gave him one back.
James felt like he needed to look at his phone. Mainly he wanted to send Ali another text that asked her to call him, but he’d be out of touch for the next several hours as they flew to St. Louis.
He unlocked his screen and flipped idly through the pages of apps on his iphone. When he passed his email icon, he noticed he had one new email. Out of boredom and a touch of mild curiosity, he opened his inbox.
FEDEX DELIVERY NOTIFICATION: TRACKING NUMBER 286AHHD1532J9S31NGB
“HOLY SHIT.” James said it louder than he meant to because his music was turned up so loud. He looked up to see both Geno and Glass looking back at him.
“Easy, Nealer” Glass said, giving him a side eye. “Trying to snooze, here.”
“Didn’t mean to interrupt your beauty sleep” James chirped. Glass slid down and fell back asleep without a retort. When he disappeared out of sight, James looked down at the email again. He now understood why Ali had called so many times.
She got the goddamn package a night early. How did she get it a night early? James could’ve swore she had to work that morning, not that night. Maybe he had the whole thing reversed.
But she got it.
He slid down in his seat until his knees bumped the seat in front of him again. Pulling his Pens hat down as far as it could go, he was unable to stop himself from smiling. With his thumb and index finger, he rubbed his eyes. What the fuck. He could feel them sting. Maybe it was from being tired, or just relieved he didn’t have to worry anymore that something was wrong, but he felt his eyes just barely begin to fill with tears.
Ali got my packet.
So that’s done then.
She’ll be there, and then it’ll be time.
James rubbed the bill of his hat, squeezing it.
Please…please….please let this work out.
He had this idea for months, and for so long he was the only one who knew about it. Until recently, and out of necessity, he’d been alone in the whole thing. Just him and his thoughts and his worries.
And now, the main character in his unfolding story knew. He could only hope she would think it was for their one year anniversary.
If it works out, we’ll have two things to celebrate now. The day we met, and the day we got engaged.
* * *
Ali called Brittany first thing the next morning.
Then she called Becky. (Who delivered good news of her own: informing Ali that her son was doing much better, to Ali’s relief.)
Next, she called Rebecca Neal.
“Ali??”
“Becca, how long have you known?” Ali heard her go silent.
“Aaaaaaa-bout what?”
“About James flying me to Colorado for our one year anniversary?”
“He’s flying you to Colorado?”
Ali laughed. “You KNEW, didn’t you? I knew it!”
“I didn’t know anything, I swear!” Rebecca lied, her voice becoming increasingly high-pitched. In her bedroom, she started to dance around, holding the phone out so Ali couldn’t hear her having a mini-celebration dance.
“ASSUMING you are actually telling the truth” Ali said, grinning wildly, “Then let me tell you how much I love your big brother – James actually FedEx’d me a same-day envelope which had a plane tickets to Denver, a rental car receipt, a private HOUSE RENTAL in Aspen—“
“A HOUSE RENTAL?” Rebecca jumped onto her bed, biting her pillow to keep from screaming happily. He’s going to do it!! He’s actually going through with it!
“Yes! AND…” Ali continued, “he got me an entire day at the spa on the day he plays in Denver!”
“Ohmigod I can’t even believe we are talking about the same man!” Rebecca said, trying to catch her breath. She rolled onto her back, staring up at her ceiling. She silently thanked her brother for not being a total jerkoff.
On the other line, Ali was laughing excitedly, totally engulfed in the moment. “I started crying when I saw everything he sent. I can’t believe he is actually flying me out to Colorado.” She felt the tears come again when she said this. “I mean…to celebrate our anniversary where we first met? Do you understand how amazing that is, Bec? And HE thought of it!”
“Amazing, Ali. Really!”
Ali sighed happily, smiling at absolutely nothing as she stood in her kitchen. Rebecca was smiling at absolutely nothing in her bedroom in Whitby, hardly able to contain all the secrets she was still keeping from Ali. If this girl was excited now…
“Are you sure you didn’t know?” Ali asked again.
Becca bit her finger. “Do you think my brother would actually tell me something like this?”
“….I don’t know. I guess not.”
“See?” Becca shot upright, her now-messy golden hair falling over her shoulders. “Did he say anything to you?” I don’t know what he said! Crap! What if he said something to her about all the other stuff?
“I actually haven’t even talked to him yet.” Ali felt bad about this, but she knew James would call the minute he was free. “But he knows I called, since I got a text from him super late last night.”
Rebecca relaxed. “Oh right, they play the Blues tonight, right?”
“Yeah.”
Good. Now I can talk to him and get our stories straight before I screw anything up, she thought.
“Sorry to call you like this, being all girly and crazy right now” Ali told her, feeling a little guilty.
“Don’t you dare apologize!” Becca said, trying to bring back her surprised voice again. “Like….wow, I can’t believe James could even think something like that up, Ali! You lucky girl.”
“Aw, Becca, thank you!” Ali was happier now than ever to have gotten closer with James’ sister. “I should let you go, anyways…I need to call my parents next and tell them all about this.”
Rebecca giggled excitedly. “Alright! Keep me posted, okay? When are you leaving?”
“In two days.”
“Holy crap.”
“I know.” It was hard for Ali to even believe. She already had to change every mental plan she made to keep herself busy while James was gone. In two days, she’d be in Colorado when she originally expected to just be hanging on the couch or going for a run.
“Better get a move on, then” Becca said. “But I’ll be looking for pictures from you and Jimmy once you get there!”
“You know I’ll be taking tons. Thanks again, Bec. Talk soon?”
“Sooner than later!”
The girls hung up, and then Ali made the most important call of the day: her parents.
* * *
It was like everything that could have happened to prevent James from using the phone happened that morning. Every damn chance he got, when he thought he was finally able to slip away to call Ali, something came up. The equipment managers were caught in a snow storm somewhere in northern Oklahoma, so when they finally made it into St. Louis, Dan and the team offered to help set up the locker room and unload all the equipment.
It took at least two hours to unload, and then unpack and sort everything that normally a team of managers took care of, but because there wasn’t much time, everyone pitched in. James and the others worked all morning, hauling their gear bags, rows and rows of sticks, skate sharpening benches, tuning benches, uniforms, boot drying machines….everything.
Bylsma called off a full morning skate because of the equipment issue, but did want everyone to warm up for a half hour at their own pace before the clock struck noon, then the Blues would need the ice. James got his half hour out of the way with most of the others, and cut his 30 minutes short by five, hoping that would gain him a leg up on undressing and getting back into his suit. This was not the case, and missed yet another opportunity to call Ali.
Finally, after the guys decided to grab a late lunch, James was able to get some time alone and call his girlfriend….hours and hours later than he wanted. Since the team had such little time, they were only going next door to a restaurant that was next to their hotel. James told them he would catch up to them, and they should order without him. Food wasn’t exactly his biggest concern at the moment.
As James waited for Ali to pick up, he paced through his hotel room slowly. Every ring seemed to take an hour, but after four rings, he got his wish.
“JAMES YOU CRAZY BASTARD!!”
James practically jumped back. “Hi Babe!” He was laughing, knowing very well why she was screaming into the phone. “What’s going on?”
“I love you. I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you—“
“Wait….” James heard Ali stop. “Did I hear you right? Did you say you loved me?”
“Ugh, JAMES!”
He began to laugh. “Soooo???”
“SO!?!?” Ali was shrieking again, and James was picturing in his head the image of her running around or jumping around their house. “You’re flying me to Colorado for our anniversary!! HOW? Why!!??! I fucking LOVE YOU.”
She bought it. James was laughing again, but this time, because Ali was believing the only thing he absolutely needed her to believe for this to be the true surprise it was. She had to have zero suspicions, and had to believe it was for their anniversary.
James was grinning, his smile wide and his eyes bright with excitement. “I love you too, Allison, that’s why I’m doing it. Do you know how hard it is to leave you before a stretch of away games, knowing I’d get to see you and not tell you?”
Ali gasped. “You knew the morning you left?”
“Weeelll, I mean…I couldn’t give it away….”
“How long did you have this planned!?”
James had to lie, though he didn’t want to. “I kinda started to put ideas together a little before Christmas.” That’s not a total lie, is it? A few weeks before Thanksgiving is technically a ‘little before Christmas’…right?
“I can’t believe it.”
She sounded as stunned as James hoped she would. It made the long wait to talk to her worth it. “You didn’t think I had a creative bone in my body, did ya?”
“Lies!” Ali said with a laugh. “You brought me onto the ice you play on. That wiped away any prior notion that you were creative-less.”
James flopped down on the bed, his back flat against the mattress. He felt like he was literally floating. If he knew it would feel this good to surprise Ali like this, all his prior fears wouldn’t have lasted two seconds wasting space in his brain.
“Can I admit something?” he said, feeling a little silly, but not caring.
“Of course!”
“I’m really fucking excited.” James was smiling up at the ceiling. “I’m fucking excited to be back in Colorado with you.”
“I fucking love you.”
James laughed. “You don’t have anything else to say other than that?”
“Nope. That’s it. I just love you.”
I’ll never be able to hear that enough, so never stop he wanted to say, but he bit his tongue.
“Okay actually, I have something else to say” Ali said. “May I?”
“Of course.” He was eager to hear, and he could already tell she was smiling.
“My parents love you.”
James cocked his head on the mattress. “What do you mean?”
“I talked to them this morning...Along with just about everyone else, you know, to brag…” She giggled a little and James started to feel a deep tingling feeling in his stomach.
“And what did ‘everyone’ say?” he asked, digging a little.
“Weeeell, everyone thought you were basically the best boyfriend in the world, but if they didn’t know that by now, then shame on then.”
James closed his eyes contentedly. “And your parents?”
“They were SUPER excited for me, James. Like…..” Ali was shaking her head, trying her best to sum up the incredible conversation she had with her mom and dad that morning. “…like I really think they consider you family.”
Thank you Wendy and Jeff. James sighed, feeling his heart go out to the parents of the woman he loved.
“…And I think my mom was so loud she scared Chester out of the room she was in when she was on the phone with me!” Ali laughed.
“I’ll make it up to Chester, I promise.” James smiled. He felt so good. This was better than anything he ever felt before, and he still had one more step to go.
“Anyway….thank you, James. I can’t say it enough. You are literally the best, and the best at surprises.”
“You’re welcome, babe. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”
“I know.” Ali felt the tears come again, but she pushed them back. “I can’t wait to see you. It’ll feel so different when I do, too.”
“How do you mean?”
“I don’t know, this just feels different. Maybe because we’re celebrating our one year?”
“Yeah, that could be it” James said, his voice going softer. “One year.”
“One year” Ali repeated.
They were quiet on the line together. It was a comfortable sort of quiet, where both of them were trying to picture the other and how they looked and what they must feel at that moment. Neither of them knew it, but they were both right on the money: they were both wishing they could kiss one another, because it was the only thing left to do.
* * *
When her most recent guest finished checking in, she lifted a leg and removed one of her heels. She flexed her toes and rotated her ankle, then did the same with her other foot. With her eyes lifted to one of the flat panels across the room, she kept track as best she could of what was happening in James’ world. So far, so good: they were up by one, but they had a lot of turnovers. It worried her, especially when she heard the crowd in the lounge cheering or sighing, depending on the play.
Ali slipped her heels back on and checked her phone. Brittany had been texting with her for most of the night, telling her about her new apartment she got in a new part of Boston. She had sent her pics, which made Ali happy to see. Now, though…all the lines were quiet. No texts, just a blank screen.
It was nearing the 9 o'clock hour on the east coast, and the game was only an hour old. It would be a long night if Ali planned to wait up for James. It would be an even longer night for her if he decided to call her again at 4 in the morning.
On the screen, Sid was frowning at one of the refs, who called a roughing foul on him. He reluctantly went over to the penalty box, hanging his head as he inspected the tape on his black stick.
Ali wondered what happened with him the night that James called. Sid wouldn’t fall for a dumb waitress, would he? Then again, what strings did Sid have other than his career on the ice. In her opinion, he took it was too seriously. He was allowed to have fun, like the rest of them.
The penalty kill unit was on the move, consisting of James, Malkin, Letang, and Martin. They looked scattered on the ice, but got the puck enough times through the two minutes to keep it away from Fleury. Ali breathed a sigh of relief as Sid came sprinting out of the box and back into play, happy the Ducks hadn’t scored.
Bringing her attention back to those in the hotel, Ali quietly watched couples come and go, now and then a pilot or two who were heading to the main terminal to go wherever they were going. Airports fascinated her as much as the entire airline business did; it’s the main reason she went to college and majored in it. Sometimes though, she wished she was anywhere in the world but behind the desk where she currently stood.
I really, really, really need to go to grad school.
She sighed. All that thought did was scare her. The future scared her in general, but grad school seemed like such a burden. It was two years since she graduated from undergrad, and she was so far out of the school scene that it was starting to seem like a bogus idea.
Happy shouting came from the lounge, which drew Ali’s eyes up to the tv panel again. There was a celebration huddle happening behind the Duck’s net, with Sutter’s line out on the ice. The camera focused in on Sutter, who must have had the goal.
“Who scored?”
Ali looked over as a businessman in a pressed black suit came walking from the elevators. “I’m sorry?”
He pointed at the screen. “The game?”
“Oh…I think Sutter did. I wasn’t paying attention at the moment, so not sure.” She laughed. “Which only figures, since I’ve been trying to keep my eye on it all night.”
He smiled at her. It was late, but he was dressed impeccably for the hour. She noticed even his salt and pepper hair had been styled, complimenting his sharp image. His smile appeared warm, but he had a keen look in his eyes.
“I was watching upstairs” he said. “Which only figures, since it takes exactly 30 seconds to make it to the bottom floor, and they go and score.”
Ali nodded. “Figures!” She enjoyed the man’s attempt at joking with her. “So did you need to check out, sir?”
“Not yet.” He ran his eyes over her slowly. “Might hang around a bit.”
Greeaaattt, she thought.
The game came back from commercial, showing Sutter on the bench and looking up at the screen hanging above him, re-watching his play. James sat to his right, just barely on screen. Ali kept her eyes on him, noticing his beard was getting slightly fuller than the last time she’d seen it. It made her smile to herself a little.
The man, who had also been focused on the game at the moment, glanced over to see Ali smiling. “What’s caught your eye?”
She shook her head. “Nothing.”
He leaned over the counter of the large desk, which made Ali look at him. His look was cocky, especially when he raised an eyebrow at her.
“Well now something had to make that pretty face prettier in the last minute.”
He thinks it’s him! Ali laughed, staring at him. “Ahhhhhh yeah, but you wouldn’t understand.”
“Try me.”
Ali faced him. “Is there something I can help you with, if you’re not checking out?” She faked a smile.
In response, the man stood up straight and adjusted his suit coat. “No, I think you’ve done all you can for me tonight.”
Ali smirked at him as he turned to leave, heading out the glass doors, swishing open to allow him through. Every day she had to deal with people who were assholes, but she never quite realized how many assholes there really were.
“That look must mean you made another new bestie!” Tamra came from the break room, her long blonde hair now pulled up in a ponytail. “Am I right?”
Ali laughed. “Can you please explain to me why men think it’s okay to hit on women when they’re on travel?”
“Did he have a ring on?” Tamra asked, sliding her purse back under the counter in front of her.
She tried to think. “I didn’t notice, but then again I wasn’t looking.”
Tamra shrugged and signed in to her computer. “Listen, love…” Her fingers quickly typed her password in and she then turned to face Ali. “I’ve been working at this desk for years now, and it’s become so automatic at times, I don’t even notice it when they do it anymore.”
Ali rolled her eyes at the thought of it. “Sorry to hear that” she said, sympathizing with her coworker. Tamra smiled, and then went back to her computer. “Have you heard from Becky?”
“No, have you?” Tamra looked over.
She shook her head. “I was hoping you did. You think Ethan will be okay?”
“I think so. I hope so.”
The girls looked at one another, both concerned for their friend’s sick boy. Ali was hoping she would have received a text or a call to the desk from Becky by now, but again, all was quiet. She didn’t know if that was a good or a bad sign.
At the entrance to the lobby, the glass doors swished open again, letting a man in a FedEx uniform enter. He headed for the front desk, a friendly smile on his face.
“Hi, can I help you?” Tamra asked.
“Yes, I have an Expedited Delivery fooorrr….” He glanced down at the envelope in his hands. “Allison Diserelli?”
Ali’s brows lifted in surprise. “Me?”
The delivery man smiled and handed her the envelope. “Sign here, please.”
She took the envelope first, then the small electronic device and signed her name as best she could. The FedEx man thanked them and then hurried on his way back out the doors.
Tamra looked over at Ali. “You don’t know what it is?”
Ali was looking down at the envelope with question. “No, and there’s no return label on it, either.”
“Well open it! Let’s see!” She sounded excited as she stepped closer. “Who knows what it could be!”
“Exactly” Ali replied, although she wasn’t positive it was something good.
With her finger, she pulled the little tab that held the envelope together. The thing was so light, she thought maybe someone was pulling a prank on her. As she looked inside, another round of cheering came streaming from the lounge nearby.
At first, it looked like nothing was inside but a couple pieces of shipping paper. Ali pulled the papers out, but when she saw what else was inside, she gasped.
Tamra was staring at her. “Ali? You okay?”
Ali’s eyes scanned the papers, her heart nearly stopping.
FLIGHT: DELTA AIRLINES DL31
DESTINATION: DENVER CO
PASSENGER: DISERELLI/ALLISON
GATE: D78
DEPARTURE: 6:43 AM 1 FEB 2014
BOARDING ZONE: 2
SEAT: A15
“It’s a ticket….” Ali said, her voice barely above a whisper. If Tamra said something in response, she didn’t hear it. She couldn’t hear much other than the heartbeat in her chest and in her ears and the echo it made through her entire body. Quickly, she flipped to the papers, the first of which was a printout with the picture of an elaborate ski chalet looking building.
Welcome to the Mountain Valley house: only 5 miles from the heart of Aspen, Colorado! Your romantic getaway awaits you!
Ali inhaled sharply. “My WHAT!??!”
This private, four bedroom home, 4000 square feet, is on a private lane at the edge of the National Forest. The home features a fully stocked kitchen, a great room with unparalleled views of the mountains, 3 fireplaces (one outdoor), 2 full and 1 half baths, central audio visual system, large exterior decks with grill, outdoor hot tub/jacuzzi, attached two car heated garage, and snow melted decks and driveway.
“Oh. My. God.”
Plane tickets.
Private rental home.
On the screen above her, James skated with the rest of his team while she read through the second of three papers:
Thank you for choosing Hertz! Here is the vehicle you have selected: Range Rover Sport 2014 LR-V6.
Stunned into silence, Ali flipped to the final paper:
Thank you for booking at The Remède Spa at the St. Regis Hotel in Aspen, Colorado. Below is your reservation for February 2, 2014 at 9 AM MST:
REMÈDE SPA SANCTUARY
Allow Remède to indulge you in a day of decadence. Your package includes a 60 minute customized facial, 60 minute customized massage, 30 minute body scrub, manicure, pedicure and a light lunch.
Additions to package include: Champagne, dark chocolate truffles.
RESERVATION BY: JAMES NEAL
RESERVATION FOR: ALLISON DISERELLI
Ali couldn’t see the papers or the tickets through the water that sat heavy in her eyes. She hurriedly wiped away a stray tear that managed to sneak out, catching it before it fell and dampened the various reservations she held in her hands. Looking up slowly, the only thing she saw was the television screen. The camera was, ironically enough, zoomed in on the Penguins bench where James Neal sat, plain as day, chewing on his mouth guard.
* * *
James saw Ali called four times when she knew he was on the ice. This didn’t sit well with him, but there was so much confusion and movement after their win against the Ducks, he never got a chance to call her back. She never sent a text either, so he had no clue as to why she had called so many times.
In his seat on the plane, James rested his chin on his hand, his elbow on the armrest. He bounced his knee nervously, which was brushing against the seatback tray in front of him. The sound was annoying, so he stopped.
With as much room as they had on this particular charter plane, James had the row to himself, but didn’t feel much like spreading out. His back was bothering him from a hard hit against the boards, so the thought of twisting to fit across three small seats wasn’t appealing to him at the moment.
Why would she call me when she knew I was playing?
In the row in front of him, Tanner Glass slid in and loudly dumped his bag in the seat. He followed Glass with his eyes before he dipped below the seat cushion. He swore he heard him snoring within minutes.
Well if he’s going to fucking snore, I need my ipod.
He reached over in his bag and grabbed his earbuds and ipod. Since he was too nervous to sleep, at least right away, maybe he could listen to something that would calm him down.
She knew I was playing. Does that mean she was in trouble? Did she need me and I wasn’t there?
She would’ve texted me if something was really wrong, though.
Pushing the two white buds into each of his ears, he flipped down through the list of random music collections, looking for anything with a mellow beat. He selected the first boring song he came to, then watched as the rest of his team boarded the plane. Geno got on and took the row next to where Glass sat. He gave him a nod, and James gave him one back.
James felt like he needed to look at his phone. Mainly he wanted to send Ali another text that asked her to call him, but he’d be out of touch for the next several hours as they flew to St. Louis.
He unlocked his screen and flipped idly through the pages of apps on his iphone. When he passed his email icon, he noticed he had one new email. Out of boredom and a touch of mild curiosity, he opened his inbox.
FEDEX DELIVERY NOTIFICATION: TRACKING NUMBER 286AHHD1532J9S31NGB
“HOLY SHIT.” James said it louder than he meant to because his music was turned up so loud. He looked up to see both Geno and Glass looking back at him.
“Easy, Nealer” Glass said, giving him a side eye. “Trying to snooze, here.”
“Didn’t mean to interrupt your beauty sleep” James chirped. Glass slid down and fell back asleep without a retort. When he disappeared out of sight, James looked down at the email again. He now understood why Ali had called so many times.
She got the goddamn package a night early. How did she get it a night early? James could’ve swore she had to work that morning, not that night. Maybe he had the whole thing reversed.
But she got it.
He slid down in his seat until his knees bumped the seat in front of him again. Pulling his Pens hat down as far as it could go, he was unable to stop himself from smiling. With his thumb and index finger, he rubbed his eyes. What the fuck. He could feel them sting. Maybe it was from being tired, or just relieved he didn’t have to worry anymore that something was wrong, but he felt his eyes just barely begin to fill with tears.
Ali got my packet.
So that’s done then.
She’ll be there, and then it’ll be time.
James rubbed the bill of his hat, squeezing it.
Please…please….please let this work out.
He had this idea for months, and for so long he was the only one who knew about it. Until recently, and out of necessity, he’d been alone in the whole thing. Just him and his thoughts and his worries.
And now, the main character in his unfolding story knew. He could only hope she would think it was for their one year anniversary.
If it works out, we’ll have two things to celebrate now. The day we met, and the day we got engaged.
* * *
Ali called Brittany first thing the next morning.
Then she called Becky. (Who delivered good news of her own: informing Ali that her son was doing much better, to Ali’s relief.)
Next, she called Rebecca Neal.
“Ali??”
“Becca, how long have you known?” Ali heard her go silent.
“Aaaaaaa-bout what?”
“About James flying me to Colorado for our one year anniversary?”
“He’s flying you to Colorado?”
Ali laughed. “You KNEW, didn’t you? I knew it!”
“I didn’t know anything, I swear!” Rebecca lied, her voice becoming increasingly high-pitched. In her bedroom, she started to dance around, holding the phone out so Ali couldn’t hear her having a mini-celebration dance.
“ASSUMING you are actually telling the truth” Ali said, grinning wildly, “Then let me tell you how much I love your big brother – James actually FedEx’d me a same-day envelope which had a plane tickets to Denver, a rental car receipt, a private HOUSE RENTAL in Aspen—“
“A HOUSE RENTAL?” Rebecca jumped onto her bed, biting her pillow to keep from screaming happily. He’s going to do it!! He’s actually going through with it!
“Yes! AND…” Ali continued, “he got me an entire day at the spa on the day he plays in Denver!”
“Ohmigod I can’t even believe we are talking about the same man!” Rebecca said, trying to catch her breath. She rolled onto her back, staring up at her ceiling. She silently thanked her brother for not being a total jerkoff.
On the other line, Ali was laughing excitedly, totally engulfed in the moment. “I started crying when I saw everything he sent. I can’t believe he is actually flying me out to Colorado.” She felt the tears come again when she said this. “I mean…to celebrate our anniversary where we first met? Do you understand how amazing that is, Bec? And HE thought of it!”
“Amazing, Ali. Really!”
Ali sighed happily, smiling at absolutely nothing as she stood in her kitchen. Rebecca was smiling at absolutely nothing in her bedroom in Whitby, hardly able to contain all the secrets she was still keeping from Ali. If this girl was excited now…
“Are you sure you didn’t know?” Ali asked again.
Becca bit her finger. “Do you think my brother would actually tell me something like this?”
“….I don’t know. I guess not.”
“See?” Becca shot upright, her now-messy golden hair falling over her shoulders. “Did he say anything to you?” I don’t know what he said! Crap! What if he said something to her about all the other stuff?
“I actually haven’t even talked to him yet.” Ali felt bad about this, but she knew James would call the minute he was free. “But he knows I called, since I got a text from him super late last night.”
Rebecca relaxed. “Oh right, they play the Blues tonight, right?”
“Yeah.”
Good. Now I can talk to him and get our stories straight before I screw anything up, she thought.
“Sorry to call you like this, being all girly and crazy right now” Ali told her, feeling a little guilty.
“Don’t you dare apologize!” Becca said, trying to bring back her surprised voice again. “Like….wow, I can’t believe James could even think something like that up, Ali! You lucky girl.”
“Aw, Becca, thank you!” Ali was happier now than ever to have gotten closer with James’ sister. “I should let you go, anyways…I need to call my parents next and tell them all about this.”
Rebecca giggled excitedly. “Alright! Keep me posted, okay? When are you leaving?”
“In two days.”
“Holy crap.”
“I know.” It was hard for Ali to even believe. She already had to change every mental plan she made to keep herself busy while James was gone. In two days, she’d be in Colorado when she originally expected to just be hanging on the couch or going for a run.
“Better get a move on, then” Becca said. “But I’ll be looking for pictures from you and Jimmy once you get there!”
“You know I’ll be taking tons. Thanks again, Bec. Talk soon?”
“Sooner than later!”
The girls hung up, and then Ali made the most important call of the day: her parents.
* * *
It was like everything that could have happened to prevent James from using the phone happened that morning. Every damn chance he got, when he thought he was finally able to slip away to call Ali, something came up. The equipment managers were caught in a snow storm somewhere in northern Oklahoma, so when they finally made it into St. Louis, Dan and the team offered to help set up the locker room and unload all the equipment.
It took at least two hours to unload, and then unpack and sort everything that normally a team of managers took care of, but because there wasn’t much time, everyone pitched in. James and the others worked all morning, hauling their gear bags, rows and rows of sticks, skate sharpening benches, tuning benches, uniforms, boot drying machines….everything.
Bylsma called off a full morning skate because of the equipment issue, but did want everyone to warm up for a half hour at their own pace before the clock struck noon, then the Blues would need the ice. James got his half hour out of the way with most of the others, and cut his 30 minutes short by five, hoping that would gain him a leg up on undressing and getting back into his suit. This was not the case, and missed yet another opportunity to call Ali.
Finally, after the guys decided to grab a late lunch, James was able to get some time alone and call his girlfriend….hours and hours later than he wanted. Since the team had such little time, they were only going next door to a restaurant that was next to their hotel. James told them he would catch up to them, and they should order without him. Food wasn’t exactly his biggest concern at the moment.
As James waited for Ali to pick up, he paced through his hotel room slowly. Every ring seemed to take an hour, but after four rings, he got his wish.
“JAMES YOU CRAZY BASTARD!!”
James practically jumped back. “Hi Babe!” He was laughing, knowing very well why she was screaming into the phone. “What’s going on?”
“I love you. I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you—“
“Wait….” James heard Ali stop. “Did I hear you right? Did you say you loved me?”
“Ugh, JAMES!”
He began to laugh. “Soooo???”
“SO!?!?” Ali was shrieking again, and James was picturing in his head the image of her running around or jumping around their house. “You’re flying me to Colorado for our anniversary!! HOW? Why!!??! I fucking LOVE YOU.”
She bought it. James was laughing again, but this time, because Ali was believing the only thing he absolutely needed her to believe for this to be the true surprise it was. She had to have zero suspicions, and had to believe it was for their anniversary.
James was grinning, his smile wide and his eyes bright with excitement. “I love you too, Allison, that’s why I’m doing it. Do you know how hard it is to leave you before a stretch of away games, knowing I’d get to see you and not tell you?”
Ali gasped. “You knew the morning you left?”
“Weeelll, I mean…I couldn’t give it away….”
“How long did you have this planned!?”
James had to lie, though he didn’t want to. “I kinda started to put ideas together a little before Christmas.” That’s not a total lie, is it? A few weeks before Thanksgiving is technically a ‘little before Christmas’…right?
“I can’t believe it.”
She sounded as stunned as James hoped she would. It made the long wait to talk to her worth it. “You didn’t think I had a creative bone in my body, did ya?”
“Lies!” Ali said with a laugh. “You brought me onto the ice you play on. That wiped away any prior notion that you were creative-less.”
James flopped down on the bed, his back flat against the mattress. He felt like he was literally floating. If he knew it would feel this good to surprise Ali like this, all his prior fears wouldn’t have lasted two seconds wasting space in his brain.
“Can I admit something?” he said, feeling a little silly, but not caring.
“Of course!”
“I’m really fucking excited.” James was smiling up at the ceiling. “I’m fucking excited to be back in Colorado with you.”
“I fucking love you.”
James laughed. “You don’t have anything else to say other than that?”
“Nope. That’s it. I just love you.”
I’ll never be able to hear that enough, so never stop he wanted to say, but he bit his tongue.
“Okay actually, I have something else to say” Ali said. “May I?”
“Of course.” He was eager to hear, and he could already tell she was smiling.
“My parents love you.”
James cocked his head on the mattress. “What do you mean?”
“I talked to them this morning...Along with just about everyone else, you know, to brag…” She giggled a little and James started to feel a deep tingling feeling in his stomach.
“And what did ‘everyone’ say?” he asked, digging a little.
“Weeeell, everyone thought you were basically the best boyfriend in the world, but if they didn’t know that by now, then shame on then.”
James closed his eyes contentedly. “And your parents?”
“They were SUPER excited for me, James. Like…..” Ali was shaking her head, trying her best to sum up the incredible conversation she had with her mom and dad that morning. “…like I really think they consider you family.”
Thank you Wendy and Jeff. James sighed, feeling his heart go out to the parents of the woman he loved.
“…And I think my mom was so loud she scared Chester out of the room she was in when she was on the phone with me!” Ali laughed.
“I’ll make it up to Chester, I promise.” James smiled. He felt so good. This was better than anything he ever felt before, and he still had one more step to go.
“Anyway….thank you, James. I can’t say it enough. You are literally the best, and the best at surprises.”
“You’re welcome, babe. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”
“I know.” Ali felt the tears come again, but she pushed them back. “I can’t wait to see you. It’ll feel so different when I do, too.”
“How do you mean?”
“I don’t know, this just feels different. Maybe because we’re celebrating our one year?”
“Yeah, that could be it” James said, his voice going softer. “One year.”
“One year” Ali repeated.
They were quiet on the line together. It was a comfortable sort of quiet, where both of them were trying to picture the other and how they looked and what they must feel at that moment. Neither of them knew it, but they were both right on the money: they were both wishing they could kiss one another, because it was the only thing left to do.
* * *
@Lolo2020
Thank you so much! Amazing people still read it and enjoy it so much. That was my goal :)
2/6/17