The Games We Play

Ali crossed the distance of the porch that led to the back door of the Kunitz home. Maureen was already opening the door just as she went to knock.

“You made it!”

Oh how ironic that statement is, Ali thought. I made it the first night. Now I need to make it one more night. Then…they’ll all be home again.

“Come on in. Lunch is ready for us, but we’re just trying to clean up a small disaster in the kitchen first” Maureen said.

Stepping inside, Ali saw the mess that her friend was referring to. Not only were there crayons scattered across the kitchen floor, there was one that appeared melted on the counter top.

“Can you believe he put one in the microwave?”

Ali tried not to giggle, though it was kind of funny. “How did he reach?”

“The little guy is a climber.” Maureen did her best to scoop up as many of the crayons as she could. “I go and turn my back for two seconds…”

Ali bent to help; picking up crayons where she could. They made a pile on the table and both sat with smiles on their faces.

Maureen threw her dark hair up into a ponytail. “Crazy morning, can you tell?”

“Hardly! Besides...you know I don’t mind.” Ali smiled, trying to give her some reassurance. “I’m glad for the distraction.”

It clicked in Maureen’s head, and was visible all over her face. “Oh that’s right…Oh Jesus, I can’t even keep anything straight.”

“It’s fine!” Ali said with a laugh. “I’m just hoping they’re all alive.”

“Well this wouldn’t be the first time they overdrank or overpartied.” Maureen rolled her eyes. “Honestly, some of those younger guys…I don’t know how they do it.”

“Me either. Then again, they are in the business of pain.”

Maureen nodded at that. “Have you heard from him?”

“Not today" Ali answered. "Last night, yeah, but it was earlier there than it was here. He called from Sid’s phone.”

“Sid’s phone?” Maureen’s brows bent. “He didn’t lose his, did he?”

“No, I guess it’s part of the ‘guy code’ they established, ya know…” Ali rolled her eyes, picking at the embroidery of the table cloth. “Who ever heard of such a thing?”

Maureen was turning this over in her head, a smirk appearing on her face as she continued thinking. Standing up, she went over to the long staircase that led up to their second floor. “Hey hunny?”

Ali heard Chris yell down.

“You in any shape for a visitor? Ali Diserelli is here.”

She waved her hands at Maureen in objection, especially if Chris wasn’t feeling well. He’d just had surgery two days ago, and Ali wasn't about to disturb him if he wasn't up for it.

“Hell yeah! Send her up!” Chris shouted.

Maureen came back to the kitchen. “If there’s anyone who knows those guys, it’s Chris. Go on up – I’m sure he’d enjoy the company."

Ali looked at her, her sweet smile and patient gaze always present. “Thanks. But really—“

“—You object too much. Go!”

Maureen shoo’d her forward, and Ali did as she was told. Though Maureen invited Ali over for brunch to relax and hang out together, it wasn’t a bad thing if Chris wanted to visit too, especially if it would make him feel better, as well as making Ali feel better.

“There she is.” Chris’ smile was beaming brightly as Ali entered the room. It was fully doctored up now to accommodate Chris’ injury. Fresh off of surgery, he had his foot in a small sling that was keeping it elevated, while the rest of him looked as normal and healthy as ever.

“Hiya Chris, how is everything?”

He pinched one corner of his lip upwards in a humble manner, eyes going to the foot wrapped in front of him. “Ahhh….well I can’t lie, they could be better.”

Ali smiled. “The worst is over, right? Surgery went well, you’re on the mend…You’ll be back in no time, I know it.”

“You’re optimism is contagious” Chris replied with a laugh. “I like that.”

“You’re welcome. You can send the bill to the house anytime.” She gave Chris a humorous wink and took a seat on a chair nearby the bedside. Chris was giving her a focused look, studying her face closely.

“So what’s the deal.”

“Hmm?”

“I can see it.” He waved a finger at her face. “And my wife must have seen it. So spill it.”

How are all these guys so shrewd? “Ehh….you know, the whole bachelor party." She shrugged. "You upset you’re missing that as well?”

“Gotta admit: yes I am.” He laughed, and it made Ali smile. “It still surprises me he’s getting married. For as long as I've known Nealer, the guy’s all over the place, ya know?”

“I do” Ali said with a nod. “At least, I think so. It sounded like all of them were all over the place last night.”

“Yeah?” Chris seemed to sit up a little at this. “Want to tell me about it? I figure since I can’t be there, I should at least get a story, eh?”

Ali happily granted him his wish. She told what she knew from James’ single phone call, making sure to tell Chris the part about Sid being with some chick, and all this ‘guy code’ talk.

“Ahhh, the OTHER code” Chris said softly. He looked over at the window and let his head fall back against the pillow. "And they took his phone from him for the whole weekend?"

"Yeah. I guess so."

“Stupid." His eyes looked back at her. “Especially Borts. He shouldn't be allowed out of the house.”

Alicouldn’t help but giggle again. “Not sure I can disagree with that one.”

“But you aren’t worried about Nealer, are you?”

There it was. The question Ali wasn’t sure how to answer, and the one question she hoped no one would ask her. Her hesitation alone gave Chris the answer; one which he didn’t approve of.

“I figured.” He gave her a sad smile. “And honestly, you have the right to be, after everything. But that was a long time ago. A LONG time ago, especially since we’ve all been witnessing the slow change in him day after day.”

It was like a heavy weight had lifted off Ali’s shoulders when she heard this. James has been changing. I’ve seen it, and his teammates have seen it. They would know before James even knew.

“And you can trust me when I say that” Chris added, noticing Ali mulling something over as she sat in the chair next to him.

“Thanks, Chris.” She looked down at her hands in her lap, feeling silly. “I honestly didn’t come over here to question you about my relationship, I swear.”

Chris laughed earnestly, his head leaning back against his pillow. “Ahhh, I know that, Ali, I know. My wife invited you over to keep you busy, right? She’s always thinking, that one.” He turned his head to face Ali again. “Plus, we all pretty much love you.”

“Chris!” Ali felt her cheeks flush.

“Yeeesss?” He smiled. “We’re not allowed to? Hell, you’re the one who calmed Nealer down. We should be praising you on a daily basis.”

She rolled her eyes, feeling flattered and embarrassed all the same. These guys who’d come into her life because of James were amazing. Each one of them had either taught her something about herself or about James. They were always there for him, no matter what, and they were starting to be the same way towards her. It was a really good feeling to have.

“So.” Chris nudged her. “In summary here, in case you weren’t following: I know how Maureen and I feel about you. I’ve seen that look in Nealer’s eyes whenever he talks about you, so I know how HE feels about you….”

Ali bobbed her head back and forth. “Okay, I know, I know….” She was smiling as she said this, feeling her cheeks flush again. “You’re giving me a complex over here.”

Chris laughed. “Good. I think you need it.”

“Well thank you.” Ali felt better, yes, even though it was hard to accept compliments, true or not true. She never knew what to say to these guys, despite how accepting and accommodating they’d all been to her since she and James started dating. A part of her was still star-struck; no matter how long she was with James, she’d still find a part of her that would feel all tingly at the thought of her actually being friends with the Pittsburgh Penguins. But really, at the end of the day, no matter how much talent and stardom they carried, they were all normal, friendly, helpful men. Men she was glad to know.

“Knuckles?”

Chris held out his hand, and Ali laughed. It was the same thing her and James did whenever they’d conquered something together.

“Knuckles.”

Her and Chris knuckle-bumped, and she felt instantly better.

* * *

Behind dark glasses, James shielded his tired eyes from those around him. He was still hungover, even at 3 in the afternoon, but he was in good company. Him and the guys took up a long line of plush lounge chairs that lined one end of the Aria’s massive pool area. James lay there shirtless; both his sleeve and the bare arm exposed, getting quite a few looks from some girls as they passed by. The top half of his body was already starting to feel like it was getting a bit too much sun, but it felt good. A light sheen of sweat on his forehead led up to unwashed hair, still holding its messy height from the night before.

Tight bodies of both men and women surrounded them, and James ogled a few of the girls a little longer than he should.I’m reading the menu, not ordering, he told himself, taking a long drink of the alcoholic concoction in his hand. The color of the liquid was as crystal blue as the waters in front of him, and tasted damn good.

A few girls walked by and James followed them with his eyes. The bottoms of their bikinis barely covered any of their asses, and the tops were just as tiny. When they smiled at him, he smiled back, thankful that his eyes were disguised behind his sunglasses.

Next to him, Sid lay on his stomach on one of the chaise loungers. He had dark blue swimming trunks on, a hat, and nothing else. James couldn’t tell if he was sleeping or not. On the other side, Geno sat completely upright on his lounge chair, a drink in each hand, alternating between them as he watched the commotion around them.

This is what I envisioned, James thought. He smiled to himself, just happy to be surrounded by his guys, enjoying the heat of the sun and not having to stress or worry about anything. Earlier, the guys had given him a fair amount of shit about passing out early, but James held his ground. Sid had come downstairs with the girl he brought back, walking her down to get a cab. The heat on James quickly transferred to a solid hour of chirping and questioning Sid about his chick, which he took like a champ. James was proud.

Now, as he looked over at his Captain, passed out on the lounge next to him, he had to reach over and congratulate him. He slapped Sid’s back, which made him immediately lift his head. “The hell, Nealer?”

James grinned. “Better roll over, Sid. Your front needs more color.”

Sid adjusted his hat. “I wasn’t asleep.”

“Just looking out for ya.” James took a drink, seeing Sid sit up and flip over next to him out of the corner of his eye.

“I could stay here all day” Sid mumbled, his voice rougher than usual from weariness. He tilted his head back to let the sun spread over his face more.

“Who says we can’t?”

Sid glanced over. “True. Up to you, really. It’s your weekend.”

James had to laugh. It was his weekend, but everyone else was getting laid, and everyone else could make phone calls with their phone if they wanted. Aside from free drinks and nonstop chirping, James hadn’t gotten much else out of it.

To his surprise, James had been thinking a lot about Ali. Of all places and times, he figured this would be the one place he could forget her for a while. Turns out...he couldn’t, and he didn’t want to. Even drunk as hell and blurry-eyed, James thought of her as he passed out face-down on the bed. And now, as he relaxed on the thick, white cushions of the lounger, he wished her toned body was walking by, and he wished it was her ass he was ogling.

With a sigh, James took another drink and closed his eyes. “Maybe you’re right. Let’s stay here all day.”

“I’m for it.” Sid flexed his arms, reaching behind his head and resting them there.

James rolled his head over to look at Geno. “Hey G, you in a hurry to go anywhere?”

“Not at all.” He held up both of his drinks and smiled. “I’m set.”

“Good. Pass it down the line, we’re staying here until further notice.”

One by one, everyone in the group agreed with zero resistance to stay right where they were. None of them were energetic enough to go anywhere, and all of them were enjoying the sun that Pittsburgh hid behind its never ending clouds.

Eventually, James had to feel the water. Since there were so many people in the pool, he couldn’t dive in like he wanted. Instead, he hopped in and sunk down to his neck, feeling the water instantly cool off his heated body. It felt as amazing as he hoped it would.

Backing up to the edge of the pool, James stretched both arms out along the white tile and rested his head against the ledge. He closed his eyes, only to have them open again unwillingly.

“Hey there.”

James lifted his head to see a giant rack poised just above the water in front of him. A white bikini only made the bronze skin beneath appear more golden. Her dark hair matched her dark eyes, which were focused on his.

“I’ve been watching you” she said, sliding closer. “I like this.” She slid her hand slowly up James’ sleeve, dragging her French manicure along his wet skin up to his neck where she locked onto him with her hand.

It was difficult not to stare at her perfectly natural, perfectly symmetric curves. She had to be Latina, or Mediterranean, or something. Something exotic. James liked it.

“You've been watching me, huh?”

She smiled, her full lips pressing together naughtily. “I like everything I see, too.”

James cleared his throat, buying time to think of his next line. He tossed his eyes back over his shoulder to see if any of the others were watching. None of them were, which he wasn’t all that happy about. He could've used a rescue.

“You all alone?” she asked, sliding up to James even closer.

“I am.” James' eyes dipped down to her full breasts, which were now pressed against his chest. “I mean…I’m with a group of teama—, uh, friends, over there.” He nodded in their direction.

She never bothered to look. “But are you alone….”

James exhaled hard. “Yes.”

“Good.” She drug her nails down his chest, sizing him up like he was the prey and she was the huntress.

“What’s your name?”

“Vanessa. Yours?”

“James.” He felt her hands slip beneath the water to the band of his swim trunks, and he flinched a little. “Hey, uh…Vanessa, I should tell you I’m on a bachelor party weekend…”

Her dark eyes flashed a little and a grin appeared. “Yeah? Who’s the poor sucker?”

“Me.”

Vanessa threw her head back and laughed. “Yeah right! Are you kidding?”

“Nope. I’m the sucker, alright.” James tried to say it sarcastically, but Vanessa didn’t seem to catch it. Or maybe she just didn’t care. He could tell she’d had a few too many drinks just in the way she was talking and the way she’d laughed just then. Everything seemed exaggerated, and it was somewhat amusing to him. He was getting better at separating himself in these moments, watching as if he was outside of it all.

Vanessa never parted from James, even after his confirmation that he was the one getting married. “Well…you still have some time yet, right? Because I’d love to make this a memorable weekend for you...” She leaned forward and brought her mouth to James’ ear. “And I bet your girl can’t do what I can with my mouth.”

James laughed. He laughed loud and he laughed hard, and pushed Vanessa off of him. “Actually, she can. So why don’t you swim along and find someone else’s dick to suck.” He hopped up and out of the pool, leaving her and her death stare behind.

“Abort mission” he said, coming over to the rest of the guys. He grabbed a towel and slung it over his shoulders, now turning a bright shade of pink. “Is it just me, or does every chick here want to suck my dick?”

“I got a few offers myself.” Sutter came over, sunglasses pulled up over his unruly head of hair.

“And we all know you did, Crosby” James said casually.

Sid rolled his eyes. “So what happened? Someone ask you again?”

“Yeah, and she was fucking sexy, too.” James shook his head. “The one problem with this town is that everyone’s horny as hell and I'm not allowed to sample.”

“No problem to me” Geno said with a laugh. Sutter knocked him on the bill of his hat with a smirk.

“So either we go drink….” James said, facing the guys. “Or we go drink. Which will it be?”

Geno raised both of his glasses, which had been refilled twice. “I say drink!”

* * *

They went back to the room, took showers, and dressed for the evening. James hiked gray pants up over black boxer briefs and slid a shiny black belt through the loops. He topped a white v-neck t-shirt with a black blazer, flipping the collar on it slightly. A handful of gel through his hair, and he was all set. Before he headed downstairs, he went and knocked on Crosby’s door.

Sid opened the door wide. “Hey, come in. I’m almost done.”

“Take your time.” James stepped inside to see Geno must have already gone downstairs, while Sid’s side of the room was an absolute mess. Clearly didn’t pick up after his chick left, I see. The room smelled faintly of cologne and soap.

“Sorry, I’m all over the place today” Sid said apologetically, hurrying to finish getting ready. He grabbed his gold chain off the side table and slid it around his neck. “So what’s up?”

“I was just wondering if I could use your phone.”

“Ahhh, right.” Sid grabbed his wallet and hotel key, then tossed James his phone. “You can keep it, ya know.”

James gave him a smirk. “I don’t wanna cockblock Chelsea.”

“Ugh, please.”

“What?” James sat down heavily on the edge of Sid’s bed. “Come on, so what if she wasn’t the best – at least you had a little fun, eh?”

“Yeah, I guess.” Until I called her your fiance’s name.

“So what’s to groan about?”

Sliding his wallet and hotel key into his pockets, Sid shrugged, both hands joining the items in his pockets. “Nothing. I needed it, that’s for sure.”

“Exactly.” James stood and nudged him. “That’s the attitude. Going for another round tonight with someone else?”

Sid chuckled. “We’ll see.” He headed for the door and James followed.

“You care how long I use this?” he asked Sid.

“Nah. Take your time.”

“Thanks.” James waved the phone and jogged down to his bedroom. Excitedly, he dialed up Ali’s number, locking the door behind him. He waited through the rings as he lay back on his bed until she finally answered.

“Hello?”

“Me again, babe.”

“Oh my god, they still have your phone?”

Ali’s laugh sounded relieved, like she’d exhaled all her worries out through the soft giggle James loved so much.

“Yeah, I gave up that fight long ago” James said, his smile taking up most of his face. “I’ve missed your voice.”

“I’ve missed yours. And your eyes. And your body. And your hair. And your goofy grin…”

“Heyyy” James said, his voice cooling a little. “Is it really that goofy?”

“Yes, but that’s why I love it.”

And that’s why I love you. “Thanks...I think.”

Ali laughed again, and James bit his lip to keep his grin under control. It was sick how in love with this girl he was, and it was never more apparent than at his own bachelor party weekend in Las Vegas.

“So have you been having fun?” Ali asked. “I honestly didn’t think I’d hear from you again. This weekend, I mean.”

“You underestimate me, babe.”

“I guess I did.”

James could hear her smiling against the phone, but there was hesitation in her voice. “Can I tell ya something?”

“Mmm hmm.”

“You’ve been on my mind more than I think either of us maybe expected.”

There was a brief pause, and this time, James heard no hesitation in Ali’s voice.

“Really?” she asked.

“Really.”

“But aren’t there, like….hundreds upon thousands of—“

“—doesn’t matter.” James gazed down at the buttons on his blazer, his fingers twisting one of them back and forth mindlessly. “You’re just real, you know that? You’re perfect. In every way.“

“James…”

“Too sappy?”

She giggled. “No. But you might make me cry.”

“I’m used to your happy tears by now, you can’t scare me.” He pictured her just then, water heavy in her full eyes, her hair cascading down her shoulders, pin straight until it fell in waves near the ends, framing her face and giving just a hint of her creamy neck away. Her long lashes would be blinking away the tears, if he knew her.

“Okay well, way to go, damn you” she said, her voice cracking a little through her tears. “I miss you, James.”

“I miss you, too. More than the rink.”

“Liar.”

“Okay, I miss you both equally.” He smiled. “Think you can put up with this one more night?”

“I can…and I will.”

James her heard smiling again, so he was satisfied. “I’ll try and call you again, but no guarantees.”

“I know….”

“Don’t go sad on me, Diserelli.”

“I’m not!” Her happy voice was back. “Just have fun and hurry home, because I’m horny as fuck and I want you to myself.”

James let out a little exhale of breath, blood rushing out of his head and down below his waist. “I can catch the first flight out this evening, you know.” Even though Ali laughed, James seriously debated it.

“Go drink and do whatever you do on weekends like this. Just know I’ll be thinking of you later…maybe when I’m in the shower….yeah, definitely in the shower...”

She’s working it and she knows it. It turned James on, and soon his mind was racing with thoughts of Ali all wet and steamy in their shower, water rushing over her breasts, her hair in dark, wet strands leading down her back to the curve of her ass.

“Wellll great, babe. Now I’m hard” James admitted with some trouble. He glanced down and saw his bulge straining against the fabric of his pants.

“You’re welcome” Ali replied innocently. “Love you, James.”

“Love you too.”

He heard Ali make a smoochy noise and then say bye once more before she hung up. Resting there on the bed, Sid’s phone against his chest, James waited patiently for his erection to calm down before he made an appearance out side the room. When he thought the coast was clear, he got up, knowing very well the image of Ali potentially going at it with herself in the shower later would do more damage to him than a thousand drinks would.

Walking downstairs, he saw the other guys had gone dressier than the night before too. All in all, it looked like they were simply going to one of their games.

“Where to, gentlemen?” James asked, adjusting the band on his watch. “Mike, you got us a place to drink?”

“Yeah. Who’s feeling lucky?” He came in from the kitchen wearing a massive grin. “Because while you fuckers were hungover by the pool, I went and got us chips.”

“No shit!?” James laughed, starting to feel more and more excited about the night. “We’re playing?”

“Damn right!” He grabbed James by the shoulder. “Let’s go!”

* * *

Notes

Seeee? James is a good boy after all. :)