Rougher and Tougher

Unfortunately for everyone in the hotel lobby, the locker room showers weren't that concealing when it came to natural girl things like, boobs and other things hockey players (and boys) usually liked to look at. So, I was stuck with hockey smell wafting from me in all directions, and by the looks on the staff and other guests were definitely noticing.

The front desk host wrinkled his nose as he looked up from the computer screen. He seemed surprised that it was a girl, and not some bum off the street. I gave him a smile, ignoring the look he was now giving me.

"What can I do for you?" His french accent said, as I ran a hand through my sweat soaked hair. I hadn't even done anything rigorous in terms of drills, just shots.

"I'm here to check in, Jordan Smyth." I said, and he nodded; typing my name into the computer. His glances were on the bridge of his nose as he glanced up at me. He, suddenly, gave me a smile, fake one no doubt. My mum taught me how to detect them- she was in the service industry being a bank teller and she had to deal a lot of fake smiles to assholish people.

"You're a hockey player- explain the smell." He chuckled dryly, and looked down again, writing something on a piece of folded paper. I ignored the seemingly backhanded compliment. No matter if I am one myself, certain french people could be insensitive at times. I understood that since my mother shot compliments but turns them against you, not knowing but still.

"Douze zero huit" He said in french after taking a glance at a tall man on the other side of the room, I assumed it was his boss since the sudden change in language. [TR: twelve zero eight]

"Merci" I gave him a nod, as I took the key from his outreached hand. I walked towards the 'elevator this way' sign, hanging from the ceiling. I hitched my hockey bag up on my shoulder as I snapped my arm up to stick in between the closing elevator doors.

They reopened, and my eyes landed on a tall guy. He wasn't paying much attention so when he noticed the elevator not moving his eyes snapped up to glare at me. He looked strangely familiar but, I couldn't quite put my finger on it. The corners of his mouth turned up as he took my frame in. His name hit me like a bag of bricks. He'd been in the IIHF with some of the players on my team. The look was now less of a surprise then more of a 'predictable' move for someone that had the traits he did. Russia's most valuable draft pick, most of the players he encountered called him either a flirty guy that would hit on anything with boobs, or a total prick. Now, that I've seen him I knew what they meant by prick.

"Well, isn't it my roommate, Nail Yakupov." I hadn't recognized the name when Randy had told me because I recognized his face more than his name.

"Jordan Smit" He pronounced my name wrong but, I didn't correct him because for the first few years of knowing my name I couldn't pronounce it worth shit.

"It's pleasure," He said as I leaned against the rail of the elevator. I nodded, giving him a smile. I had heard things about Yakupov, womanizer was one. I didn't want to get into that shit with someone like that.

"Same," He stretched out his hand, and I cautiously put mine in his. His hands were rough but soft, the mixture for great stickhandling. He gave a wolfish grin as he laid his hand back down at his side.

"So, Twelve zero eight." He hummed as the elevator doors open, and he sauntered out. Yes, that was definitely the word for the way he walked- so full of himself, laced with so much confidence it was basically oozing from him. I watched his dark head proceed towards our room. The window at the end of the hallway let in the early sunset, bathing the hallway in orange light.

Nail didn't pay much attention to the beautiful light. He stopped abruptly, sticking the keycard in the door. I let out a long yawn as he opened the door. He chuckled as he held the door open for me. I just wanted to get out of this fucking dress, and into my bed.

"Loving the dress," He smiled, as he let his eyes drop to my ass. I gave him the finger but, burst out laughing, he joined in after a short, millisecond pause. He ran a hand through his hair as the door fell closed. I kicked off my shoes, and trudged over to the bed where my bags were sat. The bellhop must've dropped them off while I was at the rink.

"Did you take a skate?" He asked, scrunching up his nose like the host at the front desk did. Obviously he'd just noticed the stench. Or maybe all hockey players were immune to the intense smell of sweat, and the rink.

"Yeah, did you just notice the smell?" I asked, and he shrugged, as if saying it wasn't that bad. I rolled my eyes but, smiled. He was funny but, I knew he'd have a girl in the sack by the time I was out of the shower.

"I call shower first." I said, as I opened my second duffel bag, pulling out a pair of under armor shorts and a Leafs t-shirt. I wasn't a fan but, my dad was- and he had gotten us a t-shirt for christmas, just to see the reaction.

He nodded, checking his watch. I hadn't noticed that he was in a suit, since all I'd seen today were suits. His was nice, grey pant and jacket- with a blue shirt along with a black and white striped tie. He looked sharp, along with probably every other hockey player here.

"I wondering if cool I invite Gally over." Nail said, and I shrugged.

My brow knitted together as I realized I didn't know who Gally was, "Galchenyuk?" I asked, and he nodded. Wait? How did he know Galchenyuk? I mentally rolled my eyes at myself, as I remembered they were on the same team.

Yes. I'd love to see Galchenyuk again. "Sure, it doesn't matter to me." I said, but it did. I wanted to see him again. He was the only one that didn't seem to assume I would break after the on-ice training. It was nice. He was nice.

"I call him," He paused for a second, "He love meet you- He big fan." I almost burst out laughing. Galchenyuk, a big fan of mine? Ha!

"Really?"

Notes

Hey y'all. I would write more but, I really have to pee. So imma go. Plus, I have to pack- I'm going to Victoria to see my cousin, aunt and uncle. Okay! Bye!