The Maze To Your Heart

really wasn't looking forward to spending this much time outside because of the horrible weather. There wasn't a sign of sunshine at all in the cloud filled sky. All you could see was deep, dark, fearful shade of grey. The clouds did have somewhat of a compliment towards the tall, architectual buildings. It looked almost like a photo full of saddness.

I managed to find the entrance, but only to see two guards standing at the door. I really wasn’t in the mood to bother with them, but I had no choice this time. I let out a sigh and trotted to the two overly sized men. “Hello,” I said with a forceful smile.

The entrance was very secluded, but not the hardest thing to find. You seen the most beautiful cars all lined up. Most of the cars were black, some had grey and white.

“Hi, how can I help you?” The taller one said.

“I’m here to see my—friend, Kristopher Letang.” I spoke unsure of the right word to call Kristopher.

They chuckled in delight together, “Nice try sweetie, but we have heard it all before. Sidney Crosby told me that we could come and see him. I’m Fleury’s sister; Letang is my boyfriend, Malkin is my friend and James Neal is my brother. We’re not going to fall for any of your fan girl lies.” He said mimicking the ladies who have tried coming in.

These Pittsburgh fans really did love these boys. I mean, why lie and say you’re there relatives or that you’re in a relationship with them. At the same time, who didn’t want to be related and be their girlfriends? They were good at what they did and in my opinion hockey players are the most attractive athlete ever. Not including the fact that I am one; or once was.

“You’re serious, people actually try that stuff?” I asked confused as I stared up at the two men. A black shirt and dark jeans wasn't for them. Plus, their clothing was really tight-- in a horribly unattractive way, if you get what I mean.

“Every day, now you better get going.” One of the guards warned.

“Do you even know who I am?” I asked trying the old 'Miss Canada card'.

“No and we certainly don’t care. You’re just another girl that wants to shack up with an NHL Superstar. Now go.” I could tell I was getting them slightly mad by their furrowing eyebrows and deepened voice that sounded of anger.

“I’m Mavel Maze; I won gold at the Olympics for Canada and played hockey in the SM-Liiga. There goes The Amazing Maze scoring the game winning goal, sweeping the gold from USA.” I told them in a sort of ‘duh’ tone. By their expressions I think I kind of got through to them.

“If you were Mavel Maze, why didn’t you just say? I would have let you in a long time ago. Letang said you might have come. This way, Ms. Maze.” One of the men escorted me to the Igloo as everyone called it. I got to see the ugly part of the Consol Energy Center at first, but it soon turned astonishing. I got to see Mario Lemeuix memorabilia and Jaromir Jagr stuff. Pictures from where it all started, and where it made history; the hockey club was really something.

“So, hockey is really big in the city, isn’t it?” I said in amazement.

“Only the best and biggest fans, since 1967.” He smiled proudly. “Everyone here loves Sidney, especially with the next one on the roster. Your friend Kris, he’s one of the most amazing defensemen around too.” He added and I smiled out of pure happiness.

“That’s really good to hear.” I said as we reached the entrance to the locker rooms.

“Some of the team is on the ice, skating and practicing. You can wait around if you’d like. I have to get back to work; maybe I’ll see you around.” He waved as he turned around.

I leaned against the wall as I was going to pull out my phone. I see none the less, Captain Canada come down the hallway wearing only his under armour clothing and skates. I grinned pushing away the inappropriate thoughts. Okay, I have to admit his ass was great. Whatever, that thought didn’t mean anything.

“Mavel Maze,” He said with a mischievous grin. I could tell he was definitely not expecting me here. I was also pretty sure that he didn’t know that I had something with Kristopher.

“It’s been a while hasn’t it, Captain Canada?” I said, grinning as he embraced me into a gross sweaty hug.

“What are you doing here? You’re not trying out for the team anything, right? We don’t need another great player.” He asked giving me a strange look. I just chuckled at the wittiness of Sidney Crosby.

“I’m here for Kristopher,” I said politely.

“Tanger, I didn’t even know you knew him?” He sounded surprised; I would be too if he were to hear the next statement.

“I used to date him. We’re friends now though,” I said making sure he got the words friends—for now.

“Small world, isn’t it? Well I heard about your injury. I actually saw the hit online. I wanted to call you or something. I just didn’t really know where you were now. I did hear that you went back to Canada and you’re done with the Liiga. Sad to hear and I hope you’re better.” He spoke out of his heart.

“Yeah it really is. I’m doing great it’s been almost 6 months since the hit. My knee is fine and the concussion, it was complete shit. I hated feeling like I could do nothing. It was one of the worst parts of my life. I am glad that I had some great friends to help me get through it. I suppose you heard I’m no longer playing hockey too?” I asked kind of dampening the mood. I had the tendency to always bring someone down with my injury.

“Glad you’re doing better. I did hear that it was a career threatening injury; I haven’t been that up to date with it. I apologize on that part, but it’s good to see you.” He smiled as he gave me another hug.

“Thanks and yeah it is good.” I smiled to the ground.

“Hey Sid, who’s the babe you’re getting at?” I heard someone yell from inside the locker room. The voice sounded all so familiar. Maybe it was the accent I thought I heard.

I blushed and Sidney laughed his weird awkward laugh. I enjoyed hearing Sidney laugh, it’s still a classic. “That’s Flower, don’t mind him he has potty mouth.” He joked and this guy they called ‘Flower’ came towards us with a huge smirk.

“I do not have a fucking potty mouth.” He argued. He had a Pittsburgh Penguins cap on also sporting Under Amour clothing. I could tell that he had just taken off his equipment. His helmet hair and sweaty body was a dead giveaway. He was also the Penguins goalie I've heard about. I remember seeing him around at the Olympics; I never bothered talking to him though.

“Yes you fucking do.” I said as we all laughed.

“So who’s the fine lady?” He asked me with a grin. His grin was really attractive in my defense.

“Mavel Maze.” I said pursing my lips and putting my arms together, in a crossing manner.

“I know you now! That’s why you looked all so familiar, you’re Miss Canada! What are you doing all the way down in the Burgh?” He spoke quite proud of himself. It was like the time I was with Kristopher and he had been looking for Waldo for nearly an hour and he had finally found him.

· Little flash back *

“Fucking little bitch, I knew he was in here somewhere.” I remember hearing someone curse loudly in the living room. I couldn’t help but hold back a laugh.

“Kristopher, you just said that fifteen minutes ago he couldn’t possibly be in the picture and that the company was a fraud, oh and how much you hated his ‘stupid ass Christmas stripes’.” I said telling him how it really happened.

“Whatever just remember that I found that pedophile looking freak,” He said pissed off but surely proud of himself. I had the biggest smile as he walked away.

“You must be so proud, Mr. Immature.” I yelled to him, jokingly.

“Whatever, Mave!” I heard Kris yell back.

· Back to the fleury sid convo*

“I’m here with Kristopher,” I replied.

“Are you his girlfriend that he’s head over heels with?” He asked with a charming smile. That smile deserved an award, a website even. I couldn’t get over how beautiful it was.

I scoffed, “Just friends, if he plays his cards right, maybe I’ll be his girlfriend.”

“Damn.” Sidney and Flower said in sync.

“—Mave,” I heard the familiar voice of Kristopher Letang say. I turned around to see a full hockey geared Kris in front of me. I swear that his equipment looked like it was made for him to wear. I liked seeing him wear it. It's been years since I've seen him the way he looks now, other than in the pictures and videos I have seen.

“Oh Kris—hello, how are you?” I nervously said after staring at him for what felt like hours. The first thing that came to mind was to ask how he was feeling. I just awkwardly played with my fingers. His smile broke out into laughter.

“She’s so smooth.” I heard Sidney whisper to Flower.

“Shut up, losers.” I teased.

“I’ll go get changed and we can go. I want to show you something.” He said as he walked into the locker roomed that I had dared not to go into. I would know what is inside those horrifying scenes. Naked men everywhere, but in a girls locker room; naked women everywhere. Not the prettiest site you wanted to see.

“I think he wants to show you what’s under his gear,” I heard Flower joke and I playfully hit them.

“You guys are so weird.” I said before walking off.

“My names Marc-Andre, by the way!” I heard him yell. I gave them one last wave as I walked down the hall.

* Letangs POV

I stood by my locker as I was getting out of my sweaty, smelly gear. I seen Marc and Sid walk in after with the biggest smirks across their face. They just stared at me, which started to creep me out just a little. After nearly two minutes of them glancing at me and smiling, doing what ever the hell they were doing while I was trying to change. I swear these two were completely gay sometimes.

"Oh my god, what do you want?" I asked, exasperated. They just bursted out laughing together and soon some of the other guys were staring at me.

"So," Sidney and Marc cooed, "Are you going to tell us what Miss Canada is doing here?" They asked curiously.

I gave them an 'Are you serious' type of look. "Nothing, she's my friend and she's staying with me for a while." I explained to them as I untaped my ankles and wrists.

"You're dating model?" Geno asked as he joined into our conversation.

"Nah Geno, remember the girl that we went to dinner with at the Olympics. The time you left me and her to be the third wheels while you Russians had your girls. Well that girl, she's an insane hockey player but she's done with hockey now. She won gold at the Olympics so everyone called her Miss Canada." Sid informed Geno as he chuckled to himself afterwards.

"You're not off the hook! Are you two banging each other?" Fleury asked as he was taking off his gear slowly. He kept fixing his long hair, but mine was longer by far.

"No-- you guys are so weird and perverted. We're just friends." I repeated yet again. I don't think these guys were ever going to understand that either.

"So, if you're not together and just friends that means she's free. You're missing out--" Marc Andre started as he sat up straight on the bench in front of his stall. Soon enough, James Neal decided he felt the need to join in on this horrifying conversation. I could already feel to where these was to lead.

"Are you talking about that hot Olympian I saw you talking to? If you are, seriously Kris you'll regret not getting that ass. I mean she had a total hockey ass, so it was perfect." He said with a huge grin causing me to cringe. I didn't need to hear that.

"She has nice body." Geno said with his thick accent. The difference with him was that he sounded a tad bit more respectful than the other guys. Still, I didn't need to hear that either.

"Have you ever seen her smile!" Sidney added to the subject. Soon enough they weren't even getting changed, but discussing the aspects of the girl I loved.

"So she's free then." Marc summed up happily. The rest of the guys heads shot towards my way as if waiting for an answer. I just looked at all of them awkwardly. I could hear some laughing at all of the comments.

"No she's not free what so ever, she's mine." I said declaring that she was off limits. I will not lie and say I wasn't bothered by the statements that were being made about Mavel, because I was downright jealous and furious.

The guys shrugged as Sid and Flower snickered to themselves. "We already know that. We just thought we could toy with you a little bit. But for real, you're a lucky guy to get an amazing athlete like her." Sid said as he put emphasis on the part 'maze' in amazing, to attempt and make a pun of her lastname. I had to smile at that the rest of the guys just laughed.

"Horrible joke." I enquired as I stripped down to quickly shower.

These guys were total assholes, but I loved each and everyone of them.

Notes