Allison's POV:
The day before Valentine’s Day, Mel and I both took off so we could go see the Pen’s play. James and Sidney, who Melanie had made things official with a week ago, had been asking us to go since the season started. We were sitting in the stands with a girl named Veronique, Marc-Andre Fleury’s wife and another girl who just introduced herself as Kuni’s wife, but later on, I learned her name was Maureen. “So is this your first hockey game?” Veronique asked
“No. I used to go to Islanders’ games back in New York.” I told her
She smiled “Oh that’s fun. So are you an Islanders’ fan?”
I smiled and shook my head “Not any more…” I looked down to the ice and James looked up at me and smiled, giving a small wave. A group of bunnies a few rows down thought it was for them and I snickered.
“So Veronique, how did you and Fleury meet?” Mel asked
Her face lit up “You can call me ‘Vero’…Everyone does. Marc and I met when we were kid’s. We’ve been dating since we were fifteen. We just got married last July…he’s the greatest. I love him so much.”
I smiled “That’s so cute. You guys have been together for forever.”
Vero laughed “Yeah we have, but it feels like it’s been longer. Every day with him is a new adventure.”
I wished that one day, me and James could have what they had. I mean I loved James a lot. He was my world. I smiled down at him as the game started. Duper scored our first goal of the game with four minutes left, the other parts of the first period were rather quiet and before I knew it, it was time for intermission.
I went and got myself some nachos and a pretzel for Mel. I noticed Jennifer across the aisle with Kris Letang’s girlfriend, Catherine. She looked over at me for a second, but then looked back to Catherine and whispered something. Catherine turned around and said something back as they headed towards their seats. I rolled my eyes and headed back to my own seat.
“Hey, what took so long?” Melanie asked, taking her pretzel from me
“Lines.” I replied
“Liar. What happened?” Melanie asked
“Jennifer. I saw her up there with Catherine.” I sighed
“Jen? James’ ex?” Vero said
I nodded “Yeah.”
“I only met her a few times…” Vero said
I had never met her or had any interest in meeting her. I just knew who she was and she knew who I was. The only reason I knew what she looked like was because she came by his house the other day to drop something off for him. James didn’t really tell me a lot about their relationship either. The only thing he told me was why they broke up. I was about to reply to Vero, when the second period began.
In this period, there were a few more penalties on us and the Senators scored two goals eleven minutes in. Ottawa’s Chris Phillips got a hooking penalty and we had a power play. After a few passes, James’ slap shot went sailing in. He smiled up to me and winked.
“He scored that one for you.” Vero said
“Huh?” I asked
“The wink. It’s what the guys do up to us when they score for us…well you…Marc’s a goalie…they don’t score much, but when he makes a great save, he gives me a wink.”
Melanie smiled “Awwwwww.”
“Shut-up…” I laughed
“Come on, now. That’s cute. He scored a goal for you.”
“Oh yeah, so is Sid going to score one for you?” I teased back
Mel shrugged “No…I mean he might score, but it won’t be for me.”
“What do you mean?” I asked, confused
“We had a fight the other day and he broke things off.” Melanie told me
I was shocked. She didn’t even tell me! Also, they had only just started dating. “What happened?”
“I don’t know…I think we’re just better off being how we were.” she said
“Oh…” I replied
After another intermission, the third period started. James got another goal within two minutes. He was on fire already with two un-answered goals. I couldn’t help smiling down at him and cheering as loud as I could. A few penalties were given out here and there, and about twelve minutes in, Sidney Crosby scored a goal and James got an assist on it.
I was looking down at my phone when I heard boo’s resonating throughout the arena. “What’s going on?” I asked
“Cookie just got thrown out of the game. Chris Neil was trying to get him to fight and Cookie didn’t want to go and Neil just kept pushing and pushing and Cookie went down and somehow, he gets an ejection.” Maureen Kunitz explained.
I looked up at the clock and there was only two minutes left. “That’s bull-shit…but hey, I’m gunna go…”
“What? Why? Don’t you want to see James and congratulate him on a great game?” Melanie asked
“I just have to go. When you see James, tell him to call me later.” I grabbed my purse and headed home. Truth was, I was going home to make a cake for James for tomorrow and because I knew he had plans to go out with the team after.
James’ POV:
I had a pretty good game. Two goals and an assist. Engo joked that I should’ve gotten the hat trick, but it’s okay. I’m just glad we won the game. I was already in my suit and tie after the media scrums left. I slipped on my coat and started to head outside. “James!” I heard from behind me.
I spun around to see Jen, Tanger, and Catherine coming towards me, “Hey.”
“I need you to do something for me…” Jen said
“Okay, what is it?” I asked
“I know tomorrow is Valentine’s Day and all and you probably want to spend it with Allison, but I need you to help me decide what paint we should color the baby’s room…”
I stared at her. Why did she need me to help her pick out paint for the baby’s room at her house? I mean I know I’m the father, but it’s her house. “Jen, that’s your decision. You don’t need my help…” I replied
Jen looked at me, “No no I sort know what paint I want, I just need your help carrying it.”
“Oh! Okay, yeah we can do that.” I replied
Jen smiled, “Thanks James.” she said hugging me.
“No problem. I got to go, though…you coming tonight, Tanger?”
Kris Letang shook his head, “No. Got plans. See you tomorrow night though.”
I nodded “See ya.” With that, I headed home. I got changed and headed off to the bar with the guys to celebrate the win.
Alison’s POV:
I woke up early the next morning and looked at my phone. No messages. I was kind of irritated. James didn’t call last night and now I hadn’t got a text from him. I sighed and went to the kitchen to find Sidney Crosby standing there making breakfast. “Good morning?” I said confused. Why was he there.
“Morning!” he smiled
“What are you doing?” I asked sitting at the table
“Making breakfast for you and Melanie.” he replied, “I was a jackass to her the other day…so this is my way of an apology.”
“How the fuck did you get in?”
“I know your apartment manager. I told him the situation and he let me in…I’m sorry if there’s a problem…I just…I really like Melanie…”
I smiled “It’s okay…I’m just grumpy. Did you go out with the others last night?”
He shook his head “No. I usually do, but I didn’t feel up to it. Why?”
“James didn’t call last night and he hasn’t texted me at all this morning…and he always does.” I confessed
Sid nodded sympathetically, “I see…you know James…he’d forget his head if it wasn’t attached to his shoulders.”
“I guess…”
“Don’t worry. He’ll call.” Sid assured me “And if he doesn’t…I’ll kill him on the plane for you.”
I laughed “Oh yeah?”
“Well…probably not kill…but I’ll hit him.”
I smiled “I’m sure he’ll call sometime…I mean…it’s Valentine’s Day.”
“Your cake looks good. Saw it in the fridge.”
“Thanks.” I replied smiling before I went in to wake Melanie for our breakfast. She and Sid made up and decided to get back together. I sighed and looked at my phone…still nothing from James…I was worried and wondering why he hadn’t even messaged me all day.
James’ POV:
Shit, fuck…I mumbled to myself hoping into my car. Getting the paint with Jennifer took longer than I’d expected. I dropped my phone in a puddle and it wasn’t working. I looked at the clock on my stereo…fuck, it was almost 1pm…Allison was going to kill me. I had to be at the arena by 3 to leave for Winnipeg and I hadn’t even spent one minute with Allison on Valentine’s Day.
I drove down the block to Paul Martin’s house and picked up the flowers I had him get for me earlier that morning. I put the flowers besides the penguin stuffed animal that was in my car and drove to Allison’s.
I let myself inside the building and knocked on her door. Even though I had a key, I still figured I should knock. Sidney answered “Hey, Nealer.”
“Hey.” I replied pushing past him. “Where is Allison?”
“In her room…” Melanie replied glaring at me
I gave her a confused smile before heading to Allison’s room and walking in. “Hey…”
“Hey.” she replied looking up from her iPad.
“I’m sorry…I know I’m late and that we don’t get much time to hang out today and no excuse I have will be right. I am so sorry.” I said handing her the penguins and the flowers.
She smiled taking the gifts from me. The penguin had on a small replica jersey of the one I wear and the flowers were a bouquet of tiger lilies, daises and forget-me-nots. All of them were her favorites. “James…” she started, tears forming in her eyes.
I looked at her confused, “What’s wrong?”
She smiled “Nothing…I just…these are so beautiful…this is the best gift ever!”
I smiled back and hugged her, kissing her cheek. “I love you, Allison.”
“I love you too, James.” she replied kissing me on the lips.
“Happy Valentine’s Day.” I said holding her tight.
“Happy Valentine’s Day, James.”