Either You Do...Or You Don't

James’ POV:

“Fuck…” I mumbled to myself…Claude Giroux had just scored another goal, tying up the game again…the game, our second of the season, had been intense as usual.

It was only the second period and there had already been two fights, Engo had been ejected and each team had now scored two goals. Myself and Sid were our scorers.

Just then, I heard a whistle blow and a flurry of boos resonated throughout the arena. Jussi had just gotten a high-sticking penalty. “Fucking bullshit!” Brooks Orpik yelled from beside me on the bench.

“Alright, boys penalty kill unit up!” Coach yelled down the bench

I hopped up over the bench and onto the ice to take my position. I took a deep breath as the puck drop began. We won the faceoff and skated hard down the ice. I slid sharp into my spot and tapped my stick on the ice, calling for the puck. Geno skated hard to the corner and sent me a hard pass. I snapped my stick forward, hitting the puck hard. The puck went sailing past Ray Emery and the goal horn sounded.

Allison’s POV:

I took a deep breath as second period ended and intermission began. James’ goal had the Pens taking the lead into the third. The guys where playing hard and the Flyers where fighting back even harder.

It was strange seeing some of the Flyer players again…I hadn’t seen most of them since Max and I were together. Max, however, wasn’t there. He had been traded to the Avs last season.
I hadn’t spoken to Max at all since we broke up…he wanted nothing to do with me. I couldn’t say I blamed him either…

“Are you okay?” Melanie asked

“Yeah. Just thinking…”

“About what?”

“How much things have changed since we moved here.” I replied

Melanie nodded, “Yeah…things have changed a lot. Remember how excited we were to set off on our own?”

I smiled, remembering that first week here. Meeting James had Whole Foods and slowly starting to fall for him. We had been through a lot since then…we broke up many times and got back together…I moved to Philly for a long time with Max, but eventually I returned to James…
Now here we were, engaged, but not even speaking…I didn’t even wear my ring anymore. Anytime we talked, we just fought and argued…it sucked.

I wanted things to work out. I wanted him to look at me like he did those first few months. I wanted this baby to be his…I just wanted thing to be like they were…

“Allison?” Melanie’s voice snapped me back to where I was…at the arena.

“Sorry. Got lost in thought.” Melanie gave me a half smile and she glanced down towards the ice, her eyes fixed on James, but then she quickly looked away. “Why did you look at him like that…”

“Huh?” Melanie asked, looking up.

“You just looked at James…weirdly…” I started

“Oh.” she laughed nervously. “I just, um…you know…when you look at something and can’t control it…yeah that’s what it was. “

I blinked, “What?”

“Nothing…I’m going to go to the bathroom…” with that she hurried away.
Something was up…I wasn’t sure what it was…but it was definitely something…

James’ POV:

I ran my hands through my hair as the hot water fell against my skin. Geno had scored again in the third period, sealing our win against Philly. It was now shower time…

I was the last person left at the arena…it was close to 1030 and the rest of the guys had went home. Joe, the zamboni guy had left me the keys so I could lock up.

I took a deep breath and closed my eyes, starting to relax. Click. I startled up and saw a figure standing outside the shower curtain. The curtain swung open and Melanie was standing outside the shower. “Fuck, Mel…you scared the hell outta me…what the fuck are you doing here?”

“She’s getting suspicious. We have to tell her.”

I sighed, “Melanie…”

“James…she’s my best friend. Do you know hw hard it is to keep something from her? To lie to her?”

“We didn’t do anything wrong. It’s none of her business. Allison and I were split up when you and I had sex…”

Melanie bit her lip, “What if she finds out?”

“She isn’t going to find out. The only people who know are me and you. I’m not going to tell her and you promised me that you wouldn’t tell her. Melanie, if you tell her…it’s going to destroy her.” I said, turning the water off.

“If she finds out on her own and knows we hid it from her it’s going to destroy her!” Melanie fought back

“Melanie…I am telling you…it’s better she doesn’t know. Ignorance is bliss.” I replied, wrapping a towel around my waist and headed towards my bag in the next room.

“James…” Melanie started, following me to the room

“Don’t tell her. Promise me, Melanie.”

“I…I…I promise.”

“Where is she by the way?”

“In the car. I told her I forgot my cell phone.”

I nodded, “You better go…”

Just then the door opened. “What’s going on?” Allison asked

“I just found my phone and James was here and I stopped to say hi…” Melanie started

“She scared me, really. I was just getting out of the shower…”

Allison looked at us skeptically, “Okay…come on, Mel, let’s get going.”

Melanie gave me a look before following Allison out the door. I breathed a sigh of relief and started to get dressed. I grabbed my bag and locked the doors on my way out…

Notes