One Timers

There’s no doubt that Los Angeles knows how to party. Granted, most people here probably couldn’t even tell you who the Kings’ captain is. They probably don’t even know the city has a hockey team. The city doesn’t really give a shit about sports in general, especially not one that isn’t native to America. They know their D-list celebrities better than their championship athletes. They most likely don’t know that the Kings just won their second Stanley Cup in three years yesterday.

But damn do they know how to celebrate.

My hips haven’t stopped moving since we got here, and I’m definitely benefiting from the celebratory open bar. I’m about four drinks in, and Jeff is about five.

“I’m gonna head to the bar and get another. You want?” He yells in my ear, leaning down to be heard over the music.
“Please!” I respond, reaching up to bring his lips to mine in a chaste kiss.

Maybe I shouldn’t have done that. Jeff and I haven’t really been open about our relationship just yet. Mostly because we’re not really sure if we’re fully getting back together or not. We’re in a trial period right now. Really, it’s just been a lot of hate sex and make up sex so far. We make great friends. We just don’t always make the best relationship. But Jeff hardly bats an eye, returning the kiss before heading for the bar.

“So are you enjoying the party?” I hear as a warm body comes up behind me.
“Absolutely.” I respond, not bothering to look back. I would recognize that voice anywhere.
“Dance with me.”

The alcohol in my system agrees, and I press my back against his chest. I slowly begin grinding against him, his hands gripping my hips.

“Jeff isn’t going to like this.” I say, realizing how intimate this is getting.
“Relax, Stacey. It’s not like we’re trying to sleep with each other or something. We’re just two friends dancing together.” He responds.
“Mike, you know that’s not how Jeff will see it.”
“I know, boo. But that’s not how I’m meaning it. Not anymore.”
I sigh and pull away from his body, turning to look at him.
“Mike, I-”

“Seriously?” Jeff’s voice booms. “I leave for two minutes and you two are hooking up?”
“Jeff, that’s not-”
“Bro, it’s not like-”

Jeff shakes both of us off, choosing to head for the regular dance floor instead of the VIP section. His face is red with anger. I shout after him, but he can’t hear me over the music. I watch as he storms down the steps and grabs the closest bottle blonde to him. He slowly starts grinding on her, groping at her small dress with his large hands. She’s like putty in his hands, giving before he even asks.

“Don’t do it, Jeff.” Mike mutters under his breath.

But Jeff doesn’t listen. He leans down and captures the girl’s lips with his, shoving his tongue down her throat. I choke back a sob and suddenly can’t stand to be in this crowded club any longer.

“I-I gotta-” I stammer shortly before bolting down the stairs and out to the street. I hail a cab and climb in, tears forming in my eyes. I tell the driver Jeff’s address and stare out the window as the city flies by.

He pulls up to the condo building and I pay him before I hop out of the cab as quickly as possible. I rush up the stairs and bust through the door as soon as it’s unlocked. I almost trip over my sneakers, which I quickly pick up.

I run down the hallway to his bedroom and grab my duffle bag from under the bed. I start throwing all my stuff into it. Shirts, pants, dresses, everything. I walk into the closet and grab my shoes and throw them into the bag too. In the bathroom, I wipe up everything that’s mine. Even my soap and shampoo.

As I’m stuffing it all into my bag, I hear the front door slam. Jeff’s home.

“Stacey? Where the fuck are you?” He yells.
I don’t answer. But he finds me anyway, frantically stuffing my things into my bag.
“What are you doing?” He asks. I don’t respond. “You’re leaving?” He asks.

I zip the bag up and push past him, heading for the den. I grab a couple of my things that I’ve left lying around and turn for the door.

“You’re not seriously leaving me.” Jeff is mad now. “Why the fuck are you leaving?”

His question sets me off.

“Are you fucking kidding me?” I growl, turning to stare at him. “Are you fucking serious right now?”
“What?”
“You fucking shoved your tongue down some other woman’s throat knowing I was watching! And now you’re wondering why I’m leaving?”
He snorts.
“I only did it because you were in the middle of hooking up with my best friend!” He yells.
“Mike and I were not hooking up.” I spit. “We were dancing. That was it. Nothing more to it than two friends celebrating the Stanley Cup.”
“That’s not what it looked like to me.”

“Of fucking course not! Because you don’t fucking trust me. Even though I’ve never once given you reason to. As much as Mike has hit on me in the past? I’ve always turned him down. Ever since Philly I’ve let him know that I’m with you and only with you. Meanwhile, you’re the one who can’t be trusted in this relationship. How many other women have you slept with while on the road? When you’re supposed to be with me?”

I didn’t mean for that question to come out, but I regretted it as soon as I said it.

“Not a single one since we got back together.” He says honestly. “I told you I would change for you, and I have.”
“Yet you shove your tongue down some bottle blonde’s throat right in front of me.” I sneer.
“I-” He sighs. “I was jealous, Stacey.”

This time it’s my turn to snort.

“I’m serious.” He insists. “Richie- he’s always had so much more than me. He was the fucking captain in Philly and that city still loves him. Meanwhile, they still hate me for whatever reason. And Columbus hates me. Everyone loves him and no one loves me. Sometimes it feels like even my own girlfriend would rather be with him.”

“You’re fucking crazy.” I tell him. “Who the fuck cares about what happened in Philly anymore? That’s in the past. And if you ever think I love Mike as anything more than just a friend, you’re severely mistaken.”

He crosses the short distance between us and gingerly touches my shoulder where my bag is hanging. His hand slides the bag off my shoulder and onto the floor.

“Please don’t leave me.” He begs. “Kissing that girl- it was a mistake. Stacey, I’m so sorry. I got jealous and angry and I was so hurt and I wanted to hurt you just as badly. But that was so wrong of me. Please give me another chance. Let me make it up to you. I’ll show you that I can be the best boyfriend ever. Please.”

I huff, thinking about his words.
“I’ll stay here for the night. And I’ll think about it.” I say. “But we’re still on a trial run for a real relationship. Another fuck up and I’ll be gone.”

The corners of his mouth twitch into a small smile. He picks me up into his arms and carries me to the couch, sitting me down.

“I won’t fuck up again.” He promises.
I give him a look.
“Okay, I might fuck up again. But not on purpose. I love you, Stacey.”

Notes

Requested. Hope you enjoy it!

(I had to throw Richie in there. By far one of the best bromances in the NHL, ever since Adirondack. My babes.)