One Magical Night

Aaralyn Northgate rode the subway to within two blocks of her apartment. All the way on the crowded train, she’d had the feeling she was being observed. Watched.

And of course she was. Any attractive woman on a packed New York subway train was the object of male attention. Bodies pressed bodies. Sometimes, when the train jerked or swayed on its tracks, supposedly accidental contact was made. Aaralyn was used to that kind of thing.

But this was different. Or maybe she felt that way because she was tired. Or because she was in love with a famous hockey player from the NHL.

The train lurched. Aaralyn slid a few inches across the plastic seat until her body met that of a man reading a folded Times in his lap. The man looked like the love child of John Scott and Sean Avery. He didn’t seem to mind. She found himself staring at the newspaper. She’d heard that perverts on the subway used newspapers to conceal things.

Don’t be an idiot! Don’t believe everything you hear. This guy’s probably a clerk or accountant or editor, taking his train home to his wife and kids.

Besides, I can take care of myself.

She wasn’t sure about that last part. Six weeks of karate lessons had made a difference, but not THAT much difference. And it taught her just how strong some men really were. The smallest man could generate more strength than even a large woman. It had to do with percentage of muscle mass.

Hunters. The bastards were hunters.

Knock it off, Aaralyn.

The train’s wheels squealed on iron rails, as it slowed approaching her stop. She waited for the complete stop and then the sudden backward lurch before standing up and elbowing her way toward the sliding doors and the concrete platform.

Fear slipped away, as she pushed through the metal turnstile and climbed littered concrete steps to the upper world.

The evening was still bright and the sidewalks crowded with human energy.

About half the outside tables at Perfect Pizza were occupied. On impulse, she stepped through the opening in the iron fence that separated the dining area from the wide sidewalk and found a table, beneath the umbrella. A waitress named Emilee, whom she knew somewhat, immediately came toward her. They exchanged greetings, and Emilee smiled the smile that could break the resolve of a professional mourner. Aaralyn was glad she’d decided to come here. She ordered a slice of pizza with ham and pineapple on it, and a glass of burgundy.

She sat back and let her gaze roam over the diners. What would really cheer her up, was if she could spot a “Seguinista.” She wasn’t a fan, but it was almost a hoot to run into one of the crazy Dallas Star fangirls. Especially in Chicago. It had happened once before; a woman in the neighborhood had bought a T-shirt with a sequin design and asymmetrical neck, and a month or so later here the woman had been in Perfect Pizza, flaunting the proud lettering of “Seguinista.” It could happen again, but the odds were long. Like a writer spotting someone reading his or her book.

Aaralyn Northgate was enjoying her time at her favorite place in Chicago. She ordered a slice of pizza and quickly ate it. As she let the foor digest, her eyes spotted a familiar curly blonde haired man.

Patrick Kane.

She tensed up, sitting up straight in her chair. She watched as his head jerked around, desperately searching for something or someone. She was curious to know what was going on with him.

His head turned in her direction, and his panicked eyes met hers. Something was dead wrong. He looked lost, harmless. It was a completely new look than at the beach. He skipped over and slipped inside and took a seat immediately in front of her.

Aaralyn folded her arms and heaved a sigh. “What now?”

“I’m not here to pester you about being Johnny anymore. I promise. Listen, I made a huge mistake.”

“What did you do?”

“I-I kind of fought Tazer in practice and then hit him in the head with a puck.”

“What?! How could you?!” Aaralyn threw her hands over her mouth in horror. “You hurt my Johnny!”

“Look, I’m sorry okay. I made a mistake.”

“A HUGE mistake, Kaner!”

“Yes, I know.” He looked downward at his feet. He was seriously upset and depressed.

“So what happened?”

“He disappeared. I thought he might be with you, but I didn’t know that you would be hanging out here, at this place.”

“Yeah, it’s a guilty pleasure.”

There was an awkward moment of silence. Patrick gazed around, his blue eyes shining in the sunlight. He finally sighed. “The reason why I snapped like I did, was because of Sarah.”

“Sarah?”

“Believe it or not, this blonde man dated a redhead. She was very spunky, but she wasn’t exactly nice. She was demanding and needy.”

“What did she do to you, if you don’t mind me asking?”

“She destroyed my virginity. The whole time she made it all about her and wouldn’t let me do anything without her consent and approval. And she manhandled me!” His eyes teared up at the memory.

Aaralyn felt sympathy for the poor guy. He had a dark past. And this sounded like a secret he didn’t tell anyone.

“You can understand why I was skeptical and uneasy. But I shouldn’t have snapped at you. I shouldn’t have judged you based on her. I should have given you more of a chance.”

Aaralyn stood up and walked over to him. She embraced the blonde man in her arms, giving him a comforting squeeze. “I forgive you Kaner. I really do.”

He allowed her to hug him. She was so much nicer than Sarah was. Sarah forced herself onto him, but with Aaralyn, she was sweet and caring. A perfect woman and girlfriend for his best friend. Patrick slowly came around and warmed up to the redhead.

They talked, as the food came out, with one another, getting to know each other and confessing secrets, like two good friends. Aaralyn began to feel more comfortable around the superstar Blackhawk. And Patrick Kane smiled at her. He smiled at her and it refueled her hope that he wasn’t out to destroy her relationship with Jonathan.

“So where did Johnny go?” she asked him, concerned.

“I don’t know. But I do need to find him. We have hockey to play tomorrow and he can’t miss that! We need our captain.”

“I’ll help you out!”

“I’d like that a lot. But I think I need to find him. I need to talk to him alone and apologize. I did him wrong, made a huge mistake!”

Aaralyn dipped her head. She understood where Patrick was coming from and she respected the will he had to make up for his error.

“Don’t worry, Aaralyn, I’ll find our boy and get him back to his old self!”

She smiled and he returned it. He stood up from his seat at the table and walked off.

Notes

Awww, Kaner is such a sweetie....Poor guy!!!!
Two chapters left until the end!!!! :)