Because of Him

I woke up feeling great. Great being an understatement. I felt like I was on top of the world when I slowly started to wake up. It was a pleasant way to be awoken after such a night. The first thought that came into my head was him. It made me smile goofily to myself. This was interrupted when my mother came storming into my room.
“Sweetie, your going with your father to Consol Energy Centre. That’s where the team is.” She said quickly before walking out again.
This made me get out of my bed quicker then usual. I jumped out a scavenged through the endless amounts of dresses. I didn’t own any normal “jeans.” My mother thought it was trashy and un lady like.
“Jeans are for men. Dresses are for women. Dress like a lady, be treated like a lady Evelyn.” I heard her words replay in my head as I picked out a white summer dress. One thing about dresses was they were so easy and effortless. I pulled it over my head and brushed through my hair and twisted it into my signature ‘princess’ bun. I grabbed the expensive Chanel wallet my mother had brought me among with many others. I slung the black purse across my shoulder and slipped on some Louis Vuitton heels. The classic black pair that girls would kill for. I hurried down the stairs and into the kitchen where one of the maids has prepared breakfast for my mother, father and i. I ate it rather quickly, trying to calm my excitement.

Consol Energy Centre was huge.
“Daddy this place is huge.” I smile at my dad.
“I know sweetie. Part of the reason I brought it. Now we have some people to meet, hurry along.” He said, softly pushing against my back as I dazed around the building. I walked behind him, down the hall and around corners. I stopped just before the locker room at a big poster. I lifted my head slightly, raising it up and up and up until it reached his face. He stood tall, leaning against his stick. The newest penguin, James Neal. I smiled, feeling overwhelmed. I don’t know where my father had went but this was a sight that needed to be taken in properly. A voice I had never heard interrupted me.
“James Neal.” The French accent read.
I turned around quickly, my eyes wide. She stood smirking, raising one eyebrow softly.
“That’s James Neal.” She pointed.
I looked at the poster again and the back at her. I softly nodded.
“Veronique Fleury.” She said extending her hand.
I paused before taking it and softly shaking.
“And yours?” She asked.
“Oh. Evelyn Johnson.” I say.
“Oh! Your dad is that-“ She started to say.
“Yes, that rich guy with the probably stuck up rich girl daughter.”
“I wasn’t going to say that.” She rolls her eyes smiling.
“I was going to say, the guy that saved the Penguins from going completely bankrupt. It must be amazing having a father like that.” She says.
“In not so many words.” I reply.
She laughs at my statement.
“So, you have eyes for Neal.” She giggles.
I stutter before saying, “No, uh, yeah no.”
Veronique continues to laugh as my pale face brightens with each cackle she makes.
“His handsome isn’t he?” She winks before bursting into the familiar laughter.
“Come!” She says waving her hands in the air. “Ill show you to him!”
I have no idea where I am, and I can’t exactly find the exit, so I have no choice but in following her.
Veronique was funny. A sort of funny I wish I could be all the time. She seemed so free spirited and fun. Not to mention she was absolutely stunning with her almost black hair. Her eyes were a light beautiful brown that just screamed a good time. She was a good height, not tall or short, but more on the shorter side. Her face was complemented by her glowing smile and tan skin. Veronique was extremely beautiful.
“Come on Evelyn!” She said. I didn’t realize I was still until she was exaggerating her hand actions infront of me before pushing me along. I gave in finally, letting her push and lead me through the halls.
“How do you know your way around here? Do you work here?” I asked.
She laughed the familiar laugh. “My husband, you could say works here.”
“You’ll meet him soon.” She winks before walking again.

JAMES POV

“Evelyn is off limits Mr Neal.” Mario says to me as I sit at his desk. I was called in here unsure of the topic of conversation. But it was now revealed that it was about Evelyn.
“Excuse me?” I asked, shocked at his statement.
“You cant be around her James.” Mr Johnson says as he stands up and turns around to face me. He is standing tall behind Mario.
“Because you have moved to Pittsburgh from Dallas doesn’t mean you are a changed man, Neal. You are still the same, and you still have your bad boy reputation.” Mr Johnson says again, eyeing my up and down.
I felt extremely uncomfortable as I kicked my feet under the desk. I was determined to not show either of them that I was scared. I was terrified.
“This is a speech all the boys will eventually get, but you are the new guy. The other boys are more used to this then you. Daughters of important people aren’t to have relationships with the players.” Mario says sternly.
Learn this now Neal and you will fit in just fine here. Im sure you understand.”
I nodded. I didn’t understand any of this, so of course, my big mouth decided to speak out.
“I don’t understand though Sir.” I say, which stuns them both.
“I don’t have any relationship with Evelyn. I just met her. “
They both pause for a moment, then Mr Johnson finally speaks.
“You may have just met her James, but the looks you exchanged with her were not to be missed.” He says slowly and sternly.
I gulp hard and decide to not say anymore. Mario then excuses me from the office. I walk out into the hallway and kick my foot against the wall once I am away from the office.
“Fuck.” I say grabbing my foot into my hand and hopping around. I hear a faint giggle from behind me and whip my head around.
She’s smiling that big, beautiful smile. Her lips framing her mouth perfectly.
No, stop. I say in my mind, mentally slapping myself.
“Are you okay?” She asks, in that soft voice.
I shake my head, training the stop looking at her. She smiles and giggles again. “Are you okay?” She asks again.
“Uh, yeah. Im okay.” I reply, looking away from her.
“Im Evelyn.” She says.
“I know.” I reply bluntly.
She gives me that look again. Were she raises her eyebrow slowly, and furrows her forehead. Her lips slightly curving into a subtle smile. The look for me to continue.
“James.”
“Hello James.”
“How did you get up here?” I ask.
“Veronique. I don’t know. I just met her then. She said she was taking me somewhere, but then when you walked out of the office she ran off.” She smiles again.
“Shes pretty crazy.” I say, rubbing the back of my neck.
“I like her.” She smiles biting her lip.
We stand in silence for another moment until she speaks up again.
“Do you want to go out or something? Maybe get some coffee?” She asks me. She seemed nervous as she looked down and played with the ring on her finger.
My mind was going crazy. I wanted to say yes with all my heart, but my brain was telling me no. I knew what would happen if I was caught with her. I couldn’t do it.
“Um, im busy. Maybe another day. Im sorry.” I say before turning around and starting to walk off.
“Oh.” I hear her say softly.
“James!” She calls after me.
“Its okay.” She says sweetly before smiling.
I nod before walking off again, trying not to turn around and take her up on her offer. I force my feet to walk and walk until I get to the locker room door. I smash my foot against the door again, slamming my hands up behind my head.

“Fuck.”

Notes