Goodbye Girl

James came off the ice, feeling great. The Pens beat the Caps 4-0. He had a two point night. He saw Amber standing near the change room in the same 'Crosby' jersey he met her in. He walked straight to her.

"We really need to get you a 'Neal' jersey." He shook his head before placing his stick, blade down, and resting his chin on top of his hands on it.

"Are you kidding? That guy's a total plug. He does shit all and has the biggest ego I've ever seen." She said, holding back a smirk.

"I had a two point night, thank you." He defended.

"Yeah, so did Sid and Pauly." She shrugged.

"You're an asshole." He pointed as he walked away, a grin on his face.

Sidney watched the interaction before coming over to her. She saw the devilish grin on his face and knew what was coming. She rolled her eyes and took a deep breath.

"You and Nealer?" He nodded with an impressed look. "I should've seen it."

"No, not 'me and Nealer'. Just a friend." She explained. "And why would you have 'seen it'?"

Sid shrugged. "You're both just assholes. I can't believe I didn't see you two hitting it off."

"Sidney, stop! It's nothing. He's into me but I do not reciprocate the feelings." She used hand gestures.

He rolled his eyes, walking back to the change room. Sid knew Amber and she knew when she liked someone. She could deny it all she wanted, but it was there. He shot a smirk at James as he found his way to his stall. James caught the look.

"What was that?" He called on Sidney.

Sidney shook his head and smiled. "Nothing. I'm just a lot more aware of something than you are." He taunted.

"What's that?" James nodded his head in his direction.

"That Amber's into you." Sid shrugged.

A roar of 'oh's came from their teammates. James watched Sidney to see if there was some sort of joke going on. The captain just pulled off his equipment. James swallowed hard but hid it. He didn't need the guys knowing he was nervous.

"So I should go out there right now and ask her on a date?" He asked.

Sidney nodded his head. "Probably a good idea."

"Yeah, she can't turn you down if you're her way home." Beau chirped.

James turned and glared at him. He laughed along with the other guys. He felt a hand on his shoulder. He looked forward and saw Pascal.

"If you're gonna ask her, going out in the get up you have right now to ask is a definite yes." He joked.

James looked down at him. He was only in his dry fit that he wore under his equipment. He nodded, smiling to himself. He made his way for the door while the guys cheered for him. He stepped outside. Amber's eyes slowly trailed up him. He smirked when he saw her cheeks flush.

"Look, I haven't asked a girl out since, 2004, and I didn't ask another girl out for a solid seven years, and then it was more just asking to bone 'em." He explained, earning a laugh. "What I'm trying to get to, is that I think you're really cool and it'd be pretty unreal if you'd agree to go on a date with me."

Amber took a deep breath. She knew Sid walked right in there after he talked to her and told James to ask her out. She looked up into James's deep blue eyes, pleading for her to tell him she'd go.

"Yeah, fine." She nodded.

A smile spread across his face. He was tempted to go in and kiss her, but he didn't want to push it. She stood in front of him, his 6'2 towering her 5'7 self. He just have her a small smile with a nod before he turned to go back to the change room.

Amber rolled her eyes before she bit her lip. She felt childish. But then again, how often did a professional athlete ask you out? She composed herself and went back to standing on her phone. Only she would know how much she was actually buzzing.

The Pittsburgh plane landed back in their home. James and Amber collect their bags before making it to his car. He offered to carry her gym bag but she rolled her eyes at him and walked ahead of him. He took the liberty of her being in front of him to check out her ass. He was not disappointed.

"Do you do squats or something?" He asked.

She laughed a bit. "I do the same thing Sid does to get his ass so big." She joked.

"Wow, well keep doing it because that thing can only get better from here." He said.

He tapped her ass as they approached his car. She glared at him over it. He smirked back and climbed into the car. She got into the passenger's seat, instantly plugging her phone in.

"Woah, did I say you were DJ again?" He held his hand out.

"I'd rather walk home than listen to your shit." She said, completely serious.

James rolled his eyes, putting his hand back on his steering wheel. Amber glared at him as she scrolled through her music. She couldn't decide on a song so she pushed shuffle. James listened to the song.

"Who's this?" He asked.

"Kings of Leon. They're my favourite band." Amber told him.

"They sound pretty sick." He admitted.

"They are." She agreed.

They listened to the rest of 'Cold Desert' in silence. James would catch a glimpse of Amber tapping her foot along. He smiled. The song ended and she gasped, turning up the next song. James went to ask who it was but she beat him to it.

"Arctic Monkeys. Also my favourite band." She stated.

"You can't have two favourite bands." James argued.

"I have like twenty if we're getting technical." She gave him a know-it-all grin. "I'm going back to five-oh-five. If it's a seven hour flight or a forty-five minute drive. In my imagination, you're waiting, lying on your side with your hands between your thighs." She sang.

"A little PG." He teased.

She glared as music played. She belted out more of the lyrics. James started to laugh. Amber frowned at him. She didn't know why he was laughing. He continued to laugh and she shoved him.

"Hey, I am driving!" He yelled.

"Why are you laughing at me?" She whined.

"You're just cute." He shrugged.

She groaned. "Shut up."

"No, really. You're fun to be around." He looked into her eyes. "I'm glad Sid invited you to that game in Toronto."

"You're being really sappy, James." She laughed. "You're saying this shit like it's your vows."

"Maybe one day." He shrugged.

Amber rolled her eyes. He let out a chuckle. She stared out the window as the song finished. James looked over at her, just like every other time she wasn't paying attention. He took one hand off the steering wheel and grabbed Amber's.

She looked at their hands as he laced his fingers with hers. She looked up at him. He was focused on driving. She gave her had a shake while smiling. James was smooth, she'd give him that. They drove like that until he pulled up to her apartment. He let go of her hand as he parked.

"One request," He spoke. She looked at him. "Make me a CD or something of songs you think I'd like."

"I can do that. I'll have it ready for our date." She nodded, unbuckling herself. "When is that again?"

"Uh, we play the Islanders on Friday. We could go for dinner and then I could get you some tickets?" He suggested.

She nodded again. "It's a date. I'll see you then." She smiled, grabbing her bags as she climbed from his car.

He watched her walk to the doors of her apartment building. She waved before walking inside. He smiled to himself before driving off.

Amber made it to her apartment. She walked in and saw Alex sitting at the window. She spun around to look at Amber. She was caught and she knew it.

"How was your parents'?" Alex asked, standing.

"It was fun!" Amber smiled.

Alex rolled her eyes. "Save the bullshit, Amber." She hissed. "Your sister called while you were 'driving to your parents' with her' and she had no idea what you were talking about. Your parents haven't been together since you were three and your sister is pregnant in Edmonton."

"Alex, I can explain." Amber sighed. "James asked me to go to Washington with him and I couldn't say no. It's their rival team."

"Why didn't you bring me?" Alex crossed her arms.

"Because he doesn't like you." Amber bit her lip. Alex's jaw dropped. "I'm sorry. He just didn't think you had anything in common."

"He didn't give a shit when his dick was up me." Alex hissed.

She bumped past Amber and went straight to her room, slamming the door behind her. Amber let out a long sigh before dropping onto the couch. She sent Leigh a text about how she might be moving in with her. Next, she sent James a text.

Alex knows and is totally pissed.

James read the text while he walked into his house. He shook his head before dialling a number. Emily answered on the first ring. She hadn't talked to him in a while.

"Hey! How was it?" She greeted.

"It was great. I asked her on a date and everything. We're going out tomorrow." He smiled as he told Emily everything. "But now her roommate's pissed."

"You did fuck her and now you're going for her roommate. It's understandable, James." Emily laughed.

"But I didn't realize I was interested in Amber until Alex was blubbering on about hockey even though she knew nothing." James sighed. "I don't want to be the reason there's tension between them."

"Well, you are." Emily stated.

The door opened and Tyler walked in the house. She smiled at him. He smiled back as he closed the door. He walked towards her, kissing the top of her head. He sat down beside her and pecked her lips.

"So, do I like offer Amber to move in with me or something so Alex won't rip her heart out?" James spoke.

Emily laughed. "No. I think you should just talk to Alex and explain that you didn't have feelings for her." Tyler cocked a brow at Emily. "James fucked a girl and now he's going for her roommate." She explained.

Tyler laughed. "Tell him to just shoot the roommate he doesn't want down." He shrugged.

Her jaw dropped. "Asshole."

"No, that's a good idea." James agreed with Tyler. "I'm gonna do it tomorrow when I go to pick her up."

"Assholes. You're both complete assholes." Emily shook her head. "Call me after your date and tell me how it goes."

"Will do." James said before hanging up.

Emily rested her head against the back of the couch while staring at Tyler. He gave her a fake dirty look. She gasped, shoving him. He laughed and pulled her into him. He rested his lips on the side of her head.

"I'm glad you and James get along now." Emily spoke.

"I'm glad you and him get along." Tyler chuckled. "It was shitty seeing you so bummed when he was being an ass."

"He seems a lot happier now." She pointed out.

"It must be the girl he's seeing." Ty shrugged. "I mean, I was pissed about coming here until I met you."

She rolled her eyes at the grin he gave her. "Don't be sappy." She growled.

"Fine. I'll be seductive instead." He whispered before kissing her neck.

Notes