Save Me

By the time we got back to the apartment I was beyond exhausted. I tore open the plastic on my new phone charger and plugged my phone in while the boys brought in the other bags. Jonny and Patrick had gone a little overboard when it came to shopping. I didn’t need much but they insisted on picking out and buying everything.
“Jonny, what does the game schedule look like this week? I need to go to the doctors but I don’t want to go alone.” I asked once he was finished with the last of the bags. To be honest I was kind of hesitant to go to the doctors. If the positive pregnancy tests didn’t make this real enough the doctor sure would. “I’m going to ask Abby what doctor she used after dinner.” I added as he sat down next to me. He gave a disapproving look, and I knew exactly why. I still hadn’t told Evgeni. I hadn’t told the boys where I was either. I had a pretty good feeling that Sidney had been blowing up his phone all day asking if he had heard from me or knew where I was. It really wasn’t fair to them, but I just needed time to process this and I knew I couldn’t tell Geno he would be a father over the phone. Hell I couldn’t tell Sidney he was going to be an uncle over the phone either. I needed to tell G soon, but a part of me didn’t want him to know. He’s in the prime of his career, currently leading the Pens in goals scored, game winning goals and assists. This would ruin his career. I couldn’t do that to him. Jon brought me out of my thoughts when he grabbed a hold of my hand and squeezed it lightly.
“I know what you’re thinking just by the look on that pretty little face of yours. This won’t ruin his career. There are plenty of guys that are married with kids, and unmarried with kids. He deserves to know before anyone else finds out. We can make an appointment and after that you need to go back to Pittsburgh long enough to tell him. If you want to come back to Chicago after that then you know you’re more than welcome to do so. Patrick and I have more than enough room for you and the little one. I think you should return all of the texts and phone calls that you’ve received today as well.” Damn, Jonny would be my voice of reason. They don’t call him Captain Serious for nothing. I knew he was right. I had to go back, but not for at least another week. Jon got up and left me to return the phone calls and texts in peace. Half of me was thankful while the other half wasn’t so much. I sighed and dialed Sid’s number.
“Keeley Nichole Cooke! Where in the hell are you? You have all of us worried out of our minds! We’ve been trying to get a hold of you for a day and a half now.” Sidney ranted his voice full of relief and a hint of anger.
“I’m in Chicago with Jonathan and Patrick. I needed to get away for a bit. Before you ask I can’t tell you why. Not yet anyways.” I fiddled with the black and white comforter on Jon’s bed. “I’ll be back in Pittsburgh next week. I didn’t mean to worry you guys. I’m sorry, I’m going to call the others as soon as I get off the phone with you. Just know that I’m okay. Jon and Pat are taking very good care of me. I haven’t left their sight since I got here.” I explained laying back and staring at the ceiling. Calling the rest of the boys wasn’t nearly as fun as I had hoped it would be. They were all mad and had every reason to be. They wanted answers and I wasn’t ready to give them, which didn’t help my case. I had one call left to make and it was the one I was dreading the most. I dialed Geno’s number and listened to it ring. I got his voicemail.
“Hey G, its Keeley. I just wanted to let you know I’m okay. I’m staying in Chicago for a bit but I’ll be back next week. So uh, I guess I’ll talk to you later.” I sounded ridiculous. I quickly hung up and went to find Jon and Patrick. Jonny had just finished putting dinner on the table.
“It smells really good. What’s for dinner Jon?” I asked grabbing three glasses from the cabinet and filling them all with ice water.
“We’re having grilled salmon with an avocado salsa, salad and your absolute favorite fruit, pineapple.” Jonny said taking the glasses out of my hands. He pointed to my seat and I gladly sat down. Patrick joined us at the table a short time later.


***Geno’s point of view***
I had just come upstairs from my home gym when I noticed that I had missed a call. I hoped more than anything it was Keeley. She disappeared after the game the other night and no one has heard from her since. Vero had told Sidney and I that she needed to do some paperwork for coach but he knew nothing about it. I put my password into my phone and waited for the voicemail to play. Keeley’s voice filled my head as I replayed the voicemail over and over again.
““Hey G, its Keeley. I just wanted to let you know I’m okay. I’m staying in Chicago for a bit but I’ll be back next week. So uh, I guess I’ll talk to you later.” Her voice sounded off. She didn’t sound like herself, it made me worry more. After listening to her voicemail, I was left with more questions than I was answers. I sent a quick message to Sid. I knew he would know what I should do.
Thirty minutes later Sidney walked through my front door, stopping to take his shoes off before he came any further into the house.
“Geno!” He called walking into the living room and sitting down on the couch. I joined him a beer in both hands. I handed one to him and took a long drink from mine.
“Keeley call.” I said after we had sat in silence for a few minutes. “Stay in Chicago.” Sidney took a drink and nodded. I assumed she had called him as well. Why wouldn’t she? They were closer than siblings.
“Yeah, I figured she would have gone there. Vero said she was fine after the game. I don’t know why she ran off like that. I guess we’ll just have to wait and see when she comes back. At least we know she’s safe.” Sidney had a pretty good point. She was safe with Jon and Patrick.
“I go.” I don’t know why I hadn’t thought of it before. It was a perfect idea. We had a nice little break before we had another game. We didn’t have a game until Wednesday and it was Sunday. Though we still had practices. Wednesday’s was optional but the other two were mandatory.
“You’re going where?” Sidney asked breaking my thought process.
“Chicago.” I said getting up off the couch and climbing the stairs to my bedroom. I heard Sidney’s footsteps behind me.
“You can’t just pick up and go! We have practices! She’s fine G.” Sidney said standing in the doorway. I wasn’t listening to anything that he said. I grabbed one of my bags and started filling it with enough clothes and toiletries for a few days.
“You’re not going to listen to me are you?” Sidney asked sighing. I shook my head no. “Call Coach and let him know you had a personal matter to attend to and I’ll cover for you.” I thanked him and threw the bag over my shoulder. I had to get going if I was going to make it to Chicago in a decent amount of time.
“Do you want me to call Jon and let him know you’re coming?” Sidney asked as we walked to our cars. “You flying or driving?” he asked leaning on his car.
“I drive. Make surprise. Text address.” I asked putting my bag in the back seat. Sidney nodded and wished me safe travels. I started the car and watched as my house disappeared from my rearview mirror.
By the time I got to Chicago it was almost three in the morning. I was beyond exhausted. I was starting to thank Sid for suggesting renting a hotel room. They weren’t my favorite places to stay but I would take anything right now. I dropped my bag on the chair and collapsed onto the bed falling asleep almost instantly. By the time I woke up from my little nap it was almost two in the afternoon. I took a quick shower and changed clothes. The weather in Chicago was a little chilly, nothing compared to back home in Russia though. I texted Sid and asked for Jonathan’s address. I didn’t know what the Hawk’s schedule was like but I hoped that someone would be there. Preferably Keeley. I heard my phone vibrate, I was surprised when the caller ID said Mama instead of Sidney.
“Привет мама. Как твои дела?” (Hello mama. How are you?”) Being so far away from home was hard at times, especially around the holidays but it was something I was used too. I couldn’t help but feel bad as she asked why I was missing practice and what the personal matter was. She was so worried. I never want to worry mama.
“Я в порядке, мама.” (I’m fine, mama.) I couldn’t stay on the phone with her much longer. Sidney had texted me Jonathan’s address.
“Не волнуйтесь мама. Я буду называть позже. Мне пора идти. Я люблю тебя.” (Don’t worry mama. I’ll later. I have to go. I love you.) We said our goodbyes, after I promised to call.

***Keeley’s point of view***
Jonathan and I hadn’t been back from the doctors for more than ten minutes when there was a knock at the door. I heard him answer but I didn’t think much of it. I couldn’t think of much of anything, I was too focused on the pictures of my unborn child in front of me. Geno and I’s unborn child. I was having a hard time wrapping my head around the situation. The doctor said I was about two months along and everything was going great. I had to make the decision to stay with this doctor or find one in Pittsburgh. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. My thoughts were interrupted when Jon knocked on the door.
“There’s someone in the living room for you. I’m going to run to the store, I’ll be back later.” He kissed my cheek but was out the door before I could say anything. We were at the store a few days ago, so I knew he wasn’t really going there. Where was he going though and why would he lie? When I entered the living room I didn’t see anyone at first. It took me a second before I saw the last person I wanted to see sitting on the couch looking just as nervous as I was.
“Geno.” I whispered, putting my hand on my stomach. I wasn’t sure if what I was feeling was nausea or just the baby. “What are you doing here?” I really hoped I wasn’t going to vomit but the nausea wasn’t going away. “I told you I’d be back next week. You didn’t need to come here.” He stood and closed the gap in between us. He reached out for me but I backed up slightly.
“I come see you okay. I worried.” I could see the fear in his eyes as he looked me over, searching for anything that was different about me. I wasn’t showing yet, but the doctor said I could start showing anytime now.
“G, I’m fine. I told you that on the phone.” I tried to sound convincing but in all honestly I just wanted to cry.
“Jonathan say you tell me something.” Geno said taking my hand in his. He guided me to the couch and sat down next to me. I stared at the floor and played with the flaking nail polish on my fingers. Why did Jonathan have to say something to him? I was going to do it. I just wasn’t sure when. It stayed extremely quiet between the two of us. The sounds from the streets of Chicago was the only noise filling the empty house.
“You tell me. It okay. I here for you.” He said gently rubbing my back. I couldn’t hold the sob that escaped my body any longer. Geno quickly took me in his arms gently rubbing my back as he mumbled something surprisingly soothing in Russian in my ear. After a few minutes I pulled away from him and exited the living room. I grabbed the pictures from the doctors and turned smacking right into Geno’s firm chest.
“What this?” He asked picking the pictures up off the floor. His face full of confusion. “Is baby?” He asked. I nodded and sat down on Jon’s bed. My eyes not meeting his. “Is my baby?” He asked. I nodded again. “I’m going to be dad.” I couldn’t tell his feelings from his voice.
“Look G. I totally understand if you don’t want to be a father. I can take care of the baby on my own. I’m not asking you to be here for it at all. I know you’re in the prime of your career and you can’t have a baby slowing you down. You shouldn’t have to deal with that.” Geno cut my rambling off with a firm kiss to my lips. He pulled away, “I be dad!” He almost yelled. His excitement was almost intoxicating. “You run from this?” I whispered a yes.
“I was so afraid of what you would say. I didn’t want to ruin your life either. So, I did the first thing that I could think of. I just ran. I’m sorry, do you forgive me?”

Notes