Save Me

Mama Malkin’s time in Pittsburgh was limited, she had to get back to Russia and take care of the restaurant that Geno had opened a few years ago. She promised she would be back in a couple weeks. Geno had left to take her to the airport a few hours ago. I decided it would be a great time for a nap, being pregnant was making me exhausted. While having Natalia here was great I was thankful to have a little bit of alone time and be able to do things by myself. Grabbing my cell phone off the counter I climbed the stairs up to the room that Geno and I shared. He texted me and said that him and some of the guys were going to go out for dinner and maybe to the club. More time to myself! I cheered, doing a little dance. Since I was going to be spending a majority of the evening alone, a nice relaxing bath sounded nice. I started the water and added some of my favorite bubble bath to the warm water. I climbed in and turned the music that was playing in my headphones all the way up. After relaxing in the tub for a bit I got bored and decided to crawl into bed try to fall asleep.
I was awoken by a crashing sound coming from inside the closet, when I glanced at the clock it was two in the morning.
“Geno, is that you?” I asked pulling the covers off of me and sitting up in bed.
“Hey babe.” He slurred coming out of the closet wearing nothing but a pair of sweatpants.
“It’s late, come to bed.” I said patting the spot next to me. He silently climbed into bed next to me, and quickly fell asleep. When my alarm went off three hours later I let out a little groan. There was an optional skate today, I knew Geno wouldn’t be going he was too hung over from his night out with the boys. I filled a glass up with water and set a bottle of Tylenol next to him on the night stand. After changing, brushing my teeth and putting on a little bit of makeup I was out the door and off to Consol.
“Good morning Keeley, how are you today?” the newest addition Trevor Daley, asked with a smile.
“I’m well. How are you and the family adjusting to life here in Pittsburgh? I trust that the team and staff have been welcoming?” I asked grabbing a cup of coffee.
“They love it here. When we lived in Dallas it never snowed, so they’re excited to play in it. I’m not so excited to drive in it.” He joked. “The team and all of the staff have been wonderful, I feel like I’ve been here for years.” I was happy to hear that he felt welcome. It was never easy moving from place to place. I was lucky enough to have awesome friends that helped me with the adjustments when I came to Pittsburgh.
“Good! Practice starts soon so I better get going.” I said giving him a quick hug before I hurried off to the medical rooms. I found Beau and Olli sitting on the tables waiting for me.
“What can I do for you guys?” I questioned, even though I was pretty sure they just needed taped up.
“The usual, we’re here to bug you and get taped up before practice.” Beau said grabbing the tape out of my hand and holding it above his head.
“If you don’t give me my tape back, you’ll be on your own to wrap up your ankle, and we both know how well that worked out last time.” I said with a smirk. I was running behind and had given Beau a roll of tape so he didn’t have to wait on me and he could get back out to the game without being late. When I came to see how he was doing, half of the roll was in pieces all over the floor, the other half was wrapped too tightly on his ankle and foot. I could tell it was starting to turn purple. Beau handed me the tape and sat back on the table next to Olli.
“Alright Olli, you’re up first.” I said unrolling a little bit of tape. He extended his arm out and I started wrapping tape around his wrist. “How’s it feel?” I asked putting the tape down on the table.
“It feels good. Thanks Keels!” He jumped off the table and kissed my cheek. I pointed to the door telling him to get to practice.
“Alright Beau. I just need to teach you how to do this yourself.” I said more to myself than him. I moved the chair over to the table and started wrapping Beau’s ankle. There’s no way he’s reinjuring it if I can help it.
“Oh Keels, what would I do without you? You’re the best ankle taper in the league. You’re such a beauty!” Beau said dramatically.
“Alright get to practice before we both get into trouble.” I laughed.
I followed Beau out to the ice, my bag thrown over my shoulder. I took a seat on the player’s bench, no harm seeing that it wasn’t in use. Practice went well, no one got hurt or aggravated old injuries so I chalked it up as a win for me.
“Hey Keeley!” I heard Sidney call as I was getting ready to exit the ice. I turned around and was met face to face with a sweaty and stinky Sidney.
“I was planning on doing some more drills and stuff. Will you stick around and tell me what I need to work on? Just like old times?” He asked hopeful. Since I announced my pregnancy I hadn’t really done much with anyone. Natalia kept me in her sight at all times. I did miss hanging out with Sidney.
“Only on one condition.” I said with a big grin.
“Yes, I’ll buy you and the baby food after we’re done.” He said with a grin.
“Then I’m in.” I said sitting back down on the bench.
I sent a text to Geno letting him know that I wasn’t going to be home for a while. I didn’t expect him to be awake right now anyways, so chances are I would probably be home before he woke up anyways. I busied myself rearranging my tape cabinet while Sid got cleaned up.
“Are you ready to go?” Sidney asked, surprising me by his presence I almost knocked over every roll of tape I had just finished organizing.
“Jesus Sidney, you scared me!” I laughed. “Are you ready to go?” Sidney nodded and took my arm in his. The car ride to my favorite restaurant, Eleven, was quiet but peaceful. Sidney helped me out of the car and requested a booth in the back. After ordering we fell into a comfortable conversation about how the baby was doing.
“Thank you for hanging out with me today Sid. I’ve really missed you.” I said hugging him once we were standing in the parking lot.
“I missed you too, baby cakes.” Sid said hugging me back. “Now get into the car and I’ll drive you back to Consol, I’m sure Geno is getting worried.” I laughed and got into the car.

“Geno!” I called taking my shoes off before walking further into the house. I heard Geno call my name from upstairs.
“How are you feeling?” I asked sitting next to him on the bed.
“You cheat on me. How you do it?” He asked staring at the wall in front of him. To say I was shocked was an understatement.
“What are you talking about? When have I had time to cheat on you, huh? I haven’t been out of any ones sight for weeks now! I can’t do anything by myself. So please tell me how I could have cheated on you?” I angrily ask getting off the bed. In a matter of seconds Geno is standing in front of me. I can tell he is breathing fast.
“I saw online. You go out with Sid. You date him. I see pictures. How could you? We supposed to have family!” Geno yelled in my face. He thought I was with Sidney?
“Evgeni, Sidney and I are nothing but friends. That is it. We won’t be anything more. He’s like my big brother. Whatever gossip is online isn’t true. I’m only with you. I promise.” I tried to grab ahold of his hand but he yanked it out of my reach. Geno didn’t say anything, he just grabbed the suit case that I hadn’t noticed sitting next to the bed and stormed out of the bedroom. What just happened? I raced down the stairs trying to catch up with Geno to stop him from leaving. I just had to explain the way reporters are. I couldn’t let him leave, I just couldn’t.
“Evgeni! Wait, please, just wait! Let me explain! I love you!” I pleaded. “Do you hear me? I fucking love you Evgeni! Please don’t go.” I grabbed ahold of his wrist put he yanked it out of my grasp knocking me to the ground in the process. My eyes widened in shock. Evgeni’s eyes seemed to copy mine.
“Oh no. You okay?” He asked throwing his suitcase to the side. He kneeled on the ground next to me. “You hurt?” He asked trying to wipe the tears off of my cheeks. I scooted farther away from him.
“Don’t touch me!” I screamed at him. “Get away from me!” I screamed over and over again through my tears. Geno grabbed his suitcase and went to the door. He opened it and took one last look at me before he closed the door behind him.
After sitting on the floor for what was probably hours, I got up and climbed the stairs up to the bedroom. I found my phone sitting on the floor, it must have fallen when I got off the bed. I laid down and dialed Sidney’s number.
“Hello?” He asked.
I sniffled before saying, “I need you Sidney.” Then I hung up.

Notes