*************************************************************************************
A cell phone bleated in the darkened bedroom. It was playing some Taylor Swift song. Reilly knew his phone didn't play Taylor Swift. Reilly felt someone move against his body. His eyes flew open. Jami was still laying on his chest. He smiled down at her. The phone was ringing again. He was loathe to wake her. Reilly want nothing more than to lay there and hold her before practice. He knew that after they left this room that he wouldn't be able to touch her again until he got home from team building. The phone started ringing again and she sat up startled. She looked confused. She finally looked at Reilly and realized where she was. But where was her phone. Reilly leaned over the edge of the bed and came up with her purse. She had been so distracted by Reilly the night before she hadn't even thought about her phone.

She unlocked the screen and showed Reilly the 12 missed texts and 3 missed calls. She laughed as she scrolled through the messages. She held the phone out so that Reilly could read the last message.

Tegan: Okay I am now assuming your hot hockey boy is an axe murderer. Text me back damn it we have practice. In related news if he isn't an axe murderer I am damn proud of you.

"And just why would she be proud of you?" asked Reilly as she texted her back.

Jami: Not an axe murderer. But a very good cuddler. Can you pick me up?
Tegan: It's 7:45 we have to be in the gym dressed by 8:30.
Jami: I'll be ready.
Tegan: Be there by 8.

Jami texted her the address. Jami laid back down beside Reilly. She moved so that her head was back on his chest. She was running her hand along his abs. "I have to go to practice. Tegan is picking me up at 8. So I should climb out of this bed and get ready."

"No" said Reilly holding her tighter "I think you should skip it and snuggle with me."

"Can't it's cheer." she replied smiling at him. "Can I borrow this shirt? I don't think my dress will cut it for practice."

"Keep it" he said as he pulled her down for a kiss "Do you want to wear my jersey tonight?"

"I guess it depends on how things go when I quit" she answered honestly as she sat back up. Reilly's dark eyes found hers. He pulled himself up beside her.

"I'll go with you. I will tell Coach and take whatever hell they give me." he offered. She smiled at him. And shook her head no. "I don't care. What's the worse they can do fine me or bench me."

"I care and it will be over quickly." she replied kissing his mouth. He was still pouting when she pulled away. She climbed out of the bed. She walked around the bed looking for the Nike Pros he tossed off the bed. She finally found them and wiggled back into them. "Can I tie a knot in this shirt? It will stretch it out a little."

"I told you it's yours" said Reilly watching her get ready in his mirror. She pulled a sports bra from her bag.

"Close your eyes" she said over her shoulder. Reilly laughed but complied. "You will see it all soon enough Smith. Okay." By the time he opened his eyes she was knotting his shirt beneath his number.

She sat down on the bed beside him. She grabbed the brush out of her purse and flipped her head over. He watched her pull her long blonde hair into a sleek ponytail. She dug in the purse again and came up with a white bow. She clipped it into place. Instant cheerleader. She pulled her cheer shoes out of the bag.

"Okay so that purse is like Hermione's bag but for cheer" asked Reilly "You planning on pulling out pom poms or maybe skates." She started laughing.

"I love a good Harry Potter reference." she answered "No that's it. I run so much I keep the basics."

"Maybe not so much running after today." he asked as he started to get out of bed.

"It will cut my running in half. No stay in bed Reilly. You have a game." she replied. He climbed out of bed.

"I'm walking you to the car." he said "I need your roommate to know I am not an axe murderer."

"She is a smartass. She knows you aren't. She was probably concerned I kidnapped you."

"Yeah. You can kidnap me anytime." he answered. Her phone chirped.

"She is here. And she is coming up." she replied.

"Then I guess I just get to walk you to the door." he said "I would have taken you to practice."

"And cause a riot Agent Smith" she laughed "You and Krug on campus would cause chaos."

"Torey is married" he stated "No riots for Krug." He leaned over and kissed her. "So about that jersey. I will give it to Caroline. I know they will be in the WAG box. You are welcome to join them. Caroline and the girls will protect you." He hauled her in and hugged her. "I'll see you at the game either up close or from afar."

He walked her into the living room. They heard a knock on the door. Reilly opened it and Tegan walked in. She looked like a punk rock version of Snow White. She had jet black hair pulled into a ponytail with a red bow. She was fair skin, dark eyes, red lips, and built for speed. She was cheerleader and pin up at the same time. She looked at Jami. Then gave Reilly a once over. Maybe he should listen to Caroline and put on pants before opening the door.

"No wonder you've been stalking the boy since he arrived from Dallas" said Tegan "Who knew all that was under all that hockey gear? Is he Canadian? They are all Canadian right. With a few random Russians and whatnot"

"I warned you" laughed Jami as she hugged him good bye and started to leave.

"No way" said Reilly pulling her back into his arms. He leaned in and kissed her. When they were both breathless he let her go. "Morning Jami."

"I gotta go Smith." she said waving at him. She had to pull Tegan out the door.

"You sure you don't need a cold shower after that" asked Tegan. "Hell I might need a cigarette after that." Reilly started laughing. He saw Jami shake her head.

"Hey Tegan" called Reilly "How do you feel about giraffes?"

"What the fuck?" said Tegan.

"Answer the question?" said Reilly

"Then I guess I am pro giraffe." replied Tegan.

"Wanna come to the game with Jami" he asked as they neared the elevator.

"Why would I want to do that?" Tegan asked.

"Because I don't want her lonely" he answered.

"I don't believe that for a minute Smith." she replied "But what the fuck? He better be cute Smith."

"Reilly what are you thinking" asked Jami holding open the elevator door.

"Spoons" he said as he arched his eyebrows.

"Spoons" repeated Jami as she broke out in a smile.

"Anyone care to tell me what spoon you all are talking about?"

Reilly laughed and waved at the girls. He heard Jami telling her it's not a what it's a who. Spooner might kill him. But then again when he saw Dani Grace with McQuaid he might be thankful for Tegan. However with Tegan's mouth he might kill Reilly.

Reilly flopped back down on his bed. He could sleep a little while longer. He fell back asleep after shooting Spoons a text asking him to come to the game. Reilly woke when he heard people moving around the apartment. Fuck it was almost 9. He didn't bother with getting dressed and headed to the kitchen. He saw Caroline and Dani Grace in the kitchen. Caro was pouring some green mess into cups. He needed coffee. Caroline was saying something about pants. His brain wasn't awake. He picked up Caroline's mug of coffee and started drinking. He stayed far enough out of her reach that she couldn't hurt him.
"Damn it Smith, you are like the little brother I never wanted." Caroline stuck another mug under the Keurig.


"You love me" he replied wrapping his arms around her.


"Smitty why in the hell are you naked in kitchen molesting Caroline in front of Dani Grace" asked McQuaid coming into the kitchen.


"Caroline loves me just as much as she loves Baby K but she won't admit it." said Reilly finishing her coffee.


"Not even close" said Caroline "Can we trade him for Baby K? He cleans up after himself and showers daily. Unlike Smith."


"I shower sometimes 2 or 3 times a day" said Reilly "You wouldn't trade me."


"Where is Jami" asked Caroline.

"She had practice this morning at 8:30. So she had to leave early." Caroline frowned at him. "I offered to drive her she had one of the girls pick her up. She will be back before you all leave for the game. She is going with you all tonight."


"Jami is coming with us" asked Caroline.


"Yeah, she is quitting being an Ice Girl. She has all her nursing stuff to do and cheer. So she was already planning on leaving the squad. It's not just me. But I already called Britt so she can regulate since you all will be with the WAGS tonight. Don't let them mess with her Caroline. Please."


"No worries, she will have me, Had, and KK. Plus Dani Grace will be there too." replied Caroline "We will take care of her Reilly boy."


"Still want to trade him for Baby K" asked McQuaid. Caroline was about to answer when he stole her second cup of coffee and took off down the hall.


"Yes" yelled Caroline after him "Baby K makes us coffee."


"I see we are all getting along this morning" said Dougie coming into the kitchen. He leaned in a kissed Caroline "What are you and Smitty yelling about?"


"She wants to trade me for Gears" yelled Reilly


"He stole both of my cups of coffee" sassed Caroline.

Reilly was laughing as he headed into the bathroom. He still had her second cup in his hand. He really liked Caroline. She made things more interesting. She was definitely good for Dougie. And she had forced him to man up and get with Jami. There was nothing that could be done with his hair. He wet his toothbrush and started brushing. He roamed into his room and grabbed his ball cap and t-shirt.
"Come on Smith we are going to be late." yelled Dougie.


"Deaf now Hamilton not at the rink." Caroline fussed.


"I'll make it up to you later. You going to be here for nap time?" asked Dougie


"I'll think about it Hamilton." she retorted. She turned to finish pouring Reilly's shake and Dougie smacked her ass.


"Behave" he said as he headed down the hall to drag Reilly out. Reilly came out pulling on a shirt. The idiot had his toothbrush in his mouth and already had on his ball cap. He managed to pop his head free from the opening. Tooth brush in his mouth with his hat still on his head. He was challenged. Caroline laughed. He walked into the kitchen and grabbed his shake cup. He started to lay his toothbrush on the counter but Caroline stopped him.


"Reilly Smith don't you lay that germy toothbrush on the kitchen counter" she admonished. He stopped and then tossed it at Caroline. She fumbled but caught it. "Gross. I'm going to clean the toilets with it while you are gone." Smith, McQuaid, and Dougie were all laughing hysterically. "I know where you all sleep."
They were all heading out the door for practice. Reilly turned and smiled at Caroline. "Thanks for the shake. And it's totally fine to love me more than Gears."

"Go to practice" said Caroline "And Baby K is still my favorite little brother."

Reilly, McQuaid, and Dougie piled into Dougie's SUV for the trip to the arena. His phone chirped.

Spoons: I think I will skip it. The hot chick from NY will be there with McQuaid.
Smitty: Yeah. But I need a wingman
Spoons: You over ice ice baby.
Smitty: You are an idiot. And Jami isn't going to be an ice girl after this am
Spoons: Wow, you nutted up and asked her out?
Smitty: Kind of
Spoons: Caro?
Smitty: Yep anyway she hung out with me last night. Mouth shut Spoons. That is on the DL.
Spoons: Dude you've fucking whined about her for a year. Like we all don't know. At Christmas skate last year you were both pathetic. Not a secret.
Smitty: She is going to be in the WAGS box with the girls.
Spoons: That escalated quick. Shit got real.
Smitty: Damn it Spoons
Spoons: So I am to baby sit your former ice girl and protect her from the mean girls.
Smitty: Smartass.
Spoons: On Saturdays we wear black and gold.
Smitty: Remind me again why we hang out with you.
Spoons: Because I am awesome, talented, hot, really funny. Want me to keep going?
Smitty: She is bringing a friend with her. Another BC cheerleader.
Spoons: Hot like ice ice baby or maybe cute like Gear's red head.
Smitty: She is dirty hot. Think punk snow white. Plus she is pro giraffe.
Spoons: Well if she is pro giraffe. Why didn't you lead with that?
Smitty: I hate you fucker. See you at the game?
Spoons: Back at ya Bro.

Reilly shook his head as they pulled into practice. Dealing with Spoons was tiring. He laughed Spoons may have meet his match.

Notes