The next day the Stars took on the Leafs which marked the first game of February, as well as the day that Roussel received the tie that he would wear for the rest of the month. As hoped, Roussel was not a purple person and because the Stars would be leaving for Chicago after this game and then take off to Columbus, he had to just wear the suit that he had packed and well the purple did not go very well with the navy. So Roussel was glad for the break on Thursday when he got to wear one of his ties for Casino Night.
I glanced at my phone as it vibrated on the counter next to the sink and Tyler’s name appeared on the screen. I rolled my eyes as I slid my finger across the green answer button and pushed the speaker square.
“Yes Tyler?” I questioned as I scanned my earring tree to find a pair that would work with this outfit.
“Are you ready, I can swing by and pick you up if you are.” Tyler offered as I found the pair of dangling diamonds my Aunt gave me for graduation and slid them out of the holder.
“No Tyler, I’m not ready.” I said more to the mirror then Tyler as I slid the earrings into my ears. “I’ll just meet you there like we planned.”
“I know, I know, we don’t want to draw attention to ourselves…” Tyler couldn’t hide the annoyance as he repeated what Tim told us because this was not going to be as private as practice.
“Yes, plus you have to be there in like 20 minutes and well I don’t have to be there for another hour, so no I’m not going to go to stand around with you guys for 40 minutes well you wait for instructions.”
“Like you have anything better to do,” Tyler chuckled.
“Well yea, actually I do, I have to get ready.” I picked up my phone and talked into the speaker as I watched the light twinkle off of my earrings in the bathroom mirror. “So if you don’t mind I’m going to hang up now and I’ll see you tonight when I get there.” I didn’t give him a chance to reply before I hung up. With a sigh I laid my phone back on the counter and riffled thought my make up on the counter. It wasn’t often that I actually got to dress up in something other than professional clothes, so yes, I was going to enjoy this well I could.

---

It was a good thing that Tim recommended that Tyler and I drive separately because it was nearly a quarter to nine by the time I finally got done. Timing really wasn’t my thing especially when it come to make up, I always underestimated how long it takes. So I arrived at the Park Place Lexus just as the last of the guys were announced.
My eyes followed Klingberg as he walked down the couple steps off the stage and joined the group of guys that had already been announced. I smiled as the guys raised a glass in greeting and Klingberg took the glass that he was offered by the small brunette. It was at that moment that Tyler’s eyes scanned the crowd and he spotted me. He smiled as his eyes followed the length of my navy dress down to my thighs and then to my silver heels, before his eyes caught mine. I could feel the heat in my cheeks as he studied me. His eyes lingered for a moment longer before Demers nudged him in the ribs and Tyler’s head snapped in his direction. Demers only grinned as he noticed what Tyler was staring at. He raised his glass in my direction and I returned his greeting with a wave before he turned back to Tyler. He whispered something to Tyler which received a smack in the stomach from Tyler, but the smile never left Jason’s face. I laughed at the exchange before I walked over to the bar.

---

“Hey,” Roussel greeted as I made my way to the poker table that he sat at. “You going to join?”
“No,” I shook my head as another hand was dealt. “Poker is not my strong suit.”
“Reeves, you’ve studied psychology this can’t be that hard for you.”
“Yea, well I may have a degree in psychology but that does not mean I have any social skills.” I gave him a smile and a pat on the back before I continued my journey around the room.
I greeted each of the guys as I passed them and held conversations with a few before I found myself at the Slurpee machine they had set up, where some of the rookies where serving them.
It wasn’t often that I got to watch the boys outside of the rink, especially with fans. It was no surprise that many fans asked the guys for pictures and none of the guys seemed to mind. Some of them even held a conversation with them, well others where a little shyer and barely uttered a word. I was so absorbed watching Spezza as he talked to a one young lady that I didn’t even hear anyone approach.
“You know you’re allowed to have a little fun right, no one’s going to judge you for it.” Demers grinned as he approached. “Well I might,” he shrugged.
I laughed, “Yea, well alcohol and I don’t mix very well.” I reminded him as I lifted my glass of water.
“Yea, forgot.” He sighed as he leaned against the wall next to me. “So that dress is…” Jason shook his head but he never looked at me as he spoke. “Let’s just say I think Tyler really likes it.”
I could feel my cheeks flush at his comment. “Thanks Jason.”
“No, thank you. It’s nice to see Tyler thrown off his game once in a while.” He winked as he disappeared back into the crowd.
I rolled my eyes with a slight shake of my head before a flash of blonde hair caught my attention. I glanced over as a tall blonde ordered a drink from the bar and she drummed her long red manicured fingers on the counter. She gave me a smile as she retrieved her drink and made her way across the room where Jordie and Jamie were talking. I couldn’t help the sigh that escaped my lips as they talked her up. I wasn’t sure if it was just them being friendly or not, but she sure knew what she was doing. Flipping her hair at all the right moments and every so often leaning in and giving one of their arms a light touch.

---

It was nearly one in the morning when I found myself curled up next to Tyler. I wasn’t really planning on going to Tyler’s after the party, but when he cornered me afterwards with those big brown puppy dog eyes I couldn’t say no. So here we are, me laying on one side of his huge bed and him on the other.
“Tyler,” I took a deep breath and Tyler ‘hummed’ next to me. “If we weren’t together would you have taken one of those other girls home?” I asked, because I knew I wasn’t going to get any sleep if I didn’t ask. All I could think about was that lady with her long blonde hair and fake nails and the realization that that would never be me.
I couldn’t see Tyler, but I could feel the bed shift under me as Tyler moved. “Truthfully?”
“Truthfully?” I repeated, my arms wrapped around the pillow under my head.
There was a pause before and then a sigh, “probably.”
I closed my eyes tightly, not surprised, but still frustrated by his answer.
“Is that what’s been bothering you all night?”
I nodded before I realized he couldn’t see me so I rolled over to face him. Not surprised that he was already faced me. “Not all night…” I whispered into the dark, except for the little light that glowed through the blinds. “Where you watching me all night?”
“Yea,” he shrugged. “My eyes are naturally attracted to the prettiest woman in the room.”
“Okay Tyler,” I laughed.
“It’s true Brittney.” Tyler said as he ran his hand through my hair before he rested it on my neck as his thumb rubbed my cheek. “You were so stunning with that make – up that enhanced your already beautiful eyes, and those curls that fell perfectly down your back and that dress…” Tyler exhaled with a smirk. “That dress that fit you like a glove.”
I blushed not only at his comment, but also as I remembered what Jason told me earlier.
“You know you were very distracting, I lost a couple of hands because I got caught staring at you.”
“Yea, I’m sure I was more distracting than that blonde that was talking with you all night.”
“First off she cornered all the guys at least once, and second…” Tyler reassured me as his hand traveled down my side to my hip and he hovered over me. “I’m more of a brunette kind of guy.”
“Are you?” I bit my lip as Tyler’s brown eyes met my hazel ones.
“Well I see a beautiful brunette under me right now so what do you think?”
I blushed but was unable to pull my eyes away from his. “I love you Tyler,” I said before I could even comprehend what was going on, the words tumbled out of my mouth.
Tyler’s smirk grew into a huge smile and his eyes twinkled with delight as he looked down at me. “I love you too Brittney.”

Notes