A Second Chance at Love

Practice didn't take too long considering it was optional and everyone was just getting back into town for the new season. Today was Friday and camp was set to begin on Monday so there wasn't too many of my teammates there. Claude opened his mouth before I could even get my skates laced, " Yo, wait to you see our new neighbor, she's hot but we haven't figured out if she is single." Claude yelled to Richie over the music Kris Versteeg had put on.

"Oh really" Mike commented looking over towards me. I guess my expression on my face gave it away because he smiled and said "I hope she ain't married for your sake." I got up and went out on the ice. Surprisingly, the guys didn't mention her again.

Most of the guys were coming over tonight anyway. I tried to throw a get-together for the team the week before training camp each year. After we skated for awhile, Claude and I hit the showers and prepared to go home. After getting dressed, Richie, Versteeg and Leino offered to help us get ready for the night ahead. I silently prayed they wouldn't embarrass me and we headed out.

I was so caught up in worrying I didn't notice we were pulling up my street. "You have got to be fucking kidding me" Claude grumbled. It was noticeable enough that it snapped me out of my daze and I looked up. I noticed the three guys standing closet to the car first. It didn't take much before I realized who they were and why Claude had reacted the way he had. Sidney Crosby, Jordan Staal and Max Talbot were standing on my neighbor's lawn laughing at my beautiful neighbor being run around piggy back style by Geno Malkin.

"Well I guess he is feeling better," I said grimacing at Claude. Mike hopped out of his car and started to cross the street. Kris turned to me and whispered that our Captain was going behind enemy lines. The rest of the guys cracked up.

I headed across the street still trying to figure out how the hell I had suck bad luck. Mike smiled at me. "Hey, the guys are in town for the weekend visiting their friend. I hope you don't mind, I invited them over tonight." My first though was wow the Olympics must have had an impression on Mike. I mean seriously, Sidney Crosby.

I held the thought back and smiled at her. "Of course I don't mind. I'm Danny" I said sticking my hand out to her.

She broke into a huge smile, "Nice to meet you. I'm Raina."

"You guys should stop by tonight. We should have a nice night." I smiled and started to cross the street. I headed into the house shaking my head.

Claude looked at me and laughed. "Of all girls, a Pens fan, really man, you have horrible luck." He smirked at me and walked away.

Richie returned soon after. He pulled me aside from the guys and whispered "she is single lover boy. Don't fuck up your chance. She kept looking towards your house."

By the time we had finished setting up, it was almost 7:00 pm. I headed up to shower and left Kris to the grill. I prayed he wouldn't burn the house down as I stepped into the shower. The steam started to relax me and I started to picture her in my mind. The smile she gave me was amazing. She was beyond pretty in the most normal sort of way. It totally turned me on that she was so confident and comfortable around the guys. I needed a release big time. I knew I wouldn't last the night around her if I didn't relieve myself. It didn't take long before I was mouthing her name and getting off to the image of her stuck in my head.

I mingled around stopping to talk to Matt and his wife. I heard her voice before I even seen her. She was yelling at Jordan for pushing his way passed her to get a drink. It wasn't long before they made it towards me. "Russia's finest" Geno commented as he dropped a huge bottle of vodka into my hands.

"Thanks for the invite neighbor" she smiled and kissed me on the cheek before being pulled by Max to the beer pong table. I sat down a table on my deck and watched her challenge Carter and Carcillo to a game. She had a ball laughing the the guys and picking on Max. She called him a loser every time he missed.

After a few minutes Sid sat down next to me. "She is something isn't she?" he commented.
"Mike told me you may be interested. Just be good to her. She's been through alot."

"Ughhhh", I stammered . She probably wouldn't be interested. I have my work cut out for me with the boys and don't get too much free time" I said quietly.

He just laughed. "Relax, she has a son herself. He is 6 and the love of her life. He husband was a complete asshole. She stuck around even through it and he thanked her by committing suicide when Ryan was three. She hasn't really dated since then, but I know she is ready. Its just finding the right person. Well I better find Geno before he feeds any of that 1000 proof vodka to unsuspecting Canadians." He got up and walked away.

I didn't get to see her too much after that because so many people had shown up to the party. I caught up with Mike later on and he said he had talked to her and put in a few good words for me. I just shook my head at him. I could only imagine and hoped he did me a favor and not hurt my chances. I finally ended up heading up to bed, thinking of her.

Notes

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