Changes

I pulled her against me as she spoke to Leila to let her know we were leaving. Leila decided to stay so we headed out the door alone. I drove home, her drifting off beside me. We got back to my house and she looked up at me. “Wow didn’t realize I was this tired.” She said, her eyes starting to close again. I picked her up and carried her up the steps. She looked up at me sleepily as I laid her on the bed and slid her jeans off, leaving her in a t-shirt. I undressed myself and slid into the bed next to her and she rolled towards me and cuddled against me.

“Night Maxime, love you” She said softly. My heart beat quickened and I lost my breath for a minute. Was I imagining that? It was said so quietly I wasn’t sure if she had actually said it. I looked over at her and she looked peacefully asleep. I laid awake for a long time thinking about what she had said. My mind was trying to wrap around the idea that I may actually feel the same way. Stunning but true. I looked at the clock and it was one o'clock. I was wide awake mind racing.

I knew Marc and them had a game tonight as well and I figured he may still be up. “U up?”

I got a quick reply from him. “Yeah call me” it said.

“Max, what’s up. What is the matter?” I just sighed as I climbed out of bed and walked downstairs.

“I don’t know what is the matter with me. Callee is constantly on my mind. I mean I don’t sleep good when she isn’t here. And when she is here and sleeping, I can do nothing but stare at her. I’m lost buddy. She was falling asleep a little while ago and she said to me she loved me. I almost said it back Marc.” I pleaded with him for an answer.

“What is so wrong with saying I love you Max?” I could hear Vero squealing in the background.

“Marc give me the phone now.” Vero yelled. She got onto the phone. “So when do I get to meet her Max?”

I laughed, “Vero, come to Philly this weekend, then you can meet her. Maybe you can tell me what you think. I’m so confused. I miss you guys.”

She laughed, “Love you Max. I’ll see you in a few days.” I said goodbye to Marc and made my way back upstairs and climbed into bed. I had a late practice tomorrow so I didn’t even bother to set the alarm. I put my arms around her and closed my eyes.
***********

I heard her moving around, but it seemed rather early so I didn’t open my eyes. She left the room and within minutes I could smell food. I finally convinced myself to open my eyes and check out the clock. It read ten o’clock. I was surprised, I thought it was much earlier. I threw on shorts and walked downstairs. There were blankets everywhere. Leila was asleep sprawled across the sofa, Brayden asleep below her on the floor. Wayne occupied a recliner and Reemer and some brunette were knocked out by the entryway. The doorbell rang and I had to step over Reemer to answer it.

Danny came in and laughed. “Rough night eh?”

I looked around. “No clue, I came back kind of early.”

He nudged James with his foot. “Get up bro. You are in the freaking way.” James just looked up confused.

“So you hungry Dan?” I asked. “Nah, I ate a while ago right after I got woken up by them crazy kids. I just figured I’d see what you guys are up too. I saw all the cars in the driveway.”

We went into the kitchen and Callee handed me a cup of coffee. James by then had joined us. Callee burst into laughter when she handed him a cup of coffee. “Wow you look terrible” she said. His hair was in all directions and his neck was covered in purplish bruises.

“Wow James, she liked to bite huh.”

He groaned. “We got to get rid of her. She is nuts Max.”

I looked out and she was still sound asleep on the floor. “Ok go upstairs.” I said. I went over and woke the girl up. “Hey do you need me to call a cab? He had to leave a little a while ago but he didn’t want to wake you up.”

She looked up at me. “Nah I am good.” She got up and walked out the front door quickly, probably embarrassed. She looked young, maybe at the most twenty-two or so. “All clear” I yelled out and he came flying back down the stairs.

Leila started to wake up and Brayden flopped on top of her. “Good morning sunshine.” He said as she tried to push him off her. I wondered where Claude was or what happened with that. I went back into the kitchen. Danny was making bagels and Callee was frying eggs.

I sat down at the breakfast bar and watched Callee intently. Danny just nudged me and smiled. He whispered. “You got it bad” and laughed. I just gave him a silly grin. Danny said goodbye and we sat down and ate. Brayden, Leila and James joined us. Callee looked at me and arched her eyebrow. I just shrugged.

“So what time is practice?” Callee asked and I groaned. “Shoot, two o’clock, almost forgot. Should be quick. What do you want to do tonight since you are off?”

“No clue Maxime, why don’t we just get a few movies and relax. I have work tomorrow, then Bren has a game at 6 tomorrow night, you guys are playing in NJ right?” I nodded. “I called in this morning when I woke up and I do have off Sat night/Sun morning. I work Friday night and then Sunday afternoon. So I’m good for the game and afterwards.”

Claude walked into the kitchen and flopped down at the table. “God I feel terrible. Practice is going to suck. Hopefully he doesn’t start with that drinking is not good stuff again.” Callee went up to shower and Leila had just left.

Us guys sat around the living room. “So Danny’s wife is hot. How did you miss out on that Max? Didn’t you know her before him?” Wayne asked. Claude coughed so hard he choked.

“Umm. She turned down my proposal the first day we met. Nah, really we met at a Penn State football game and just became really good friends after she took care of me when I was drunk, obnoxious and all over her. She has a great personality so a lot of my teammates liked her, but she ended up with Danny when she moved into this house. Her and Danny are perfect for each other anyway. I couldn’t see her with anyone else.”

Claude nodded and agreed with me. “She is great for him. She keeps that whole crazy house together.”

The whole table cracked up when she walked in the front door. “Speak of the devil.” Claude said as he reached for his god-daughter. Daniel was attached to her hip in another little Kings shirt.

Brayden cracked up. “Mike didn’t waste no time huh” he said and Raina laughed.

“Nah. We get a package at least once a week filled with stuff for the kids. Daniel has about six or seven shirts and jerseys. Jolie has a few too. He misses everyone according to the last letter. He is excited for the season to start.”

We all laughed. “Who isn’t. This pre-season nonsense blows.” Wayne said as he walked into the kitchen.”

Raina frowned. “I like pre-season, less pressure. I’m not so stressed out.”

I threw my arms around her waist. “I’m here mon ami, no more stress.”

She just laughed. “Love you too Maxime. You are the best.” Callee came down from her shower and played with Daniel. Brayden and Wayne finally left, leaving Leila and Claude sitting on the couch together looking awkward.

Notes

Number 2 tonight