Changes

Max's POV

I went home and laid on the couch, burying myself in the pillows. I was kicking myself for everything that happened yesterday. I slept on and off throughout the morning. Claude came down around noon or so and within fifteen minutes the house was being invaded by hungover teammates ordering food for the one o’clock football games.

Danny came over and literally sat right on me. “Get up loverboy. No pouting. What the heck happened last night?”

I looked up with him with one eye open. “I broke up with her and I am so not pouting.”

Danny looked at me with raised eyebrows. “Whatever man, come one get up. Your nephew is running around looking for his crazy French speaking Uncle. I willed myself off the couch as Daniel pulled himself up to face me. I got a hand in the face “Mac, Mac, Mac” he said and it made me smile. He sat with me for a while until his mother came in to drop off food. He squealed “Mom” and took off in pursuit of her.

I stood up and stretched as Rainy came back into the living room. “Gah Max, put on some clothes. And what the heck is wrong with you? What in the world happened last night.” She gave me the I am older than you and know better look. I shrugged.

“I broke up with her. I don’t know why.”

Raina looked at me grinned. “Cause you are a coward.” I gave her a look. “Max, you know it is true. You are scared. So call her and tell her that. Leave it all on the table. You finally found someone who isn’t in it for your money or for what you do or the people you know. If the only reason is you’re scared you better fix it quick.” I just groaned.

“I don’t know how Raina, I went there this morning and made it worse. I talked to Flower this morning and he told me Jordy never went back to the hotel last night. I automatically assumed the worst and confronted her on it. Before I talked to him of course. He told me flat out he was uncomfortable at the bar with you and Danny there and felt bad for her and went and got coffee with her. He only stayed at her place because it was too late to go back to the hotel. He promised me nothing happened.”

Raina smiled, “well that is a good thing at least. Jordy is very persuasive when he wants to be. The smirk gets ‘em every time.”

I raised my eyebrows at her. “And you would know huh?” I shot at her.

“Nah actually I wouldn’t. Contrary to everyone’s belief we never ever slept together. Not that I didn’t consider it. He kissed me a few times. That is about it.”

I scoffed at her. “I still can’t believe you even let him do that. You wouldn’t let me near you.”

She giggled. “I’m out of here. Luv ya Max.” She picked up Daniel and walked back across the street.

The boys came over and everyone found spaces in the living room to watch the game. Most of us were cheering for the Eagles because they were technically the home team. After halftime Marc rang my phone. I answered it. “What’s up Flower? “ I asked and he let me know Jordan and Sid had talked Callee into visiting Pittsburgh for three nights next week. I hung up the phone and threw it at the trash can, which cause everyone to stare at me.

“Sorry guys” I said and headed up the steps, throwing on a t-shirt and sneakers I left the house and ran five miles to blow off steam. I was mad, beyond mad. I didn’t get why they would invite her there like that. I’m sure all them idiots would be hitting on her. I wasn’t happy at all with the situation. I finally made my way back to the house. The guys were in between games on tv. I went up and showered and threw on sweatpants, a tshirt and my glasses.

I didn’t want to swallow my pride, but I did and made my way into the city, parking my car and walking towards her apartment building. I got there and realized I was an idiot and she was at work. I drove back over the bridge and towards the hospital. I walked in and asked for her. They sent me up to the maternity ward where a nurse brought me by the NICU window to wait for her. I looked in and the babies were so tiny. It was kind of shocking.

She came out looking tired. “What do you want Maxime?”

I just shrugged. “Come let’s take a walk” she said pulling me down the hall. We walked outside and down the street. “I’m sorry. I don’t know why I do anything I do. You make me crazy in a good way and I just freaked out.” I pulled her towards me and put my arms around her.

“Max, please don’t, why so I can think everything is ok and then a week later get dumped the minute a girl shows any interest in you. I’m not going to go through this. I am not a damn fool. I would love to find the right person to be in a relationship with, but if not I know I can handle things on my own. I don’t need you or anyone else for that matter.” She walked back toward the hospital alone and I left. I knew I wasn’t getting anywhere with her, not now anyway.

Callee’s POV

The rest of the week passed quickly. I didn’t see Max any more that week. I didn’t even attempt to watch any of their games either. I worked two doubles and a regular shift in order to have Wednesday through Saturday off. I’d pay for it on Sunday and Monday but it would be worth it. My sister had Brendan and was actually staying home from work to be there with him. I was impressed. I explained to her I just really needed a few days to get myself happy again. I packed Tuesday night after I came home from work. I was exhausted, but my flight was early and I didn’t want to have to wake up too early.

Jordan called me to make sure I was still coming. “Yep, landing at like 11:30 or so.” I said quietly. “Ok, I can’t pick you up because I have practice, but someone will be there, probably Vero.” I was a little nervous because I had never met her. She was supposed to be here over last weekend, but she was sick and couldn’t make it. I climbed into bed, excited to be going somewhere new tomorrow.

My alarm went off early, I hopped in the shower and slid on a pair of jeans and a fitted sweater. It was kind of chilly out for early October. I finished stuffing stuff in my suitcase and left the apartment, getting to the airport early enough to grab coffee and breakfast.

A guy sat down next to me at the bar and smiled. “Too early to be running around that is for sure” he commented and I cracked a smile.

“I agree. I will so pay for this later.”

He smiled warmly. “So I am Ryan and you are…….” He left it hanging.

“My name is Callee.”

He ordered his breakfast and turned to me. “So where are you headed?” he asked and laughed.

“Nowhere too exciting, just Pittsburgh.”

He looked at me with his eyes glistening. “Guess this is my lucky day. So am I. I have a few meetings and then I’m going to hang out with co-workers, I need to have some fun. I think they have Penguins tickets for Thursday and Steelers tickets for this weekend.

I just laughed and he looked at me.

“What’s so funny?” he asked and I had to smile at him.

“I have Penguin tickets for Thursday as well. Not sure where yet, my friend got them for me.” We paid for breakfast and headed to the terminal we were scheduled to take off from.

He switched seats once we were in the air so we were sitting next to each other. We talked the entire flight. I got to know him better. His name was Ryan, he was was born and raised in Philly, was thirty-two years old and worked as a sports writer for the daily news. All I could do was smile. Life sure does throw curves balls at you.

He let me know after talking to me for a while that he had recently broken off an engagement and was still kind of dealing with all of that. I explained to him that I had just gotten dumped but it wasn’t that serious of a relationship. Before we knew it, we were getting ready to land. We exchanged phone numbers. I walked toward the exit of the plane and down the long corridor.

He surprised me by picking me up smiling into a big hug. “Hey Callee.” I just grinned at him, his blue eyes twinkling. “I thought you two had practice.” I said and Sid let me know we were going there next. I gave Sid a quick hug.

Ryan walked past me with a confident smile. “I will give you a call ok.”

I shook my head. “See you Ryan” I said and the boys just looked at me.

“Umm, who was that.” I just gave Jordan his own signature smirk.

“I’m single right Jord.” He grinned and pulled me in for another hug.

We drove towards their practice rink, those two chatting excitedly about all the things they had planned for me. They sent me to the bleachers and they went back and got dressed. I sat quietly by myself and looked around. There were a good amount of fans for a Wednesday afternoon. I guess because it was lunchtime because after like thirty minutes or so people started to leave.

The guys were going strong on the ice. I had never really paid attention to them playing but you had to admire some of them. Geno was amazingly physical, while Sid was graceful and had amazing stick handling skills. Jordan was one of the best defensive forwards out there. He read the plays better than anyone on his team, picking up on subtle shifts in the offense on the other team. I was blown away by Marc. He made everything look so easy.

Vero joined me towards the end of practice, when the guys were doing a shoot-out. From what she told me, this was a huge contest and someone had to do something crazy or dish out money for food if they lost. Apparently today they were playing for lunch. Jordan missed his first two attempts, but finally scored on his third. Sid actually lost which was surprising. “Lunch on the capt’n, meet in an hour.” Tyler yelled.

Jordan skated over towards me. “I’ll be right back. I’ll be quick ok.” I nodded and waited patiently for the guys to return.

Notes

Who don't love those sexy ass Penguins....