Changes

I wasn’t out of the terminal before Max was calling me. I answered, knowing he was probably going to keep on calling. He asked me to go to dinner with him and I agreed figuring I needed to sort things out.

Not long after I talked to him the guy Ryan called and I answered that as well. I knew he was still in Pittsburgh. “So what’s up, you are back in Philly right?” he asked and I let him know I just landed. We talked for a few minutes before he let me know he would call me when he was back in town so we could get together. I remembered I had to call Jordan and quick shot him a text letting him know I was in a cab on my way home. He responded quickly letting me know he was home and to call him if I felt up to it.

I did some wash when I got home. I gave Max a call back to see where we were going for dinner and he said something casual, he wasn’t sure. He told me he would pick me up at six o’clock. I glanced down and it was four already. I decided to get a bubble bath and relax. I had work tomorrow and had promised to pick up Bren tomorrow. Tonight seemed like it would be stressful enough, I was going to relax while I had the chance. Once I had exhausted all of the hot water in my apartment I looked for something to wear.

I settled on a pair of jeans, a black sweater and a pair of black shoes. My phone rang and I looked down and it was my dad. “Hey dad, how are you?” I asked and he laughed.

“Things are good pumpkin, how are you?” I sighed.

“I’m ok Daddy. Having a little of a dilemma.”

I told him the whole thing with Max and then Jordan. “Honey, all these hockey players, do I need to load up on bullets?” he asked on I laughed. “The only advice I can give you is to make a decision quickly so you don’t ruin a friendship. Jordan is young but if you think he is sincere then age should not matter. Max seems sorry. People do make mistakes. You have your work cut out for you.” I thanked him and said good bye.

It wasn’t long before he was ringing my doorbell. I took a deep breath and answered the door. He looked overly nervous and I smiled at him. “You ready?” he asked and I nodded. We ended up eating at a little Chinese restaurant in town.

Halfway through dinner he sat down his fork and gave me a serious look. “So I am really sorry. I know I screwed up. All of this is really new to me Cal. I’m asking you to give me a second chance. I blew it and I am sorry. I know I need to make it up to you, but I can only do that by my actions, nothing material can do that.”

I nodded to him. It was a tough sell for me. He had such a bad reputation and I wasn’t sure if he could truly change. I didn’t say too much during dinner. He asked me how my trip was and I let him know it was good.

“Vero is a shopping machine. She was excited to tell me how much she loves you.”

He grinned. “That is my girl. I love Vero. Marc is so lucky. She has been there for him since the beginning of his career. ”

We finished up dinner and walked around for a while in town. He grabbed my hand shyly. “Thank you for agreeing to meet with me.” He said softly.

“Come on, you want to go watch a movie or something?” I asked.

He agreed and we went back to my apartment. I changed into yoga pants and a tank top. We laid on my bed to watch the movie, his arm draped over my back. I yawned and he looked over at me. “I can leave if you want, go get some sleep, you have to work tomorrow right.” I nodded.

“I have work at seven and I am working until at least six o’clock.” I said

“I have a game tomorrow. Do you want to go? I can leave tickets for you. Leila will probably be there. She is always at the house.” I said yes and he leaned over and kissed me gently.

“I’ll leave them at will call ok. Goodnight sweetheart. Have a good day at work tomorrow.” He left and I stayed in the bed and wrapped myself in blankets. I wanted to scream. I had no idea what to do, who to see and it felt like if I made the wrong decision I would regret it forever. I prayed to God that I would make the correct decision.

I even got up out of bed went and got a paper and made a list of good and bad attributes for Max and Jordan. It was kind of even. I groaned and tossed the paper in the trash can.

Three hours later I was still wide awake and was lost as to who I belonged with. I dozed on and off and tossed and turned. I was so tired when my alarm went off. I jumped in the shower and forced myself to get dressed, hitting Dunkin Donuts on the way into work.

When I got to work, I was starting to wake up. I downed coffee throughout the day to help me get through. The nursery had a rough day, with several of the babies having issues crop up or repeated episodes of apnea. It was probably the hardest day I have ever spent working.

By six o’clock, I was nearly crawling out the front door of the hospital. I raced to my apartment to get changed. All I needed after this terrible day was a hug and I knew who I needed from. It didn’t seem to matter that I would have to wait three periods of hockey. I was exhausted and my head hurt, but if sitting in a crowded arena meant I got to see him quicker, I was willing to do it.

I got dressed quickly and raced towards the arena, making it through the door at five minutes after seven o’clock. The puck was just being dropped. I made my way to the seat and within five minute or so I saw him glance up at me and smile. He had an awesome game and completed a Gordie Howe hat trick. I sat in the seats and waited for a while before going down to the locker room to meet him.

Once down there, I sat outside and quietly waited. He came out with sweatpants and a t-shirt on. I had to laugh. He walked over slowly and I wrapped my arms around him. He hugged me tightly. “Thanks baby, I needed that.” I said and he kissed me.

“Can I stay at your place tonight. I have work again at seven?” He grabbed my hand and led me outside the arena. We left my car at the garage by my apartment. We went inside and I grabbed clothes and we walked back to his car. We got back to his and Claude’s house around eleven. We went straight up to his bedroom. Claude and Leila must have been out still because the house was dark. He pulled me into the bed into the bed as soon as I slid my jeans off and his jersey over my head. He kissed my forehead. “Go to sleep sweetheart.” He said quietly and held me tight.

I got a really good night of sleep and was even early for work in the morning. Things went smoothly at work and I was kind of excited to be seeing Max after work. I had his car. My sister had called me at work to let me know she had thought a lot about everything and decided to quit her job. She wanted Brendan to stay home with her and see how things went. I agreed and that was one heavy load off of my shoulders for the moment.

I drove back to Max’s place and he was doing laundry when I walked in. I put my arms around his bare waist and kissed the back of his neck. “I missed you.” He knew what I meant and he picked me up and carried me upstairs, laying me gently on the bed. He unbuttoned my shirt slowly and quickly discarded the bra. No words were spoke between us as he slid my pants off as well as his and entered me, kissing me deeply. It was slow and passionate.

He came inside of me hard, causing me to tremble. “I love you Cal, I think I may have for a long time now.” He whispered and I tried to not let the tears fall.

“I love you too Max, always have, always will.” I said, knowing I was stuck with him.

Notes

Thoughts ?