Pittsburgh. In Mid-August. That only means one thing.

Soccer.

"Come on Mariot, get your head in the game!" Crissy runs past me after I just ruined the only chance of scoring in the first half. I wasn't usually this unfit but considering this was our first game of the season, I'm surprised I'm even playing right now.

The locker room is silent and I can feel my teammates staring me down like lions about to pounce on the poor gazelle running across the field. This eery silence is enough to make your skin crawl.

Coach walks in, arms placed in his pockets awkwardly, reminding me of someone else.
"We need to keep possession. We're losing chances and we have 45 minutes to tie the game up. Backline- keep together, NC keeps finding our gaps." Coach looks at me specifically.

"Tess, I'm subbing you out."

I nod in agreement throwing Max my captain's armband as she glances over at me with pity. This was the first time, in four years, that I've been subbed out of a game. Even I pity myself right now.

It was surreal watching the game from the sidelines. The crowd looked different, more involved than usual. You tend to block them out when you're playing. Forty-five minutes passed with 3 minutes added time and NC beat us 1-0. Depressing to say the least and certainly not the way we wanted to start the season.

I bypassed the journos who were trying to get a quote. The locker room was quiet, unusually quiet. I just wanted to get home and sleep.

The drive home was filled with crappy radio music, bad driving and lots of curse words. I beat Max home, keeping the garage door open. I down a bottle of water, grabbing my macbook while I scour the internet for some game scores.

"Arsenal lost to Man U. Figures." I mumble, slamming my macbook.

I was on a cleanse. A man-free cleanse. It's been about 3 weeks and it's tough.

Super tough.

A loud bang from the garage vibrates through the house. "Jesus christ, Tess. I can't deal with this anymore!" She slumps on the cushion next to me, her legs landing on the table in front of us.

"What are you talking about?" I ask uninterested.

"Your bullshit. It's beginning to affect your game, girl." I can feel her eyes stare me down.
"I'm workin on it."

Truth was.....I wasn't.

I can't get them out of my mind because I know in a few days they'll be back in Pittsburgh getting ready for preseason and somehow I'm bound to run into them. My phone rang non-stop since I left Canada. Texts from Becca and Taylor, my brothers calling every few days and my mom facebooking me asking if I died.

"You need to release some tension. We're going to Diesel tonight and there's no way you're backing out." Max stands up, lending out her hand. I grab it as she pulls me up. She hugs me. Max never does that. "I know I'm not the most sentimental person but I'm your best friend. I'm doing this for you, okay?"

Diesel was packed as always. People were watching the Bucs game and shots were flinging left and right at the bar. Chris was working the bar tonight and saw us when we walked in.

"Ah, if it isn't the famous Tess Mariot and her loyal companion Maxine. How was your summer, ladies?" He was tall, about 6'3" and lean. His arms bulged out of his overly tight black shirt, the one that he always wears.

"Eh." I mumble. Chris looked to Max. "Long story bud. How about two of Pittsburgh's finest." He hands us two cocktails happily named "I Swear I'll Move to Canada." Oh the irony. I down mine quickly before making my way to the back booth.

Some local DJ was playing and I could barely hear myself. Diesel was a place I tried not coming to. I'm not a big party-goer. From across the room, I see 3 guys sitting in the booth. Max grabs my arm, "Come on, we should go." She yells over the loud music.

"I wanna sit down, okay?" She rolls her eyes and follows as we get closer. "Excuse me asshats but this is my booth." The guys look at me and laugh. They're about 4 bottles in each, their eyes red and puffy from too much to drink.

"Baby, this can be your booth if you want it." His eyes motion to his crotch. His very small crotch.

"Yeah, no thanks. How about you move you and your little buddy and let us sit here."

"I don't see your name anywhere. How about you make me move." He folds his arms in front of him, a sly smile appearing on his face.

"This is our booth. Move." I feel someone tug on my arm.

"Oh shit. Sorry man. I'm a huge fan. I can't wait for the season to start!" It was instant. All three vanished, leaving an empty booth for my taking.

"Tess." Max whispers. I hadn't even looked to see who standing next to me but I knew who it was.

"Always an asshole, Nealer." I turn to him smiling sarcastically.

"I'm not the one who ditches people at cafes." He slides into the booth, grabbing the phone next to him to order his first round of drinks. "Now, you can either leave now and we can be hostile to each other....or you both can sit here and drink with me."

Max whispers something into my ear. "No." I say back. "Lets drink." I slide next to James, not too close, but close enough. There was no way I was going to let free drinks go to waste.
Max grumpily takes the other side, her eyes fiercely looking at me.

"Max, relax. We're just drinking. Civilly." James retorts.

5 drinks later and the room is spinning. "Ugh." My stomach was starting to hurt. Beer and liquor do not mix well with me. It's either one or the other. Max is too busy talking with some guy she met at the bar who is now invading her personal space.

"Tessa..." James leans in closer to me, the smell of alcohol stains his breath. "Yeah?"

"I'm an asshole. I never deserved a girl like you." He mumbles, his words slurring together. Glad to know he's not angry James tonight.

I saw flashes coming from our side, only to see a girl with her camera out and a smile on her face. This will be online soon enough. Greeeeeaaaaat.

"James, we need to go home. I'm drunk, you're drunk and people are taking photos. We'll share a cab." I pull out my iphone and quickly text the cab service my coordinates. Max was tangled up in mystery bar dude to even notice James and I slipping out from the booth.

James takes the lead, grabbing my hand as we dive in and out between people. Girls gasping as we walk by, mumbling and taking photos.

You never get used to that.

The cab was waiting out front for us, more people waiting to get in yelling at James. Girls were literally throwing themselves on him but he kept his grip on my hand tight. He opens the door for me, watching me as I get in then quickly following behind me, slamming the door before the craziness outside seeped in the cab.

James tells the cab driver my address. The ride to my apartment was awkward. It was also a super small car and our legs were touching. The driver pulled into my drive way and I shifted my eyes towards James.

"I'll walk you up. It's late." He starts.

"I have about 10 feet till my front door. I doubt I'll get attacked." I say with deep sarcasm.

"Shut it, Tess." He gets out and walks over to my door, opening it wide and barely standing straight.

"You've had too much to drink, James." I couldn't help but laugh. "You should stay here. On the couch. Knowing you you'd get home and dive head first into the nearest six-pack."

"You know me all too well, babe." He mumbles.

"It's Tess."

"What?"

"It's just Tess. No 'babe,' okay?" I walk to my front door, stumbling in my purse for my keys. James stands behind me, leaning against the house frame.

"Tess." He sensually whispers in my ear. I open the door, remaining unaffected as I scoured my place for spare blankets.

"You'll be here. There's some blankets and a pillow. I'll get you a glass of water and some aspirin so you'll at least be decent minded in the morning." James nods his head, falling to the chocolate brown cushions, kicking his shoes off in the process.

I set his glass of water and pills on the table.

"Can we talk?" He asks, grabbing my hand. His eyes looked lost, like an abandoned dog.
"Tomorrow. You need sleep." I begin to head upstairs. Just before I reach the top I stop. "And my door will be locked so don't try to sneak in!" I yell below.

"Tess Mariot, you tease!"

As I snuggle under the covers, my phone dings. A text message.

S: Hey.

It was Sid. At 2 in the morning. The guy is usually stone-cold passed out by now.

T: Hi.
I hadn't heard anything from Crosby in weeks, deservedly so but this was so out of the blue.

S: Just hi? Oh Tess. How have you been?

T: Fantastic. I've been on top of the world!

S: Sarcasm only gets you so far.

I rolled my eyes at the comment.

T: Why is the NHL's best player awake at 2 in the morning?

S: I just wanted to talk to you. I'm back in Pitt, maybe we can hang out or something.

T: Well. That's up to you, Crosby.

S: I want to hang out.

Seconds past and another text came through.

S: And what did I say about calling me Crosby?

T: Fine. Market Square? I'll be around there all day, running errands.

S: You mean you'll be able to fit me into your busy schedule? Oh thank you!

T: Hey, sarcasm only gets you so far Crosby.

S: Touché. See you then.

Before turning off my phone for the night, I send one last text.

T: Max, where the hell are you? Don't freak out if you see a drunken gingerbeard man on our couch.

A quick response chimes in.

M: Tess, you need to stop being so nice all the time. On my way home now, manless FYI.

T: Shut it. See you in a few hours, my head needs sleep.

My phone shuts down leaving me alone in utter silence and peace. I curl my arms around the pillow next to me and for once, I fall asleep with a smile on my face.