Cyan knocks at the door another time and waits.

"What the fu-" she never finishes her thoughts because the door flies open. A tall guy, black hair and a gingery beard opens the door. His hat backwards so his hair flips out from under it. She knows who it is.

"Oh um sorry Mr. Neal, I think I got the wrong suite. I was supposed to meet my friend Blair here. I'll just get going." Cyan turns to leave, slightly embarrassed.

"No don't go," James stutters. "She's here, you got the right suite. Come in you're missing the game. And um, please don't call me Mr. Neal it makes me feel old." He says as he swings the door open and let's her pass through. Cyan blushes. He finds himself staring at her. She's tall, athletically built.

"Runner maybe? Too tall for softball. Volleyball? Track?" He thinks to himself. But she's got a graceful sway to her, like she's gliding across the room. She has the down - to- earth feel about her. Her reddish brown hair hangs out in a ponytail from her baseball cap. She has amazing legs; I wonder how they would look like around- fuck! James thinks to himself. He just met her, not even, and he's already fantasizing about her.

"Cyan!" Exclaims Blair after she taps her on the shoulder. "Hey! What's this all about?" She asks.

"We're in a suite surrounded by some of the Penguins. You know how I feel about them!" She scolds her in a whisper.

“Babe," she bats her eyes," I know and as my sister and business partner I thought you could use a treat. Your nose has been in the books and body in yoga. Let loose! And besides, when was the last time you got laid?" Blair grins.

"Shut up, let's not talk about it. I would've liked more notice then I could've worn something cuter." Cyan whines.

"Honey you look cute. Go on, introduce yourself to the guys." Blair gives her a slight push in their direction. Cyan returns a glare.

"What the hell am I supposed to say? They're all like fucking gods!" Cyan thinks to herself. She's usually never this quiet but if you were in a room full of attractive athletes, you'd be at a loss for words too.

They all stand and remove their hats for the national anthem and cheer when it's over. She eats her nachos while everyone is engaged in conversation. Someone nudges her shoulder.

"So, you a pens fan?" James asks. Boy was he gorgeous, well she already knew that but to see him in person was enough to take her breath away. His blue eyes hid underneath his pirates baseball cap while his black hair flipped out on the sides.

"Oh yeah, who isn't in Pittsburgh? I watch almost every game and try to make it to as many as I can. Don't worry, I'm not crazy or anything." She says rushed. He just laughs at her.

"I didn't think so, you can kinda tell with some people. So Blair told me you run a yoga place?"

“Yeah, it's in the strip district, make sure to stop by." She says shyly. She's adorable, James thought. And easy to talk to.

"I see you've already adopted the city." Cyan says tapping the brim of his hat. “Oh, yeah the city kinda grew on me. I can see myself living here for a while. It reminds me of Whitby. Are you from here?" His eyes bore into hers, making her nervous. But a good nervous.

"Yeah, in Wexford, not too far from the city. Me and Blair's mothers are best friends since childhood and we were practically raised together."

"That's awesome! Blair said something about you being in school?"

"Oh yeah, I'm in med school at Pitt for pediatrics. Maybe I'll go into surgery one day."

“So med school equals no life." He says grinning. Cyan lets out a small laugh that sounds like bells. James finds himself drawn to that laugh, hoping to hear it more.

“No, no. Only during the school year. I just finished my second year. I'm just working now, still studying but not as much."

"Wow, so you're like, really smart?" He raises an impressed eyebrow.

"Eh, I'm-" Cyan is cut off almost immediately by Blair, who was obviously listening in.

"She's a genius. She was always on honor roll, the top ten in our high school. She was valedictorian senior year and on the Dean's List every year at Michigan State. She's a genius." Blair beams.

"Those are things I like to keep to myself thank you very much." Cyan mumbles, turning away from James. Great, now they all think she's some kind of nerd.

"Wow, I feel really..." James begins. He wasn't gonna lie, he was slightly intimidated but he liked that she was so smart. He knew a lot of smart people but not like this. All he knew was that he wanted to learn more about her.

"Nothing. I'm just studious that's all. No need to feel intellectually inferior." She replies tersely before drinking her beer.

"Oh, sorry I think."

"It's ok I just don't talk about myself that much. Kinda uncomfortable ya know?" James nods.

“Hey! Stop bothering the girl and watch the game!" Staal yelled. "Oh no, he’s not bothering me!" Cyan exclaimed. “He’s a flirt, watch out for him," Sid said nudging her.

"Oh it's nothing I can't deflect," Cyan says winking. Whoa, the captain just talked to her and she just winked at him, this was gonna be a great evening.

---

The Bucs won the game, surprisingly, against the Cardinals. 4-2. Of course it was Sky Blast that night so cyan and everyone else stayed to watch the fireworks.

"Hey, Blair!" Cyan exclaimed as she went to grab her best friend's arm on their out of the box after the show. "Thanks for the awesome tickets, this was so much fun."

“No problem! You're my sister you've been working yourself dead. You deserve a night of fun. Oh! I saw you talking to James, do I smell potential romance?" She giggled as she turned back to look at the guys.

"No." Cyan said harshly motioning her to turn around. "Stop staring at them! I don't know, I mean he's even cuter in person but...”

"But what?!"

“I don't know if I'm ready for a relationship." Blair groans in frustration loudly. "Oh come on! You are not getting any younger. Why the hell not?!"

“Because, school. I need to study and the studio needs to be kept running." Cyan didn't want to tell her best friend in the entire world that she didn't feel like she could ever be with someone after all the shit she had been through the past few years. She couldn't help but blame herself for everything, even though she was not at fault for any of it.

"That's what you have me for, duh! I'm a partner in the studio if you've forgotten. And studying I know it's very important that you do that but that doesn't mean you shouldn't date. I'm not asking you to chop off your legs." They made their way to Cyan's jeep by the end of Blair's mini speech.

"It's ok. I'll consider it. I-"

"Hey!" James says running up to them. “You’re a good luck charm! We should take you to the games more often." He says in between small pants.

"Maybe," Cyan agrees, feeling the temperature in her cheeks rise.

"Um, I was wondering," James rubs the back of his neck, clearly flustered. “Maybe you’d like to hang out some time. Maybe I could go to you and Blair's studio?"

"You don't have to ask to come, just come on over. Maybe we can hang out from there." Cyan says with a small smile." We're open 9am tomorrow until 6pm; you're more than welcome to come by."

"Cool, I'll be there. It was nice meeting you Cyan. See ya. Bye Blair." James's eyes barely leave Cyan's face as he says goodbye.

"Nice meeting you too." He grins at Cyan and jogs back to the rest of the guys.

"Oohh!!! He totally digs you!" Blair squeals.

"He does not.... Does he?" Cyan is beyond words. It wasn't like she didn't believe she was attractive or anything, but she's seen the types of girls hockey players went after. She was surprised that he would even think to look at her.

"He was watching you more than the game! I'd say he likes you." Cyan blushes. "Maybe. We'll see how it goes tomorrow."

"Tell me everything after work. I'll see you tomorrow sis, Gnite!" Blair says as she hugs her best friend.

“Gnite." Cyan gets into her jeep and waits out the outgoing traffic. She replays everything that happened today; meeting the players she loves in real life, watching a Pirates game from the suite, flirting with James. It was a great night she thinks to herself. When she gets home, she changes into in Soffe shorts and a tank top and climbs into bed. She can't help but feel excited for day with James the next day that it's hard to sleep. Maybe something good can come out of this, she thinks to herself before she falls asleep.

Notes