"You coming to Diesel's tonight?" My answer should've been No. I should've said I was tired and needed to go home. Instead. I had said yes.

Little did I know, that "yes" changed my life forever...I should start at the beginning. My name is Abby. Abby Cartwright. When I was 20, I tried out for the Pittsburgh Penguins ice crew. I had gotten the job.

One year later, still an ice girl. I'd made friends with a few players, even though fraternization was against the rules. But who follows those anyways?

That brings us to where I was at the beginning of this story. It was after a big game win against the Flyers. I was standing in the hallway with another ice girl, Jordyn, when Robert Bortuzzo came up. "You coming to Diesel's tonight?"

"Oh yeah." Jordyn smiled looking over to me

"Yeah, Bortz."

Robert smiled "awesome. We'll see you there."

Diesels is a bar/club in Pittsburgh. The players frequented it often. After wins. After losses. Days off. Anyways, I had changed out of my ice girl uniform and drove to Diesles. It was busy. It took 30 minutes to find a spot.

After finally parking, I headed inside. I didn't look around for the guys or for any of the other girls, instead I headed up to the bar. "Hey, Jack. I'll take a rum and coke."

"Sure thing, Abby." He said fixing my drink. I sat down and immediately felt a presence behind me.

"Now what's a pretty gal like you doing in a place like this?" A familiar voice asked

I rolled my eyes "Neal, if that's your way of hitting on me, it's not going to work."

James laughed, sitting beside me "Oh come on, Abs. You know I'm kidding. I didn't think you'd be out tonight. Bortz said he asked."

I shrugged "Just came out for a drink or two."

James held up his hand to Jack "I'll take a bourbon on the rocks."

Jack handed me my drink and nodded to James, "Got it. I'll be back in a second, Abby."

"Great job, uh, tossing shirts tonight." James said

I narrowed my eyes at him "Is that all you think we do?"

"Well isn't it?"

I rolled my eyes again "Fuck you."

James grinned as Jack brought back his drink "okay Abby that's $4, Neal that's 4.50." Jack said

James handed him a ten "I got hers. Keep the change."

"Is that your way of sucking up, Neal?"

"Maybe." James smiled "enjoy your drink." He said hoping off the stool and walking off

I shook my head. Don't get me wrong. James Neal was a great guy, but god damn he was an ass. He was cocky and always had some smart ass comment to make. He was always a known player. Everytime I was at the bar, he was all over some dumb bimbo. No doubt convincing her to let him in her pants.

Anyways, as I said earlier. I was friends with the players. I'd never done anything with one of them. A few of the other ice girls had. Neal was quiet popular with the ice girls.

"You came."

"Hey Bortz." I smiled as Robert Bortuzzo slide down on the seat besides me

"Saw Nealer over here talking to you...he being nice?"

"As nice as Neal comes. Or by 'nice' do you mean he wasn't trying to get in my pants? Because he wasn't trying to get in my pants."

"Neal knows to leave you alone."

I laughed "and why is that?"

"Paulie."

Paul Martin. I should've known. Paul was Neal's former "guardian". As we called him. I was probably closer to Paul than any of the other guys. Not in a sexual or romantic way. More in the brother-sister way. Paul was always looking out for me. "Of course." I replied looking over towards the VIP area where the guys where sitting. Paul, with Neal and a few of the others. Kunitz, Crosby, Deryk Engellend and Malkin.

Neal was arguing with Paul about something. I found myself staring at him as he spoke. His face was covered in orange stubble. He gave Paul that look. A look I'd seen countless times on the ice "Earth to Abby."

"Mmm?" I said turning back towards Bortz

"You were staring at Nealer."

"No I wasn't. I'm gunna go say hi to Paul." I laughed walking over to the VIP area. The bouncer tried stopping me

"Let her in." Sidney said "she's with us."

"Sorry, miss." The guy apologized letting me in

"Hey Paul."

"Hey, Abby. Glad you came out."

I smiled "yeah. Me too."

"I'm gunna go grab another drink." Neal had said getting up and heading to the bar

"Don't mind him. He's mad cause he hasn't found a slut to take home yet." Deryk said

Paul narrowed his eye at him "Engo, leave him alone..."

"It's okay, Der. I'm used to Neal and his grumpiness." I replied looking over at the bar as Neal was getting rejected by other blonde. He shook his head as he returned. "No bites?" I teased

Neal gave me that dejected look "Nope."

"Well the night is young, Neal. I'm sure you'll get a catch by the end of the evening."

"Don't encourage him." Paul said

I smiled "I'm gunna see if I can find Jordyn."

I walked away from the guys and looked around for Jordyn. She was nowhere to be seen. I sighed and headed back to the bar, ordering another drink. "Jordyn doesn't seem to be at the bar."

"Hi, Neal."

"How'd you know it was me?" He asked sliding next to me

"Oh please. How could I not know its you?"

He shrugged "I don't know."

"I think Jordyn went home. I should probably do the same..." I replied going to hop off the chair. Neal moved at the same time and I fell into him, laughing "oops. I'm sorry, James..."

"Are you feeling okay, Abby? You never call me by my name." He said hanging onto me.

"I'm...I'm fine." I slurred

"Are you sure?" He asked. That's when it happened. I turned over and threw up. I started coughing and could barely breathe. "Fuck, Abby...are
You alright?"

I shook my head and tried to move. Falling again. Neal grabbed onto me tight "Neal..." I started

"Let me give you a ride home, Abby." He insisted. I nodded and in one quick motion, James Neal scooped me up into his arms. Before I passed out, I heard him speak to, who I assume was Paul. "She got sick and I'm giving her a ride home."

____________________________

I woke up the next morning in a fog. I somewhat remembered the previous night. I remembered drinking more than I should. I remembered Neal carrying me from the bar. Neal. I grabbed my phone from the counter and called him. "Hello?" His morning voice was hot.

"Neal. I am so sorry about last night."

"It's okay, Abby. Are you alright?"

"I'm okay. How am I supposed to get my car..." I sighed

"No worries. I took care of it. I had it brought back to your place."

"You didn't have to do that."

"It's fine. Ill see you at the game tonight, Abby."

"Thanks, Neal."

"No problem." He said hanging up

________________

When I got to the arena later that night, I tried avoiding Paul, Neal and anyone else who was witness to the previous night. But to no avail. Paul found me first "Abby? What happened?"

"I had too much to drink and got sick." I explained

Paul shook his head "Not with that. With James."

"Nothing happened with Neal. He took me home."

Paul looked at me skeptically "Neal didn't try anything?"

I shook my head "No."

Paul nodded "Okay. I gotta go. See you."

I started briskly walking down the hallway to avoid anymore confrontation. Neal found me next. "are you okay?"

"I'm fine. Thanks again for last night. I can pay you back for towing my car..."

"Not necessary."

"Let me pay you back, Neal. I don't like hand outs."

"Don't consider it a hand out. Consider it as a friend helping another friend."

"I have to pay you back somehow."

"Honestly. You don't have to. I better go or I'm going to be late...ill see you after the game?"

I nodded "okay."

Neal smiled and walked off. I found myself watching him again. Shorts with his knee high socks. Penguins hoodie and a backwards Steelers cap. His usual pre-game attire when the suit came off. "Earth to Abby." Jordyn's voice snapped me from my thoughts

"Hey. What happened to you last night?"

"Oh. I went home with a guy."

"Wow, Jordyn." I laughed

"I saw what was just happening."

"What do you mean?"

"You. Eye-fucking James Neal."

I rolled my eyes "I was not eye fucking James Neal."

"You were. I don't blame you. If that boy gave me the time of day, I'd climb him like a tree."

"Neal and I aren't like that. We are barely friends. I was just thanking him for helping me last night. I got drunk and puked. Neal helped me home. That was it."

"Wait...so James Neal. The guy who fucks pretty much anything. He took you home and nothing happened?" Jordyn asked

"Nope. Nothing happened. Come on Jordyn we have to head to the ice...

Notes