Confessions of An Ice Girl

It had been three weeks since that night at Diesels. The Pens had a busy schedule and the guys were gone a lot. It was their first home game back in a week Paul was the first to spot me at the arena. "Abby!" He called walking up to me

"Hey, Paul." I smiled

"So listen, after the game tonight, a few of us are going out to dinner. Since it's an early game and all. Would you like to come with?"

"Paul...you know I can't come to a team function. The rules..."

"It's not a team function. It's Neal, Bortz, me and some girl Bortz knows going out to dinner. We can go out to dinner as friends."

Another instance where I should've said no. But instead I agreed. "Okay."

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The pens had won the game. Afterwards, I changed out of my uniform and met Paul in the lobby. "Ready to go?" He asked. I nodded and we headed off to dinner. I walked in with Paul and the waitress led us to a table where Bortz was sitting with a pretty blonde. "Have you seen Nealer?" Paul asked

Rob shrugged "nope. Oh this is Kimberly. Kim, this is Paulie and Abby."

"Nice meeting you." I smiled

"Yeah you too." Kim smiled

Just then, Neal came walking up with sunglasses on and his hair slicked back "sorry I'm late." He said sitting down taking his sunglasses off "Paulie did you..." He froze. Staring at me.

"Did I what, James? You have to finish your sentences."

"Uh...I um. I don't remember. Bortz, who is your friend?"

"Nealer, this is Kim. Kim this is Nealer."

"James." He smiled "pleasure to meet you."

"Yeah you too." Kim smiled

"Hi, Neal." I said

"Hi." He replied not looking up at me

"James." Paul said

"What?" He asked looking up

"Is everything ok?"

"Yeah. I'm fine. Just looking over the menu."

"You sound mad."

"I'm not fucking mad, Paul." James snapped getting up "I'm going to the bathroom. Just order me a water."

Paul sighed "I'm gunna go talk to him."

"Just let him go, Paulie. You know how he gets." Bortz replied looking over his menu

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Dinner went by painfully slow. The entire time I could feel Neal's eyes on me. Afterwards, Paul drove me back to the arena to get my car. "Thanks for coming tonight. Sorry about James. I don't know what his issue is."

"Oh don't apologize for Neal. I'm used to him being an ass." I replied smiling at Paul

"Well...good night, Abby."

"Yeah. Night Paul." I replied. I should've stepped out of the car and went on my way home, but instead I looked over at Paul and smiled. Paul smiled back and kissed me.

I pulled away somewhat shocked. Paul blushed "oh my god. Abby. I'm sorry."

"No no. Don't apologize...I just wasn't expecting that..." Like I mentioned before I thought of Paul as a brother. I didn't know what to do or say. Pauls face was reddening by the minute. "I should go." I said hopping out of his car and getting in my own, driving off.

I got home and showered. I grabbed my book and climbed in bed hearing my phone ding. I had two messages

Paul Martin- I'm sorry, Abby. I don't know why I did that.

James Neal- what's with you and Paulie? Are you guys dating?

I sighed. Deciding id rather respond to Paul first.

Abby- it's okay Paulie. It's just that, I think of you as a close friend. Almost brother like and I wasn't expecting you to kiss me. I'm sorry if you thought that I was leading you on. I just want to be friends

Paul Martin- oh no. I understand. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have just kissed you. Good night, Abby.

Abby- night Paul.

I sighed before reading over Neal's message again.

Abby- no, Neal. Paulie and I are not dating. He just asked me to come tonight and I accepted. Why do you care anyways?

James Neal- oh. Okay. I don't know...I was just asking...

I rolled my eyes before responding to him again.

Abby- okay. Night Neal. See you tomorrow.

James Neal- Okay. Night.

I shook my head. James Neal was a hard book to read. Sometimes, it felt like he liked me. But then again, Neal wasn't my type and judging by the girls he picked up, I wasn't his.

But he always seemed to be looking at me. And tonight. He was obviously jealous I was with Paul. I brushed it off for the time being and went to bed.

Notes