[seventeen]

Max's POV

For once, I wasn't nervous. I was hoping that I wouldn't get nervous either. After having to reschedule our date twice due to our schedules we both finally had a day where neither of us had to work. It was a two minutes drive to her place, but for some reason I kept driving around blocks taking an extra thirteen minutes to get to her apartment. I parked in front of her building and made my way up to her door. I knocked on her door gently and when she answered I was taken back a little bit. She looked like a beautiful pin up girl. Her hair was in waves pinned to the side of her head, beautiful pouty red lips, black pinstriped tight pants and a sheer white button up shirt that was covered up with a red blazer. She was killing me with these sheer blouses. I looked down at her feet and noticed bright red heels that brought her up to be the same height as me. "So where are you taking me?" she asked as we walked down the stairs. "A museum." "Which one?" "The one down there," I pointed down the street than flashed her a smile. I opened the car door for her and caught a whiff of strawberries as she climbed in. 

I parked outside of the Science Center and we walked up to the doors. I had to hold myself back from holding her hand, it was just dangling at her side screaming for me to hold it. She wants to take things slow though, so I will go as slow as she wants me to. "I've always wanted to come here, but never have," she smiled as we walked in. I was relieved, I figured this would give me some brownie points. We walked around a bit playing with different things, I showed off my boy skills by building a house made out of giant Legos. As we walked around she grabbed onto my arm, stopping me and pointing into a room. "Go in there with me," she smiled and I looked at the sign to see it was a wind tunnel. She wanted to go into a wind tunnel? Wasn't she scared she'd mess up her hair? I looked from the sign back to her and she was taking the bobby pins out of her hair and then bent over to take her shoes off. She was serious. I laughed and followed her into the room. Before I knew it I had straps hugging my crotch and we were strapped down to the floor. I pulled goggles on and looked over at her, she had a huge smile on her face. As the winds picked up I wanted to look over at her, but I couldn't move my head. I looked up to see the wind was now at 75 MPH and I felt her hand grabbing onto mine. She squeezed my hand and then I linked my fingers into hers. That's all it takes huh? Hurricane force winds!

"That was awesome," she laughed as she pulled her shoes back on. I looked down at her and just laughed, her once perfect hair was now all over the place. She then stood up and ran her fingers through her hair a dozen or so times, calming it down. I think she gave up as she pulled it up into a high ponytail, which I had no problem with, I loved her hair up. We continued to walk and her hand was once again screaming at me, so I grabbed onto it, twisting my fingers with hers. It felt so natural. After two hours at the museum we left and I started heading to the car, but she dragged me in the opposite direction, taking me down toward the waterfront. She let go of my hand as we looked out at the river, it was a beautiful sight with all of the snow. I went off into my own little world, only to have it corrupted by a snow ball hitting my shoulder. I looked over at Lillianah who was laughing. This was war. I checked out the area around her as I gathered a snow ball of my own, only to be hit by another one right on top of my head. She had good aim. I lobbed one over at her and she turned to have it hit her back. I noticed a few feet behind her there was a rather large snow bank, so I made my move. I started kicking snow at her as I inched closer. Once she was in front of me, I picked her up around her knees and then threw her back into the snow bank, landing of top of her. She continued to laugh trying to push me off of her, but I wouldn't budge. She controlled her laughter and looked up at me, into my eyes. A smile came over her face as she leaned up and kissed me. I kissed back, deepening it. I felt her tongue swirl around mine and at that moment I knew what the guys were saying was true. I was falling in love with this girl. Then I got scared, it's too soon for that. I pulled away and looked into her green eyes, she was still smiling. I gave her one last small kiss then helped her out of the snow.

I drove her back to her apartment and was about to get out of the car to walk her up to her door but she stopped me. "Wait here will you?" I nodded my head and she flew up the stairs. What was she up to? Ten minutes later she came back down and had a bag in her hand that she didn't have earlier. She opened the back door and tossed the bag in before crawling back into the car. "If you don't mind, I'd like to hang out with you more, maybe make you some s'mores." I could tell she was nervous, did she honestly think I would tell her no. Say no to her s'mores!? I gave her a smile and then started the car back up. No short cuts this time, I took her straight to my place.

Lillianah's POV

I was a nervous wreck, I was going out on an actual date. A guy was picking me up and taking me somewhere to do something fun. This never happens. This is the crap you see in movies. Luckily I had laid out my outfit the night before and was ready in no time. He was ten minutes late, but I wasn't counting or anything. When I opened the door he opened his mouth to say something, but nothing came out. I held back my laughter and followed him down to his car. When he told me he was taking me to a museum I was excited. There were a lot of museums I wanted to see, just too busy to ever actually go out and see them. When we pulled up to the Science Museum I was very excited, next to the Andy Warhol museum this was the other one I was kicking myself over for not having seen it yet. I walked next to Max not knowing what to do with my hands. Do we hold hands? Do I put them in my pockets? Do I run my fingers through my hair? I allowed my arms to sway at my sides, he'll let me know what to do soon enough.

A huge smile came over my face when I saw the wind tunnel. I had always wanted to be in one, feel the wind against my face. I stopped Max and asked him to go in with me. At first he looked at me like I was crazy but I think when he saw me taking my shoes off he realized I was serious. We were put in harnesses and strapped down to the ground, which I was happy for. As the wind got up to 75 MPH I felt like I was going to be ripped out of the harness, I could barely move and if the harness broke my body would easily get tossed to the back of the room like a toothpick. I felt his hand brush mine and grabbed on knowing he would be able to keep me from flying. I was a little stunned to fell him intertwine his fingers together with mine. That's a boyfriend move. It felt good though. It had been a very, very long time since someone held my hand, and with Max it felt like our hands were made for each other, they fit so well together. 

As we left the museum I wanted to kiss him, he held onto my hand tight the whole time we were there. I was desperately looking for ways to get him to kiss me so I wouldn't have to make the first move. I wouldn't know how to make the first move. I dragged him down by the waterfront and walked away from him. He starred out at the river and I made the best looking snowball I had ever seen before. I tossed it at him, hitting him square in the shoulder. My feet were starting to freeze as I was standing in about six inches of snow, I threw another snowball at him as he was bent over making his own. I jumped in joy as it landed right on top of his head. He threw one at me, but I turned so it hit me in the back. I turned back around to see him running at me. He picked me up by my knees and tossed me into a snow back. I couldn't stop laughing and I was desperately trying to stop as he was lying on top of me. When I finally calmed down I smiled up at him. Kiss me already Max! He didn't budge so I leaned up and kissed him. As I felt him kiss back I knew I needed to allow this guy into my life romantically. Every girl deserves to be romanced, and I might have found the guy that can do that to me. He pulled away and looked into my eyes, all I could do was smile. 

Back at my apartment I threw my toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, brush, underwear, pajamas and lazy 'day after' clothes into a bag and headed back down to his car. I wasn't planning on spending the night, but I was prepared if that's what would happen. I didn't like leaving King alone all night, but I left him plenty of blankets, toys and food just in case. At his apartment I made some s'mores and we managed to keep each others fingers out of the others mouths, but I was tempted. When I saw the chocolate dripping down his finger I had to hold myself back from sucking the chocolate off. We both changed into pajamas and relaxed on the couch watching CSI New York. I felt his arm reach around my shoulders and he pulled me close to him. I tucked my legs up underneath me and leaned my head onto his shoulder. I moved my head back a little and tucked my face into his neck, I wanted to smell him. I took in his scent and smiled, he smelt fresh, not musky which was a nice change. I kissed his neck and then put my head back on his shoulder to watch the TV. Once David Letterman came on we were both falling in and out of sleep on the couch. He grabbed my hand and dragged me into the bedroom with him. He took his glasses off and climbed right in, leaving me the other side of the bed. I headed into the bathroom and washed my face. I walked back out and watched him sleeping in the bed, or at least I thought he was sleeping. I continued to just stare at the bed. "You sleep standing up? That's weird," he laughed squinting his eyes at me. I climbed into the other side of the bed with my back to him and felt his arm reach around and wrap around my waist. He put a protective hold on me, as if he was trying to prevent me from running away again. I felt him kiss the back of my neck and I quickly fell asleep.

[sixteen]

Lillianah's POV

If I had my things with me I would have gone straight to the train station instead of my parents, but I couldn't. I was dreading what my mother and sister would have to say about me not going home the night before. Max and I said goodbye with a simple kiss and I promised him I would turn my phone back on. I really wanted to call him my boyfriend, but I couldn't. A lot of people are scared of simple things, needles, heights, spiders, but for me, it was the word boyfriend and the whole concept behind it. It's a fear that I was hoping I could take care of, and hopefully Max could help me get over. As the cab pulled up in front of my parents house I went to pay but the driver told me the man I was with already paid for it. I could only laugh. Just as I climbed out of the cab I looked up at the front door and both my mom and sister were standing there with huge grins on their faces. "What are you looking at?" I smiled as I walked passed them and went straight for the coffee. "Did you sleep with him?" I looked at my mom shocked, did she honestly just ask me that? "No I didn't, we slept in separate beds. We're going to try this whole dating thing I think." My sister started laughing, she just didn't understand. She doesn't know me that well.

It was nice seeing my mom and sister again, but it was time for me to go back to my life in Pittsburgh. I desperately needed to sit down with Alicia and tell her about everything that had happened. The very next morning my mom drove me to the train station. "I would like it if you came to visit more often Lily. It was nice seeing you again," she smiled as she walked me inside. "I'll try mom, thanks for everything this week." I pulled her into a hug and then made my way to the deck to board the train. I boarded the train, got comfy in my seat and tried to fall asleep. I was very anxious to get home, to see my dog and to talk to Alicia. As I watched Pennsylvania fly by out the window I felt my phone vibrating in my pocket. It was a text message from Max. I would like to take you out on a date when I get back, will you let me do that? A smiled crept over my face and I replied yes to him.

My suitcase felt ten pounds heavier than it was when I left, so hauling it up the stairs to my apartment was a pain in the ass. "Here, let me get that," I heard laughter from behind me then the weight of the suitcase was taken off my arm. "Thanks Aaron." We made it up the stairs and I unlocked my door and he followed me in. "Where'd you disappear to?" "Went to my parents, had to get out of the city for awhile," I explained to him as I started the coffee in the kitchen. "So hey I was wondering if you would like to come to dinner with me sometime this week?" Was he asking me out? What was this about? He hasn't been getting laid, that's what this is about! "That'd be nice, but I'm going to be busy all week." I smiled at him hoping he wouldn't be mad. "You DID get a boyfriend! I knew it." I was always straight forward with Aaron, so there was no need to start beating around the bush now. "Yes, I just started seeing someone, sorry I didn't tell you before." That felt so weird for me to say, but it also felt awesome. 

Max's POV

She smelt like strawberries, and that made me smile. I pulled her into me and gave her a small kiss on the lips. I watched as the taxi pulled away and I held my fingers to my mouth, hoping the feeling of her lips on mine would last until I saw her again. I headed back in to the hotel and headed up to my room. Just as I was about to open my door the guys came running out of their rooms and into mine. "Well how did it go?" Flower asked as everyone stopped to see both beds were messed up. "Well she slept there, and I slept here, and she's giving me a chance. So it went good," I smiled. "Good night for you. Hat trick, girl of your-" "Hey, hey! Geno! Don't go jinxing anything!!" I walked toward the bathroom and knocked on the wood side table as I did so. I'm not superstitious, not at all.

I felt like I was some what back to my old self, taking money from my teammates on the flight to DC. Three years I've been taking their money in friendly poker games, and they just haven't learned yet. It was a quick flight to DC and when we landed I sent Lillianah a quick text message asking if I could take her out on a date. I really wanted to take things slow with her and I knew the perfect place for our first date. When she replied yes I was pumped. This felt like that one time in sixth grade I asked the cutest seventh grader out and she said yes, but I'm hoping things between Lillianah and I go smoother than that, I hope she isn't violent. I didn't talk to girls for a whole year after that, because I thought that's what girls did, I thought they punched you square in the nose. That's how they tell you they like you, right? 

The guys thought it would be funny to torment me on the flight back to Pittsburgh after we put Alexander Ovechkin in his place, the penalty box. "Nice point streak you got going on there Talbot," Pas smiled leaning across the aisle to me. I cringed hoping that there was a piece of wood somewhere on the plane, there had to be, and my fist had to knock on it. "Thanks," I mumbled as I got up and made my way to the back of the plane. Sure enough right next to the bathroom was a strip of wood, nice mahogany wood. I looked around, to make sure no one was watching before knocking on it. Why do the guys insist on trying to jinx me, it's not cool. I started to make my way back up to the front of the plane when I heard music coming from somebody's iPod they had connected to speakers. All at once a few heads turned and looked at me and Tanger and Flower broke out into song. "Cause I'm your lady!!! And you are my man, whenever you reach for me I'll do all that I can. Lost in how I'm feeling lying in your arms, when the world outside is to much to take, that all ends when I'm with you!" They all started laughing at I shot glares at Tanger and Flower. "I am proud of my French-Canadian heritage and you do this?! You murder a Celine Dion song?! It makes me sick to think you two are also French-Canadian, such a disgrace." I sat back down in my seat and couldn't help but laugh at myself along with the rest of the guys. "One more thing, how come you guys never hounded Crosby like this when he met his girl?" I looked around for an answer and Crosby's head popped up, "it's because you were the one doing this crap to me Talbot, did you forget?" Oh yeah, I guess I forgot all the times I sent him fake love horoscope to his phone every hour for a few weeks. 

[fifteen]

Lillianah's POV

After a few moments of just starring at each other, he headed back into the locker room. I gasped for air as soon as the door shut. Did I honestly just hold my breath that whole time? It wasn't as bad as I expected it to be seeing him face to face, but my legs felt like I had just ran a marathon. They felt like jello. I sat down on a chair down the hall from the locker room and waited patiently for him. Fifteen minutes later he walked out with scruffy hair that was still a little bit wet and evidence that he hadn't shaved in a couple of days. "Know of a good place we could go to around here?" I thought about it for a minute, I have never really gone out in Philadelphia, sure I grew up there, but I moved away when I was eighteen, I really didn't know. "Not really," I laughed a little bit embarrassed. "Okay, well there's a bar at my hotel, want to go there?" Bar in a hotel? Dare I? "Sure." We headed out of the arena in silence and Max called for a cab. 

I had been thinking about what I wanted to tell him. Inform him on what he was doing to me, but when we sat down in a booth at the swanky downtown bar we both avoided each other and just starred at our drinks. There was a sudden riot going on over at the bar and I looked over only to see the guys Max was usually with at the club. His teammates. One of them looked over at me, eyelashes, and quickly ushered the others out of the bar. "I, uh . . . thank you for coming to the game," he finally spoke up and my eyes went back to my drink. "Thanks for the tickets, my mom and sister really enjoyed it. They wanted me to thank you." "Oh tell them it was my pleasure." I looked up at him into his eyes, and for once I could breath, for once I felt at peace. The corner of his mouth curled up like it wanted to form a smile, then it quickly faded. "Lil, about the other night . . ." "Sor-" "I'm sorry." "-ry." Why was he sorry? I'm the one that's sorry. We both started to talk again, but I stopped allowing him to continue. "Lil, I like you. It took me a long time to try and figure out how to tell you, but that's the best way. I really like you, and I think I stopped the other night because I didn't want to screw up." "Max, I like you too. That's why I ran. I can't believe I'm about to tell you all of this, but you need to know." I took a deep breath, took a quick swig of my electric ice tea and looked up at him. "I've never had a real boyfriend, ever. I don't know how that works, that's why I got scared. I started having these weird feelings thinking about you, and then they would intensify when I would see you and I'm not use to that. I'm not use to having feelings period. I'm not a weird person, I've just never been attached to a person before." I looked back down at my drink and after a few seconds of awkward silence I looked back up at him. He was smiling.

The pain was in the pit of my stomach, I couldn't control it. I couldn't stop laughing. The stories he was telling me of him and his older brother growing up were typical boy stories, but just about ten times worse. He was a devil child growing up, and he learned it all from his brother. "We didn't get an allowance for two years to cover the cost of all the chickens she lost!" "What did you do with the chickens?" "We set them free!" We both continued to laugh and continued to drink. For once things between Max and I felt normal. I saw him as a human being with feelings, not as a man I wanted to take advantage of. I saw him as a guy I wanted to spend as much time with as possible. "Alright, I'll be right back I'm going to the bathroom," I smiled and as I stood up I lost my balance a little bit. I was drunker than I thought. That's why I never drink while I'm sitting down. In the bathroom I glanced at a clock and for a minute I thought it said 1:30, but there was no way it was that late. I looked again and my eyes didn't lie, it was going to be hell trying to get a cab. I walked back out and slid back into the booth where my glass magically filled back up, his did too. "It's getting late, I'll have this one last drink, but I should really call a cab." "Don't bother with a cab, I lucked out and got my own room here tonight, you can stay. I promise I won't try anything and if we're as drunk as I think we are, we can always have the bellhop take us to the room." I couldn't help but laugh, I just had this image of him and I being rolled up to his room by a bellhop. I nodded my head, "okay."

We were definitely drunk, but it was a good drunk. We weren't stumbling over our feet nor slurring our words. We were feeling good. He opened his hotel door for me and I walked in to find two queen beds. A little bit of me was disappointed, but the rest of me was relieved. I set my purse down on one bed and took my jacket off, lying it over my purse. "Umm, here you can wear these for pajama's," he smiled handed me a pair of sweatpants and a t-shirt. "Thank you," I smiled and took them with me into the bathroom. I washed all of my makeup off, pulled my hair up into a bun and changed into his clothes. I walked out, having to hold the sweatpants by the band so that they wouldn't fall to my ankles. He was already changed and walked passed me into the bathroom to take his contacts out. I sat on the edge of the bed and watched him as he walked back out and took his watch off, setting it next to the TV. He turned around and looked at me, just a few steps from me. I stood up, approached him and placed my hand on the side of his face. He tilted his head a bit, putting pressure on my hand and I leaned up and kissed him. I felt him sucking on my bottom lip and it sent electric shocks through my body. I brought my other hand up and placed it on the other side of his face. I could feel the sweatpants slowly starting to creep down my hips but I didn't care. I kissed him a little bit harder then pulled away, pressing my forehead against his. "You have to work with me Max, give me time to adjust to everything." "I will." We both smiled. I reached down and grabbed onto the sweatpants before climbing into the bed. I watched as he climbed into the other bed. "Goodnight," he whispered before turning the light off. "Night."

Max's POV

"You are going to stand right in front of her, but don't seem intimidating, come off as gentle. And you're going to tell her these words," Flower started poking his finger in my shoulder. The pause was a little too long and I looked at him to continue. "I'm just a girl, standing in front of a boy, asking him to love her." I rolled my eyes and started to walk away as the whole locker room erupted into laughter. I turned back around to look at everyone, "hey can anyone adopt Geno tonight? Just in case I bring her back to the room." "Already taken care of Maxime. I sleep with Staalsy tonight," Geno explained before he started to push me toward the doors. I took a deep breath and walked out to see her sitting in a chair. She was a knock out, I looked into her green eyes and smiled.

Was I scared? No, I was terrified. I couldn't bring myself to look at her, my eyes were glued to my drink. Then my eyes shot up to the bar. I was ready to get up and head over to them and stab each of them in the throat with a fork. When Flower saw how pissed off I looked he immediately rounded up the gang and headed out. That must have been the ice breaker because after that I thanked her for coming to the game. I was very lucky for her to show up. "Lil, about the other night . . ." "Sor-" "I'm sorry." "-ry." Why was she sorry? That made no sense. I didn't tell her how she made me feel, but atleast I told her that I liked her. I told her that I really like her. I looked into her eyes and couldn't tell what she was thinking. "I've never had a real boyfriend, ever." This shocked me, she was beautiful, with a feisty personality who wouldn't want to date her? Then things started linking together, maybe it was her, maybe she had a commitment phobia. Would I be able to help her out with that?

We were both drunk, and both very happy. I pulled some clothes out of my suitcase for her and was happy to see Geno had already taken his things out of the room. It would have been a mood killer to walk in on his naked ass in bed. She came out of the bathroom looking so fresh. I didn't think it was possible, but she was even more beautiful with no makeup on, and her hair pulled out of her face. Her green eyes were shining in the minimal light we had in the room, everything about her looked amazing. I headed into the bathroom, splashed some water on my face and took my contacts out. When I walked out she was sitting on the edge of the bed watching me. I turned around to face her and she got up and walked up to me. She placed her hand on the side of my face and immediately I pushed my face into her palm. Wanting to feel her as much as I possible could. It felt like I would lose my life if she took her hand away. I pushed into it and her lips met mine. Once again my legs went weak and I could hear the subtle whispers of Diana Ross crooning into my ears. She deepened the kiss and I wanted to continue but when she pulled away I held myself back. "You have to work with me Max, give me time to adjust to everything." I wanted so badly to lift her up into my arms and kiss her again, but I didn't. She was giving me a chance, she was taking a chance on me. I knew it was going to be a good night.

[fourteen]

Lillianah's POV

Friday morning rolled around all too soon. My mother and sister were under the impression that we were going to the hockey game that night, but I was still undecided. I made my way down the stairs to the two of them chatting it up in the kitchen. "Liz, don't you have kids?" "Charlie took them skiing," she replied so proudly of her husband. I didn't know five year old's could ski, let alone three year old's. I gave her a questioning look but she looked right past it. "What are you wearing tonight?" I poured myself some coffee and looked over at my mom. "I usually wear my pajamas at night." I caught my sister rolling her eyes at me and I went and grabbed the milk out of the fridge. I sat down at the breakfast bar and started thinking. I didn't know how this whole hockey thing works, was he already in town or not yet? Chills went up my spine just thinking about it. Knowing we would be in the same city tonight gave me some excitement, I just wanted to see his smile, just to remind myself that these feelings are in fact real and that my mind isn't playing tricks on me. 

Hiding back in the room I grew up in I pulled my cell phone out of my backpack. Dare I turn it on? I decided against it and headed back down stairs. "Alright I'll go under one condition," I explained to my mom and sister. "And what would that be?" "You do not get to meet him. We're going to the game, we will enjoy ourselves, you two will go home, I'll talk to him, then I will come home. End of story, and don't try to sneak around me and try to meet him, it will get ugly if you do." I turned on my heal and headed back up to the room. What was I going to wear? I dug through my suitcase remembering how badly I stood out and felt uncomfortable at the last game so I headed back downstairs. "I don't know what to wear," I stated worried to how they would react, I dressed a certain way unlike their preppy style, but I wasn't expecting to be going out on my little run away trip. My mom went into her purse and pulled her credit card out, "well get ready, let's go." I groaned to myself as I made my way once again back up the steps. Shopping with my mother? I just keep screwing up don't I?

Was I feeling joy? What the hell is up with my emotions and feelings lately? I was actually enjoying shopping with my mother and sister. We went from one vintage shop to the next and my sister actually told me she wished she could pull off my style, that she really liked it. Seeing certain clothes I think really brought my mom back in time to when she was my age, I was seeing a side of them I had never seen before. We walked into another shop and I started pulling whatever looked awesome off of the racks. The thing with vintage is that you need to mix and match, five articles of clothing could give you a wardrobe for a week. I pulled on a pair of high waisted sailor style slacks that were grey with black piping and looked through the hoards of tops I had pulled down. I came across a sheer black Victorian style button up that had long sleeves and went all the way up your neck, where it ruffled out. I pulled it on, buttoned it up, tucked it into my pants and walked out. "Wow Lily, you look hot," my sister smiled as I turned around for them. "You got a new tattoo," my mother said holding her hand underneath her chin. "You need a jacket over that though," she smiled looking through a rack behind her.

So much for trying to blend in. Who was I kidding though, I wasn't a sport person, I didn't care that I didn't blend in either. I only came to hear what he had to say. I wanted to let him in, allow him to like me that way, but it was so foreign to me. I never in my life had a guy look at me past a piece of ass. He asked me to be his girlfriend. Girlfriend! I double fisted my beers as we made our way down to our seats, three rows up from the ice. The Penguins came out and started skating around right in front of us. "What number is he?" my sister leaned into my shoulder asking not taking her eyes off the players. "Um, 25 I think," I said as my eyes searched the ice, going from one player to another. Number twenty-five, Talbot. He turned around and was talking to the player next to him and he had that smile. Air got caught in my throat and my stomach shrunk to the size of a walnut, I felt my mom's hand grab onto my thigh. I gasped for air and then looked away. Why was this happening to me? "Wow Lily, you do get weak," she said to me picking my beer up off the ground and handing it to me. I couldn't look down there anymore, not with him standing that close to us, smiling. I nearly drowned in my beer before my sister started laughing telling me to calm down. If he does that to me from just looking at him from a distance, what's going to happen when I talk to him?

Max's POV

My gloves were pointing the right way, my sticks were where they should be, and my jersey hadn't been washed, it was going to be a good night for me. Would she show up? I had no clue, I could only hope so. Luckily I don't know where she's sitting so I can't look for her. I was on a five game scoring streak, any slight change in my routine I knew I was doomed. I pulled my socks down from the locker and a book fell to the ground. "The Secret Psychology of How We Fall in Love? FLOWER!!" I sat down and looked around the empty locker room. I held the book in my hand, I was waiting for him to walk through the doors. I had two close calls as Crosby and then Dupuis walked through the door. Finally I heard his little French accent and saw his whispy hair come through the door. I lifted the book in the air and chucked it right at his head. He ducked down only to have it hit Staalsy right in the shoulder. "What the hell Talbot!!" He turned around and picked the book up reading the cover. "Oh this is funny, but I did not do this," he smiled handing the book back to me. "Then who did it?" I asked looking around the room. Then Geno walked through the doors, "oh Talbot you got the book, you like?" I couldn't bring myself to throw it at the poor Russian, it would just confuse him. 

Where were we going to meet after the game if she was here? Would she have her phone? Would it be on? A million questions were going through my head as I laced up my skates. I slapped myself a bit and started focusing on the game. I was on a hot streak, the team was on a hot streak, I couldn't allow a girl to screw that up for me. I took to the ice for the warmups and kept my eyes on the ice. I wasn't going to allow myself to look in the stands. "You're looking mighty pretty tonight Talbot, got a date?" Dupuis asked laughing as he stood next to me. I skated around in circles a bit, hitting him with my shoulder each time I turned around. "Shut up Pas," I hissed just as my eyes hit a beautiful woman in the seats looking like she was hyperventilating, it was Lil. The woman next to her was basically forcing a beer down her throat. She was chugging the beer, what was going on? The woman on her other side saw me watching and formed her fingers together to let me know that she was okay. Now that I knew where she was sitting, how was I ever going to focus on the game.

"Excuse me sir, do you see that beautiful woman sitting right over there, in between the two blonds," I pointed Lil out to one of the attendants in our runway. He nodded his head. "Her name is Lillianah and I have to talk to her after the game, if you can somehow get her down here after the game, if she wants that is, I would greatly appreciate it." He once again nodded his head and I made my way back to the locker room. After getting my head back into the game it was time for us to head back out for the start of the game. Flower and I had our ritual, we would box. Out of no where though his blocker hand slapped me across the face. Then he did it again. "You just bitch slapped me!!!" "Get your head in the game Talbot! No funny business tonight!" I jabbed him right in the mask and we headed out onto the ice. Not once did my eyes look out into the stands, I was having a career night, two goals and an assist after two periods. I had to pull my jersey off in the locker room to make sure I wasn't wearing number 87 or even number 71, nope that's number 25, with my name above it. I didn't want to think about it when we took the ice for the third period, but it was in the back of my head. I didn't have to think about it very long, five minutes into the third period it happened. The puck, that flew off of MY stick, found the back of the net. Never in my life had I enjoyed the sound of seventeen thousand people booing at me. 

My head popped up as I heard a 'Mr. Talbot?' I still had shaving cream smeared all over my face that one of my lovely teammates attacked me with while I was being interviewed, on television. "A Miss Jenkins is outside for you." Miss Jenkins?! I threw a towel over my shoulder and slipped into my shower shoes. I walked out of the locker room and immediately pulled the towel off my shoulder and wiped the rest of the shaving cream off my face. "I'm happy you came," I smiled as she stood in front of me playing with her fingers. "You played a good game, three goals right?" I didn't know why but I was excited that she payed attention to the game. I don't know what else she would have been doing, but it made me happy. "Yeah my first ever hat trick." "Hat trick?" I chuckled a bit, she knew nothing about hockey. "If you score three goals in a game, it's called a hat trick." "Oh." She looked confused, but she wasn't confused about the hockey, she was confused why she was there. I had scared her away, I was a lucky son of a bitch for her to even show up. "So we're staying here tonight before we fly to DC tomorrow afternoon, want to go get a drink?" I was taking a huge leap here. "Yeah, I can do that." "Okay, give me about twenty minutes, I need to shower." She looked me in the eyes and nodded and I froze. The only thing I could do was stand there and stare into her eyes, a goofy smile coming over my face. "If there's a cure for this, I don't want it. If there's a remedy, I'll run from it. Think about it all the time, never let it out of my mind, cause I love you!" SHUT UP DIANA!!

[thirteen]

Max's POV

How many tattoo parlors could there be in Pittsburgh? All I knew was that she walked everywhere she went, so I knew it would be relatively close to her apartment, but that also happened to be the epi-center of tattoo parlors in the city. I was in and out of each shop, looking for her friend Alicia. I was getting ready to give up when I walked around the corner and saw one more shop. I walked in and there was a strawberry blond drawing away at the counter. "How can I hel-" Her eyes grew wide as she stopped, looking up at me. "Alicia right?" I knew it was her, I just wanted to make sure. "Yes. Max. You're Max." I nodded my head and walked up to her. "I need to know where she went." She looked down at her drawing searching for words, then she looked back up at me. "She went to her parents." "Her parents? Did I scare her away THAT bad?" When she didn't say anything I looked down at my feet. I ran her away. I scared her to the point that she went to her parents house, the place she only went to when tragedy struck. What the hell did I do? "Hey Frenchie." I looked up at Alicia who had a smile on her face. "You didn't scare her away, she scared herself away. She's never had real feelings toward a man before so she doesn't know what's going on with herself. She took the train to Philadelphia yesterday, and she didn't buy a return ticket. She's a difficult person to deal with, she's stubborn." This is a good thing right? I like to think this was a good thing.

My mind was everywhere but on the puck that day at practice. "Hey TK, what's our schedule like this week and next, do you know?" I knew I knew, but I just couldn't remember for the life of me. "Uh, two home games Tuesday and Thursday, we're in Phillie on Friday, DC on-" "Phillie on Friday?" "Yeah." A smile came over my face. Figuring we would leave after the game on Thursday, I would have a few hours Friday morning to find her. How was I going to do that though? I needed to talk to Alicia again, hopefully she could help me. "We leaving for Phillie Friday night?" I asked to whoever was still listening to me. "Yeah, right after, stop worrying about the schedule and get into practice!" Coach yelled at me and I fired a few pucks at Flower. "She's in Phillie?" Flower yelled at me as he stopped all of my shots. "Yup," I smiled finally sliding a puck past him, blocker side. 

After practice I zoomed back down to the tattoo shop where Alicia worked. She was in the middle of a tattoo but she smiled at me and asked why I was there. "I'm going to be in Phillie this Friday. I need to talk to her, can you help me?" She pulled away from the guy she was tattooing and allowed him to take a quick break. "She'll kill me if she knows I'm helping you. If I didn't think you were worth I would tell you to get out of my shop, but I'm not. I'll give you her parents address, but you cannot show up at their door. Figure something else out, you don't want to pull her mother into this." She took her gloves off and pulled her cell phone out and started writing an address down on a piece of paper. "You're her best friend, what do you think the best way to talk to her is?" She headed to a sink and started washing her hands. "I honestly don't know what to tell you. She's a difficult person to deal with. She just doesn't realize that she does in fact want you in her life." So the feelings might actually be mutual.

Three days. I had three days to figure out how to get ahold of her without showing up at her door. Then I thought of it, there was only one thing I could do. I didn't want to force her into seeing me, I wanted to give her the option. I woke up early that Tuesday morning and headed down to the Penguins office. "I need three tickets to the game in Phillie this Friday and I need them over nighted to this address," I smiled handing one of the ticket reps her address. "Who should I address them to?" "Lillianah . . ." Oh wow, I don't even know her last name. "Lillianah Raine. Oh and send this note with them." I quickly scribbled down on a piece of paper and handed it to him. Three days.

Lillianah's POV

She was going to make me open up to her if I liked it or not. She was still wondering why I was there to begin with. "Lily what's going on? You haven't said anything since you got in last night." I looked up at my mom but I just couldn't find the words, I didn't even know what I was trying to say. "Lily, are you in trouble?" Yeah, you can say that. "I met a guy," I said just above a whisper as I stabbed at the sausage she just placed in front of me. "Okay, so why are you here?" I really didn't want to get into details, I just wished that those words would explain everything to her. I guess five years away from home really showed that my mom didn't know much about me. "I'm scared of him. He does things to me that I've never felt before in my life. It's confusing the hell out of me. I ran away from it all, I came here. I might have actual feelings toward him. Mom, I don't get feelings toward men, at all. I was actually crying yesterday before I left." I felt like I was going to be on the verge of tears again, but not in front of my mom, I couldn't do that to myself. "Are you in love with him?" What's with this love bullcrap!? "No, I barely know him. Alicia thinks I am, but . . . I don't know. I don't know what love feels like." She poured two mugs of coffee and handed me one. She knew that this was going to be a long day, and I knew that too. "How do you feel when you see him? Like physically, what does your body do?" I looked down at my coffee, black? Was she trying to give me a heart attack. I got up and walked over to the fridge pulling out the milk. "I get weak." I could feel myself getting weak just thinking about him. As I poured the milk into my coffee the tears were once again present. "What the hell!" I shouted as I set the milk down, seeing the tears drop onto the counter top. 

That morning the milk in my coffee quickly turned to Baileys. "Lillianah!" She yelled from the front door. I clenched my eyes closed and then prepared myself. "Hi Liz," I smiled as my sister put a death grip around my body. "Mom called, said it's an emergency, what's going on?" she asked as she pulled away and looked me in the eyes with a very serious look of concern. "Mom," I mumbled as I went back to my coffee. "Your sister is in love," my mom explained to my sister. "Oh that's wonderful Lily!" She was too happy for me, in her khaki pants, baby blue button up collar shirt, and yellow knit vest. "It would be wonderful if she would admit it to herself," my mom continued to explain. This would be perfect, I could let them talk about it for the next few hours and all of my problems would be solved. "Well what's his name?" I went to open my mouth but of course my mother beat me to it. "Max, he plays for the Pittsburgh Penguins." "A hockey player really? Lily I didn't see you as the type to go for an athlete." "It's not my type to have a real relationship period!"

I woke up Wednesday morning with a throbbing headache, I did more drinking at my parents house than I did in a month at the club. I rolled over and looked at the alarm clock. "Midnight?! What?!" I looked toward the window and saw sun peaking through. "Oh, noon, wow." I climbed out of bed and took a cold shower. As I made my way downstairs I could hear my sisters voice and immediately wanted to sneak out of the house somehow. Is there a second story window I can jump to safety from? I took a deep breath and continued my way into the kitchen. "Oh Lily, something just arrived for you from Pittsburgh. It's addressed to Lillianah Raine though, what's that about?" My mom handed me a FedEx envelope and I laughed looking at the name. He doesn't know my last name. I ripped it open and pulled out a note written on Penguins stationary and tried to calm my breathing before I read it. 'Lil, I'm sorry. We will be in Phillie on Friday and I've included three tickets to the game for you. You don't have to come, I just want you to have them, just in case. I want to talk to you. Max.' I reached back into the envelope and pulled out three tickets for that Friday nights game. "Are those hockey tickets?" Liz asked with a little too much excitement in her voice. She snatched them out of my hands and looked at them. "Oh there's three, oh we're going to have so much fun!" "Who said we were going?" Of all the weeks to come, I came the week my father was away on business, he was the only one that would keep my mother and sister from eating me alive. 

[twelve]

Lillianah's POV

The city became toxic to me, and I knew there was only one thing that I needed to do. Run away. For Alicia to tell me I was falling in love scared the crap out of me. So much so that I called my mother. She was going to be picking me up from the train station in Philadelphia later that night. My bags were packed, all of my appliances were turned off, King was under the watchful protection of Alicia, and I took one last look around my apartment. I didn't know when the next time I would see it would be. After my little breakdown at work, my boss allowed me to take as much time as I needed, which was greatly appreciated. As I got downstairs, I knew I couldn't just leave Max without letting him know I didn't die. I'm sure he would have figured it out on his own anyways, but still I couldn't just leave without letting him know I was okay. Hopefully the time we spend apart, he will find some new girl, and let me fall back into my old lifestyle of being sure of what I want in my life.

I stopped at the Starbucks, grabbing my usual. I pulled a pen out of my purse and quickly scribbled a note to Max on a napkin. 'Max, I'm sorry, but I'm running away for awhile. Don't know when I will return. Lil.' I kept myself from writing 'P.S. I'm leaving because I might be in love with you', just thinking of the word was making my stomach weak. I walked to his apartment and wanted to throw up as I rode the elevator up. I stopped in front of his door and for a moment I was questioning what I was doing. Why was I running away? The door behind me opened and snapped me out of my trance, I bent down and slid the napkin under his door with the help of a bobby pin. I quickly headed back to the elevator, which Max's neighbor nicely held open for me. "Suitcase, note under Max's door, are you breaking his heart?" the guy laughed and I looked over at him. "I'm only doing what's best for the both of us," I smiled then looked back at the numbers ticking down. I wanted to kick myself, were those tears I felt on my face? I quickly wiped them away with my sweatshirt sleeve, but that didn't stop them. I felt the guys arm hit mine and looked down to see he was offering me a tissue. "Thank you," I mutter. "This must be the first time you've fallen in love, and you're scared. Sometimes getting away to think about it, outside of your element is the best thing to do. Hopefully Max will understand," he explained to me and I could only look at him and smile. What the hell does this guy know?

A seven hour train ride gave me plenty of time to think of what I wanted to tell my mom when I saw her. I never went home voluntarily, so I'm sure she's twiddling her thumbs wondering what's wrong. I didn't know what to think on the ride to Phillie, at some points I regretting going to my parents instead of going somewhere else, alone. I knew I was the child that fucked up in my mother's eyes. My older sister was her angel. Married with two beautiful children that were housing Lucifer inside of their bodies. I was the black sheep of the family. Dyed my hair black right after I graduated high school, moved to Pittsburgh and started getting tattoos. I'm pretty sure my mom was more pissed off about dying my toe-head blond hair black then she was the tattoos. Then of course, I didn't go to college. I was the failure, and my mother blamed it on herself. That's why I left the city. It tore me apart hearing my mother beat herself up for me not wanting to be in the 'norm'. 

"Miss, miss we're in Philadelphia," I heard a man whisper to me all while shaking my shoulder. I opened my eyes and saw that most of the people on the train were already gone. Oh damnit, I fell asleep. I didn't have time to mentally prepare myself for my mother. I grabbed my bag, and the gentleman handed me my suitcase. I climbed off the train and headed into the station. I looked around and didn't see her anywhere. Wonderful, she probably forgot. "Lily!" I turned around and saw her come out of the bathroom. At that moment I wished she really did forget. "Hi mom," I forced a smile on my face and pulled her into a hug. 

Max's POV

The moment I get back to Pittsburgh, I'm going to knock on her door and tell her how I feel. I was just hoping that when I saw her, I would be able to decipher all of the feelings going on in my body and translate them into words for her. How does one describe the feeling of your stomach being rung out like a wet rag? Twisted and turning, making you double over in pain. How can I talk to her though when every time I see her I lose my breath and have to gasp for air? How do I tell her she makes me feel like I'm suffocating in a zip-lock bag that's sitting on top of a stove? How does one take those feelings, turn them into words and make it sound somewhat romantic. Most of all, how can I hear how she replies when every time I see her all I can hear is Diana Ross singing ballads in my ears!? I had two hours before we touched down in Pittsburgh to come up with something good to say. 

I started writing out a script, but when I read it back to myself it sounded so fake. This was not going to be easy. "What's this?" Flower asked as he snatched it out of my hands. "Fleury, don't. Please," I pleaded clenching a fist. "Talbot, relax if anyone knows how to truly win the heart of a woman it's me." He looked down at the napkin I had been scribbling on for the first hour of the flight. After a few dreadful minutes Flower handed the napkin back to me and just shook his head. "I'm happy for you Talbot, but this, this won't do. You're making it sound like what women want to hear, but from what you've told me, she's not like other women. You need to throw that away and just tell her everything when you see her. Tell her what she puts you through. Ask her if she feels the same way. You have to throw everything out there, or you'll regret that you didn't." I hung my head and crumbled the napkin in my hand. Who was I kidding, I was a playboy, I wasn't breed to fall in love. 

The roads felt empty, fresh snow blanketed over the city and there were still New Years decorations hanging up throughout the streets. Something felt missing though, what was wrong with the city? I sped home because I wanted to shower before I saw her, I didn't feel presentable. I jogged into my building and caught the elevator just as the doors were shutting. "Hey Dave," I greeted my neighbor. "Dude, you're like 30 minutes too late." I looked at him confused. "She had a suitcase, looked like she was leaving town." "WHAT!?" My heart was pounding through my chest. She was here? She had a suitcase? I felt like I was going to hyperventilate. The elevator was moving in slow motion and I felt like I was getting dizzy. "She stuck something under your door though." The minute the elevator open I gasped for air and ran to my door. It took me a minute to get my key in the door as my hands were shaking. I opened the door and saw a Starbucks napkin lying on the ground. I dropped my bag and picked the napkin up. 

I found myself speeding through the city once again, I hated that Flower moved out of downtown, it took a whole extra fifteen minutes to get to his house. I pounded on his door, this was an emergency, knocking wouldn't cut it. He swung the door open looking pissed off then saw me and motioned for me to walk in. I sat down at his kitchen table and handed him the Starbucks napkin. "What are you going to do?" he asked after reading it. "I already tried calling her on my way over here, but it went straight to voicemail. I keep playing it through my head, what did I do to make her run away?" I dug the palms of my hands into my eyes. Now I was the one that wanted to run away. My head popped up. "I have to go get her, I have to tell her how I feel. She ran to see if I would chase after her!" Flower took a big deep breath and got up from his seat. I watched him walk into the kitchen and he pulled out a bottle of Jack. "You can't go after her Max. She probably needs time to think about what she wants, and you have hockey to play. Anyways, how will you know where she went?" He poured me a glass and slid it across the table to me. 

[eleven]

Max's POV

The events of the night and the next morning kept playing through my head. I was so stupid. She had me in my boxers, and I asked her to be my girlfriend. Like it would be wrong of me to sleep with her if she wasn't my girlfriend. Thinking back though, I didn't want to sleep with her. I didn't want her to just be a girl. I wanted her to be my girl. Why did I have to sound like such a dumbass though? I didn't get much sleep that night, she insisted I stay due to the bad weather outside. I took the couch and tossed and turned, trying to figure out what the hell I did. I headed out of her place around 6 AM when the wind finally died down. I had left her a note wishing her a Merry Christmas and took my walk of shame home. 

Ow! What the hell? Ow! "What the hell are you guys doing?" I shouted as I started ducking from the pucks flying at me. "No Talbot, what the hell are you doing?" TK shouted at me just as I ducked from a slap shot that came off the end of his stick. I started firing the pucks back. "Hit the shower, we're going to lunch," Flower said as he skated by, he wasn't phased by the flying pucks, which he shouldn't be. He's a goalie stupid! 

I didn't realize until I got out of the shower that they had planned a team intervention. Everyone that didn't have a wife to go home to, dragged me to the brewery I loved so much. I walked in and laughed as I saw a big red heart pinned to my jersey hanging above the bar. "You're shitting me right?" I asked pointing up to it. "Max, sit down. Let's talk like girlfriends shall we?" Crosby laughed. "Girlfriend, that's the word that got me in this mess." I heard Crosby, Flower and TK take a deep breath and we all crowded into the one huge booth in the corner. They pinned me in the middle, there was no way for me to escape, unless I climbed under the table and made a run for it that way, but weaving my way through fourteen legs seemed impossible. "Christmas Eve, what happened?" I looked over at Tanger and then my head dropped. I was crumbling, I was becoming weak, I was becoming a pussy. The biggest pussy in the NHL.

Everything was thrown on the table and the guys were looking from one to the other, looking for the right thing to say. "Have you called her since then?" Staalsy finally asked after some awkward silence. I shook my head no, I was scared, what would I tell her? "Talbot," Tanger nearly shouted like he had just discovered a pot of gold. "You're falling in love." "LOVE!?" It felt like my eyes were bulging out of my head. Slowly, one by one everyone started nodding their heads. "I don't even know what love is though, how can I fall in love? Anyways, I barely know her, we've only been talking for like a month and a half now." "Yeah, but you've had your eye on her for nearly six months. If you didn't love the girl you would have slept with her and just treated her like any other girl. Time to take a step back and look at the situation Max, we wouldn't lie to you," Flower explained before shoving his face with a burger. He had a point. It took me a while to admit to myself that I wanted a girlfriend, and then even longer to admit that I liked her more than just a 'buddy'. How was I going to admit to myself that I might actually be in love with her? Love!? No, they're crazy. I'm not in love, I need to snap out of this sappy bullshit. I need to be a man, not a pussy.

Lillianah's POV

Alicia nearly spit out her coffee when I told her what had happened between Max and I. "He actually stopped and asked you to be his girlfriend?" "Yeah pretty much," I laughed sipping on my Americano. "And then what did you do?" I looked down at my hands, "I crawled off of him, put my bra back on and went into the bathroom. When I came out he was getting ready to leave, but I told him to stay. He slept on the couch, and when I woke up he was gone but he left a note wishing me a merry Christmas." I never looked up from my hands. Why was I mad at myself? Why didn't I do something? "Lil," she said just above a whisper and I looked up at her. "You're falling in love with him." "LOVE?!" I quickly ducked my head a bit as everyone in the Starbucks looked over at me. "I don't know what love is. I can't be falling into it. I barely know him." "If you weren't falling in love with him, you would still be sleeping with Aaron. You would still be giving lap dances to random guys in the club, but you're starting to settle down a bit. Trust me, I'm scared for you." Alicia, my best friend, I love her with all of my life, but she was talking crazy. This was stupid.

Cold water ran down my back and I could only hope that it would freeze my brain, get me to stop thinking. I also wanted it to freeze the pain I was feeling in my chest. It was weird. I got out of the shower, toweled myself off and went searching for clothes for work. I didn't feel like working, but I knew that was probably going to be the only thing to get my mind off of him. I pulled on a white bikini top, skinny black jeans and white furry boots that I never wear. Tonight I was looking for a man. I had taken my corn rows out because it felt like botox gone wrong the way my hair was pulling on my skin so I allowed my hair to fall into its natural waves. I applied some black eyeliner and mascara and I was out the door. I was on the prowl, I had to get my mind off of him.

I figured the crowd wasn't going to be very big considering it was December 30th and everyone wanted to save their energy for New Years, but I was wrong. "So that's why you've been covering up these past few weeks," my boss Andrew laughed as I pulled my coat off. "Yeah, had to allow it to heal, good to go now," I smiled as I grabbed my bag and headed up to the booth. The dance floor was packed with people and it made me happy, I loved seeing people dance. 

The house was bouncing, I was in the zone and spotted a European looking type guy in the lounge who wouldn't stop looking at me. I motioned for him to join me and he didn't hesitate. His hand quickly found my hip and I grinded my butt into his crotch as I felt his lips on my neck. I didn't care who he was, or what he was about, but all I could feel were his lips on my neck nothing else. There were no butterflies or electric shocks, just skin touching skin, and that's how I liked it. I pulled up my favorite J. Holiday song and grinded with him to the beat. "Wanna put my fingers through your hair, wrap me up in your legs, and love you till your eyes roll back. I'm tryin' put you to bed, bed, bed, I'mma put you to bed, bed, bed." My eyes flew wide open, all of a sudden he was in my mind and I couldn't get him out. That smile, those stitches, that black eye. I froze looking out over the dance floor and suddenly couldn't breath. I tried gasping for air, but nothing was coming up. I tried to drink water, but it got caught in my throat and wouldn't go down. I quickly put on a playlist and darted out of there, leaving the guy pissed off. I hid in the back room until I could catch my breath. What was happening to me!?

[ten]

Lillianah's POV

The waiting game was getting old and I knew my power wasn't going to be on anytime soon. It was one of the worst winter storms Pittsburgh had seen in many years. My apartment was starting to get cold and I knew I was abandoned in the city. It was Christmas Eve, everyone fled Pittsburgh a few days ago. I went out on a limb and sent a text message to the one person I thought might still be in Pittsburgh. Are you still in the city? I headed into my bedroom and pulled out my blankets. I heard my phone beep and I read his message. Yes, and my power is out, can I come over? I smiled to myself. I actually smiled. Was this going to turn into the modern day baby boom? My power is out too, maybe we can keep each other warm.

Twenty minutes later there was a knock on the door. I swung the door open and was greeted by Max with a few bottles of wine in his arms. "Alcohol keeps you warm," he smiled as he walked in. I know of a few other ways to keep warm. He set his bag down on my kitchen table and pulled out about a dozen candles, which I was thankful for. The three candles I owned were not keeping my apartment nice and bright. "Alcohol and candles usually don't mix very well," I laughed as I lit one, setting it down next to the sink. I looked over at him and he had an eyebrow raised and a devilish smile. Was tonight finally going to be the night?

Candles and empty wine bottles surrounded us on the floor. A rare genuine smile was plastered on my face and I knew it was from the mass amout of wine I had just consumed. "We should play strip poker," he laughed falling back onto a mound of pillows. "It's freezing in here and you want to take clothes off?" He didn't reply, just laughed. He sat up and grabbed my deck of cards off the coffee table and started shuffling. That smile was back on his face, and I couldn't resist. "Okay hold on, I have to pee." I headed into my bedroom with a candle and stripped down. I slipped into new black lace underwear and a black bra that was completely see through. This was unlike me, but all of these ideas were popping into my head of what I could do to him. I then tossed on two layers of clothes and met him with a smile.

Three hands into the game he was missing his coat, button-up shirt and socks. "I'll have you naked in no time," I winked at him as he dealt the cards. I spoke too soon, damnit! One hand after another, pj bottoms, sweatshirt, boxers, socks and earrings. He said the earrings didn't count but I didn't care. I sat there in my underwear, bra and tank top holding pocket queens. He laid down the flop, a two, a ten and a queen. The game was turning my direction and I knew I had him pinned with a three of a kind. Then came a three, and then finally an ace. Smiles came over both of our faces as we laid down our cards at the same time. What the hell? He laid down pocket aces, making it a three of kind, beating my cards. "Tank top," he smiled and I stood up and pulled my tank top off. "What is that?" he shouted jumping up grabbing me by my hips. "When did you get this?" He turned me with his hands so he was now looking at the tattoo straight on. "Uh, two weeks ago, it's still healing so be gentle," I winced as I felt his fingers roll over my ribs. "So while I was in California, it's beautiful, and uh, oh wow." His eyes went up my body, then back down. My fingers ran along the bottom of his white t-shirt and I grabbed on and gently lifted his shirt up over his head. "That's cheating," he smiled as we inched closer together. "My house, my rules."

Max's POV

Christmas was a time to be spent with family and friends, yet this year I wasn't in the spirit. I wanted to take the time and heal my sore 84 year old body, drink wine and watch movies. I was two for three in my efforts, I was relaxed and the wine was flowing. As for the movies, you kind of need electricity to watch them. The snow and temperature was falling quickly, but there was only so much I could do to keep warm. Within minutes I found myself walking to Lily's place so we could keep each other warm.

A lot of things about her came out after a few glasses of wine. I was liking her more and more by the minute and I just wanted to taste her lips. "We should play strip poker." I fell back onto the pillows behind me and laughed nervously, I couldn't believe I just suggested to play strip poker. "It's freezing in here and you want to take clothes off?" Well yeah, that's the whole point. I sat back up and grabbed a deck of cards. I could tell she was seriously thinking about it, and I was becoming very, very nervous. She went to the bathroom and came back out and I dealt the cards. The first three hands, I kept the cards to myself, allowing her to win. Off went my jacket, collar shirt and socks. She was getting cocky so I didn't hold back any longer, and I really wanted to see her underwear. I won the next hand and she slipped out of her pj bottoms and I was slightly disappointed to see a pair of boxers. Then went the sweatshirt, socks and the boxers. Sexy black lace underwear that was about to throw me off my game. I won the next hand and was anxious to see if her bra matched, but then she started taking her earrings off. "No, article of clothing! Earrings don't count," I pouted. "We never really did determine the rules before we started."

I held pocket aces in my hand, and I felt like allowing her to win this hand, she was nearly naked, and I was still dressed, I wanted it to be fair. I looked over at her and she was smiling down at her cards. She was holding something good, maybe I shouldn't back down. We laid down our cards, my three of kind beat her three of a kind and I told her to take the tank top off. As she lifted it over her head a tattoo that I had never seen before somehow appeared on the side of her body. "What is that?!" I gentle ran my fingers over her skin and could tell it was a brand new tattoo. It was a very French looking tattoo and I was in love with it. My eyes lingered up to her breasts, her face, then back down and before I knew it she was pulling my shirt off.

My legs almost went out from underneath me as our lips crashed on each other. I felt like I had been electrocuted as my skin became very sensitive to her touch and the tips of my fingers were tingling. I reached behind her and unsnapped her bra, sliding the straps down her arms. She took my glasses off and set them down on the coffee table. Just from the apartment being so cold, her nipples were already hard and I could feel them push into my chest. My stomach flipped upside down as I felt her fingers run through my hair. Never in my life have I felt so out of touch with the world when I've been with a woman. I felt her tongue dart in and out of my mouth as she dragged me into the bedroom, throwing me onto the bed. She stood above me and began to unbuckle my belt, then dragged my pants down to the ground. She climbed on top of me and slowly began kissing me from my mouth down to my nipples. I've been waiting for this for a long time. "Lily," I moaned. She stopped what she was doing and looked me straight in the eye. "Don't call me Lily, if anything, call me Lil. My mother calls me Lily." I felt her lips once again on my skin. "Lil, stop." She continued. I grabbed onto her shoulders and lifted her off of me. "I don't want to sleep with you." What?! What did I just say? "I want you to be more than just a lay, I want you to be my girlfriend." Max Talbot did you just use the 'G' word?

Lillianah's POV

Gir-girlfr . . .  GIRLFRIEND!?

[nine]

Max's POV

My eyes were starting to water, there was only so much I could handle starring at my phone. I called her twice after returning from the west coast, only leaving one message. I looked at the clock, 11:30 PM. Fuck it. I pulled on my coat, grabbed my keys, my phone, my wallet and I was out the door. I got to my car, but the cold air on my face was what I needed at the moment, so I walked to the club. I walked in and looked up. Was that her? She swayed her hips a bit and I smiled, it was her. Her hair was in a ponytail on the side of her head, and she was wearing baggy jeans with untied boots, a black shirt with gold splattered all over it and a few chains hung from her neck. She looked like a rapper. As I headed up the stairs I noticed her hair was in cornrows, going diagonally across her head to where the ponytail was. As ghetto-beautiful as she was, she was still the most beautiful girl in the club. 

I sat back for a little bit watching her, sipping on a glass of whiskey. How can one woman put such a spell on me? I couldn't hear the music she was playing, I couldn't hear the people around me, all my senses were put in to watching her. I finally found some confidence in my body, got up and walked over to her. As I walked up she turned and saw me, a smile came over her face and I think I might of blushed a little. "Hey stranger," she smiled pulling me into the booth with her. She pulled her headphones off and pulled me into a hug. I wrapped my arms around her shoulders and she smelt like strawberries. "I'm off in about ten minutes, want to go grab a bite to eat?" she shouted to me over the music and I smiled nodding my head. She put her headphones back on and I crept away, heading back into the lounge. 

She was in an odd mood, full of energy. She didn't mind the ice on the ground, she would run a bit and go sliding across it. "Wow you must have missed me if you're this excited," I laughed at my sad attempt of a joke. She laughed a bit then turned around to look at me. "I'm not use to getting off at midnight, so I still have two hours in me before I crash." I continued to laugh as we walked, and then she grabbed my arm and dragged me into a diner. "So I want to know more about you," I smiled at her as I stirred my chocolate milkshake. "Well I'm a leftie," she smiled holding her left hand up in the air. "That's a start, what about family? Parents? Siblings?" Oh crap, I think I might have hit a sore spot. Her smile faded a bit and she looked down at her plate of french fries. She picked one up, dipped it in my shake then laughed a bit before eating it. "I've been home twice in the last five years. Both times were for funerals, both of my grandmothers. My family is your perfect, white collar, poodle loving yuppies. I have an older sister who's married with two kids. Had I of followed their mold of a perfect lifestyle I would already be married with a one year old, and I'm only 23." I couldn't help but find that very attractive about her, it showed she was independent and strayed away from the norm. "So you will be here for Christmas then?" "Yeah, you heading home? Where is home for you?" To be honest, I didn't know what I was doing for the holidays yet, we only had two days off. "Home is Lemoyne, Quebec, and I don't know what I'm doing yet. I'm not feeling very festive this year." 

It was clear she was starting to lose her energy as we walked to her apartment. "I really like your corn rows," I smiled pointing to her head as she pulled her hood off to run her fingers over her hair. "Thanks, I've been wanting to do it for a while now, so I finally went and got it done." We walked in silence and I had to keep myself from grabbing her hand. "Well this is me," she smiled looking up at her building. She started playing with her keys as she continued to smile at me. Didn't I see this in a movie? When she's playing with her keys that means she doesn't want the night to end or something? Will Smith? What? I snapped myself out of my confused movie knowledge and smiled back. "Well have a good Christmas if I don't see you before then." I pulled her into a hug and then waved goodbye. Why am I walking away? I hate myself.

Lillianah's POV

Getting a tattoo wasn't nearly as painful as having your hair braided into cornrows. I pushed myself through it though, I wanted them and I wasn't going to stop because it was too painful. "Has he called you?" Alicia asked as she read through a magazine. "Yeah, twice. Left a voicemail saying he was back in town and would like to see me." "Well are you going to call him back?" I thought about it for a moment. I was planning on calling him, I just didn't know when. "Tomorrow I will." I was spun around in the chair and I looked at myself in the mirror. I looked like an older Lady Sovereign and I loved it. It was ghetto-fabulous. 

I was channeling my inner gangster that night at work. Baggy jeans, Timberland boots, untied, a black t-shirt with 'Drop Beats Not Bombs' writing in gold on the front, and a few cheap chains I had picked up at the costume store. I was a complete poser. It was an early night for me, the club had a guest DJ coming in for the last two hours of the night, and I wasn't complaining. I was looking forward to an extra two hours of sleep. I looked down at my watch, it was 11:50, I had ten more minutes. I saw someone walking my way and when I turned to see who it was a huge smile came over my face. I pulled him into my booth and wrapped my arms around his waist. I didn't want him squeezing me around my tattoo. It was still tender. So much for waiting to call him. I looked past him while we were still hugging and didn't see any of the guys he was usually with. Did he come just to see me? "I'm off in about ten minutes, want to go grab a bite to eat?" All he could do was nod his head. 

If I wasn't so hungry I would take him back to my apartment and have some fun with him, but my stomach was growling at me. We sat in an empty diner and I ordered my usual plate of french fries. The perfect food to absorb all the alcohol I had consumed while working. When my fries and his milkshake came, I was so tempted to start dipping my fries in his shake, but I knew I had better manners than that. He started asking about me, and I had no problem with that, until he asked about my family. I didn't know how to explain them to him. They are so different from me, it's frightening. I took a deep breath and lunged forward with my french fry, dipping it in his shake. So much for manners. "I've been home twice in the last five years. Both times were for funerals, both of my grandmothers." I knew I was jumping in deep with him, but if he asked then I shall tell. I wasn't hiding anything. It's plain and simple, I don't fit in with my family.

I stopped outside of my apartment building and these sensations came over my body. I really wanted to kiss him. Kiss him on the lips this time. I wanted to bring him upstairs and show him my place, I wanted to learn more about him. Were these feelings I was . . . feeling? He wrapped his arms around my waist and squeezed me into a tight hug. I bit my bottom lip as my tattoo was still very, very sensitive and my t-shirt rubbing against it from the hug wasn't feeling that great. He pulled away from the hug and waved as he walked away. He's walking away? What's wrong with me? Why can't I get him to stay?

[eight]

Max

The looks the guys were giving me weren't bothering me one bit, in fact, I just ignored them. Was I falling? Hell yeah I was, and I wasn't scared to admit it . . . to myself. The guys were picking up on it though. "Talbot, what's wrong with you? Did you finally get laid last night?" Flower asked leaning across the aisle. "No, not yet," was all I could muster out before putting my earphones in. I wanted to sleep on the flight to Colorado, and I wanted to dream about her. Her black wavy hair, red highlights, green eyes, legs for miles, it was the exact image I was hoping for before falling asleep. Then I felt water roll down my forehead. "What the hell Geno?" "You smile while sleep?" I shrugged it off and turned to my side, leaning up against the window. 

A snap of the wrist and the puck found the back of the net. "Yeah boys!!" I yelled as I was attacked by my linemates. My fourth goal in just two games, I knew it was going to be an amazing road trip. "I like you so much better when you're in love," Sidney yelled to me and I could have sworn his voice cracked a bit. Is the kid still going through puberty? Wait did he just say I was in love? I face washed him with my glove and skated over to the bench. "Bout time you got your grove back Stella," TK said to me as I sat down on the bench next to him. I was on a natural high, I love this game!

We won both of our games in Denver and in San Jose, next up was LA. I was looking forward to spending the few free hours we had before the game that night on the beach, getting a nice change in climate for a few hours. TK, Geno and I headed out after a quick team lunch and their eyes were going from one girl to the next. Usually I was the one wrangling up a few for us to party with, but not today. My mind was on her. I squished the sand in my toes and watched Geno's sad attempts of trying to pick up a girl. Back in Pittsburgh if he did this, he'd have ten girls easy, but out here in LA, they're all beautiful and not a single one knows who he is. I pulled my cell phone out of my pocket and hesitated at first. What do I say to her? Well it's probably snowing, so I can make her jealous a bit. Just to get her thinking about me a little bit longer than she would with anyone else that sent her a typical 'how are you doing?' text message. Just thought I'd let you know it's 75 degrees and sunny here in LA. It didn't bother me when I didn't get a response, I figured she was probably working or getting ready for work.

Patrick O'Sullivan and his toothless smile. If he had any teeth, I would knock the rest of them out. I broke my stick as I headed back to the locker room. I was pissed off. Did I have to smear my blood on the ref for him to see O'Sullivan should have gotten a double minor for smacking me in the face with his stick?! I sat on the bed and took a deep breath. I somehow found pleasure in getting stitches without being numb. Feeling the suture pull through the skin, it sent sensations through my body that I enjoyed. Six stitches later I found myself back on the bench with the boys.

My black eye was now complete with the stitches underneath, would this be a turn on for her? I had Flower snap a picture of my eye in the elevator and quickly sent it to her. We got off on our floor and started walking toward our rooms, just as I inserting my key my phone went off. The boys stopped in the hall and turned and looked at me. "Well what did she say? Say you're ugly, bout time someone does!" TK laughed walking up to me. I opened my phone and my mouth dropped. Those legs, oh wow. "Well?" Flower asked raising his eyebrows at me. "I can't show you," I smiled closing my phone, only to have it snatched out of my hands from behind me. "Damnit Crosby." He flipped my phone open and TK, Flower and Tanger gathered around him. "Holy shit!" All I could do was smile. I grabbed my phone and finally opened my door. "See ya in the morning boys."

That night was the best sleep I ever had. I knew the minute I got back to Pittsburgh I would finally face my fears and make things happen with her. I had six days to come up with a plan. Being away from her would help think of something, but I only feared the minute I saw her I would once again, turn to stone. I was in new territory, and it was irritating. She's intoxicating, and when I get too much of her, my vision gets all blurry, I can't move like I normal can, my words slur and I'm pretty much in a damn coma. Six more days.

[seven]

Lillianah

I found pleasure in the pain that tattooing brought to me. I had been shutting out Aaron night and night again, to the point that he hasn't knocked in a week. Feeling the needle drag along my rib cage was fixing my sexual frustration. Alicia was on the second day, and sixth hour working on my tattoo. It looked like a vintage rod iron fence with a beautiful fleur-de-lis resting on it sideways. Even though I couldn't really see it, I could tell it was turning in to that stunning black and white tattoo I had imagined.

Alicia was a rock star, she pushed through it and finished my tattoo with a hour to spare before I had to head to work. I jumped up from the bed and jogged to the mirror. My skin was raised and red, and bleeding, but through it all I saw a beautiful tattoo and I couldn't wait to start showing it off at work. "Damn Alicia, I wish I had half the artistic skills you have," I laughed still starring at myself in the mirror. "You better get going or you'll be late for work," she laughed as she wrapped me up with seran wrap. I pulled my jacket on, gave her a hug and made my way home.

"Hey stranger," I turned around to see Aaron walking behind me. "Hi Aaron, how are you?" "Lonely," he laughed as we walked through the front door of our building. "Did you get a boyfriend or something?" I looked at him and he was being serious. "No, I've just been super busy lately, and it's wearing me out." Please, we all know why I've been avoiding Aaron, and it's that damn uppy French-Canadian. "Oh alright, well you know where to find me whenever, you know," he smiled and winked at me as we went up the stairs in silence.

Speaking of that uppy French-Canadian, it had been four or five days since I last saw him at his place. I probably left him with blue balls, the poor kid. All I knew was that he was on the West coast, and I wish I was too, instead of being stuck in Pittsburgh in the snow. As I walked into my apartment I heard my phone beep, I pulled out my phone to see it was a text message from him. Just thought I'd let you know it's 75 degrees and sunny here in LA. Oh that asshole. Was he just reading my mind? Can we read each other's minds?!

I slipped into a lose fitting, super short jersey dress and pulled on knee high boots. My boss always tells me the higher the heel the better, but because I'm already five foot seven, I don't wear anything over three inches. Five foot ten is where I top out. I pulled on my long trench coat and headed to the club. I really did love my job, and there was nothing else at that point in my life that I wanted to do. Twenty-three years old, no degree, no experience in anything other than mixing music. I was probably happier than most uppy CEO's with a dozen or so degrees. 

For some reason, I had no control over what music I pulled up that night. I was never one to play songs you hear obsessively on the radio all day long, but that's what I found myself doing. Lots of Kanye West, Rihanna, T.I., Lady Gaga and Beyonce. Half way through the night I checked my phone to see if Alicia was going to be coming down or not, but I saw I had a text message from Max. I opened it up and it was a picture, below his black eye were now a few stitches. Still think I'm a beauty? I laughed to myself and then pulled up a Pussycat Doll song. "Baby won't you take me out of this club, I wanna be with you. Baby let me take you out of this club, I make your dreams come true." I smiled to myself then quickly mixed the song into something else. What the hell was happening to me? Playing sappy music, smiling about a guy, wishing he was here . . . what?! I hiked up my dress a bit and snapped a picture of my legs. Not as beautiful as these babies. 

[six]

Lillianah's POV

We drank more than I'm sure we planned on drinking. Max would run a little bit on his toes before he would slide across the ice on the sidewalk. "You're going to end up on your ass," I shouted to him just as I slipped a little bit, but managed to keep my balance. We made it to his apartment building in one piece and stumbled into the elevator. "Know what sounds so good right now?" he asked leaning his head back against the wall. "S'mores," I smiled looking over at him. "You can read minds?" he laughed. "Really, you were thinking s'mores? I make one killer s'more." "Yes I was thinking s'mores!" The elevator opened and he jogged down to his door, swinging it open for me to walk in. I threw my coat on the coat rack and went straight to the kitchen. I opened the pantry and pulled out the chocolate and marshmallows. I set them on the counter and put my attention back on the pantry where I looked for the graham crackers. I felt his hand on my hip and I saw his arm reach above me where he pulled the crackers down. I turned around and smiled at him, he now had his glasses on. I loved him in glasses.

I lightly pushed him out of the kitchen. "You can't see how I make them," I laughed as he tried to walk back in. "Max, go sit in the living room, I'll bring them to you." He shot me that smile and headed to the living room where I heard the TV turn on. I knew I made the best s'mores this side of the Mississippi, there was no question about that. I'm sure I would win contests if there was such a thing. I made six beautiful, gooey s'mores and took them into the living room with two glasses of milk. I set them down on the coffee table and Max immediately grabbed one and shoved it into his mouth. "Oh wow," he moaned while still chewing. "How do you get them that gooey?" "It's a secret. If I told you I would have to kill you," I smiled before biting into my own. It really was perfection, I outdid myself this time.

After Max had his fourth and final s'more I started licking the melted marshmallows and chocolate off my fingers. I could feel him watching me, but I didn't take my attention off my fingers. I licked the last of the chocolate off my thumb and finally looked at Max who once again had that smile on his face, and chocolate on the corner of his mouth. I laughed and he held his hand in front of my face. "Can you help me out?" I looked at his hand and his fingers were covered in chocolate, he almost looked like a little kid. Do I dare cross this line with him? I took his hand in mine and slowly started licking the chocolate off of his fingers. Sucking especially hard on the tips of his fingers. He squirmed a little bit on the sofa and I adjusted myself so I was facing him head on. At one point his eyes closed and I knew I had him where I wanted him. I licked the rest of the chocolate off of his palm and he was now looking at me without a smile. "Oh wait, I forgot this," I smiled and I leaned forward and sucked the chocolate off the corner of his mouth. I felt him move his head to put his lips directly on mine, but I pulled away before he could. I winked at him before making my way back into the kitchen.

I knew I had him right where I wanted him, I was in charge. I wasn't going to be one of those girls he uses and disposes of the next morning. I felt like there was something special between him and I, but I didn't want him to know that. I had a rep to keep up, and liking someone like Max would ruin that rep for me. It was unlike me though to actually have a flirtatious friendship with him. Alicia was right though, I'm a playgirl and he's a playboy, it would never work. I can't have a relationship until I grow up, and right now, I don't really want to grow up.

Max's POV

I drank too much, she drank too much, but damn I was feeling good. I really badly wanted s'mores and I started thinking to myself if I had what I needed to make s'mores. I guess I would have to figure it out once we got back to my place. My mind went from s'mores back to Lillianah. She really was amazing, and I know the guys would be proud of me for finally breaking the ice with her. Flower was right though, it would be hard to actually have a relationship with her. I know I'm a playboy, and she really is a playgirl, which I was hoping wasn't true, but it's just something I will have to deal with. "Know what sounds so good right now?" My mind was back on s'mores as we rode the elevator up to my apartment. "S'mores," she simply said and I was in shock. How did she know that? Did I mention s'mores earlier? She's my soul mate. That's it. That's the sign God was sending me to let me know not to fuck this one up. I was so excited for the s'mores that I jogged down to my apartment and swung the door open real quick to let Lily walk in.

She brought out six gooey s'more goodness and I jumped right in. "Oh wow," I didn't mean to talk with my mouth full, but they were really good. The marshmallow and chocolate was running down my fingers, but I didn't care, I ate one after another, four in total. I looked down at my hands and they were a mess, I was just about to get up to wash them when I saw her licking her fingers. One finger at a time, in and out of her mouth. Her eyes closed, cheeks sunken in, I wanted those fingers in my mouth. She caught me watching her and started to laugh. "Can you help me out?" I asked holding my hand in front of her. Wow, did I just make a move on her? She took my hand in hers and slowly began sucking on each finger, rubbing her teeth gently against the tips. She would take my whole finger in her mouth and I could feel her tongue flick at my palm. I was ready to lose myself. I closed my eyes and imagined everything else she could do with her tongue. I felt one last lick on my palm and I looked at her with no expression on my face. "Oh wait, I forgot this," she lunged forward and I could feel her tongue flicking at the corner of my mouth and she sucked a little bit. I started to turn my head to get my lips to land on hers, but she pulled away, winked and walked away. I continued to sit on the couch in complete shock. Did that just happen?

I watched her walk out of the kitchen and head to the front door. She took her coat off the rack and I jumped up to go over to her. "Leaving?" I asked as I helped her with her coat. "Yeah, you look tired, I'm tired. I have to work tomorrow and aren't you going somewhere or something?" My eyes drifted down to my feet, oh yeah, we leave tomorrow. "Yeah, we're heading out west, I'll be gone for a week and a half. Can I call you when I get back?" A smile came over her face and I was relieved. "Of course, that gives me enough time to think about what I want to do with you still." I wanted to lean in and kiss her so bad, but I turned to stone. She turned on her heel and walked out the door.

[five]

Max's POV

There was an extra hop in my step that day as I walked into locker room. "Eh, you finally got her Talbot?" TK shouted over to me as he noticed the permanent smile on my face. It had been nearly a week and a half since I last saw Lily at my place, and it had taken me just as long to convince her to come to the game she said she would attend. "Not yet, she will be here tonight though," I continued to smile and was very happy with the way my stall looked. My gloves were finally pointing in the right direction, this was going to be my night. I sat on the bench and took a minute to collect my thoughts, push them aside and focus on the game at hand. I couldn't let knowing she was there get to me during the game. I figured I would go out for warmups look for her, and that would be it. I don't need my ass getting rammed yet again for playing stupid.

We headed out for warmups and I looked in the section where I knew she would be sitting. She stuck out like a sore thumb and I couldn't help but laugh. She looked terrified. She had that friend from the Starbucks with her, and she also looked terrified. They looked like two poodles surrounded by pitbulls. I was a little scared for them myself as well, she had no idea what she was about to experience. I truly do believe the fans in Pittsburgh are among the loudest in the whole league, so this sure was going to be a wakeup call for her. I could only hope that she enjoyed herself and that she would remember to wait for me after the game.

After warmups I headed back into the locker room and she was completely out of my mind, I was 100% focused on the game. "Let me guess, you told her you would score her a goal," Flower smiled as we walked toward the door. "Oh come on Flower! Damnit!" I bent over, resting my elbows on my knees, hanging my head down. Get back in the game. She's not here. Who is she anyways? Your goal for tonight is to score in the net, not score in bed. C'mon Max, get into the game! I jumped up and gently punched Flower right in the mask. "Alright let's go!"

We jumped out to an early lead with goals coming from Malkin, Crosby and Sykora. I was proud of myself for setting up the beautiful Crosby goal. That Avery guy though, what a prick. His stick found my shin every few minutes and I wasn't going to put up with it much longer. I knew going into the third period with a nice four to nothing lead, that if his stick found my shin one more I was going to beat the crap out of him. Half way through the third period Satan went off with a hooking penalty and Crosby, Letang, Orpik and I stayed on for the first shift of the penalty kill. I got lucky with a sloppy pass and went skating up the ice and tossed the puck past Turco for a short handed goal. As I jumped against the glass to celebrate Avery's stick came crashing down on my shin. I threw my stick and gloves on the ice and took one punch at him. It landed on his chin, but then he threw one that landed right on my cheek bone. I lost my balance a bit but landed an upper cut and he fell to the ice. I hated that asshole. I know hate is a strong word and my mother would shoot me if she heard me saying that, but I really did hate him. He doesn't belong in the league.

What was starring back at me in the mirror was not what I wanted to see. A nice little shiner under my left eye. I headed back to my stall and pulled my cell phone out. So what do I do now? A smile came over my face and I shot a text message back, if you are still at the arena meet me outside of section G in ten minutes. I quickly grabbed my things and headed out. I walked up to where I told her to meet me and I saw her leaning against the wall. "What a beauty," she laughed as she caught sight of my growing black eye. "So did you want to do something?" I asked hoping she would say, 'yes Max, take me home with you. I want you Max.' "I could really go for a beer," she smiled. Well maybe afterwards, I won't let my dreams die just yet.

Lillianah's POV

What does one wear to a hockey game? Have I ever been to a hockey game before? I wasn't trying to impress anyone, so I just wore what I would wear on any cold day, skinny jeans, boots, a sweater, my red pea coat and grey scarf. "Is this appropriate for a hockey game?" I asked Alicia as she walked into my apartment. "I have no idea, luckily I dressed the same way," she laughed and I turned to see her wearing a grey pea coat with black scarf and black jeans. "We don't have to go you know," I sighed looking down at the tickets. "You like him, you really like him. Oh wow. Lil, what the hell happened?" I glared at her, "I do not like him, he's interesting. I'm still getting to know him." "Yeah whatever, Lil you like him, but of course you are too stubborn to admit that to yourself."

I stuck out like a sore thumb with my red pea coat in the sea of black, white and gold. The players took to the ice in I guess what looked like warmups. What number did he say he was again? I looked around and spotted him grinning up at me. "Holy shit Lil, you're blushing." I looked over at Alicia and rolled my eyes. "I'm not blushing," I insisted, but I could feel the burning sensation in my cheeks. "Whatever you say, so there he is, smiling at you. Number twenty-five. He likes you, and you like him. Have you slept with him yet?" I really did love how straight forward Alicia was, but not like this. "No." That was all I said, that was all I needed to say.

The puck went from one end to the other, and I had no idea what was going on. All I knew was that Max scored a goal and then went on to beat the crap out of somebody. That for me was a turn on, probably the first time in a long time I was turned on by something. The buzzer sounded and the game came to an end, the Penguins winning the game five to nothing. "I'm leaving you here, so it's up to Max to get you home," Alicia smiled as she disappeared into the crowd. I took a deep breath and stayed in my seat. So what do I do now? I sent a text to him not knowing if I was suppose to go home or if I was suppose to stay and wait for him.

Black eye, it was beautiful, and I told him so. We made our way out of the arena to his car, and I could already taste a cold beer on my lips. "What happened to your friend?" he asked as he pulled out of the parking lot. "She said it was up to you to get me home tonight," I laughed looking out the window. I kept my hands in my lap, but I could see him straighten out his right arm, as if he was offering his hand to me to hold. I acted like I didn't noticed and we pulled up to a cool looking brewery on the Strip. "I've never been here before, how did you find this place?" I asked as we walked in to a beautiful bar. "I know the owner," he smiled as he took me over to the bar.

Beer after beer, and I could feel it flowing through my blood stream. I was going home with him, there was no denying that. I was there, after some liquid courage I was so there. "Take me home," I whispered into his ear getting up off the stool. His head popped up and he looked at me before turning to the bartender. "Brad, I'm in no shape to drive, can I leave the car here with you?" The bartender laughed and nodded his head, then Max handed over his keys. I pulled my pea coat on and we headed out the door. "Okay so it's like a seven block walk to your place, want to call a cab?" I looked over at him, "my place? Who said I wanted to go to my place?" That smile came over his face and he started sliding all over the ice.