Round 1 Game 1

I grew up with the four of them. All four of them were part of me and I was part of them. I always felt like part of their family, but I also dreamed that one day I would really be part of the family, a Staal.

As a little girl they were so intriguing. I was seven when I used to sneak into the bushes in their yard and watch them play. Jared was just a baby, but the other three seemed to have so much fun. They never cared about getting dirty or even following rules. They did things their way, the Staal way.

It took them two weeks of me observing from their bushes to realize I was watching. Eric who was nine chased me, caught me and dragged me back to be judged by the three Staal brothers. I think they felt bad for me, purely because I was a girl, obviously inferior to them as boys. They knew by looking at me that I couldn't play as hard, run as fast or be as tough. I played on that sympathy and did a good job of getting what I wanted. I'd give them that look, the poor me I'm just a girl look, and they almost always caved.

From that day on I spent almost every single day of my life playing with, hanging out with, arguing with, or kissing at least one of the Staal boys. When I started having sleepovers. This always caused a fight between the Staal boys. Depending on their mood, my mood and our ages they'd fight over who's room I was sleeping in. Sometimes they wanted me in their rooms, sometimes they didn't. Eric never fought about it. He'd take me only if the other three didn't want me.

Yes, the day that Eric caught me changed my life. I can't imagine where I'd be now or what I'd be doing if he hadn't caught me. I was always in awe of Eric and I guess he was the one I was the least close too. In order to understand this story, you need to understand my relationship with each of the Staal boys. I want to explain my relationship with Eric last, so I'll go in birth order, youngest to oldest.

Jared: As the baby of the group I always loved Jared. When he got old enough to play with us, he took a lot of pressure off me. All of a sudden I wasn't the slowest, or the shortest or the wimpiest, at least until the little bugger started growing like a weed. So my relationship with Jared was totally one of being a big sister. I protected him when he was little, I taught him lots of tricks to use on his brothers, and as we grew up we became super close. Jared was the one I could talk to about anything, and I did!

Jordan: I was closest with Jordan in many ways. He was 6 months younger than me. He loved having me around and was the one who always invited me to come over to play or spend the night or go on family vacations with the Staals. As children he felt the same way about me as I did about Jared, finally someone smaller, wimpier and slower than him. (I know I was older, but I was a lot smaller.) As we got older Jordan gave me my first real kiss. It was fun, but I think that's when we realized we were destined to be best friends, nothing more. I didn't confide much in Jordan, not like I did Jared, but he confided in me a lot. When he got drafted by Pittsburgh, he dragged me to Pittsburgh with him, so he wouldn’t be lonely. That's when he started telling me things I REALLY didn't want to know. I couldn't help but love Jordan and I was more loyal to him than anyone else in the world.

Marc: What can I say about Marc. I was his little sister I guess. I always strived to be Marc's equal or at least get his attention, but I rarely did. Marc and I were still close but didn't share as much as Jordan and I or Jared and I. As a kid he never wanted me on his team cuz I was just small. As I got older he'd make me practice kissing him so he'd do it right when he went out with whoever. We had our moments, like when we'd watch movies and he'd let me put my head in his lap and play with my hair or when he'd actually fight to have me sleep in his room. Truth be told I always felt like a nuisance to him.

Which brings us to the most complicated Staal relationship I had Eric.

Eric: Things weren't always complicated with Eric. As kids he pretended I wasn't there most of the time. I was just this girl that always hung out at his house, which is exactly how he’d introduce me to his friends. He avoided me unless his brothers were picking on me or not wanting me on their team or not wanting me to stay in their room, that's when he'd step in. It's the only way I ever knew, he knew I existed. Eric made me a little nervous sometimes, I guess because unlike the other three, we never talked. When we were all together we'd all have a conversation; he'd tease me about my boyfriends or my haircut; but we never, ever talked seriously about anything.

So that's not so complicated is it? Here's where that changes. Eric was 19 and he just returned home from the NHL for the summer. Jordan and Marc were off with their respective teams which left Jared and me. I didn't know Eric had come home, and I went running in the door of the Staal house to find Jared. I froze in my tracks when I saw Eric sitting there watching TV. His eyes nearly bugged out of his head. I hadn't seen him in over a year and to say that I had blossomed was putting it mildly. After his initial shock he grabbed me into a big hug and spun me around. I had actually come to say good- bye to Jared who was leaving for two weeks for some hockey clinic thing. I ate dinner with the Staals and then Jared left, leaving just Eric and I. Marc and Jordan wouldn't be back for another week.

We spent the whole week together watching movies, running, going for walks and strange as it seems... talking. I even spent the night on a couple of occasions but in Jordan's room.

As a wide eye'd 17 year old I was in awe of the big NHL hockey player. He was still Eric, but more. I could tell he was noticing me. On the night before Marc and Jordan got home, we both seemed kind of sad. We didn't talk about it, but we knew when the other boys got home Eric would go back to ignoring me, and I'd be back to hanging out with Jordan and Marc. We were watching movies snuggled up on the couch. Linda and Henry had already gone to bed. I was having trouble staying awake so I told him I should go. Eric asked me to stay, which I figured he would. We turned the TV off and headed to bed. As I turned to go into Jordan's room, Eric grabbed my elbow. Butterflies shot though my body as he asked me to stay in his room. "It'll be like old times," he said. It wasn't like old times. That was the night I lost my virginity to Eric Staal.

When I told him I was a virgin, he was gentle and sweet. That night became our little secret and that's when I stopped telling Jordan everything. So you can see how that might complicate things between Eric and I. That’s not even the half of it which you’ll soon learn.

So now you know a little bit about my relationship with each of the Staal boys. You should probably know more about me. My name is Caitlin James, I'm 20 years old. I learned everything I know from the Staals (well the important stuff). I've never had a serious relationship, because I got that philosophy from the Staals too. I'd been known to have one night stands, and I never get emotionally attached to anyone. I party way to much when I'm not working. I don't have time to date, mostly because I am always busy with one of the four Staals in my life. I'm a tough girl, and I almost never cry. I play goalie, cuz I was forced to. When I start listing these things it becomes even more obvious that I was raised with the Staals.

I have the best job in the world; I'm a travel photographer and writer. So I pretty much get paid to go on vacation. I'm really good at my job and do work for 4 different magazines. I get free airfare, free high end hotels, free food and I even get to take someone with me on most of my trips. Last summer I took Jared to St. Maarten, Jordan to Greece, Marc to Alaska and Eric to New Orleans (which is an interesting story you'll hear later.) Every year since Eric's second year in the NHL I take off during playoff season. Now that there are three of them in the NHL I split my time running from Staal to Staal.

One last thing you should know about me...as a kid I was kind of tall and really skinny, a tom-boy as you can probably guess. I was just a plain girl with long black hair and piercing blue eyes. The year between my 16th & 17th birthdays I blossomed. The ugly duckling became a swan. I developed curves and boobs and all the boys noticed. It sounds stuck-up, but I became really beautiful. That night with Eric was the night I realized that I was beautiful. I mean if Eric Staal would notice me, I knew that it must be true. I never play up my attributes though, well unless I need to (and I've been known to need to on occasion). I dress like a boy mostly, except my t-shirts are tighter.

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“You excited about tomorrow?” I asked Jordan whipping a dish towel at his head. Jordan had just made us breakfast, and I was doing the dishes.

“I guess. I got you a ticket. Mom and Dad aren’t coming they won’t choose between us. How many of my games are you coming to? It’s not easy to get tickets ya know!” Jordan had jealousy in his voice. He knew I’d be at the first game but figured I’d take off to meet Marc or Eric after that.

“You know I love you best.” I said giving him a kiss on the cheek. “But if you win, and one of your brothers doesn’t, then I have to go be their good luck charm. I’ll be back for another game Jordan.”

“What if it only goes four games?”

“Then I’ll be back to help you celebrate.” I replied.

“That’s my party girl.” Jordan said pulling me on to his lap. “You know I get lonely when you leave.”

“I’m sure Jordan Staal can find some puck bunny to keep you company.” Jordan gave me an evil smile. “That’s my party boy.” I said and hopped off his lap.

Later that day I got a text from Marc.

Marc: What games are you coming to see. I want to get the tix.
Caitlin: Jordan’s first then I’ll see who loses and they get me for the next game.
Marc: Not fair.
Caitlin: Suck it up Staal, I’ll come I promise. I’d rather come to NYC than DC.
Marc: I miss you Caity.
Caitlin: Not enough to come see me on your break.
Marc: Don’t nag me.
Caitlin: Don’t nag me either – and kick Ovechkin’s ass tomorrow.
Marc: Just for you.

I didn’t hear from Eric, but then again I wasn’t expecting to.

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The playoffs begin - Game 1.

I watched from my front row seat in Mellon Arena as the Pens dominated the flyers in the first game. Jordan was playing some amazing hockey. I wished for him that his parents were at this game. He invited them a lot, but they rarely came. It may be hard to believe, but Jordan is the son that wants to please his parents the most.

I looked over to the out of town scoreboard. Rangers 2, Caps 1 (Go Marc) …Carolina 0, Devils 3 (Oh Crap). I wondered if Tanya had made the trip with Eric. I suspected she didn’t cuz wives usually didn’t travel with the team.

The Pens game ended (Pittsburgh 4 & Philadelphia 1) and Jordan was chosen as the first star of the game. I felt so proud of him and hoped his parents were watching this. I looked back to the scoreboard Rangers 4, Caps 3 Final (woo hoo) I pulled out my phone and sent Marc a congratulatory text that I figured he’d get on his way to whatever party he’d end up at. I looked at the scoreboard again. Devils 4, Carolina 1, Final – Poor Eric. That’s when I got a text.

Eric: Did you see the score?
Caitlin: It Sucks!
Eric: I need you Caitlin. Can you come tonight?
Caitlin: Yes, text me where your staying and your room number.
Eric: Thanks.

I took a deep breath, made a few phone calls. Looks like I’m flying to Newark tonight.

I ran to the locker room and in the door. I ignored everyone, I had to see Jordan first. I got just what I wanted a sweaty, smelly hug from my favorite Staal. I gave him a big kiss on the lips (Not mushy, just a lip kiss). “You Rocked Out There!” I yelled.

“Staal you need to marry that girl. She doesn’t even care how bad you stink!” Kris Letang yelled.

“Shut up Letang, she’s practically my sister.” Jordan yelled back.

“I’ll marry her then.” Kris said.

Jordan just threw a towel at him. “Are you going out with us?” he asked pulling his pads off.

I had no choice but to use the ‘I’m just a loser girl’ look on him.

He looked down into my big blue eyes. “Oh shit you’re leaving aren’t you. Fucking Eric. Can’t win his game so he calls you!”

“Don’t be mad Jordy, I promise I’ll be back.”

“You have to go tonight? You can’t at least wait until tomorrow?”

“You Staal boys never learned how to share did you?”

“NO!”

“I love you Jordan,” I said giving him that look again.

“I love you too. Be careful, it’s late and Eric is a bastard for making you go there tonight.”

Jordan was all pouty, but I had to go. Eric needed me more than he did. I stood up. Gave Geno (Evegni Malkin for those of you who don’t know) a kiss on the cheek for his goal, something I had been doing to Geno since I moved to Pittsburgh. I told Kris to find Jordan a nice girl to go home with, gave Jordan one last kiss on the cheek and headed out.

I got to my car, checked to make sure my travel bag was there and headed to the airport. I suspected that I might be leaving Pittsburgh quickly, so I had a bag already packed with my Carolina Jersey, Rangers Jersey, a pair of PJs, underwear and a toothbrush. With all the travel I did I learned to pack light, unless you are going to a third world country anything can be purchased once you get there.

I wasn’t in the car three minutes and my phone rang. I had a feeling who it was. I looked at caller ID to see that I was right, Jared.

“Hi Jared.”

“Don’t go.”

“Where?” I asked playing innocent.

“Don’t go to Jersey I don’t care how nicely he asked.”

“He didn’t ask all that nicely, and how do you know I’m going to Jersey?”

“Eric was the only one that lost, of course your going there.” Jared said.

“Now Jared, do you really think you can talk me out of going to see him? I’d be there for you, if you needed me.”

“Yes, but you and I don’t…well you know.”

“Well I should hope not you’re like my brother.” I said giggling.

“Seriously Caitlin, when are you going to stop this thing with Eric.”

“You’re making me wish I never told you. Eric and I don’t have a thing. He’s married.”

“That’s right he’s married and you are going to New Jersey to have sex with him.”

That made me giggle a little. Jared was never comfortable talking about sex so to hear him say the word just sounded funny.

“OK, I’m not going there to have sex with Eric. I’m going there because like you and Jordan and Marc, I want to be there for him when he needs me. I did grow up with you little freaks.”

“Ya but you don’t sleep with me or Jordan or Marc.” He paused for a moment. “Oh dear god, you’re not sleeping with Jordan are you.”

“JARED! No I’m not sleeping with Jordan.”

“Caitlin listen to me, if you insist on going there, please say no. He’s going to want to, and you have to say no.”

“I just got to the airport Jared. I gotta go. Love you Jared.” Click.

I got comfortable on the plane. I loved flying first class and it was something that I always got to do thanks to my job. I closed my eyes, but my call with Jared rang through my head. He just didn’t get my relationship with Eric.

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520, 523, 525. It was 4 AM when I knocked on Eric’s door, #525. The door opened and there he was looking desperate. He was wearing sweats and a white t-shirt, his short hair was a mess, like he had been trying to pull it out. He stepped back, and let me in the room. I closed the door and threw my bag on the chair.

“You had to wear your Penguins Jersey?” he asked walking over to me.

“I came right from the game.” I answered as he pulled it over my head.

“I bet Jordan’s happy,” he said un buttoning my jeans.

“Not really, he’s mad that you made me leave.” My jeans slid to the floor and I stepped out of them.

“Too bad for Jordan,” he said picking me up and laying me on the bed. “Thanks for coming Caitlin.” Eric whispered as he kissed my neck. Tanya’s face flashed in my mind for a moment but vanished as Eric’s lips traveled below my neck.