Round 1 Game 2

I laid in bed exhausted and clothes-less beside Eric who finally fell asleep. I tried to get Tanya's face out of my mind.

I wasn't jealous of Tanya or her relationship with Eric; not even when Eric brought Tanya home to tell us they were getting married. The whole time they were engaged, nothing happened between Eric and I, so I figured that it wouldn't happen again. I would have been OK if that was the end of it, but then came the bachelor party. Yes you've all heard about the bachelor party. I was the only girl that was there, oh except for the strippers. I would have been arrested too, except I was busy pulling Jared's drunk ass through the woods, so he didn't get busted. I was the only semi sober one, mostly because I didn't want to hook up with one of their drunk hockey playing friends. It wasn't the hooking up part that was the problem, but all the teasing I'd get in the morning. I was the one that bailed Jordan and Eric out of jail. I took them both back to the hotel. Jordan was still drunk so he passed right out on the bed. "I'm sleeping in your room," Eric said, and I didn't argue. Even as he followed me back to my room I just figured he didn't want to sleep with drunk Jordan, but I soon understood his motives when he pressed me up against the hotel room door. As he kissed my neck and lifted my skirt, he whispered, "Are you sure you're Ok with this?" I just kissed him back harder.

I remembered trying to explain it to Jared. I didn't tell him willingly. That morning he came to take me to breakfast and figured out what had happened. I had no choice but to explain.

"How long has this been going on?" Jared asked

"Jared, it's not what your thinking."

"Oh you two didn't sleep together?" he asked.

Jared wasn't stupid, there was no use lying. "Don't make a big deal about it; it's just sex."

"Ahhh," Jared said pulling at his hair and looking disgusted.

"Look, if I was Jordan and you just caught him with some chick after her bachelorette party, you'd be patting him on the back and asking him for pointers. It's just sex Jared, I'm not in love with Eric, and he's not in love with me."

"What about Tanya?" he asked innocently.

"I love Tanya, and more importantly Eric loves her."

"Oh dear god Caitlin, how can you do this to her? How could Eric do this to her."

"Ok, don't go all righteous on me Jared, nothing has changed. Eric and Tanya are going to get married. Got it."

"I got it Caitlin." He wrapped his arms around me. "You sure you're OK with all this?" he asked.

"As long as you keep your mouth shut, I'm fine, better than fine. I'm really happy for them."

Nothing that I said to Jared was a lie. I was happy for them. I did really love Tanya, and trust me I don't like many girls. She was a good fit with Eric. More than anything I wanted Eric to be happy.
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Buz...Buz....Buz

"What the fuck." I opened my eyes, looked at my phone. It was 8AM, and Marc was calling.

I skipped the formalities. "Just getting up, or just going to bed?"

"Just getting up. I behaved myself last night." Marc replied.

"I'm sorry to hear that." I said, teasing. Just then Eric rolled over toward me. "It's kinda early to be chatting. God you're such a girl." This was something the Staal boys always said to tease me as a kid, and it still carried over sometimes. Eric closed his eyes again.

"Oh looks like you didn't behave yourself last night." Marc said after hearing the voice in the background.

"That's just your brother."

"It didn't sound like Jordan."

"It not; it's Eric."

"What the hell, you went there instead of coming to see me. Oh, I see how it is."

I grabbed the sheet off the bed, wrapped myself in it and covered Eric with a blanket. I headed to the bathroom for a little privacy.

"OK, what are you five years old now? I came here cuz he lost. You won. Great game by the way; I caught the highlights."

"Thanks." Marc said, and I knew his cheeks were turning Pink. He didn't take compliments well.

"No Marc seriously, you have the best job. Defensemen are so under rated. You were like all over Ovechkin. I loved it."

"You just want to sleep with him."

"Oh no I don't. But if I did, he'd never have the same slap shot."

"Oooo maybe I can hook you two up. We can use whatever help we can get."

"You don't need me."

"I do need you Caity." He was the only one that ever called me Caity, and I could tell he was pouting into the phone. "Can't you come here tonight?"

"I'll come as soon as I see Eric's game. You don't play till Saturday, so I'll meet you in DC late Friday night."

"Cool, I'll get you a ticket."

"Hey, tell Hank I'm coming."

"Don't you mean Brandon."

"No Marc, Brandon Dubinsky was a one time thing. He's so clingy like a freaking girl. I want you to tell that amazing goaltender of yours."

"If you like Lundqvist so much why don't you go out with him?"

"Because my dear boy, I like him so much. Liking someone makes the next morning way too awkward."

"God your such a guy." Marc said.

"I learned from the masters... Hey Marc, I gotta run Eric's waking up. I'll let you know what time the train gets in."

"Love you Caity."

"Love you too Marc."

I walked into the room where Eric was now awake. He was sitting on the bed and had his Pajama pants back on. I couldn't help notice without his shirt that he'd been working out more. Well I noticed a little last night. I smiled at that thought. I wanted to go to him and rub my hands on his chest, but that's not the way this worked. I never went to him, he always came to me. I always wondered if I started things, made the first move, if he'd take that as a sign of weakness and think I was getting too attached to him.

"I didn't know you had a thing for Lundqvist." Eric said rolling his eyes. He didn't sound jealous, more curious.

"Eaves drop much Staal? I don't get things for guys. You know me better than that."

"Then why are you blushing?" he asked. He was right, I was blushing.

"I guess goaltenders do that to me. Hank, Cam, Marc-Andre."

Eric grabbed me around the waist and pulled me be back on the bed. "Hey what about forwards? We're not so bad you know."

"Well there is Zach Parise, but I can't go after him while your playing him in the playoffs." I said teasing.

Eric jumped on me, pushing me down on the bed and pinning my hands above my head. "Quit teasing me Caitlin."

"I thought you liked it when I teased you." I said seductively, winking at him.

He moved one of his hands and tickled me. I squirmed and wiggled between my bursts of laughter. "I hate being a girl." Referring to how weak I was by nature.

Eric leaned down to my ear. "I like you being a girl." he whispered, then kissed down my jaw bone and neck.

I gave a little moan, "Don't you have practice?" I said barely getting the words out.

"Do you want me to go?" he asked pulling the sheet off of me.

"No..nooo!" I moaned as he sucked on the skin at my colorbone. I knew that would leave a mark.
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"You sure you don't want me to wait for you? Eric asked pulling on his jeans and getting ready to go to practice?"

I laid in bed in nothing but the sheet. "Nope, go don't be late superstar!"

Eric smiled at me. He threw his t-shirt on and smiled at me as he ran out the door.

After practice Eric and I had lunch alone. We were going out with the team that night, and I sensed that Eric just wanted to keep me to himself as long as he could. I on the other hand couldn't wait to see Cam Ward. We were really good friends and I hadn't seen him in months. Eric and I ordered, and while we waited for our food my phone rang. I recognized the tone as being Jared.

"Hi Jared?" I said as I answered the phone.

"Caitlin, why haven't you called me?"

"Relax Jared, I'm here with Eric we're having lunch."

"Caitlin, you didn't do anything stupid did you?" he asked.

"No I just ordered a salad Jared, relax." I didn't want Eric to know what we were talking about.

"Oh god, he did it to you again. You've gotta stop giving in to him."

"Right Jared." I rolled my eyes which Eric noticed. He grabbed the phone from me.

"Hey J. It's my turn with Caitlin. When you're in the playoffs she'll come and visit you. Now she has to go." he said coldly and hung up my phone.

"Eric!" I said, as he handed my phone back to me.

"What?" he said.

"Why did you have to do that?" I asked knowing full well how pissed Jared would be and feeling angry myself.

"Come on Caitlin, you don't love him as much as you love me." he said making an innocent face.

"Uh, actually I love him every bit as much as I love you." I said with anger in my voice.

"I don't think you do." Eric said with a coy smile, and I knew what he meant.

I was still fuming. "Oh yes I do Eric, just because he doesn't make me show him I love him the same way you do." After I said that I wished I hadn't, but it was done, and I had to do something. I quickly stood up and started to walk away. Eric grabbed my arm and pulled me in tight to him. Eric almost never did that. He almost never held me. I couldn't look at him; I just kept my face berried in his chest.

"Caitlin, if you don't want to... if you ever don't want to... I'm Ok with that." He paused for a moment. "I'm happy to just be with you." His words brought a smile to my face. I sincerely never knew that, I didn't know he was happy just to be with me. I'm not sure that if I had known that sooner that anything would be different, but it was nice to know.

We ate lunch which went much smoother after my little outbreak. Eric went back for a nap, while I went to find something to wear for the night. I bought a sexy little skirt and tank top which I dressed down with one of Eric's hoodies. I hated wearing skirts, but I guess this was my way of reaching out to Eric. Letting him know that nothing changed. He loved it when I wore skirts, it drove him crazy.

Everyone was really happy to see me especially Cam.

"When are you going to dump the Staals and start hanging out with me?" Cam asked and Eric flashed him a dirty look.

"Not gonna happen Cam, you know I love the Staal boys."

Cam and I talked for awhile, until Ray Whitney snuck up behind me and whispered. "Hi Gorgeous!"

"Ray!" I screamed and turned to hug him. "When are you going to leave your wife for me?" I asked, only half kidding. Ray was the type of guy any woman would want to marry.

"Don't tempt me beautiful," he flirted back.

I sat sandwiched between Cam and Ray flirting shamelessly. I noticed that it was annoying Eric, but it didn't make me stop. Ray and Cam were my friends, and I always flirted with my guy friends. Eric should really be used to that by now. Finally about 10:00, Eric stood up. "Big day tomorrow, I need to get some sleep. You ready Caitlin?" He held out his hand to me.

I gave Ray and Cam each a quick kiss, took Eric's hand, and we walked hand in hand back to the hotel. We waited for the elevator to arrive, and I felt Eric's eyes on me. He came up behind me and his lips grazed my ear as he whispered "Did you get this for me?" He gave my skirt a little tug.

I leaned back on him, and looked into his eyes. "Mmm, no I love wearing skirts."

"Right I know that about you." He said teasing and knowing full well how much I hated wearing skirts. Another thing that was left over from growing up with four boys.

We walked into the elevator, and I knew by the way he looked at me that he wasn't going to wait for the privacy of the hotel room. He pushed me back against the wall and kissed me hard. His hands traveled up my legs and under my skirt, and I couldn't help thinking of the night of his bachelor party. The elevator opened, and we kissed the whole way down the hall to the room. We slammed against the door, while Eric fumbled with the key card. THANK GOD He Did.

The door opened quickly and unexpectantly, and we both stumbled in almost falling to the floor. As we looked up Tanya's face stared down at us. I closed my eyes for a moment then noticed the deer in a headlights look on Eric's face.

I thought fast and started pretending to be drunk. "Tanya!" I said stumbling toward her.

"I came to surprise Eric." She said, her voice shaking a little. I could see her trying to read the situation.

"Eric's such a big brother, he's so fucking bossy. Tell him I'm a big girl, and I don't need him to take care of me. I was just having a good time and I didn't have that much to drink." The words fell out of my mouth with carefully placed slurs.

Eric caught on. "Damn it Caitlin, I wouldn't have to treat you like a big brother if you didn't party so damn much," he yelled.

"Hey!" I said loudly. "You and your brothers taught me to party; now you don't like it."

Eric put his hands on his hips pretending to be disgusted with me. I could see Tanya's face relaxing and knew she was buying it. Why wouldn't she? I did party a lot, and she knew that. I figured I needed to wrap up this lie in a nice little bow.

"I am going to pee, then I'm going to find Cam, and don't you even think of stopping me." I didn't wait for a response, but stormed off like a child to the bathroom and slammed the door. I took a deep breath as I leaned against the back of the door listening to hear what she'd say.

"Eric, she's really drunk. You can't let her go out like that." There was a pause, and I figured Eric was probably hugging her or kissing her. "Your not going to let her go are you?" Now she sounded worried. She had bought it hook line and sinker.

"Tell me how to stop her?" Eric said in a nasty tone. I could hear the frustration in his voice, and I knew full well why he was frustrated.

I flushed the toilet getting ready to head out, something made me look down. There sitting in the trash can were two condom wrappers. I grabbed them, threw them in my toiletry bag and zipped it up. Now that was close. I walked out of the bathroom and, it was Tanya who tried to make me stay. I put my toiletry bag in my duffle and left acting like I was pissed off at Eric.

I knocked on Cam's door. He looked surprised to see me. "Damn am I glad you're here. I need a place to stay. The wife showed up."

"You're always welcomed here," he said smiling.

I tried to act like everything was normal, but I couldn't deny the whole Tanya showing up thing had me a bit shaken. "Are there any beers in this frig?" I asked opening the little mini bar frig to look myself anyway.

"Ya help yourself," he said being sarcastic. I sat down on the couch in his room. "I know your going to kill me for asking this," he said, "but is something going on between you and Staal?"

I attempted to give him a look of disgust. "Why in the world would you say that?"

"I don't know, the way he was looking at you tonight. He looked like he was going rip Rick and I apart."

"He's over protective, and he just doesn't want to share me. I'm his good luck charm you know. I'm Jordan and Marc's good luck charm too."

"Ok if you say so. I just thought I saw something else."

I grabbed his face and pinched his cheeks together. "Your so sensitive to people's feelings." I let go of his face. "Stop acting like such a girl; it's not good on you."

He smiled back at me. "Sorry, I forgot who I was talking to. I think those Staal boys really messed you up. When are one of them going to make an honest woman out of you?"

"I don't want to be an honest woman Cam darling. But if I ever do, I"ll want it to be a Staal that makes me that way."

That night I was tossing and turning on Cam's couch. Cam tried to make me take the bed, but I would never do that, not when he had such a big game the next day. I also would never have considered sleeping in his bed with him. I had certain rules. Unless it was Jordan, Marc, Eric or Jared, I'd never sleep in bed with a man that I didn't fully intend to have sex with.

I laid there thinking about the close call tonight, and what a bad idea it was to continue sleeping with Eric. I wished I had chosen to go see Marc instead. I thought about Eric snuggling in bed with his wife, and I wondered if he ended up having sex with her that night instead. It's important that you understand that I still wasn't jealous, but merely curious. While I laid there deep in thought I heard my phone buzz. It was a text from Jordan.

JORDAN: I miss you Caitlin. I wish you were going to be here tomorrow.
CAITLIN: I'll Be there in spirit Jordy.
JORDAN: Not the same thing. I'd sleep better if you were here.
CAITLIN: Me too, but I know you'll do great tomorrow.
JORDAN: Come home soon.
CAITLIN: I will! Love you, Good night.
JORDAN: Love you too! Sweet dreams.

Jordan's text got my mind off of Eric, and I laid there missing Jordan and Marc and Jared. Wishing I was someplace other than Newark, NJ. My mind raced until at some point sleep captured me.

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The Playoffs Game 2

I took my seat next to Tanya. I put my one ear bud from my XM radio in so I could hear Jordan's game that started a half hour earlier. The Pens and Flyers had yet to score, but just listening to Mike Lang, I could tell the feel of the game was different and the Flyers were coming on stronger today.

Tanya looked over at me while we watched the first period progress. "You're amazing, you know that."

What the hell was she talking about? "Why would you say that?" I asked.

"You love those boys so much. You really do have a hard time deciding where to be don't you. You wish you could be with all of them."

"You have no idea Tanya. And it's not like they make it easy on me. I've talked to Jordan and Marc like 5 times today."

She smiled at me. "I'm really glad they have you."

Oh god, just stick a knife in me. For the first time ever in this situation I felt real guilt. I just smiled at her, and tried to focus on the game. The score was tied 1 to 1 and Eric scored a goal. He looked over at us during the celebration following, and I allowed myself to wonder which one of us his gaze was meant for. I shrugged it off, of course it was meant for Tanya.

"Oh Shit! The Flyers just scored." I said relaying what was coming out of my earphone.

"That's not good," she said.

I continued to listen intently. I heard the intermission called and pulled out my cell and started texting Jordan.

CAITLIN: Don't panic they're only up by one.

A couple minutes later my phone buzzed.

JORDAN: I hate loosing. I need my good luck charm. You should be here with me.
CAITLIN: Come on Jordan. Do it to impress me.
JORDAN: What about the rest of the team.

I thought for a second.
CAITLIN: Tell Geno if he scores I'll give him a real kiss.
JORDAN: Geno says he'll score, but Sid wants to know what he gets.
CAITLIN: Oh no. I'm not kissing Sidney.
JORDAN: He wants to know why.
CAITLIN: I don't want him to fall in love.
JORDAN: LOL God I miss you Caitlin.
CAITLIN: I miss you too Jordy, now go kick their collective orange Ass!
JORDAN: You got it baby!

Both games went into overtime, and I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. Listening intently, I heard the call that Billy Guerin scored and the Pens won the game. I jumped and yelled and everyone around me gave me weird looks. "They Won, the Pens Won!" I yelled. I really didn't care that everyone thought I was crazy except Tanya.

The Canes ended up winning their game too, and I was so excited for Eric. I was checking the train schedule to see when I needed to leave to get to DC and Marc, when I got a text from Cam.

CAM: Don't go to the locker room, meet me in the workout room
CAITLIN: What? Why?
CAM: Stop being such a girl.

I paused for a moment, and that's when I realized it wasn't Cam at all. Eric was texting me from Cam's phone. A smile grew on my face.
CAITLIN: I thought you liked that about me.
CAM: I DO!

I said my good-byes to Tanya and headed for the workout room. I got stopped several times on my way, but when I gave them my name, they let me pass.

I pushed open the door and the lights were off. I walked in and ran my hands along the wall searching for the light switch.

"Looking for something?" A voice said from behind me.

"Ya you." I replied as his arms wrapped around my waist. "No time to shower?" I teased. He was still in his under armor and it was drenched.

"I didn't want to miss you, I know your going to run off to meet one of my brothers. Besides, I thought you liked me when I'm covered in sweat."

"Um ya, when I made you that way."

"Hey Caitlin?"

My eyes were adjusting to the dark, and I could now make out the outline of his face. "Ya." I said looking up to him.

"You are my good luck charm you know."

"I know." I said softly.

"Thanks for coming," he said sounding so sincere, and kind of sad.

"Where else would I be?"

"With one of my brothers."

"Ok, ya I guess. Hey, be careful what you say around Cam. He was asking me if something was going on between us. You did delete those texts right?"

"I don't know, but I'll do it when I go back in."

His lips came down and touched mine softly. "I'm gonna miss you," he said. I was forced to wonder if he meant like a lover or like a the friend he grew up with. I preferred if he meant the latter.

"I'll miss you too, and I have to run, I'm catching the train to DC."

"Tell Marc I said hello."

"I will."

He kissed me softly one last time, and I walked out the door.