Round 1 Game 3

"What the fuck Cailtin? Call me as soon as you get this." Was the message Eric left me.

"Caitlin, I thought you were going to be here today for the game, and why did Marc call me and ask me if we were sleeping together? I need you to call me when you get this." That was the message from Jordan.

"Hey Caitlin, I wanted to know where you are going next. I might meet you. Call me." That was the message I received from Jared.

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"Jordan, I'm so sorry. I over slept. I wanted to be there." It was my turn to use the balcony for a phone call.

"I really wanted you here Caitlin. I hate playing in Philly." Jordan whined.

"There's nothing I can do now Jordy. I'll be at the next game. I promise."

"Whatever." Jordan said like a spoiled child. "So what's up with Marc thinking we sleep together?"

Now I had to act shocked and deal with the crap. "I have no idea."

"Well there's got to be a reason Caitlin."

"I'll talk to him about it." I said pouting. "Hey Jord, I'm really sorry about today. I wanted to be there. You know I love you."

"I know."

He must have been really pissed at me; we hung up without him telling me he loved me. I was screwing up so much. I hated the direction everything was going. I know I couldn't avoid Eric either, but I couldn't possibly have that conversation while I was with Marc. I figured I'd get a chance sometime today.

I walked into the hotel room and Marc was all packed and ready. "So what's the plan?" I asked smiling at him.

"Who gave you that? I guess that's what Sean was talking about last night."

He was pointing to the hickey at my collar bone. I was wearing a tank top, and there was no way to totally hide it, plus I just didn't have the clothes with me that would cover it. "Damn Marc, interested in my sex life much?"

"I just worry about you?" he replied.

"You don't need to worry about me Marc, I'm a big girl,” I said immediately getting defensive.

"I do think you need someone to take care of you Caity. You can be a little wild."

I sat down on the bed really close to him. "What's wrong with being wild?" I said looking up at his eyes.

He was obviously uncomfortable with how close I was sitting to him cuz he stood up and started pacing. "I just don't want you to get hurt."

There he goes again with the big brother bullshit. "I'm not going to get hurt."

"You could Caity, you could get hurt."

I stood up and wrapped my arms around him. "You’re so sweet." I kissed his cheek. "Look, if you’re talking physically hurt, then sure, I guess there’s a chance, but I'm a smart girl Marc. If you’re talking about emotionally hurt, that's just not going to happen."

"How do you know?" he asked innocently.

"Well, I don't get close enough to anyone for that. That's why they call them one night stands." I let go of him and flopped down on the bed. He just stood there looking at me like I didn't get it. I didn't like that look. He used to do the same thing when I was a kid, and it brought back the same feelings. I was just a stupid girl, and I would never get it, or be able to keep up, or be strong enough.

"Why do you do that? Why do you look at me like that?" I said harshly. His expression immediately changed. "I'm not a kid anymore Marc, and you do know you're not really my brother right!" I was getting angry. "And why the hell didn't you just ask me if I was sleeping with Jordan? Why did you call him and get him jumping down my back." I jumped up and walked out on the balcony where I was hoping to get some privacy and cool off. I didn't get it.

Marc was out there right behind me. I had my hands on the landing looking over. I could feel him standing right behind me, really close, uncomfortably close.

"I'm sorry I didn't ask you about Jordan. I'm sorry that I even thought it." He put his hands on my arms and turned me to face him. "I know you’re not a kid, and I know I'm not your brother." He said softly. He lifted my chin so my eyes were looking in his. "Believe me, I've known it for a long time."

I gave him a puzzled look, and I could tell he knew I didn't understand. He pulled me in close and kissed my forehead. "I'm sorry Caity. I don't want to fight. That's the last thing I want to do." He looked back down at me and smiled. "Let's go get lunch, I'm starving."

Until I got showered and ready, It was frightfully close to 3:00, game time for Jordan. Marc had talked to the front desk and found a sports bar that would be carrying the game. He normally wouldn't watch his brother's game, that was sort of a rule they had, but he was going to make an exception since he knew I'd freak if I couldn't watch it. As we were getting ready to leave the room, my eyes connected with someone down the hall. I recognized the face as one of the few men in the world that was capable of making me blush. It was Henrik Lundqvist. The guys exchanged pleasantries, but I couldn’t help but think Marc was being particularly cold to him. He explained that he stayed around so he could spend more time with his brother, Joel, who was in town to see his game, and had left this morning.

"We're going to some bar to get food and watch the Pittsburgh/Philly's game. Why don't you watch the game with us?" I asked.

Hank looked unsure, so I elbowed Marc who assured him he was welcome.

The game was not going well and no one on the Penguins was playing well including Jordan. I couldn't help but feel guilty. Hank went to the bar to get us another round of beer. "There's something about that guy." I said to Marc when he walked away from the table.

"You really like him?" Marc asked.

"I don't know if I'd say that, but let's just say, if you’re looking for someone to look after me, I pick him."

"What makes him different than the other guys in your life?"

“I don’t know. Maybe it's the accent, maybe it's the way he plays, maybe it's the fact that he's one of the few hockey players I know that hasn't tried to sleep with me." Marc didn't say anything, and he looked like he was irritated with my response. “Ya, the only problem is his last name isn’t Staal,” I added winking at him. His expression still didn’t change. "I don't get it. I thought you'd like me to be with someone that's good for me. You don't think Hank would be good for me?"

"I guess if I had to pick someone that would be good for you, he’d be great." Marc tugged on his hair, just like his brother's do when they are frustrated.

My phone rang again. I wanted to ignore it, to ignore Eric, but I had already ignored it the other eight times that he called. I didn't know how long I could ignore the conversation. I figured I could go outside and get it over with. I excused myself and ran out of the bar.

"What!" I shouted into the phone.

"Damn it Caitlin! Why don't you answer your phone." Eric replied, obviously pissed off.

"I've been with Marc! What do you want me to do Eric?"

"Well it sounds like you've done enough all ready. What the fuck is wrong with you?"

I was so mad and getting madder by the second. "What's wrong with me? What's wrong with you? If you could just keep your dick in your pants, I wouldn't have anything to say when I'm drunk would I?"

I knew he was just as angry as me now. "Well guess what Caitlin, that's not going to be a problem anymore!" he shouted at me.

"It's not like you can break up with me Eric. I'm not a fucking Puck Bunny. I couldn't care less if you don't want to fuck anymore."

Eric held the line for a second and then hung up with a loud click. I could feel my eyes burning, and although I almost never cry, this was going to be one of those moments. I stood there trying to compose myself but it was no use. I turned around to sit on a bench and there was Hank standing behind me. Oh great I thought.

"Marc sent me out here to check on you. Are you Ok, Phoebe?" Only he could make such simple words sound like poetry.

"No, not really." I answered honestly for once in my life. "How much of that did you hear?" I asked the question, but knew if he had heard even the last 2 seconds I was totally screwed.

"Enough." He wrapped his arms around me. Despite how horribly I felt, there was something about being wrapped in his arms that made me feel better.

“I know it’s none of my business, but no one should treat you that way. Especially not him.”

“So you know who I was talking to?”

“I think I have a pretty good idea. Unless you tell me otherwise.”

“How about if I just don’t say?” I knew full well he knew it was Eric Staal. It’s not like it was a secret how close I was with the four boys. And for whatever reason, I just couldn’t bring myself to lie right to his face.

Hank didn’t push me to tell him, and was very sweet. In his efforts to cheer me up, we ended up on the bench talking and laughing. I guess I lost track of time, because soon Marc was standing over us looking pissed off.

“Well, it’s almost the third period, the Pens are losing so you’re going to want to get off of your new boyfriend here and call Jordan.”

Hank excused himself and went back into the bar. Marc just stood there staring at me with his hands on his hips. “What the fuck Marc?”

“Nothing forget it,” he said and turned to walk away.

I grabbed his arm. “What is going on with you?”

“With me? Look at you out here all over him.”

“We were just talking. Dear god what is wrong with you Staal boys today?”

“You know what Caitlin, I’ve got to get back to New York. I just need to clear my head.” He turned and started to walk away.

“I’m sorry Marc. Don’t leave mad please.” Though I didn’t feel that I had done anything wrong, I couldn’t stand the idea of Marc being mad at me too.

Marc froze where he was, but didn’t turn around. “I don’t know what I did wrong, but I don’t want you to be mad.” I walked in front of him and gave him the ‘I’m just a girl’ look.

A smile cracked on his lips, and I reached up and hugged him tightly. He hugged me back, and we stayed that way for a few moments.

“You going back to New York to see your girl?” I asked.

“No, My girl doesn’t live in New York.”

“Really? Thunder Bay?” I was trying to be nosey.

“Never mind Caity,” he said still smiling at me. “I really should go but I’ll miss you. Come to New York soon.”

“I will. I promise.” He lifted my chin and kissed me softly on the lips. There was something about the way he kissed me that seemed different and made me uneasy, but in a good way. “I hope this girl deserves you.”

Marc turned and started walking away. “She does; she just doesn’t know it yet.” I watched him as he walked down the street. I miss him already, I thought, and headed back into the bar and Hank.

Game three wasn’t good for anyone. Jordan and the Pens lost to Philly (6-3). Carolina lost to NJ (3-2). New York lost to Washington (4-0).