***
“I haven’t seen him since high school.” She continued and proceeded to get out of the car. She walked into line. “Hey Jordan.” The tall guy in front of her turned around.
“Hey Lyssa.” He called her. “How are you?”
“I’m doing well, how are you?”
“Same stuff just a different day.”
“This is my boyfriend, Jordan.” I shook his hand.
“It’s nice to meet you.” I agreed. “Don’t you play for the Penguins.”
“Yes I do.”
“That’s cool. Good luck. I know play offs are coming up!”
“Thanks man.” It was then his turn to order.
“Well it was nice seeing you Lys and nice meeting your Jordan.”
“Take care!” and now we ordered. Lys got an Oreo and m&m flurry while I got a chocolate dip cone. She paid with cash and I took a lick of the ice cream. It was good! We decided to sit on the bench on the side of the building and eat our ice cream because it was such a nice day. She then started to laugh. “I just thought of something… do you know what his last name is?” I shook my head no. “Stull spelled s-t-u-l-l. And you’re Staal but different.” She laughed. It was pretty funny so I joined in.
“This is excellent ice cream babe.” I stated when I was finished with my cone.
“See I told ya!” she smiled and I kissed her. We got back in the car and drove to my house. We finished the night cuddling and watching a movie.
The next day we had a game down the Mellon against the Thrashers. They were a decent team to play. We woke up, went to breakfast and headed to the arena. We were there by 11. I pulled in right next to Geno’s white Porsche. He and Alex stepped out of the vehicle.
“Hey guys!” Lys greeted and hugged both. She and Alex started talking about something school related when we talked about that day’s game. When we reached the locker room we kissed our girls goodbye. They were heading up to the special box seating. I needed to concentrate on the game ahead. If we won today then we eliminate the chances of the Thrashers gaining a play-off spot. We need to do that. Coach Dan Blysma gave us a pep talk and told us what to watch out for and the normal stuff. Then Sid said something straight to the point.
“Stay focus and win!” We went out and gave it our all beating the Thrashers in overtime 4-3. I was in the locker room getting changed when I heard the girl’s voices down the hall.
“We are leaving to go back to Cleveland right now.”
“Are you flying or driving?” asked Alex
“Flying. It’ll be faster.”
“Aww well have a safe trip and text us when you get there.” Lys said.
“You too Alex! Hope you and Geno have a safe flight to Virginia.” Natale told her.
“Thank you.”
“Hey I’ll see you guys, have a happy Easter.” Sid told us and went to meet up with Natale. I heard more goodbyes exchanged before Lys and Alex entered the room.
“Ready to go, hun?” Geno asked Alex. She nodded.
“See you Lys.” The girls hugged.
“Please don’t forget to text me. Geno will you remind her, please.”
“Of course! But sorry if I forget too.” He replied. I chuckled. He was such a character.
“See you guys later.” I told them as they left.
“Jordan, are you headed home as well?” Max approached us.
“Nah, I’m spending time with Lys and her family this Easter.” I replied and wrapped my arm around her waist. I was still sitting on the bench.
“Cool do you guys wanna head down to Mario’s and get a bit to eat?” I glanced at Lys and she nodded yes. We headed down there with the Max and couple of the guys. It was a nice way to celebrate the victory and spend time with friends. Back at my apartment Lys insisted on playing a board game. We played Monopoly. Let me tell you, she is good at that game and she won. We ended the night with a little loving before fall asleep in each other’s arms.
We woke up fairly early to get ready for church. It was at least a 45 minute drive but it’s Sunday so I can probably make it in 30 minutes. Once there we were greeted by her grandmother and various members of the church.
“Oh Jordan I forgot to tell you, the congregation is getting a group photo after service to put in the 100th anniversary book, could you please take it for us?” I told her I didn’t mind at all. We then chatted with the Reverend before taking our seats. After communion and worship service we gathered outside in front of the church. I took a couple of pictures and then went inside to take the council member photo. All turned out nice. For Easter dinner this year, Cathy got tickets to eat on the Gateway Clipper. It was back to Pittsburgh we went. I offered to drive so we piled into the Cadillac and headed down to Station Square. The food was delicious, the sites were amazing but company was the best!
Once we were back at home I just held her on the couch while we watched Extreme Makeover Home Edition.
“I love you. Thank you for inviting me to spend time with your family on Easter.”
“You’re welcome and I love you more!”
“No I love you more!” I started to tickled. We had a tickle fight until the show came back on. Sadly she had to leave tomorrow. She needed to be back at school for a meeting with her Global Marketing Group. “Hey I won’t see you tomorrow, will I?”
“No babe I don’t think so. I was planning on leaving here around one.” I gave her a puppy dog eyes. “But I’ll see you for the game on Tuesday!” she kissed my lips. That she would! I love spending as much time as I can with her. We finished the show and headed to bed with one thing on our minds. It was a great ending to a marvelous weekend.
In the morning I let her sleep as I got ready for practice then kissed her lips before I left. She texted me in the afternoon saying that she made it back to school safely that she’d call me that night. That night I asked if she wanted me to have car come get her for the game.
“That would be lovely Jordan, thank you! Save me some money on gas.” It was settled the car was coming at 4 seeing as she got out of class at 3:45. “See you tomorrow baby. I love you!”
She arrived at the arena around 5 and came straight to wish me good luck. She kissed me on the cheek before she headed up to the box. The game was brutal. Ovechkin was a hitting machine checking players across the rink. We needed to win this game if we wanted any chance of a division title. We played our hardest but it just was not good enough. The Capitals won, 6-3. I was walking into the locker room when I saw Lys farther up in the corridor but then she was stopped by him.
“Hey Alyssa” I heard Ovechkin stopped Lys on her way to the locker room. I made eye contact with her.
“Great game!” they exchanged hugs and he kissed her on the cheek. I saw her blush. She started to make her way toward me but I just looked away and headed into the locker room. Their voices traveled down the corridor.
“Thanks Lys. Hey why don’t you come see the guys, I’m sure Nikolas would like to see you.” He said to her. I’m sure Backstrom would like to see her. They almost dated!
“Well Jordan normally takes a shower now so I guess I will.” Damn her for knowing my schedule and for going with Ovechkin! How can she stand talking to him after they way that he beats up players?
“Jordan, what’s up man?” I heard Max’s voice. I looked over to see him just in a towel and hair dripping wet. “Where’s Lys?”
“With Ovechkin.” I hastily stood up and removed my gear before heading to the shower. She still was not back by the time that I was done so I changed back into my suit I had worn earlier in the day.
“Have a safe drive back Alex.” I heard her voice.
“Thanks, you call me the next time you are in town.”
“Will do.” She then waved goodbye and turned into the locker room. I quickly looked away from the door. “Hey baby.” She kissed my cheek. “Awesome game despite the loss.” She said. ‘Awesome game?’ I thought. ‘We played horribly! Our timing was off and everything, it sucked.” I mumbled a thanks and gathered my things before heading for the door. Lys didn’t say another word and just followed.
“Jordan, Jordan, Staal, I love you,” Were heard from the screaming fans outside the arena. I just walked to the Cadillac with Lys in tow. We climbed in and rode in silence back to the apartment.
“Jordan I’m sorry about your loss.” I don’t know what happened to me but that set me off.
“Do you think sorry is going to bring back our chance of the Division title? No! Do you think it’ll bring back the game we just played? No! Do you think it’ll be enough after you hung out with Ovechkin? NO!”
“You know I’m friends with him and the team why would that be a problem?”
“He’s the rivalry, Lys. You do not fraternize with the other team.”
“Well, gee sorry for having friends on other teams.” She spat at me. We glared at each other. I could feel the anger building up inside. I do not know what I was more of, angry because we lost the game or jealous because she spent time with Ovechkin. “I’m sorry for you loosing the title and for the game but I’m not sorry for hanging out with Alex. He is my friend and I can hang out with whom I choose.” That did it. I raised my hand and slapped her across the face. As soon as my hand made contact I wanted to take it back.
“Lys I’m so sorry.” I told her and went to give her a hug, but she backed away. “I never meant to do that.”
“Jordan, I’m leaving.” She was trembling and crying gathering her purse.
“You’re in no condition to drive.” I somehow managed to convince her to stay. I offered her the bed but she just took the couch. I tossed and I turned that night. I even texted Sid at some point but he must have been sleeping. Somewhere in between the hours of 2 and 3 am I fell asleep. I woke around 7 hoping to kiss and make up with Lys but I noticed a note on my bed stand.
Dear Jordan,
I’m sorry. I couldn’t stay here any longer. I’m going to clear my head this weekend so I will not be at Thursday game. Good luck, though. Please do not try to contact me. I will contact you when I am ready.
Lys
P.S. I don’t feel right wearing this.
I looked down to see the necklace I had given her weeks prior. I started to break down and cry. I didn’t want to lose her. She is too valuable to me. It pained me not scoop her up in my arms and take her to bed with me last night. Where could she be going this weekend? I hope she’s alright. I needed to talk to someone and I dialed Sid’s number not caring if I woke up him. I needed to be with someone or I might do something stupid alone – without her. Sidney showed up 20 minutes later.
“What happened?” he asked when we sat on the couch. So I retold the horror story of last night. I even started to get choked up a bit.
“Where do you think she’s gone?”
“I don’t know but she’s not wearing her necklace.” Sid didn’t even know what to say. “Why don’t you call Alex or Natale, maybe they know where.” He suggested.
“See I knew you were here for a reason.” I picked up my phone to dial Alex’s number. “Wait what’s today?” He answered with a Wednesday. I then glanced at the clock. Alex has school during the day. “Alex is student teaching during the day so I don’t want to call her.”
“Wait you said Alex teaches during the day.” I nodded. “Then what if Lys has class?”
“She does! And I know she will not skip her classes on any circumstance.” I smiled. “Sid, do you want to take a drive?”
“We can’t, we have practice. Besides the note said not to contact her.”
“But I need to know she is alright.”
“Check her twitter? I know she always updates.” I shrugged. I wanted to see her and make everything all better and apologize again. “Come on get showered I’ll drive you to practice.” I did that and tried not to let the fact that she was gone effect my performance but it did. Coach even noticed and asked what was wrong so I explained everything to him. All through practice I kept reliving the events, why did I hit her? There was no need to hit her. No need to worry about her and Ovechkin. She was coming home with me she always comes home with me…until now.
***
Trouble in paradise. What do you think will happen? Comment below!!!
