Past Lives

Talking to Scuds always made things better. It always had.

After Ads left to see Max, Scuds looked at me. "How are you holding up?" He knew I didn't do well with lying. I really didn't do well with cheating. I looked down at my plate and shook my head. Instantly, Scuds came and sat next to me. "Aw, Jamie..." He put his arm around me and pulled me close. I thought nothing of it. We had always been close.

I looked up. "Scuds..." I shook my head. "I want to be angry and disappointed, but...I can't even be surprised." I leaned my head on his shoulder.

"Let's go talk." He left money on the table and we headed into the cold. Outside, we climbed into his car and drove to the Point. We could find something to do from there.

As we walked, Scuds took my gloved hand. We walked in silence for a few minutes before he said, "You know, Jamie...I really missed you." I looked up at him. Before I could say anything, he pushed a piece of hair behind my ear. "There's one thing I've wanted to tell you since college."

I smirked. "Oh? And what's that?"

Rob leaned down and kissed me. Oh...my... I returned his kiss and he pulled back to smile at me. "That."

We sat down on the fountain and Rob kept my hands in his. "Listen. Bugsy doesn't deserve you. You're too good for him." He played with my fingers. "You need someone who understands you. Who loves you for you. Who wants nothing more than you to be happy." He looked at me for a second. "I..." He took a breath. "I can give you that."

I looked up at him and smiled. "Oh could you?"

He nodded. "Yes."

We were back in his car in no time, heading towards the house. I clearly needed a man. Inside, we went upstairs, shedding winter coats and scarves along the way. In my room, I led Rob to my bed. We started kissing, something I was really enjoying. As we did some more of that, I felt his hand rubbing my inner thigh. I was alright with that.

For some reason I had always thought that kissing Scuds would be like kissing my brother. Clearly, I was wrong. He pulled my blue sweater off my body as I fumbled with his buttons. Maybe I was secretly in love with Rob.

...Or maybe I was just really horny.

Just as we were about to make things interesting, Rob's phone went off. "Goddamn." Clearly it was an important ringtone. He answered his phone. "Seriously, Sid?" He nodded, clearly annoyed. "Yeah, I'll be there." He hung up and angrily grabbed his pants. "I have to be at the arena early. Random team meeting."

I felt my face fall. Rob walked over and ran his finger down my face. "Don't worry, beautiful. We'll find another time." He kissed me and finished dressing. Once Rob left, I glared at the scattered clothing.

"Dammit."

--

I was getting ready for the game when Ads came home. She was in a good mood. Clearly she had fun with Max. As I pulled on the Pens hoodie from Max, Ads walked in with her Max jersey on.

"So what did you do this afternoon?" She sat on my bed and smiled.

I didn't look at her. "Talked about Bugsy a little. Went for a walk with Scuds." I brushed my hair. "Came back here. Made out with Scuds." I grabbed a necklace as Ads' jaw dropped. "Almost slept with Scuds."

Ads shook her head. "Ok, I kind of figured that you two would make out at some point. I mean, come on. But almost sleeping with him? Didn't see that coming, all things considered."

Lifelessly, I said, "Once you sleep with a man who's practically married, nothing seems off limits anymore." I turned to look at her. "Except Philadelphia Flyers. Don't touch them under any circumstance."

Ads shook her head. "Let's go, hornball. Its time for the game."

--

Brooks seemed a little off that night. I couldn't be sure, but I figured Ads factored into that. Scuds and Max, though, were on fire. It was so much fun to watch. The guys beat the Sabres 2-0 with goals from Army and Geno. Ty did well in Flower's place.

Downstairs, it seemed like the guys were a little rowdier than usual. With the Winter Classic just three days away, I couldn't blame them. The game would be awesome. Ads was talking to some stranger when I heard something from the locker room that caught my ear.

"Come on, Max. How many others are on speed dial?" It sounded like Army.

"Seriously, guys! I haven't been talking to anyone else. I...I'm crazy about Ads."

Wait. Max wasn't seeing anyone else? He was committing to Ads? He was committing to Ads and I knew she was with him partly to piss off Brooks?

Shit.