Edge of Desire

"So what are you doing on Valentines?" I surpressed the loud groan that wanted to force its way out of my mouth. Valentines day was my least favorite holiday. Ever since high school, I've always hated it. Maybe it was because I never had anyone to spend it with, or maybe it was because everyone seems to think that's the only day you have to treat the people you're dating. Either way, I hated being asked about it.

"Nothing," I mumbled, deciding not to rant about it to my best friend as we sat in the living room of her apartment, a pint of ice cream in each of our hands as we watched whatever movie was showing on TV.

"Wanna come to the Wings game with me? I have no one to go with," She said, watching me as she waited for my answer; the look on her face resembling a little kid and I couldn't help but laugh.

"People are going to think we're dating," I chuckled and Amy rolled her eyes.

"Even if they do, who cares. Are you going to go with me or do I have to find someone else?"

"You're actually going? Not planning some big dinner thing with Mike?" I asked and she shrugged her shoulders dramatically.

"You know how he is, it's a wonder I even got him in a relationship, I'm not going to push it and make him go out," She said and I laughed.

"Yeah, I'll go with you. I haven't been to a game in awhile," I said, happily taking a bite of my ice cream.

"That's your fault, not mine." Amy said, pointing her spoon at me with a stern look on her face.

-

"Are we even allowed up here?" I asked as I followed Amy up the steps in the Joe. She paused to turn around and give me a look before continuing on her way up the stairs. I huffed, continuing up the stairs behind her.

Soon enough, we made it to the press box and I watched as multiple people were setting up. I paused as Amy started her way through them. If any arena had the smallest press box, it had to be the Joe. I've never seen anything as small as this. I was afraid if I followed Amy I would bump into people or knock things over.

Amy glanced back to see me hesitating and rolled her eyes before becconing me to her. As soon as I got close enough, she grabbed my arm and pulled me through the small crowd of people, too busy with setting up for the game to even notice us. As we got towards the middle, I noticed Carrie talking with someone as one of the techs set up a mic in front of her.

"Hi Carrie," Amy said happily, stopping in front of her and the man she was talking to. "Hi Ken."

"Hey Amy, I didn't know you'd be here tonight," Ken said and Carrie turned to give me a hug.

"Did know you'd be here either," She said with a laugh and I shrugged.

"Amy invited me last night," I informed her and she nodded.

"Oh, Amy. Brendan wanted to see you." At this, Amy cocked an eyebrow.

"What does he want?"

"No idea." Amy shrugged before glancing over at me.

"You wanna come down to the locker room with me? Think you'll be able to hold yourself back?" She asked, nudging my arm and I rolled my eyes as Carrie let out a giggle. Following along behind Amy, I couldn't help but feel like a little lost puppy dog. Shaking my head at the thought, I wondered what players would be in the locker room this early.

"Should I take my jersey off?" I asked quietly as Amy and I made our way down the concourse to the elevator that would take us to the lower levels of the Joe. Amy coughed to hide her laughed and I frowned at her.

"No, you'll be fine. I doube Abby's even here yet," She said, punching the button to the elevator. We got in and rode it down to the lower level, conversation ceasing between us as we made the trek down the long hallway. I almost froze in my spot as I saw some of the Wings playing ping pong outside what I assumed what the locker room.

"Hey Amy!" Valtteri Filppula called out as he waved, almost causing himself to lose the game. Amy chuckled at him as she waved back.

"Hey Val. Score a goal tonight for me, okay?" He let out a laugh as she ducked into the hallway, grabbing my hand to pull me along with her. I tried to slow down before we got to the actual locker room, not wanting to see something the guys didn't want seen.

We we walked in, I was relieved to see everyone was still dressed. Only a handful of Wings were actually in the room, but it was still enough to make me starstruck. Amy let go of my hand as she crossed the room quickly, seeing Brendan sitting near his stall. I bit my lip, debating wheather I should follow her or not when Mike noticed me.

"Hey Em, what are you doing here?" I whipped around to look at him and he chuckled at the look on my face.

"Carrie said that Brendan wanted to talk to Amy. She dragged me here with her," I said quietly and he cracked a smile.

"Ah, that's right. You don't know all the boys. That explains the look on your face," He said as he tied his shoes, looking back up at me. "No need to be so freaked out, they're just normal people like you and me."

"I know that Mike," I said, giving him a look and he held his arms up.

"I was just saying... Anyway, I gotta go make sure I'm ready for the game. See you after?"

"Uh, maybe?" I said, not sure what I was doing after the game.

"Alright then. Tell Amy to pay attention to me during the game, not Smitty." And with that he walked away. I glanced over to see Amy was still talking to Brendan. Looking back to see Mike slip out of the room, I saw someone else walking in. My jaw nearly dropped when I realized it was Cory Emmerton. He glanced over at me, a confused look on his face before he joined Amy and Brendan. I turned my attention to my shoes, not wanting to join the small group that was forming.

"Hey, ready to get back up to Carrie?" Amy said, suddenly at my side causing me to jump.

"Yeah, let's go."

-

The Wings had won the game against Dallas, getting Jimmy a shutout, much to Carries contempt. Now we were back at Amy's apartment and her and Carrie had locked themselves in the bathroom. When they finally exited, I was sitting upsidedown on the couch, watching Doctor Who, trying to make sense of it.

"How do you watch this? It makes no sense at all," I whined, turning to look at Amy to see her hair was done and she had redone her makeup. Glancing at Carrie, I saw she had done the same. "Where are you two going?"

"Go get ready. Hair and makeup, hop to it," Amy said, reaching for the remote to turn the TV off.

"Why? What are you doing?" I asked, sitting up right to stare at my best friends.

"Just get in there and get ready," Amy commanded as she disappeared into her room. I let out a sigh, knowing it was no use to argue them, especially when they were teaming up against me. I did my makeup and hair quickly, not doing anything too fancy and when I walked out of the bathroom, Carrie ushered me into Amy's room. I saw Amy standing there in front of her closet, gazing at the clothing with a thoughtful look on her face.

"So what am I doing in here now?" I asked quietly as Amy finally reached into the closet, pulling out a dress. I had borrowed it from her before and it was one of my favorite dresses I'd ever worn; black with red accents and a pencil skirt that fit me perfectly. She studied it for a second before handing it to me. "What am I doing with this?"

"You're putting it on," She told me, pulling another dress out; this one bright red with only one sleeve. It was one of her favorites, and Mikes I assumed from the way he couldn't keep his eyes off her every time she wore it.

"Why?" I asked, glancing down at the dress in my hands as she quickly slipped her on.

"Because we have plans Emily. If you don't hurry up, we're going to be late."

-

As we entered the lobby of the huge building Amy had driven to, I realized the event we were going to was a Valentines day event, what with the obnoxious pink and red hearts, cupid cutouts and other stupid decorations. I quickly grabbed Amy's wrist, pulling her close to me.

"You said you weren't doing anything tonight," I whispered harshly to her, ignoring the amused look on her face.

"Turns out Brendan talked Mike into bringing me here. I thought that was pretty nice of him," She mused and I felt like screaming.

"So why the hell am I here?" I asked as we approched two huge oak doors. Carrie nodded at the men standing in front of them as they opened the doors for us, revealing a room decorated in all red and pink. Bouquets of roses sat on tables, satin fabrics draped across the chairs and an area where quite a few couples were already dancing to the quiet music being played.

"Come on, it'll be fun," Amy said, pulling my arm as she followed Carrie, our heels clicking against the hardwood floors, the sound almost hidden by the music and buzz of conversation swarming the room.

"How is this going to be fun? You and Carrie have Mike and Brendan. This is the worst case of being a third wheel I've ever-" I froze when our table came into view. Mike and Brendan were seated, both in button down shirts, Mikes black and Brendan's dark blue with a black tie. Seated next to them was Cory Emmerton in a dark maroon shirt with a black tie. He looked somewhat nervous and I glanced around to see if there was a girl with him.

Once we got close enough, Brendan and Mike finally noticed our group, standing up to greet their respective girls, both offering me a smile. Mike had his arms wrapped around Amys waist as he leaned down to place a kiss on her cheek.

"Did you tell her yet?" He asked and I watched as Amy shook her head, a confused look making it's way to my face.

"Tell me what?" I asked and Mike laughed, glancing at Cory quickly before looking back to me.

"You seem to have yourself a fan over there," He said, hiking his thumb over at Cory, who was playing with his tie as the rest of us stood around. "Cory!" At this, Cory's head snapped up. We locked eyes and I felt the cliche butterflies errupt in my stomach. "C'mere." He broke the gaze and made his way over to us slowly.

"Emily, I'd like you to meet Cory Emmerton." Cory offered an awkward smile that I returned. I didn't know what to say because I still wasn't sure what was going on.

"Well, you two have fun. Come on Mike, we're going to dance," Amy said, pulling him away as she laced her fingers with his, Mike protesting rather loudly but letting the smaller woman pull him towards the other couples. I glanced over to where Carrie and Brendan had been to see they had disappeared also.

"So, did you know this was going to happen?" Cory asked and I whipped my head back to look at him, our gaze locking again. I almost forgot I was supposed to respond. Shaking my head quickly to clear my head, I let out an awkward laugh.

"No, Amy told me her and Mike weren't going to do anything tonight and asked me to go to the game. I had no idea they were planning something until they were forcing me into this dress," I said, glancing down at my outfit.

"Well it's a nice dress. You look beautiful," He said and I watched as a blush crept up on his cheeks, feeling the same thing happening to mine.

"Thanks. You look really nice too," I commented, holding back on saying how good I thought he actually looked. He grinned for a second before biting his lip, glancing around the room.

"So uh, have you ever been to something like this before?" He asked, looking back to me as I shook my head no.

"Nope. I didn't know this kind of thing was even a...thing.. It's kind of not my style. I'm surprised Amy and Carrie are actually at something like this, to be honest."

"Who knows, maybe they just want to mess with Commie and Smitty. It's not really my style either though. And chance you wanna get out of here? We could probably find a nice enough restaurant, if you'd like." I tried to hold back the grin from breaking out on my face.

"I'd like that."