Status: Four Chapters....

One Night

The Things That We Two Could Plan Would Make My Dreams Come True

Geno slammed his things at his stall after the game, disappointed in himself. His teammates avoided him, knowing when he was in this place it was better to just leave him be. He showered and dressed and left the room to find his parents, which only confronted him with his problem.

Claire.

She was stunning, standing there talking with his parents in a corner of the family room. There was a confident air about her as she turned at a tap on her shoulder. He watched her introduce herself to Kris LeTang’s wife before squatting down to greet their son. He watched her mouth move, assuming she was speaking french to them as a smile spread across her face, her eyes bright as she tickled the little boy who laughed. She stood and said something to his mother before her eyes moved away from her and landed on Geno.

He knew she had busted him staring at her and he just did not care. He could look at her for hours, memorize her face all over again. He had never forgotten the girl who used to live next door, had never forgotten their friendship, the closeness they had once had. Seeing her had been a shock but a very good one, even if it did bring a flood of old memories, of things he never told her.

Like the epic crush he had had on her from the first moment he saw her that never went away.

He started towards her but his mom intercepted him first, talking in a flurry of Russian. He answered her, then his dad before he finally got them quiet enough to suggest heading out.

“Hey, where’s Arthur?” James Neal demanded as he walked into the lounge.

“His mom is sick,” Geno answered.

“Well who is this and aren’t you going to introduce me?”

“Lazy, this is Claire. Claire, Lazy.”

“James Neal,” he corrected, reaching for Claire’s hand and grasping it in his own. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Claire.”

“Likewise, Mr. Neal,” she replied with a smile. He winked in return.

“We were just leaving,” Geno interrupted.

“So soon? Come on, G; take your parents home and meet us for a drink.”

“Not tonight.”

“What about you Claire? You still on duty for the night?”

“Actually, no. I was just going to head back to my hotel for the night.”

“Have you ever been to Pittsburgh before?”

“No.”

“Then you have to let me take you for a drink instead. I insist. I can drive you back to your hotel.”

“I have my rental car.”

“Leave it here; we’ll come back for it.”

“I think Claire has busy day with my parents tomorrow,” Geno spoke up. “Right, Claire?”

“Actually, they don’t have any plans until after lunch so I should be good for a drink or two. I’ll follow you, James?” She hugged Natalia and spoke lowly to her. Geno turned to James with a glare.

“I hate you,” he bit out.

James chuckled. “Maybe now you’ll man the fuck up,” he smirked. “Ready, Claire?” She nodded and he offered his arm to her. “See you later, G!” James called out as he led Claire away with him.

“Mother fucker,” Geno swore under his breath.

~*~*~


Geno had been pacing his foyer for an hour the next day. James had ignored his texts all night long and Jussi swore he wasn’t at the bar with the rest of the team. For all he knew he had taken Claire back to his place and wooed her with his sad, empty house. Because girls always fell for James’ sad ‘I’m a lost boy, come and save me’ routine.

He heard the car in his driveway and immediately threw the door open, reaching her car before she had even cut off the engine. “Hello, Evgeni,” Claire smiled.

“Where were you?” he demanded.

“Excuse me?”

“Did you sleep with James?”

“What?! No! Not that it is any of your business Evgeni Malkin, but no, I did not sleep with your teammate. Do I look like a cheap fuck? Do I look like I would like to have an STD? James is a man whore. Ten minutes alone with him confirmed every bit of gossip I’ve ever heard.”

“He flirt with you?”

“Of course he flirted with me. Have you ever met a girl that James wouldn’t flirt with?”

“No.”

“Okay then.”

“Did he kiss you?”

“Of course not. He was a gentleman once I made it clear his lines had no effect on me.”

Geno frowned as Claire pushed past him and marched into his house. Of course James would hit on her and try to sleep with her. Claire was beautiful and smart and exactly what any guy wanted to end up in his bed and his life. He rubbed his face in his hands before making his way towards the house. Before he reached the stairs, Claire walked out, his parents trailing behind her.

“Where are you going?” he asked in Russian.

“We’re going sightseeing,” his mother answered him. “Claire’s never been here before so it will give her a chance to see the city.”

“I’ll go too.”

“You have somewhere to be in a few hours,” his father reminded him.

He turned to Claire and spoke in English. “What about lunch?”

Claire shrugged. “Maybe some other time.”

“Claire, please,” he begged. “Can I take you to dinner tonight?” His eyes turned sad as he looked at her and finally she sighed.

“Fine,” she relented. “Dinner.”

“Eight?” She nodded in agreement before motioning to his parents to follow her to her rental. Geno waved as they pulled out of the driveway before rushing inside, already debating what to wear.
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Forgive me y'all. I was going to post yesterday but I am bit under the weather at the moment. Also it seems I can't copy and paste into mibba from my phone for some reason which is normally how I post. Very strange...