Pittsburgh

It had been two weeks since the deal with Rockwell failed to go ahead, which meant I found myself headed to CONSOL Energy Centre in the back of a cab on another chilly Saturday in the hopes that I would finally secure that promotion. The Penguins had played another two home games between now and then, and my boss was keen to have this deal signed by Monday.

Learning from my earlier mistake, I ensured that I was arriving to the stadium well before the traffic even began, leaving me with plenty of time to go over my own little game plan for today’s meeting. I paid the fare after the cab pulled up right outside the stadium, walking in and headed towards the executive suite to prepare for tonight’s meeting.
“You came,” said someone with an unmistakable Russian accent.
I turned to see Evgeni jog over to me with a grin on his face. He was wearing a tailored grey suit and carrying a large black sports bag. I couldn't help but notice how good he looked.
“I promised I would, didn't I?” I replied, returning his smile.
“You have better time at game today yes?” he said, again making it hard to distinguish whether he was asking me if I would, or telling me to.
“That all depends on whether you guys win,” I told him. Though that wasn't exactly the case, I wasn't going to bother him with the drama of my work situation.
“If you no have good time, I buy you drink after,” he told me, this time making it obvious that it wasn't a question.
I blushed, a little taken-aback with his forwardness. “I’m going to hold you to that!” I replied, shaking it off. “But what if I have a good time?”
“Then I buy you drink to celebrate,” he said, grinning once again.
“Hey Geno! Stop chatting up girls and get your ass over here!” someone, with a hint of a Swedish accent, called out.
Evgeni and I both looked in the direction the voice had come from. I realised that it was Patric Hornqvist, who was looking amused by the exchange between the two of us.
“Just wait!” Evgeni called back, then turned to face me. “I need go. I meet you after game? You come wait near locker area, I try not take too long.”
“Sure thing,” I replied, hoping that he didn't notice the blush that crept back to my cheeks. “Good luck out there tonight.”
“Cheer for me!” Evgeni called over his shoulder, jogging over to Patric.
I laughed, turning to head to the suite, hardly believing what just happened. Though I'd been to the two other Pittsburgh home games, never did I imagine I’d bump into Evgeni Malkin again. Truthfully, I hadn't really thought about our last encounter; sure, I was incredibly thankful that he dropped me off home – which was incredibly gentlemanly of him – but I was preoccupied so much by work that I had little time to focus on anything else. However, after what just happened, it seemed as though work would be the last thing on my mind tonight.

***

I was already on my second drink by the time Mark and Ryan showed up to the executive suite.
“Early for once, hey Myers?” Ryan greeted me sarcastically.
Mark took no notice, choosing not to acknowledge our bitter rivalry. Honestly, I think he almost encourages it, wanting two of his most hardworking employees constantly at each other’s throats, pushing each other to one-up the other.
“You know me Stevenson,” I replied, taking a sip from my martini. “I like to prepare early for a challenge.”
Ryan scoffed, shaking his head at me patronisingly as he turned to Mark. “So tonight’s the night?”
“Hopefully,” Mark replied, the pressure of getting the deal signed evident in the curtness of his voice.
The three of us spent the rest of the time waiting for Rockwell to arrive in silence. I finished off my drink with the intention for that to be my last one until I met up with Evgeni. The thought of meeting up with him after the game caused me to feel more anxious about that than I was about the impending business meeting, but after two martinis, the gin certainly dulled my nerves. I gazed out onto the ice, steeling myself for the meeting ahead. If I could just get this deal cinched tonight, all my career worries would vanish, and I could return home to Sydney during the Christmas break to tell my family about finally getting the promotion I’ve been working so hard for.

Once Rockwell finally arrived with his lawyer in tow, I fell into the old pattern of engaging him in banter whilst subtly trying to bring the focus around to the deal we were trying to make. This went on until the game was just about to start, after which he refused to talk about anything but hockey. Throughout the duration of the game, Pittsburgh were all over Buffalo; by the end of the first period, it was clear that unless the Sabres upped their game, Pittsburgh were a sure thing for the win.

“What a game!” I said to Rockwell, grinning. As predicted, Pittsburgh smashed Buffalo in a 5-0 shutout. Though it didn't look like the deal was going through tonight, I couldn't help but feel elated that the Penguins won, with Evgeni scoring the final goal. Perhaps it was my mood that allowed me to formulate a quick plan, and as I looked between Rockwell, Mark and Ryan, I felt like I had nothing else to lose.
“Excuse me gentlemen,” I said to them, grabbing my handbag and standing up to leave. “I've got to get going; I'm meeting someone.” I didn't tell them who, expecting their curiosity to get the better of them.
“Who?” Mark questioned me in a barely hidden tone of disapproval.
“Number 71 of the Pittsburgh Penguins,” I replied with a smile, my plan beginning to fall into place.
“You mean Malkin?” Rockwell asked, clearly taken aback.
“The very same. He’s taking me out to celebrate.” My reply was met with shocked looks from Mark, Rockwell and Ryan, whilst Rockwell’s lawyer talked on his phone in the corner of the suite, clearly uninterested. “Anyways, thanks again for your company,” I told Rockwell, shaking his hand and smiling sweetly. “And I shall see you two on Monday,” I said, turning to Mark and Ryan. They still wore the same shocked expressions.
“Actually, Miss Myers,” Rockwell said, putting a hand on my arm as I started to leave. “I'd love for you and Mark to have lunch with Joseph and I this Monday. We need to discuss how our two companies will be going ahead with this deal you're wanting me to sign.” He smiled at me before turning his attention towards Mark. “I'll have my assistant set something up.”
Mark, who seemed to become even more shocked by this exchange, quickly shook it off. “Sounds great,” he said to Rockwell, shaking his hand.
“Well gentlemen, I’m off,” I told them, shooting a triumphant smile at Ryan before taking my leave.
It looks like Evgeni and I both had something to celebrate over tonight.