Flying High

20. All Stars Day Three

(Max’s POV)

Claude, Jakub and I drive through the early morning Pittsburgh traffic, bound for the NHL Compound that would be our home for the next few days. Breeze was staying at the hotel the rest of the week but Paul would pick her up and drive her where ever she needs to go for the remainder of her stay – that includes both practices, seeing as she has to take photos for the team.

I still didn’t like the idea of her being alone in the city, but knowing that Paulie was going to take care of her helped.

The heavy traffic slowly thins as we drive into a more rural area. I was driving, Claude was fidgeting with his phone while Jake was asleep in the back.

Soon enough, the GPS told me turn. I drove down the road for a few more minutes before a white fence came into view. The closer we drove the larger the fence became.

“Merde,” Claude exclaims quietly, “It has to be twenty feet tall.”

The wall was easily close to that estimate and made of thick concrete; an iron fence equally as imposing acted as a gate.

“Looks like it’ll keep the loonies out,” I joke.
Claude laughs, “Or the loonies in.”

I drove through the gate and around the drive – it ran along the inside of the curved wall giving us a fantastic view of the two Mansions and the expanse of lawn in front of the houses.

“Breeze would have a fit to see this place,” I say as we park the car – the slight jar wakes the sleeping Czech.

“Maybe we can sneak her in,” Jakub offers.
The three of us share a conspirator look before exiting the car.

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(Max’s POV)

Jake and I part with Claude after unpacking the car – the mansions had flags of the two team to indicate who belonged to what house.

When we enter, I can’t help but admire the beauty of the place. . We had entered into the Great Foyer – a large round room with high ceilings and a circular staircase. The walls are painted a warm tan and the floors are hardwood. Off the Great Foyer was a Formal Dining room large enough to sit all twenty one players, maybe a few extra too. Off the other side of the Foyer was a den with dark leather furniture and a large fireplace.

Tyler Seguin bounds out of the back area of the house and greets us. He offers to show us the house before he leads us through the library, ball room, conservatory, great room, rear foyer, kitchen – where we run into Steven Stamkos, Sidney, Geno and Nealsy – into the family room and finally up the back stairs to the second floor.

Tyler informs us that there is a full gym, a rec room, and media center in the basement with theater style seating – the cushions are oversized; big enough to stretch out on apparently – and a fully stocked snack bar.

Ten bedrooms are one the second floor – there are eleven total bedrooms but the last is on the main floor off of the dining room; that’s where Chara is staying.

Jake and I choose the room right off of the stairs – it’s painted a warm yellow – and start settling in. Jake finishes before me and disappears down stairs. I take the moment to call Breeze.

She picks up after three rings, “Hello?”
“Hey babe,” I say, as a smile creeps across my face.

I can hear her smiling too, “Hey Max. How’s the compound?” she asks.
“It’s gorgeous, Breeze. Claude, Jake and I are going to figure out a way to sneak you out here.”

“Max, don’t do anything that will get you in trouble,” she playfully warns.
My smile widens, “Who? Me? Never,” I say, fawning innocence; she scoffs, clearly not buying my act, “Seriously babe, you would love it.”

We continue our conversation before she has to hang up for a work call; she tells me to give her best to the guys and Nicole. I can still feel the faint smile as I walk down stairs.

“Get your girl?” Sidney asks as I enter the kitchen; Jakub gives me a sly smile before walking back into the family room.

“Yeah, she said to tell you all hello,” I answer before sinking into the breakfast nook – Geno hands me a water and sits.

It wasn’t long before Seguin rushes through the kitchen and out the front door. Stammer, Geno and Sidney all chuckle at the young rookie.

Steven sees my confused look so he fills me in, “The young Bruin seems to have taken a liking to Nicole.”

I raise an eyebrow at him, “Oh Really?”

Geno snorts, “Yeah, the kid hasn’t stopped talking about her since he got here – was asking a bunch of questions about her playing style and what it was like to be on her line.”

Sidney chimes in, “I’m fairly sure he’s been looking out the window to see when she arrives.”
“I don’t blame him,” Steven adds, “Nicole’s pretty great.”

Sidney and I share a knowing look; just then, we hear voices – two male and one very distinct female. The trio round the corner – Tyler says something that makes both Nic and Patrick laugh.

They spot us and give a quick hello before heading upstairs to claim a room.
It doesn’t take long before Seguin is back down stairs, greeting the next arrival.

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(Max’s POV)

It’s late by the time the rest of the team arrives. I had moved from the kitchen to the den when Nealer walked up to me, Stamkos was hot on his heels.

“Want to go get Nic?” James asks; there’s a devilish look in his eyes.
I look at Steven, “This is all him,” the Blonde defends.

“You know she’s grumpy when someone wakes her up,” I warm.
James’ smile grows, “But you didn’t say no.”

I give the forward a conspirator look and allow him to help me out of my seat.

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(Max’s POV)

The hall is quiet as her ascend the stairs – most everyone is down stairs either relaxing or playing games in the rec room.

James leads us to the very last room on the hall; the door is cracked slightly and we can just make out a form in the darkened room.

James slowly pushes the door open – it creeks slightly making the three of us cringe. Nicole simply rolls the other way.

James slowly ticks off three fingers before he runs and jumps on the mattress – and by default – on Nicole.

“What the hell!” Nicole exclaims; I can see she’s trying to wiggle out from under the Canadian mass.

“Wake up, sunshine!” James practically screams in her ear.

“Nealer, I’m going to hurt you,” she deadpans.

James fawn hurt, “But I thought you loved me,” he pouts at the small brunette.

“I told you to leave her alone,” Steven says; giving our position away.
I pipe in, “You know she’s at her grumpiest when her nap is interrupted.”

Nic shoves James off enough to see the two of us standing in the door – each with an equal look of humor on our faces. She pushes James away enough to climb over the winger and hop off the bed – straight into the waiting arms of the Lightning’s Captain.

“Stammer! Oh how I’ve missed you,” Nicole exaggerates; rubbing it in Nealer’s face, which only makes him pout more.

Steven laughs, “You saw me yesterday.”
She pulls back to look up into his baby blues, “But I didn’t get to really ‘see’ you. What with the media day and the draft.”

“And what am I? Chopped liver?” I ask, a slight pout on my face.

Nicole untangle herself from the blonde and latch onto my waist, “Of course not; but I did get to see you yesterday and the day before.”

I scoff, “Yeah, right before you stole my girlfriend.”
Nicole gives me an evil look, “You’ll be lucky if I decide to give her back.”

James and Steven crack up at the look of horror that must cross my face.

“So was there a reason you boys decided to interrupt my beauty sleep?” she asks three us.
“There is not enough sleep in the world that could compare to your beauty,” I says with a cheeky smile.

Nicole gives me her best serious look.

“Careful Nic; you’ll give Tazer a run for his money with that look,” James chirps.
Steven breaks up the fun before they can get started on each other, “Food’s about ready and Sid’s dead set on having a team meeting after.”

Nicole sigh, “Of course he is.”
The four of us make our way out of the room and down the stairs.

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(Regular POV)

The food was set out on the formal dining table off of the great foyer. Professional chefs had been brought in to make sure the players were well fed according to the strict diet plan of a professional athlete.

The room was loud as people were trading war stories. Laughter filled the area around the group as they spent time getting to know each other.

Once the food – what was left of it – was taken away, Sidney stood and announced that the meeting would take place in the family room in ten minutes. They group quickly dispersed to grab refills or check phones before meeting back up.

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(Max’s POV)

I’m one of the first back downstairs so I sit on the sofa across from the sectional. Eddie Lack sits next to me as the guys slowly file in. Nicole is one of the last to arrive but Seguin waves her aver to sit next to him. The rookie says something that makes Nic smile and has Hank trying not to laugh at the pair.

Soon Sid stands and starts speaking, “Alright, is everyone here?”

“Raise your hand if you’re not here!” I yell from my spot on the sofa. A small trill of laughter floats through the room as Sidney shoots me a look – I try to look unabashed at my former captain.

Sidney continues, “So I just want to give you all a run down on how the next couple of days will go. We will have practice tomorrow to determine who will be participating in each event. As we all know, the skills competition consist of four events – fastest skater, accuracy, hardest shot, and the team relay. We will have practice tomorrow to determine who will be participating in each even. The three of us,” Sidney pauses to point at Kaner and Karlsson, “Have an idea of who should be in what but if anyone wants to volunteer for a specific event, please let us know.

We have another morning practice the day after to work on lines; you will have the afternoons free to do as you please but be back at the house no later than 2 a.m. – and that’s every night.

So that’s day four and five….. Day six is the Skills competition – unfortunately we will leave from the rink after and come directly here so if you need to see anyone try to do so before or directly after the Skills.

Day seven is the game and after you are free to leave….so that’s that.”

I start clapping; causing Sidney to turn bright red as the guys laugh – drinks had been pouring freely since dinner. Sid gives us a dismissal wave and everyone slowly makes their way to various parts of the house.

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(Max’s POV)

I had followed the mass group down to the rec room when Mike Green walked in and asked if anyone wanted to watch a movie with Nicole and him. Everyone was down, so we filed into the media room to claim various spots on the theater styled sofas. The seats were big enough for most of us to stretch out – minus Chara. The rest of the team walked in shortly after, we were just missing Nicole and two swedes.

I looked around and realized that Nic must have been with Gabe and Eddie. Bumping Sid’s shoulder with my foot, he turned and looked at me.

“Who was the bright one that left Nic with the Swedes?” I ask.

Sid pales slightly, “You think we should…..”

The smell of popcorn drifted into the room, cutting him off.

Nicole walks in carrying two huge bowls of popcorn with Eddie and Gabe following. She stops in the door when she sees all of us.

Eddie and Gabe take in the room, “I think we’re going to need more popcorn,” Eddie says.

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(Max’s POV)

Half way through the movie, I look over and see that Nicole has fallen asleep – Mike was passed out on her shoulder. Knowing she likes to cuddle under blankets, I grab the Flyer’s one that I had brought down and nudge Sidney again. He turns and sees me holding the blanket out before I nod in the sleeping pair’s direction. Sidney smiles when he sees the logo and the two forms before moving enough to cover the duo. Soon after, Eddie shifts so that his head is laying in Nic’s lap. Tyler somehow managed to squirm around and had his head on Nicole’s free shoulder. The four were sound asleep by the time the credits roll.

Jamie Benn pulled his phone out and takes a picture – posting it to Twitter and Instagram with the caption – “All Star Week: Bringing Everyone Together #Frenemies #MovieNight

Sid has him send the photo to his phone so he can send it to Toews.

“Don’t want him worrying too much,” is Sidney’s excuse.

The guys manage to quietly wake the three men before I gently pick Nicole up and take her up to her room.