Chapter 39: Absolutely Lethal

Alrighty, I know it's a short update, but I thought it kind of fit the essence that is Geno and Ty.. simple and to the point, not overbearing. Anyways, enjoy! :-)

Geno's POV

After my doctor my doctors appointment, hearing that I should be able to play in the game, nothing could describe how happy I felt. After hurrying home, I practically sprint up the stairs to where I can only imagine Ty is. After I get to the door, I practically spring through it, finding her sitting on the edge of the bed and I can't wait to share my news with her.

"I got cleared to play," I announce. She looks up for the first time, and I see that she is definitely thinking hard about something, not being excited about my news like I thought she would. Then I see the ring box in her hand, the night stand drawer wide open. I take a deep breath, wondering how bad this is going to freak her out.

"Geno, what is this?" she starts while raising the box a little, turning her attention back to it. "I couldn't bring myself to open it, but I've just been sitting her thinking about how much I love you," she finishes, looking back up at me, a fresh set of tears forming in her eyes. She doesn't let them fall, and thankfully I don't see fear of any kind behind them.

"Well, I wanted it to be a surprise," I say, answering her first question before making my way over to her. I sit on the bed next to her and she turns it her side so that she is facing me now, one leg up on the bed, the other still down on the ground. "Ty, I love you," I confirm firstly, but she doesn't look up at me, so I place my hand gently under her chin, bringing her eyes to meet mine. "And I want us to be together forever," I continue, taking the box from her hands and opening it, causing her to gasp. "I know this is a little bit sudden, but I've been wanting to do this for a while now. And then today was a great day, and I realized that none of my great days seem to matter if you aren't a part of them. I know for sure that you are the person I want next to me when my dreams come true, or the person next to me when the don't."

"Life isn't that simple," she answers before looking down from my gaze again, but not before I see the first tear slowly slide down her beautiful face.

"It can be, if you let it..."

Ty's POV

Holding the small box in my hands before he got there, I must admit, I was skeptical. I knew what was most likely inside the little box, but I was still curious. Even with all that curiosity, I still couldn't bring myself to open the box, to confirm what thoughts were already going through my head. I knew that I cared for him, but at what level would that ever be enough..?

And then he entered the room. As soon as I had heard his voice, it seemed like all my fears and questions disappeared, as if just listening to his voice soothed me, making me believe that it could work. We could make it work with the effort to balance out each of our lives. It wouldn't be easy, but at the moment I'm not sure that I've ever wanted anything more.

I finish listening to him explain, but I can't help but voice the only contradiction that is still running through my mind.

"Life isn't that simple,"I state while silently cursing myself for letting the first tear roll down my face. I'm about to wipe it away, but his hand beats me to it, causing me to involuntarily lean into the soft hold his hand has on the side of my face.

"It can be, if you let it..." he answers simply.

I don't know what to say, don't know how to word what I'm feeling right now, so I simply press my lips to his, hoping that says enough. I didn't want to feel this way about him, but it was undeniable now. I knew that now as I looked up into his eyes as he knelt over me, and felt my heart trying to claw its' way out of my chest towards him.

A shiver goes through my body as he draws his fingertips down over my face as if he was studying my every feature. There was just that electric current again, the feeling of static electricity jumping from his skin to mine like there always was. Needing to get closer to him, I arch my body toward his touch, my lips parting as his thumb lightly traces the edges of my mouth before he pulls the over sized sweats down and off of my hips. I grab onto his wrist, bringing it closer to my mouth and kiss the palm of his hand, seeing him squeeze his eyes shut, his full plump lips parting as he draws in a ragged breath. I knew with a sense of absolute certainty that my body would never react like this again for any other man besides him. I was his, all he had to do was ask.

I searched his exquisite face, tracing the lines of his sharp high cheek bones with my gaze while he shifted his weight over me. His hands trail down my thighs, opening them and drawing out the same moan that always escapes my lips.

I still can't believe how quickly he stole my heart, a heart I thought would be kept in the dark, ceased to be used. If there is anything scarier than admiting I had fallen hard, it was the way he was looking at me as he cradled my face between his hands. Now that look, it was absolutely lethal.

Geno's POV

I look down at her as she lays cradled in my arms, glancing up at me, and watch a tear escape the corner of her eye. I wasn't worried though, because I could see the small smirk on her face.

"You gotta tell me what you're thinking, where your head is at," I mumble before kissing her forehead.

"Do you remember what you said to me the last time marriage was brought up?" she asks while cuddling in closer to me. I shake my head no, prompting her to explain more. "You said that you knew I was the one. That you wanted it all with me, and I pushed you away. I pushed you away but I was trying to deny what I was feeling, trying to put off what I knew was going to happen all along. I made a big mistake that night, I know that now," she finished before I reach up and wipe away the single tear rolling down her face.

"And what do you want now?" I ask. She smiles up at me before answering, giving me hope that it's exactly what I want to hear.

"I want what you wanted. I want everything with you," she answers, which causes her smile to be mirrored on my face before I reach over to the bedside table and grab the ring, taking it out of the box and placing it on her hand.

"Oh my god, it's even bigger than I was anticipating," she answers while holding her hand out and looking at it. "So much for keeping the media out of it, there is no way they are going to miss this baby," she jokes while gesturing to the ring.


"That's the idea," I laugh while rolling her back onto her back, her giving in as gracefully as the previous night before I nudge her thighs apart with my knee, my lips falling to her neck. "I want every damn hockey player in the league to know that you're mine, hands off..." I conclude while sliding back into her, hearing her own breath come out in long sigh. I glances up at her, anticipating that her muscles are still a little tender, but it feels so good that I don't know if I would be able to stop even if I wanted to.


"All yours.." she sighs before she looks up at me, obviously picking up on the dilemma going through my head before she just wraps her legs around me, pulling me deeper, and suddenly I can't concentrate on anything but her.

Chapter 38: Just My Imagination..?

"Geno," I groaned, practically still half asleep, "turn it off," I whined, referring to the blaring alarm clock.

"Sorry," he apologized before rolling over and turning it off. I snuggled back into the covers and the side of his body, like I do every morning. He laid there for a couple of seconds before starting to pull the covers away from his body, only to have me grab onto his arm in protest.

"5 more minutes?" I ask while giving my best persuasive face. He smiled before laying back down.

"You know, if somebody wouldn't have been such a distraction last night, we could still be sleeping. But no, I had to wake up early to pack because for some strange reason I couldn't seem to get any of that done last night," he teased while pulling me closer to him, my head automatically falling to rest on his chest.


"Oh, I know. The nerve of some people..." I responded while shaking my head side to side, causing him to laugh.


Soon enough, my five minutes was up. After both of us showering, and it probably taking longer than it should have, he packed quickly while I made my way downstairs to wait for Kacie and to make myself some breakfast.


Just as I reach for the refrigerator door, the door bell rings. I go and let Hal and Kacie in, and listen closely to Hal's rules and instructions before he heads off to practice, leaving me standing in the kitchen, Kacie sitting on a bar stool, watching my every move.


"Have you eaten yet?" I ask, wondering what in the world a seven year old even eats for breakfast.


"Yeah," she answers. "Have you?"


"Nope, I was just fixing to make something," I answer. I love how many questions little kids ask, I think its adorable.


"Can I help?" she asks while a smile crosses her face, obviously loving the idea of that.


"Sure," I respond. "Why don't you come over here and help me pick something out to make." She hops down off the bar stool and comes over to where I am standing before I pick her up and stand her on the counter, making her perfect eye level with the stuff in the cabinet. She pulls down a chocolate cake mix. I laugh to myself at her choice before helping her down off the counter and putting her down on the floor, allowing her to go over and assume her position on the bar stool. I grab everything we are going to need and take it over to her, helping her add all the ingredients and letting her stir it herself before pre-heating the oven and grabbing a granola bar to eat for my breakfast. She is really getting into her cake making when Geno comes down the stairs, his bags in his hands.


"Hey there Kacie," he says while roughing up her hair, causing her to playfully bat his hand away. "What are you making?" he asks, looking into the bowl in front of her.


"Chocolate cake," she answers proudly. He looks at his watch and then at me before he responds.


"At 9 in the morning?" he laughs before once again looking at me. I can only shrug, knowing that it probably is a little to early for cake, but I couldn't seem to tell her no.


"Me and my mom use to make cakes all the time. Well, until she left," Kacie says while standing up on the bar stool to get a better look at what she was doing. My heart literally broke hearing those words come out of her young mouth with such ease. I knew exactly what she was going through, even though she was still probably to young to understand what really happened, but with time and maturity, she would surely pick up the real picture pretty soon. I cringed at thinking about the moment that happened...

I just don't understand. I don't know how somebody can take for granted what some people get taken away from them, how they can abandon somebody that counts on them so much. I don't think I will ever be able to. I look away from Kacie and look up at Geno who is now standing right next to me, obviously picking up on the dilemma that had formed in my head. He grabs my hand and squeezes it lightly, showing he is here for me before slightly shrugging his shoulders and giving me a look that says 'It happens' before walking over to Kacie and helping her with the stirring.

After the cake is successfully baked and partially eaten, I run upstairs to get my spare credit card, after Kacie brought up wanting to go shopping. I never was into clothes or fashion while I was growing up, but I remember how difficult it was having to go shopping with my dad. Not that I didn't appreciate it, but most guys just aren't the best shopping partners. Kacie is sitting in front of the TV watching a cartoon of some kind, so Geno and I head upstairs, knowing that she will be completely preoccupied for a couple of minutes.

Geno's POV

After getting a phone call from the specialist in Pittsburgh saying they could manage to fit me in during the afternoon, I could only be happy for the fact that I didn't have to fly to New York anymore.

I head up the stairs before Ty, beating her into the bedroom, knowing exactly where she has her credit card stashed and also knowing what surprise I have in that same place. Her finding the ring is not exactly what I need right now. I head over to the bedside table, with her right behind me I might add, and manage to reach in and grab her card and pray she doesn't see anything else in the drawer. The last thing I need right now is her being suspicious and blocking me out again.

"Thank you," she offers before taking the card out of my hands and kissing my cheek and turning away. I sigh, being completely grateful that she didn't see anything. But it's then that she hesitates at the door and turns around to look at me, causing me to be nervous again. "Do you wanna come with us?"

"Sure," I answer before watching her turn away. I start to make my way back over to the drawer, wanting to change my hiding place and avoid any more close calls, but before I get all the way back over to the bed I realize she hasn't left yet.

"Coming?" she asks while looking at me. I nod my head and head in her direction, praying she doesn't get to the drawer before I do.

I sit in the store, watching both Ty and Kacie try on clothes. It's hard to miss the way Ty is interacting with her while the two of them look at themselves in the big mirrors in front of them, adoring the cute dresses they each have on. Who would have known she would have been so good with kids; it's quite obvious that Kacie adores her, and rightfully so. Ty has been nothing but attentive to her all day, doing basically anything she wants, without letting Kacie completely run all over her.

Watching Ty like this with her is definitely putting ideas into my head. I can picture it now, her belly round and probably eating everything in sight. I laugh to myself before catching Ty looking over my way, a cute amount of confusion on her face. Our moment is broken up when Kacie pulls on her hand, obviously finding something else more interesting. I watch the two of them disappear back into the dressing room, smiling at each other.

Ty's POV

After we finished shopping and eating dinner, it was time for Geno's appointment. He left straight from the restaurant to the doctors office while I went and dropped Kacie off. Hal thanked me for the millionth time before I returned home.

Knowing Geno could be a while, I went ahead and ran water for a bath and turned the radio on before submerging myself under the warm water, letting it relax the tension in my body. I can feel the same old pinching feeling in my knee, letting me know that I once again over did it today. I was starting to think that there wouldn't be enough rehab in the world to get my knee back in its old condition. I rubbed the temples of my head, not really knowing how to handle that. I had to believe that I would be able to play again. It was all I had linking myself to my dad...

After soaking in the tub for what felt like hours, I headed into the bedroom and grabbed a pair of Geno's sweats and my favorite hoodie, putting them on before heading down to the kitchen.

I make myself some hot chocolate, the perfect remedy to relax in my opinion before going into the living room and laying down on the couch. It hasn't been this quiet around here in a long time. Don't get me wrong, I love all the guys and living with them has definitely been an experience to say the least, but I miss times like these where I can keep to myself.

As I sip on my hot chocolate, I think about how today went. Geno was so cute with Kacie... I've never seen him with kids before, but I must admit, it was mighty sexy. I laugh quietly to myself before realizing I didn't put my credit card back. I don't make it a habit of keeping it on me all the time, just for the simple fact that you never know what could happen.. I go and grab it out of my purse before making my way up the bedroom.

I cross the floor between the door and the bed in a matter of seconds. I pull the drawer open and throw my card in there before shutting it, but not before something catches my eye. I sit there for a minute, and question if that was what I thought it was, wondering if my imagination was getting the best of me. Curiosity is driving me crazy, so I open the drawer again and stick my hand inside, only to pull out a small velvet maroon box.

Chapter 37: Distractions

Oh yes, March Madness has begun!! Woot Woot! As I am always loyal to my Cowboys, and their fight against first ranked Pitt was mighty impressive, I must admit, North Carolina is looking mighty fine this year. Go Heels! :-) I don't know how much you all get into college basketball, but I thoroughly enjoy this part of the year, so sorry if there is a lack of updates. And also, finally reached 20 followers.. You all are awesome. :-) Finally, I know the past few updates haven't had the normal amount of drama or aren't as action packed as normal, but I'm working up to some major action, promise, so please stay patient. :-)

Geno's POV

Another few days pass, and I am still out of the line up. Sitting up in the owners box, watching the guys during pre-game is absolutely driving me crazy. Especially during this part of the season, the home stretch, my favorite part. Games were just starting to get really intense, really starting to get that playoff vibe. I sigh, clearly getting even more depressed just sitting here thinking it could be another two weeks before I get to play again when Mario comes and sits in the chair next to me, looking out at the team, watching them warm up the same way I had been doing earlier. When he first started to talk, I still couldn't manage to tear my eyes away from the ice.

"Teams looking good," he concluded while watching the guys take practice shots on Marc.

"Yeah," I answered simply, still keeping my focus on the ice.

"This is killing you, isn't it," he chuckled while placing his hand on my shoulder.

"You have no idea," I sigh while allowing my fingers to relax on the arm rests of the chair for the first time since I sat down.

"Two weeks tops, that's all the longer you will have to wait," he continues, but to be quite honest, my attention has already shifted as I see Ty make her way onto the ice where she takes her normal pre-game position sitting on top of the boards while watching the guys warm up. "You're completely focused, right?" Mario presses on, probably catching on to the fact that I'm not concentrating on hockey right now.

"Yeah," I mumble, still not taking my eyes off of her. I love watching her like this. She seems so happy as she shoves Colby as he skates by, probably mumbling some smart ass remark, like he always does.

"Are you sure? Things aren't becoming a distraction? Like Ty?" he prods, making me look away from her and at him for the first time during this conversation. If anybody else had asked me this, or worded their questions the way he had, I probably would have been more than a little upset, except for the fact that I know he went through the same thing. I'm sure millions of people told him Natalie was just a distraction, an unnecessary one, but it's not like he listened...

"Was Natalie a distraction?" I ask, turning this conversation back on him.

"Touche," he laughed, clearly understanding my point. "Yes. She definitely was a distraction. Big one at that," he continued. "I never regret the choice I made, I just know that sometimes I didn't handle it as well as I should have. I guess I'm just making sure that you guys don't do the same thing. You need to have balance," he concludes before once again placing his arm on my shoulder and squeezing slightly, being the father figure he has been for most of us, before getting up and making his way to the other side of the box.

Ty's POV

The New York Rangers. Things always did get intense whenever we played them. I know Geno's probably sitting up in the owners box with a death grip on the arm rests of the chair. He always gets so tense having to sit and watch games like these...

I can see things start to get a little heated. Kris isn't much of a fighter, but him and Marc Staal have been all up in each others chili all night long, and I'm just waiting for either one of them to finally drop the gloves. As if on cue, Marc takes a cheap shot at Sid, making Kris eagerly jump to his defense.

They just kind of shoved each other for a while, getting a feel for each other I guess you could say until Kris threw the first punch, making the crowd erupt. It hit Marc right square in the face, fueling his anger as well as he returned with a punch of his own, connecting right with Kris's jaw. I cringed when I saw his fist make contact with Kris's face, knowing that probably did some damage. They continued this routine until I guess Kris had had enough, body slamming Marc to the ground, causing the crowd to get even louder. It amazed me how much they got into these fights.

Kris skated by on his way to the penalty box, giving me a good chance to look at his busted up lip. That was definitely going to need tended to.. After he served his time, he made his way back to the bench where all the trainers made their way over to look at him. At about the same time, Sid took a brutally hard open ice hit, making the whole arena completely silent as everybody watched him grab for his knee.

"Shit.." Kyle mumbled while glancing out at Sid. He looked over at Jimmy, the assistant trainer and then back to me. "Okay, that definitely does not look good. Ty, you take care of Kris while we go check that out," he ordered while practically leaping over the boards, Jimmy right behind him.

I wasn't at all happy that both Sid and Kris were hurt, but technically this was my first hands-on situation, which couldn't help but excite me a little. I pulled on some gloves before grabbing something to clean his face up with. "Relieve any anger or aggression?" I asked with a small smirk while applying some pressure to the deep cut on his cheek, trying to make it stop bleeding.

"Something like that," he said with a small chuckle.

Geno's POV

After we lost in a shoot out, I made my way back down to the locker room to see what the rest of the guys were up to. I didn't figure they would be up for going out, since it wasn't really a celebrating type of situation.

When I got down to the locker rooms, I automatically head for the trainers room, something I have been doing subconsciously for some time now. By this time, it's like it was natural, as if I always gravitate toward Ty, even when I don't intend on doing so.

Sid was up on the trainers table, Kyle and Jimmy surrounding him, prodding away at his knee with Ty watching off to the side.

"How bad is it?" I ask Sid while jumping up on the table to sit next to him.

"It doesn't feel good, that's for sure. But I'll survive," he shrugs nonchalantly, even though Kyle and Jimmy are giving each other worried glances, probably thinking he is under reacting and his knee is worse than he thinks. They wouldn't dare tell him this though, we all have pretty much gotten use to Sid getting his way.

"Think you will have to sit out?" I continue. I wouldn't wish for anybody to get injured, but some company up in the owners box would be a nice change...

"Nope, good nights rest and I'll be good. Isn't that right guys?" he says while looking down at Kyle.

"A few days, tops, could definitely help your case. I'm sure you could use the rest anyways," Kyle suggested. "At least until the swelling goes down," he adds as if trying to convince Sid he is right. We all know how Sid is though, after he gets his mind made up, its a done deal.

"This isn't baseball, I'm not going to sit out because of something as minor as swelling," he states firmly. Kyle and Jimmy look at each other and shake their heads before heading out of the room.

"I wish I could always get my way that easily," Ty jokes while making her way over toward us. "It would probably be smart to elevate that and ice it when you get home," she adds while he hops down off the table. He tries to make it look like he isn't in pain, but I know Ty can see right through that. "And take some aspirin, it will dull the pain," she adds while shaking her head.

"I'm not in pain," he counters, trying his best no to limp out the door.

"I'm serious. Elevation, ice, and aspirin," she calls out to him while he still in hearing distance. "Hockey players," she sighs, turning her attention back to me.

"What is that suppose to mean?" I question, even though I know exactly what she is talking about. All of us can be a little stubborn.. A smirk crosses my face before I reach out to tuck her bangs behind her ear.

"Not here," she answers quietly, quickly stepping away from my touch as her cheeks turn the cutest shade of pink.

"It's not like the rest of the guys don't already know.."

"The rest of the guys, not the whole coaching staff. And what about the media... I thought we agreed not to go public yet.. " she stammered, obviously worried.

"I know. I still don't see why, it would just confirm what everybody is already thinking," I answer truthfully.

"Easy for you to say. You aren't the one that will have a search out on the Internet for you 'Wanted dead or alive...' or have your hair ripped out by twenty million teenage girls. Have you seen some of those message boards? Good Lord... those girls are brutal."

"Oh come on, it can't be that bad," I laugh.

Ty's POV

"Can't we just wait a little longer?" I ask, hopping I don't offend him, but I really don't want to get the attention that I know all the other girlfriends get.

"I don't understand why you want to hide this so bad," he sighs, clearly a little upset.

"I just don't want to get any of the attention that comes along with it. I'm sorry," I explain. "It's not easy dating a famous hockey player," I finish before giving him a quick kiss of the lips, grabbing his hand and pulling him off of the trainers table.

"Well it's not easy dating someone as beautiful as you either," he defends while eliminating the small amount of space that existed between us before. "But I manage," he finishes before resting his hands on the small of my back and leaning down to kiss me. It doesn't take long for his lips to find my neck where he leaves a trail of kisses, making it very hard for me to tell him to behave.

"Geno..." I try and state firmly, but it comes out weaker than intended. My warning does no good, as all it does is get me a small laugh out of him. I give him my best serious face, and he finally gets my point.

"Okay, okay," he says while backing away with his hands in the air. "You first," he continues before moving out of the way of the door and allowing me to head out of the trainers room a couple minutes before he does like we normally do, just in case there are any media people still hanging around in the locker room.

When I open the door I'm glad Geno isn't walking out with me, because I was right and there are still interviews going on. I glance around the room, finding Hal Gill's little girl sitting on a table by herself, swinging her legs in boredom, probably waiting for her dad to finally be done with his interviews. They are absolutely adorable together. You can really tell that they are all each other has.

"Hey sweetie," I say before hopping up on the table next to her. I see Geno coming out of the trainers room, only to be stopped by reporters.

"Hi Ty," she replies, her gaze now on Geno, because after all, he is her favorite penguin.

"What's wrong?" I ask her, getting down off the table and crouching in front of her, getting eye level with her.

"Nothing, just waiting on my dad," the cute 7 year old replies. "He's always looking at you," she concludes while pointing at Geno. "I can tell he likes you because this boy at my school looked at me that way and he let me take his turn at Guitar Hero." I smile, loving the simplicity of childhood. I don't have time to answer because Hal is done with his interview and is on his way over to where we are sitting, so I just smile at her.


"Thanks for watching over her for a little while Ty," he says while picking her up off table.

"No problem, we were having a great time, right Kacie?" I ask, making her smile automatically.

"Right," she says while nodding her head.

"Well good," Hal says while looking at his watch. "Well let's go kiddo, it is WAY past your bed time," he says with a laugh. He starts to walk off with her in tow before she speaks up.

"Daddy, maybe Ty could watch me tomorrow during practice," she says while tugging on his shirt collar and looking back my way.

"Kacie, I'm sure Ty has things to do," he while looking her in the eyes, obviously trying to get his point across.

"Actually, I don't mind watching her. It really wouldn't be a problem," I promise, knowing that he could definitely use the help. After his wife left about a year ago I'm sure things got pretty hectic for him...

"Are you sure?" he asks, clearly not wanting to pressure me into anything.

"Absolutely," I reply with a small.

"Thank you Ty. I fired yet another useless baby sitter two days ago, so I definitely could use the help," he answers with a deep sigh, obviously feeling a little relieved.

"Anytime, I absolutely adore her. You can just drop her off at the house on your way to practice, or I can even come pick her up. It really doesn't matter," I assure him.

"No, you are already doing enough, I can just drop her off."

"Alrighty, see you in the morning," I answer as I see Geno making his way toward us. Geno gives Hal a questioning look as they pass each other, but then his curiosity points toward me.

"What was all of that about?" he asks, a small smile creeping onto his face.

"Jealous?" I ask while walking past him in the direction of the door.

"That depends," he mumbles, turning around the follow me.

"On?" I counter with my same mischievous smile. He laughs before answering.

"Well I guess the reason you will be seeing him in the morning,"he answers truthfully


"He is going to drop Kacie off, I'm going to watch her for him. I guess he had to fire another baby sitter so he didn't have anybody to watch her." I turn around to see the look on his face, but it's then that I see Victoria heading down the hallway toward us, the same guy in tow that she had with her at the Christmas party.


"Hello Ty," she greets. I know she is being nice, and it seems as if she is genuinely trying to get to know me, to make up for what she did in the past, but I still can't get over it. I appreciate the effort, but I really don't know if I'll ever be able to get over it, if I'll ever be able to forgive her and move past the visions of her pulling away in her red 70s mustang.


"Hi," I answer meekly as they approach us.


"Ty this is Evan," she says why gesturing to the man standing next to her.


"Nice to meet you," he offers while extending his hand, waiting for me to do the same. I glance over at Geno who has an apprehensive look on his face, probably wondering what is going through my mind right about now. I'm always a little unpredictable, but it always seems as if I'm on edge around Victoria. I turn my head back to face Evan and plaster a fake smile on my face before reaching out and grabbing his extended hand, allowing him to shake mine.


"You as well," I add with fake sincerity. There is just something about him that I don't like, and as judgemental as that sounds, I can't seem to get past it. For some strange reason it just seems like he has an agenda... and I just can't shake that feeling.


"Well we won't keep you two, I can see that you were on your way out. I just wanted to take this opportunity for a proper introduction," Victoria concludes while already making her way past us. I nod my head before reaching for Geno's hand, signaling I was ready for this greeting to be over, and once again heading in the direction of the door.

We get to the door, and he pulls my hand up to his face and places a kiss on it before dropping it back by my side, obviously still remembering our agreement before he opens the door and we step out into the brisk January breeze. We walk past the last few hardcore puck bunnies and make our way to our respective cars before heading home.

Geno's POV

After showering, I walk into my closet to grab some clothes to pack for my trip to New York City to get looked at by a specialist, just to make sure my shoulder is healing correctly. As I reach up to grab a hoodie off of the top shelf, I feel a pair of arms wrap around my abdomen and a forehead lean down to rest in the middle of my back.

"I don't want you to go," she mumbles softly. I drop the hoodie I had in my hands and grab hers, taking them away from my waist before turning around the face her, holding her in my grasp.

"It's just going to be two days," I laugh while she leans forward to rest her head on my chest. "What were you so worried about when you were talking to Victoria?" I ask because something was definitely off in the way she was reacting to meeting Evan.

"I don't know. Something just seems off with Evan, but I can't really place it. Just being around him makes me feel uneasy, like somehow they aren't telling me the whole story."

"Maybe there isn't anything to tell," I offer, but she doesn't respond because she's already started to place a line of kisses starting at my neck and moving lower. "I feel so abused, you only touching me in private, like I'm your dirty little secret," I joke which causes her to stop and look up at me.

"Fine. I'm going to bed," she replies before turning around and heading out of the closet. I let her get a few steps away before running after her and picking her up, relishing in the squeal she omits when I pick her up and throw her over my shoulder before making my way into the bedroom and laying her down on the bed.

Chapter 36: Surprise

Alrighty Gilld, an update, as requested. :-) And also, Geno's post-game interview is up on the Pens website. His English has gotten so much better! And not just over the past year or two, I mean like during the season. I'm quite impressed. He is absolutely adorable! I <3 him so much :). And he is so humble.. watching his interviews always puts a smile on my face. :-)




After the game, Kris and I checked out of our hotel and then made our way to the airport where we boarded our plane. I had had a great time with Kris, but I was ready to be back in Pittsburgh because I already missed Geno. A smile crossed my face when I realized I would get to see him in just a few short hours. It's then that I realize that Kris is looking at me with a bemused face.


"What?" he asks, clearly curious as to why I have a huge smile on my face.


"Nothing," I answer simply. "So you are Sara..?" I break off, trying to change the subject.


"Over," he answers quickly.


"Oh. Sorry," I offer, not knowing if it was his decision or not.


"No it's okay, I ended things with her."


"Really? Why's that?" I question, putting the questions I know he has for me off for as long as possible.


"I finally figured out she was more into my status than me," he laughed. He looked down at me and I just scrunched my face, not knowing what to say. "You knew, didn't you?" he asked. I nodded my head, not wanting to verbally answer. "Damn it, I guess everybody knew but me. How long did you know?"

"I picked up on it probably the second time I was around her," I admitted.

"Well why didn't you tell me? You could have saved 4 months of my life," he joked while jabbing me in the arm with his elbow.

"It seemed like you genuinely liked her, so no matter how much I didn't like her, I couldn't ruin that for you. You looked so happy.." I answered truthfully.

"I wanted to be, I honestly wanted her to be the one. You know, I see how you and Geno act together, and now even Jordan and Jodi, and I really am jealous. Everybody sees how he looks at you, and I just wanted to find somebody that I could look at the same way I guess."

"Aww..." I cooed while placing my hand under his chin and squeezing, causing his lips to pucker. "You'll find somebody, I know it. You're a good guy Kris..."

"Thanks," he replied while starting to blush a little. "So have you talked to Geno lately?" he asked, changing the subject.

"I talked to him before the game, but not since. Why?"

"Oh, no reason," he answered, trying to make things nonchalant, but I couldn't help but think he was up to something.

"Do you know something I don't?" I asked, beginning to get suspicious. He just simply smiled in return. "Oh my gosh, you do! What is it?" I questioned while grabbing onto his arm.

"I can't tell you. I've been sworn to secrecy."

"It has something to do with Geno though?"

"Yes, he asked for my opinion before we left," he answered with that smile once again.

"Ugh, I knew he was up to something. I can always tell when--- what? What's wrong Kris?" I asked, not knowing why he was looking at me the way he was.

"You really do care for him don't you," he sighed, as if he was almost shocked.

I hesitated before answering. "Yeah, I really do," I smiled. "I don't know what I would do without him."

"Well that's good.." he answered.. the same smile crossing his face. It was driving me crazy that he knew something that I didn't.

"Ugh, I hate you," I joked before putting my headphones in in an attempt to take my mind off the news I had just been given, making him laugh in return before he did the same.

Geno's POV

I hold the velvet box in my hand, knowing she will be home soon. When I had went out to get her birthday present, this was definitely not what I had intending on coming home with, but when I saw it, I couldn't turn it down. Technically I did buy it on impulse, but I don't know when I'm going to give it to her, but I just know that when that day comes, I'll be the happiest I've ever probably been. A smile crosses my face as I place the box in the drawer of my night stand before closing the drawer and getting up and going downstairs where I find Marc, Colby, and Max sitting on the couch watching Sportscenter.

"So is it here yet?" Max asks while not taking his eyes off the TV.

"What?" I ask, getting a little nervous. I could have sworn that Kris was the only person that knew I was planning on asking Ty to marry me in the near future....

"The Range Rover," he answers, clearly not understanding why I was so confused with his question. I sighed, feeling very relieved.

"Oh. Yeah, it's in the garage," I answered to which they all sprinted off the couch and in that direction. I laughed before following them out there, only to find Colby already in the drivers seat.

"I can't believe you got her a Range Rover for her birthday," Colby sighed, clearly impressed.

"Yeah, well, I knew she wanted one," I answered while shrugging my shoulders.

"And what princess wants, princess gets," Max joked before ducking his head to avoid the friendly swing I had taken at him.

"Black, good color choice," Marc commented while trailing his fingers down the side of the SUV until he got to the door handle and opened up the car door and hopped in.

"Definitely Ty," Colby admitted. Moments later he started laughing.

"What?" All three of us asked at once.

"You are so whipped," he stated before busting out laughing. I shoved him slightly before just smiling. I hated to admit it, but it was true.. she did definitely have me under her spell.

Ty's POV

I pull my bag out of the back seat of Kris's car and literally sprint up towards the door, which causes Kris to laugh before following me, at a much slower pace though.

I opened the door to find Geno sitting on the couch watching TV with Bo on his lap.

"Well hello there little cutie," I said while making my way to the couch and picking up Bo, who was already getting bigger I might add, and holding him up to my face before sitting down next to Geno.

"Thanks for the greeting," Geno mumbled.

"Aww, I'm sorry," I answered before giving him a quick kiss on the lips before sitting on his lap. "I missed you more, promise," I continued. It was then that I noticed that he had a bag of ice on his shoulder. "Is it any better?" I ask while getting up off of his lap and moving to the side of him.

"Not much. A little I guess," he answered. I took the bag of ice out of his shirt before proceeding to take his shirt off. "What are you doing?" he questioned.

"I can't look at it with your shirt on, silly," I answered with a smile. "So it would be nice if you cooperated."

"Yes, doctor," he stated with a large amount of enthusiasm.

After looking over his shoulder, I was not impressed at all. I figured it would be healing faster than its current pace.

"What has Kyle said? Does he think you are healing slower than you should be? I asked while helping him put his shirt back on.

"Yeah, he says I'm behind schedule," he answers, clearly disappointed.

"I'm sorry," I answer before giving him a kiss on the cheek.

"It's okay. So, I heard that somebody had a birthday today," he states, changing the subject and causing a smile to cross my face while I nod. "Well, do you want your present?"

"Yes, please. I thought you were up to something before I left, and then Kris brought something up, but he wouldn't tell me anything! Ugh, it drove me crazy the whole ride home," I answered before he helped me up off the couch.

"Really? What all did Kris say?" he asked, clearly worried about something.

"Absolutely nothing. He just asked if I had talked to you recently, and wouldn't say anything more."

"Oh. Well, close your eyes and come on," he answered simply, obviously relieved about something.

I could sense that he was leading me to the garage, but I kept telling myself not to get my hopes up. Soon enough, we got into the garage and he told me to open my eyes. When I did, I saw a black Range Rover with a big red bow on it.

"Oh my gosh!!" I squealed, obviously shocked. I had never expected him to buy me something like this... "It's really mine?" I question, just to make sure.

"Yes," he laughs while following me over to my newly acquired car. "It really is yours. Happy Birthday."

Words couldn't even describe how happy I felt. I pulled him into a tight hug, being very aware and careful not to hurt his shoulder, before pulling him into the SUV and going for a test ride.

Chapter 35: Choices

Okay, so in case you are wondering why I'm from Oklahoma and am not the least bit disappointed that the Sooners lost, its quite simple. I'm an Oklahoma STATE fan.. GO COWBOYS! :-) Now I don't root for the Sooners to lose, unless they are playing OSU, so it's nothing like that. Who knows... maybe Tim Tebow's hottness persuaded me to root for Florida? Yep. I think that's the reason. Haha I think that could have a small pull on anybody.. the man is absolutely gorgeous. Anyways.. sorry for the long wait. Here's the next chapter.

The ride back home was filled with silence. He just sits in the passenger seat and stares at the window while I drive. I know what he's thinking, what he is going through. I went through it myself when I injured my knee. I knew he was debating on which was more important, the trip he promised me, or getting his shoulder healed. Being an athlete myself, I know how much injuries are much more than physical pain. It's mental. Just knowing that you can't do something that you use to be so great at, even if it's momentarily, absolutely drives you crazy. It eats away at you until you find your breaking point. I wouldn't let that happen to him. Yes, the trip was a very nice gesture, but sometimes other things are just more important.

I know that I should do something, or say something to ease this burden off of him. Tell him that he doesn't have to make a choice, because I've already made it for him, but there is a certain intensity about him right now that leaves me absolutely motionless and unable to speak. I know he isn't mad at me, he is mad he put himself in this situation. Quite frankly I'm mad I put myself in this situation as well. I knew that depending on him so much would cause me pain eventually. Is this finally where we draw the line? Is this where he chooses hockey over me?

When we finally arrived back at home, we headed into the house with the same silence. He walked upstairs and dropped his hockey bag in his bedroom before making his way toward the bathroom. I followed suit and dropped my stuff as well before following him. I figured he would need help getting his shirt off, since his arm was currently in a sling. When I reached out to help him, he brushed my arm away. Not in a mean way, just in an 'I can do it myself' sort of way that made me take a step back. As he started to take the sling off his eyes were a mix of pain and frustration. I wrapped my arms around myself to stop from reaching out to help him, he would ask when he needed it. He winced when he raised his arm, clearly agitating his shoulder, causing him to mumble a long list of profanities under his breath. I reached out again to help him, but he once again batted my hand away, so I tucked them securely around myself and sat there.

While I leaned back against the counter behind me, I kept my gaze focused on the floor, doing anything but meeting his. I know that his anger isn't meant to be aimed at me, but his actions still stung as if I was a little kid receiving my punishment for being bad. I had gotten use to his foul moods after a disappointing loss, but I had never seen him like this before, so irritated, so upset and quite frankly a little cruel, at least not toward me. I have a feeling he is going to apologize, and I hate that I am fixing to lie to him about something this insignificant, but I can tell from his actions that he isn't in the mood to talk about feelings.

Geno's POV

She tucks her arms protectively around herself and I can tell she is upset, can tell that she is trying her hardest not to let my actions get to her. And it's not that I'm mad at her, I'm just pissed off in general.

"I'm sorry," I sigh, standing there with my shirt half on, because technically it hurts too much to try and take it off myself. "I know this isn't your fault, and I didn't mean to take it out on you. I'm just frustrated."

"It's okay," she says meekly, still not meeting my gaze, making me feel even worse. After a couple seconds, I take my hand and place it under her chin, raising her head and making her look in my eyes. When she finally does, I see exactly what I thought I would. Tears on the brink of spilling down her beautiful face. She blinks them away, not allowing them to fall before she once again attempts to help me with my shirt. I once again back away, determined to do this myself. "I said it's okay. I want to be here for you," she says quietly.

"Not to take my shirt off for me," I half bark before attempting to get it off myself, only to make me wince in pain again.

Ty's POV

"Just let me help you," I sigh while once again reaching for his shirt, but he still seems reluctant to the idea. "Before you make it worse," I add, hoping to convince him that his macho routine could put him out of the line up even longer. Just like I had hoped, my words work and he let's me help him. For some people, it might be hard to grasp the idea of somebody being so young having so much pride, but not for me. I understand completely. It's exactly how I use to be, independent and not trusting anybody.

After he reluctantly lets me discard his clothing, I watch as he gets into the shower before heading toward my room, thinking space is what he needs now. I'm about halfway to the door before he speaks up.

"Ty?" I turn around and look at him, and he extends his hand to me, asking me to join him. I smile before getting rid of my clothing as well and reaching for his hand.

Geno's POV

I watch her as she runs the bar of soap over my already bruising shoulder. Her hair is wet and sticking to her forehead and neck in wet strands. I push them out of her face and she just smiles up at me, but it's a weak smile, not touching her eyes and lighting them up like normal. I know my attitude hurt her before, but it was never something I did intentionally. As much as I would have loved to go to Florida with her, I know that going against trainers orders would get me in some serious shit with Mario, not something I really want to get into.

And then all of this brings me back to where I started. I feel guilty as hell, even though it's not like I planned any of this. When I look in her eyes, I get even more confused about what I should do, so I simply place a kiss on her forehead and hold her close to me, silently praying that she understands. That she doesn't view this as me picking hockey over her. I'm brought out of my trance when he lips find my shoulder, her arms wrapped around my back.

"I don't think that's such a good idea," I laugh while pulling her arms from around me and placing them back by her sides, even though I'm not able to put more distance between us.

"What? You don't want me to kiss it better?" she pouts before moving her lips back to my shoulder and making her way up to my neck.

"That's not it. I just remember a certain promise, if you will, that will not be fulfilled tonight, and this is certainly not helping matters," I point out, praying that she won't listen to me, and won't stop, but then again hoping she does.

Ty's POV

I continue my assault on him, knowing I'm probably being a little unfair, but not quite being able to stop myself either as I hear his breathing become irregular. It appears as if he is has problems controlling himself as well because not seconds later I feel my back being pressed up against the shower wall, not an inch of space between us.

"So I was thinking," he trails off before pulling back, just enough to look at me face to face.

"Don't hurt yourself. It's just the pain killers talking," I joke.

"I'm not on that many drugs," he sighs before pulling me closer to him and nuzzling at my neck.

"Oh no. Uh uh. You have to rest, Mario would kill me," I argue, but it does no good because it doesn't phase him or make him hesitate at all. "Geno, you have to rest," I laugh as his slides his hands down my torso, not stopping before he has a good grip on my ass, pulling me against him, and leaving no doubt in my mind where he wants this to go. He moves his hand down between my thighs, and smiles at the little cry I omit. I know he shouldn't be exerting himself, but yet I can't stop from pressing down against his hand, wanting more.

"Your shoulder," I sigh, feeling my legs being lifted from the ground before I involuntarily wrap them around his waist.

"It's fine," he countered. I knew it was anything but fine, but yet I still couldn't seem to tell him to stop, or make him step away from me. I knew I would have a hard time turning him down, until I heard his cell phone start to ring, bringing me out of my current state of being completely dazed.

"You need to get that, it's probably Kyle," I stated as firmly as possible. He sighed before placing me back on the ground, kissing my forehead, and getting out of the shower and making his way to his bedroom.

Geno's POV

After getting out of the shower and grabbing a pair of my sweats, I picked up the phone and talked to Kyle ramble for about 5 minutes before she emerged from the bathroom in her robe and her hair wrapped up in a towel. She came over to where I was leaning against some pillows on the bed and sat on the edge of it before proceeding to towel dry her hair and just listened while we continued our conversation.

"Kyle?" she mouthed. I nodded before she got up to take her towel back into the bathroom before coming over to the night stand to my right and picking up her glasses and putting them on before turning to go downstairs, but not before I stopped her. I grabbed her arm and made her turn to face me, seeing that mischievous smile.

After realizing that I wasn't going to let go of her arm, she crawled onto the bed and straddled my lap, still listening intently to my conversation with Kyle before starting to place kisses along my bare chest. The next thing I know, her hands trail down my chest, not stopping until she has a good hold on me, making it very hard for me to concentrate on what Kyle is instructing me to do. Luckily, he asks to talk to her, so I graciously hand over the phone. They talk for a little while about what I need to do to make my shoulder heal faster.

As she continues to talk, I can't take it anymore and reach for the belt of her robe and pull on it, making her robe fall open to my greedy eyes. She talks after a long drawn out silence, obviously listening to the same rant I had heard from Kyle earlier, bringing me out of my trance, making me focus on her face once again and seeing the devilish smile on her face.

"Oh don't worry, I will take excellent care of him," she assures Kyle while wrapping up their conversation and tossing my phone to the other side of the bed before bringing her lips down to mine.

"Excellent care, huh?" I ask, breaking up the kiss.

"Oh yes, only the best for you," she grins before reaching the waist band of my sweats.

Ty's POV

I wake up the next morning, still in his grasp. I look up at his motionless sleeping form, and get a glimpse of his shoulder while doing so. It looks even worse than last night, which might partly be my fault...

I start to place kisses on his shoulder, inevitably waking him up.

"What time is it?" he asks.

"A little after 7," I answer, wondering where he is going with this.

"You need to get up and get ready, or you will miss your flight."

"I'm not going, there is no point in going to a game by myself," I sigh.

"Well good, because you don't have to. Kris is going with you."

"Really?" I ask, probably sounding like a little kid that just found out they get to go to Disney World.

"Yes, really," he smiles up at me, running his hand through my hair and pushing it out of my face.

"You don't mind?" I ask, not really wanting to leave him here by himself, but not really wanting to miss the opportunity to watch Tim Tebow play either.

"Not at all," he answered before pushing me out of the bed in the direction of the bathroom.

Geno's POV

After going and getting x-rays done, I head back to my empty bedroom at the house. I miss her, and she has only been gone for a day.

When I pull into the drive way, I hear my phone go off, signaling I got a message. I whip it out to see its from Ty. A smile crosses my face as I see her standing in a Florida jersey with a number 15 on the front with her hat on. She looks so happy that its incredibly adorable. I smile to myself, thinking I did the right thing with my expensive purchase and getting even more eager to give it to her, knowing that I did the right thing.

Chapter 34: "But I want you to care."

Alrighty.. a Sunday post as promised. I got slightly carried away, so the result is an EXTREMELY long chapter. Sorry.. haha. But anyways... Enjoy! :-)

Geno's POV

"What about this color?" she asks while sitting at the kitchen table in the chair beside me, holding up about the thousandth color swatch I had seen in the past 30 minutes.

"It's fine," I answer, not really caring, because if I'm being completely honest, I don't really care what color she chooses to paint the walls of our house. Just knowing that it is OUR house is enough satisfaction for me. She sat her samples down on the table beside me before sighing.

"Okay, now I know you are lying. You hate the color green."

"Not true," I argued. "You eyes are green, and I happen to love them," I said while leaning forward and lightly grabbing her chin and kissing her forehead before getting up and heading into the living room. I'm predicting this conversation to take a good 30 minutes, and if it's going to take that long, I'm going to at least be comfortable. She hesitates before following me, but I know she will, because she is far from done with this specific topic. When she gets up from the kitchen table with her samples in tow about a minute later, I can only smile at how well I know her. She stands in front of me, clearly frustrated, before finally making her way over toward me. She straddles my lap while putting her hands around my neck before talking.

"I would appreciate an honest opinion," she says while looking me in the eyes.

"I gave you one," I replied flatly. "Whatever makes you happy. I don't care what color you pick."

Ty's POV

Ever heard the expression too stubborn for your own good? As cliche as that sounds, it fits him perfectly. I sigh for probably the twentieth time while having this conversation.

"But I want you to care," I mumble while resting my forehead on his shoulder. We sit there in silence for a little while before he puts both of his hands on the side of my face and make me look him in the eyes.

"The only thing I care about is who is going to be waking up next to me in the morning. The rest is practically redundant," he says before softly kissing my lips.

His actions might have been meant to calm me, even maybe sooth me, but it doesn't take long for the intensity to pick up, it never does. His kiss is gentle, almost questioning if I want to further it. Losing control, I press my lips harder against his. This man absolutely drives me crazy and I can't seem to keep my hands off of him. As if on cue, his hands find my succulent butt, pulling me closer to him, and it's hard to concentrate on anything but his muscular body pressing against mine, but I know I should. He has a game tonight, and I don't want to be the one that causes him to suck out on the ice. That was one of the conditions. I promised Mario we were both responsible enough to not let this thing between us get in the way of his focus on the ice which makes me hesitate.


"What about your nap?" I ask in between kisses.


"Don't worry about it," he answers quickly, obviously not wanting this to stop.


"Maybe we should stop, I don't want to mess with your pre-game routine."


"It's fine, really," he says before pulling me even closer to him.

Those simple words break down and insecurities I was feeling because I know that he wants me the way my body is craving him. I tell myself I need to quit, but yet I can't stop my hands from running through the hair he has been letting grow for quite some time now, which can't help but make me happy. I always did think longer hair made him sexier, more rugged. I know I should let him rest, because all of the other guys had already headed in for their naps quite some time ago, but then again, my entire body is on fire, and I have no doubt that he is the only one that can put it out. Finally, I come to my senses.

"You should rest," I mumble after pulling my lips away from his. He looks at me, and I can almost see the plea in his eyes. It would be so easy to give in to him right now, Lord knows I want to, but I hold my ground, knowing its for the best.

"You're right," he moans. "I know you're right but…damn."


"I know," I sigh, running my hands over his chiseled chest through his shirt. "Believe me, I know." My hands get almost all the way down his chest before his hands meet mine, stopping them in their tracks.


"You're going to have to stop that," he chuckles before lightly kissing me on the lips.


“We can always finish this, later, if you want,” I offer, hating it, but knowing it’s the right thing to do.

Geno's POV

"Great, now all I'm going to be able to think about on the ice is you," I laugh while watching a smile cross her face. I'm glad she was finally able to put a stop to things, because I know I wouldn't have been able to. Even though messing up my pre-game routine was something that I NEVER did, I was tempted to make an exception this one time, for her. And technically, I did. I was suppose to be upstairs for my nap an hour ago...


"At least you would be thinking about scoring, right?" she says before dropping her lips to my neck.


"Okay, subject change please," I plead while placing my hands on her thighs.


"Right," she mumbles, obviously just as disappointed as I know I am. She looks around the room before he eyes meet her color samples once again. She picks two of them up, a light, soft shade of yellow, and sort of a light pea green.


"Choose," she demands while holding the two out in front of me.

Ty's POV

After finally picking a paint color, together I might add, and after sending him upstairs to get a nap in before the game, I just sit out in the living room with Bo. A smile crosses my face as I think about the events that had just taken place here. He was willing to mess with his pre-game routine, for me. Everybody knows hockey is important to him, but I can't help but think that I rank a little bit higher than that now.


I know that my priorities list has changed drastically since meeting him. Yes, I had been unable to play basketball or softball since I was still having to rehab my knee, but even if I wouldn't have messed up my knee, I know that he would rank higher than either of those two, because quite frankly, I depend on him more than I like to admit. I'm brought out of my trance when Jodi enters the house, something we all have become accustomed to.


"Hey Jodi," I say while she drops her stuff by the door, and almost bounces into the living room. I laugh, not believing how complete opposites we are, and yet we get along perfectly.


"Guess what!" she shrieks while standing in front of me.


"What?" I answer, wondering if she is just over exaggerating her emotions again.


"Look!" she giggles before literally hopping onto the couch next to me, extending her arm until I can't help but get a good glimpse of the ring that happens to me on a specific finger on her left hand.


"Is that... what I think it is?" I ask, before she furiously starts shaking her head. "Aww Jodi! I'm so happy for you," I offer, being completely amazed at how happy I actually am. I know that Jordan and Jodi are perfect for each other, and I am actually sincerely happy for both of them that they found each other. "When?" I question.


"Well, he asked last night, and we are just going to have the wedding during the All-Star break," she answers.

"So soon?"


"Yes. I've already waited long enough to figure out what I wanted, and now that I've found him, I'm just ready to get my life started."


"Well, that's certainly very admirable. I'm so happy for you two," I conclude before pulling her into a quick hug.


"So, what about you and Geno? Anything more permanent?" she questions. Normally, somebody asking me such a personal question would piss me off, but I trust Jodi.


"I don't know," I sigh.


"Uh oh, you don't sound very sure of things," she concludes.


"No, he's wonderful. He not only makes me feel safe but happy. He makes me laugh. And I know he will be there for me when I cry. He’s always been there for me. I’m just realizing how weird that feels. I know I want to be with him, maybe even for forever, but it just scares me to want that," I admit sheepishly.

"Why do you think that is?"


"I depend on him. Too much maybe, and I haven't been this happy in a long time, so I guess I'm just bracing myself for when it all comes to an end."


"Well, I don't think it's going to end anytime soon. Have you seen the pictures of the two of you at the Christmas party?" she questions with a small amount of glimmer appearing in her eyes.


"No.. why?" I ask, but she has already sprinted up and made her way toward the door where she left her purse. She grabs some pictures out of it, looking through them before finding the one she wants and making her way back toward the couch where I'm still sitting.


"Look. You two are absolutely adorable together. And look at how he is looking at you. So cute," she giggles while handing over the picture.


I'm sitting at a bar stool, him standing off to the side of me. I'm looking up at him with a smile on my face with my hand on his chest, with him just looking down at me in pure adoration. I remember this moment well. It was the moment he insisted we head home, which can only make me smile.


"Very cute," I agree before sitting the picture down on the coffee table.


"So, naturally I want you to be my maid of honor, if you will that is."


"Of course," I answer before she hugs me again.


"So, I'm assuming you told her?" Jordan asks while entering the room.


"Yes," I say before getting up and embracing him in a hug. "Little Jordy," I coo, "I'm so happy for you."


"What are we happy about?" that oh too familiar voice asks, bringing a smile to my face. I turn around to see Geno just reaching the bottom step of the stairs. Jodi raises her hand, showing off her newly acquired bling, and then everything sets in. Is this where we are headed as well? Could I even allow this to happen?

Geno's POV

She seems happy when I first come down the steps. Genuinely happy. Then I see her eyes go from the ring on Jodi's finger, to me, and then back to the ring before panic overtakes her. She is completely still, so nobody else picks up on this but me, but I know her well enough to be able to pick up her little emotion changes like the one that just occurred.

She had to know that I wanted to be with her, forever. Why else would I want to live with her? I figured if I could just make her see that it could work, that she would inevitably give in, or allow herself to give in. Don't get me wrong, I know she loves me. But marriage is something completely different. She had been alone for so long, and if she married to me she would be able to depend on me, all the time.

She excused herself to 'get ready for the game', but not before I silently pleaded her with my eyes not to freak out, not to distance herself from me, because I knew that she was probably wigging out at the idea of marriage. Her act was flawless, nobody picking up on her uneasiness, except for me. I often wondered how nobody could see through her, simply because she was so easy for me to read.

Ty's POV

I sit up in my room, probably an hour before we need to leave for the game, and thumb through Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, one of my all time favorite novels. I've read the book many times, and loved it. Jane Austen's usage of words always infatuated me, intrigued me, but I never really applied them to myself, but yet here I am, not seemingly able to get the first lines of the book out of my mind. 'It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.' I saw the look on Geno's face at the sight of that ring on the fourth finger of her left hand. It was a cross between envy and adoration. Like he was jealous that that wasn't happening to us, and at the same time thinking of the future when it might be.

I know that we both care about each other, but is it enough? Is it enough to last forever? How do you even know that you want somebody for forever? I know I care about him immensely, but will I feel the same way 10 years from now? 20 years from now? Hell... even a year from now? Or what if we do get married, and after kids and the stress of growing older he doesn't find me attractive like he does now. Will he be unfaithful while on the road? I know I'm probably looking into this too much. He hasn't even asked me yet. But technically, that would only confirm what I saw in his eyes. He wants this. He wants to marry me someday. I just pray that I find peace of mind before he does, because I don't think I could handle losing him. Not now. Not yet. I shake all thoughts out of my mind before grabbing my jacket and pulling my baseball hat down over my hair and heading toward the arena.

After getting to the arena, I know I'm still caught up in my thoughts. I can't get the look on his face out of my mind. I go through my normal routine while remaining virtually unnoticed by the rest of the staff and players. Except for Geno. I can't help but notice that he has been watching me, like he is waiting for Hurricane Ty to take place. Or better yet, maybe he is just trying to figure out a way to fix the aftermath of it all.

Geno's POV

After warm ups, I watch her go into the trainers room before following her. She turns around, acknowledging that I've entered the room before turning around and focusing on whatever she was before I cam in here. I walk up next to her before talking to her.

"You're hiding," I sigh.

"What makes you think that?" she replies simply while looking up at me. She's using the same act she had earlier. I gently tip the bill of her hat up a little before responding.

"You only wear it when you are trying to avoid something," I answer while leaning my back up against the table and crossing my arms. She puts down whatever she was looking at and moves both of her arms to the edge of the table, bracing herself against it. I know shes not going to talk, so I continue. "I know why you are worried. Yes, I do want to marry you," I say simply. She looks up at me, and I can almost see her going into panic mode right away. "Someday," I add, "I won't push you into anything. I would never do that. And I want you to want this as much as I do. I want you to care. But I would never pressure you into something you aren't ready for."

"I can't make any promises," she says while a single tear rolls down her face. "But I want to try to get to a place in my life where I can allow you to take care of me, because I want that. But I've never really had anything or anyone to depend on before, so you are just going to have to give me time." I pull her against me, knowing that that is all she can guarantee me at this point.

"That's all I'm asking," I answer.

"Well I think we've messed with your pre-game routine enough today. Get out there," she laughs while pushing me toward the door.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Tell me you didn't do that on purpose!" Ty shrieks while following behind me as I make my way to the trainers room where I know Kyle is waiting for me. I rub my shoulder before opening the door.

"No," I sigh, wincing as I lift myself onto the massage bench and nod at Kyle as he begins to help me out of my jersey. "Of course I didn't."

"Swear to me," she pleads while walking over closer to me. Kyle backs away and leaves the room, allowing me her to help me out of my shoulder pads.

"I swear. I was just watching the play. You know what they say about skating with your head down."

"God, that was so stupid!" she says when I wince as she helps me take my under armour off. "We are so never screwing with your pre-game routine. Ever."

"I don't care. It was worth it," I reply before dropping a short kiss on her lips before Kyle returns and we go through the normal procedure of x-rays and what not. She sits next to me on the massage table as we wait for the results. Finally, after what seems like forever, Kyle enters the room again.

"Okay, things aren't as bad as what we thought they were going to be. Your shoulder slightly dislocated, but you should be fine. Nothing more than a little soreness for a while. I think if we keep you in Pittsburgh for a while, we can have you back in playing form in about two and a half weeks or so."

"What do you mean in Pittsburgh?" I question, as thoughts of my trip to Florida with Ty cross my mind. We were suppose to leave tomorrow...

"Well, going on any long flights would make it feel uncomfortable, so we are gonna make you stay in Pittsburgh and not go to any of the road games, or anywhere else for that matter, for a while." Kyle answers before leaving the room.

I look at Ty once he's left, but don't have time to apologize before she speaks.

"It's alright, really. We don't have to go."

Chapter 33: Torture

Okay, so I figured I would give you guys a little insight on my thought process:

On my last post I got a comment about how people are happy that this is a story about Geno, and quite frankly so am I for the simple fact that I was undecided who I was going to write it about when I first considered doing this. Of course Sid crossed my mind, but there are already a lot of great stories about him, (Discovering...Love?, Heart & Soul, Lucky... you get the idea-->all great!) and let's face it, he is a love/hate type of person, and I didn't want my story to be judged on that. (Don't get my wrong, I LOVE Sid, so don't take that the wrong way... but it is true.) Secondly, I considered Max because he is just dang sexy, but Kristina was already writing a lovely story about him over at http://heartless25.blogspot.com/?zx=c45bd685e8d4ee5d (If you don't read it GO CHECK IT OUT! I <3 that story!) So then my decision was left between Kris Letang and Geno. In the end, Geno’s likability overruled Kris, even though I find Kris’s shyness extremely cute, which is why he is featured as Ty’s best guy friend throughout the story. Okay, enough babbling. Here is the next update. Enjoy!

A feral smile crossed onto my face as I took in the information I had just been given. Plans started to form in my head, which must have shown on my face as I saw Geno giving me a confused look.

"What?" he asked.

"Well, now that we are stuck here, all alone, for two days, I guess there is no need to make you wait for your Christmas present," I replied with a smile.

"Why would I have had to wait for it? Why wouldn't you have just given it to me tonight after we got to my parents house?" he questioned, still confused which was adorable.

"Well, it wasn't exactly appropriate I guess you could say. You wait here," I commanded while pushing him into the over sized chair before rushing over to the windows and closing the blinds, "And I will be back in a minute," I finished before rushing up to my room.

When I reach my room, I go directly to where I have my "present" stashed and put it on before heading toward the bathroom. I pull my hair out of the messy bun it was in before and allow my hair to fall down around my face. Then I put on my make up, spending more time on it than normal. When I look in the mirror, I can tell that something is missing. I take out my contacts before reaching for my glasses, embracing my so-called "sexy secretary" look that I know will drive him crazy.

I leave my room and head back downstairs to see that he didn't follow my directions, he isn't sitting in the chair I designated him to and he is on the phone. Just as I am about to reach the bottom of the stairs he turns around and looks at me. The expression on his face is priceless. I sashay over toward where he is and once again direct him toward the chair. I overhear some of his conversation and conclude that it is probably his mother, and he is in the process of telling her we won't be able to make it down for Christmas. I smile before going back over to the window and closing the blind that he must have re-opened in my absence. I take my time about doing it, feeling his eyes on me as I proceed with my every move. The robe I have on is suggestive, but not showing anything more than a bunch of leg, not showing any skin compared to the outfit I have on underneath it.

I turn around to look at him, and love the expression I see on his face, an almost painful one. He continues to talk to his mom, while I continue with my show. I walk over to one of the cabinets by the TV, and deliberately attempt to get the blanket off of the top shelf, standing on my tip-toes and stretching at an excruciatingly slow pace until finally reaching what I wanted before walking back over to the window and peeking out of the blind, loving how I can feel his eyes grace over my very bare legs, making me shiver in anticipation of what I know is to come.

When some time has passed, and he is still on the phone, I turn around and look at him, but don't dare take a step closer. If he is going to continue to talk to his mother, than I am going to continue to torture him. He runs his hand through his hair, and I can tell he is irritated with her for being the indirect reason for his suffering, and I can only smile. It's then that I see one of his hands clench around the arm of the chair, and the smile disappears. Suddenly all I can think about is how those hands seem to be soft but yet firm and aggressive in all of their motions, how they feel on my body, and suddenly I think I'm being tortured just as much as he is.

Geno's POV

This is incredibly unfair. She is driving me crazy, absolutely crazy as she parades around the room. And stretching like that to reach the top shelf, was that really necessary? I will have to find a way to make her pay for that later... Suddenly I can only be happy that my mom is such a talker, not really allowing me to get a word in edge wise for the simple fact that my blood flow is quickly trailing southward, so I'm not completely sure that I would be able to form coherent sentences anyways.

I grab onto the arm of the chair, flexing my fingers around it, trying to get my mind off the way she is standing. Then, as if on cue, she turns around and looks at me. I see her look at my hands before subconsciously biting on her bottom lip, and I know what’s going through her mind, and it only brings a smile to my face knowing that I'm getting to her too. I don't think I can stand it any longer, so I release my death grip on the chair and motion for her to come over here by me.

That was my first mistake. That feral smile once again crosses her face as she shimmies out of her robe, and I am literally left breathless. All I can think to myself is 'Best damn Christmas gift ever..' as she makes her way over toward me. In four strides with those long, very exposed, legs of hers she is standing right in front of me and crawling on my lap, straddling my legs, and I know she can feel exactly what she is doing to me. She puts her arms on my neck, and I attempt to touch the lace on the edge of her undies, but she bats my hands away.

"No touching," she mouths before taking the top button of my shirt in her hands before she unbuttons it at an achingly slow speed. I hastily wrap up my conversation with my mom before tossing my phone to the side before I move my hands to her waist, where she once again slaps them away.

"I said no touching," she reminds me by whispering in my ear, her lips barely gracing the sensitive skin under my ear.

"You are not being very nice right now," I mumble, once again grabbing onto the arms of the chair we are sitting in. She looks down at me through her glasses with a smile, and I know I'm not going to be able to take much more of this.

Ty's POV

"Are you planning on being nice?" I moan into his ear while reaching for the top button of his jeans. He closes his eyes momentarily and takes a deep breath before answering.

"No," he groans quietly, his gaze glued to the way my breasts spill over the top of corset, his tongue sweeping over his full bottom lip.

"Good," I answer with a smile before getting up and standing in front of him and doing a slow pirouette. "Like what you see?" I ask while running my hand suggestively over my cleavage and then down my side, toying with the laces as I watch his gaze following my hand.

"Like you even have to ask," he sighs while his eyes once again gaze over my body. "It would be so much better if I could touch you though," he whines.

"Come and get me, stud," I giggle before heading off toward our bedroom with him hot on my trail.

A couple hours later, standing in the shower, leaning back against the expanse of his wide solid chest, I close my eyes and enjoy the warmth of the shower, the steam and the feel of his hands in my hair. I love when he washes my hair for me. It is definitely sexy. I'm practically purring as his big hands work the shampoo into my scalp.

“It's hard for me to wash your hair with you doing that,” he says, giving me a little nudge forward.

“I can't help it,” I whine while up at him and he laughs.

“I’ve noticed,” he returns my grin and leans down to press his lips against my forehead. He wraps his arms around me and kisses my cheek, pulling me back against him. I reach back and up, wrapping my arm around his neck and holding his lips to my cheek, enjoying the warm pressure of them. “I thought you wanted to go out,” he moans as I push my ass back against him, letting him know that that is the last thing on my mind right now.

"After," I sigh before he rinses the shampoo out of my hair and carrying my out of the shower and sitting my on the sink. He gets a towel and wraps it around me before drying himself off and picking me up and heading toward the bedroom again. He lays me down on the bed, and my back arches as his fingers find my clit, massaging it until I moan out his name, pressing down against his hand, wanting more. “Geno,” I moan, but he just looks up at me with a devilish smile, and I know that tonight will definitely be eventful as I smile back at him.

Geno's POV

The next morning, I sit and watch her as she types away on her computer, working on whatever paper is due after Christmas break, and I can't take it any longer, so I decide it is finally time to give her the second part to her Christmas present.

"So, I know we agreed to keep the gifts simple, but I have one more," I say before getting up and going and getting the small envelope I kept hidden in one of my dresser drawers. She looks up at me through her glasses again, and I can't tell if she is mad or not.

"You promised," she sighed before pushing her computer out of the way.

"I know. But I couldn't help myself," I stated while handing her the envelope. I know that she is absolutely going to love what I got her.

I watch her open it, and then love the look that crosses her face when she realizes what she is holding. "Oh my gosh! Tickets to the BCS National Championship Game?!" she shrieked, glancing at me with pure disbelief.

"Sideline passes too," I add, which just makes her smile grow. "It will have to be short trip down there though, because I only have two days off."

"I don't care. I love it, it's perfect!" she says before jumping off the bed and into my arms. I can't help but think she couldn't have described it any better. Things are perfect.