for the boys

chapter three

sounds of the Chicago winds pushed their way through the doors of my jeep. I turned up my music to drown it out and continued to speed down the highway in hopes to make it to the United center on time. tonight we faced the Anaheim Ducks and I knew Corey was stressing himself out already.

I pulled into the parking lot of the United Center next to Corey's truck and got out to rush away from the cold. I just left dance and the only thing I had on was tights and a leotard.

I ran into the elevator and smiled at the warmth. moments later the doors opened and I stumbled into the hall. some of the guys were on the bikes while other stretched.

an intern ran over to me and handed me a coffee cup with a tea tag hanging from the lid.

"Ariane Lane?" he asked before rushing back off to whatever his actual job was. I smiled and looked down at the tag reading Irish tea and a note written on the cup in messy but cute handwriting.

you're my kind of brew-tea-ful stretched across the cup the Patrick's signature under it. I smiled and took a big sip before rushing into the locker room.

Corey's face lit up when he spotted me.

"there's my beautiful dancer. how are you? how was dress rehearsal?"

"not bad," I replied, "I expect you at my performance tomorrow night!"

"we'll all be there!"

I smiled and opened my mouth to speak when suddenly I felt a hand stretch across the small of my back. Kane's voice boomed behind me as his fingers dug deeper into my back making his present known. he kept talking but I had no idea what he was saying. I couldn't focus as he kept his thumb moving against my waist.

Corey eyed his hand knowing that Patrick was the only one that knew our secret.

"Ari," Corey asked, "why are you still wearing your leotard? a little inappropriate don't you think?"

"I didn't have time to change. I was trying to get here to watch you in warmups. don't worry I'm going to pull on one of your jerseys to cover up," I promised. just as I finished talking Shaw walked in with my jersey in his hand.

"here pedigree," he smiled and handed it over.

"thank you, mutt!" I hugged him tightly before letting him get dressed.

Corey grabbed it from me and pulled it over my head.

"have a good game!" I exclaimed before pulling him in for a quick kiss that he turned into a two minute affair. I could feel Kane's eyes burning a hole in my back.

"I'll see you after," he grinned.

I walked out of the locker room and headed for my seats next to some of the wives. we talked for a moment but once everyone was on the ice we all focused in on our guys. Kane skated over to us and picked up the puck he was handling then flipped it over the glass and into my hands.

he winked at me before skating back to the group and grabbing another puck from the stack.

"I thought you were dating, Corey," one of the girls commented.

"oh I am. Pat's just showing off," I explained.

soon the game started and we were playing great. Corey was blocking shots left and right while our boys worked on a lot of turnovers and shots on goal.

finally one went in and Chelsea Dagger sounded through the center. I smiled at Corey celebrating on his own in the net. he looked over at me and smiled while I went crazy with Chaunette. Andrew skated over to us and celebrated his goal before going over and hugging Corey.

we ended up winning the game 3-0. I stood outside waiting for Corey. finally he walked out in shorts and a t-shirt. I ran over and jumped into his arms. he kissed me passionately.

"what a shutout!" I exclaimed.

"thanks to yours truly," he smiled and kissed me, "now let's get home and celebrate."

"I'm all for that!" he held me bridal style and carried me to his truck.

"leave the jeep here. we'll come get it tomorrow. for now I just want you to be next to me," he said to me smokily. I nodded and ran my fingers through his hair as he pushed me against the truck door with a kiss.

Jonathan walked out of the elevator and whistled our way. "get a room you two. Crow, we're having movie day here tomorrow. bring your girl. we can all leave from there to go to her recital!"

"will do, Jonny," he called back in a laugh before he pressed his lips to my collarbone.

"what wrong with you?" I asked, "you're being oddly nice!"

"I just-" he trailed off, "I wanna pick up where we left off the night Matt got married."

"you mean the mistake?" I asked.

"yes. the mistake. the I love you that I meant from the bottom of my heart. I want it again!"