Hub City Horrors (Diary of the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs)

Yanni Gourde's Diary: Thursday, August 27, 2020

Toronto, Canada

Eastern Conference, Hotel X

After dominating the second and third game to get the win, tie the series up and then also take the lead, it's time to return to the hotel. I walk in, spotting Flyers sitting in the lobby at the tables. I spot Pitty and Carter sitting together at one of the tables. They have a deck of cards as well as a bowl full of warm bread sitting before them.

Pitty waves at me with a huge, warm smile on his face.

I chuckle.

"Stop waving at those blue, bolted idiots!" Giroux's voice snaps.

Instantly, I watch Pitty lower his hand and his smile vanishes from his face. He looks worried as Carter pats him, rolling his eyes at the Flyers' captain's hostility. I break from the group and walk over to them.

"Blue bolted idiots is a new one, eh, Pally?" Johnny remarks with amusement in his tone.

Pally grumbles his response.

The rest of the Lightning team gets on the elevators and heads up to the floor; a few of them shoot side glances my way, including Ceddy. I know they're perplexed about my relationship, but they are my friends.

"Hey, guys, y'all watch the game?" I question, taking a seat that is next to Carter.

Carter turns to me. "We did. Impressive."

"Thank you."

"Any team that can beat Boston is worthy of praise," Carter says, maintaining a stern look. "They arrived a little while before y'all and boy, were they pissed off. It was refreshing." He manages a small smirk at the thought.

Pitty nods his head vigorously up and down in agreement.

There is then a loud door slam and footsteps rushing around a hallway from up above us. "ALRIGHT, WHO STOLE IT!" I then hear Pat Maroon's thundering voice boom out from overhead.

I look up, as well as Carter and Pitty.

"Who stole what, Maroon?" Konecny sneers.

"My family picture frame!" Maroon snaps down at him.

"Don't know, don't care. You STOLE my peace and quiet!" Konecny snarls back and then storms off, shoving a potted plant to the ground. "Fuck this hotel!"

Maroon's eyes find mine and I can see the terror and sickness shining in the depths of his pupils.

"Try the Bruins," Carter replies, strangely calm and indifferent toward Maroon's emotions. "I know you both have been throwing pranks back and forth." His eyes slide down and lock with my own. "Chances are they're getting revenge back for Pasta's stolen equipment bag and sticks by the 'staff.'"

An uneasiness settles in the pit of my stomach. But it's soon replaced by disgust. Those assholes started it...but we'll FINISH it!

"Of course, Boston Bruins..." Maroon grumbles to himself as he turns away from the railing and heads for the elevators. "I'm going to get my frame back!"

Pitty begins to hum along to music playing in the background of the lobby. Carter stuffs a slice of bread into his mouth, eyeing me. Then he glances at Pitty and slaps his hand on the top of the card deck in front of him.

"Quit humming and deal! Not like it really matters much though, since I'm kicking your ass."

"Pitty sucks at card games," Pitty says, smiling.

I watch as more Flyers players wrap up their lobby time and head back to the elevators to head to their rooms for the night. I spend a few more minutes down with Pitty and Carter, but then I get up from my chair, feeling the sleepiness coming to me.