Chapter Twenty Nine;

Ashley giggled as Jordan’s fingers slid down her back, tickling her in the process. He kissed her neck and she moaned.
“I love you, Jordy.” Ash’s drunken voice proclaimed. Her breath was the scent of the booze.
“I love you too, babe.” Jordan said into her skin.
The night around them was quiet other than the occasional crash of the waves against the shore. At least it was quiet. In the distance the two of them heard the faint sound of laughter and it was getting closer and closer.
“Do you hear that?” Ashley asked, making sure she wasn’t the only one.
“Uh-huh.”
They both sat up and looked out in the direction it was coming from. Seeing something moving, they squinted their eyes, trying to make out what it was.
Once they got close enough, Jordan had a thought, “Is that…”
“Em and Geno.” Ashley cut him off, realizing for herself. Neither of them had even noticed that they had left until now. “What are they doing?”
Emily and Evgeni were trying to quietly signal for Jordan and Ashley to get up and run, failing in the process. Although they seemed to had lost the man who was following them, they weren’t taking any chances.
“I think they want us to get up.” Jordan said, sounding more like a question than a statement. He stood up from the sand, wobbling slightly as he first got to his feet. He then offered his hand to Ash, who took it and nearly fell over when she tried to stand. Giggling, she held onto Jordan for support.
Emily was falling slightly behind Geno as they approached their friends. They had been running nonstop for quite a while. She hadn’t realized how far they had strayed from their initial spot until now. Figuring they were close enough for them to hear without being too loud, she called out to them in a whisper-yell.
“Go back to the hotel!” She tried to tell them, but they didn’t move. Instead, they looked at each other, confused and giggly.
Geno chuckled and helped her out, “Run!” He called out and they got the hint, tripping over themselves as they slipped their shoes back on. Although they were still confused at why they had to run back to the hotel, they didn’t question it.
Emily smirked at Geno who was laughing as he looked back at her.
“What?” She asked as they jogged.
“You tired?” He responded, still smirking at her. She wrinkled her nose at him.
“No.” She lied and he could tell.
“Come here.” Geno slowed his pace and held his arm out to her.
She wasn’t sure what he was trying to do, but before she could ask he lifted her up and carried her over his shoulder. The sound of her laughter filled the silence of the night around them.
“Geno!” Emily exclaimed though her laughs as he carried her to where Ashley and Jordan still were. She wasn’t expecting him to pick her up, but couldn’t complain. She didn’t feel like running anymore.
It didn’t take long for them to catch up with Jordan and Ashley, even after stopping to grab their sandals they had taken off there earlier. Jordy was carrying his girlfriend now, too, since he wasn’t as drunk as she was.
“Sooo,” Ashley began, drawing out her words, “why is it that we’re running?”
“Some guy was chasing us for being on private property.” Emily told her, still hanging over Geno’s shoulder.
“Oh.” Ash said simply and giggled.
Once the four of them got back to their hotel, they slowed down and let their girls down outside the doors. They walked into the lobby as casually as they could manage, quietly strolling past the young woman at the front desk and pressing the up button for the elevator. The doors slid open and they stepped inside, still staying silent. It wasn’t until the doors closed that sound came out of any of their mouths in the form of laughter.
“That was fun!” Ashley exclaimed. She held onto Jordan’s arms for support.
“And we made it back without getting caught!” He boasted with a smile, “Suck on that, Danny B!”
“Oh, what a night.” Geno laughed, his gaze falling upon Emily’s soft smile.
“Yeah.” She nodded in agreement, just happy that she made it out without regrets. Even though Geno had dropped the L word.
“Shhh, guys. Shhh!” Jordan shushed them all just before the doors slid open revealing the seventh floor. They fell silent again as they walked out and the couples went in opposite directions. Ash to Jordan’s room, and Em to Evgeni’s.
Geno stopped in front of the door and turned to face his girl. He smiled at her automatically.
“I had fun tonight.” He said.
“Me too.” Em gave him a smile, looking up at him, just wanting to go to her room and go to sleep. It had to have been pretty late by now.
Geno’s hand brushed the side of her cheek as he looked into her eyes. He leaned in and kissed her lips softly.
“And I meant what I said. I love you.”
Before Emily could even think of something to say in response, the door opened behind them and Max’s head peaked out.
“Oh, hey guys!” He pretended to be shocked to see them there. Geno was fooled but Em knew better. She thanked him with a small smile when Geno wasn’t looking. Max nodded to show he recognized her appreciation.
“Hey, Max.” Geno’s voice had a slight hint of annoyance in it.
“So, you guys have fun out there?” He asked with an insincere smile on his face.
“We sure did.” Emily returned his smile with a similar one.
“Not too much, I hope.” Max said, really referring to what he told Emily earlier.
She shook her head no, “Just the right amount.”
Geno looked from Emily to Max and back again. He sensed by the way they were talking that their words had some other implied meaning to them, but he wasn’t about to question them. Max had made it very clear earlier that the two of them were just friends. So whatever it was that they were talking about couldn’t have been that big of a deal.
“Okay, well it was nice seeing you. Me and Geno are going to bed now. Right, Geno?” Max said, ready to pull him in the room and lock the door.
Geno raised an eyebrow at him, “Uhh…”
“Okay. Goodnight, then.” Emily said.
“Goodnight,” Max smiled, “Geno, say goodnight.”
Geno did as he was told, “Night.” He said, getting confused with what Max was trying to do. He questioned him once they were back in their room and the door shut, while Emily went back to her own.
“Why’d you do that?” Evgeni asked. Max walked over to his bed and got ready to get under the covers.
“Do what?” He feigned obliviousness.
“One, cut into our conversation and two, make her leave.”
Max knew the answer to both of his questions. He cut in because he was listening to their conversation through the door and when he heard Geno tell her he loved her, he wanted to help a friend out so she wouldn’t have to answer him. He made Em leave because he knew she wanted to and she was too nice to say that to Geno’s face. But he wasn’t about to tell him that, that’s for sure.
Instead he lied, “Oh, sorry I didn’t mean to cut in. But I did want to talk to you. I‘ve got a couple questions, actually.”
“Okay,” Geno sighed, “Shoot.”
“Alright, here it goes.” Max stalled momentarily while he thought of something to ask. He wasn’t as prepared as he made it seem. His plan ended at getting Geno into the room without Emily. “Um, did you have a good time?”
Geno looked at Max as if asking if he was serious, “Yes, Max.”
“Good, good.” Max looked around. He figured he might as well just ask everything that was on his mind. It was the only way he’d find out the answers. “Did you kiss her?”
“Yes, Max.” Geno replied as he changed into some sleep clothes.
“Did you, um, get much further than that?”
“No, Max.”
Max breathed a sigh of relief on that one, even though Emily had already hinted that they hadn’t. “Did you drink a lot?”
“No, Max.”
“Did you tell her you love her?”
Geno looked at Max this time, not answering without thinking much like the previous questions. “Yeah,” He said, “I did.”
“And do you?” Max studied his expression and knew the answer before he even opened his mouth, “Are you really in love with her?”
Geno’s lips formed a genuine smile and he nodded, “I am, Max. I really am.”



Emily was back in her room. She changed into some pajama shorts and a t shirt and got ready to go to bed. Ashley came back in the room while she was washing her face, and crashed onto her bed, falling asleep within seconds of her head hitting the pillow. Ashlen had been asleep too. Whatever her and Sidney had done must have left her happy because she had a peaceful smile on her face as she slept.
Suddenly feeling exhausted, Em got under the covers of her bed and grabbed her iPod from the bedside table. Listening to music helped her fall asleep when she had a lot on her mind. She put in the earphones, laid back, put the music on shuffle and turned off the lamp.
A song by A Rocket to the Moon came on as she stared at the dark ceiling. Her thoughts were a jumbled mess of the events of the day. It felt like weeks since she’d last talked to Kris, even though it had only been this morning that they last spoke. She pictured his face in her head. His crooked smile, his glowing brown eyes, she loved everything about it. As she remembered their special night together, all she wanted was to be with him now and relive the every moment of it. From their first kiss, to when they told each other they were in love, to sleeping together. It all made up what she considered the best day of her life.
But then there was Geno. In her head she heard his voice telling her that he loved her. So sincere, so romantic. She felt awful knowing that he truly meant it when she couldn’t bare to say it back. She knew what it felt like to be in love. But she couldn’t imagine the feeling of not being loved back. She didn’t want to imagine it, and she certainly didn’t want to make anyone have to experience it. Her and Geno had been such good friends before the night at the club. Before then she never really considered him liking her as anything more than a friend, let alone being in love with her. She could only imagine how things would have been different had Kris showed up in the first place. Or if she hadn’t spotted Geno in her moment of desperation. It was unclear as to what would’ve happened, but there was no point dwelling on something that was unchangeable now. The only thing she could do was consider her options. One, break up with Geno on Monday and be with Kris. Or two, stay with Geno and just be friends with Kris.
As the song came to an end, the next random one came on, only to further convince her that her choice was the right one. While We The Kings serenaded her and put her thoughts to rest, Emily drifted to sleep, dreaming of the man she loved. Her secret valentine.

Chapter Twenty Eight;

A couple of laughs and a few drinks later, Ashley and Jordan were all over each other. Jordan was laying on his back in the sand with Ash on top of him. They had been making out like this for a while now, making it a bit awkward for Emily and Geno who were seated not too far away. The two of them were just talking and looking at the stars. Although it seemed completely harmless, Em still worried if Geno would make a move.
 “Do you wanna go for a walk?” Evgeni asked her, not wanting to stick around and find out what would happen next between their friends to their left.
 “Okay.” Emily agreed. If they were walking, they couldn’t possibly be doing anything she’d regret. Right?
Geno stood up and offered his hand to help her up. She took it and got to her feet, but their hands didn’t part. Their fingers laced together as they began to walk along the shore. Holding hands was harmless.



The credits were rolling down the screen of the hotel television, but neither Sidney nor Ashlen cared to take notice that the movie had finished. They had been too busy with each other to watch anymore of it.
 “I love you, Ash.” Sidney’s voice was quiet, yet alluring. His big lips caressed her skin.
 “I love you too.” Ashlen managed to respond.
Everything had been perfect. No interruptions from Marc-Andre. Just the two of them. Just the way they wanted it.
They were just laying in each other’s arms, enjoying the time they spent together, when Ashlen spoke up.
 “I should probably get back to my room.” She said, knowing it was the right thing to do even if she didn’t want to.
 “Don’t go.” Sidney pleaded, not wanting to be apart from her.
 “I have to. You need your sleep for tomorrow.” Ash told him. She knew if she stayed neither of them would get much rest.
 “You can sleep here.” Sidney tried with a smile, not giving up just yet.
 “And have Dan find me here in the morning and fine you for breaking the rules?” She sat up but Sidney’s arms were still around her.
 “Oh, please,” Sid chuckled, “Being with you is worth the thousand dollars.”
 “But I’d feel bad if you had to pay that much because of me.”
 “Ash,” Sid smiled and sat up a bit to get closer to her, “It’s really not that much.”
 “It is to me.”
Sid looked her in the eyes, “Even a million dollars wouldn’t be a lot compared to how much you mean to me.”
He leaned in and pressed his lips on hers. She kissed him back and smiled when they parted.
 “I still have to go.” She said. Sidney pouted dramatically, making Ash giggle.
 “Fine.” He gave in. It was for the best anyway. “I love you, you know that?”
Ashlen smiled at him and nodded. Never had she felt the way he made her feel before. “Yeah, I know.”
 “Good.” He replied smiling. They stood up from the couch and walked over towards the door hand-in-hand.
They stood silently for a moment, just admiring each other. Sort of stalling the goodbye process.
 “I love you, Sid.” Ashlen finally said.
 “I love you too, Ash.” He replied.
The couple gave each other a final kiss for the long night that neither of them really wanted to end.
 “Goodnight.” Sid told her quietly as he did his best to open the door without making a sound.
 “Night.” She smiled back at him and walked out of his room. He watched her make her way down the hall back to her room and open the door. Before she went inside, she looked back at him and smiled. He smiled back, as she entered her room and slowly shut the door behind her. Sid waited a few seconds and then did the same. He did need to get some sleep, whether he wanted to or not.



After walking what seemed like a mile, Emily and Geno stopped for a bit. They had made it to the part of the beach where the lights from the hotels and streets was no longer visible. The only light came from the sky. The moon and stars, shining down on them. It was even more beautiful than the area of the beach they were at before.
 “Wanna sit?” Geno asked and Emily nodded.
He led her over to a good spot and they sat down. He put his arm around her and she hesitantly rested her head on his shoulder. He hadn’t tried anything with her yet tonight, and Emily was beginning to have doubts that he was going to.
They were quiet for a bit, just staring out onto the water, until Emily spoke up.
 “So what were you and Jordy talking about earlier?” She asked, trying to make conversation and also wanting to know the answer.
Geno smiled and said, “You.”
 “Me?” Emily asked, “What about me?”
 “Just how you’re special.” Geno replied, looking at her now as he spoke.
 “Special?” She was looking at him now too. And god, did he look incredible under the moonlight, “Like stop eating the paste, special?”
 “No,” He chuckled. He gently took her hand in his. Emily could hear her heart beating in her chest, “Like you’re the only one for me, special.’
If she didn’t know better, Emily would have thought she was in a movie. The scenery, the dialog, everything was perfect. Everything, except for the main character.
Geno leaned in closer to her and kissed her lips. Her eyes naturally closed and she kissed him back.
Despite the fact that Evgeni wasn’t her Prince Charming, Emily was finding it hard to stop herself. He was saying all the right things. He really did make her feel special.
Geno’s fingers brushed Emily’s cheek as they made out. Everything about it was terribly romantic. When their mouths separated, they kept close and looked into each others eyes. Geno smiled.
 “I love you, Em.” He confessed.
Emily couldn’t find the words to speak. Her mouth was dry and her head was spinning. What was she suppose to say to that?
She swallowed, trying to find a response. “Geno,” She paused, “I…”
 “Hey! Who’s down there?” A man with a flashlight shining on the two of them from atop the hill that hid the beach from the outside world yelled. “This is a private beach! Trespassers are prohibited and will be fined!”
Geno and Emily stood up quickly, wide eyed. The big man that had bellowed to them was making his way down the hill.
 “Come on, run!” Evgeni whispered to her, taking her hand and leading her back in the direction they came from.
 “Hey! Get back here!” The man yelled to them. The light from his flashlight bounced around, shining on them as he tried to run after them.
 “Don’t stop.” Geno told her as they ran. Their feet kicking up sand as they did so. Both of them started to laugh, though not exactly for the same reasons. Emily laughed because of the sheer surprise and luck that the guy interrupted her from having to say anything back to Geno. She was saved from that pressure for the time being. Geno, on the other hand, just plain found the situation funny. Plus the fact that Emily was laughing and it made him happy enough to laugh too. He loved her laugh. Heck, he loved her.

Chapter Twenty Seven;

It was dark as midnight as Kris looked around the room. Everything was black. He was sitting up on the hotel room bed, eyes squinted, trying to make out some sort of figure in the room that appeared to be a black hole of nothing.
 “Bouch?” Kris called out. No reply. He must have fallen asleep. It had to have been late, he thought. The clock that had been sitting on the bedside table wasn’t lit up like normally. Had the power gone out? Kris reached out in the direction he thought the clock was and hit something. Suddenly, the room came into focus as the lights raised slightly, the way they do at the movie theater once the movie is over.
The first and only thing Kris noticed once he could see again, was her.
 “Hi.” Emily smiled at him from across the room. The blue in her eyes was glowing and her white smile made the room look even brighter. She was wearing a skimpy, loose fitting dress with her wavy brown hair resting on her shoulders. Kris’s heart beat loud at the sight of her and a smile naturally made its way to his face.
He couldn’t find the words to speak. He was so glad to see her. And it wasn’t even Monday yet, was it?
 “How’d you get in here?” Kris finally asked and motioned for her to come closer.
She took a few steps and replied, “Philippe let me in.”
Kris turned to look at where Boucher had been laying before. He wasn’t there.
 “Where is he?” Kris asked, although he didn’t really care. Being alone with Emily would be better anyway.
 “I asked him to leave.” She replied with a coy grin playing on her face as she came closer to Kris, “You know, to give us some privacy.”
 “Oh, good idea.” He said, liking what she seemed to be implying.
 “Uh-huh.” Emily nodded and got up onto his bed, kneeling on it in front of where he was sitting. Kris couldn’t help but smile as she got closer and closer to him, until she was nearly on top of him. “I broke up with Geno.” She told him and before he could even think of something to say, she kissed his lips. “And I love you with all my heart.” She said and kissed him again. “I only want you. I want every part of you.” She continued, kissing him again and again. “One night wasn’t near enough. And now it doesn’t have to be,” She was saying everything Kris wanted her to as she began undressing him, “I love you, Kristopher Letang. I want to be with you forever.” The light seemed to be dimming again as her hands explored his body.
Suddenly, all was black again.
  “I love you, too.” Kris said to no one, “I love you, too.”


Kris opened his eyes. The room was dark, but not black. The lamp on the table between his and Philippe’s bed was on, and still reading his book, Philippe was there. But Emily was not.
 “Fuck.” He cursed, upset. It had been a dream. Emily hadn’t come here. She didn’t kiss him over and over and over again. And worst of all, she hadn’t broken up with Geno.
 “Bad dream?” Philippe asked, not looking up from his book.
 “No.” Kris said dourly. “What are you still doing up anyway?”
 “Ha, Kris you were only asleep about a half an hour.” Boucher pointed out, looking at the digital clock next to him. “And don’t give me attitude just cause you had a nightmare.”
Kris narrowed his eyes at him, “I told you I didn’t have a nightmare. It was probably the best dream I ever had.”
 “Ahh, I see.” Philippe understood now, “You were having a great dream, I’m guessing about Emily. And then you woke up and realized it was just a dream, eh?”
Kris just nodded, not wanting to talk about it. He laid back, his head on the big pillow and rolled on his side, facing the wall.
 “G’night, Tanger.” Boucher said with a grin. Kris squeezed his eyes shut and tried to fall back asleep so he could return to his perfect dream.



 “You are fast, Ricky Bobby,” Marc-Andre Fleury and Jean Girard said simultaneously, “But I am faster.”
Ashlen and Sidney cracked up at the resemblance between the two.
 “Only you, Flower.” Sid shook his head, still chuckling, “Only you.”
Marc smiled one of his giant smiles, “Well I’m beat.” He said, standing up from the couch with a dramatic yawn although it really wasn’t too late yet, “See you two in the AM.”
 “Night, Marc.” Ash said smiling, wrapped in Sidney’s arms on the other couch.
 “Yeah. You guys get some sleep, ya hear? I don’t wanna wake up in the middle of the night to any crazy sounds or bedrockin’. Clear?” Flower asked. It was impossible to cover his joking smile.
 “Yeah, yeah. We’re clear, man.” Sid was blushing a bit. Ash noticed and smiled, looking up at his face with lust in her eyes.
 “Okay, okay.” Fleury laughed, “I don’t trust you at all, but okay. Goodnight for real.” He waved a last goodbye and went into the bedroom, shutting the door behind him.
 “It’s about time.” Sid said with a small, seductive grin playing on his lips.
 “I heard that!” Marc called through the closed door.
Ashlen laughed, “Obviously we’re going to have to be quieter.”
 “Unfortunately.” Sid sighed but didn’t lose his smirk. “You wanna finish watching the movie or something else?”
 “Well, this is pretty nice.” Ashlen said, referring to the way they were situated together. In each other’s arms. Faces close enough to kiss.
 “It could be nicer.” Sid suggested. The small gap between their faces closed as they kissed.
 “Not too nice, I hope!” Marc’s voice yelled out again.
Ash giggled and Sid turned to look towards the door, “I think it’s in everyone’s best interest that you stop listening to us and go to sleep, Flower. Now.”
The door opened, just a crack and Marc’s face appeared, “Aye aye Captain.” He said then shut the door and supposedly went to bed.
 “Now, where were we?” Sidney refocused on his girl after the brief and hopefully final interruption.
 “I think we were right here.” Ashlen said just before she pressed her lips against his.



 “God, it’s beautiful out here.” Ashley said, looking out onto the ocean. The night sky was full of stars that reflected off the water with a beautiful glimmer. She was sitting on a big rock situated on the beach, laying back in Jordan’s arms.
 “It sure is.” Emily, who was sitting on the rock next to them with Geno, agreed.
Jordan handed a small glass to each of them, including himself, and poured in whatever liquor was in the first bottle he grabbed, “I’d like to propose a toast,” He said with a smile, “To a beautiful night, on this beautiful beach, with two very beautiful girls.”
 “I’ll drink to that.” Geno smiled at Emily, raising his glass as Jordan had.
 “Cheers!” Ashley exclaimed and lifted her glass to join them.
Emily smiled and did the same, “Cheers.” She sighed. What Max had told her was making her nervous.
While Jordan, Ash, and Geno all drank their drinks, Emily merely pressed the cup up to her lips as if she were about to take a sip.
 “How bout we go down to the water?” Em suggested and placed the untouched drink on the rock behind her before they could notice she hadn’t drank anything. Explaining why she didn’t would be a bad idea.
 “Kay!” Ashley instantly agreed and hopped down off the rock. “Come on, Jordy!”
 “I’m coming, I’m coming. Give me a sec.” He told her and she nodded. Emily and her took off their flip-flops and started off towards the oceans edge while Geno stayed back with Jordan for a moment.
 “So,” Jordy’s voice was hushed as he spoke to Geno, although it was very unlikely that their girlfriends could hear them, “You planning on hittin’ that tonight?” He asked with a smirk on his face. Both of their eyes were focused out on the girls.
 “I wouldn’t say planning.” Geno said, “But, you know, whatever happens, happens.”
 “Ahhh, yeah man. I hear ya, I hear ya.” Jordan replied with a sort of jump in his voice. “You guys get that far yet?”
 “Naw, not yet.” Geno told him, “We’re kind of taking things slower. One step at a time.”
Jordan gave him a look like he didn’t believe what he was hearing, “You? Evgeni Malkin, taking things slow? One step at a time? No way.” He joked with him. He knew very well that that wasn’t how some of his past relationships went.
 “It’s different with her, man.” Geno chuckled at his tone but was being honest, “It’s not about the sex. It’s more than that. I really like her. She’s special.”
 “She is quite the catch.” Jordan admitted, watching her and Ashley spin around in the inch deep water, laughing as the waves crashed against their feet. “You’re a lucky man.”
 “Yeah,” Evgeni smiled, eyes focused on Emily, “I am.”

 “What do you think they’re talking about?” Emily asked Ashley after they had stopped spinning around.
Ashley was still laughing, “My guess would be us.”
 “And what makes you think that?” Em asked. She was taking it a bit too seriously, worrying about what Geno had planned.
 “Well, they are, like, watching us.” She replied with a smile still on her face, “And plus, what else would they be talking about? I mean, hello!” Whatever Jordan had given all of them to drink must have been strong. It didn’t take much to get Ashley sounding rather crazy. Emily was glad she opted not to have any of whatever it was.
 “True.” She sighed.
 “What’s the matter?” Even being tipsy, Ash could tell there was something wrong.
 “It’s nothing. I’m just pretty tired.” Emily wasn’t totally lying. Sleeping sounded like a great idea right now.
 “You just need another drink.” Ash said smiling.
That’s the last thing I need. Emily thought to herself.
 “JORDAN! GENO! COME ON!” Ashley yelled up to the guys, easily catching their attention. They hopped down off the rocks and hurried over to their girls.
 “Miss me, babe?” Jordan asked as he wrapped his arms around Ashley.
 “Uh-huh.” She nodded and kissed him, slinging her arms around his neck.
Evgeni took Emily’s hand in his. The space in between them was very little. He looked down into her eyes and she looked up into his. Without saying a word, he kissed her forehead softly.
 “You look beautiful tonight.” He told her.
 “Thanks.” She smiled, but silently worried what his intensions were.