"I'm gonna head to my hotel, I'll be back here for the game tonight," Kailey said to Marc as he walked towards the stall that was to be his for his stint in the AHL.
"Why don't you stay and watch the skate?"Colby asked. "She can stay, right coach?"
Mike nodded, Kailey agreed and went to take a seat where she waited for the team to take the ice. Just as the guys took the ice Kailey's phone rang in her pocket. '"Hey baby, what's up?"
"Just making sure you made it okay, how was the trip? Jared continued to ask question after question and Kailey answered. "I'll talk to you later okay baby? I love you."
"I love you too, bye." And she hung up before Jared could say anything else. She loved Jared, but she had a feeling that he was jealous that she had come to spend time with another man. He was just a friend; well at least that's what she had been telling people for the last few months, the truth was that she loved him. The fact that he boyfriend didn't trust her disappointed her. The reason she hung up. After placing the phone back in her pocket her frown was replaced by a smile, she couldn't wipe it from her face. She had looked up and seen Marc.
Marc smiled too, when he saw Kailey smile that is.
***
Kailey allowed the guys a few minutes after the practice ended to be able to shower. When she returned to the locker room all of the guys had at least boxers on, and since she was on a hockey team herself, this was nothing new for her. She talked to a few of the guys while she waited for Marc to be ready and when he was ready he walked her to her car.
"It really is great to see you Kay."
"You too Marc," she wrapped her arms around him. Marc opened his mouth to say something but before he could speak Kailey said, "Before you ask, yes I'm coming to the game tonight."
"How did you know I was going to say that?"
"I'll see you later Marc," she kissed his cheek before turning and getting into her car.
Marc waited until after Kailey pulled away to place his hand to his cheek. He missed the feeling of a woman's lips. Against his cheek, but especially his lips. He missed Vero. Maybe having Kailey back in his life, even if just for a little bit was good for him. Or maybe it was the exact opposite.
"You love her, don't you?"
The voice pulled him from his thoughts and he turned to see Colby. "Huh?"
"You love her." This time it wasn't a question. "You love Kailey, and I think she loves you too."
"She can't she has a boyfriend."
"Well you never denied that you loved her, I'll see you tonight buddy." He patted Marc on the back before walking to his car.
***
Having woken up early that morning to be able to get to Wilkes-Barre on time Kailey was tired when she finally arrived at her hotel room. She set an alarm on her phone so that she could wake up in time to get something to eat before meeting up with Marc before the game.
"Hello?" Kailey said when she was woken up by the sound of her phone.
"Hi Kailey, did I wake you?"
"Yeah, but it's fine. What's up Marc?" When she realized who it was she sat up in bed and wiped the sleep from her eyes as well as her bangs from her face.
"I was wondering if maybe you would want to get something to eat with me before the game, ya know, catch up?"
"Sure, do you wanna meet somewhere?"
"I was thinking that I could pick you up, if that's okay with you."
They talked a few minutes longer and after hanging up and getting ready for the game, they met downstairs in the lobby. They were staying in the same hotel. Kailey made it downstairs first and was sitting on a bench, but as soon as she saw Marc she stood and when he walked up to her she wrapped her arms around him.
A few minutes later they pulled into a parking lot across the street from the arena. "You like Cracker Barrel?" Marc questioned. The smile on Kailey's face answered for her.
After playing the peg game for a while and a quick game of checkers in which Kailey dominated their food arrived at their table. Kailey had ordered breakfast with a little bit of everything, and root beer. Marc had meatloaf with mashed potatoes and green beans, not a typical pre-game meal, but he needed to eat something.
***
"Good luck tonight Marc," Kailey said before placing a kiss on his cheek and leaving the locker room. Marc tried to hide his smile, he wasn't like this before he went back to Canada. Maybe it was because he had spent so much time with her. No, he knew what it was, it was because when he was in Pittsburgh, at least for most of the time he had Vero.
When Kailey made it to her seat a few rows from the ice her phone went off and the caller id read Jared. 'He can wait,' she thought and shoved her phone back in her pocket. 'He should know not to bother me during a game.'
***
The Pens won the game, Kailey enjoyed nachos, and when the game ended she made her way to the locker room. "Good game Colbs."
"Thanks, Marc should be ready soon."
Kailey nodded and sat down, waiting for her best friend. A few minutes later he sat down next to her. "Ready to get going?" Kailey nodded. "Not talking much today, something wrong?"
"Jared has called a few times today, don't think he trusts me."
"Ah, well we're gonna get some ice cream to cheer you up."
After stopping at an ice cream shop, and both enjoying a waffle cone full of chocolate chip cookie dough they headed back to the hotel. On the elevator, on the way back to their rooms Kailey's phone rang and once again, it was Jared. "Hello."
"Hey I was getting ready to go to bed and wanted to say goodnight, so goodnight."
"Night, I love you."
"I love you too." She hung up and turned to Marc, the look on her face said everything.
"Well ah this is my floor, goodnight Kay."
"Goodnight Marc," she gave him a quick hug and peck on the cheek before he got off the elevator.
When the doors closed they both whispered, "I love you."
