Unsportsmanlike Conduct

by Melody Heck Gatto

  His voice broke into her thoughts. Damn, she never thought a guy looked so good in blue jeans before. Must be the hormones talking.

  "Hi, I'll have a large twist cone with chocolate sprinkles. Gia? What do you want?" he asked.

  You, she thought. "I want a medium vanilla cone with rainbow sprinkles, please," she said to the young man on the other side of the window.

  The young clerk handed each of them their cones and Patrick paid for them.

  "Okay, so?"

  "Well, Ben said he has no intentions of trading me. He brought me here for a reason. I have to accept that until I hear otherwise. He also said he makes the decisions, not Ty. He might be the big deal of the league, but Ben still owns it." He licked the side of his cone as it started to drip. "C'mon, let’s go sit on the wall and eat."

  Gia laughed. "You just don't want an ice cream mess in your Hummer."

  "Well, yeah." He shot her a cocky smile. "So, my place tonight?"

  She couldn't help the smile that crept across her face. "Yep." She nodded.

  ****

  PATRICK

  The drive back home was quiet. He was glad she’d called. He wasn't sure what he would do if she went back with Tyler. He’d never been so invested in a girl before. Not like this. He didn't know what he was supposed to do next, but whatever it was, it would be with her by his side.

  They pulled into his driveway and he helped her out of the Hummer. They walked to the door hand in hand. Patrick carried her clothes bag. "How much is in here? Damn!"

  "Ha ha. It’s enough to get me through a few days. I think Kat wants me to give up my apartment and move in with her. I don't know what to do about that. I'm sort of just buying time until I decide."

  He held the front door open and she walked in.

  This house would look so much better with her in it. It never really felt like a home until that day she showed up at my door.

  He set her bag over by the steps. Gia grabbed him around the middle, wrapping her arms around him and snuggled her face in his chest. He let out a breath and wrapped her up in his arms, kissing the top of her head. He loved the feel of her in his arms around him.

  She had on a pink tee that barely hit her waistline and fell off one shoulder. He had wanted to slip his hand in the back pocket of her small blue jeans shorts since he picked her up.

  Sliding her flip-flops off by the door, she grabbed his hand and led him into the living room. He lay on the couch as she slid in between his legs, wrapping her arms around his middle. She looked up and kissed him.

  Holding the back of her head, he plunged his tongue deep into her mouth. He still didn't know what had went on today and really wanted to ask. Instead, he concentrated on the fact that he had her in his arms now.

  "Patrick," she said as she pulled back.

  "What is it, baby girl?" His body on fire, all he wanted to do was get inside her.

  Gia propped herself up so she could look at him. She smiled bashfully. "I really don't want them to trade you …" She quickly looked away.

  He pulled her chin towards him and smiled. She was so cute when she was like this, nervous but determined. He liked when she was stubborn and knew what she wanted too. He liked everything about her, every mood, every attitude, every single thing.

  "Why? Would you miss me?" He smiled at her. "Am I to assume if you're here with me tonight, that you aren't with–" he started to ask as he pushed her dark hair out of her face and behind her ear.

  "I'm not with anyone but you." She smiled. "I'm right where I want to be. Patrick, I am all yours … if you want me to be." She kissed his lips lightly.

  Patrick smiled against her lips, hoping this meant what he thought it did. "Of course I want you, baby girl. There has never been a moment when I didn't." His mind wandered to that first time he saw her at Kris's pool party, that tan body in that itty bitty bikini. He couldn't resist her then and he couldn’t now. His eyes raked over her body, causing every muscle to tense.

  "Good," Gia said, lying down on his chest. She put her lips to his ear and whispered, "Cause I'm falling in love with you." She leaned back and watched his expression.

  A wide grin slid across his face, which made her lips curve into a smile of approval.

  She was falling in love with him. He already knew he loved her. He loved the baby inside her. He loved everything about her. "Gia, you make me a better person, do you know that? Baby girl, I'm completely in love with you." He kissed her soft lips. "How could I not be? You are amazing and god you’re hot," he said as he ran his hand down to her ass and pulled her body closer to his. "And I love this baby, too." He slid one hand across her belly.

  "I don't think I made you a better person. I think you've just finally become the person you were always meant to be."

  "I don't know about that." His mouth dropped to hers. He softly kissed her lips, running his tongue over them.

  "Patrick," she mumbled against his mouth. "Take me upstairs and make love to me."

  "My pleasure." Patrick scooped Gia up in his arms and carried her upstairs. He took off his shirt as soon as he set her down on the bed. She dropped her clothes to the floor before crawling back onto the bed and waited for him in her bra and panties.

  His clothes joined hers on the floor and he crawled in beside her, running his fingertips down her stomach to her thighs. Patrick kissed her soft lips then slid his mouth down her neck and to her taut nipples. He teased and tasted them, making her moan in pleasure.

  His hand skimmed down, cupping her center in his palm. He dipped his fingers into her moist center, she let out a groan, and a smile crept over her face. He dipped further into her causing her to call out louder. "It's okay, baby. Let go. I promise I’ll get you there again. I know you want to," he whispered as he continued to play with her warm, wet folds.

  He moved his fingers in a circular motion and she lost all control, her body began to shake. She moaned loudly as she rocked firmly against his hand. Watching her scream and arch her back made Patrick even more aroused. He would have no issue fulfilling his promise to make her come again. Only with him the next time.

  "Oh my God. I want to fuck you so bad now," he said as she shook from the aftershocks. He slid his lips down her skin, sucking and biting. Stopping to suck at her erect nipples, he caused her to moan again.

  "I wanna make love to you, baby. Damn, I love you." His mouth came down on hers as he entered her.

  She let out a gasp against his lips.

  Moving deeper inside, he kissed her lips. He slid out and then slowly back in, each time farther than the last. His body was on fire, making it hard to control himself.

  He sat up on his knees, pulled her hips to meet his and thrust into her harder. She lifted her hips to him, giving him ease to fill her deeper. "I love when you do that, G." He let out a breathy chuckle.

  He grabbed her and pulled her onto him so she straddled him. He moved her up and down on his cock. Grunting and biting his lip, he tried to keep control. He was determined to get her there a second time.

  He was dizzy with lust. He just wanted to explode deep in her. Rolling her back onto the bed, he laid on top of her. He pushed inside and her wetness surrounded him, which made it difficult to not come right that minute. He kissed her lips, shoving his tongue deep inside her warm mouth. He thrust slowly but forcefully. She moaned against his lips.

  When her rhythm matched his he knew that she was ready. Not a moment too soon. Holding her tight against him, his fingers dug into her hips and his tongue still ravaged her mouth; he thrust harder. He moved forcefully until he finally exploded inside her, causing her to come at the same time. She shook and shuttered beneath him until she was finally spent. They were both drenched in sweat.

  Rolling to his side, he watched her smile and finally start to breathe normally again.

  "Holy shit …" She giggled.

  "Told you I would get you there again."

  CHAPTER 22

  GIA

  "You ready for the season
home opener?" Kris asked Patrick across the dinner table. Family dinners at Kris and Kat's were finally comfortable again.

  "Sure am," Patrick said with a mouthful of pasta salad.

  "Manners? Geez …" Kris laughed sarcastically. "You get things worked out with Ty?"

  Patrick shrugged his shoulders, finished the mouthful of food and said, "I guess. We got to talk during practice and he said whatever happened in the off season won't have any place on the ice. So, I guess we'll see, but practice went well. No issues. I'm looking forward to it."

  It had been almost two weeks since Tyler and she had talked. Patrick seemed to feel good about the way Tyler handled himself at practice.

  "I can't believe it's that time again," Gia commented. The last few weeks had really flown by. With the season quickly approaching, the schedule was getting more hectic, especially with the daily practices.

  "Penny for your thoughts?" Patrick asked.

  Gia shook her head. "Nothing really. Just thinking with you getting back to the grindstone, I had better get my lazy ass a job. Even though I'll be living here, I can't just lay in the pool all day and eat my sister's food."

  "Oh, you mean like you did when you lived at home?" Kat laughed.

  "Exactly." Gia giggled.

  Kat brought a tray of strawberry Jell-O dessert over to the table, set it in the middle of the table and took the empty dinner platter over to the sink. She returned with round white dessert plates and sat them down beside Kris.

  "So Gia," Kat rested her chin on her hand, "are we to assume you two are officially an item now?" She dished out a piece to each of them.

  Gia blushed. She knew Kat didn't mean to, but laying it all out there embarrassed her a bit.

  Patrick smiled and looked over at Gia. "Well, we are official, aren't we?" he asked, using air quotes.

  "Yes, we are official," Gia responded, mimicking Patrick’s actions. "Dork! I didn't want to jinx it. Things had been going so well, I didn't want to mess it up with a label," she said as she played with her big silver hoop earrings nervously. She grabbed her tummy as she got another one of those odd twinges.

  "Nothing is going to mess up what we have," Patrick said as he leaned over and kissed her lips. "Just so you know, as far as I'm concerned, we've been exclusive for the last month," he added. She hadn't left his side much over the last few weeks, except for the mornings he had early meetings.

  Gia blushed. She felt the same way. Patrick being exclusive with anyone was a big step, and she was thrilled he’s chosen her. She looked into his blue eyes and saw nothing but love.

  Kris smiled and shook his head a little. "I'm impressed. You’re finally all grown up."

  Patrick looked over at Kris and flipped him the middle finger, then laughed. "Kat, dinner was really wonderful. Thanks for the invite." He flashed his typical cocky-ass smile at her.

  "Don't look at me, your cousin is the chef around here. But I'm glad you could come over." She grinned.

  "Well, thanks anyway. I was thinking, would you ladies like to come to the season opener?" Patrick asked, taking a bite of the strawberry pretzel dessert.

  "I would love to," Gia said quickly. She never went to a lot of the games when she was dating Tyler, trying her best to avoid Patrick. Watching from home was the easiest way to do that and she really did miss going to the arena. "Oh, but I'll–" she wasn’t sure she wanted to finish that sentence.

  "You'll what, G?" Kat asked.

  "Um, I don't have a jersey," she said. What she meant was she needed a new jersey. The only one she owned was a Tyler Kidd jersey.

  Kat looked away. "Oh."

  "You mean this loser hasn't bought you a jersey yet, G?" Kris joked. "Aw, I know, you really want a Lafleur jersey. That is so sweet of you. I'm sure I can get you one."

  "Very funny cuz," Patrick said sarcastically, rolling his eyes. "Now who's the dork? Babe, I can get you a jersey. We can go early to the Renegades Store and you can get whatever you want."

  "That would be great," Gia said, finishing her dessert.

  Kris chimed in, "Well Kat, your Mom already offered to watch Ian for the night. Your Dad will be coming to the game along with my parents. So, are you interested in going?" Kris nudged Kat.

  "Sure! You know I love those box seats." Kat smiled excitedly.

  "Well, actually, you won't be in the box," Kris said with a smile. "You’ll be sitting at the glass. That is, if you want to?" Kris answered Kat's question before she could even ask. "Our parents will be happy and comfortable up in the private luxury box with all drinks and food included, and jerseys waiting for them if they want them. But we thought you ladies might like an up close and personal experience?"

  Gia's eyes lit up. Seats at the glass! Before Kat started to date Kris, if they were ever lucky enough to get tickets to a game, the only seats they could afford were so far away they watched a lot of the game on the jumbo-tron.

  "Well hell, seats at that glass and the baby staying over Grandma's house, could it get any better?" Kat laughed.

  "Sounds like a date night after the game to me!" Gia laughed.

  "Or a full night of sleep," Kat smirked. "I'm glad Mom isn't a huge hockey fan," Kat said. "So I can go to the games and she can get Grandma time with the little munchkin!"

  What better way was there to start a new season?

  CHAPTER 23

  GIA

  Gia stared at her closet. What would Tyler's reaction be when he saw her sitting by the glass? Would it bother him? Would it cause problems for Patrick? She didn't want to be a distraction from the game.

  The sound of Patrick bounding down the basement steps to her room brought her back to reality. "You ready?"

  "Yeah, in a second." She pulled a black tank top out of her closet and quickly slid it on. The tight blue jeans she had on would look cute with a jersey.

  "Flip-flops? Really?" Patrick asked, wrinkling his brow.

  "Yeah, what's wrong with them? They look cute. Plus I did my toenails in the team colors. Don't you like them?" she whined.

  "Oh Gia." He pulled her into a hug, cuddling her in his arms. "I love the toenails, very cute, but I also think more appropriate shoes would be better."

  "No flip-flops? Okay." She slipped off her sandals and searched the bottom of the closet. She pulled out a black pair of shoes with chunky heels that came right below her ankle. "How about these?"

  "Nice, I like those," he growled. He walked into the bedroom toward her, stopped and looked around for a second. "Looks good in here."

  It looked different than when it had been his room. She definitely made it more 'Gia'. They hadn't been there often these last two weeks. They usually ended up at Patrick's house.

  "Thanks. Um, do I need an overnight bag?" she asked nonchalantly.

  A cocky smile crossed his lips. "Maybe." He smiled and grabbed her by the waist, pulling her to him. "Because I'm pretty sure you can't say no to this mug."

  ****

  Patrick pulled his Hummer into the arena garage behind Kris's Jeep. Gia noticed a handful of people standing outside the garage parking lot. "What are they doing over there?" She pointed to them.

  When the people noticed Patrick and Kris, they went nuts waving and holding up homemade Renegades signs.

  "Fans wanting autographs. Most of those people are here to see Tyler anyway."

  "What? You're not going to stop for them?" Kris called teasingly as he got out of his Jeep.

  "I didn't see you try to slow down, cuz!" Patrick called back sarcastically.

  Gia and Kat looked at each other very confused.

  "They’re mostly here to see Ty anyway. I mean, sure they’d love it if we stopped and I would consider it if you ladies weren't here. It gets crazy. Plus, we need to meet up with our parents," Kris explained.

  "Very true and I need my jersey," Gia chimed in.

  "And I need a beer!" Kat waved her hand in the air. "What?" she said as everyone looked at her oddly. "Mama's got a night out. That doesn't happen often, folks."<
br />
  "Looks like you’ll have your hands full tonight, G." Kris grinned as he nudged Gia with his shoulder.

  "Great." Gia rolled her eyes and laughed. "I thought I was supposed to be the wild one," she added as they walked into Rivers Arena. "Daddy!" she exclaimed as soon as she saw her father standing by the team store.

  "Gianna, Kat, how are my girls?" he said as they hugged.

  "Mr. Torella," Kris put out his hand to shake his father-in-law's hand.

  "Kris I told you, it's Dad or Jay. No mister. Please, we’re family," Jay Torella insisted. He grinned and shook Kris's hand, pulling him into a hug. "Hello son."

  "Patrick." He turned his attention to Patrick. "And how have you’ve been?" He smiled and put out his hand to shake.

  "Mr. Torella, I'm good. We’re really glad you could make it," he said as he shook Jay's hand.

  "Patrick, from what I hear, we’ll be seeing a lot of you. So please, call me Jay." He smiled. He was a medium sized man, not as tall as Kris or Patrick, with more gray hairs then blond ones and a mostly gray beard as well. Jay was a huge hockey fan. He had on an old time Renegades shirt: his favorite player from the eighties, Michael Mckee, number eleven. "I'd like to get a new jersey if we have time."

  "Sure, we have time," Patrick said, moving the conversation inside the store. "Jenna," he called to the young blonde sales girl standing behind the desk. "Anything they want, we'll take care of it."

  "Oh, you boys don't have to do that," Jay argued.

  "It's our treat, so get what you need," Kris said. "Beautiful," he said to Kat, "if you see something you like, get it. Didn’t you want a new purse?"

  "Babe, I don't really need one, but I will go look around. Thanks." Kat gave her husband a small peck on the lips then went inside the store with her dad.