by Toni Aleo
He put all of his weight behind his next shoot; Elli didn’t even see the puck until it went in. She smiled, throwing her arms up in the air. “And he scores!!!!! The crowd goes wild!” she said in her best announcer voice. He looked over his shoulder, his look said it all, he knew he was caught.
“Hey, baby, what are you doing here?” he asked, skating towards her, “Oh, yeah, you had that promo with some of the guys today.”
“I did, and to my surprise, I heard a rumor my boyfriend was down here shooting pucks. I knew they had to be crazy so I came to look for myself and look what I see,” she said with a shake of her head. Shea leaned against the boards, kissing her softly on the lips; she let him because, of course, she couldn’t get enough of his kisses. “How many buckets?”
He looked sheepish as he looked behind him, “Four.”
“Four? Are you kidding me?” she asked, since that meant he probably shot close to 500 pucks, “You're gonna be hurting tonight.”
“Probably, but it’s worth it, I’m known for my slap shot. I can’t lose it because of an injury.”
“I know, Shea, but you need to get better.”
“I’m fine.”
He was such a liar, she could tell he was in pain, but he was pushing beyond it, “Oh, well, do what you do I guess, but when you can’t move tomorrow, don’t come cryin’ to me.”
“I won’t, I’ve been shooting since I got my tape off, I’m okay I swear.”
Elli eyes filled with anger, he’d been shooting for a week! “You’re a crazy fool, Shea Adler.”
He gave her a grin, “Oh, and you love me.”
“I do, damn it, that’s why you worry the piss out of me.”
“I’m fine, babe, I gotta keep strong. Keep breaking the glass.”
Elli smiled, “I’m pretty sure you can still break the glass Shea.”
Shea was known for breaking the glass behind the goal when he would try to shoot and totally miss. He did it a lot when he was a rookie; it had only happen a few times since.
“Wanna see?”
Elli laughed, “Doesn’t Papa get angry about that?”
“Oh yeah, but he just yells and makes me pay a fee, no big deal.”
Elli looked at him confused, “A fee?”
“Yeah, two grand,” he said, looking around the rink.
“Oh, my god! That’s crazy! You need to stop doing that, not only can you hurt someone but you gotta pay a fee, that wasting money!”
“Okay, for one, it’s not like I mean to do it. Two, no one can get hurt, the glass takes all the force, at most they’ll get cut, no biggie, and third, it’s just two grand, that’s like two dollars to you.”
“Hey! What does that mean?”
“It means that you dropped enough money to pay off a house while we were in Boston, you can’t talk to me about wasting money.”
Elli blinked a few time, cause there was no come back to that, he was completely right, “Shut up.”
He laughed, pulling back and shooting the puck, hitting the back of the net hard. “Don’t worry about me, baby, I’m good.”
“I’ll always worry about you, you big lug. Now come here, give me a kiss. I gotta get back to the office,” she said pulling him by the skin tight shirt he had on, placing her lips on his. He gave her a long, drugging kiss, before she pulled back. Not only was she having problems breathing but she could hardly walk away. His laughter followed her out the arena, hold on, wasn’t she supposed to be mad at him? Not dizzy with his kisses?
Crap.
Shea was ready to stand in front of a leading scoring forward and take the puck he was shooting, in the head. They had been looking at houses for almost three weeks and Elli was driving him insane. When he would like one, she hated it, when she thought the house was okay, he hated it. They had looked at more than thirty houses and Elli only liked one, and Shea thought it was dog ugly. Who would have thought looking at houses was going to be so hard?
Shea sat with Elli and Jill Mancina, their realtor, shaking his head. Jill had said she worked all week on the list of houses she had found for them, and Elli didn’t like any of them, Shea didn’t even bother looking at the list, it would be a waste of time.
“Baby, maybe if we go see some of them, maybe you would like them in person,” Shea suggested, Elli shook her head.
“I have a list of requirements I want. I don’t understand why I can’t have the house I want?” she complained, Shea rolled his eyes as she went into the list of things she wants, not that he hadn’t heard them nine hundred times.
Five bedrooms, white hardwood floors, a big yard, and big porch.
“Ms. Fisher, the problem is the white hardwood floors, plus the porch. The houses made today have standard stuff in them, and country porches aren’t really done anymore.” Jill said desperately, Shea felt so bad for her.
“We can put white hardwood floors in baby, let’s just find something. I want a house.”
Elli glanced over at Shea before shaking her head. “I want my floors, there has to be a house in Nashville with them, after we exhausted all the options, then we’ll go with what you said Shea. Thanks for meeting with us Jill. See ya next week; call us if you find anything.” Elli stood up, gathering her things. Shea let out a frustrated breath, shaking hands with Jill before following Elli out.
When they got in the truck, Shea didn’t start it, he looked over at Elli; she was on her phone doing something. “Elli, you’re really starting to piss me off.”
She looked up surprised, “Why?”
“Because we have spent almost four weeks on looking at different houses, you’ve liked one.”
“And you didn’t like it, what was I supposed to do?”
“Um, pick another one! Are you doing this on purpose?”
She narrowed her eyes, turning so she was facing him, “What do you mean by that?”
“Are you not choosing a house because you don’t really want to move in with me?”
“Really Shea? I’ve brought all my clothes and all my shoes to your condo. I want a house just as bad as you do! Do you think I like lining my damn shoes along the dining room wall! Hanging my clothes anywhere I can find a space for them! Be real.”
“I am being real; I think you’re subliminally doing this to us. You don’t want to move in with me.”
“Again are you crazy? I already have!”
“No, you haven’t, saying you don’t want this house or that one keeps you from fully committing to me.”
Elli just sat there, staring at him as if he was dumbest idiot on earth. “Take me to the office, Shea.”
“Fine,” Shea spat out as he turned the truck on and drove off, towards the studio. The whole way over, she didn’t say anything, just played on her phone. When they arrived to the studio, she gathered her things and got out, before shutting the door, she looked over at him.
“If you have to question my commitment to you, than why are you with me?” Before he could answer her, she slammed the door, sending him a glare as she marched her beautifully round ass inside. Her outfit was completely unpractical, it was 20 degrees out, but damn she was hot in them little grey wool shorts with them naughty thigh high suede boots. He should be mad, not getting hot.
Damn woman drove him insane!
When Elli got home that night, Shea was sitting on the couch watching TV. Even though they had fought earlier that day, and hadn’t talked, Shea was bursting with the news he received that afternoon. But when Elli didn’t so much as look at him as she passed by, he knew he was in the dog house. He was just so frustrated. He wanted a house with her. He was tired of his little condo. Not only did it hold all the memories of all the females that he brought through there, but it wasn’t a home. He wanted a home with Elli. He wanted to start a new life with her, just them. And Adler, of course.
He watched as she passed by, her heels clicking on the hardwood as she walked towards the kitchen, cooing at Adler. “Hello, baby boy, how are you today, are you hungry?”
Shea tried to watch TV, but his eyes kept drifting to Elli, moving around the kitchen, getting stuff out to cook. He usually helped cook, but since she was ignoring him, he wasn’t moving. When she bent down to get a pot out of the compartment under the island, Shea’s head fell to the side as his mouth parted and his breathing picking up. His heart was hammering against his chest as he imagine all the different ways he could get those grey knee high socks off with his mouth.
He found himself getting up and going over to her, wrapping his arms around her middle, pressing his hard length against her butt. She tensed up, smacking at his hands.
“Excuse me,” she sneered as she tried to move away, but he wasn’t letting her go.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered against her neck as he nuzzled his nose into the mass of curls that hung along her shoulders, “You’re right, I’m an idiot for questioning your commitment to me. I’m just ready to be in a house, for us to start a new chapter in our life.”
God, he was a wuss.
All the tension left her body, and she leaned against him, wiggling that naughty little butt against his length before turning in his arms to look up at him.
“I’m sorry too, I want us to find the perfect house, because I don’t plan on ever leaving it,” she said looking up at him.
“Baby, any house will be perfect as long as your there.” She bit her lip, running her hands down his arms, then around to his ass, putting her hands in his pockets.
“I love you, Shea,” she said, kissing his chin, he smiled.
“I love you, too.” He slid his hands down to her ass, lifting her up onto the island before capturing her mouth in delicious need. Her hands came up his biceps, to his shoulders, before going around his neck as he moved in between her legs. She scooted to the edge of the counter, her hot center, warming his. When she pulled back, he tried to reclaim her mouth, but she just laughed.
“Shea, come on, I gotta cook,” she said trying to get away.
“I’m only hungry for one thing baby,” he said against her collarbone as he nip and nibbled.
“Well that one thing ain’t gonna happen until you have clearance, mister.”
He pulled back grinning hard at her, “I have clearance. Today was my appointment, I play tomorrow night.”
Her eyes lit up, “It hasn’t been six weeks yet!”
“I’m ready to play,” he said shrugging his shoulders, “On the ice, and with you, so hush, come here.” Of course, she went willingly. It was easy to assume that there would be no cooking that night.
Elli had missed the arena so much. Sitting beside Harper, a beer and hot dog in hand, being decked out in her Adler gear, it was hard to contain her excitement. She was ready for some hockey.
“It’s so great for both guys to be back,” Harper gushed as she took a hearty drink of her beer. Jakob had came back two weeks earlier and apparently missed Shea something crazy, which Elli thought was so cute.
“I know, I have missed watching the games live so much,” Elli gushed as she took a bite of her hot dog, looking around the arena. She tried not to think about the last time she sat in her seats, since every time she did her heart hurt. Shea was healthy; he had proved that the night before. Everything was fine.
“So we are completely moved in and the home decorator is coming tomorrow so Jakob can look over everything and approve everything I’ve picked out.”
Elli smiled over her, “You think he will?”
Harper giggled, “Oh course, he wants to continue getting laid, Elli. Be realistic here.”
“Duh,” Elli laughed, Harper joined in, a big grin on her face. Every time Elli saw her, she was always smile or giggling. It was weird, but hey Harper was happy, what more could Elli ask for? “We still haven’t found anything, nothing is appealing to me.”
“It takes time El, I mean I looked at a thousand houses it seemed, until I found the one, and it still didn’t feel like the one until y’all came to look at it,” Harper said, sounding all older and wiser. Elli didn’t let it bother her, she just nodded.
“I know, but Shea is getting impatient. He said I’m subliminally not picking a house.”
“Is he right?”
“Really, Harper?”
“I’m just asking, y’all have looked at a lot of house, your damn list of requirements is a mile long!”
“Its four things I want!”
“Still, lower your standards. Shea was hoping to be in something before he had to leave again for the road. He’s leaving for three weeks next week, and y’all don’t have any prospects. I don’t blame him for being angry for you.”
“Whatever, whose side are you on anyway?” Elli glared at Harper before looking out at the ice. Was she being too picky? Was she subliminally not picking something because she truly didn’t want to commit to Shea?
No.
She loved him, wanted to be with him, but like she said, she just wanted the perfect house for them, and damn it, she would find it!
Shea sat on the bench in front of his locker, lacing up his skates. It had been a long five weeks, a good five weeks but long. He was ready to get out of the ice, even though he knew coach wouldn’t play him like he had before. It was gonna be at least two weeks before he was staying on the ice for his normal forty minutes, but hey just being able to play was enough. Knowing Elli was in the stands made it even better for him.
Jakob sat beside Shea a grin on his face as he strapped his elbow pads on.
“Ready?”
“More than ready,” Shea said, making sure his skates were extra tight.
“Good, let’s do this.”
“Hell, yeah.”
After they were done, they headed for the ice, ready for the warm up. Shea was ready to hear the roar of the crowd. After all the blog sites announced his return a week early, fans went nuts, posting encouraging comments for him. It was great, and he was ready to show his fans that he was ready to win for them.
Shea’s heart raced when he heard the roar of the crowd. The JumboTron must have been showing them walking down the hall. Shea closed his eyes, thanking the Lord above for all the blessing he had been receiving, he then asked for Him to protect him on the ice. Shea took a deep breath before walking through the opening that led to the bench, onto the ice. When he hit the ice, the crowd went nuts. Fans held their signs up, wishing him luck and welcoming him back. Shea was convinced Nashville had the best set of fans. He skated around the rink once, even along the visitor’s side, holding his stick up as a thank you to his fans before he saw the most important sign.
I’m so proud of you.
I love you so much.
It was Elli’s and as she held it, she had the brightest smile on her face. He smiled back at her since he couldn’t kiss her like he wanted. Just knowing that she loved him and she was proud of him made him feel like it was going to be the best damn game of his life.
After being on the road for three weeks with only a day break, Shea was glad to be home for a week. Elli and Shea had been blissfully in love ever since Christmas and Shea couldn’t ask for more. Well, a house would be nice, but he was just happy he had Elli. They were coming up on six months of being together and Shea couldn’t believe that he had been in with one woman for that long. Never had he thought he would be living with a woman, looking for a house, and telling her he loved her every chance he got. It still blew his mind.
Luckily Shea was home when they got the call. He was lying in bed, cuddled up beside Elli when Jill called.
“Shea, I found it, I freaking found it!”
Shea sat up, causi
ng Elli to fall off his chest. She woke up in a stir, “Jesus, Shea,” she complained, moving her hair out of her face.
“It’s Jill, babe,” he said before answering Jill, “What do you mean you found it?”
“I found Elli’s dream home. I’ve been sitting on it for a week, trying to see if it was the right house. Oh Shea, it is,” Jill said dreamily, Shea got excited, putting the phone on speaker phone so Elli could hear.
“Tell me,” Shea said, so excited he couldn’t see straight. Jill knew Elli by now, ever since they met in her office when Elli hated every house she had shown them, Jill hadn’t called with any, she only called to say that she was still looking, so Shea knew this had to be it.
“Okay, well its over in Brentwood, it just came on the market last week, it has the porch she wants, six bedrooms, four and half baths, 7,364 square feet, on a two Acre Lot. It’s beautiful Shea, simply beautiful.”
It sounded good to him, but anything sounded good at this point. Elli’s stuff was everywhere; the condo was too small for all their stuff.
“Does it have the white hardwood floors?” Elli asked.
Damn it, he forgot it had to have that.
“Yes! Didn’t I say that?! Goodness me. I’m so stinkin excited that it totally slipped my mind. I wasn’t even gonna go look at it until one of my colleagues said “What the hell, white floors, no one wants that!” I almost fell out of my chair trying to get the listing from the guy. Oh Lord, I’m so excited.”
“When can we see it?” Shea asked.
“As soon as y’all want!”
“An hour?” he asked, Elli was already out the bed, going to the bathroom.
“Yes, sir! See ya there, I’ll text you the address.”
“Awesome.” Shea got out of bed, ready to say bye, but Jill kept talking.