Chapter 5

At the table in the back, Jordan pulled out her chair, and then reaching into a brown paper bag, he brought out a bottle of wine. Reaching into the bag a second time, he brought out the most beautiful bouquet of flowers; there were deep orange lilies, and blood red roses.  A few flowers Cara didn’t recognize gave off a delicate aroma, and she inhaled deeply as she lifted them to her face.

“Jordan, these are beautiful.”

“Well they don’t do justice to the recipient, but then I’m not sure what could.” Jordan replied with a smile.

Cara blushed and reached for the menu, noticing the waiter coming their way.

After placing their orders, they talked about everything.  Jordan asked her about her day, the things she liked about her job.  She grilled him on practice and their next game.  Finally, their food came and they dove in, both hungry.  After the plates were cleared, they shared a white chocolate crème brulee.  Jordan dabbed a finger into the whipped cream and before Cara could protest, he painted the tip of her nose white with it.

“Good grief Staal, grow up.  This isn’t kindergarten anymore” she teased.

“Oh but you have no idea what the rest of my master plan entails” Jordan laughed.  He leaned across the table and delicately kissed the tip of her nose, removing all the whipped cream.  Cara felt her heart skip, and the butterflies in her stomach return.

Jordan sat back in his char, a contented smile on his face.  “Mmmmm, now I know what heaven tastes like.  That was the best dessert ever.”

Cara smiled, a blush creeping into her cheeks.  Jordan grey-blue eyes sparkled as he laughed, and Cara couldn’t help but join in.

After Jordan paid the bill, he walked to her to her car.  “Cara, I had such an amazing time with you, I don’t want this evening to end.  When can I see you again?”

“I don’t know Jordan, when can I see you?  You make me laugh, so you’re so kind and wonderful.  You make me smile even when I’m not with you.”

Jordan leaned down and kissed her on the cheek, “Thank you for a wonderful evening.”

“No Jordan, thank you, I had a great time, and I can’t wait to see you again.”

Cara got in her car, a tiny wave of sadness washed over her.  Jordan seemed to like her, but he didn’t want to do anything with her beside eat dinner.  Driving home in silence, she thought about him and chided herself for feeling that way.  “He’s a celebrity,” she whispered to herself, “give him a chance, he’s probably been burned before.”

As if to respond to her thoughts, her phone began to ring.  Jordan was calling her again.  Cara couldn’t help but wonder what he even saw in her. 

“Did you miss me already?  I just saw you moments ago.” Cara said laughingly as she answered the phone.

“Well, I was thinking, and I just was wondering… well, I mean….”

“Come on Staal, spit it out.”

“We have a road trip up to Vancouver next week, and well, would you like to come with me?”

“With you, to Vancouver? Wow… Jordan, I would love that.”

“Really?  Are you sure, I mean you don’t have to come if you don’t want.  Don’t feel obligated, or whatever.”

“No Jordan, that would be fun, I’d love to do that.  I can’t wait.”

“Thank God Cara, because I actually got you a flight and a room today, but I couldn’t ask you at dinner.”

“Jordan, I’m so excited.  I can’t wait to go.  Thank you for thinking of me!”

“I’m so glad you’re going to go.  I’m really looking forward to this trip now.  I’ll get you your ticket tomorrow.”

“Thanks Jordan… I’m so excited.”

“Not as excited as I am babe, talk to you tomorrow.”

Cara hung up the phone, her hands shaking.  “Babe” she whispered to herself, “Did he just call me babe?”  Smiling so big her cheeks would hurt, she shook her head and headed home.

Chapter 4

Cara tossed and turned, trying to sleep, but too keyed up from the night she had experienced.  She eventually gave up, and headed downstairs to watch some TV in hopes of calming her mind.  Her dogs followed her and they took up their regular spots on the couch.  She wondered for a moment where Jordan would stretch out if he were here, and caught herself and began to blush.  She scolded herself for thinking like that about a man she barely knew.  As she flipped mindlessly through the channels, she thought about the great evening she had and the man that had asked her there.


After some flipping, she settled on some history channel show about World War II tanks.  She snuggled into the couch leaning against Grinder and let her mind wander. 


A few hours later, she awoke to a dull pain in her neck and realized she was asleep on the couch, curled up between 2 100-pound dogs.  Shaking her head, she dragged herself up the steps toward her bedroom, the dogs following her sleepily.  As she pulled back the covers, the light on her cell phone caught her eye.  She clicked the button and saw a text message from Jordan waiting for her. 
Okay, it’s after midnight, so it’s technically tomorrow.  Just wanted to tell you that I had an amazing time tonight, and I can’t wait to see you again.  Come to the next game?


She smiled as she texted back, of course… I can’t wait.


Climbing into bed, she fell into a deep sleep, a wide smile on her face.


The following morning, Cara got dressed in sweats and clipped leashes on Biscuit and Grinder and the three headed out on a run.  Running cleared Cara’s head, so she always felt better afterward.  Letting the cool October air rush over her face, she tried to make sense of Jordan’s attraction toward her.  2 miles later, but no clearer of mind, she and the dogs returned home.  After feeding her two boys breakfast, she showered and got dressed for work.  She dreaded the day, knowing it would drag on until that night when she would have a chance to talk to Jordan.   She still wasn’t sure that this was real, and kept expecting to wake up from an amazing dream.


Work was tough, as she expected.  As an executive assistant for a high powered law firm, she needed to be focused and on top of her game everyday, but today the previous evening was all she could think about.  She was deep in thought about a project she was working on when a knock on her door startled her.  She looked up to see Petyr, an office assistant, standing in the doorway to her office, holding a beautiful bouquet of roses.  “These came for you at the front desk, I thought I would bring them here.”

“Thanks Petyr”


“So who might be the admirer?”


“Oh, just someone I met, he seems to kind of like me.”


“I agree, these flowers are beautiful” Petyr replied.


Setting them down on the desk, he walked out of her office.  Cara leaned into the bouquet and inhaled the sweet scent.  She pulled the card off and turned it over.  In steady, block handwriting, the card read, “Cara, I know red roses are cliché, but I couldn’t help myself.  I wasn’t sure what to send you, since I don’t know your favorite flower.  I hope I get to know that, and a lot more about you soon.  Can’t wait to talk to you again.  Jordan”


Cara blushed, reading the words over and over, unable to believe that she was the recipient of this affection.  Trying to focus, she set the roses on the side of her desk and returned to work.  Cara suffered through to the end of the day, and finally, when the clock struck 5, she jumped up and headed for her car.  She couldn’t wait to talk to Jordan.  As though reading her mind, her cell phone rang, and she smiled when she saw it was Jordan.  “Hi there, you’re timing is perfect.”


“Of course, just like the rest of me” Jordan joked.


“Perfect, sure you are, whatever helps you sleep at night.” She replied laughing


“Hey, well compared to you, no one is perfect”


Cara smiled, laughing.  “I don’t have a response for that one, sorry.”


“Well, since you’re speechless, may I take you to dinner tonight?” He asked.


“I think that could be arranged… I haven’t eaten yet.”


“Okay, how about Iovino’s in a half hour?  I’ll bring the wine,” Jordan offered.


Cara’s stomach rumbled, “I love the sound of that, I’ll see you then.”


“I can’t wait, gorgeous”


Cara looked down at her outfit trying to decide if she should stop at home and change.  Changing would make her late, but she wanted to look nice.  After a moment of deliberation, and realizing that she didn’t have anything else in her closet, she shrugged her shoulders and headed in the direction of the restaurant.


Exactly twenty-seven minutes later, she stepped inside the door of Iovino Café and inhaled the delicate, heavenly aroma wafting from the kitchen.  Jordan wasn’t there yet, so she stood off to the side of the hostess table waiting.  She didn’t have to wait long, moments later his black Escalade pulled into a spot out front.  As he stepped from the car, Cara felt her breath catch in her throat.  He was so amazing, so kind, genuine, and funny.  She felt as though she had known him her whole life, instead of only days.


Jordan stepped through the door and his face broke into a smile.  Cara loved that smile, it was sweet but still mischievous, and although Jordan didn’t realize it, even his eyes smiled.  Cara couldn’t help but notice the butterflies in her stomach were missing.  For the past few days, they had been constant.  It seemed too good to be true, the butterflies there to remind her that it could vanish if she blinked.  As Jordan took her hand and led her to the back of the restaurant, she realized the calm she felt meant one thing.  This was real, he was falling for her, and she for him.

Chapter 3

Jordan held the door open for her as they slipped inside.  Jordan held her hand and led her to a table in the back, as he pulled out a chair for her, she looked around at the others at the table.  Her heart stopped when she locked eyes with the one and only Sidney Crosby. 


“I’m sitting with the team”, she whispered to herself in disbelief


Jordan sat down next to her and although she expected him to, he didn’t let go of her hand.  From across the table, Sidney spoke up.


“Who is the beautiful lady that is clearly out of your league Gronk?”


Jordan blushed and stuttered as he tried to reply. Cara jumped in, “I’m Carrianna, or Cara for short.”
Sidney extended his hand across the table, “I’m Sidney,” he said.  “And let me do the introductions, since Staalsy over there forgot his brains in the locker room.”
Sidney went around the table introducing the players, Cara laughed a little thinking that she didn’t really need any introductions, she had watched these guys in over 80 games last year.  Suddenly the beautiful young woman sitting next to goalie Marc-Andre Fleury spoke up.
“Since Sid seemed to skip me in the introductions, I’ll take care of it myself. I’m Veronique, Marc-Andre’s girlfriend.”
Cara glanced at Sidney across the table and he rolled his eyes, blushing, “I was saving the best for last Vero,” he retorted.


Veronique rolled her eyes and Marc-Andre leaned over to kiss her on the cheek.  Jordan leaned in and whispered in Cara’s ear, “What can I get you to drink gorgeous?”
Cara felt her face grow warm at those words, “Umm, I’ll take a Labatt if you don’t mind.”

“No, not at all” Jordan replied, heading for the bar.  Cara realized that she was sitting with her favorite hockey players, and immediately thought of her father, a life long hockey fan.  “He would be so jealous”, she thought, “I can’t wait to tell him.”


Moments later, Jordan returned with two beers, and setting one down in front of her, he flopped into the chair next to her.


“Worn out from the game?” she asked.
“No, just tired in general, there was a beautiful woman in my dreams last night, and she robbed me of a good night’s sleep.” He said with a wink.


Evgeni Malkin snorted and rolled his eyes in Jordan’s direction, as the other guys broke into laughter and cat calls.


Cara sat at the table, enjoying her beer and listening to every bit of conversation she could catch.  The guys were so close that they seemed like a family, teasing each other and laughing out loud.  They really seemed to love Veronique too, treating her like a sister, part of the family.  Cara felt a surge of envy at this group, so close and tight knit, it made her feel even lonelier in her life.  All she had was work, school, and her dogs.  She was driven, and a hard worker.  She rarely went out and didn’t have many close friends.


A warm hand on hers jolted her from her own thoughts. Jordan looked at her with a concerned look in his eyes. “Are you okay? You seem quiet, is something wrong?” The concern was evident in his voice.


“No, nothing, just feeling a little overwhelmed.  I can’t believe I’m sitting here with you and these other guys.” Cara replied, blushing a little.


Jordan smiled, “Well, if I have my way, you’ll be seeing a lot more of me, and a lot more of them by default.”


Cara felt her heart skip a beat, “Are you saying you want to see me again?”
Smiling, Jordan replied, “I would like nothing more.  You are amazing and intriguing to me.  I knew when I met you last night that I wouldn’t be able to walk away and not see you again.  I’m so glad that you agreed to come to the game.”


“Jordan, I would love to see you again, I just can’t believe you want that.  I was so thrilled to get be at the game tonight. I just find it hard to believe that you really want to see me again, let alone get to know me.  You’re so out of my league and I don’t think I deserve to be with someone like you.  I just… I don’t know.”  She stopped, realizing she was rambling.


“So that’s a yes, you’ll see me again?” Jordan asked nervously


“Oh Jordan, I can’t believe that you’re asking me that.  I know I didn’t make sense, but yes I would love to see you again.”  Cara replied, holding back laughter.


Jordan looked around and seeing his teammates laughing and engaged in their own shenanigans, he offered Cara his hand, “Let’s get out of here, I should get you home.”


Cara tried to hide the look of disappointment, she didn’t want to leave this surreal night, sitting at a bar with the same players she watched and cheered for 3 times a week. Jordan seemed the sense her hesitation to leave, “I promise this won’t be the last you see of these goons, in fact you’ll probably be sick of them soon.” 


Cara stood and thanked the guys for a great game and said she hoped to see them soon.  Geno winked at her, “Anytime you want sexy.”


Cara blushed as the table laughed out loud.  Jordan swatted Geno playfully on the back of the head, “Keep your grubby paws off her, she’s with me.”


Malkin turned to Gonchar, “Could be tough, she’s a hottie.” He said in Russian.


Jordan took her hand and she followed him out of the bar and to his SUV.  He helped her in and then climbed into his seat.  Pulling out into traffic, he reached over and took Cara’s hand.  “Thank you for coming with me tonight, and for watching me play. It was great to have you there.”


“Why are you thanking me, I had so much fun, it was surreal, and wonderful all at the same time.”


Stopping at a traffic light, Jordan looked at her, “Cara I don’t think you understand.  Most women look at me, or Sid, or any of the guys for that matter, and they don’t see a person, they see a rich celebrity, or a hot guy that can raise their status because of his job.  You caught me so off guard last night, you’re so laid back and fun. I feel like you see me for more than just being a hockey player, that I’m just a regular guy to you.”


Jordan returned his eyes to the road as the light turned green, leaving Cara with her own thoughts.  A few moments later, he pulled up to the Mellon Arena, as he put the car in park, Cara gave him a strange look.  “Why are we here?”


“Cara, in case you forgot, I don’t know where you live, so I can’t take you home.” 


Cara blushed…  “Jordan, I’m so sorry, I can’t believe I didn’t think of this earlier, I walked to the game tonight from my office, so my car is there. I’m so sorry.”


“Where is your office?” He asked smiling


“Just a few blocks away” she replied, “I’ll walk there, not a big deal”.


Jordan shook his head, “I can’t let you walk, it’s dark and cold. I’ll drop you there.”


He pulled out into traffic, and much too soon he stopped in front of her building, putting his 4 ways on, he opened her door and helped her out.  As her feet touched ground, he gently kissed her hand. “I had a great time tonight with you Cara, I hope you had fun.”


“I did Jordan, I had so much fun.  I would love to see you again.”

“I’m so glad to hear you say that Cara, because I can’t wait until I can see you again.”


Cara started to walk toward the doors of the her office building, but stopped and turned back, seeing Jordan climb into the SUV and drive away she wanted to pinch herself.  She couldn’t believe that he would be interested in her, let alone want to see her again.  Sighing with happiness, she pushed through the doors, the events of the evening pasting a huge smile on her face.

Chapter 2

The following morning, at the sound of her alarm, Cara’s thoughts jumped back to the previous evening.  Pinching herself, she realized she wasn’t dreaming, she actually had dinner with him.  Pulling herself together, she found a suitable outfit for work, not her first choice, but it would do since she hadn’t been to the dry cleaner to pick up her clothes.  She put much more effort into packing a bag for the Penguins game that evening.  She left for work, barely able to contain her excitement.


That night, headed to the gate clutching the small ticket envelope.  The usher led her down to her seat, and when she sat down, she looked around her and gasped.  She was seated in Section A, on the blue line.  “This is practically on the ice,” she whispered in disbelief.  She watched raptly, jumping when the players careened into the glass, as it seemed they were about to land on her lap.


Midway through the second period, an usher came to her seat, and handed her a manila envelope.  She opened it, and a note and lanyard slid into her hands.  “I’m so glad you came, see you after the game.  J.”  She looked at the lanyard and hanging on the bottom was a locker room pass.  She watched the rest of the game, caught up in the excitement.  When time expired on the third period, the Penguins had trounced the Canadiens, 4-0.  It was a great game all around, a shutout for Flower, and 2 goals for Sid.  Cara was caught up in the thrill of the game and saddened that it was over.  She searched for an usher to help her find her way to the locker room.  Following him down a long set of hallways, she felt her heart start to speed up.  The usher stopped and motioned to a wood bench in the family lounge, “You can wait here Miss, the gentlemen will be out in a few moments.”
As she waited, she paged through emails on her Blackberry, trying to distract her mind.


After a little while, a voice made her jump. “Look at you, so hard at work.  Did you enjoy the game at least?”
She looked up and saw Jordan standing in front of her, his blond hair still damp from the shower, dressed in a hoodie and faded jeans, a backwards baseball cap on his head, and her breath caught in her throat.  He looked so perfect, she felt like touching him to make sure he was real.


After a moment, he held out his hand and asked “Are you ready, I was hoping we could go out for a while.”
“That would be great, I would love that”, she replied.
Taking her hand, he led her down a hallway and she felt a breeze.  As they stepped out a door, she looked at a parking lot filled with Beamers, Escalades, and other designer cars that most people could only dream of driving.
“Wait here” he said, as he sprinted off.
Moments later a black Escalade pulled up at the door, he appeared at her side and opened the passenger door for her.  Once they were in, he pulled out into the lingering post-game traffic. 
“Did you enjoy the game?” he asked, peering at her nervously.
“Jordan it was awesome, those seats were incredible.”
They rode in silence for a few minutes, until Jordan turned off a side street and put the car in park.  Cara looked around and realized there were at a back entrance of a South Side bar.  Jordan saw the confusion on her face.
“The bar owner is a good guy and friend of the team.  He lets us come here and slide in the back so we can have a little peace and quiet.”
After turning the car off, he opened her door and extended his hand.
“My what a perfect gentleman” Cara said laughingly.
“Well, with four boys, my mother was determined that we could all have manners” he replied with a smirk, “of course, I’m the only one she succeeded with.”
“Really, I would have thought that you were her only failure” Cara replied laughing.
Jordan feigned a hurt look for a moment and then started to laugh.  Cara was amazed at how easy it was to joke around with him.  He made her feel so comfortable; she could hardly believe that it was really him.

Chapter 1

“Oh for the love of GOD, please either learn to drive or get off the road.” Cara said as she smacked her hand on the steering wheel angrily.  It had been a crappy day, work was just brutal and she couldn’t wait to get home.  Of course she couldn’t GO straight home, there were stops to make and errands to run.  As she was driving through the tunnel after stopping at the bank, something possessed her to turn down and head to the South Side, or the “Sah syde” as it was known around Pittsburgh.  She lucked out for the first time all day as she found a decent parking spot a block from her favorite bar.  As she sat down at the bar, the bartender put a cold beer down for her.  She sighed with relief, “Thanks Jack, it’s been one of those days.”


“Sounds like it Miss Cara.  You look like you just lost your dog and your best friend all in one”
“Yea,  school sucked and work was even worse.”


Jack nodded and turned back to the sink of dishes, leaving Cara with her own thoughts.  As she sipped the beer, she let her mind wander until a voice startled her out of her reverie.


“Excuse me, is anyone sitting here?”  Cara turned to see a very attractive guy motioning to the bar stool next to hers.  She caught her breath and replied,
“No, it’s all yours”
The guy sat down next to her and Cara couldn’t help but notice his great body and his perfect face.  Suddenly it hit her and she gasped, “You’re Jordan Staal, of the Penguins”.
He turned, a slightly weary look on his face and replied
“Yea, that’s me, but I’m just trying to be a normal guy tonight.”
The comment took Cara by surprise and she replied, “I’m not here to harass you or bug you, I’m just enjoying my beer.  Chill out”
Jordan’s face softened for a moment, “Oh, sorry.  I’m just used to being bugged every time I go out.  I guess I’m just trying to relax after a shit day.”
Cara smiled a little, “Well we’re here for the same reason then.”
After a few moments, of silence, he took a deep breath, “So, you’re a hockey fan?” 
“Well yea”, Cara replied, “I’ve been watching hockey since I was a little girl, I mean grew up watching it with my dad.”


Jordan cracked a smile, “So you know more about it than the fact that we won the cup in the spring and we have Sidney Crosby on our team?”
Cara laughed, “Yea, I know a little more about hockey than that.  Glad to see some of the injured guys are back. I’m sad we couldn’t keep Scuds and Gill, but I’m glad we kept who we did, and it looks like a good season ahead.”
“Should be” Jordan nodded, “But things can change so fast, one injury, one game”.
Cara was amazed at how easy it was to talk to him.  He was so laid back, and when he found out how knowledgeable she was, he got more animated.  Before she knew it, it was eight o clock and she realized that her stomach was growling. 
“It’s late, I should get something to eat,” she said as she laid money for her beer on the bar and stood up.  Jordan finished his beer in one gulp, “I know this great place, would you like to have dinner with me?”
Before she could stop it, a blush crept onto her cheeks, “Dinner” she squeaked out, “I’d love that”. 
Jordan offered her his hand, “Let’s go”.


    A few blocks down Jordan opened the door to what looked like an old office, except inside it was lined with small tables and a bar on the far wall.  Cara looked around, “I never would have known this was here.” 
“Yea, it’s a somewhat a secret place, Geno brought me here one time and I loved it.”


He led her to a table in the back and handed her the menu.  After a few minutes, she had decided on a hamburger and onion rings to silence her rumbling stomach.  As they waited for their food, they talked about hockey, and the team.  There were so many questions that came to mind; she had to remember to breathe to keep herself under control.


After they had finished dinner, Jordan leaned in, “I had a great time tonight, can I possibly see you again?”
Unsure of her voice, Cara nodded, “I’d love that” she whispered.
Reaching into her purse, she pulled out her business card, “All my info is on there”.
He tore off a section of the receipt and scribbled down his number.  “Just in case something happens to your card, call me.”
She stood up, slightly shaky from the events and the alcohol, “Thank you for dinner, and I hope I get to see you again.”
He smiled and her knees got week, “I’ll call you soon.”


    Later that evening, Cara was laying on the couch watching reruns of Seinfeld with her Dobermans, Grinder and Biscuit when the phone rang.  She picked up and almost laughed at the sound of his voice.  “Sorry, I know I said soon, but I just couldn’t wait to talk to you again.”
“It’s okay, it’s great to talk to you again Jordan.”
“Umm Cara, I was wondering if you might want to come see us play tomorrow night?  If you don’t want to, it’s okay” he added quickly.
“No, I’d love to.  That would be so much fun Jordan”.
“That’s great, I’ll leave tickets for you at Will Call, I can’t wait to see you again”
“Me either” Cara replied, “Have a great night”
Hanging up the phone, Cara changed into sweats and after letting the dogs out, crawled into bed, her dreams filled with pictures of Jordan Staal.

Welcome

Hi, and welcome to "Staal My Heart".


I'm the writer, and a very devoted hockey fan. Being a Pittsburgh Girl, I'm a huge Penguins fan, so you'll see most of my stories and characters revolve around the Penguins players. This Fan Fiction is devoted to Jordan Staal, but I'm sure you'll see others. :-)


Enjoy and comments are ALWAYS welcome!