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.