Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Chapter 8: Playing The Staal Brothers Drinking Game

I wrote 3 chapters today while I was subbing. I just have to type them all out and edit them to make sure they're the way I want! So look for two more updates within this week!!
CHAPTER 8

After scooping up two bowls of now cold dessert, Sid wrapped an arm around Mel’s waist and they trotted back to the group gathered in the living room. There was only one spot open and he insisted that she sit on the couch. Max ended up pulling on her back belt loop to get her to take the seat. With a squeak and a flop she fell down in between the two Québécois. Sid plopped onto the floor between her legs, leaning lightly on her left knee.

They were all relaxing and just sort of staring at the TV when he felt Melany tense. He turned to see a very mischievous smile spread across her face. She turned to Geno with a very animated face. “Do you get all the hockey games? Like, all the different teams??”

“Da.”

“So, we could find the Hurricanes game that should be starting soon if we wanted to?”

Geno shrugged and picked up the remote, surfing through the channels until he found the game. There were about 10 minutes until the puck would drop and Sid could practically feel Melany shaking with excitement.

“Do you guys have any plans for the night?” he heard her ask. And as they all shook their heads ‘no’ another giant smile came to her lips and Sid literally forgot to breathe for a second. She was just… adorable. Was that a word to use for a woman that you slept with? He didn’t care. She was positively adorable when she smiled, and he wanted her to keep smiling. Then he noticed that Erin had started smiling too. He didn’t understand it, and he could tell that the other three didn’t either. His curiosity got the best of him.

“Why are you two smiling like that?”

The two women looked at one another before yelling “STAAL BROTHERS DRINKING GAME!”

Then they began laughing almost hysterically. Sid looked around at his teammates. Geno look positively lost, Kris just quirked an eyebrow and although Max was grinning he was pretty sure that the man didn’t have the slightest idea what they were so giddy about. But Sid wanted to know more about this game. In his mind he wanted to play, because a drinking game meant the girls would be drinking. And if the girls were drinking then they couldn’t drive home. And if they couldn’t drive home then they would have to spend the night. And finally, if they had to spend the night then he would get to spend more time with this intriguing woman above him. So he tapped her leg to get her attention.

“Uh, Mel… what on earth is the Staal Game?”

“Staal Brothers Drinking Game.”

“Right, the Staal Brothers Drinking Game. What is it?

“Really, you guys don’t know?” They all shook their heads. He watched her fish around in her pocket for her phone before flipping it open. A couple minutes later she was rattling off a list of rules for this so-called drinking game named after Jordan and his brothers.

“So, what we need is alcohol and six shot glasses. Do have those two things right?” He blinked and stared at her again. I really need to focus when she’s talking, he mused in his head.

“We go over rules again. Just… slower.”

Mel looked up from her phone to see Geno smiling shyly at her.

“Sorry Geno. If you have your laptop we could bring them up on there. And then you could translate them too!”

He smiled but shook his head, one of his hands resting on Erin’s knee.

“Thank you, but I want learn English. I have idea.”

He got up and walked out of the room. Mel glanced at her friend but Erin just shrugged her shoulders. Pretty soon the Russian was back and with him were a big dry erase board and two markers.

“You write rules here and explain while doing. It help everyone.”

That boyish grin was enough to make her agree to anything! Hopefully Erin will have as much luck with him as I did with Sid.

“Why on earth do you have a… you know what, never mind. It’s not important.”

She grabbed one of the markers and scrolled up to the top of the page on her phone. Starting at the beginning again, she began to write them out as she talked and Erin got up to grab the alcohol she’d seen in the kitchen earlier. She came back with enough glasses and three bottles. There was tequila, whiskey, and vodka. Of course there’s vodka. We’re in the house of a 22-year-old Russian hockey player.

“Ok, so nothing counts until the first puck drops. Got it?”

She grinned when everyone smiled and shook their heads. And then she proceeded to choose a shot glass. Then another thought came to mind but Erin beat her to it.

“Are we going to pick sides?”

“I call Pillow Lips!” Mel yelled. “No gingers for me!” She noticed the look on Sid’s face.

“Pillow Lips?”
“Uh huh. That’s Eric Staal’s nickname.”

“Ok. But really… Pillow Lips?!”

“You don’t need an explanation to everything you know. Not yet, at least.”

Kris cleared his throat to get her attention. “Do you guys have nicknames for everyone?”

She turned to Erin and they pretended to think it over. Then they both let out a peal of laughter as they shook their heads and let out a long and guilty-sounding “Noooooo.” Somehow, she didn’t think the guys were going to believe them.

“Alright Erin, I’ve chosen. Who do you pick? Eric or Markie?”

“I’ll go with the Rangers. We redheads have to stick together!”

Mel pointed at Geno.

“I stick with Red.”

Erin blushed and smiled at him. Mel couldn’t help but smile as well.

“Sid?” She smiled at him, waiting for him to say Canes.

“Well… I guess… Rangers.”

“What??”

“Rangers.”

“Oh… ok then… Well, sorry boys, looks like you two Frenchies are with me!” She tried to hide the disappointment in her voice. “Let’s get ready for the game!”

She sunk down into the couch and Max leaned into her.

“Don’ worry. He’s going down! Now, how’s your neck feeling?”

Sid watched as Max bantered so easily with Melany. He wanted to tell him to back off, but he didn’t really think he had anything to worry about. Max was a charmer, but she seemed level-headed enough to avoid him. And after what happened in the upstairs room… he really didn’t think there would be anything for him to worry about. Then again, she did seem kind of put off when he called ‘Rangers.’

He decided not to dwell on it and try to enjoy the game.

Two and a half hours later he lifted his head off the floor. Oh god, this is why I don’t drink, he thought to himself. Coming to his knees he looked around the room. Geno was sitting there, smiling, but otherwise looking completely sober. Erin was leaning on his shoulder and was flushed but it seemed like she could hold her own. His eyes focused on the couch and the first thing he noticed was that Tanger seemed to be passed out on one end. The next thing he focused on was the fact that Melany was sitting on Max’s lap.

“What the hell is this?”

They both looked up. Max didn’t seem to be focusing completely, but Melany; she had a smirk on her face.

“Max and I were just talking.”

“Why do you need to sit on his lap to talk to him?”

“The closer I am, the quieter I can talk.”

Sid stood up, swaying gently before righting himself. He walked over, as straight as possible, and came to a stop before the two of them.

“I don’t think I like you sitting there.”

“I don’t think you’re in the position to tell me what to do.”

“Max,” Sid barked. “Why aren’t you speaking up about this?”

His friend rolled his head back and looked up at him, blinking a couple times.

“What are you doing on my lap?”

“That’s what I’d like to know!”

“Man, stop yelling… You’re giving me a headache…”

“I’ll give you more than that if you don’t get your paws off my… off of… just stop holding onto her.”

Sid was starting to get angry. He could feel his temper flare and he clenched his hands into fists at his sides. Deep breaths Crosby, deep breaths.

“Melany,” Max whispered as he tapped her shoulder. “You wouldn’t be trying to make our captain here jealous would you?”

Sid held his breath. Please say yes. Jealousy I can handle. Falling for Max I can’t.

“Of course,” she sighed. “I was just mad that he chose New York over Carolina.”

He let out the breath he’d been holding and as the air whooshed out he chuckled a little.

“I had ulterior motives,” Sid said as he watched Max turn the woman in his arms and place her on the cushion beside him. He dropped down to his knees in front of her. “I knew that with all these rules we were all going to get drunk. And you can’t drive home now; we won’t let you. So, whoever won tonight… well, I just thought we could continue what we started upstairs, and whoever won would be in charge…” It sounded dumb to his own ears now and he waited for her to laugh at him. And she did. But it was a light laugh.

“You’re a dork. If you would’ve told me that from the beginning I wouldn’t have been upset. Hey! I get to be in charge!” Sid laughed and pulled himself up, dragging her with him.

“Let’s go upstairs then. We’ll grab a bedroom this time.”

She giggled and told everyone else good night. It seemed like the others took that as the cue to go to bed as well though. Geno stood up, stretching, and smiled down at Erin. He held out his hand and she smiled back up at him as he hauled her off the loveseat and they started toward the stairs ahead of her and Sidney. Tanger had come to and he was looking around as Max popped off the couch.

They all started up the stairs and as they started down the hallway Erin turned to talk to Mel about something. Before she could get two words out Geno had her arm and was pulling her into what Melany guessed was his room. She giggled again at Erin’s shocked expression before the door closed. Then she got an idea.

“Breakfast in the morning everyone. It’s on Sid!”

“What? Why do I hav--”

Geno swung the door open with a smile on his face.

“Sweet. Night.” And then the door slammed shut again.

“Wait, really… why do I have to pay?”

“You said I was in charge.”

“I meant… I didn’t mean it that way.” Max and Tanger stumbled up the steps.

“Did I hear that Cappy here is paying for breakfast,” Max asked.

“You did. So good night boys. We’ll see you in the morning.”

She couldn’t say anything else because Sid was tugging her farther down the hall and through another door. The last thing she heard before the door shut and Sid began to peel off her clothes was Kris slamming the door in Max’s face after he’d offered to cuddle with him.

4 comments:

  1. Oh dear god, Mel you always make me smile. Geno is adorable! They all have to have at least heard about the SBDG. I have to admit that I would enjoy seeing Tang and Max cuddle. =]

    Can't wait to see what you have planned. [And if Big Ric ever needs a girl. Haha.]

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  2. Great update!!!!! Mel and Sid are so cute together!!!!!!!!

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  3. i love the part with Max at the end! that just seems sooo him!!! i lol'd at Sid's little speech about wantin to finish things upstairs!! great chapter!

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  4. HAHAHA best line, right here: "The last thing she heard before the door shut and Sid began to peel off her clothes was Kris slamming the door in Max’s face after he’d offered to cuddle with him."

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