Julie paced nervously in her hotel room. After everything she'd been through in the past week and a half she was finally here. Here as in Los Angeles and just a few hours away from facing the man that is unknowingly giving her a baby.
She groaned and sat on the end of her bed, she couldn't do this. With a sigh she tried to push out all the negativity because this was something she had to do. Standing again she picked up her pacing, it had really been a long 24 hours with confirming her plans and triple-checking with her doctor that it was safe to make three flights in the span of one week. Luckily the week she needed off happened to where she would only miss two days of the new school term. This was probably going to be her last semester considering she'll be in her final trimester when it was over.
"I can't do this."
None of it, this whole plan was a fool's idea. Fly out to Los Angeles and confront Gunnar. And right afterwards she was headed off to spend some time in Minnesota with Adam and Charlie until the night of Adam's first regular season game with the Wild. And finally back to home to hopefully get her life back on track.
Julie looked at herself in the mirror and saw just how miserable she looked at the moment. She sighed deeply and let her gaze drop down to the reflection of her stomach. There was a bump she realized in amazement and lifted her shirt, a very small little bump, but it was there. The physical evidence that she was carrying seemed to stare back at her, as though her unborn child was trying to give her the confidence to go through with it.
Glancing at the alarm she was brought back to the moment when Gunnar turned on the radio and reached his hand out to hers. He had been so gentle and perfect that night, maybe he wouldn't as terrifying as she was thinking. Who was she kidding, she accidentally got knocked up and was about to ruin his life! It would be a miracle if he didn't hate her!
But it was time. It was the final pre-season home game for the LA Kings, she bought the cheapest ticket she could find on the internet and finished her plans from there. Her mom tried to get information on where she was headed but Julie remained stubborn, this was something she had to do on her own. She didn't have anything to represent the Kings and she thought maybe they would have a t-shirt with his name and number in one of the stores. For now she just wore a black top with a scoop neckline and her loosest pair of jeans. Looking back in the mirror she couldn't help the smile at seeing that barely visible bump on her belly. She was as ready as she was going to be and it was time to go if she had any hope of getting someone to help her.
The hotel she booked was very close to the arena, well within walking distance so she set out into the still very sunny California sky. It was very warm considering it was the last few days of September then again this was California so she shouldn't be all that surprised. She approached the gates of the Staples Center and took in a deep breath, it was now or never.
They scanned her ticket and she was soon feeling overwhelmed by the large crowd. She was here all alone and about to destroy one of their star prospect's life. Damn it, she shouldn't be here. But she was and she had to see this through, regardless of what happened.
Now that she was here she wasn't quite sure where to go for help, or if anyone would actually believe her. First she thought about talking to the people at the sales booth where they sold tickets to the arena's events, but they probably wouldn't be of any help. She didn't know or have any connections to the leadership group and had no idea where to even find them. She was here though and wouldn't give up, she had to at least give it a decent try. A group of three security guards walked by and she figured it was the best option she was going to get.
"Excuse me."
The tallest one with the biggest obvious muscles sent her a welcoming smile, "Yes miss, can we help you with something?"
"Uh yes actually," she prayed for them to not think she was crazy, "I need to get in touch with one of the players, it's important."
They eyed each other, "You mean you want to talk to one of the guys, either a King or a Star, forty five minutes before the game?" The man that spoke was the shortest and was clearly mocking her.
"I can wait until the game is over, I just need to see him and don't know how else to get in touch with him," she tried to explain but figured she just made herself out to be a stalker in their professional eyes. She cleared her throat and shifted her weight, "Can something be arranged?"
The middle man spoke and his voice was a little friendlier than the shorter guy, "Sometimes the players hang out in the club section after the game, it's open to the public then so you might want to try there. If not, your best bet is to leave your name and number with us and we'll make sure it gets to who you're looking for."
"That won't work," she unconsciously put a hand to her stomach and looked at her feet as she whispered to herself, "I need to speak with him as soon as possible."
The tallest of the guards picked up on what was going on right away, "Who are you looking for?"
As he talked he moved her closer to the side of the hallway and the other two guards shrugged and continued down the crowded area. She looked up at the security guard with pleading eyes, "Gunnar Stahl with the Kings, please is there anything you can do?"
He eyed her carefully, it was obvious she was pregnant, and most likely the promising draft pick was the father to be. He let out a long sigh and knew his own wife would kill him if he didn't do something to help this girl out. "I'll take you to the club section, you can sit there for the game and I'll make sure he makes it up that way afterwards."
"Thank you but I'll wait until the game is over, I can't afford a seat like that."
"Don't worry about it, it's pre-season and hardly sold out tonight. I'll let them know to take care of you. Now come on, let's get you going."
Julie smiled for the first time since arriving at the arena. She didn't have any time to browse the stores but it was probably for the best. It would be a little awkward if he found her standing there with his jersey, like she was obsessed with him or something. Not obsessed, just pregnant with his child. God, kill her now. How was she ever going to get through this?
She was all kinds of glad that she took the security guard up on his offer, the seat was lavishly cushioned and they let her drink and eat to her heart's content. Well, if things went bad with Gunnar then at least she got a free meal out of it.
Her eyes studied each player that hit the ice for the pre-game warm-ups; it took a while to find that Gunnar still had his old number #9 with the Kings. Once she figured that out her gaze remained locked on him the whole time. She didn't know anything about him yet, like if he made the team or would he be sent down to the minors for conditioning, was he injured, was he awesome (probably the case). So she studied him and noticed he had a confident gait on the ice, even back in the Goodwill Games he was an accomplished skater. He looked right at home in the black jersey for the Kings, so at least some things haven't changed. Well he used to play for the Vikings, just drop the vi and there you go.
The players stepped off for a brief moment of time before the game would start. They would have one last meeting with their coaches before it was game on. Julie waited patiently for the time to pass, her nerves settling down knowing she had a good couple hours before facing him.
He got a goal late in the third period that proved to be the game winning goal for the Kings to win it. Overall she was really impressed with his natural skills; it was no secret that he was the best player in that championship tournament and three plus years has only made him a more well-rounded skater. Like Adam, she had full confidence that he would make a name for himself.
But the game was over now and her anxiety was reaching new heights. She downed a final glass of water and continued to wait. Joe, the security guy that helped her, sent her a knowing wink which oddly felt comforting.
Practicing her deep breathing she watched as he entered the area. He was just as gorgeous as she remembered. Immediately two attractive blondes went to him and he placed his arms around both of their shoulders. She took a couple steps towards him and one of the girls kissed his cheeks. The grin on his face told her all she needed to know. Telling him about this baby was going to wreck everything for him. Dread filled her, he looked so happy surrounded by those beautiful women, how could she do this to him?
Her chest began to hurt and she realized she was starting to hyperventilate. Damn it, she needed to get out of here, she never should have come. With a hopeless glance to Joe the guard she turned and fled. She didn't see the security expert's eyes harden and begin to glare at the King's new star, or note that he moved towards him. All she knew was that she had to get out of there and fast.
"Mr. Stahl," Joe interrupted the little puck bunnies that seemed to always pop up when the players were around, "can I speak with you for a second?"
"Yah, if you'll excuse me ladies," they giggled flirtatiously at him as the two men moved to the side.
Joe whispered lowly, "A very beautiful woman was waiting here for you the entire game. I didn't get her name but it was clear the two of you met before. She's blonde with blue eyes and a killer dimple in her right cheek. Now, if what I think is true, I believe you might want to go after her."
Gunnar was already looking around; the words 'a very beautiful woman' could have only meant one person in his mind, "Julie? Where did she go?" It had to be her, the notation of her sexy little dimple was confirmation enough.
The security guard pointed towards the elevators and watched with renewed satisfaction as the young man hurriedly rushed in that direction. She was here; she was actually here to see him. But why would she leave before he knew about it? He groaned, those fucking bitches, they were relentless. Sure, he liked the attention, but this was Julie and he had to catch up to her.
In the back of his mind he wondered over a number of things. First and foremost was why she was here, was she in the area and wanted to support him? Did she somehow realize her feelings for him went deeper than that one beautiful and unforgettable night they spent together? Lastly, and most confusing, was why did he feel like he had to find her…or lose her forever? Did he want something more with her? There were just so many questions and he knew none of the answers, especially the ones about his own feelings. All he knew was that Julie was always going to have a special place after what they shared together. Vivid memories of her back arching perfectly would hit him at the oddest of times. Then there were the chills he would occasionally feel recalling the way she tightened while climaxing around him, clamping down until his toes curled in an unbelievably explosive orgasm. He had bedded less than a handful of women but none could ever be as responsive and naturally beautiful in their lovemaking.
He didn't make it, the elevator doors closed but he just caught a glance of that flowing blonde mane and his fingers began to itch remembering just how silky those strands were. He took in a deep breath and headed straight for the long staircase that would take him to the lobby floor. All his training over the summer was paying off, even though his legs were burning a little after playing a full game and now basically sprinting down flights of steps.
He stepped out into the hallway and was glad to see it wasn't as crowded as he was expecting. His gaze turned everywhere they could but he saw no sign of her. He was too late. "Damn it," he cursed and caught his breath.
Now he'll never know why she was here or what she wanted.
