Sorry this took so long. It has been a crazy week. The next one may be a while too. It is time for the game at MSG and I really want to make that one special.

Thank you to all those who are reading this and reviewing. Keep them up.

Almost forgot....Disney owns the world!

Chapter 10: Ralph

"Hey Coxie, what's up?"

That's weird he just walked right past me; like he didn't even see me. He is probably just tired.

"Is everyone decent in there?"

"Depends on what you consider decent!"

"Pants Rizzo, I just need you to all be in pants."

"Aww...is that how she talks to you when you guys are alone OC?"

Jack opens the locker room door for me and puts his arm around my back.

"Watch it Rizzo, that is my girlfriend you are talking about."

The guys all start to laugh. I, on the other hand, am looking around making sure that no one heard that last remark (specifically my dad). Don't get me wrong, my heart still skips every time Jack calls me his girlfriend or he touches me; but the Olympics are so close. I would never forgive myself if I somehow mess it up for him.

"Don't worry. Your dad is in his office, and Doc and Coach Patrick went to get food. No one heard me."

I worm out of Jack's arms. He doesn't look too happy.

"How do you know my dad is still in his office? He could have left it; he could be walking this way right now. You have to be more careful."

"Look, it is a safe bet that your dad is still in his office, he called Coxie in there a few minutes ago."

Jack gives me a look. I know what it means. I look around at the guys. We all know what dad needed Ralph for. Ralph knew too, that is why he walked right past me. I feel so strange now. On the one hand, I am really sad; for Ralph and for all of us. We really have grown into a family. It is hard to believe that Ralph won't be around anymore. However, on the second hand, I have this overwhelming feeling of relief and joy. That is it. Ralph is the last cut. Dad has his final roster and Jack is on it. I am so excited for him. I am excited for us too. We will still have to be careful, but we are one step closer to finally becoming public.

I have never wanted to leave the locker room as much as I did at this very moment. I think we were all feeling that way. The guys seem to be getting ready to go much quicker than usual. I am snapped out of my thoughts by Jack.

"Tara, you ready to leave?"

"Huh...what?"

"You ready to go?"

"Yeah. But I think I just want to go home. Can you drive me?"

"Sure. We aren't going to go out anyway."

"Ok."

We rode back to my apartment is utter silence. I think we were both still processing what everything meant.

"Do you want to come in for a little while?"

"Do you want me too?"

I hadn't looked at him the entire car ride, because for some reason I had begun to cry. I turn towards him and just nod. He nods back and we walk toward my apartment. I managed to maintain my tears until I hear Jack close the front door. Jacks arms are around me in no time.

"What's the matter? Don't cry. Shh....'

"I don't know. I am so confused right now."

"It is ok.'

"No, it is not ok. I am a horrible person. I hate that Ralph got cut, but I am so happy too. Your on the team....you got your dream....your going to the Olympics. God....it sounds worse when I say it out loud."

"Stop....your reaction is completely normal. You don't think we were all feeling that way?"

I look up at him.

"Really?"

"Of course. None of us even felt like going out tonight. We all knew it had to happen eventually and while none of us wanted to see anyone go, we also did not want it to be ourselves."

Jack is now wiping away my tears. I never thought it was possible to love someone more each day, but my feelings for Jack get more intense by the minute; with no end in sight. I am looking into his eyes and I can see he feels the same way. I want to thank him for loving me and for always making me feel better....

"I love you Jack."

"I love you too."

I don't know how long we stood in my hallway. It felt like forever, but with the way I am feeling it could have been a minute. Jack pulls away slightly. He has a bit of a devilish grin on his face. I can't figure out why.

"Why are you smiling?"

"You know a good thing came out of this."

"Yeah....you are going to the Olympics."

"There is that, but....maybe we can come out to your dad now. The team is set and the Olympics are like a week away."

I can see in his eyes that he is dead serious. I pull out of his grip.

"Are you crazy? We can't do that. We can't tell my dad yet. We have to keep us a secret a little while longer."

"Why?"

"Because, we have too. He will freak out! Why can't you understand that?"

"Because I love you! How could your dad be against that? I think he would be happy to know that his daughter is loved."

"Of course he would, but not by a hockey player. He doesn't want me with a hockey player."

"Why not?"

"I can't explain it. I just know he feels that way."

"Please, for me, explain why."

"My dad was a hockey player."

"Yeah so!"

"Hockey has ruled his life. He has chosen the game over everything else. Did you know that he didn't even ask my mom if she was ok with him coaching this team?"

"No, but I still don't understand why...."

"He has never asked my mom! Never! Don't you see? He doesn't want that for me."

"He doesn't or you don't?"

"What is that supposed to mean."

"I think you scared. You're scared that I am going to choose hockey over you. You're scared that I will neglect you like your dad does your mom."

My back is too him now. I am trying to process what he is saying. Could he be right? Maybe he is, but I am right too. Dad can't know yet.

"Please look at me. Tara, please turn around....Am I right? Are you scared? You have to know that I would never do that. I have already told you that I would give all this up for you and I meant it."

"I know what you've said....and yeah I'm scared....there I admit....I'm scared. I have never felt this way before. I love you so much. I love you more today than I did yesterday and I will love you more tomorrow than I do today. But I am also scared of my dad. He doesn't like me dating his players. So please just trust me on that. I know him better than you do. We just have to stay quiet a little bit longer."

"You promise?"

"I promise the second that the Olympics are over you....we can tell the world we are in love."

"I am going to hold you to that."

"You better."

And there is that signature Jack smile. Oh how I love that smile!