XX- Oh where would I be without all your humor and great reviews! I will tell you what I am telling everyone, they have to sit tight and see what will happen. A mink is like a weasel and they cut chicken, duck, geese, swans throats and drink blood. And don't kill Craig just yet. And another one saying she is pregnant! She calls Mac because they were friends. You'll just have to wait and see what all happens. I know that is not easy for you.

Strangexbutxtrue- Cyber kick his ass? How does that work? LOL Sorry this chapter took so long. Hope you enjoy it.

Billabongbabe696- Thanks for the review. Sorry the update took so long. Been crazy busy.

Lia06- More Mac in this chappie. And more Craig too.

Prettypinkcheer5- Well you'll just have to read and see what happens. I know that's not what you were hoping for.

Meadow567- You've been saying that since…before the Olympics were over.

Flowersc781- Let go of your hair, LOL. Mac couldn't spy on Craig because he's on the opposite side of New York state. Baby? And Mac and Kylah never had sex, LOL.

Emador- I still don't get Ozone, but okay. Hope you like this update.

March 28, 1980

Qualla, NC

"Kylah, would you like me to fix you a late breakfast?" Mom asked me.

I was lying in bed, just wanting to crawl under the covers. "No mom. I'm fine."

"You threw up this morning." Mom said. "Sweetie, I know this thing with Craig has you upset but enough is enough."

"Oh mom." I sighed.

"Kylah Caroline, listen to me. You haven't heard from Craig in a week. You've tried everything to track him down, left messages everywhere. Now I know it's hard but you just have to face that it's over." Mom said.

I started crying. "It can't be. It wasn't supposed to be like this."

Mom sat on the bed and pulled me into her arms. "I know. But sometimes relationships just don't work out. It just wasn't meant to be."

"But I really loved him….and now I don't know what to do." I cried.

"You have to move on. Remember your happy times with Craig and be happy for them." Mom said.

"But this hurts…I miss him. And I need him." I cried.

"I know it hurts right now. But it'll get better." Mom said.

"No it won't. I can't believe Craig would hurt me like this. I trusted him. More than anyone else. I really thought he loved me." I cried.

Mom just rocked me awhile.

"Kylah, this can't go on. You haven't felt well in two weeks. You mope around all the time. You need to get past this." Mom said.

I sighed. "Mom, I need to go out today."

"Will you be out long?" she asked.

"I dunno, probably a few hours." I said, getting out of bed to get dressed.

"Are you sure you feel up to it?" Mom asked.

"Oh I am fine. This is all just so much." I tried to sound casual.

"Okay. But when you get home you are eating supper." Mom said and walked out of the room.

I sighed and sat down on my bed. I felt sick again, so I took a few deep breaths till the feeling passed. I stood up and got dressed. This whole past week had been a nightmare. I had tried every day and night to get in touch with Craig and I couldn't. I'd left messages at his apartment, his office, everywhere.

I'd talked almost every day to Mac. He'd been wonderful. I had called him because I needed a friend to talk to and I knew he'd understand. Looking back, I was starting to wish I'd dated one of my original crushes of the team like Mac, Buzzy or Bah.

That thought made me cry again. I couldn't see myself with anyone but Craig. I missed him so much. And I needed him more than ever.

I calmed myself down and went downstairs. I had to run an errand.

XXXxxxXXXXxxx

I came home that evening and dialed Craig's number at his office. I got his secretary on the phone.

"Hi, Is Craig Patrick in. I really need to speak with him." I said.

"No, he just stepped out." She said.

"Listen lady. I don't want to sound rude. But I have been calling this office for a week and haven't been able to talk to Craig. So what is going on? I NEED to talk to him." I said.

"Miss, you sound really nice and intent on talking to Craig so I'll be honest with you." She said. "Mr. Patrick told me not to pass through any calls from you to him and to throw all messages from you away."

I felt like I'd been slapped. "Oh….when did he tell you this?"

"Monday. Miss, I am so sorry. I thought I should tell you and save you the time of calling here all the time." She said.

"Thank you…I won't be calling anymore." I said and hung up.

I stood for a moment, my whole life falling around me. Craig really didn't want me anymore. I felt myself starting to shake. I didn't want mom to see me this way so I ran up the stairs to my room.

Smokey was asleep on the bed. I lay on my bed and started crying. I didn't know what to do. I picked up my phone and dialed Buffalo.

"Hello?"

"Mac….Mac…" I tried to talk.

"Kylah, what's wrong?" Mac asked.

"I….I went to Bryson City." I cried.

"Oh….Oh Kylah, don't cry. It'll be okay." Mac said.

"But….but I tried to call Craig. He…He told his secretary to throw….away messages from me….not to accept calls from me." I cried. "He did this Monday. He doesn't….want…me anymore."

"Are you sure?" Mac asked.

"Yeah…just talked to her." I cried.

"Kylah….I'm sorry about everything." Mac said.

"What am I going to do? I can't….not without him." I cried.

"Calm down….you need to calm down." Mac said.

"How could Craig use me like that? I really thought I meant something to him…..I love him so much." I cried.

"There has to be more to it than this. Craig loves you. We could all see it." Mac said.

"I thought so too…..now I think I was just his Olympic piece of ass. Something to keep him occupied while in training." I said.

"I don't think that was it. From what you told me, he waited a long time to make a move and a really long time before you two had sex." Mac said.

"I should've seen it. An older unmarried man, used to be in the NHL. He's probably had a girl in every city." I said.

"KYLAH, stop that now." Mac yelled. "You're upset and you know what you're saying is not true. Craig's not that type of guy."

"Then why is he doing this to me?" I asked.

"I don't know. But you need to talk to him." Mac said.

"I don't want to anymore. I don't want him to come running out of obligation. Either he wants ME or he doesn't." I said.

"Well, it's your decision, but think hard about talking to Craig." Mac said.

"This is all a mess…and it's my fault really." I said.

"I know you're blaming yourself but it really wasn't and I am sure Craig wouldn't feel that way." Mac said.

"Why are you defending him?" I screamed.

"Because there has to be an explanation for this. Craig…was in love with you. Anyone who saw you two together could see it. There has to be a reason he would just suddenly…stop talking to you." Mac said. "But this bit about him getting drunk is what has me worried."

"Oh he changed Mac. The Craig I knew in Minneapolis and Lake Placid would never have gotten falling down drunk. And he certainly wouldn't have left me like this." I cried.

"Okay, calm down…deep breath. Relax." Mac said. "Listen, after Easter I have a break in games. Why don't I fly down there and spend some time with you? I think it'd do you good."

"Oh you don't have to baby sit me." I said. "I am sorry I dragged you into this whole mess."

"Hey you needed someone to talk to. I am glad to help you. I care about you and hate seeing this happen." Mac said. "After Easter I'll come down for a few days."

"I think I'd like that. Because other than you, there is no one I can talk to that understands." I said.

"Do you know what you are going to do?" Mac asked.

"I don't know. So much has happened at once. And on top of everything is how much I miss Craig." I said.

"Kylah, time for dinner." Mom knocked on my door.

"Mac, I got to go. My mom is like force feeding me. I hope I can keep some of it down. I'll talk to you later." I said.

"Try to eat and try to rest. It'll be okay." Mac said.

"Nothing is going to be okay again." I said and hung up.

March 29, 1980

I had decided to go for a walk to get out of the house for awhile. I didn't go far, just around the farm. When I got back to the house mom was in the kitchen.

"You got a phone call while you were out." Mom said.

"From Craig?" I asked.

"No…it was from that McClanahan boy. He said for you to call him back." Mom said.

"Oh…well I should call him then." I said.

"Are you okay? You look awful pale. Should you see a doctor?" Mom asked.

"No I'll be fine. It's just….all this stuff with Craig." I said and walked upstairs before she could ask more questions.

I walked in my room and shut the door. I picked up my phone and dialed Rob's number.

"Hello?"

"Robbie, my mom said you called while I was out." I said.

"Yeah, I wanted to check on you." Rob said. "How are you feeling today?"

"I didn't throw up, but I have a headache. Walking helped because it got me away from the house for a bit." I said.

"That's good." Rob said. "Listen…I have something I should tell you…I called Craig last night."

"You did what? What did you say to him?" I asked.

"Nothing that it wasn't my place to say." Mac said. "I just kinda wanted to see what was going on with him. So I sounded really casual, just like I was catching up." Mac said.

"Well what did he say?" I asked.

"He talked mostly about the team and stuff…he sounded hung over again." Mac said.

I sighed, wondering what was going on and when everything got so complicated. "He told me that last week was a one time thing….you know Craig he doesn't drink heavy."

"I know…and I tried bringing you up a few times. But Craig would always change the subject. Finally like my 5th try, he told me that talking about you was off-limits." Mac said.

"I am off-limits? He doesn't even want to talk about me…I….I don't know what to make of any of this." I said.

"Well…I don't either, but I have a few ideas." Mac said.

"Like?" I asked.

"I am not saying because I don't want to upset you one way or the other." Mac said.

I sighed. "So I guess I am really single now. I was his Olympic fling, it's been flung and I'll remember it for the rest of my life."

"I'm sorry Kylah. I know you're hurting. I promise, I'll come see you after Easter." Mac said.

I kinda chuckled. "You'll come see me after Easter……you know, when we left Minneapolis; Craig PROMISED me he'd see me by Easter." I said. "Easter is next Sunday….guess Craig finally broke a promise he made me."