Chapter 2

Gabe woke up the next day with a headache, courtesy of his hangover from the drinking the night before. He struggled to think of what he'd spent the night doing for a few moments as he got himself a few aspirin, and downed them with water. It started to come back to him as he stepped into the shower. He'd danced with Kate Delaney, the sexy musician he'd seen at the Blue Line with Megan and Owen Chandler, and they'd sat at the bar, laughing as they'd taken a few shots together. He'd been out late, and had stumbled to the front of the club with Kate, and they'd shared a few more kisses, in between trading numbers. He'd wanted to ask her to come home with him, but even the alcohol hadn't emboldened him quite that much. Yes, he'd been missing female company, but he wasn't quite ready. After he finished his shower and put on some clothes for his pre-game skate, he'd grabbed his cell phone and glanced down at it, wanting to dial the newest number in it, but unsure if she'd even be up. If he had his way, he certainly wouldn't be up early and headed for a practice over at the rink. He decided to play it safe, and send her a text.

"Hi Kate, it's Gabe. I had fun last night; maybe we can do it again sometime when you're in town? Let me know."

A few moments passed, and he hadn't gotten a response. Instead of letting it get to him, he put his phone into his jacket pocket, and changed into his uniform. He spent a good hour and a half with the guys on the ice, and managed to forget all about the text message. When the guys finally got off the ice, Gabe changed into his street clothes, and started to head out with the rookie, Trevor Lemonde. As he walked past where the wives and girlfriends were waiting, he felt something grab his arm. He glanced up as he got pulled away from Trevor, and felt his stomach lurch a little. There, standing in front of him, was none other than Kate Delaney.

"Hey, sorry to interrupt," she smiled, as she reached out with her free hand and shook Trevor's hand, "but I was hoping I could steal Gabe from you for awhile."
"He's all yours," Trevor replied, shooting Gabe an envious look. "I'll see you tonight before the game."
"See you then," Gabe nodded his agreement, before turning to Kate. "What are you doing here?!" he asked, a smile still on his face. "I didn't really expect to see you so soon."
"Didn't you get my text?" she asked, a frown crossing her face. "I texted you back, and told you that my plans kind of got cancelled, and I'll be in town for the next week and a half. I said I'd be thrilled to spend more time with you."
Gabe saw one of the last trainers leaving the locker room area, and knowing that Coach Boucher would be next to leave, he hastily led her outside the arena, into a secluded spot. "How about lunch?" he asked, when they finally got to his destination.
"Uh, sure," she replied, looking confused. "Should I even bother to ask what that was about?"
"I'll tell you at lunch," he laughed.

He led her over to his car, where he opened the door for her, before heading out. "So, where are you taking me, Mr. McCall?" she asked, glancing over and smiling flirtatiously at him.
"That's for me to know, and you to find out," he answered back, giving a cheesy, exaggerated wink.

As it turned out, he was taking her to a restaurant Megan had dragged him to when he'd hit the lowest he'd felt after Connie had left him. He'd healed from his gunshot, courtesy of the crazy stalker his old team captain's daughter, Molly McBride, had acquired when she'd become a majority owner of the Mustangs, and Megan had decided it was time to take him out to start re-socializing him. He knew they had a private back room, and he was grateful when the hostess led the pair of them back there.

Kate and Gave had a great lunch, and spent the time telling each other random stories about their childhoods and about their lives now. He was starting to feel like this girl could end up being his girlfriend. He was surprised; he'd never really had a woman in his life that had been as famous, or possibly even more, than he was, and it was nice to not feel like the spotlight was only harsh on him. She'd been through her share of media blitzes, and when he told her about Wanda's tricks to keep his dad's problems out of the press, she nodded sympathetically. "I had a paparazzo try to do that to me once," she said, shrugging a little. "He told me he'd publish a topless photo of me sunbathing in my backyard, and you know the record company would freak if that came out. So, he tried to get me to promise to sleep with him, but instead, I put out a press release on the photos, and got a restraining order taken out on him. I don't blame you for looking out for your dad, though. I'd do whatever it took to help out a family member of mine in a time of need."
Gabe smiled, and took a sip of the coffee he was drinking. "My ex just didn't seem to think that it was really a choice, rather than something I just did because we weren't really together at that point. And she didn't seem to care that Wanda tried to win me back by pretending to be pregnant."
"It's crazy, the things people do for something they want, but know they can't have, isn't it?" she raised an eyebrow, as she took a sip of her water. "I think it's better to go after things you want, and could feasibly have."
"Like?" Gabe couldn't help inquiring.
"Like … happiness and a warm body to cuddle with at night? And maybe eventually, the cuddling would lead to true love. But that's probably still down the line In my things I have to come in life."
Gabe laughed. "You seem like you have an even more hectic schedule than me, and I'm never home."
"It can be lonely, but once you find something to look forward to back at home or somewhere, it's pretty fun. You have something to look forward to after you bring joy to other people."
Gabe glanced at his watch. It was getting late, and he still had a game that evening. "I really hate to cut this kind of short, but I've got a game tonight. You could come, if you wanted to," he added.
"I'd like that," she smiled. "It'd be great."
"I'm glad," he smiled. "Let me take you to your hotel, and I'll have a ticket waiting for you at the gate when you get there."
"I'll hold you to that," she laughed. "It better be a good one, too!" she teasingly added.
"Oh, it will be," he promised.