Chapter 9

Hockey

Alex was rummaging through her dresser drawers looking for her Mike Richter Ranger's jersey as her cellphone was wedged between her ear and her shoulder. The phone rang several times as she waited for Raphael to pick up.

"Come on, where are you?" she muttered to herself. "Ah, there you are!" she exclaimed, pulling out the jersey. Now all I need is for Raph to hurry up and pick up! We'll miss the game if he doesn't.

"Hello?" Raph asked just before it went to voice mail.

"Talk dirty to me," she said, her voice lower than normal.

"Hello Alex," Raph said simply. "How are you doing?" he asked sarcastically.

"Aw, come on! That's no fun!" she laughed, putting her phone on speaker so she could change her clothes. She took off her tee-shirt, tossing it into the laundry hamper in the corner of her room before sliding out of her basketball shorts.

She could just almost hear Raph rolling his eyes. "What do you want?" he chuckled.

"You doing anything tonight?" she asked. "You know, besides yourself."

"Oh hahaha ha." Raph grumbled. "But no, I'm not doing anything. What did you have in mind?" he asked.

"Well, I just so happen to be dateless for the Rangers game tonight if you're interested in going," she told him, slipping into a pair of leggings and the jersey. She plopped down on the bed and took the phone off of speaker, putting it between her ear and shoulder again to put on her winter boots.

"What? Are you serious? I thought they were your brother's tickets." Raph asked quickly.

"They are and he was going to go with me, but his date with Esme got scheduled for tonight so he cancelled on me, but gave me the other ticket," she said. "So you wanna go?" she asked, leaving her room to grab her coat.

"He gave up his tickets to go out with that woman? Tch why not take her. Or reschedule." Raph chuckled. "I'm getting dressed now. Why did you even ask?"

Alex laughed. She knew Raph would want to go. "Being polite," she said "And I think he's waiting to let Esme see his sports fan side. It's a lot to handle if you haven't been around it very much."

"He can't be that bad," Raph chuckled. "Wait till you see me." He warned a bit.

"I don't know," Alex muttered. "There's a whole lot of shouting and throwing of snacks with Elliot."

"Oh you'll get that, and maybe a few fist fights." Raph laughed. "I'm heading over now." he said the sound of keys being picked up sounding from the other side of the phone.

"Don't keep me waiting long, Loverboy," she teased again.

"Oh you know I never do, Baby." he laughed before hanging up.

"Dang, I didn't realize I got him this good of seats," Alex muttered as the two made their way to their seats right next to the glass, close to the Range's goal. "I should make him take me more often," she laughed. Once they were at their seats, Alex took off her coat and hung it on the back of her seat.

"I am in no way complaining!" Raph cheered a bit as he sat down next to her. "This is going to be awesome!"

"You're welcome," she giggled, kissing his cheek. "Do you want to eat now, or later?"

"Hmm, let me go get us some food now, so maybe half of it won't end up on the glass." he chuckled a bit.

"I'm excited to see you get worked up here," she laughed. "If it's anywhere close to how you act when you watch the games on TV, I'm sure in for an earful."

"Oh yeah, you're going to need a hearing aid," Raph chuckled getting up. "What do you want to eat?"

"Could you get me some chili?" she asked, pulling out some money from her coat pocket to give to him. She tried to give him the money, but all she received was an odd look from the male redhead.

"Yeah, I'll get you some. Don't worry about it." Raph scoffed. "You brought me to the game, I'll take care of the food." Raph smirked before turning around.

"Loser!" she called out. She watched Raph go before sighed. She hadn't intended to let him pay when she invited him out. It was supposed to be her treat. Now she felt bad.

"Hey," someone behind her said. "Hey, Girly!"

Alex turned around to see a man in his early twenties sitting behind her. He wore a generic hockey mask on the top of his head with a NY Rangers sweatshirt. His feet were resting on the empty chair on the other side of her. His black hair was in a mess due to his mask.

"Yes?" she asked, confused as to why he was talking to her.

"Let the guy pay," he told her. "Makes him feel important."

"But I was the one the invited him," she told him, not sure why she was telling the stranger that.

"Even more reason to let him buy the food!" he exclaimed.

"I don't see how that makes any sense," she muttered.

"Look," the man explained. "If you brought him here and bought everything it'd make him feel indebted to you, right? So a way to make him feel more comfortable is for him to pay for the food. Like a thank you. And the best thing you can do is smile pretty and say thanks when he comes back."

"Men are confusing," Alex huffed.

"We could say the same about you," he joked. "Name's Casey. Casey Jones." He stuck out his hand for the girl to shake.

"Alex O'Neil," she introduced, shaking his much larger hand.

"Hey," Raph said coming back. "Chili, extra cheese right? I think I remember you saying that last time we watched a game."

"Mm," Alex said, taking the warm cup of chili from him. "Just the way I like it," she told him. "Thank you." She glanced back at Casey to see that he was giving her a thumbs up. She rolled her eyes and smirked at the goofball.

"No prob," Raph smirked obviously pleased. He noticed her looking behind her and turned to the guy. "Ummm hi?"

"Sup man," Casey nodded to him, acting as if nothing was up.

Alex laughed and shook her head. "Raph, this is Casey. Casey, this is Raph."

"Sup," Raph said shaking the guys hand. "Sorry, she's one of those social types." he joked.

"Ass," she muttered, taking a spoonful of chili. "I was talking bad about you to him, so I'd shut up before I do it again."

"Hey now, is that anyway to talk to the hottest guy you know?" Raph scoffed at her. "I might just melt all the ice."

"Pf," she huffed. "Puh-lease! Have you not seen your brothers? I think Leo's pretty sexy, Don's got that whole intellectual thing going and Mikey's just gosh darn adorable."

"All pale in comparison to me," Raph growled. "And never say anything about my brothers being cute, hot, or sexy ever again."

"Why? Jealous, Pumpkin?" she teased with a smirk.

"I am not!"

"Don't worry, Pumpkin," she said, pinching his cheek. "You've got nothing to worry about. Even if I am the hottest little thing you've ever manage to catch." She winked teasingly to make sure he knew she was joking.

"Go fuck yourself-" Raph started. "Oh wait, you already do," he shot back.

She couldn't believe he had just said that! Especially in public with strangers all around them to hear! There was no way she was going to let him win though. "And I will," she said with a deep red blush. "And you won't be getting any. Now who's at a loss?"

"Oh screw you, my hand is a better lay anyway,"Raph argued.

"You two are an odd couple," Casey muttered.

"Your point, ugly?" Raph scoffed at him.

"I'm ugly? Have you looked in a mirror?" Casey asked.

"I have and even I've fallen in love with the man in the mirror," Raph said running a hand through his red spikes.

"What the hell do you see in this guy?" Casey asked Alex.

She shook her head and muttered before eating another spoonful, "I ask myself that question every day."

"She sees her other half." Raph snorted a bit.

"The asshole has a point," Alex muttered, finishing her chili.

"HA!" Raph said. "Suck on that," he told Casey as he finished his hot dog.

"You know, there are so many innuendos I can make when you say that eating a fucking hotdog," Alex muttered.

Casey laughed, slapping the girl on the back. "I like you, kid."

"Look at all the fucks I give!" Raph said in a sing song voice holding up his empty hands.

"Obviously none of them go to your girlfriend," Casey said. "All your hand buddy. All your hand."

"She handles herself man, all I get is kisses. Why should I give her more than that?" Raph pretended to huff.

"Kisses only go so far, man," he said. "The sex is the best part!"

Alex coughed on the water Raph had bought for her, along with the chili. "Why should you give me more than that? Huh, no more fucking chocolate pie for you," she huffed.

"No, not the pie!" Raph groaned. "That leaves me with Kerry's cupcakes, good but not as good! I'm left unsatisfied!"

"Just like with your hand, Man," Casey said. "Left unsatisfied compared to the actual thing."

"Right, and I'm a girl that has needs. If I'm not getting any from you, I'll take care of it myself!" Alex exclaimed, crossing her arms over her chest as she watched the hockey players skate onto the ice from the locker rooms.

"Allie, babe, come on." Raph groaned, nuzzling the side of her face. "Pleeease? I don't ask for much here..."

Alex had to fight back the smirk that wanted to creep onto her lips. "Fine, you can have the sex, but you're still in the penalty box for the pie," she teased.

"But I wanted the pie." Raph joked a bit.

"You're taking pie over sex?" Casey gaped. "Are you gay?"

"No, her pie is amazing, Man. I'm serious," Raph said. "Made from scratch, nothing you ever taste will be as good ever again in comparison to this pie."

"I bet I'd be just as good in bed," Alex muttered under her breath to herself. She couldn't believe he was taking her pie over her!

"She can really make pie that good?" Casey asked.

"God yes," Raph chuckled.

Alex rolled her eyes. She couldn't believe that Raph thought about her pie more than he thought about anything else about her. She was slightly insulted. Did he not think about her like that? She thought he had, from the way he reacted to the lingerie and the toys. Alex sighed, watching the teams line up on the ice. None of them had been paying attention to the announcer as they spoke.

"We'll talk about your little sex later, promise," Raph suddenly whispered into her ear, giving it a nip.

Alex's face darkened. She felt as if all of her blood suddenly rushed to her face. She turned her head, gaping at the red headed male next to her. Was he being serious? Alex couldn't tell if he was joking anymore of if he meant it.

"Start the clock already!" Raph hollered, not taking in mind she might be embarrassed.

"R-Relax, Raph," Alex told him, rolling her eyes. "Kinda have to do the National Anthem."

"Yeah, where's your sense of patriotism?" Casey teased.

"When we walked in you were complaining that the players were shoving eachother into the glass yet." Raph scoffed.

"My favorite part is the fights, so what?" Alex said. "At least I have enough patience for the Anthem."

"Hey, no judgement, they're mine too." Raph smirked at her.

"Make that three," Casey said.

"You just went up on the awesome scale, bro." Raph smiled at him. Uh no, budding bromance alert.

"Great, just what I need around, another you!" Alex muttered, standing up for the National Anthem.

Once the anthem was done, the crowd cheered and sat back down for the dropping of the puck.

"Come on, boys," Alex muttered, sitting forward in her seat. "Make me proud to be a Rangers fan."

"Let's go!" Raph clapped in encouragement.

There was quite a bit of yelling in the crowd as the first period progressed. The Rangers scored the first goal on a power play, while the other team game back with one of their own. The audience was rather upset about that, but the Rangers came back with another goal right before the period ended. Casey had gotten up when the period ended and went to the bathroom.

"Thank God we ate before the game," Alex muttered, watching as the crowds all migrated towards the concession stands. "I'd hate to be caught in that."

"See, I'm pretty smart sometimes," Raph laughed. "Donnie can't always have the brains."

"Sure he can," Alex laughed. "He's the smart one. Plus, none of you are actually related by genes."

"So? We're more like brothers than most actual brothers are to each other. Our bond is stronger than anything because we don't have the excuse of blood tying us together," Raph said seriously.

"Raph, Honey, I was joking," Alex said, rubbing his arms to calm him down.

"I know," Raph sighed. "B-But you know ever since we got adopted our blood relation has been a...touchy subject. I mean, what if one of us needs a kidney or something? We aren't actually related so we won't match and have to depend on strangers to save our brother."

"Hey, you don't have to think about that right now," she told him, taking his hand. "The chances of that happening are slim. So it's better not to think about it unless you have to. Plus, if any of you needed a kidney and none were a match, I'd offer."

"I know you would," Raph said with a sigh, kissing her head gently. "And thanks for that."

"You guys would do the same for me and my family, and Kerry," she said, resting her head against his shoulder.

"Tch, doesn't Kerry count as your family?" Raph joked.

"Unfortunately," Alex jokingly sighed dramatically.

"Okay, so you guys go from fighting to cuddling?" Casey asked, getting back from the bathroom. "You guys really don't make sense whatsoever!"

Alex rolled her eyes and stood up to stretch.

"That makes it the best relationship, don't get stuck in the past." Raph snickered at him. "You need you a girl, man."

"Tell me about it," he said. "Do you know how long it's been since I've gotten la-"

"I really don't want to hear the end of that sentence," Alex muttered.

"Guy like you needs a woman to keep you straight man, not a lay. One who won't let you get away with anything stupid." Raph said. "And by the look of your face, you do a lot of stupid things."

"Say that to my face you litt-"

"I just did you, dumbass, what need a hearing aid or something old m-"

The person sitting next to Casey tapped Alex on the shoulder and pointed up at the large screen above their heads. They were pointing the camera at them. Around the border of the screen flashed, "Kiss Cam!" Alex blinked for a moment before looking at Raph.

She smirked, grabbing Raph's shoulder while he was in the middle of his sentence. She pulled him down by the front of his sweatshirt, planting one right on his lips. A second after their lips met, Alex pushed her tongue into his mouth, deepening the kiss to give the camera the shot they wanted, and had absolutely nothing to do with the fact that she really wanted to make out with him. She pulled away just as quickly, acting as if nothing happened and sat back down.

"...What the fuck, Alex?" Raph swore at her.

"The Kiss Cam was on us," she stated with a shrug, as if that was answer enough. She watched the puck drop. The Rangers had it, circling around the goal.

"Warn a guy, could have given them an even better show." Raph grumbled a bit.

Alex rolled her eyes, but smirked, her face slightly red at the thought.

"You can put on a better show than that?" Casey asked. "Damn."

The buzzer went off telling everybody that another goal was scored. Alex jumped up, yelling in triumph as the Rangers kept the lead. "That's my boys!" she yelled. "Down with the Blackhawks!"

"Let's go, let's go!" Raph called out to them, "Keep ahead of the game!"

Alex sat back down with the rest of the crowd. "Glad I called?" she asked Raph in reference to her invitation, nodding towards the great game taking place.

"Definately." He grinned a bit. "Best date ever."

"Really?" Alex asked with a blush. "How many dates have you been on again, Loverboy?"

"Not that many, not a people person to begin with." Raph said, his arms around her, rubbing her arms to make sure she was warm.

"Oh, I feel so honored that you love me so much," she said, placing a hand over her heart overdramatically. She moved in closer to him without realizing it.

"You don't even know," Raph mumbled a bit, pulling her closer.

That statement confused Alex slightly. What did he mean by that? "Why don't you try explaining it to me then," she muttered, pulling back just enough to look up at him in the eyes.

"I've...never cared for anyone other than my family, the way I feel about you." Raph said, trying to focus only on the game as he confessed.

Holy shit! Alex almost gaped. He likes me? Oh my God he likes me. Oh my God. What the hell do I do? I can't just leave him hanging, right? I've gotta tell him I like him otherwise he'll think I don't like him and I do. Holy shit he likes me!

"You're my best friend," Alex muttered after hearing that. "And, uh, Emily used to tease me and Fred when we were best friends. She thought we'd be perfect together, but there never was a spark for me. Ever. But you?" she muttered, glancing up at the scoreboard. "God, I don't even remember what it was like to not have you around, or to not be…" Alex took in a deep breath before gulping. She subconsciously reached up and grabbed the necklace he had made for her. "I can't remember what it was like to not be in love with my best friend."

"It's awkward, right?" Raph mumbled as if were a normal conversation. "I mean, knowing someone has so much control over what you do or what you think just because being near them makes you sick to your stomach but not in the bad way. It's confusing." he sighed.

"It is," she admitted, glancing at him sideways. "But honestly? I wouldn't have it any other way."

"Yeah, the good feelings make up for it, right?" Raph sighed a bit.

He still wasn't looking at her though, which made her extremely nervous. "Raph?" she asked softly. "I love you," she told him, trying to reassure him in anyway that she could. She didn't know if it was the right move to make, but it was worth a shot. If there was any possibility of making him feel more comfortable and relieved she was going to do it.

Raph was quiet for a moment. "I love you too." he mumbled looking down and away.

Her stomach flipped, hearing him admit it. Raphael Hamato loved her! "You know, you could look me in the eyes and say that," she told him with a smirk.

"Don't push your luck." Raph glared at her.

Alex rolled her eyes. "Loser," she muttered, moving in to kiss his cheek.

"Butch." Raph snorted at her.

"Ass."

"Bitch."

"Hothead."

"Firecracker."

"Loverboy."

"Freak."

"Okay, enough of that," Casey muttered behind them. "I keep watching you two instead of the game! It's disgusting!"

"Tch, jealous Jones?" Raph shot over his shoulder.

"Me? Jealous of two teenagers? You're nuts," he said.

"I think intuitive is the correct word."

The second period ended and the zamboni went out onto the ice to prepare it for the third and final period. Alex always thought watching the zamboni was rather relaxing. It was a good thing too, since she was always around such high strung hockey fans. She needed something to calm her down. Before they knew it, the game was continued.

"Hey Ref! Are you pregnant? You've missed two periods so far!" Raph snapped a bit at the game.

"Easy there, Hothead," Alex said, pulling him back down into his seat.

"Guy's freaking blind." Raph grumbled a bit. "That was totally icing!"

"Yes, we all know that," Alex said. "Doesn't mean you have to accuse the ref of being pregnant," she snorted. She tried to be serious about it, but that was one of the best lines she had ever heard yelled out in a hockey game ever.

"I am so taking that one," Casey told Raph.

"Don't encourage him, Jones," Alex sighed.

"I don't need encouragement to call out the obvious!" he yelled pointedly at the ref.

"Well, you don't have to yell in my ear," she muttered. "My God, you're almost worse than my brother!"

"Ouch, you have to deal with an older brother?" Casey asked Raph. "I pity you, Man."

"Dude's actually pretty cool...after breaking my nose. "Raph shrugged a bit.

"He didn't break your nose!" Alex said. "Just kind of bent it a little. You can't even notice!"

"He broke your nose?" Casey asked. "Hope I never become a member of that family..."

"I've got an Aunt around your age if you're interested," Alex joked.

"Really cute too, red hair and green eyes," Raph tempted. "Looks a lot like Alex, actually."

"Got a pic?" he asked.

Alex pulled out her phone and brought up a picture of her and April. "This is April," she showed him.

"Whoa," he muttered. "Damn, she's…"

"Don't finish that," Alex cut him off.

"Yeah dude, I know. She's a spitfire too." Raph chuckled a bit.

"What the hell is a Spitfire?" Casey asked.

"She's fiery as hell and has a sharp tongue," Raph explained.

"So Alex really is the spitting image of her Aunt," Casey said.

"Pretty much," Alex muttered, putting her phone back in her coat pocket.

"Yeah, don't worry Alex, that's not a bad thing." Raph chuckled a bit.

"It better not," she muttered giving him that renown girlfriend walking on ice look. "So, uh, Raph?" Alex asked.

"Yeah?" Raph asked her.

"What exactly are we?" she asked.

"What we've been for a long time. Boyfriend and girlfriend, duh," he scoffed.

"Okay, just, uh, clearing that up," she said with a smirk. "How long ago did you stop faking?"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa!" Casey halted. "You two were fake dating. So, wait, now you're really dating? That whole thing twenty minutes ago was your confessions?"

"It's a long story," Alex said, rubbing the back of her neck. "But pretty much, yeah."

"A long and complicated story." Raph sighed.

"Are we on some reality TV show right now or something?" Casey asked, looking around for a camera crew that wasn't shooting the game.

"No, we're not," Alex muttered, rolling her eyes. "We're just that cliche."

"Maybe we can sell the rights to our story and live comfortably for the rest of our lives." Raph teased.

"I'd be cool with that," Alex said, taking his hand.

"Perfect," Raph chuckled again.

They exchanged numbers with Casey, Raph having hit it off rather well with the knucklehead before he left.

"Oh shit," Alex muttered, realizing something extremely important as the final period came to an end. "We have to tell Elliot."

"...FUCK!" Raph groaned a bit, hitting his head on the glass.

"Hey now, don't do that," Alex said, taking his head in her hands. She kissed the spot where he hit before saying, "If you'd like, I can tell him on my own."

"...please? I can't afford another broken nose." Raph grumbled. "Don has it lucky Kerry doesn't have overprotective brothers."

Alex rolled her eyes. "Nah, he only reason Ellie didn't do that to Don is because he's afraid he'd scar Don for life." Alex stood up and put her coat on, getting ready to leave. "But yeah, I'll take care of Ellie."

"Poor guy already is, I mean he's dating Kerry." Raph scoffed. "Thanks."

Alex smacked Raph on the back of the head. "Don't talk about Kerry like that," she scolded. "She's going to be your future sister-in-law."

"She's not even your real sister!" Raph grumbled rubbing his head, thinking she meant them marrying.

"If she gets married to Don, she'd going to be your sister, stupid," Alex said with a roll of her eyes. Alex took his hand as they made their exit.

"Well shit, I can't escape her." Raph huffed a bit.

"Nope," she muttered. "And you're stuck with me too, so deal, Pumpkin."

"Well my life just got more complicated." Raph sighed.

"Babe, your life was already complicated," Alex laughed.