28- Sabotage

Julia MacNeil grinned from ear to ear as Carey Price's name lit up the screen at the HSBC. The commentators were discussing the save percentages between the two goalies playing that night. She ignored the boo's coming from the crowd starting to fill up the arena seats and went back to the dressing rooms to visit Anna.

"He's so excited," Julia said dreamily, "And I'm so proud of him."

"I'm sure you are," Anna replied, "Ok, try your knee, Tim."

Tim Connelly moved his knee back and forth without pain, "Awesome. Thanks, kid."

"No problem," Anna patted Tim on the back and moved to jot something down on her clipbpard, "Do the Habs play again tomorrow?"

"Nope, they're back home and off for a day," Julia told her, "Which means...maybe we could stay with you and Ryan for the night?"

"NO!"

Julia was startled, "Um, ok..."

Anna flushed red, "I'm sorry...Ryan's place doesn't have any extra beds, you know, since I'm sleeping in the guest bedroom..."

As though on cue, Ryan walked by the doorway and winked at Anna, who blushed even more. Her face was almost scarlet.

"AND NOW...YOUR BUFFALO SABRES!!!" The entire arena erupted into a sea of cheers, giving Anna her oppurtunity.

"We need to get out there now," Anna grabbed Julia's arm, "Come with me."

Just as the two girls were about to follow the Sabres out, Anna felt a hand clasp around her wrist and jerk her back. Julia turned around just in time to see the tall, blonde Mercedes standing there, glaring at Anna. She was cold as steel.

"Tell your little friend that you'll be out in a few minutes," Mercedes said in a voice that was sweet with spikes all over it, "I want to talk to you."

Julia backed away, "Ok, um, I'll go stand by Lalime, then..."

"Good girl," Mercedes gave Julia an icy look, "Now then...I have something I'd like to ask you."

Anna raised an eyebrow, "Um, ok..."

"Do you think you're pretty?"

What kind of a question was that?

"I...I don't know?"

"I mean, do you think you're attractive?" Mercedes continued, "Because, if you've got it in your head that because you're this young, fresh blood from Shittsburgh, home of the 'Stanley Cup Champions,' that you have any chance whatsoever with Ryan Miller, you're wrong."

"I beg your pardon?"

"Don't play stupid, Anna," she sneered, "I know what's been going on between you two."

Anna swallowed, "I don't know what you're talking about..."

Mercedes shoved Anna's shoulder, "I'm only going to tell you this once: stay away from my man."

Anna remained petrified on the spot as Mercedes walked away. HER man? Did this mean Ryan had a girlfriend? And now, she, living with Ryan and being with his child, made her a homewrecker? All these thoughts came rushing so fast she thought she might keel over.

This was too much to take in.

"So what did she want?" Julia asked, practically shouting over the screaming crowd.

Anna pursed her lips and lied, "She...she just wanted to know how I liked my new job here."

"Yeah, and what'd you say?" Julia continued, "SHIT! Cammy, move your heiny!"

"It's fine," Anna replied, "Oh my god...how was that NOT a penalty?"

"Come on, it was a clear hit, no big deal," Julia argued, "Come on, guys."

"HEY PRICE! YOU SUCK!"

Anna bit her lip, hoping she was just hearing things. Julia's eyes seemed to enflame, and became apparent that she wasn't. Damnit.

"YEAH, YOU HEARD ME- FISHER PRICE! YOU LITTLE PUSSY!"

"Jules, please don't-"

"THAT'S MY BOYFRIEND, YOU KNOW!" Julia shouted to the fan in the third row, "I'LL COME UP THERE IF YOU DON'T SHUT YOUR MOUTH!"

The girl continued, laughing with her Buffalo fan friends as they chanted, "FISHER PRICE! FISHER PRICE!"

Julia took off like a bullet just before the whistle was called. Anna covered her face with her hands. This had happened in Calgary before.

Thankfully, Carey Price could see from his net what was happening as they broke into a commercial break. He hollered to Cammallari, who skated over to the bench and pointed to the stands. Max Lapierre hopped off the bench and gestured to two security guards. Just as Julia had finished slapping the girl with her blow-up noisemaker, the guards escorted her back down to where Anna was standing.

"Lapierre said to stick you here, and if you act up again, you're staying in Buffalo for the night," one of them said, before walking back to their posts.

Needless to say, the shocked Buffalo fan didn't make fun of Price the rest of the night.

And she shouldn't- Carey finished with a 6-0 victory over the Sabres; a shocking feat for any Habs fan in the building. As the team gathered for a celebration, Julia squealed as Lapierre invited her onto the ice to hug Carey. It was an exciting night for them.

Ryan was bewildered in the dressing room, hardly saying a word to the press. He knew what threw him off: the whole time he was in net, he could not concentrate. Thoughts of Anna with him the night before raced through his mind seemingly by the thousands. The game just wasn't into him that night like it usually was. In fact, Ryan gave up by the third period.

Anna was aware of this, and she decided that she didn't want any part of the twisted relationship she was developing with Ryan. She waited outside for him to come out, so she could tell him exactly what was to be done. Of course, he walked out last.

"Anna, I think we need to talk." Ryan said first.

"Let's do this quick then," Anna replied, "I don't think we should sleep together anymore."

Ryan's mouth fell open, "I was about to say the same thing."

"Then don't continue," Anna said, getting in the car, "Mercedes told me about you two, and I don't want to be caught in the middle."

"Mercedes?" Ryan was confused.

"Don't play games, Ryan," Anna said exhaustedly, "I don't want this. You just should have said you had a girlfriend and I would have respected that. Better yet, found my own place." She opened the car door and got out, "I'm going to walk, tonight. When you come up with a good explanation, let me know."