twelve.

"Don't stop, don't stop, don't stop!" Roxanne moaned into Lander's neck. He was on top of her on the couch, pressing himself in and out as fast as he could, pinning her wrists down. No chance in hell would he stop.

Until Mandy walked in.

"OH MY FUCKING GOD!" Mandy screamed, her hands flying to her face, "MY EYES!"

"Godammit!" Roxanne shrieked, throwing Lander off her and onto the floor, "You're home early!"

Lander grinned and stood up, his hard-on completely visible, "How'd it go?"

"I said I'd be home by eleven, oh my freaking GOD that is disgusting!" Mandy shook her head, her back turned, "Put something on, fucking shit!"

Roxy tossed at pillow at Lander to cover his manhood, while she pulled on her clothes quickly, "I'm sorry, I miscalculated the time."

"We have a strict no boys rule here, Roxanne," Mandy said angrily, "And on top of that, I'm going to have to disinfect the couch."

"Don't worry, we already cleaned it." Lander blurted. Roxanne shot him a dirty look.

"You, put on your clothes, go home," Mandy said, "Seriously."

Roxy crossed her arms, "Mandy, be nice, it's my fault, I just think it's better that we not have it at work, you know? So bitchface won't catch us. I was just being safe!"

Mandy sighed, "Well, when you put it that way..."

Lander, who was now fully dressed, hunched when he walked to the front door to get his shoes, "Sorry, Mandy. Next time I'll bring her to my place."

Mandy shook her head, "No big deal, I just would have preferred to not see my friend fucking her boyfr-" Lander's cheeks flushed pink, but he seemed relieved when she chose not to finish the word. "I mean, fuckbuddy."

"Ok, well, I'll see you both at work tomorrow," he shot Roxy a smile, "Have a good night."

The second the door closed, Mandy's mouth dropped open, "You were totally right."

"About?"

"Lander's a big boy."

Roxy sighed, "I know, right?"


-


The next day, the locker room was filled with talk about the Oilers' opening game, which was going to be in two weeks. The team had been working well together in practice; Rexall Place was being cleaned and groomed to perfection for the home opener and the smaller arena was packed with fans eager to see the rookies practicing. It seemed Taylor, Jordan, Magnus and Lander were the main attractions.

Ryan Jones was one of the older guys on the team and had taken to the interns quite well. He was always making jokes, which made their slightly humiliating, degrading job a little less horrible. Jones was all smiles that morning when Roxanne walked in with her portfolio.

"Oooh, what's that?" Jones poked and prodded at the brown envelope she was carrying.

"My portfolio," she replied, smacking his hand away, "For school."

"Sweet, what school you applying to?"

"The Art Institute of California."

Jones raised his eyebrows and nodded, "WELL. We have some higher education here, people. Bow down or get out."

Roxy laughed, "Seriously, I'm still working on an application, nothing's set in stone."

"So if you're an artist, why you working for a hockey club?" Dustin Penner asked, settling in his stall next to Jones.

"The pay's good and it gets me out of the house," Roxy replied honestly.

"That and she gets to hang around with us studs all day," Jones puffed out his chest. Roxy rolled her eyes.

"So you have to finish a portfolio and then they judge your art?" Jordan Eberle quipped, passing through to the other side of Jones, "Seems unfair to judge art."

"That's the deal," Roxanne sighed, "I just hope mine's good enough. I'm finished everything but one piece." She lifted the sheet and her eyes fell to the bottom of the list, the only thing she had not completed: CHARCOAL RENDERED NUDE SKETCH. Where the hell was she going to find someone to pose naked?

Her thoughts were broken by a high-pitched girl voice.

"...and that's why I'm thinking we should just have it at Rouge, it's easier," Petra continued, "You're getting this, right?"

Geraldine was struggling to keep up with her Blackberry in hand, "Yeah yeah, it's going down..."

Petra stopped when she saw Mandy come around the corner and stand next to Roxanne.

"Rookie party," Petra said with a pursed smile, "Sorry, no interns invited."

"Shame," Mandy shook her head, "Because I really wanted to see your desperate little skank ass throwing yourself at the guys."

Petra shrugged, "I could have any one I want." Seeing Lander nearby, she grabbed him, "Luckily, I already do." Mandy saw Roxanne visibly shudder.

"Leave her alone, Petra," Jordan sighed.

"I don't need you to defend me." Mandy told him.

"Eberle, you're invited. Rouge on Third, make sure all the rookies get the invite. Doors open at midnight." Petra clasped Lander's arm, leaving white marks, "And if either of you little interns show up, I'll be sure to tell the bouncers to throw you out on your asses."

Those words being said, Petra walked off with Geraldine close behind. Lander reluctantly had to follow, casting a longing look at Roxy as he was dragged away.

"I didn't want to go to her party anyway," Jones huffed, going back to lacing his skates.

"But she invited you," Roxanne noted.

"I'm a sophomore," Jones explained, "Luckily I've got a date tonight."

Mandy crossed her arms, "Oh yeah? Who's the lucky lady?"

"Her name is Valerie, she's blonde, beautiful and stunning for five years old," Jones said with a smile, "My niece. Promised my sister I'd take her tonight."

Mandy laughed, "That's really nice of you."

"I love kids," Jones said with a nod, "However, if I were you, I'd go to the club anyway. Piss her off."

"But she said there were bouncers-"

"There's a back entrance," Jones explained, "Just go through the sub shop washroom next door, climb out of the window and the door is right next to the blue dumpster. It's always open."

"You say that like you've done it before," Taylor said as he walked by, his hand gently touching Mandy's shoulder. She smirked.

"Oh I did, tons of times last year," Jones said eagerly, "I mean it. Foolproof."

"It'll be boring with Petra and her friends," Jordan said, avoiding eye contact with Mandy, "I mean...at least you two have brains."

"Got more than that..." Jordan said under his breath. Roxy shot him a look.

"I think it's a great idea," Taylor said, "You two just go with us, we'll meet you at the back door to let you in, you know, just to be safe."

"So you're gonna sneak us in?" Roxy's eyes grew wide.

"That's the idea," Jordan grinned, "This is gonna be fun!"