Chapter 17 - An American Flavour

He surprised me by not letting me down. The pre-season game for Rimouski was to be played in early September. Sidney wouldn’t be playing he told me, but he’d been extremely busy with the team. Still though, Sidney managed to find time to spend with me whenever he could. I was spending a lot of time studying, mainly because I quickly found that my grasp of the written language was not sufficient to go to school in French.
Most of the guys thought that Sidney was absolutely crazy. I mean, he had the opportunity to get as much ass as he wanted here. He was the phenom, Canada’s beloved phenom. Any girl would be more then happy to do, well whatever he wanted her to do for the opportunity to say she’d been with him. Yet he’d already tied himself down to one girl.
None of the guys on the team could understand it. So one night when Sidney and I were hanging out at my house kissing and cuddling he came up with an idea. “You should throw a party next weekend.” He announced.
“That’s impossible Sid.” I replied, snuggling closer to him. “There is no way that I can get a party planner and a venue together in less then a week.”
Sidney rolled his eyes. “Not that kind of party Kally.” He said. “Not that those aren’t fun or anything… and I think you should throw your Halloween party here if you get a chance… Halloween is a Friday this year, but I think we play Saturday night. Maybe throw the party on Saturday night.”
“Well if I’m not throwing that kind of party what kind of party should I throw?” I asked.
“Just a house party Kal. So the guys can get to know you.” He said. “I mean, other then Eric, and Marc-Antoine, Mark, Danny and Dany, none of the guys have really even seen you.”
“Marc-Antoine, Mark, Danny Stewart and Dany Roussin… those were the guys who were with you that first day right?” I asked, trying to remember.
“Yep.” Sidney replied. “Three of them are drafted… Mark’s draft year is this year. I’ll probably play on a line with Marc-Antoine and Dany Roussin.”
I nodded, not really that interested. “So what should I do to have a house party?” I asked. “I’ve never thrown one, and I mean, I’ve seen them in movies and all, but somehow, well Hollywood is so not my thing.”
Sidney laughed. “Just open up the house. The guys who want to drink will bring their own booze, and if you have some music going or whatever, I’ll tell the guys and then they’ll come to inspect you.”
I shook my head with a smile. “And what if I’m not good enough for you kid?” I asked.
Sidney rolled his eyes and shook his head. “Like that’s even possible baby.” He murmured, covering my mouth with his.
I kissed him back with everything I had. “I’m sure some of the guys won’t like me kid.” I told him realistically. “Some of them will sniff me out for what I was.”
Sidney shrugged. “And if they do, I’ll set them straight.” He promised. “Besides as long as we’re happy together, its none of their business.”
I kissed him softly. “Where on earth am I going to get Cris in this town?”
Sidney laughed. “Somehow baby I know that we’re going to have a good time Saturday. Be sure to invite some of the girls from school. The guys love girls.”
I chuckled. “What guys don’t?” I asked.
“Good point.” He said. “So I can tell the guys to be here next Saturday?”
That’s how, early on a late August Saturday evening I found myself directing the caterer, and the people my Dad had sent up with the alcohol. I’d decided to pay for most of the alcohol, because, well it was the least I could do. And there had to be a buffet. With that much alcohol it was a necessity as far as I was concerned.
Sidney told me he’d come over with Eric and they didn’t disappoint me, they were there by 7, just after all my Dad’s people had left, and they found me munching on a chicken salad with a glass of Cris in one hand, the music blaring. I’d given Sidney a key to the house that first night and I jumped in surprise.
“Fuck kid.” I said, licking the spilled Cris off my hand. “You scared me.”
Sidney kissed me softly, licking the Cris off my lips. “We knocked.” He said with a shrug. “You couldn’t hear us.”
I kissed him back and then shrugged. “I was enjoying the new CDs that my Dad sent me.” I said. “He was in Saudi Arabia and found some music he thought I might like.”
Sidney shook his head, eyes wide as he gazed at the earrings I was wearing. “And did he buy those in Saudi Arabia too?” He asked.
“Yes.” I said with a smile. “Sid, my Dad sent the jet with a wine cellar full of Cris, Courvoisier, Bacardi, Absolut, Hennessy, Jack Daniels, and Jose Cuervo. I’m a spoiled brat.”
Eric looked at me. “You have Courvoisier?”
“You want?” I asked, looking at the box of domestic beer in his hand.
“Sure.” He said. He eyed the buffet and then grinned at Sidney. “You weren’t lying.”
Sidney grinned and wrapped an arm around my shoulders. “Told you I’d found a girl that I could be accused of using before anyone could accuse her of using me.”
“You want a drink too kid?” I asked, squeezing his hand in mine.
“A glass of Cris would be nice Kally.” He said, eyeing my crystal glasses wearily. “But I would suggest that you put the crystal away. It’s going to get broken.”
I nodded, and poured us all drinks. “Is everyone coming?” I asked, as the doorbell rang.
“I think so….” Sidney said as he went to open the door.
“Just leave it open Sid.” I called as I nervously downed my glass of Cris.
Eric grinned at me as he sipped his drink. “Damn this is smooth.” He said.
I grinned back. “Only the best for Daddy’s little girl Eric.” I toasted.
He chuckled. “Cheers.”
“Kally come here baby.” Sidney called from the living room.
“Just a second.” I replied, downing another glass of Cris.
“You keep that up and you’re going to be drunk very quickly.” Eric pointed out.
“I can only hope.” I muttered as I wandered into the living room.
“Kally there’s some people here that I’d like you to meet.” Sidney said, reaching for and squeezing my hand. I smiled up at him. He knew that I was nervous and he was trying to help me out. “Umm je veut vous introduire a ma chum Kally.” He said to the guys. “Kally this is Marc-Antoine Pouliot.”
I reached forward and shook the hand of skinny guy with curly, dirty blonde dyed hair and a big nose. “Nice to meet you.”
“Toi aussi.” He said with a smile.
“Dany Roussin.” Sidney said.
I shook the hand of guy with dark hair and a fat face. “Nice to meet you.” I repeated.
“You too.” He said, his look appraising.
“Mark Tobin.” Sidney continued. Now he was a cutie-pie with longer curling blonde hair and a nice smile.
“Nice to meet you.” I said again, not sure what else to say.
“Nice too meet you too.” He said, his eyes roaming appreciatively.
Sidney glared at him and pulled me closer to him. I giggled. I hadn’t really dressed up for this, but I did make sure that I looked good in jeans, Manalos, and a gorgeous pink silk tank top that my Dad bought in Hong Kong. “This is Patrick Columbe.” He said.
“A pleasure.” The guy said, grinning wickedly at Sidney. He was cute, with short, curly messy hair and bright eyes.
I laughed. “Nice to meet you too.” I said.
“And Danny Stewart.” He said.
Danny had naturally blonde shaggy hair and slightly bucked teeth. His hair was wild, like he never bothered to comb it or anything. It was cute in a way. “Hi.” I said, shaking his hand, deciding that I had to change it up a little bit.
He nodded his approval. “How’s it going?” He asked with an easy grin (his teeth were a little crooked too I noticed).
“Not too bad thanks.” I said with a smile, feeling more relaxed now. “You guys can put your alcohol in the kitchen, and feel free to drink anything in the fridge, but don’t touch my Cris.” I warned them with another smile.
“Cris?” Marc-Antoine asked.
“Cristal.” Sidney replied, taking a swig of his out of the plastic cup he was drinking out of. He grinned at me softly. “She’s a pretentious bitch, but she’s my pretentious bitch.”
I shrugged, sticking my tongue out at him. “I am also the pretentious bitch who paid for everything tonight kid.” I said. “Well either me or my Dad.” I could see a look pass through some of the guys. I shrugged it off. “Yes, I’m a spoiled little rich girl.” I told them, reading the look. “But I spent five and half years in purgatory before coming here. I deserve a little fun.”
“Purgatory?” Dany’s ears perked up.
“Also known as Shattuck St. Mary’s.” Sidney filled in. “And it wasn’t that bad, Kally is just exaggerating.”
I rolled my eyes. “It wasn’t that bad if you’re the hockey phenom. I lived there year round for nearly six years.” I pointed out. “Even so kid, you didn’t exactly want to spend another year there now did you?”
“Year round?” Mark asked. “Why?”
I shrugged. “Parenting is far too much work for Upper East Side New Yorkers and wannabe Supreme Court Justices.” I said. “Dad was off dealing with my Grandparents foreign business interests, Mom was busy trying to get appointed a judge, and I was both safe and out of their way at Shattuck’s.”
The guys clearly did not understand where I was coming from, but they all nodded. I took a long swig of my drink. “So Kally, umm not to be rude or anything….” Danny said, looking sort of embarrassed as if he’d been chosen to ask the question (which he probably had been). “How old are you? Sid says you’re in University, which makes you a couple of years older then him at least…”
Sidney and I rolled our eyes at the same time. “You could have just asked me.” Sidney said. “I would have told you the truth.”
Danny shrugged and they all waited for my answer. “I’m 17.” I said. “I’ll be 18 in December.” I laughed and shook my head. “I’ve got a late birthday.”
Danny nodded and the guys all looked at each other as I shook my head. I leaned over and kissed Sidney softly on the earlobe. “I’m going to get another drink.” I whispered, enjoying the feel of his arms as they wrapped around me.
“You don’t mind if I turn on Sportscentre do you baby?” He asked.
“Nope.” I said. “Hell, break out the PS2 and the Xbox if you want kid.”
So with that, the party got underway. Sidney pulled out the PS2 and the guys played some video games while I sat around with a couple of girls from school who’d promised they’d show up the minute I said the word “Ocèanic”. Apparently the Nics (pronounced “niques”) were a huge deal in this town.
More and more guys showed up as the night progressed and I was introduced to them all. Either by Sidney or by Mark, Danny or Patrick… those three worked hard to make me feel welcome. I could tell that neither Marc-Antoine nor Dany were entirely sure what to make of me. Some of the other guys like Guillaume the Goalie (there was another Guillaume on the team) and Philippe seemed to agree with them.
I shrugged it off. I was drunk and I was going to have a good time, whether they wanted me too or not. By about 3:30, most people were on their way out, and I had apparently met every single guy on the team, a few of their girlfriends, and some of the girls from school were busy in the guestrooms with some of the non-attached guys.
Sidney and I were in the kitchen, putting away what was left of my alcohol, and the booze that people had left behind when Eric came in and announced he was either leaving or passing out on my couch. “I should go baby.” Sidney whispered, pulling me close.
“Don’t…” I whispered. “Spend the night… please?”
Sidney ran a hand through his hair. “I’m not so sure that’s a good idea baby.” He whispered, his lips blazing a path down my throat. “I don’t know if I’ll be able to control myself….”
“Please?” I asked pouting up at him. “I want to wake up in your arms Sidney… please sweetie….”
Eric rolled his eyes. “Prendre une decision s’il vous plait.” He slurred drunkenly. “’Suis ivre et je veut dormir.”
“Reste ici.” I said deciding for us. “I’ll clear a guestroom for you Eric, and put fresh sheets on it.”
“Kally are you sure baby?” Sidney asked.
“Hmmm… let me think…..” I said sarcastically. “Would I rather wake up alone or next to my drop dead gorgeous boyfriend?”
Sidney grinned and kissed me softly. “Point well taken.” He said. “We’re staying the night.” He told Eric. “Come on….” He whispered hotly in my ear pulling me towards my bedroom. “I want you all to myself Kally.”