Chapter 49 - How I Spent My Summer Vacation

Sidney and I weren’t in Nova Scotia for very long. Basically, we were there long enough for his friends to approve me and to finish off the school year. It was only a month and then I was off to Rimouski to spend a couple of weeks with Mark and Michelle and B. I’d been there all of a week and a half before Sidney called and told me that his Dad had decided he was going to go to the LA King mini-camp and he wanted me to come with him.

It seemed a little odd to me. I mean, he was only 16… almost 17 technically, but still, he wasn’t draft eligible for another year. And the way things sounded to me, it didn’t sound like there was going to be an NHL this year, so I wasn’t sure why any team was holding any kind of training camp, or why they would want Sidney there.

But I knew that I had to go to the Ranch in August. Dad had made that perfectly clear to me several times. Ocèanic training camp was set to start in mid-August – right after Sid’s birthday. Which meant that if I didn’t go with him to LA that the time we spent together in Halifax was probably going to be the last time that I would see him until God only knew when.

I couldn’t very well let them happen, so I headed back to Halifax to meet up with Sid and his family before we flew out to LA. I’ve been to Los Angeles before, so this wasn’t really anything new for me. I mean, Sidney and his family, there were all excited, but for me, this was really just a chance to do some killer shopping on Rodeo Drive before I headed back to Airdrie for the year.

I tried hard to get into to things and enjoy everything as much as they were, but it was nearly impossible. On the plane, the only thing that kept going through my mind was that this was possibly the last time I was going to see Sidney until Christmas, when he’d be playing with the World Junior team again.

When we hit the ground in LA we were immediately taken to the hotel, where, to my surprise, Sidney and I had been put in the same room. As our bags were brought up by a team of hotel staff, I glanced over at him. “Umm why are we in the same room?” I asked. “I mean, your Mom won’t leave us alone in the basement for more then half an hour.” I pointed out. “How on earth did you get her to agree to this?”

Sidney shrugged, with a wolfish grin. “It’s a suite Nickie.” He told me. “There are two bedrooms. We just won’t be using both.”

I chuckled and shook my head. “Note to self, go in and mess up the other bed so it looks slept in in the mornings.”

Sidney grinned and yanked me into one of the bedrooms. “It’s been over two weeks.” He mumbled, his lips sliding over mine. “If you want to make both beds look slept in we can make love in this one and sleep in the other.”

I giggled as we fell onto the bed. Sidney made love to me tenderly and gently. I loved being with him. When we were together I felt like we could conquer the world. When we were apart? Well then I felt lost and scared.

When we were done, we lay cuddled together for some time before the phone rang. Sid rolled over and answered it quickly. “Hello?” He said. “Yeah, sorry Mom, Nickie and I were just unpacking. Yeah, umm give us 45 minutes okay? Nickie says she wants a shower. Okay, yeah I know.” Sid rolled his eyes. “I know I have to be at the rink. Okay. Okay. See you then. Bye.”

I raised my eyebrows. “Nickie wants a shower?”

Sidney shrugged. “I couldn’t very well say, ‘hey mom, we just had sex, give us some time to clean up okay?’” He pointed out.

I giggled. “But why is it always my fault?” I said in a whiny voice, teasing him.

“Because my Mom won’t yell at you.” He told me kissing my nose. He smacked my ass gently. “Now go and take a shower before I decide that I have to take you again.”

I rolled my eyes. “I thought you’d be joining me.” I said with a teasing smile.

“I’m going to.” Sidney said, lounging naked on the bed, his hands behind his head. “I just want to enjoy the view first.”

I rolled my eyes and tossed a towel at him. “Well if you aren’t there from the beginning then you miss out on any opportunity for fun because once I’m clean you ain’t getting any until tonight phenom.”

Sidney pouted. “No fair.” He said.

I threw a pillow at him. “You’ve got hockey practice all afternoon Sid.” I pointed out. “Like you’re going to have time to have sex again before tonight. If you aren’t too tired that is.”

Sidney jumped off the bed and wrapped his arms around me tightly. “There are some things in life that I will never ever be too tired for.” He said pointedly.

I giggled as we headed into the shower. Forty five minutes later, true to Sidney’s word, we met him and his parents (and Pat, his agent) in the lobby of the hotel. “Sorry we’re late.” Sidney apologized for us.

“You’re right on time.” Pat said. “But we need to hurry if we’re going to get you to the rink on time.”

He hurried us out of the hotel and into a waiting limo. We headed over to the rink where the Kings were holding training camp. Sid was having a really rough time sitting still. It was really cute. When we got to the rink, Sidney was whisked away to the dressing room while one of the women there looked me over carefully. “You must be Nicole.” She said with a big, fake smile. “I’m Cassie… Ricky Petiot’s girlfriend.”

“Nice to meet you.” I said, somewhat awkwardly, unsure of how she’s heard of me.

“You too.” She said. “I’m supposed to give you the tour.”

“The tour?” I asked, eyebrows raised.

Cassie shrugged. “Girlfriends have to know their way around too.” She said.

“Oh.” I replied. “Well Sid hasn’t even been drafted yet, so I’m not sure why it matters.” I told her. “Not that I don’t appreciate the offer and all, but maybe I should stay with Trina, Troy and Taylor.”

“They’re being taken care of.” Cassie said impatiently.

I sighed and shook my head. “Fine, whatev.” I said, rolling my eyes.

We turned a corner and Cassie turned on me. “Listen here brat.” She snapped. “I don’t particularly like giving up my day to chaperone a snot-nosed 16-year old around. I’d appreciate it if you’d leave the attitude alone.”

I rolled my eyes again. “And I didn’t ask you to chaperone me.” I told her. “I just want to go shopping. I don’t care about the LA Kings yet. Sidney isn’t a King. He isn’t a Kings draft pick. He’s an Ocèanic for at least the next year. After that? Then I’ll start worrying about NHL clubs.”

Cassie snorted. “If he’s still with you.” She said pointedly.

“Yeah whatev.” I said, shaking my head. “Now let’s get this show on the road. I’ve got some shopping to do on Rodeo Drive.”

“I hate to burst your bubble Nicole, but since your boy is an Ocèanic and not a pro he doesn’t exactly have the money to support any shopping sprees.” She snapped angrily.

I yawned. “Unlike some people, my boyfriend doesn’t have to support my shopping sprees. That’s what my Daddy is for.”

“I don’t know what kind of money your Dad makes, but I highly doubt its enough for Rodeo Drive.” She snapped.

I just shrugged. “Believe what you like.” I said. “Now let’s get this over with.”

“Well first off, there are some things you need to know.” She said pointedly. “Wives sit over there.” She pointed to a location close to the bench. “Only wives. Fiancées are next, then girlfriends. The pucks hang out by the dressing room and only the pucks. If you hang out down there you’ll be labeled a puck and not a girlfriend.”

I shrugged. “I really don’t care what people think I am.” I said. “I know what’s going on with Sid and I and that’s all that matters.”

She shook her head. “Oh to be young and naïve again.” She said with a sigh. Cassie stopped walking and turned to look at me. “Looking, honey, this is a cutthroat business, whether you’re a player or a girlfriend. There are women every where who are going to throw themselves at your man because he’s an NHL player.”

I sighed. “There are girls who already throw themselves at Sidney because of who he is.” I paused. “I’ve dealt with it in Quèbec and in Alberta and I’ll deal with it wherever Sidney ends up.”

“It’s not the same.” Cassie said shaking her head. “But you’ll see that tonight.”

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“We’re supposed to take you and the kid out tonight. Show you all the advantages that LA has to offer a phenom like Sidney.” Cassie said. “VIP treatment and all.”

“You’re supposed too?” I asked with a bit of a smirk, raising my eyebrows. “I thought your boy was only a prospect.”

“Craig Conroy and his wife are coming along.” She said stiffly. “He just signed with the team.”

I smirked. “Now that makes sense.”

“Is your boyfriend as arrogant as you are?” Cassie snapped. “Because if he is, he’s going to have a huge target on his back. One of these guys is going to flatten him, just so they can say that they flattened the phenom.”

“I’ve got enough ego for both of us.” I said with a shrug and a smirk. “And Sid already has a target on his back. That’s no big thing for him. He’s used to it.”

“Not from guys this big.” She muttered warningly. “So tell the phenom to watch out. He shouldn’t even be here.”

“Apparently someone from the Kings thinks differently.” I said with a sugary sweet smile.

Cassie shook her head. “This is a business.” She snapped. “And a 16 year old kid doesn’t deserve to be here.”

“Well he’s almost 17 if that makes you feel better.” I told her, flipping my hair over my shoulder. “So how’d you get stuck with me?” I asked. “Because I clearly didn’t want this anymore then you did.”

Cassie shrugged. “The organization wants you and Sidney to feel at home so that Sidney wants to come here if the lockout that’s going to happen results in him becoming a free agent.”

I burst out laughing. “If Sid’s a free agent there’s only going to be one team he really wants to sign with – sure he’ll look at other options, but Sid bleeds the red, white and blue of the Montrèal Canadiens.”

“He’ll go where the money is.” She snapped. “That’s what they all do.”

I shrugged. Let her believe what she wanted to. It was easier that way. I knew Sidney well enough to know that he would go where his heart was, not where the money was. “So what do you do all day?” I asked.

“I work.” She snapped angrily. “Only wives get to sit around and spend the money.”

I shrugged. “I was just asking.”

“Cassie!” A voice called.

“Aurora, Jane!” Cassie said with a fake smile turning.

“Who is she?” One of them asked.

“This is Nicole.” Cassie said rolling her eyes. “Sidney Crosby’s latest fling.”

I raised my eyebrows. “Honey, you don’t know my boy at all, so watch who you’re referring to as a fling. I’m the only girlfriend Sid’s ever had that’s lasted more then a month.”

“A month?” The girl snorted. “Honey you’re a fling.”

I rolled my eyes. “We’ve been together since February.” I informed her snottily. “Not that its any of your business. Though we’re going to hit six months right away. Considering the fact that we both just finished Grade 11, I’d say that’s pretty damned good.”

“I’ve been with Ricky since Grade 10.” Cassie snapped. “That’s even better.”

“Is this a pissing competition?” I asked with a bored yawn. “Because I prefer to leave shit like that to the guys.” I said indicating the guys on the ice. “If you want to engage in that kind of immature behaviour, I’d suggest you do it with someone else.” I paused. “I know exactly what I have with Sidney and I know exactly what’s going on in our relationship, so I really don’t care what you think.”

“You will.” Cassie predicted. “When he’s in this league or the AHL and he’s doing it up.”

“Doing what up?” I asked, feeling bored.

“Them.” Cassie said pointing towards the tunnel, where the girls she’d told me were pucks were waiting. “Because sooner or later, they all do one up.”