Chapter 6 - How I Spent My Summer Vacation

Monday brought the final game of the World Junior Hockey Championships and we all gathered at Eric’s to watch the game. Team Canada vs. Team USA. Not the best hockey rivalry in history, but it was definitely getting there. After Salt Lake City and all. Unfortunately (and I know that your probably don’t pay attention to things like this Ms. Kulak) Team Canada lost 4-3 after being up 3-1 going into the third.

It was a disappointing game, and a disappointing day. But for some strange reason, I wasn’t really all that disappointed. In fact, I was actually kind of excited. The phenom (as I’d dubbed Crosby) would be home soon. And Mark had told me that we’d come over to Erik’s as soon as he got back so we could hang out. Mark had apparently given him his nickname (Darryl, after some old hockey player who scored an insane amount of points in some game) and was apparently a good friend of the phenom’s.

School had gone back too, so that meant I had to start worrying about school. Sort of. Tante Amèlie had forgotten to get the Internet hooked up. So I couldn’t do anything until the guys came to hook the high speed up. So I hung out. I went to the gym, and surprised Mark by being **gasp** able to lift weights without breaking a nail (or being scared I was going to break a nail… I wasn’t sure what impressed him more).

Either way, on Wednesday night, right before Rimouski left for a two-day road trip to Lewiston, Mark and I headed over to Eric’s where everyone was going to see the medal. Personally I could have cared less about the silver medal. I wanted to see the guy. He was all anyone in this town could talk about.

“You do know that Catrine and her friends are going to be there too right?” Mark asked as he watched me put on a pair of, well hooker boots. I had also spent the past couple of days doing the shopping thing.

He was amused. I could tell. “Well I did threaten to shove my foot up her ass.” I replied, grinning at the somewhat surprised look on his face. I had failed to mention to him that Eric had told me about that. “I figure if I’m going to do that its going to be with pointed boots that are gonna HURT.” I paused and grinned. “Oh yeah, and I’ll look hot to meet the phenom.”

Mark just laughed and said. “You are aware of course that you will not be the ONLY girl at this party who is interested in Darryl right?”

I laughed right back at him and flipped my hair over my shoulder. “Now Mark, I am not a complete moron.” I said. “Plus I am probably the only girl whose going to be there who doesn’t have to go to school in the morning AND who IS his age.” Then I grinned at him. “Plus I have your endorsement, so that’s got to count for something.”

Mark laughed. “Well hurry up doucette. We’re already late.”

“Honey you can’t make an entrance when you’re on time.” I said flippantly.

Mark rolled his eyes and waited as I gathered my things. Which really wasn’t much, my cell, and some cash, which I stashed in the pockets of my leather jacket. I pulled it on and Mark looked me over. “Screw the kid doucette.” He said, giving me a hug. “I’ll dump Catrine and date you myself.”

I laughed, knowing he was kidding. “I already love you and all Mark, because you’ve been so great to me since I moved out here. But you already told me I was way too high maintenance for you.” I winked at him as I walked up the stairs. “Besides, you date me and there goes all your fun on the road.”

Mark laughed again. I know it may seem a little weird, how well we were getting along, when really, we’d just met. But sometimes I’ve discovered you meet someone and you just, like click. That’s what happened with Mark and I. I knew that by the time the season was over, Mark and I would be friends forever, regardless of where we ended up. “But I like my fun on the road.” He whined as he opened the passenger door of his truck for me.

I patted him on the cheek condescendingly. “Well then honey, stick with Cat. She’s so happy to be dating an Ocèanic. By the way, what the FUCK is an Ocèanic?” I asked, having no clue. Then I continued before he could answer. “That she’ll let you get away with anything.” I paused. “Are you drafted yet?” I asked curiously. I knew Mark had been ripping it up while some of the guys were gone for the World Juniors… but I didn’t if he was headed for the NHL or not.

Mark shook his head with a smile. “An Ocèanic is, well nothing. O-C-E-A-N-I-Q-U-E.” He spelled for me. “Means something relating to the ocean. As for being drafted, I just turned 18 in November, and wasn’t eligible. I should go in the first three or four rounds this year though.”

I grinned. “So Cat’s looking out for the future huh?”

Mark just shook his head. “Lay off her a little okay?” He said. “I know she can be a bitch, but in towns like this, guys like me are one way for girls to get out. It’s not like living in a big city… or near one. There aren’t a ton of opportunities.”

I raised my eyebrows. “You mean she can’t go to CEGEP or University and get a good job?” I asked pointedly.

“Not everyone is a good student Nickie.” He replied. “So I know she’s a bitch, but please, just lay off her a little.”

I shrugged. “Fine.” I said, pouting a little, folding my arms across my chest. “But keep her the fuck away from me. I’m not going to take any shit from her.”

“She already promised.” Mark said. “Now don’t pout doucette please. I just don’t want to have to deal with a ton of arguing between the two of you all the time. I don’t like being stuck in the middle.” Then he grinned. “Plus I’d really like to get some tonight.”

I couldn’t help but grin as he said that. “Point taken.” I said.

When we pulled up to Eric and the phenom’s Mark got out and opened the passenger door of his truck for me. I smiled a little sadly as he did so, realizing that Coby could use a lesson in manners from Mark. Mark immediately noticed the look on my face and asked. “So did you break up with him yet?”

“Done and done.” I said with far more bravado then I was actually feeling. “Gotta have a clean slate when you’re about to meet a phenom.”

Mark laughed as we made our way into the kitchen of Eric’s place. As soon as I had my coat off a familiar voice came up beside me and wrapped an arm around my waist. “Lookin’ good sexy.”

I turned and kissed the guy on the cheek. It was Danny Stewart, one of the guys on the team, whom I’d met several times since I’d been in Rimouski. He was cute, with his shaggy blond hair. “How’s it going honey?” I replied.

“Better now.” He said, giving me the quick once over.

Mark shook his head and rolled his eyes. “I’m going to go find Catrine doucette.” He said. “Danny, you’ll take care of Nickie, and make sure to introduce her to Darryl?”

“She’s in great hands.” Danny said grinning, wrapping his arms around my waist.

With skill that comes only from much practice, I wriggled out of his hold. “So you gonna introduce me to the phenom or not Danny?”

Danny did his best to look forlorn. “Why do they always want to meet Darryl?” He asked Alex who had wandered into the kitchen. “I’m a Montreal Canadiens draft pick.”

I giggled. “If you have to ask, you’re never going to know Danny.” I said, smiling flirtatiously.

Alex shrugged. “He’s young, and he’s famous, and he’s only going to get more famous and rich as he gets older. For most girls that enough.”

“Uh-uh honey.” I said, shaking my head. “My Daddy is Alberta oil and I’m an only child. Money I have plenty of, and fame I don’t need.”

“So if you don’t want money or his fame, why are you interested in Darryl?” Danny asked.

“Yes.” A distinctly female voice said. “Why are you interested in Sidney?”

I turned and found myself facing an pair of incredibly black eyes that shot daggers at me. She was gorgeous. Coal black eyes and hair and nice features. “What does it matter to you?” I asked, flipping my hair (as blond as hers was black) over my shoulder.

“It matters Nee-cole.” She said, deliberately pronouncing my name. “Because Sidney is MINE. So keep your dirty Anglophone hands off him.”

I rolled my eyes, and took Danny’s arm. “Danny are you gonna introduce me to the phenom? Or are we going to stand here all night?”

“Let’s go then sexy.” He said, leading me to the living room, where, from what I could gather, the phenom was holding court.

“Who was that?” I asked as soon as we were out of earshot.

“Bianca Giancarlo.” Danny said looking rather like he admired the pretty bitch.

“And her claim on the phenom?” I demanded, trying to get the lay of the land so to speak.

“None that I know of.” Danny said with a shrug. “They went out a couple of times in like, September or something, but Darryl’s been busy having, um, fun.”

I laughed. “Good.”

“Good?” Danny said, stopping to stare at me.

“Yes good.” I said, carefully adjusting my hair. “This way, when he falls for me, he’s totally not going to know what hit him. I like that element of surprise.”

“Sexy there is no way you could surprise anyone.” He said confidently.

“Oh really.” I replied, eyebrows raised. “I’m not going to be insulted by the idea that you think I’m transparent, but honey, Ima let you in on a little secret.” I pulled him towards me and whispered softly in his ear. “I’m a virgin.”

“No way in hell!” Danny replied, looking me over. “There is no way that someone who….”

He trailed off as I interrupted him. “That someone who dresses the way I do could possibly be a virgin?" I asked, eyes twinkling.

He grinned sheepishly at me. “Well yeah.”

“Well then.” I said, a smug grin on my face. “Let that be the first of many surprises from me to you, honey.”

“Now I’m scared.” Danny replied, reacting more to the look on my face then anything else. “But if you want to meet Darryl, Darryl you’re gonna meet.”

I smiled smugly as he led me into the living room where the phenom was clearly holding court, seated on the couch, wearing a medal around his neck. “Hey Darryl.” Danny said, walking in. “I brought someone to meet you.”

“Who?” He asked, not bothering to look away from the pretty girls surrounding him.

“Well Mark, Eric, Alex and I….” Danny started.

“Oh is this Tobin’s billet’s niece?” He said, looking up at me, gorgeous chocolate brown eyes meeting mine briefly, appearing, of all things, uninterested.

“Umm yeah.” Danny said, noticing that I was briefly taken aback.

“Nice meeting you.” He said shaking my hand briefly in a way that told me I was dismissed.

Now that I was dismissed, I was completely floored. He was dismissing me? Not likely. I smiled as if I didn’t get that he had dismissed me. “Nice meeting you too….” I said. “Umm what did you say your name was?” I asked.

Now he looked up at me with interest. Guys are so fricking predictable Ms. Kulak. If they think you aren’t interested, then they are. “Are you serious?” He replied.

I looked at him as if he wasn’t quite right. “I wouldn’t have asked if I didn’t want to know.” I said.

“I’m Sidney….” He said, offering me his hand to shake again. “Sidney Crosby.” He paused. “And I didn’t catch your name. Who did you say you were?”

Flipping my hair over my shoulder and switching my hips I turned and walked away, winking at Danny as I did so. “I didn’t.”