Part 18 - Pure Gold

Fortunately the hotel ballroom was available, and I was able to get a couple of Country Music CDs from some of the guys. All of them laughed when I told them what they were for and said they might stop in, if only to laugh. I giggled and told them to give us a little bit of time, since Sid was shy and all.

“Do I have to learn to do this?” Sidney whined as soon as I stepped into the ballroom with the CDs.

“Yes.” I said, putting on “Dust On the Bottle” by David Lee Murphy. “It’s really not that hard Sid.” I said, moving to the music. “All it is, is quick, quick, slow, slow. See?” I demonstrated again. “There’s a simple box step.”

Sid looked at me. “I have no clue what you’re talking about.”

I shook my head and turned off the music. “Okay, you have less rhythm then I anticipated from a hockey player, and believe me, I didn’t anticipate much.”

Sidney looked mournful. “Gee thanks Drew.”

“Let’s start with something simple.” I said, stepping forward. “The box step. It’s not very complicated.” I said. “Here, stand in front of me.”

Sidney moved so he was standing in front of me. “Now what do I do?”

“You follow me.” I replied. “Quick, quick, slow, slow.”

We got through quick, quick before Sidney stepped on my foot. “Sorry! Sorry!” He said, looking as panicked as he sounded.

“It’s okay Sidney.” I said smiling at him reassuringly. “It’s just my foot.”

Sighing in defeat he ran a hand through his hair. “I told you Drew, I can’t do this.” He said irritated.

I placed a gentle hand on his cheek. “Sidney, look at me, sweetie.” I said. “You can do this.” I told him. “It just takes some patience.”

He smiled at me, his fingers catching my hand. “I know baby.” He whispered. “I just don’t like looking like a moron in front of you.”

I pulled my hand away as he started to caress my hand with his. “You don’t look like a moron Sid. You just look like a guy who can’t dance. And trust me; there are plenty of those out there.”

“Haha.” He said sarcastically.

“Let’s try again. But this time, put your hand up like this.” I said, showing up how to hold his left arm, his palm up.

“Why?” He asked doing as I’d asked him anyway.

“Because we’re going to try the closed dance position.” I said, placing my hand in his and my other hand on his shoulder. “Maybe that will help you not step on my feet. Put your hand on the small of my back.”

“Now what?” He asked.

“Now we try again.” I said, smiling up into his eyes. “Quick, quick, slow, slow.” I said stepping.
“There you go!” I praised him. “Quick, quick, slow, slow. Quick, quick, slow, slow.”

“This really isn’t so hard.” Sidney said, having found the rhythm.

“Ooof.” I said, bumping into a table. “Umm Sid, this might not be the right time to mention that you’re supposed to be leading.”

“Sorry Drew.” He mumbled looking embarrassed again.

I smiled at him. “Sid, it’s not a big deal. You act like no one’s ever forgotten to lead, or stepped on my foot before.” I paused, as he smiled slightly. “Now can we try again?” I asked.

“Yeah.” He said.

“This time though, you lead.” I said. “Make sure to use slight pressure on my lower back to indicate that I’m supposed to turn. Most of the time people move counter clockwise on the dance floor.” He nodded. “Okay, so, quick, quick, slow, slow.”

We danced without music for about five minutes, before I smiled up at him. “See sweetie, I told you that you could do this.”

He smiled down at me. “I’ve had a good teacher.” He replied.

“Are you ready for music?” I asked.

“I think so.” He replied, looking unsure. “Are you sure I’m ready Drew?”

“Of course I am.” I answered, smiling reassuringly up at him. “Now most music has a four beat count, and all the country music we two-step too is no exception.” I explained. “That’s why we count out the steps in sets of four. So you have to listen for the one beat. Usually most people have to wait through the first count for the second or third before they find the rhythm. I’m going to count and then you and I are going start dancing.”

Sidney looked a little panicked. “Are you sure I can handle this without stepping on your feet?”

I shrugged. “My toes can handle it.” I said smiling. “Now come on you big baby. You’re never going to learn how to dance with music if you don’t have the balls to try.”

“Are you disparaging my manhood?” He asked with a grin.

“Umm in a word. Yes.” I said with my face set seriously. “In fact, last time I checked, legally, you’re still just a boy.”

He glared at me. “You’re going to pay for that when I’m 18.”

I smiled up at him wickedly. “I look forward to it.”

He smiled back at me. “So do I baby.”

I grinned at him and tossed my hair over my shoulder. “Of course you do. You’re looking forward to it far more then I am.”

“Damn straight.” He replied. “Because I’m going to show you exactly what you’ve been missing, fucking those old guys.”

“Who says I fuck old guys?” I replied eyebrows rose, knowing full well this banter could get me into a lot of trouble, but not caring at the moment. “In fact, the last guy I fucked was 20. Your last girl?”

“19.” He said with a nonchalant grin and shrug. “I like older women.”

“That’s not very old.” I replied.

“Well 20’s not very young.” He responded.

We both laughed. “Are we going to dance or not?” I asked.

Sidney shrugged. “Personally I’m enjoying imagining you naked.” He said.

I cuffed him lightly on the back of the head and pressed play on the CD player. “Let’s do this.” I said placing my hand in his. “One, two, three, four… ready?”

We started dancing. Sidney was shuffling more then anything. “Come on Sid.” I teased him gently. “Pick up your feet. You don’t skate like this I hope!”

He stuck his tongue out at me in reply. “Wasn’t it you who told me not to stick it out unless I was prepared to use it?”

He leaned down and licked my cheek before I could react. “Sidney!” I yelled.

“Well don’t tempt me Drew.” He said. “Now are we dancing or what?”

“You need a chaperone.” I grumbled, changing the song.

“You wouldn’t be having nearly as much fun if I did though.” He said, smiling confidently at me.

“Ass.” I muttered. “Just for that I should go get D and tell him that you can’t keep your hands to yourself.”

“I am doing a very good job with my hands thank you.” Sidney replied petulantly. “It’s my tongue you can’t control.”

“That’s it.” I said, reaching for my purse and cell phone. “I’m calling D.”

“Awe come on Drew.” He said, holding me close. “I’m just teasing.”

“Sidney.” I said firmly. “You’ve got to lay off the touchy-feely stuff.”

He let me go so we were now a more appropriate distance apart. “I’m sorry baby.” He whispered, his eyes blazing into mine. “It’s just so hard to be near you and not to touch you.
You’re so beautiful.”

“Don’t think you can weasel your way out of this with flattery.” I said firmly. “Because it will get you nowhere.”

He sighed. “Well at least give me credit for trying.”

“I’ll give you brownie points good towards August 8th.” I said with a smile… the kind of smile that a girl smiles at a guy she’s falling in love with, I thought to myself as I caught sight of myself in one of the mirrors.

“Oooh.” He said grinning slyly in reply. “And what do those brownie points get me?” He asked.

“Crosby….” I said warningly.

“You started it.” He replied with infuriating logic.

“Are we going to stand here talking about when you turn 18 all day or are we going to dance?” I grumbled.

“Personally?” Sidney said with an irritating grin. “I would love to stand here all day and describe exactly what I plan to do to you when I turn 18, but somehow I think all that will result in is Dion Phaneuf causing me bodily harm. So I guess we can dance.”

“Thank you.” I replied. “Now… quick, quick, slow, slow.” I started counting again, having pressed play.

We actually managed to make it through a full song. “What do you think about adding a turn?” I asked, smiling at him. “I mean, that wasn’t so bad was it?”

“Umm….” He said slowly. “I don’t know.”

“Oh come on Sid, it’s not that hard. It’s like the turn in the corner, only faster and we keep going.” I paused. “Look I’ll lead through the first turn with pressure from my hand, then you can lead the second one with pressure on my lower back.”

“Okay.” He said, unsure. I changed the song back. “Can we have a new song?” He whined. “I’m getting bored with this one.”

“Has anyone ever told you that you’re a big baby?” I replied, changing the song.

“Yes.” He replied seriously nodding. “You have.”

“Well let’s try this turn.” I said.

We kept dancing for, I’m not even sure how long. All of a sudden though, I heard applause at the ballroom door. Again, like guilty little kids, Sidney and I jumped apart. We were scared to be caught together like that. We were scared to be seen touching each other, not because we thought people would think ill of us for it, but because we were guilty. Not of doing anything inappropriate, but of WANTING to do something inappropriate. We wanted to touch each other.

“Umm hi.” I said, blushing to Mr. and Mrs. Crosby, who were the people standing in the door.

“Trina told me you were going to try and teach him to two-step and I didn’t believe that, well one, anyone would convince him to try again, and two, that anyone could actually teach him.”
Troy said smiling.

I shrugged. “It helps that he’s really worried about stepping on my feet.” I said with a smile.
His parents laughed. “That was actually really good.” Trina said. “Thank you.”

“No problem.” I said shrugging. I glanced at my watch. “Don’t you have a team meeting coming up right away?” I asked, turning to Sidney.

He checked his watch. “Actually yeah I do.” He said. “Mom, Dad, I’ll see you at supper ‘kay?” Then he turned to me. “Coming Drew?”

“She’s going to the meeting?” Troy asked Sidney, looking slightly confused, and a little irritated.

Sidney rolled his eyes at his Dad’s irritation. “Of course not Dad. Neufy just wants whoever is with her to make sure she gets where she’s going all right. So I’m going to walk her up to her room before I go meet with the team.”

“Oh.” Troy said. “Well then, we’ll see you at dinner.”

I smiled at his parents. “Have a good afternoon.” I said, wandering out of the ballroom after I grabbed the guys’ country CDs.

Automatically, as soon as Sidney and I were out the door and out of his parent’s line of sight, I reached for his hand. The pressure of his hand on mine made me realize what I was doing and I dropped his hand blushing. “Sorry Sid.” I mumbled.

He smiled down at me softly. “It’s okay Drew… I understand.” He paused. “Now you need to teach me to like, waltz or something. Some other dance where I get to touch you.”

“So that’s how it’s going to be huh?” I said shoving him playfully with my shoulder. “If I want you to do something for me, I have to let you touch me.”

“Nah.” He said. “I’d do anything you asked me to just because you asked me too.”

“That’s sweet Sid.” I replied.

“So how on earth did you and my Dad come to a truce?” Sidney said.

I shrugged. “We had a long talk, and he realized that I am actually fairly smart, that my attraction to you has nothing at all to do with your potential future earning power, and that it makes sense, considering the life you lead, that you’re into me.” I paused and grinned. “Plus we made fun of you.”

He hugged me around the shoulders. “Well I knew all of that already.” He said. “But I’m glad that you were able to get my Dad to come to his senses.”

I shrugged. “Your parents love you sweetie, they just want what’s best for you.”

“And for my career.” Sidney said, sounding kind of bitter suddenly. “Don’t forget that.”

I looked at him carefully. We’d reached the door of my hotel room and Sidney had that meeting right away, but I knew this was something he needed to talk to someone about. “Call my room after dinner.” I said firmly. “Tell me about it then. Now scoot before you’re late.”