Part 21 - Pure Gold

So D and I went and worked out, then we stopped at the mall, bought a bunch of gift wrapping stuff, a thing of Nestle Sundae strawberry ice cream, some fresh strawberries, and a can of whipped cream. Of course, we had to run into the Crosby’s in the elevator. Trina peeked into the grocery bag and her eyebrows flew up. “Just what are you two planning to do this afternoon?” She asked.

D’s grin was wicked. “It’s a tradition Mrs. Crosby.” He told her.

I rolled my eyes. “Actually Trina, D got me up at a un-Godly hour this morning, forced me to go the gym, then we realized that neither of us had done ANY wrapping, so we’re going to wrap gifts and eat ice cream with whipped cream and strawberries.”

“Oh.” She said, not looking so convinced. “Have you seen Sidney yet today?”

“No, he wasn’t up when D dragged me out of bed for breakfast.” I said. “Then we went to the University and then to the mall. We just got back.”

“Oh.” She said. “Well this is our floor. We’ll see you both later.”

“See you later.” I said.

As soon as the elevator doors had closed between them. “Oh lord D did you really have to do that?” I asked. “You know that the first thing she is going to do is call Sidney and he WILL come upstairs to check on us.”

“No he won’t.” D said. “I told him today was our day.”

“Yeah but his Mom is going to get him all worked up.” I said, frustrated. “And then he’ll come rushing upstairs.”

D rolled eyes. “So we’ll keep the door open. He’ll be able to see the minute he gets up here that we aren’t doing anything.”

I kissed him softly on the cheek. “Thanks D.”

“Doesn’t mean that I don’t think that the kid is being a moron.” He said. “Just means that I’m sensitive to the fact that you think he’s worth it.”

I raised my eyebrows. “And you aren’t so sure?” I asked concerned. I mean, D and I have always operated on the bros before hoes policy. Meaning that if I don’t approve of who he’s seeing she’s done, and if he doesn’t approve of who I’m seeing he’s done.

D grinned at me wickedly. “I’m just not sure you can keep up with him.”

“Ass.” I replied.

We’d been eating ice cream and spraying whipped cream into each other’s mouths, onto the ice cream, as well as onto things we were daring each other to lick, for like, fifteen minutes, when to no one’s surprise, Sidney showed up. “What are you two doing?” He asked, looking surprised.

D glowered up at him from his place on the bed next to me. “I thought I told you that I wanted Drew to myself today.” He said in this monotone voice he gets that lets you know that he’s pissed at you.

Sidney, to my surprise, blushed to the roots of his hair. “Umm, well… I mean, you see….”

I giggled. “Sidney, it’s okay.” I said. “D and I both totally know what your parents suspect. That’s why we left the door wide open.”

He blushed harder. “D, Drew, umm I’m sorry.”

I shrugged and shook my head. “No worries.” I said.

D however glowered at him a little longer. “I told you I wanted her to myself for the day Darryl.” He said a little angrily. “Could you not have given me that?”

“Neufy, I’m sorry, I’m going now.” He said, backing away slowly as if he were scared that D was going to go after him.

“I’ll see you at dinner Sid.” I said with a smile.

“Bye Drew.” He said, blowing a kiss at me.

“Did you have to do that?” I asked, rolling my eyes.

D shrugged and grinned boyishly. “Yes.” He replied, taking a big bite of the ice cream.

I sighed with a smile. “You really need to get over this scaring guys who are into me away thing that you seem to have going on. Eventually I would like to settle down, get married, have kids.”

D snorted. “Yeah right.” He said. “Delreinne Whitney? Married? With children?”

I flung a strawberry at him. “I do want to get married someday.” I informed him. “Just, umm not right now.”

D laughed. “I would have left him alone if he hadn’t been a hockey guy and you know it.” He pointed out. “I mean, when you were dating that sprinter… what was his name? I left him alone.”

I rolled my eyes. “Yeah, YOU left Kai alone.” I said. “But the guys didn’t.”

D shrugged. “Just because some people in Red Deer are racist doesn’t mean that I am Drew.” He said.

In case you hadn’t figured it out, Kai is black. I most definitely am not. When I took him home for Thanksgiving someone called him a not so nice word when I was busy with D and Kai and I were done. “I know you’re not D… at least not against black people.”

D laughed. “And here’s the pot calling the kettle black.”

I shrugged with and laughed. “Yeah pretty much.”

D and I continued wrapping gifts until it was time for him to go skate. I kept his gift (and Sidney’s) hidden, despite his constant nagging. His gift for me wasn’t anywhere to be seen either. I walked him down to the lobby when it was time for him to skate and D, getting into game form, was muttering the whole way.

“I’m going to be so sluggish at practice Drew and it is all your fault.” He said.

“My fault how?” I asked, rolling my eyes at him.

“Suggesting ice cream, whipped cream and strawberries.” He replied.

“You could have said no.” I said with a shrug. “Or you could have dumped the extra down the toilet instead of forcing yourself to eat it.” I paused at grinned at him. “The way I see it Phaneuf, this is ALL your fault.”

He stuck his tongue out at me and grabbed me and threw me over his shoulder. “You really shouldn’t piss me off Drew.” He said, grinning. “You might just end up being thrown around like a doll. Frick you’re light.”

“Put me down!” I squealed as the elevator doors opened.

I couldn’t see anything from my vantage point (upside down on D’s shoulder) but I definitely heard Coach. “Phaneuf! Put Miss Whitney down! Or are you forgetting why you’re here?”

Dion immediately set me on my feet and blushing said. “Sorry Drew. Sorry Coach.”

I shrugged. “No big D. Have a good practice.” I said, making a hasty retreat to avoid receiving a lecture from Coach too.

Sidney grabbed my elbow as Coach was lecturing D. “I’ll see you at dinner?” He asked, his eyes intense.

“I’m eating with the Phaneufs.” I reminded him. “But I’ll definitely see you afterwards. I’ve got gifts for everyone.”

“Can I get you alone to give you your gift?” He asked looking like a little boy at, well Christmas.

“If it’s okay with your parents.” I told him. “Then I don’t see why not.” I paused. “Wait. When on earth did you have time to get me a gift?” I asked.

He blushed. “In Winnipeg.” He said. “I got it the day we watched the exhibition game between Switzerland and Finland. I went after the meeting.”

“We’ll then we can definitely find some time to get together tonight to exchange gifts.” I promised him with a smile. “Like I told D… after all the old people leave.”

“That’s not a very nice thing to say about our parents.” Sid said with a laugh.

I shrugged. “What can I say? Responsible adults aren’t exactly my favourite people at the moment.”

“Aren’t you insulting yourself?” He asked.

I shrugged and grinned. “Naw. I might be an adult, but I don’t exactly have the responsibility thing down pat. If I did I wouldn’t be half in love with a 17 year old.” I pointed out.

“Only half?” He whispered, his eyes burning into mine.

“I’m a challenge Crosby.” I told him. “It’s going to take a lot more work on your part.”

He grinned back at me. “Well I’m up to the challenge Drew and I won’t be 17 forever thank God.”

I laughed. “Getting a little frustrated Crosby?” I teased him.

“Hell yeah.” He said his gaze so hot I should have bee on fire.

I glanced around. D had wandered away from Coach, who was apparently done lecturing him on proper behaviour in public places (D has gotten this lecture before. For some reason or another, it never seems to stick) and the guys were ready to go. “Have a good skate Sid.” I said squeezing his bicep quickly. “And I’ll see you at dinner.”

Sidney winked at me. “And after Drew… and don’t you forget about it.”

“No way.” I said feeling all warm and mushy inside. “Have a good one.”

“You too.” He said with that smile.

I got in the elevator and wrapped my arms around myself. I’d never felt this way for a guy before. Well maybe I had felt something similar, but it had been awhile. And here was this kid… this 17-year-old, you had me acting like I was a teenage girl with her first boyfriend. Part of me didn’t like it. But another part of me, wished that I could have found this when I was a teenage girl, instead of now, when I’m supposed to be a responsible adult.

Really though, the important thing was that I had found it, because some people never do. So with that in mind, I headed back up to my hotel room to finish wrapping gifts. Tonight was going to be the first time I’d ever given a guy a Christmas present, and I wanted it to be as special as it possibly could be.