Part 26 - Pure Gold

During this time, Sidney was in the middle of some mini-crisis with the press because some people thought he might be considering being a replacement player in the NHL the next fall. The fact was, Sidney told me that he would have had a hard time saying no, but then his Dad and his agent (Pat Brisson) and the NHLPA freaked. A bunch of current NHLers started calling him. As far as I was concerned it really wasn’t all that fair to him, but I wasn’t about to say that to him or anyone else. It was his deal, and he had to deal with it.

So the next day, Boxing Day, Sidney spent a lot of time on the phone, with his agent and with the media as a result. So I just kind of hung around with whoever was available. A lot of the guys were dealing with the press and I understood that. It’s part of Canadian hockey to have to deal with the media. Especially when there was this much pressure on the team, as there was with this team.

I was just hanging out in my hotel room, with the door wide open, just in case anyone wanted to pop in (and guys had all morning and all afternoon), when Getter showed up at my door. “Hey RyRy.” I said.

“Hey Drew.” He replied, plopping himself down on the bed next to me. “Neufy’s talking to TSN about something or other and thought you might be bored.”

“Not a lot of demand for you huh?” I teased. “All that drinking’s probably why.”

Ryan chuckled. “Guess that’s why you just ran track huh?”

I shrugged. “I also figure skated. Until I finished high school. Which was AFTER I was arrested for drunk and disorderly.” I said laughing.

Getter laughed. “Dion told us about that. He said his friend Drew was fun.” He paused. “So why’d you introduce yourself to me and Dely?” He asked.

See I’d introduced myself to Getter as Dely (in case you hadn’t got that when he asked the question). He’d actually known me for a long, long time, as our gifts to each other attested.
Basically, I’d known him ever since he started playing in Calgary. We ALWAYS ran into each other when we were partying. When he’d asked my name, I’d told him Dely. “Because that’s what I called myself when I was little. The friends I used to go out with, well the former friends I used to go out with, had known me since, like, preschool swim class. They called me Dely, not Drew.”

“Drew fits you better.” Was Getter’s comment.

I shrugged. “That’s what everyone says.” I told him.

“So is this like, boring for you?” He asked. “Just hanging out like this? I mean, we’re supposed be to getting mentally prepared and shit, you just, well hang.”

I shrugged. “It can be, but D seems to make sure that people are always checking up at me. I could always go watch Switzerland and Belarus play at six if I was really, really bored.”

Getter snorted. “Why on earth would you want to do that?”

“I didn’t say I wanted to.” I replied defensively. “I said that I could if I were really, really bored. So far y’all are doing a fairly good job of keeping me amused and entertained.”

Ryan gave a little half bow. “I live to serve, my Queen.”

I laughed and shook my head. “So did Patrice and Sidney like, tell everyone what my name meant?”

“Pretty much yeah.” He said shrugging. “Sidney’s been calling you his Queen.”

I shook my head. “That boy is pathetic.”

“Pathetically in love.” Getter replied.

I raised my eyebrows. “I don’t think that anyone has said anything about love Getter. We like each other. That’s about it.”

Ryan shrugged. “I calls ‘em as I sees ‘em.”

I shuddered in distaste as Ryan laughed. “You certainly know how to get under my skin Getzlaf.”

“It’s not that hard Drew.” He replied. “Since its that whole grammar thing. And hockey players
aren’t exactly well known for their grammatical finesse.”

I laughed. “You manage fairly well when you put some effort in.” I pointed out. “Besides, speaking and diction are like any other skills… skating or fighting for example, you have to practice and correct errors to master it.”

Getter shook his head. “You are probably the only 23 year old on the face of the planet who would EVER say anything like that.”

“And only when I’m sober.” I quipped, taking a sip of the cooler I was drinking.

“You’re drinking at 2 p.m. on Boxing Day?”

I shrugged. “It seemed like something to do.” I said, taking another sip. “It’s not like I’m gonna get fucked up or anything. I just figure I’ll have a couple of drinks. Booze is WAY cheaper on this side of the border.”

Getter laughed. “It’s because there’s no tax on the alcohol tax like there is at home.”

“True.” I said taking another sip.

“So you are aware that Reggie kissed you yesterday on a dare from Fraz and Brook right?” He asked.

I laughed. “I kind of figured that there was more to it then him just wanting to kiss me.”

“He says the first one was for the dare and to piss off the kid though.” Getter said with an annoying arrogant smile. “The second one was for your pleasure.”

“That’s what I said to Brook yesterday when he told me the same thing.” I told Getter with a rin. “So when are you and your boys up in Calgary going to live up to all that potential y’all have apparently got?” I asked, changing the subject.

Getter glared at me. “Apparently?”

“Rebels for life baby.” I replied.

Getter laughed. “Red Deer fans.”

“Damn straight.”

“We’re in a tough division Drew.” Ryan reminded me. “It’s the tightest division in the CHL. We have 7 guys from the Central on this squad, all from the Alberta teams. That’s pretty significant on a roster of 22. Not to mention the fact that Red Deer has two guys on other teams.”

“It is.” I agreed. “But y’all still aren’t doing what you’re supposed to be doing this year. So when’s it going to happen?”

“Soon I hope.” He replied with a determined grin.

“Well just know that you can’t beat the Rebels and it’s all good.” I told him.

He laughed. “I swear you guys in Red Deer are completely obsessed with that team.”

“And fans in Calgary weren’t last year during the Stanley Cup run?” I asked, eyebrows raised.

“Well yeah they were.” He laughed. “But they’re an NHL franchise. It’s a little different then a ‘Dub team.”

“Not when that’s all you’ve got.” I replied. “Besides, we’ve got the Coach, we’ve got D, we’ve got Fraz and Frenchie. We’ve got personable guys on the team.” I elbowed him teasingly. “Not mouthy Saskatchewan boys.”

Getter mock glared at me and shoved me teasingly. “Mouthy Saskatchewan boys?” He said. “And just what do you know about mouthy Saskatchewan boys?”

I pushed him back. “They talk too much and like to beak on the ice.” I paused and added. “Oh and they like to drink too much and hit on mouthy Alberta girls.”

He pushed me over on to my back. “You are most definitely going to pay for that one!” He announced tickling me.

I squealed. “Ryan stop it!”

“No way.” He said. “Not until you say Uncle.”

“Never!” I squealed as he continued his attack. We’d flirted enough times in Calgary bars for him to know that I am extremely ticklish.

“Hmm. Hmm.” Someone cleared their throat in the doorway of the hotel room (which was still wide open).

Ryan stopped tickling me, and I titled my head back to see who was there. “Sidney!” I said surprised, pushing Ryan off of me. “I thought you had to do press stuff all day.”

“I can tell.” He said dryly.

Getter rolled his eyes. “Darryl it’s not what it looks like. We were just goofing around and Dely called me a mouthy Saskatchewan boy and then well, you see what happened.”

“Dely?” He replied eyebrows raised.

I shrugged. “It’s what my friends in Red Deer used to call me. I used to party with some of them the first time Getter and I met.”

“Drew suits her better.” Getter added. “I just forgot for a second.”

“Oh.” Sid said not looking completely convinced.

I shook my head at Getter indicating he should probably leave. “Umm you know, I should probably go, I think I have to talk to someone from CTV Regina later.” He lied.

“See you later RyRy.” I said.

“Ah see you.” He replied, looking anxiously from me to Sidney.

Ryan closed the door part way behind him. I walked right up to Sidney and put a hand on his face and gently stroked his cheek, still baby smooth. “Sweetie you have to have a little bit more self-confidence.”

“I have plenty of self-confidence.” He replied.

I shook my head. “On the ice sure.” I said softly, stroking his cheek with my thumb. “But Sidney every single time you see me with another guy, you get jealous and totally insecure.”

Sidney shrugged as if it didn’t really matter. “I just don’t like it.”

I sighed. “Sidney there are always going to be guys in my life that I’ve known longer then I’ve known you. Ryan and I are acquaintances. We run into each other a lot. I’ve known Dion for what seems like forever. As for Reggie, he’s the back up. He’s bored. He’s enjoying getting under your skin.”

“You’re just acquaintances.” Sidney said somewhat suspiciously. “How does that lead to the two of you rolling around on the bed?”

“Getter and I’ve flirted in the past.” I said with a shrug. “Never anything more then that. He knows that I’m ticklish. We were just goofing around Sid. I do it with a lot my male friends and acquaintances.”

“I don’t like it.” He replied.

I rolled my eyes. “We’ve established after the Reggie thing that you don’t like other guys touching me.” I replied. “But Sidney, for fuck’s sake, this has to stop.”

He glared at me and threw a glass across the room shattering it on the far wall. “Fuck you.” He snapped. “You’re acting like I’m a fucking jealous ass.”

“Well that’s what you’re acting like!” I replied angrily. “Sidney remember how we talked about trust before and how I can’t trust you if you can’t behave yourself and respect the fact that I am a professional and that I have rules to follow.”

“Fuck the rules Drew.” He snapped. “For one fucking minute can’t you just be a girl with a guy that you like?”

“I wish I could sweetie.” I said slowly.

“Yes you can.” He snapped, looking for something else to throw.

I grabbed his wrist. “Stop it Sidney.”

He turned to look at me, his eyes blazing. “How on earth have you managed it Drew?” He demanded pulling away from me.

“Managed what?”

“To get in my blood.” He snapped storming out the door. “To get under my skin in the way no other girl has ever managed.”

“Sidney….” I called as he stormed away.

He threw his hands up in frustration as he turned to look at me. “Not now Drew….” He said still walking away. “Just… not now.”