I’m still not sure how long we sat there like that. I know that it was after the car had stopped at the restaurant. I know that it was after the driver had opened the door. I know that Sidney sent him away. And I know that Sidney burst out laughing as soon as the door was closed behind the driver.
“It’s not funny.” I muttered, half angry, half crying into his neck.
I felt his hand smoothing my hair gently. “Of course its funny Dare.” Sidney whispered, dropping kiss after kiss on the top of my head. “It’s funny because I love you too babe, and I didn’t know how to tell you.”
He paused to laugh. “Hell, part of me was absolutely convinced that you’d already moved on to some new guy in Halifax… a teacher or something, someone who was going to be there for you the way you need… the way that you deserve.”
I forced myself to raise my head and look at him. “I love you Sidney.” I whispered again.
“I love you too Darryl.” He whispered back, before his lips came crashing down on mine.
We were there, kissing each other frantically. We loved each other. I’d never been in love with someone who loved me back before. It was amazing… all of the feelings that were overwhelming as continued to kiss in the back of the limo.
Sidney broke the kiss after several long minutes. “Are you hungry?” He asked, his voice low and seductive, as he raised my hair to trace a long line of kisses down my neck.
“Not for supper.” I moaned as he continued to lick and suck at my neck. “But I am definitely hungry for something.”
I shifted in his lap, pleased to feel that he was just as turned on by this as I was. “God Dare….” He muttered as I shifted again. “Damn babe you’re going to end up naked in a limo.”
I shrugged and kissed him firmly. “I didn’t know that naked was necessary.” I teased him, sucking insistently on his upper lip.
“Let’s go.” He muttered, kissing my ear.
“Where?” I asked. “I mean, I’m supposed to fly out tomorrow.”
“My hotel room.” Sidney muttered. “I’m rooming with Max.”
“And won’t Max mind?” I asked, running my fingers through his hair.
“Max is out for supper with everyone else.” Sid said, stroking my hair gently. “Then everyone is going out. He won’t be back for awhile. We can even meet everyone out later if you want….” He trailed a finger slowly down my arm. “Or we could just stay in bed….”
I kissed him firmly. “Let’s go.” I said.
Sidney picked up the phone and told the driver where we wanted to go before he went back to nipping at my collarbone with his teeth. He moaned loaned and moved his hands up my chest.
Two hours later we were back in the car, this time on our way to club where the rest of the Penguins (and many of the Senators) were planning on spending most of the evening. Sidney and I had made up, showered, made up some more, showered again and finally gotten dressed and headed out of the hotel.
Sidney wanted me to meet his teammates and I wanted to meet them as well. I had missed him so much since we’d fought. It was nice to just… be with him again. Touching him was a nice added bonus. I leaned my head on his shoulder as we drove towards the club. With a gentle hand, he reached up and stroked my hair softly.
I sighed with contentment. Sidney smiled at me softly and leaned down and kissed me on the forehead. “I’ve missed you too Dare.” He told me, his voice low.
I tilted my face up and accepted his kiss. I moaned low and slid my hands up his chest, playing with the buttons on his dress shirt (not an ugly peach one… after undressing him, I’d been smart enough to dress him well). “Dare we are never going to make it to the club if you keep this up.”
I leaned forward and took his ear between my teeth before licking the shell of his ear. With a wicked grin, I pulled back. “Well I suppose I should stop then.”
Sidney glared at me and pulled me back onto his lap. We weren’t exactly practicing proper vehicle safety, since neither of us were wearing a seatbelt. “Get back here.” He muttered.
“If you insist….” I said, trailing a line of kisses down his neck.
We kept making out, ignoring what was going on in the world around us, until the limo came to a stop and the driver knocked discreetly on the door. “Shall we?” Sidney murmured, his lips millimeters from mine.
“I suppose.” I muttered, not giving an inch.
Sidney didn’t move either, not that he could, since I was still sitting on his lap, but that was a technicality as far as I was concerned. I leaned forward and quickly pecked him on the lips. “Let’s go.” I said, jumping up and letting the driver hold the door open for us.
Sidney got out first and held his hand out for me. It wasn’t exactly a huge club or anything like that, but since the entire team was supposed to be there, I supposed it was probably the place to be in Wilkes-Barre tonight. The line outside the place definitely confirmed that assumption.
“What am I going to do without you Dare?” Sidney whispered into my ear, his breath deliciously warm on the back of my neck.
“Pine for me daily.” I teased him as he smiled and waved at some of the people in line, and even stopped and signed a couple of autographs.
While he did that, I practiced blending into the background. There was no need for this weekend to result in problems for him with Pat. Or problems for me with Pat for that matter, because having worked for the man, I definitely did not want to be on his bad side.
When Sidney was done we headed inside, where a group of his teammates immediately swept us up. Sidney laughed as someone said something incredibly loudly and drunkenly in French. “Max tu es ivre.” Sidney replied in French with a grin. “This is my girlfriend, Darryl. Darryl this is Max, he’s my roommate.”
Max grinned. He wasn’t my idea of handsome, but I’ve always liked guys with a baby face, like Sidney, where as Max was more ruggedly good looking. Five o’clock shadow and all. “Nice to meet you.” He said, shaking my hand. “I hope you guys didn’t make too much of a mess.”
I probably blushed, though I did my best to sound nonchalant. “Mess?” I asked innocently. “What kind of mess could Sidney and I possibly have made?”
Max burst out laughing. “I like you.” He announced, slingling an arm around my shoulders.
Making a face because his breath reeked of booze, I removed his arm. “Thanks, I think.” I said with a wry smile.
Sidney just chuckled. “Go get another drink for the pretty brunette you were talking to when we walked in Max. Otherwise, she might not think you’re interested.”
“Yes sir, phenom, sir.” Max said with a mock salute, wandering away.
Sidney shook his head as Max walked away. “He’s a goof.” He told me. “But he’s got a good heart. We played together on Team Canada’s World Junior Team when I was 16.”
“I’ve seen a picture of the two of you I think.” I said, trying to think. “Did he have shorter hair back then?”
Sidney nodded. “Yep… and the same big goofy smile.”
We laughed about that. The rest of the night was a bit of a blur. Sidney introduced me to all of his teammates that were there as well as a few of the Ottawa Senators that had shown up that he knew. We drank, we laughed, and we had fun. It was a good time except that it reminded me that he would be having good times like this without me again soon.
Oh sure, I could go out and have good times of my own in Halifax, but it just wasn’t the same as the good times he would be having. He had girls falling all over him. Guys never just fell all over me like that. I wasn’t as special as he was… is. And I never will be. I’m just Darryl Koryluk, a teacher.
The last time we’d gone out like this, neither of us had a good time. The second time we went out like this, I’d had a good time and Sidney hadn’t. Now Sidney was still having a good time and I was contemplating how exactly I was going to deal with knowing that he was doing this without me being there to be with him.
It’s not that I’m a jealous person. But the major problem with long distance relationships is that its easy to lie. I mean, if I lived in Pittsburgh, I’d have no problem with Sidney going out on his own with the boys from time to time, because no matter what went down, it would eventually get back to me.
Being in Halifax it wasn’t quite that easy. However, as I watched him, goofing around with Max and Marc-Andrè, I couldn’t help but smile. He was so happy to be here, living out his dream. There was no way that I was going to put a damper on things by bringing up my insecurities.
He looked over at me and smiled. He looked so happy and young… carefree almost. It was almost believable. Except for the minor detail that I actually knew him… knew him outside of the rink. So that meant that I knew that he was anything but carefree. He knew that the Pittsburgh Penguins, and the NHL in general was looking to him to save the team and the league.
That’s a lot of responsibility on 18-year-old shoulders. I couldn’t very well make him responsible for my happiness on top of it. It wouldn’t be the right thing to do. So I smiled back at him, realizing in that moment, that part of trusting him would be realizing that things, whatever they were, wouldn’t get back to me.
I would just have to take his word for it, and at that moment, I was more then happy to trust in him and whatever he had to say to me. “You look deep in thought.” Sidney said, coming over and giving me a quick kiss, though not after checking to make sure that no one was watching.
I shrugged. “I was just thinking about you.” I told him with a smile, squeezing his hand in mine.
“Good things I hope.” Sidney said, still smiling softly. “Though from the look on your face Dare, I’m not entirely sure that it was only happy thoughts were going through your mind.”
Looking around quickly, I leaned forward and kissed him softly only the cheek. “The good thoughts were all about Crosby.” I told him softly. “They were all about you.”
A grin broke out on Sidney’s face. “All of my good thoughts are all about you Dare.” He paused, and his grin got wider. “Well almost all of them. A lot of them are about hockey.”
I smiled a shook my head. “I don’t know why I put up with you Crosby, except that you’re some kind of wonderful honey. You are some kind of wonderful.”
The End
Showing posts with label Some Kind of Wonderful. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Some Kind of Wonderful. Show all posts
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Chapter 24 - Some Kind of Wonderful
As it turns out, I was in fact right (just in case anyone is like, you know, keeping score or something) Sidney was in the dressing room talking to the press for about an hour. Catrine talked at me every now and then, but I mainly attempted to blend into the walls.
It was really a talent at this point. I had gotten very, very, very good over the course of the summer of blending into the walls. When you work for Pat, its not exactly something that you can avoid learning. You are to be seen and not heard unless he tells you otherwise. It was great practice for this night, when I wanted to be neither seen nor heard until Sidney chose to see or hear me.
When he was finally done, I was still standing out there, trying to blend into the walls, trying to make sure that everyone ignored me. Of course, when he did come out of the room, I’m the first person he saw. His eyes lit with recognition when he looked at me. “Darryl.” He said softly.
I glanced into his eyes. There was recognition there, but nothing more. My heart fell immediately. This was all about breaking up with me. This was all about ending things in person. He didn’t want to talk about fixing our relationship our make things right between us. He had me here to break things off in person, the way a gentleman would.
With a sigh, I smiled tremulously. “Sidney.” I said in a low, small voice.
“I wasn’t sure that you’d come.” He told me, his voice and face uncertain.
“Your parents told me that you wanted me here.” I said with a shrug. “But since you never called, I wasn’t really sure. Then your Dad insisted, so, well I came.”
“I’m glad you did.” He told me, looking at me intently.
I looked back at him. I still wasn’t sure entirely why he wanted me here… or if he wanted me here at here. We stood there for several minutes, starring at each other. I wanted so badly to reach out and touch him, but I had no idea of his intentions. If I reached out to touch him and he rejected me, that would be worse then if he just rejected me.
So I continued to stand there, starring at him as he starred right back at me. We stood there, as people continued to move around us, lost in our own little world. Finally he cleared his throat. “Dare, we need to talk.”
My mouth went dry and my stomach heaved. “I know.” I said quietly, trying hard to swallow the bile that rose in my throat.
My face must have gone white, because Sidney looked concerned all of a sudden. “Are you okay?” He asked anxiously, taking my arm.
I shook his arm off. “I’m okay.” I said quietly.
“You’re white as a sheet babe.” Sidney said softly. “Come on. Let’s go out for dinner and we’ll talk.”
My breath was shallow and I couldn’t seem to calm down. “Talk.” I said in between gulping for air. “Of course.”
Sidney looked concerned, but said nothing. “I don’t have a car yet.” He apologized as he lead us out of Mellon Arena. “So I called a car for us, since I didn’t think you’d want to go with any of the other guys tonight.”
I sighed with relief and finally managed to take a full deep breath. “Thanks Crosby.”
He smiled at my shyly. “Besides, I wanted to have you all to myself for a little while… it’s been too long Dare.”
I smiled back at him shyly. “Yeah it has been a long time.”
“So how’s work?” He asked, as the driver held open the door to a black limousine for us. “Do you like the school?”
“It’s overwhelming at times.” I told him, my voice low. “There is a lot of work to do… I even brought some marking with me this weekend.” I paused. “Umm how is, like hockey?” I asked awkwardly.
Sidney nodded at my answer and then said. “It’s hockey.” He shrugged.
It was my turn to nod. The whole thing was really awkward, as we sat in silence, looking at everything but each other. We sighed at the same time. “Sidney.” I said at the exact same moment he said. “Darryl.”
“You first.” I said, my mouth dry.
“Fuck.” Sidney muttered running his hand through his hair.
He didn’t say anything, so I started. “Why did you want me to come see you play Crosby?” I asked.
Sidney’s eyes met mine, and now, suddenly there was more then recognition there. There was emotion… there was caring. “Because I miss you Dare. I miss talking to you and kissing you and I just… I miss you.” He sighed and continued. “And I didn’t want to leave things between us the way they were after that night.”
I nodded. “I figured you were done with me.” I told him. “I just… well I wasn’t sure where things stood when your parents kept inviting me over, so I let sleeping dogs lie as they say.”
Sidney nodded and reached for my hand. “I’ve missed you babe.” He said, his fingers gently stroking my hand. “I just didn’t… and don’t, know how to fix things between us…..” He trailed off.
I sighed, and reached up to touch him, startled at the electricity that shot through me as my hand made contact with his cheek. I shuddered stroking his cheek gently with my thumb. His cheek was baby’s bottom smooth and it felt completely natural to be touching him like this.
We sat there in the limo, staring at each other, very aware of the contact between our bodies, our knees touching as we leaned closer to each other. Sidney leaned forward and kissed me softly on the forehead. “I’m sorry babe.” He whispered.
“For what?” I asked, in case he thought that an apology was just going to cut it. I needed to know that he knew why he should be sorry for what happened. I needed to know that he’d thought about why I was upset with him, and that he’d figured it out.
“I’m so sorry for leaving you babe.” He whispered softly. “I was so worried about what other people would think if I was late that I didn’t worry about you or your feelings… that was wrong of me.”
I leaned in and kissed him softly on the lips. “That hurt Crosby.” I told him. “I just wanted to be in your arms.” I said. “I just wanted you to be there. When we… did what we did….” I said hesitantly, awkwardly. “It wasn’t just sex for me Sidney. It was so, so much more.”
“It wasn’t just sex for me either Dare.” Sidney said softly, his voice low. “I spent all summer trying to get you.”
“Don’t you mean get into my pants?” I asked, somewhat confused.
“No.” Sidney said seriously, his eyes flashing with caring as they looked at me. “Oh sure, it started out being about getting in your pants Dare… you have to admit that you’re a very desirable woman.” He brushed his knuckles over my face. “The more time I spent with you… if only because I wanted to get in your pants, the more I got to know you. The more I got to know you, the more I wanted to know you.”
A tear trickled down my cheek, followed be another and then another. Sidney reached over and brushed the tears off my cheeks. “Dare, babe, please don’t cry.” He said softly. “I’ve thought about you every day since that night… I’ve wondered about you and worried about you every single day.”
I sniffed slightly. “A day hasn’t passed when I wasn’t worried about you Sidney. When I haven’t worried about us and what’s going on between us.”
He ran his fingers through my hair. “I knew about your issues with sex Dare.” He told me. “And I didn’t do anything to reassure you. I didn’t do anything to make you think that I would be any different from any other guy who, in your words, pumped and dumped. I never intended to that to you. You are better then that.”
“Thank you for understanding that Sidney.” I whispered leaning forward and really kissing him.
His arms wrapped around me and I was pulled onto his lap. I moaned low as the kiss deepened. His hands caressed my back and my body melded against his in that familiar way that made my heart race. It was so comfortable to be back in his arms. I moaned low and pressed myself harder up against him.
I loved the feel of us, together like that. I’d missed his kisses, his taste, his smell, the feel of his hands on me. I’d missed him, period. He mattered to me more then I ever thought that he would when I met him. I loved him.
Realizing that, I pulled away from him. I mean, I’d only known him for two and a half months. I shouldn’t be in love with him… not yet at least. I mean, six months from now, if we were still together, sure. Not now.
“Are you okay babe?” Sidney asked, his fingers still making their way through my hair.
I shook my head. “No.” I said slowly. “I’m not.”
“What’s wrong?” He asked, concern shinning through his eyes.
“I’m about to do something really, really stupid.” I told him softly.
He immediately looked panicked. “You aren’t going to break up with me are you Dare?” He asked. “Because you can’t. Not now, please babe… I need you right now more then I ever
thought that I could need anyone.”
Reaching over, I ran my fingers through his hair. He has the most gorgeous hair I’ve ever seen on a guy… all dark and curly. “No Sidney, but you’ll probably break up with me after you hear what I have to say.”
“There is nothing that you could do that could make me break up with you right now babe… not when I need you so very much.” Sidney said, running his knuckles down my cheek again. “I never thought… when I got to the NHL that I would need someone… anyone as much as I need you right now.”
Taking a deep breath I plunged in. “I love you Crosby.” I whispered, burying my face in his neck. “I love you.”
It was really a talent at this point. I had gotten very, very, very good over the course of the summer of blending into the walls. When you work for Pat, its not exactly something that you can avoid learning. You are to be seen and not heard unless he tells you otherwise. It was great practice for this night, when I wanted to be neither seen nor heard until Sidney chose to see or hear me.
When he was finally done, I was still standing out there, trying to blend into the walls, trying to make sure that everyone ignored me. Of course, when he did come out of the room, I’m the first person he saw. His eyes lit with recognition when he looked at me. “Darryl.” He said softly.
I glanced into his eyes. There was recognition there, but nothing more. My heart fell immediately. This was all about breaking up with me. This was all about ending things in person. He didn’t want to talk about fixing our relationship our make things right between us. He had me here to break things off in person, the way a gentleman would.
With a sigh, I smiled tremulously. “Sidney.” I said in a low, small voice.
“I wasn’t sure that you’d come.” He told me, his voice and face uncertain.
“Your parents told me that you wanted me here.” I said with a shrug. “But since you never called, I wasn’t really sure. Then your Dad insisted, so, well I came.”
“I’m glad you did.” He told me, looking at me intently.
I looked back at him. I still wasn’t sure entirely why he wanted me here… or if he wanted me here at here. We stood there for several minutes, starring at each other. I wanted so badly to reach out and touch him, but I had no idea of his intentions. If I reached out to touch him and he rejected me, that would be worse then if he just rejected me.
So I continued to stand there, starring at him as he starred right back at me. We stood there, as people continued to move around us, lost in our own little world. Finally he cleared his throat. “Dare, we need to talk.”
My mouth went dry and my stomach heaved. “I know.” I said quietly, trying hard to swallow the bile that rose in my throat.
My face must have gone white, because Sidney looked concerned all of a sudden. “Are you okay?” He asked anxiously, taking my arm.
I shook his arm off. “I’m okay.” I said quietly.
“You’re white as a sheet babe.” Sidney said softly. “Come on. Let’s go out for dinner and we’ll talk.”
My breath was shallow and I couldn’t seem to calm down. “Talk.” I said in between gulping for air. “Of course.”
Sidney looked concerned, but said nothing. “I don’t have a car yet.” He apologized as he lead us out of Mellon Arena. “So I called a car for us, since I didn’t think you’d want to go with any of the other guys tonight.”
I sighed with relief and finally managed to take a full deep breath. “Thanks Crosby.”
He smiled at my shyly. “Besides, I wanted to have you all to myself for a little while… it’s been too long Dare.”
I smiled back at him shyly. “Yeah it has been a long time.”
“So how’s work?” He asked, as the driver held open the door to a black limousine for us. “Do you like the school?”
“It’s overwhelming at times.” I told him, my voice low. “There is a lot of work to do… I even brought some marking with me this weekend.” I paused. “Umm how is, like hockey?” I asked awkwardly.
Sidney nodded at my answer and then said. “It’s hockey.” He shrugged.
It was my turn to nod. The whole thing was really awkward, as we sat in silence, looking at everything but each other. We sighed at the same time. “Sidney.” I said at the exact same moment he said. “Darryl.”
“You first.” I said, my mouth dry.
“Fuck.” Sidney muttered running his hand through his hair.
He didn’t say anything, so I started. “Why did you want me to come see you play Crosby?” I asked.
Sidney’s eyes met mine, and now, suddenly there was more then recognition there. There was emotion… there was caring. “Because I miss you Dare. I miss talking to you and kissing you and I just… I miss you.” He sighed and continued. “And I didn’t want to leave things between us the way they were after that night.”
I nodded. “I figured you were done with me.” I told him. “I just… well I wasn’t sure where things stood when your parents kept inviting me over, so I let sleeping dogs lie as they say.”
Sidney nodded and reached for my hand. “I’ve missed you babe.” He said, his fingers gently stroking my hand. “I just didn’t… and don’t, know how to fix things between us…..” He trailed off.
I sighed, and reached up to touch him, startled at the electricity that shot through me as my hand made contact with his cheek. I shuddered stroking his cheek gently with my thumb. His cheek was baby’s bottom smooth and it felt completely natural to be touching him like this.
We sat there in the limo, staring at each other, very aware of the contact between our bodies, our knees touching as we leaned closer to each other. Sidney leaned forward and kissed me softly on the forehead. “I’m sorry babe.” He whispered.
“For what?” I asked, in case he thought that an apology was just going to cut it. I needed to know that he knew why he should be sorry for what happened. I needed to know that he’d thought about why I was upset with him, and that he’d figured it out.
“I’m so sorry for leaving you babe.” He whispered softly. “I was so worried about what other people would think if I was late that I didn’t worry about you or your feelings… that was wrong of me.”
I leaned in and kissed him softly on the lips. “That hurt Crosby.” I told him. “I just wanted to be in your arms.” I said. “I just wanted you to be there. When we… did what we did….” I said hesitantly, awkwardly. “It wasn’t just sex for me Sidney. It was so, so much more.”
“It wasn’t just sex for me either Dare.” Sidney said softly, his voice low. “I spent all summer trying to get you.”
“Don’t you mean get into my pants?” I asked, somewhat confused.
“No.” Sidney said seriously, his eyes flashing with caring as they looked at me. “Oh sure, it started out being about getting in your pants Dare… you have to admit that you’re a very desirable woman.” He brushed his knuckles over my face. “The more time I spent with you… if only because I wanted to get in your pants, the more I got to know you. The more I got to know you, the more I wanted to know you.”
A tear trickled down my cheek, followed be another and then another. Sidney reached over and brushed the tears off my cheeks. “Dare, babe, please don’t cry.” He said softly. “I’ve thought about you every day since that night… I’ve wondered about you and worried about you every single day.”
I sniffed slightly. “A day hasn’t passed when I wasn’t worried about you Sidney. When I haven’t worried about us and what’s going on between us.”
He ran his fingers through my hair. “I knew about your issues with sex Dare.” He told me. “And I didn’t do anything to reassure you. I didn’t do anything to make you think that I would be any different from any other guy who, in your words, pumped and dumped. I never intended to that to you. You are better then that.”
“Thank you for understanding that Sidney.” I whispered leaning forward and really kissing him.
His arms wrapped around me and I was pulled onto his lap. I moaned low as the kiss deepened. His hands caressed my back and my body melded against his in that familiar way that made my heart race. It was so comfortable to be back in his arms. I moaned low and pressed myself harder up against him.
I loved the feel of us, together like that. I’d missed his kisses, his taste, his smell, the feel of his hands on me. I’d missed him, period. He mattered to me more then I ever thought that he would when I met him. I loved him.
Realizing that, I pulled away from him. I mean, I’d only known him for two and a half months. I shouldn’t be in love with him… not yet at least. I mean, six months from now, if we were still together, sure. Not now.
“Are you okay babe?” Sidney asked, his fingers still making their way through my hair.
I shook my head. “No.” I said slowly. “I’m not.”
“What’s wrong?” He asked, concern shinning through his eyes.
“I’m about to do something really, really stupid.” I told him softly.
He immediately looked panicked. “You aren’t going to break up with me are you Dare?” He asked. “Because you can’t. Not now, please babe… I need you right now more then I ever
thought that I could need anyone.”
Reaching over, I ran my fingers through his hair. He has the most gorgeous hair I’ve ever seen on a guy… all dark and curly. “No Sidney, but you’ll probably break up with me after you hear what I have to say.”
“There is nothing that you could do that could make me break up with you right now babe… not when I need you so very much.” Sidney said, running his knuckles down my cheek again. “I never thought… when I got to the NHL that I would need someone… anyone as much as I need you right now.”
Taking a deep breath I plunged in. “I love you Crosby.” I whispered, burying my face in his neck. “I love you.”
Chapter 23 - Some Kind of Wonderful
I sat there, frozen for several long minutes. Or maybe it wasn’t minutes, it just felt like minutes. Maybe it was only seconds. Troy, Trina and Taylor were all looking at me expectantly. “Umm….” I said slowly.
Taylor tugged on my hand. “You have to come.” She said firmly.
“You really do.” Trina said with a motherly smile… the kind of smile that made me miss my own Mom.
“Sidney really wants you to be there Darryl.” Troy said. “He was very insistent that we make sure you come with us.”
“In fact….” Trina said slowly, as if she were suddenly gaining some more insight into what was going on with Sidney and I. “He told us that we couldn’t take no for an answer, that we had to convince you to come.”
I sighed, feeling resigned. I had no good reason for saying no, except my own stupid fears and insecurities. Troy and Trina weren’t about to lie to me, and tell me that Sidney wanted me there when he didn’t. So I couldn’t exactly say no, not without making Trina more suspicious then she already was.
I smiled tremulously. “I suppose I could, but I’d have to be back before six on Sunday.” I told them. “I have a lot of things that I need to do in my classroom.”
Trina grinned. “I’m sure that Pat can arrange something.” She said confidently.
I nodded, feeling nervous. I wasn’t sure what I was going to say to Sidney when I saw him. In fact, I wasn’t sure what there was to say to him. I knew that I missed him, and this invitation showed that he missed me.
Either that, or he was too noble to leave things the way that they were, angry words spoken in a hotel room and he wanted to end things officially. I wasn’t really sure. There were times when I understood Sidney so well that it scared me, and then there were times when I just wasn’t sure about anything.
Since that night in Pittsburgh, I don’t think I’d been sure of anything where Sidney was concerned. Part of me needed to believe that things were over between us, and that it was all his fault, because he’d been deceiving me the entire time. But part of me still believed in him and in what we’d had.
So less then a week later, late one Friday night, I found myself on sitting on a plane, headed to Wilkes-Barre. Sidney wouldn’t be there when I got there, which was almost a bit of a relief. It would give me a chance to figure out what I was going to say to him when I saw him.
No, he was in Bringhampton with the Penguins, as they were taking on the Ottawa Senators in their farm team’s venue. So when I got to Wilkes-Barre, I headed straight to the hotel, where I collapsed, exhausted, into a dreamless sleep.
I woke late the next day and went for lunch with the Crosby’s, then out for some shopping to kill some time. I wasn’t entirely sure when I was going to get to see Sidney, but I had a feeling that it wouldn’t be before the game. I mean, I didn’t want to be a distraction to him. There were enough people looking for him to fail without me helping the cause by distracting him.
So I played lest in sight until it was time to meet the Crosby’s to go to the game. They headed over to the rink very early, around five, and I didn’t have much of a choice but to go with them. I managed to avoid going with them to the dressing room before the game, instead staying in our seats, a beer in my hands.
It wasn’t that I didn’t want to see Sidney. In fact, I was desperate to do so. But I didn’t want to be some kind of distraction to him and I didn’t want to hear after this game about how Sidney Crosby wasn’t living up to expectations. I knew that people were waiting for him to screw up and I didn’t want to be the reason that happened.
It wasn’t long before Trina made her way back to the seats. “Are you alright Darryl?” She asked, sitting down next to me.
I choked on my beer slightly. She’d almost snuck up on me, as I was alone with my thoughts, and hadn’t really been paying attention to anything but the ice surface. “I’m fine Trina.” I said when I had cleared my throat.
“Sidney was hoping to see you before the game.” She told me quietly.
I shrugged, taking sip of my beer. “I didn’t want to distract him.” I told her.
“He misses you Darryl.” She said softly.
I shrugged again. “I miss him too.”
We sat in awkward silence for a few minutes. Finally Trina sighed and turned to me. “Darryl, I don’t know exactly what happened between you and my son, and I know that this probably isn’t my place, but he wanted us to extend this invitation to you because he misses you and he wants to make things right.”
Unbidden, tears came to my eyes and I dashed them away angrily. “Then why didn’t he call me himself?” I asked. “He never did try to call you know.” I informed her. “I have message manager, so if he called and I wasn’t home like he said, he could have left a message, but he never called.”
Trina sighed again. “Darryl my son cares about you. He cares about you enough to bring you home to meet us. Something he’s never done before. You’re the first girl he’s been with that I’d actually call his girlfriend. He’s new at this. I know that this isn’t easy for you either, but please, give him a chance.”
It was my turn to sigh. “I came didn’t I?” I asked, sipping my beer. “And I’ll see him after the game… I promise.”
Trina reached over and patted my hand. “Good.” She said. “Because he wants to take you for dinner after the game… he asked me to tell you.”
“Oh.” I said quietly.
Trina sighed again and stood. “Taylor is hungry so I’m going to go grab something from the concession. Would you like anything?”
“I’m fine thanks.” I said, not taking my eyes off the ice surface as I took another sip of my beer.
So I sat in relative silence until the game was done, answering questions whenever they were asked, and responding automatically to comments directed at me. The game was disappointing, at least if you were cheering for the Penguins. They lost to the high powered Ottawa Senators offense took the Pens to school 6-2.
The best part of the game was Sidney’s first NHL goal, though he didn’t bother gathering the puck. Part of me wondered why. So I asked Troy, who shrugged and said. “He probably doesn’t want to count a preseason goal as his first NHL goal.”
“Oh.” I replied.
I knew that Sidney would have to talk to the press after the game so I slowly followed the Crosby’s down towards the dressing room. Someone from TSN grabbed Troy and asked him a series of questions about Sidney’s performance. I blended back, trying to blend into the woodwork, hoping that no one would see me and wonder who I was.
As I moved back towards the wall a hand was placed on my shoulder. “You must be Sidney’s girlfriend.” The voice said, a slight French accent in her voice.
I shrugged. “Don’t you watch TV?” I asked. “Sidney doesn’t have time to have a girlfriend.”
The girl snorted. “Neither does Marc-Andrè.” She replied. “Yet here I am, living with him in Pittsburgh.” She paused. “I’m Catline Bergeron.”
There was something about her that made me want to introduce myself the way my Oma always had. “Yelsaveta Koryluk.” I said, shaking her hand. “But please, call me Darryl.”
“Darryl?” She asked.
I shrugged. “It’s what people call me.” I said, failing to mention that it was also my real name.
“Oh.” Was her only reply to my comment.
We stood next to each other in silence for several minutes. Finally Catline couldn’t take it anymore apparently. She touched my arm and I looked up at her. “Are you and Sidney coming out tonight?” She asked. “A group of us are going for dinner and then out to have a good time.”
I shrugged again. “I don’t know what Sidney has planned.” I told her honestly. “I think his Mom mentioned something about dinner, but that was it.”
“Well if you go for dinner with his famille, you will have to join us for drinks after.” She said with a smile, and I could tell that she was trying to be nice. “It will be fun, all of the young Penguin players together.”
I nodded. “Thanks for the invite.” I said noncommittally. “I’ll ask Sidney when I see him.” I nodded towards the locker room. “Of course, he’ll probably be in there talking to the press for a good hour.”
“Oh non.” Catline said, shaking her head. “C’est… it’s the preseason. They will not keep him from you for that long.”
I gave her a half-smile. I didn’t want her to think that I was a complete and utter bitch after all – I mean, I could be when I wanted to be, but well, I couldn’t always be a bitch. “I’m not so sure.” I said with what must have sounded like a bitter laugh. “Sidney is the freaking phenom after all.”
Catrine shrugged. “He is good yes.” She said. “But that does not stop the fact that he is only 18 years old.”
I looked at her oddly. This girl must have been completely crazy if she thought that the fact that he was only 18 was going to stop the vultures from taking all of his time. The media had been all over Sidney since he was sixteen. I shrugged. “Whatever you say Catrine….” I said slowly. “Whatever you say….”
Taylor tugged on my hand. “You have to come.” She said firmly.
“You really do.” Trina said with a motherly smile… the kind of smile that made me miss my own Mom.
“Sidney really wants you to be there Darryl.” Troy said. “He was very insistent that we make sure you come with us.”
“In fact….” Trina said slowly, as if she were suddenly gaining some more insight into what was going on with Sidney and I. “He told us that we couldn’t take no for an answer, that we had to convince you to come.”
I sighed, feeling resigned. I had no good reason for saying no, except my own stupid fears and insecurities. Troy and Trina weren’t about to lie to me, and tell me that Sidney wanted me there when he didn’t. So I couldn’t exactly say no, not without making Trina more suspicious then she already was.
I smiled tremulously. “I suppose I could, but I’d have to be back before six on Sunday.” I told them. “I have a lot of things that I need to do in my classroom.”
Trina grinned. “I’m sure that Pat can arrange something.” She said confidently.
I nodded, feeling nervous. I wasn’t sure what I was going to say to Sidney when I saw him. In fact, I wasn’t sure what there was to say to him. I knew that I missed him, and this invitation showed that he missed me.
Either that, or he was too noble to leave things the way that they were, angry words spoken in a hotel room and he wanted to end things officially. I wasn’t really sure. There were times when I understood Sidney so well that it scared me, and then there were times when I just wasn’t sure about anything.
Since that night in Pittsburgh, I don’t think I’d been sure of anything where Sidney was concerned. Part of me needed to believe that things were over between us, and that it was all his fault, because he’d been deceiving me the entire time. But part of me still believed in him and in what we’d had.
So less then a week later, late one Friday night, I found myself on sitting on a plane, headed to Wilkes-Barre. Sidney wouldn’t be there when I got there, which was almost a bit of a relief. It would give me a chance to figure out what I was going to say to him when I saw him.
No, he was in Bringhampton with the Penguins, as they were taking on the Ottawa Senators in their farm team’s venue. So when I got to Wilkes-Barre, I headed straight to the hotel, where I collapsed, exhausted, into a dreamless sleep.
I woke late the next day and went for lunch with the Crosby’s, then out for some shopping to kill some time. I wasn’t entirely sure when I was going to get to see Sidney, but I had a feeling that it wouldn’t be before the game. I mean, I didn’t want to be a distraction to him. There were enough people looking for him to fail without me helping the cause by distracting him.
So I played lest in sight until it was time to meet the Crosby’s to go to the game. They headed over to the rink very early, around five, and I didn’t have much of a choice but to go with them. I managed to avoid going with them to the dressing room before the game, instead staying in our seats, a beer in my hands.
It wasn’t that I didn’t want to see Sidney. In fact, I was desperate to do so. But I didn’t want to be some kind of distraction to him and I didn’t want to hear after this game about how Sidney Crosby wasn’t living up to expectations. I knew that people were waiting for him to screw up and I didn’t want to be the reason that happened.
It wasn’t long before Trina made her way back to the seats. “Are you alright Darryl?” She asked, sitting down next to me.
I choked on my beer slightly. She’d almost snuck up on me, as I was alone with my thoughts, and hadn’t really been paying attention to anything but the ice surface. “I’m fine Trina.” I said when I had cleared my throat.
“Sidney was hoping to see you before the game.” She told me quietly.
I shrugged, taking sip of my beer. “I didn’t want to distract him.” I told her.
“He misses you Darryl.” She said softly.
I shrugged again. “I miss him too.”
We sat in awkward silence for a few minutes. Finally Trina sighed and turned to me. “Darryl, I don’t know exactly what happened between you and my son, and I know that this probably isn’t my place, but he wanted us to extend this invitation to you because he misses you and he wants to make things right.”
Unbidden, tears came to my eyes and I dashed them away angrily. “Then why didn’t he call me himself?” I asked. “He never did try to call you know.” I informed her. “I have message manager, so if he called and I wasn’t home like he said, he could have left a message, but he never called.”
Trina sighed again. “Darryl my son cares about you. He cares about you enough to bring you home to meet us. Something he’s never done before. You’re the first girl he’s been with that I’d actually call his girlfriend. He’s new at this. I know that this isn’t easy for you either, but please, give him a chance.”
It was my turn to sigh. “I came didn’t I?” I asked, sipping my beer. “And I’ll see him after the game… I promise.”
Trina reached over and patted my hand. “Good.” She said. “Because he wants to take you for dinner after the game… he asked me to tell you.”
“Oh.” I said quietly.
Trina sighed again and stood. “Taylor is hungry so I’m going to go grab something from the concession. Would you like anything?”
“I’m fine thanks.” I said, not taking my eyes off the ice surface as I took another sip of my beer.
So I sat in relative silence until the game was done, answering questions whenever they were asked, and responding automatically to comments directed at me. The game was disappointing, at least if you were cheering for the Penguins. They lost to the high powered Ottawa Senators offense took the Pens to school 6-2.
The best part of the game was Sidney’s first NHL goal, though he didn’t bother gathering the puck. Part of me wondered why. So I asked Troy, who shrugged and said. “He probably doesn’t want to count a preseason goal as his first NHL goal.”
“Oh.” I replied.
I knew that Sidney would have to talk to the press after the game so I slowly followed the Crosby’s down towards the dressing room. Someone from TSN grabbed Troy and asked him a series of questions about Sidney’s performance. I blended back, trying to blend into the woodwork, hoping that no one would see me and wonder who I was.
As I moved back towards the wall a hand was placed on my shoulder. “You must be Sidney’s girlfriend.” The voice said, a slight French accent in her voice.
I shrugged. “Don’t you watch TV?” I asked. “Sidney doesn’t have time to have a girlfriend.”
The girl snorted. “Neither does Marc-Andrè.” She replied. “Yet here I am, living with him in Pittsburgh.” She paused. “I’m Catline Bergeron.”
There was something about her that made me want to introduce myself the way my Oma always had. “Yelsaveta Koryluk.” I said, shaking her hand. “But please, call me Darryl.”
“Darryl?” She asked.
I shrugged. “It’s what people call me.” I said, failing to mention that it was also my real name.
“Oh.” Was her only reply to my comment.
We stood next to each other in silence for several minutes. Finally Catline couldn’t take it anymore apparently. She touched my arm and I looked up at her. “Are you and Sidney coming out tonight?” She asked. “A group of us are going for dinner and then out to have a good time.”
I shrugged again. “I don’t know what Sidney has planned.” I told her honestly. “I think his Mom mentioned something about dinner, but that was it.”
“Well if you go for dinner with his famille, you will have to join us for drinks after.” She said with a smile, and I could tell that she was trying to be nice. “It will be fun, all of the young Penguin players together.”
I nodded. “Thanks for the invite.” I said noncommittally. “I’ll ask Sidney when I see him.” I nodded towards the locker room. “Of course, he’ll probably be in there talking to the press for a good hour.”
“Oh non.” Catline said, shaking her head. “C’est… it’s the preseason. They will not keep him from you for that long.”
I gave her a half-smile. I didn’t want her to think that I was a complete and utter bitch after all – I mean, I could be when I wanted to be, but well, I couldn’t always be a bitch. “I’m not so sure.” I said with what must have sounded like a bitter laugh. “Sidney is the freaking phenom after all.”
Catrine shrugged. “He is good yes.” She said. “But that does not stop the fact that he is only 18 years old.”
I looked at her oddly. This girl must have been completely crazy if she thought that the fact that he was only 18 was going to stop the vultures from taking all of his time. The media had been all over Sidney since he was sixteen. I shrugged. “Whatever you say Catrine….” I said slowly. “Whatever you say….”
Chapter 22 - Some Kind of Wonderful
Less than a week later I was back in Cole Harbour and I was getting ready to start my new job. I should have been excited. I should have been eagerly anticipating the beginning to a new chapter in my life.
Instead I spent most of the time wondering about Sidney. I wondered what he was doing and how things were going for him at Mario’s. I wondered how practice was going and if he was adjusting well to life in the NHL. Mainly though, I wondered if he was thinking about me as much as I was thinking about him.
We hadn’t spoken since that night in Pittsburgh. He hadn’t tried to call me, but then again, I hadn’t tried to call him. Every night I sat at home and my fingers itched to dial his number. I just wanted to hear the sound of his voice. I wanted to hear him say my name again.
Only I didn’t know if he’d answer the phone if I called, so I couldn’t bring myself to do it. I couldn’t make myself pick up the phone and dial his number because there was always a chance that he wasn’t going to answer. Or worse still, he’d answer and he wouldn’t want to talk to me.
I had too much to worry about. I couldn’t deal with the emotional trauma of him not wanting me when all of this other… stuff, was going on in my life. I had to focus on my job… I wanted it to be my career.
Except that I wasn’t. Because no matter where I was, the only thing I was thinking about was Sidney. I was worried about him and I worried about the pressure he was facing. How was he dealing with it?
Or was it even hard for him? Being so far away I had no idea. Maybe he was having the time of his life in Pittsburgh and he didn’t need me at all. The plain hard fact of the matter was that I didn’t know. Nor was I likely to find out anytime soon.
So I continued working. I worried about getting to know my students. I worried about doing my job properly and in my spare time I tried to focus on anything and everything but Sidney Crosby.
Living in Cole Harbour made that practically impossible. You couldn’t take two steps without hearing something about him. I almost grew accustomed to hearing about him, though it continued to hurt. Every time I saw him on TV it hurt, and he was all over TV, every where I looked.
It didn’t help that I’m a huge sports fan. I couldn’t help but turn into Sportscentre and Sportsnet News. I wanted to know the scores, and though I tried to avoid most of the major stories about Sidney, I couldn’t completely ignore Sidney-mania. In fact, it probably wouldn’t have mattered where I was living, I wouldn’t be able to avoid Sidney-mania.
Sidney-mania continued with the press and I continued to try to ignore it as best I could.
However, whenever I saw one of those stupid pieces on any of the sports channels where they compared him to Alexander Ovechkin, I couldn’t help but tune in. I worried about Sidney when I saw those stories.
I worried about how he felt, being compared to a 20-year-old. Ovechkin already had a pro-season under his belt in Russia. Sidney had just turned 18… last year he’d been playing in a kid’s league, compared to what Ovechkin had been doing. It didn’t seem fair to compare the two.
And every time I saw one of those stories… one of the ones that I just couldn’t turn off the question inevitably came up. Did he have a girlfriend? Over the summer, when I knew that Sidney and I together, the fact that he said that he dated, but was still single, well it didn’t bother me.
I knew the truth. Troy, Trina, Taylor and even Pat knew the truth. So did most of Sidney’s closest friends. So it didn’t bother me when he lied to the media. Lord knew that the media lied about him enough. Turnabout seemed like fair play when he lied to him.
Now though, it bothered me. Hearing him tell people that he didn’t have a girlfriend bothered me. I wanted him to tell the truth all of a sudden. Maybe that’s what bothered me the most. That now it seemed as though he was telling the truth. I mean, really telling the truth. He didn’t have a girlfriend. I wasn’t his girlfriend anymore.
That bothered me. It bothered me more then I really could ever say. So while I could turn off the TV and ignore the newspaper, I couldn’t ignore the Crosby’s. Troy and Trina continued to invite me over for dinner once a week, or to brunch on Sundays. In fact, they acted as though Sidney and I were still seeing each other.
If Sidney hadn’t bothered to tell his parents that things had ended between us, and badly, I wasn’t going to tell them. That was his job. Besides, they were the only people I really knew in Cole Harbour, and I wasn’t willing to give up that small connection with the world outside of my school.
As September continued and the pre-season games started, I was slightly worried when I saw Sidney wasn’t scheduled to play much. I hoped that he wasn’t hurt, but I just couldn’t bring myself to call him to find out.
Right before the pre-season started, I went out for Sunday brunch with Troy, Trina and Taylor and the minute I sat down at the table, Troy nearly pounced on me. “So are you going to be able to come?”
“Come where?” I asked, feeling totally confused.
“To Wilkes-Barre.” Troy replied immediately.
“To where?” I asked, feeling as though I was missing something important.
“Wilkes-Barre.” Troy said slowly, looking at me carefully. “That’s where the baby Penguins play.”
“The baby Penguins?” I asked, my eyebrows raised.
“The AHL affiliate of the Penguins.” Troy explained slowly, as if I were a little slow.
Which really, I suppose I was. I know that I’m not good early in the morning… I’ve never claimed to be, but somehow I was feeling as if I was really missing something this morning. “Umm why would I be going there?” I asked, bewildered.
Troy glanced at Trina who was giggling. “Troy don’t you remember?” She asked.
“Remember what?” Troy asked, sounding and looking as confused as I’m sure I had a few moments before.
“Sidney told us he hadn’t been able to get in touch with Darryl.” Trina said with a grin. “So why don’t you explain what’s going on to the poor girl instead of asking her a bunch of questions that she just doesn’t understand.”
“Thank you Trina.” I said with a sigh of relief. “I was beginning to think that I was really missing something.”
“Well you are.” Troy said with a bit of a teasing smile. “But that’s nothing that we can’t rectify.”
“Oh good.” I said with a relieved smile.
“So the pre-season starts on Monday.” Troy said.
“I know.” I said nodding. “I don’t live completely buried under a pile of rocks. Close, but not quite.”
“Well, Sidney’s not going to be playing in every game.” Troy added.
“I heard something about that.” I said, trying as hard as I could to remain calm. “He isn’t hurt or anything is he?” I asked, struggling not to reveal how anxious I was about his health.
Trina and Troy both looked at me oddly, so I continued. “Umm, Sidney and I have been keeping such different, ah, schedules lately.” I lied, though not totally smoothly. “We haven’t talked much lately.”
The Crosby’s seemed to accept this. At the very least, they didn’t question it. “He’s fine Darryl.” Trina told me with an easy smile, much like Sidney’s. “The Pens are just worried that he’ll have a target on his back this pre-season and they don’t want some minor-league enforcer to take a dirty shot at him, so he won’t be playing in every pre-season game.”
I sighed with relief again. “Oh good.” I said. “I was a little worried.”
Troy laughed. “Well if you want, you can see for yourself.” He said.
“What do you mean?” I asked, suddenly feeling confused again. “Troy, its early on a Sunday. I’m not exactly a morning person, so you have to move really slowly with me in the morning.”
Troy and Trina laughed. “Basically, Sidney’s playing every second pre-season game. Which means he isn’t playing tomorrow, but he plays Wednesday, he’s not playing Friday, but he plays Saturday, in Wilkes-Barre.”
“So he’s playing for the baby Pens?” I asked.
“No, the Pens are playing a pre-season game in their AHL team’s venue.” Trina explained with a bit of a chuckle.
“Oh you mean like how the Raps always play a pre-season game in Winnipeg.” I said nodding. “Okay, even that makes sense to my poor, tired brain.”
Taylor giggled and her parents laughed. “Basically….” Troy said. “Sidney called us the other night, because we’re all going to be there, obviously, and he said that he hasn’t been able to get in touch with you, but he knew that we’d be seeing you for brunch.”
Now that surprised me. Because that meant that Sidney was well aware of the fact that I was still eating with his family at least once a week. Which meant that he had a much better idea of what was going on in my life then I had about his.
It almost angered me, because here I was, worrying about everything that was going on in his life, and he wasn’t at all worried about me. He knew. I sighed. “Yeah, we haven’t been able to talk to each other much lately.”
“Well he asked us to invite you to join us in Wilkes-Barre on Saturday.” Troy said with a smile. “So what do you say Darryl? Are you in?”
Instead I spent most of the time wondering about Sidney. I wondered what he was doing and how things were going for him at Mario’s. I wondered how practice was going and if he was adjusting well to life in the NHL. Mainly though, I wondered if he was thinking about me as much as I was thinking about him.
We hadn’t spoken since that night in Pittsburgh. He hadn’t tried to call me, but then again, I hadn’t tried to call him. Every night I sat at home and my fingers itched to dial his number. I just wanted to hear the sound of his voice. I wanted to hear him say my name again.
Only I didn’t know if he’d answer the phone if I called, so I couldn’t bring myself to do it. I couldn’t make myself pick up the phone and dial his number because there was always a chance that he wasn’t going to answer. Or worse still, he’d answer and he wouldn’t want to talk to me.
I had too much to worry about. I couldn’t deal with the emotional trauma of him not wanting me when all of this other… stuff, was going on in my life. I had to focus on my job… I wanted it to be my career.
Except that I wasn’t. Because no matter where I was, the only thing I was thinking about was Sidney. I was worried about him and I worried about the pressure he was facing. How was he dealing with it?
Or was it even hard for him? Being so far away I had no idea. Maybe he was having the time of his life in Pittsburgh and he didn’t need me at all. The plain hard fact of the matter was that I didn’t know. Nor was I likely to find out anytime soon.
So I continued working. I worried about getting to know my students. I worried about doing my job properly and in my spare time I tried to focus on anything and everything but Sidney Crosby.
Living in Cole Harbour made that practically impossible. You couldn’t take two steps without hearing something about him. I almost grew accustomed to hearing about him, though it continued to hurt. Every time I saw him on TV it hurt, and he was all over TV, every where I looked.
It didn’t help that I’m a huge sports fan. I couldn’t help but turn into Sportscentre and Sportsnet News. I wanted to know the scores, and though I tried to avoid most of the major stories about Sidney, I couldn’t completely ignore Sidney-mania. In fact, it probably wouldn’t have mattered where I was living, I wouldn’t be able to avoid Sidney-mania.
Sidney-mania continued with the press and I continued to try to ignore it as best I could.
However, whenever I saw one of those stupid pieces on any of the sports channels where they compared him to Alexander Ovechkin, I couldn’t help but tune in. I worried about Sidney when I saw those stories.
I worried about how he felt, being compared to a 20-year-old. Ovechkin already had a pro-season under his belt in Russia. Sidney had just turned 18… last year he’d been playing in a kid’s league, compared to what Ovechkin had been doing. It didn’t seem fair to compare the two.
And every time I saw one of those stories… one of the ones that I just couldn’t turn off the question inevitably came up. Did he have a girlfriend? Over the summer, when I knew that Sidney and I together, the fact that he said that he dated, but was still single, well it didn’t bother me.
I knew the truth. Troy, Trina, Taylor and even Pat knew the truth. So did most of Sidney’s closest friends. So it didn’t bother me when he lied to the media. Lord knew that the media lied about him enough. Turnabout seemed like fair play when he lied to him.
Now though, it bothered me. Hearing him tell people that he didn’t have a girlfriend bothered me. I wanted him to tell the truth all of a sudden. Maybe that’s what bothered me the most. That now it seemed as though he was telling the truth. I mean, really telling the truth. He didn’t have a girlfriend. I wasn’t his girlfriend anymore.
That bothered me. It bothered me more then I really could ever say. So while I could turn off the TV and ignore the newspaper, I couldn’t ignore the Crosby’s. Troy and Trina continued to invite me over for dinner once a week, or to brunch on Sundays. In fact, they acted as though Sidney and I were still seeing each other.
If Sidney hadn’t bothered to tell his parents that things had ended between us, and badly, I wasn’t going to tell them. That was his job. Besides, they were the only people I really knew in Cole Harbour, and I wasn’t willing to give up that small connection with the world outside of my school.
As September continued and the pre-season games started, I was slightly worried when I saw Sidney wasn’t scheduled to play much. I hoped that he wasn’t hurt, but I just couldn’t bring myself to call him to find out.
Right before the pre-season started, I went out for Sunday brunch with Troy, Trina and Taylor and the minute I sat down at the table, Troy nearly pounced on me. “So are you going to be able to come?”
“Come where?” I asked, feeling totally confused.
“To Wilkes-Barre.” Troy replied immediately.
“To where?” I asked, feeling as though I was missing something important.
“Wilkes-Barre.” Troy said slowly, looking at me carefully. “That’s where the baby Penguins play.”
“The baby Penguins?” I asked, my eyebrows raised.
“The AHL affiliate of the Penguins.” Troy explained slowly, as if I were a little slow.
Which really, I suppose I was. I know that I’m not good early in the morning… I’ve never claimed to be, but somehow I was feeling as if I was really missing something this morning. “Umm why would I be going there?” I asked, bewildered.
Troy glanced at Trina who was giggling. “Troy don’t you remember?” She asked.
“Remember what?” Troy asked, sounding and looking as confused as I’m sure I had a few moments before.
“Sidney told us he hadn’t been able to get in touch with Darryl.” Trina said with a grin. “So why don’t you explain what’s going on to the poor girl instead of asking her a bunch of questions that she just doesn’t understand.”
“Thank you Trina.” I said with a sigh of relief. “I was beginning to think that I was really missing something.”
“Well you are.” Troy said with a bit of a teasing smile. “But that’s nothing that we can’t rectify.”
“Oh good.” I said with a relieved smile.
“So the pre-season starts on Monday.” Troy said.
“I know.” I said nodding. “I don’t live completely buried under a pile of rocks. Close, but not quite.”
“Well, Sidney’s not going to be playing in every game.” Troy added.
“I heard something about that.” I said, trying as hard as I could to remain calm. “He isn’t hurt or anything is he?” I asked, struggling not to reveal how anxious I was about his health.
Trina and Troy both looked at me oddly, so I continued. “Umm, Sidney and I have been keeping such different, ah, schedules lately.” I lied, though not totally smoothly. “We haven’t talked much lately.”
The Crosby’s seemed to accept this. At the very least, they didn’t question it. “He’s fine Darryl.” Trina told me with an easy smile, much like Sidney’s. “The Pens are just worried that he’ll have a target on his back this pre-season and they don’t want some minor-league enforcer to take a dirty shot at him, so he won’t be playing in every pre-season game.”
I sighed with relief again. “Oh good.” I said. “I was a little worried.”
Troy laughed. “Well if you want, you can see for yourself.” He said.
“What do you mean?” I asked, suddenly feeling confused again. “Troy, its early on a Sunday. I’m not exactly a morning person, so you have to move really slowly with me in the morning.”
Troy and Trina laughed. “Basically, Sidney’s playing every second pre-season game. Which means he isn’t playing tomorrow, but he plays Wednesday, he’s not playing Friday, but he plays Saturday, in Wilkes-Barre.”
“So he’s playing for the baby Pens?” I asked.
“No, the Pens are playing a pre-season game in their AHL team’s venue.” Trina explained with a bit of a chuckle.
“Oh you mean like how the Raps always play a pre-season game in Winnipeg.” I said nodding. “Okay, even that makes sense to my poor, tired brain.”
Taylor giggled and her parents laughed. “Basically….” Troy said. “Sidney called us the other night, because we’re all going to be there, obviously, and he said that he hasn’t been able to get in touch with you, but he knew that we’d be seeing you for brunch.”
Now that surprised me. Because that meant that Sidney was well aware of the fact that I was still eating with his family at least once a week. Which meant that he had a much better idea of what was going on in my life then I had about his.
It almost angered me, because here I was, worrying about everything that was going on in his life, and he wasn’t at all worried about me. He knew. I sighed. “Yeah, we haven’t been able to talk to each other much lately.”
“Well he asked us to invite you to join us in Wilkes-Barre on Saturday.” Troy said with a smile. “So what do you say Darryl? Are you in?”
Chapter 21 - Some Kind of Wonderful
We headed back to Pittsburgh later that week. Sidney was living with Mario, and I was back in the hotel. I only had a few days left to spend with Sidney before I had to go to work in Cole Harbour. I wanted to make the most of them. I know that he did too.
We went for lunch together every day, although I was being kept busy with the final portion of Sidney’s contract negotiation so I didn’t have as much time as I wanted to spend with him. When I was with him, my heart was breaking. When I wasn’t with him, my heart was breaking.
I already knew how much I was going to miss him. It tore me up inside thinking about spending months at a time away from him. But that was what I was going to do. I mean, I couldn’t just quit my job. I had signed a contract and I was looking forward to my first full time teaching job.
Yet leaving Sidney in Pittsburgh was going to be the hardest thing that I would ever have to do, and I wasn’t entirely sure how I was going to do it. I knew that Sidney wanted us to jump the hurdles as they came and not worry about them ahead of time. Unfortunately I was worried.
I worried all of the time. I knew that over the past few days, Sidney and the other Penguins rookies had been going through an intense orientation camp. That included a lot of talk about the various temptations that they would face as rich young men in a city that loved their hockey team.
Just thinking about all of those different temptations made me feel ill. So I worried. I worried a lot about the time that we weren’t going to be able to make it over all of the hurdles that those temptations were going to present us with. I just tried as hard as I possibly could not to show it around him.
I didn’t want to be the possessive bitchy girlfriend. I didn’t want to make him feel trapped. Yet being with him, being his girl, was making me start to think about the future. It made me start thinking about marriage. It even had me thinking about kids.
All of those thoughts were wonderful and frightening. They were wonderful because I knew that I was well on my way to being in love again. After the last time, I wasn’t sure that I was ever going to fall in love again.
Yet it was frightening because Sidney was only eighteen. He’s so young and he hasn’t experienced so much. I didn’t want him to miss out on those things. I didn’t want to push him to things that he didn’t want.
And I wasn’t sure what he wanted. I wasn’t sure if being with me was making me think about marriage and children. I wasn’t sure if he was even thinking beyond the next day or the next week. I had no idea.
I didn’t want to disrupt things by asking. I didn’t want to make him feel uncomfortable. Yet by not making him uncomfortable, I wasn’t sure whether or not I was risking my own happiness… my own piece of mind. I wanted both of us to be happy. I wanted us to be happy together. I wanted that more than anything.
As I sat around on one of my last nights in Pittsburgh finishing up some final revisions on some paperwork for Pat, there was a knock at my hotel room door. Sighing, I fixed my hair in a sloppy ponytail and padded slowly to the door. Pat had a bad habit of sending messengers at all hours to pick up whatever it was that I was working on.
To my surprise, Sidney was standing on the other side of my door. “Crosby!” I said surprised.
Sidney smiled at me softly. “You didn’t think that I was going to let you leave without me seeing you did you?” He asked, gently pushing me backwards into my hotel room.
I smiled up at him, his nearness making me want nothing more then to throw my arms around his neck and kiss him. “I wasn’t sure.” I said with a shrug. “You’ve been so busy since you were here, I just couldn’t know for sure.”
Sidney leaned down and kissed me passionately. His lips worked against mine and I moaned low in pleasure as his hands moved lower and his fingers massaged my back and then moved lower and lower still. I twined my fingers in his hair and together we stumbled backwards towards the bed.
We collapsed onto the bed, Sidney on top of me. I accepted his body weight and moaned as his knee urged my legs apart. He settled between my legs and his hips moved against mine. His lips moved away from mine and trailed a line of hot kisses down my neck.
“Sidney….” I moaned low, my head thrashing slightly.
“You are so beautiful Dare.” He muttered, starring down at me reverently. “I can only imagine how beautiful you are with your clothes off.”
“And you’ve spent a lot of time imagining it haven’t you Crosby?” I teased him, reaching up to gently stroke his cheek with the back of my hand.
“More than you can imagine babe.” He replied, his fingers moving to slowly remove my tank top. “More than you can imagine.”
His mouth came crashing down on mine again and I knew then that the time for talking had passed. I wanted to be with him before I left. I wanted us to come together like this. I wanted him to make love to me so that we could be one, if only for a moment.
Nearly an hour later I lay cuddled in Sidney arms, the blankets, sheets and clothes all over the place, my paper work a mess on the floor. I sighed and shivered. We were covered in sweat. Whose it was, I couldn’t very well tell you, but it was chilly, laying there naked on the bed.
Sidney dropped a quick kiss on my forehead. “You cold babe?” He asked.
“A little.” I replied.
Sidney let me go briefly, reaching down on the floor for the blanket. Pulling it up over me he surprised me by leaning over again to grab his t-shirt. “Here.” He said, cuddling me in his arms again. “Put this on.”
I smiled and pulled his t-shirt on, inhaling deeply as I did so. It smelt like him. There was something comforting about that. “Thanks.” I whispered, pressing a soft kiss on his well muscled chest.
“Thank you.” He whispered in reply.
I giggled. “It was good for me too Crosby.” I reminded him.
“I know.” He said with a triumphant grin. “And I’m sure the people in the rooms on either side of us know it too.”
I shrugged. “So I was a little loud. I made you scream too Crosby.”
“Did not.” Sidney answered indignantly.
“Did too.” I replied.
“Did not.”
“Did too.”
“You so did not.”
“I so did Crosby.” I told him with a laugh. “But if you really want to prove me wrong, we could always try again.”
“What time is it?” Sidney asked, glancing around.
I reached for my cell phone, sitting on the dresser. “Nearly eleven thirty.” I replied. “Why?”
“Oh fuck.” He muttered leaning out of the bed and reaching for his pants.
“What?” I asked, clutching the blanket to my chest.
“Fuck Dare, I hate having to do this.” He muttered.
“Do what?” I demanded, looking him straight in the eye.
He looked away and muttered. “I have to go.”
“Go?” I demanded angrily. “Go where?”
“Curfew remember?” He said, glancing at me briefly. “I have to be back at Mario’s already.”
“Stay the night.” I replied. “Call, tell him you’re alright and that you’re with me.”
“Dare, its not that simple.” He told me, running his fingers through his now tangled hair. “I have stuff tomorrow.”
“So you’re going to pump and dump huh?” I demanded, peeling his shirt off of my body. “I should have fucking known.” I snapped angrily running my fingers through my hair. “I should have fucking known better.”
Sidney was starring at me, incredulously, so I continued. “You made it perfectly clear from when we first met that all you wanted to do was fuck me. Now that you’ve done that, you don’t want to stick around because if you stick around you know that its going to get emotional and you don’t want to deal with that.”
“I never said that.” Sidney tried to defend himself.
“You didn’t have to say it.” I snapped throwing his t-shirt at him. “Your actions speak louder then words Crosby.”
“I’m already late Dare.” Sidney said. “What more do you want?”
“What do I want?” I snapped angrily. “What the fuck do you think that I want?”
“I don’t fucking know.” Sidney yelled at me. “If I knew, I wouldn’t be so fucking confused right now.”
“Why the fuck do you think that I put off having sex with you for so damned long Crosby?” I demanded.
Sidney just starred at me and shrugged, so I continued. “I put it off hoping that you would take the time to get to know me. I put it off hoping that once you go to know me, you’d like me enough not to do this to me.”
“Do what to you?” Sidney asked.
“Pump and dump.” I snapped. “Really, Crosby, if all you wanted to do was fuck and chuck, you should have waited to approach me until you were already 18. We could have just had sex and been done with each other. This… this hurts.”
Sidney’s cell phone started ringing. “Fuck.” He muttered, looking at the call display. “I have to go.” He mumbled awkwardly, turning and leaving me standing with only a blanket to cover myself.
The door to the room closed behind him and I moaned in pain. I didn’t understand how he could do this to me. We had just had sex for the first time. Didn’t he understand that I didn’t want him to leave? I wanted him to spend the night with, holding me in his arms.
I wanted to wake up next to him. I wanted to feel safe. I wanted to know that he wasn’t going to leave me now that he had gotten what he wanted. So I lay on the bed and I cried myself to sleep, wishing that I’d never met Sidney Crosby.
We went for lunch together every day, although I was being kept busy with the final portion of Sidney’s contract negotiation so I didn’t have as much time as I wanted to spend with him. When I was with him, my heart was breaking. When I wasn’t with him, my heart was breaking.
I already knew how much I was going to miss him. It tore me up inside thinking about spending months at a time away from him. But that was what I was going to do. I mean, I couldn’t just quit my job. I had signed a contract and I was looking forward to my first full time teaching job.
Yet leaving Sidney in Pittsburgh was going to be the hardest thing that I would ever have to do, and I wasn’t entirely sure how I was going to do it. I knew that Sidney wanted us to jump the hurdles as they came and not worry about them ahead of time. Unfortunately I was worried.
I worried all of the time. I knew that over the past few days, Sidney and the other Penguins rookies had been going through an intense orientation camp. That included a lot of talk about the various temptations that they would face as rich young men in a city that loved their hockey team.
Just thinking about all of those different temptations made me feel ill. So I worried. I worried a lot about the time that we weren’t going to be able to make it over all of the hurdles that those temptations were going to present us with. I just tried as hard as I possibly could not to show it around him.
I didn’t want to be the possessive bitchy girlfriend. I didn’t want to make him feel trapped. Yet being with him, being his girl, was making me start to think about the future. It made me start thinking about marriage. It even had me thinking about kids.
All of those thoughts were wonderful and frightening. They were wonderful because I knew that I was well on my way to being in love again. After the last time, I wasn’t sure that I was ever going to fall in love again.
Yet it was frightening because Sidney was only eighteen. He’s so young and he hasn’t experienced so much. I didn’t want him to miss out on those things. I didn’t want to push him to things that he didn’t want.
And I wasn’t sure what he wanted. I wasn’t sure if being with me was making me think about marriage and children. I wasn’t sure if he was even thinking beyond the next day or the next week. I had no idea.
I didn’t want to disrupt things by asking. I didn’t want to make him feel uncomfortable. Yet by not making him uncomfortable, I wasn’t sure whether or not I was risking my own happiness… my own piece of mind. I wanted both of us to be happy. I wanted us to be happy together. I wanted that more than anything.
As I sat around on one of my last nights in Pittsburgh finishing up some final revisions on some paperwork for Pat, there was a knock at my hotel room door. Sighing, I fixed my hair in a sloppy ponytail and padded slowly to the door. Pat had a bad habit of sending messengers at all hours to pick up whatever it was that I was working on.
To my surprise, Sidney was standing on the other side of my door. “Crosby!” I said surprised.
Sidney smiled at me softly. “You didn’t think that I was going to let you leave without me seeing you did you?” He asked, gently pushing me backwards into my hotel room.
I smiled up at him, his nearness making me want nothing more then to throw my arms around his neck and kiss him. “I wasn’t sure.” I said with a shrug. “You’ve been so busy since you were here, I just couldn’t know for sure.”
Sidney leaned down and kissed me passionately. His lips worked against mine and I moaned low in pleasure as his hands moved lower and his fingers massaged my back and then moved lower and lower still. I twined my fingers in his hair and together we stumbled backwards towards the bed.
We collapsed onto the bed, Sidney on top of me. I accepted his body weight and moaned as his knee urged my legs apart. He settled between my legs and his hips moved against mine. His lips moved away from mine and trailed a line of hot kisses down my neck.
“Sidney….” I moaned low, my head thrashing slightly.
“You are so beautiful Dare.” He muttered, starring down at me reverently. “I can only imagine how beautiful you are with your clothes off.”
“And you’ve spent a lot of time imagining it haven’t you Crosby?” I teased him, reaching up to gently stroke his cheek with the back of my hand.
“More than you can imagine babe.” He replied, his fingers moving to slowly remove my tank top. “More than you can imagine.”
His mouth came crashing down on mine again and I knew then that the time for talking had passed. I wanted to be with him before I left. I wanted us to come together like this. I wanted him to make love to me so that we could be one, if only for a moment.
Nearly an hour later I lay cuddled in Sidney arms, the blankets, sheets and clothes all over the place, my paper work a mess on the floor. I sighed and shivered. We were covered in sweat. Whose it was, I couldn’t very well tell you, but it was chilly, laying there naked on the bed.
Sidney dropped a quick kiss on my forehead. “You cold babe?” He asked.
“A little.” I replied.
Sidney let me go briefly, reaching down on the floor for the blanket. Pulling it up over me he surprised me by leaning over again to grab his t-shirt. “Here.” He said, cuddling me in his arms again. “Put this on.”
I smiled and pulled his t-shirt on, inhaling deeply as I did so. It smelt like him. There was something comforting about that. “Thanks.” I whispered, pressing a soft kiss on his well muscled chest.
“Thank you.” He whispered in reply.
I giggled. “It was good for me too Crosby.” I reminded him.
“I know.” He said with a triumphant grin. “And I’m sure the people in the rooms on either side of us know it too.”
I shrugged. “So I was a little loud. I made you scream too Crosby.”
“Did not.” Sidney answered indignantly.
“Did too.” I replied.
“Did not.”
“Did too.”
“You so did not.”
“I so did Crosby.” I told him with a laugh. “But if you really want to prove me wrong, we could always try again.”
“What time is it?” Sidney asked, glancing around.
I reached for my cell phone, sitting on the dresser. “Nearly eleven thirty.” I replied. “Why?”
“Oh fuck.” He muttered leaning out of the bed and reaching for his pants.
“What?” I asked, clutching the blanket to my chest.
“Fuck Dare, I hate having to do this.” He muttered.
“Do what?” I demanded, looking him straight in the eye.
He looked away and muttered. “I have to go.”
“Go?” I demanded angrily. “Go where?”
“Curfew remember?” He said, glancing at me briefly. “I have to be back at Mario’s already.”
“Stay the night.” I replied. “Call, tell him you’re alright and that you’re with me.”
“Dare, its not that simple.” He told me, running his fingers through his now tangled hair. “I have stuff tomorrow.”
“So you’re going to pump and dump huh?” I demanded, peeling his shirt off of my body. “I should have fucking known.” I snapped angrily running my fingers through my hair. “I should have fucking known better.”
Sidney was starring at me, incredulously, so I continued. “You made it perfectly clear from when we first met that all you wanted to do was fuck me. Now that you’ve done that, you don’t want to stick around because if you stick around you know that its going to get emotional and you don’t want to deal with that.”
“I never said that.” Sidney tried to defend himself.
“You didn’t have to say it.” I snapped throwing his t-shirt at him. “Your actions speak louder then words Crosby.”
“I’m already late Dare.” Sidney said. “What more do you want?”
“What do I want?” I snapped angrily. “What the fuck do you think that I want?”
“I don’t fucking know.” Sidney yelled at me. “If I knew, I wouldn’t be so fucking confused right now.”
“Why the fuck do you think that I put off having sex with you for so damned long Crosby?” I demanded.
Sidney just starred at me and shrugged, so I continued. “I put it off hoping that you would take the time to get to know me. I put it off hoping that once you go to know me, you’d like me enough not to do this to me.”
“Do what to you?” Sidney asked.
“Pump and dump.” I snapped. “Really, Crosby, if all you wanted to do was fuck and chuck, you should have waited to approach me until you were already 18. We could have just had sex and been done with each other. This… this hurts.”
Sidney’s cell phone started ringing. “Fuck.” He muttered, looking at the call display. “I have to go.” He mumbled awkwardly, turning and leaving me standing with only a blanket to cover myself.
The door to the room closed behind him and I moaned in pain. I didn’t understand how he could do this to me. We had just had sex for the first time. Didn’t he understand that I didn’t want him to leave? I wanted him to spend the night with, holding me in his arms.
I wanted to wake up next to him. I wanted to feel safe. I wanted to know that he wasn’t going to leave me now that he had gotten what he wanted. So I lay on the bed and I cried myself to sleep, wishing that I’d never met Sidney Crosby.
Chapter 20 - Some Kind of Wonderful
We made our way upstairs to our hotel rooms, which had a connecting door, thanks to Sidney’s meddling. Sidney hands were all over my body, turning me on incredibly as we made our way upstairs. “Stop it.” I hissed to him at one point. “Everyone can see us.”
“So?” Sidney replied, his lips working insistently on my neck.
“So they’re going to think something of this Sid.” I answered, a little nervously. “And I don’t want to get in trouble with Pat or your parents.”
Sidney shrugged. “You don’t think that people have seen me making out with someone before?” He asked. “I mean, I did live here for two years Dare, and I wasn’t celibate the entire time.”
I snorted. “The exact opposite the way you and your friends tell it of course.”
Sidney grinned and pushed me up against the wall of the elevator, kissing me brusquely as he did so. “I want you Dare.” He muttered. “Tonight.”
I kissed him back. “Not tonight Sid.” I whispered as we pulled apart. “Please. Tomorrow. When we can do it right.”
Sidney sighed in obvious frustration. “Why are you so damned concerned about doing it right Dare?” He demanded. “I just want to do it.”
“I’ve noticed.” I muttered dryly. “And I want to make sure that, first off, we both really want it, and two that we are both capable of remembering it in the morning. Sober sex is always better then drunk sex Sid.”
“Not always.” Sid said with a bit of a grin. “I mean, if you’re drunk, you sometimes think its good, even when its bad.”
I chuckled. “Okay, okay, you’ve got me there Crosby.” I admitted. “But I’d rather have both of us sober when we try it for the first time.”
Sidney sighed in frustration. “You’re serious about that huh?”
“Very serious.” I told him nodding. “Sidney, you may not have figured it out yet, but I care about you a lot.”
Sidney sighed, as he let me go, pulling me into his hotel room behind him. “You don’t think that I care about you Dare?” He demanded.
I shrugged. “I know that you care about me Sidney.” I told him with a small smile. “But I’m not sure that you really understand how much I care about you.”
“What do you mean?” He asked, pulling me into his arms as he sat on the bed.
“Sidney I care about you a lot.” I said slowly and quietly. “I wouldn’t give up a job for just anyone… and I wouldn’t travel as much as I have this summer for just anyone. Sidney I think I….” I trailed off, tears welling up in my eyes, unable to continue.
Sidney placed a soft kiss on my forehead. “You what Dare?” He asked gently, his hands stroking my arms, in an attempt to relax me.
“I’m scared.” I whispered quietly.
“You’re what?” Sidney asked, having not heard me clearly.
“I’m scared.” I repeated, a little bit louder.
“What are you scared of?” Sidney asked gently.
“Of us.” I said quietly. “Of you and me. Of being together.”
“Why?” Sidney asked, smoothing my hair away from my face with a surprisingly gentle hand.
I buried my face in his chest and didn’t reply right away. I mean, I wasn’t sure what to say. It’s not exactly and easy thing to figure out. How to do you tell a guy that you’re scared of falling in love with him? That falling in love with him was a scary thing. It wasn’t easy to say and it wasn’t something that I thought that I could say.
Sidney sighed and kissed the top of my head. “I wish you would just trust me Dare.” He muttered. “I don’t understand why you can’t trust me.”
“It’s not you that I don’t trust Sidney.” I whispered, immediately wanting to sooth his fears. “It’s men in general… and I know that you can’t exactly help it Crosby, but you definitely very, very male.”
Sidney smiled teasingly. “And hear I was thinking that what you liked about me the best was the fact that I am very, very male.”
I couldn’t help myself and I giggled. “I definitely enjoy the fact that you are male.” I said, kissing him softly. “It definitely makes you attractive.”
“Good.” Sidney mumbled, slipping his lips over mine, his hands sliding up to cup my chest. “Because babe, a very large part of what attracted me to you was the fact that you are very incredibly, incredibly female.”
“Well that’s good I suppose.” I said, kissing him back.
“Very, very good.” Sidney mumbled, his hands sliding up and down my body, stopping here and there to massage and caress my body.
I moaned low and pressed myself closer. “Just because I’m enjoying this doesn’t mean that I’m not scared Crosby.” I told him, kissing him gently on the lips.
“I know Dare.” Sidney said, laying back on the bed and drawing me gently into his embrace. “I’m not sure that I entirely get WHY you are so scared, but I respect the fact that you’re scared.”
I cuddled closer to him. “Thanks Crosby.” I whispered, kissing him softly.
“You’re an amazing girl Darryl.” Sidney said gently. “You’ve been treated badly by guys like me… I mean, I’ve treated a lot of girls badly. So I can understand your mistrust. I’ve been understanding, but I think that you need to understand that its frustrating for me because I’ve done noting to deserve your mistrust.”
“I know.” I said, my eyes closing slowly. “I want to trust you Sidney. I really do. I just can’t deal with getting hurt again and I feel like I’m setting myself up here.”
Sidney sighed and ran an impatient hand through his hair. “And that hurts me Dare.” He said. “Because I’ve done nothing to deserve your mistrust.”
“Not with me.” I said darkly. “But the same can’t be said for some of the other girls in your life Sid.”
“But that’s THEM.” Sidney said pointedly. “And you are YOU. There is a big difference.”
“Maybe there’s no difference to you Crosby.” I told him honestly. “But to most girls there really isn’t a big difference. After all the best predictor of future behaviour is past behaviour.”
Sidney rolled his eyes. “You’re doing the teacher thing again Dare.” He told me. “And really, it’s getting rather annoying. You aren’t just a teacher. You’re a woman too.”
I sighed. “We really are just repeating ourselves aren’t we?”
Sidney smiled. “Pretty much yep.”
“I just sometimes feel like… well you’ve only stuck with me because you want to fuck me.” I told him honestly. “Once you’ve done that, and you move to Pittsburgh, you’ll move on, and I’ll be left alone.”
Sidney shook his head and rolled his eyes. “Dare, you and I have this intense sexual tension.” He said. “And I’m not going to lie… its freaking awesome and I love being with you because I never know what you’re going to say or how you’re going to make me want you next, but that doesn’t mean that I don’t know the difference between lust and, well, you know.”
I giggled. The boy couldn’t say the word love. “Love?” I supplied, with a wicked grin on my face.
“Yeah, that.” Sidney said, making a face.
“And how exactly am I supposed to believe you when you can’t even say the word?” I asked him teasingly. “I mean, I know it’s a hard word for guys to say, but still Crosby, grow some balls.”
“Excuse me?” Sidney said, surprise in his voice. “Little Miss I’m Scared is telling me to grow some balls?”
“Hey at least I can tell you how I feel about you.” I told him with a smile and shrug. “You can’t even say the L-word. I had to do it for you. Baby.” I teased him.
“You’re going to pay for that Korulyk.” Sidney said grabbing my hands and forcing them over my head, leaning down and kissing me softly.
I wiggled, managing to free a hand, trailing it down to tickle him. Sidney burst out laughing and wiggled, reaching for the hand that I managed to keep out of his grasp. “Don’t you dare!” Sidney almost squealed.
I giggled and kissed him softly. “I’d dare almost anything with you Crosby.” I told him, reaching up and gently smoothing his hair.
“Almost anything is right.” Sidney said, making a face.
I stuck my tongue out at him. “You’ll survive until I feel ready Crosby.” I pointed out. “And if you don’t, well, then you’ll just prove that you are the kind of guy that I’m worried you are.”
“Even though since I’ve met you I totally HAVEN’T been that guy.” Sidney said pointedly, pouting.
“It’s not easy for a tiger to change its stripes Crosby. At least now I do actually believe that it’s possible.” I said pointedly.
“I suppose that’s something.” Sidney grumbled tiredly.
“It’s a lot Crosby.” I told him softly, relaxing in his hold, his heartbeat gently lolling me to sleep. “It’s actually a lot.”
We woke up when our phone rang the next day with our wake up call. Sidney had to be on the ice in an hour. Sid moaned and rolled over cuddling me to him tightly. “Come on Crosby.” I said kissing him softly. “You have to be on the ice in an hour.”
“My head hurts.” He whined.
“I’ve got some advil in the bathroom.” I told him, shoving him gently. “Come on.”
He moaned again and I threw a pillow at him before I opened the curtains. Sidney immediately pulled the pillow over his head. “That hurts Dare.” He muttered.
“Go have a shower and take some pain killers you big baby.” I said with a happy smile.
“Will you at least shower with me?” He asked, coming up behind me and wrapping his arms around my waist, burying his face in my neck.
I smiled and kissed him softly on the cheek. “I think that can be arranged Crosby. I definitely think that that can be arranged.”
“So?” Sidney replied, his lips working insistently on my neck.
“So they’re going to think something of this Sid.” I answered, a little nervously. “And I don’t want to get in trouble with Pat or your parents.”
Sidney shrugged. “You don’t think that people have seen me making out with someone before?” He asked. “I mean, I did live here for two years Dare, and I wasn’t celibate the entire time.”
I snorted. “The exact opposite the way you and your friends tell it of course.”
Sidney grinned and pushed me up against the wall of the elevator, kissing me brusquely as he did so. “I want you Dare.” He muttered. “Tonight.”
I kissed him back. “Not tonight Sid.” I whispered as we pulled apart. “Please. Tomorrow. When we can do it right.”
Sidney sighed in obvious frustration. “Why are you so damned concerned about doing it right Dare?” He demanded. “I just want to do it.”
“I’ve noticed.” I muttered dryly. “And I want to make sure that, first off, we both really want it, and two that we are both capable of remembering it in the morning. Sober sex is always better then drunk sex Sid.”
“Not always.” Sid said with a bit of a grin. “I mean, if you’re drunk, you sometimes think its good, even when its bad.”
I chuckled. “Okay, okay, you’ve got me there Crosby.” I admitted. “But I’d rather have both of us sober when we try it for the first time.”
Sidney sighed in frustration. “You’re serious about that huh?”
“Very serious.” I told him nodding. “Sidney, you may not have figured it out yet, but I care about you a lot.”
Sidney sighed, as he let me go, pulling me into his hotel room behind him. “You don’t think that I care about you Dare?” He demanded.
I shrugged. “I know that you care about me Sidney.” I told him with a small smile. “But I’m not sure that you really understand how much I care about you.”
“What do you mean?” He asked, pulling me into his arms as he sat on the bed.
“Sidney I care about you a lot.” I said slowly and quietly. “I wouldn’t give up a job for just anyone… and I wouldn’t travel as much as I have this summer for just anyone. Sidney I think I….” I trailed off, tears welling up in my eyes, unable to continue.
Sidney placed a soft kiss on my forehead. “You what Dare?” He asked gently, his hands stroking my arms, in an attempt to relax me.
“I’m scared.” I whispered quietly.
“You’re what?” Sidney asked, having not heard me clearly.
“I’m scared.” I repeated, a little bit louder.
“What are you scared of?” Sidney asked gently.
“Of us.” I said quietly. “Of you and me. Of being together.”
“Why?” Sidney asked, smoothing my hair away from my face with a surprisingly gentle hand.
I buried my face in his chest and didn’t reply right away. I mean, I wasn’t sure what to say. It’s not exactly and easy thing to figure out. How to do you tell a guy that you’re scared of falling in love with him? That falling in love with him was a scary thing. It wasn’t easy to say and it wasn’t something that I thought that I could say.
Sidney sighed and kissed the top of my head. “I wish you would just trust me Dare.” He muttered. “I don’t understand why you can’t trust me.”
“It’s not you that I don’t trust Sidney.” I whispered, immediately wanting to sooth his fears. “It’s men in general… and I know that you can’t exactly help it Crosby, but you definitely very, very male.”
Sidney smiled teasingly. “And hear I was thinking that what you liked about me the best was the fact that I am very, very male.”
I couldn’t help myself and I giggled. “I definitely enjoy the fact that you are male.” I said, kissing him softly. “It definitely makes you attractive.”
“Good.” Sidney mumbled, slipping his lips over mine, his hands sliding up to cup my chest. “Because babe, a very large part of what attracted me to you was the fact that you are very incredibly, incredibly female.”
“Well that’s good I suppose.” I said, kissing him back.
“Very, very good.” Sidney mumbled, his hands sliding up and down my body, stopping here and there to massage and caress my body.
I moaned low and pressed myself closer. “Just because I’m enjoying this doesn’t mean that I’m not scared Crosby.” I told him, kissing him gently on the lips.
“I know Dare.” Sidney said, laying back on the bed and drawing me gently into his embrace. “I’m not sure that I entirely get WHY you are so scared, but I respect the fact that you’re scared.”
I cuddled closer to him. “Thanks Crosby.” I whispered, kissing him softly.
“You’re an amazing girl Darryl.” Sidney said gently. “You’ve been treated badly by guys like me… I mean, I’ve treated a lot of girls badly. So I can understand your mistrust. I’ve been understanding, but I think that you need to understand that its frustrating for me because I’ve done noting to deserve your mistrust.”
“I know.” I said, my eyes closing slowly. “I want to trust you Sidney. I really do. I just can’t deal with getting hurt again and I feel like I’m setting myself up here.”
Sidney sighed and ran an impatient hand through his hair. “And that hurts me Dare.” He said. “Because I’ve done nothing to deserve your mistrust.”
“Not with me.” I said darkly. “But the same can’t be said for some of the other girls in your life Sid.”
“But that’s THEM.” Sidney said pointedly. “And you are YOU. There is a big difference.”
“Maybe there’s no difference to you Crosby.” I told him honestly. “But to most girls there really isn’t a big difference. After all the best predictor of future behaviour is past behaviour.”
Sidney rolled his eyes. “You’re doing the teacher thing again Dare.” He told me. “And really, it’s getting rather annoying. You aren’t just a teacher. You’re a woman too.”
I sighed. “We really are just repeating ourselves aren’t we?”
Sidney smiled. “Pretty much yep.”
“I just sometimes feel like… well you’ve only stuck with me because you want to fuck me.” I told him honestly. “Once you’ve done that, and you move to Pittsburgh, you’ll move on, and I’ll be left alone.”
Sidney shook his head and rolled his eyes. “Dare, you and I have this intense sexual tension.” He said. “And I’m not going to lie… its freaking awesome and I love being with you because I never know what you’re going to say or how you’re going to make me want you next, but that doesn’t mean that I don’t know the difference between lust and, well, you know.”
I giggled. The boy couldn’t say the word love. “Love?” I supplied, with a wicked grin on my face.
“Yeah, that.” Sidney said, making a face.
“And how exactly am I supposed to believe you when you can’t even say the word?” I asked him teasingly. “I mean, I know it’s a hard word for guys to say, but still Crosby, grow some balls.”
“Excuse me?” Sidney said, surprise in his voice. “Little Miss I’m Scared is telling me to grow some balls?”
“Hey at least I can tell you how I feel about you.” I told him with a smile and shrug. “You can’t even say the L-word. I had to do it for you. Baby.” I teased him.
“You’re going to pay for that Korulyk.” Sidney said grabbing my hands and forcing them over my head, leaning down and kissing me softly.
I wiggled, managing to free a hand, trailing it down to tickle him. Sidney burst out laughing and wiggled, reaching for the hand that I managed to keep out of his grasp. “Don’t you dare!” Sidney almost squealed.
I giggled and kissed him softly. “I’d dare almost anything with you Crosby.” I told him, reaching up and gently smoothing his hair.
“Almost anything is right.” Sidney said, making a face.
I stuck my tongue out at him. “You’ll survive until I feel ready Crosby.” I pointed out. “And if you don’t, well, then you’ll just prove that you are the kind of guy that I’m worried you are.”
“Even though since I’ve met you I totally HAVEN’T been that guy.” Sidney said pointedly, pouting.
“It’s not easy for a tiger to change its stripes Crosby. At least now I do actually believe that it’s possible.” I said pointedly.
“I suppose that’s something.” Sidney grumbled tiredly.
“It’s a lot Crosby.” I told him softly, relaxing in his hold, his heartbeat gently lolling me to sleep. “It’s actually a lot.”
We woke up when our phone rang the next day with our wake up call. Sidney had to be on the ice in an hour. Sid moaned and rolled over cuddling me to him tightly. “Come on Crosby.” I said kissing him softly. “You have to be on the ice in an hour.”
“My head hurts.” He whined.
“I’ve got some advil in the bathroom.” I told him, shoving him gently. “Come on.”
He moaned again and I threw a pillow at him before I opened the curtains. Sidney immediately pulled the pillow over his head. “That hurts Dare.” He muttered.
“Go have a shower and take some pain killers you big baby.” I said with a happy smile.
“Will you at least shower with me?” He asked, coming up behind me and wrapping his arms around my waist, burying his face in my neck.
I smiled and kissed him softly on the cheek. “I think that can be arranged Crosby. I definitely think that that can be arranged.”
Chapter 19 - Some Kind of Wonderful
Later that night I was out on the dance floor with a bunch of girls who didn’t seem to speak much English. It didn’t really matter to me, because I was having a blast. Sidney was totally wasted, and it was actually cute, as opposed to being completely repulsive. Which is how I usually found guys who were completely wasted.
Sidney came up behind me and wrapped an arm around my waist. “You are so damned fucking hot.” He muttered, his lips seeking my neck.
I giggled. “And you are so fucking drunk.” I replied. “Ivre no less.”
Sidney shrugged. “Not so drunk that I can’t get it up.” He muttered, grinding against me slightly.
I rolled my eyes. “Honey I have rules about sleeping with underage boys and I also have rules about sleeping with drunk guys.”
“Well you never mentioned that rule before.” He grumbled, leaning on me.
I shrugged. “I wasn’t sure how wasted you were planning on getting.” I said. “But I won’t rape some guy, so it ain’t happening tonight hun.”
“Who said anything about rape?” Sidney asked, drunk and confused. “I want to be inside you Dare. I’ve wanted that since we met.”
“I know.” I replied, rolling my eyes. “It’s not like you’ve made a big secret of that.” I reminded him. “But I don’t want some guy getting me drunk and taking advantage of me, so I’m not about to take advantage of you while you’re drunk.”
“But I want you to take advantage of me.” He whined.
I stretched up and kissed him gently. “And I will Crosby.” I told him. “Over and over again.” I paused. “Just not while you’re tanked.”
“Well you’re no fun.” He grumbled, his hands trailing up and down my arms slowly and seductively. “I just want to make your scream Dare….” He mumbled as he trailed a line of kisses from my ear down my neck, making me squirm in his embrace.
“Oh God Crosby.” I muttered turning in his arms so that I could kiss him again. “You so should not do that.”
Sidney grinned. “Something tells me that I’ve found your weak spot.” He said triumphantly as he leaned forward to kiss and nibble at my neck again. I sighed and arched into him. “It’s been way too long hasn’t it Dare…” Sidney whispered seductively in my ear, before licking the inside of my ear.
I shivered deliciously. This was so damned wrong… but it was so damned right too. “Way too long….” I admitted, kissing him again.
“It’s been a long time for me too.” He replied.
I snorted. “Probably not as long as it’s been for me Crosby.” I pointed out.
“True.” He said as he trailed a hot line of kisses down my neck. “But that can totally end tonight Dare.”
“Not while you’re this wasted.” I said insistently, trying to pry myself away from him. “I wouldn’t want you to take advantage of me when I was too drunk to really know what I want, and I won’t do that to you.”
Sidney sighed in frustration and ran an aggravated hand through his hair. “Fine whatever.” He snapped turning and walking away.
I sighed and followed him with my eyes. I knew that he was horny. God knows that I was too… but if this was going to last then we had to do this right. He was also drunk, which wasn’t making things better… in fact it was probably only making things worse.
I watched as he headed to the bar and ordered another drink. With a sigh, I turned back to the dance floor. I assumed that Sidney was going to end up back out there, trying to convince me to go back to the hotel with him.
Except that time kept passing and he didn’t come. Worried, I did a couple of laps around the bar looking for him. I may not have wanted to sleep with him that night, but I definitely didn’t want someone else to do him before I got the chance. I wandered around, feeling anxious.
Finally I found Mark coming out of the bathroom, an attractive blonde on his arm. He grinned at me… an arrogant kind of grin. “Can’t find Darryl, Darryl?” He asked, completely and totally wasted.
“No I can’t.” I said shaking my head. “Have you see him?”
“Yeah.” Mark replied with a lopsided grin. “He’s over there.” He told me pointing.
Sidney sat alone in a booth, his head down. Sighing I headed over to him. He had probably passed out. He had had a lot to drink that night after all. When I got over to him though, he wasn’t passed out. In fact, his was slowly sipping from a bottle of water. “Sid?” I asked quietly, slipping into the booth next to him. “What are you doing?”
“Sobering up.” He muttered.
“Why?” I asked, surprised. “You should be enjoying yourself.” I told him. “I mean you’re celebrating being legal.”
“I’d rather make love to you.” Sidney said in a tired voice.
I snuggled into him, feeling relieved when Sidney immediately wrapped an arm around my shoulders. “There is plenty of time for that Crosby.” I whispered, tilting my head up so that I offered him my lips.
He brushed my lips with his, quickly and impatiently, as opposed to the slow make up kiss that I was expecting. Then he took a long swig of water. “We’ve waited long enough.” He grumbled. “I want you now Dare.”
I snuggled into his shoulder. “You think that I don’t want you Crosby?” I told him, my voice low, taking his hand and placing it between my thighs. “Can’t you feel how warm that is?” I whispered seductively, licking slightly at his ear. “You have no clue how badly I want you Sid.”
“Then show me.” He commanded, pulling me onto his lap so that I was straddling him. “Show me how much you want me Dare.”
I leaned down and kissed him firmly. “I want you inside me Crosby.” I whispered low in his ear. “But I want you sober when you’re there.”
Sidney groaned as I took my lips away from his and moved off his lap, grinding into him as I did so. “You are pure evil Dare.”
I shrugged with a small smile. “You keep working on sober honey, and you’ll find out exactly how evil I can be.”
“Is that a treat or a promise?” Sidney replied with a smile as he grabbed his bottle of water and stood, reaching for my hand to help me stand.
“A little of both I suppose.” I said, squeezing his hands in mine.
“Good.” Sidney replied as he led me away from the booth.
“Where are we going?” I asked.
“For breakfast. Nothing sobers you up like food.” Sidney replied. “If we can drag any of the guys away they can come with us, but I think they’re all intent on getting laid tonight.”
“So are you.” I replied with a laugh.
Sidney shrugged. “Of course I am.” He said. “August 25th is going to be here before we know it and you’re going to have to work in Halifax, and then I’ll be in Pittsburgh and who knows when we’ll see each other.” He paused. “I just want to enjoy the time that we have left together Dare.”
I raised my eyebrows. “And you can’t do that if we aren’t fucking?” I asked.
Sid rolled his eyes and kissed me firmly, pulling my body tightly against his, making me melt into his embrace. “Fucking will just make it better baby.” He informed me as he broke the kiss, leaving me breathless.
I nodded. “You’ve got a point there Crosby.” I replied, running my hand gently over the bulge in his jeans. “And this summer was supposed to be a dull one for me… all alone in a new province with no friends.”
Sidney shrugged and laughed. “Well I can’t lie, part of your appeal was the fact that you were completely new.”
“So you’re going to get bored with me when I’m not a new face anymore?” I teased him.
“Not if you’re as good in bed as you say you are.” Sidney teased me in return, his arm slung over my shoulders.
I cuddled into him as he grabbed us a cab. Sidney leaned down and kissed me softly. The kisses continued through the ride. I was really turned on. His hands were moving up and under my shirt. “Not here Crosby.” I whispered. “Be patient.”
“I’ve been patient since I met you.” He grumbled, pulling his lips off of mine. “And its fucking felt like forever.”
“You are far too used to getting your own way Crosby.” I mumbled, kissing my gently down his neck, my fingers fiddling with the buckle on his belt.
Sidney snorted. “Look whose talking.” He muttered, pulling my hands away from his belt and kissing them gently. “Something tells me that you’ve never been shot down in your life.”
I shrugged. “And you have?” I asked.
Sidney shrugged. “Everyone has an awkward phase Dare.”
I shuddered. “I’d prefer to forget mine if at all possible.”
“Wouldn’t we all?” Sidney asked as he leaned in to kiss me gently.
I laughed. “You’ve got that right.” I said. “Now where are we going to get breakfast at 2 AM in Rimouski?” I asked.
Sidney shrugged. “I hadn’t really thought about that part.” He said. “So I told the cab driver to take us back to the hotel instead. We can find some place from there….” He whispered leaning in and licking at my ear. “Or we can find something else to do….”
I grinned at him, kissing him again. “I can think of something else to do Crosby….” I told him with a smile. “Whether or not you’ll like it is another story entirely….”
Sidney came up behind me and wrapped an arm around my waist. “You are so damned fucking hot.” He muttered, his lips seeking my neck.
I giggled. “And you are so fucking drunk.” I replied. “Ivre no less.”
Sidney shrugged. “Not so drunk that I can’t get it up.” He muttered, grinding against me slightly.
I rolled my eyes. “Honey I have rules about sleeping with underage boys and I also have rules about sleeping with drunk guys.”
“Well you never mentioned that rule before.” He grumbled, leaning on me.
I shrugged. “I wasn’t sure how wasted you were planning on getting.” I said. “But I won’t rape some guy, so it ain’t happening tonight hun.”
“Who said anything about rape?” Sidney asked, drunk and confused. “I want to be inside you Dare. I’ve wanted that since we met.”
“I know.” I replied, rolling my eyes. “It’s not like you’ve made a big secret of that.” I reminded him. “But I don’t want some guy getting me drunk and taking advantage of me, so I’m not about to take advantage of you while you’re drunk.”
“But I want you to take advantage of me.” He whined.
I stretched up and kissed him gently. “And I will Crosby.” I told him. “Over and over again.” I paused. “Just not while you’re tanked.”
“Well you’re no fun.” He grumbled, his hands trailing up and down my arms slowly and seductively. “I just want to make your scream Dare….” He mumbled as he trailed a line of kisses from my ear down my neck, making me squirm in his embrace.
“Oh God Crosby.” I muttered turning in his arms so that I could kiss him again. “You so should not do that.”
Sidney grinned. “Something tells me that I’ve found your weak spot.” He said triumphantly as he leaned forward to kiss and nibble at my neck again. I sighed and arched into him. “It’s been way too long hasn’t it Dare…” Sidney whispered seductively in my ear, before licking the inside of my ear.
I shivered deliciously. This was so damned wrong… but it was so damned right too. “Way too long….” I admitted, kissing him again.
“It’s been a long time for me too.” He replied.
I snorted. “Probably not as long as it’s been for me Crosby.” I pointed out.
“True.” He said as he trailed a hot line of kisses down my neck. “But that can totally end tonight Dare.”
“Not while you’re this wasted.” I said insistently, trying to pry myself away from him. “I wouldn’t want you to take advantage of me when I was too drunk to really know what I want, and I won’t do that to you.”
Sidney sighed in frustration and ran an aggravated hand through his hair. “Fine whatever.” He snapped turning and walking away.
I sighed and followed him with my eyes. I knew that he was horny. God knows that I was too… but if this was going to last then we had to do this right. He was also drunk, which wasn’t making things better… in fact it was probably only making things worse.
I watched as he headed to the bar and ordered another drink. With a sigh, I turned back to the dance floor. I assumed that Sidney was going to end up back out there, trying to convince me to go back to the hotel with him.
Except that time kept passing and he didn’t come. Worried, I did a couple of laps around the bar looking for him. I may not have wanted to sleep with him that night, but I definitely didn’t want someone else to do him before I got the chance. I wandered around, feeling anxious.
Finally I found Mark coming out of the bathroom, an attractive blonde on his arm. He grinned at me… an arrogant kind of grin. “Can’t find Darryl, Darryl?” He asked, completely and totally wasted.
“No I can’t.” I said shaking my head. “Have you see him?”
“Yeah.” Mark replied with a lopsided grin. “He’s over there.” He told me pointing.
Sidney sat alone in a booth, his head down. Sighing I headed over to him. He had probably passed out. He had had a lot to drink that night after all. When I got over to him though, he wasn’t passed out. In fact, his was slowly sipping from a bottle of water. “Sid?” I asked quietly, slipping into the booth next to him. “What are you doing?”
“Sobering up.” He muttered.
“Why?” I asked, surprised. “You should be enjoying yourself.” I told him. “I mean you’re celebrating being legal.”
“I’d rather make love to you.” Sidney said in a tired voice.
I snuggled into him, feeling relieved when Sidney immediately wrapped an arm around my shoulders. “There is plenty of time for that Crosby.” I whispered, tilting my head up so that I offered him my lips.
He brushed my lips with his, quickly and impatiently, as opposed to the slow make up kiss that I was expecting. Then he took a long swig of water. “We’ve waited long enough.” He grumbled. “I want you now Dare.”
I snuggled into his shoulder. “You think that I don’t want you Crosby?” I told him, my voice low, taking his hand and placing it between my thighs. “Can’t you feel how warm that is?” I whispered seductively, licking slightly at his ear. “You have no clue how badly I want you Sid.”
“Then show me.” He commanded, pulling me onto his lap so that I was straddling him. “Show me how much you want me Dare.”
I leaned down and kissed him firmly. “I want you inside me Crosby.” I whispered low in his ear. “But I want you sober when you’re there.”
Sidney groaned as I took my lips away from his and moved off his lap, grinding into him as I did so. “You are pure evil Dare.”
I shrugged with a small smile. “You keep working on sober honey, and you’ll find out exactly how evil I can be.”
“Is that a treat or a promise?” Sidney replied with a smile as he grabbed his bottle of water and stood, reaching for my hand to help me stand.
“A little of both I suppose.” I said, squeezing his hands in mine.
“Good.” Sidney replied as he led me away from the booth.
“Where are we going?” I asked.
“For breakfast. Nothing sobers you up like food.” Sidney replied. “If we can drag any of the guys away they can come with us, but I think they’re all intent on getting laid tonight.”
“So are you.” I replied with a laugh.
Sidney shrugged. “Of course I am.” He said. “August 25th is going to be here before we know it and you’re going to have to work in Halifax, and then I’ll be in Pittsburgh and who knows when we’ll see each other.” He paused. “I just want to enjoy the time that we have left together Dare.”
I raised my eyebrows. “And you can’t do that if we aren’t fucking?” I asked.
Sid rolled his eyes and kissed me firmly, pulling my body tightly against his, making me melt into his embrace. “Fucking will just make it better baby.” He informed me as he broke the kiss, leaving me breathless.
I nodded. “You’ve got a point there Crosby.” I replied, running my hand gently over the bulge in his jeans. “And this summer was supposed to be a dull one for me… all alone in a new province with no friends.”
Sidney shrugged and laughed. “Well I can’t lie, part of your appeal was the fact that you were completely new.”
“So you’re going to get bored with me when I’m not a new face anymore?” I teased him.
“Not if you’re as good in bed as you say you are.” Sidney teased me in return, his arm slung over my shoulders.
I cuddled into him as he grabbed us a cab. Sidney leaned down and kissed me softly. The kisses continued through the ride. I was really turned on. His hands were moving up and under my shirt. “Not here Crosby.” I whispered. “Be patient.”
“I’ve been patient since I met you.” He grumbled, pulling his lips off of mine. “And its fucking felt like forever.”
“You are far too used to getting your own way Crosby.” I mumbled, kissing my gently down his neck, my fingers fiddling with the buckle on his belt.
Sidney snorted. “Look whose talking.” He muttered, pulling my hands away from his belt and kissing them gently. “Something tells me that you’ve never been shot down in your life.”
I shrugged. “And you have?” I asked.
Sidney shrugged. “Everyone has an awkward phase Dare.”
I shuddered. “I’d prefer to forget mine if at all possible.”
“Wouldn’t we all?” Sidney asked as he leaned in to kiss me gently.
I laughed. “You’ve got that right.” I said. “Now where are we going to get breakfast at 2 AM in Rimouski?” I asked.
Sidney shrugged. “I hadn’t really thought about that part.” He said. “So I told the cab driver to take us back to the hotel instead. We can find some place from there….” He whispered leaning in and licking at my ear. “Or we can find something else to do….”
I grinned at him, kissing him again. “I can think of something else to do Crosby….” I told him with a smile. “Whether or not you’ll like it is another story entirely….”
Chapter 18 - Some Kind of Wonderful
Two days later, Sidney celebrated his 18th birthday. He was disappointed that he wasn’t in Quebec… he had been looking forward to getting drunk. I felt kind of bad for him, but I felt worse for both us of when we didn’t have any time to be alone. So Sidney didn’t get what he wanted for his birthday, and trust me, he was bitter about it.
From LA we flew to Pittsburgh so that Sidney could go to the Pens rookie orientation camp – basically they warn the guys about all the temptations that they are going to face as pro athletes, do physicals, and let them skate a little. Sidney was staying with Mario during this, and it was decided that Sid would live with Mario when the season started. In the meantime, I was staying in a hotel and was kept busy with work from Pat, who was still in LA.
When the rookie orientation camp was done, I flew out with Sidney back to Halifax. From there he was going to Rimouski for the Ocèanics training camp. We sat down in our seats with a sigh. “Finally.” Sidney said with a relieved sigh. “I thought we were never going to be alone.”
“You call this alone?” I said with a snort. “We’re surrounded by people.”
“But most of them don’t know who I am.” Sidney replied. “Or if they do, they don’t care. Plus they are not reporters, which is great, because I can’t fucking stand the press sometimes. I didn’t have a second to breathe in Pittsburgh.”
I sighed and put my head on his shoulder. “I know honey and I’m sorry.”
He dropped a soft kiss on my forehead. “It’s okay Dare… its not like its your fault or anything, but I can’t wait to get home. I don’t know how I’m going to do that for an 82 game season.”
“You’ll manage Crosby.” I said confidently.
“Thanks Dare.” He replied, dropping a kiss on my forehead. “I’m going to need you to get through all of this.”
“I’ll be there.” I told him honestly. “I’m only going to be a phone call away.”
“Good.” Sidney said softly, hugging me around the shoulders.
We let go of each other after that, because even though we wanted to do nothing more then touch each other, there were some people on the plane who knew who Sidney was and were requesting autographs and stuff. Most of Sidney’s flight was spent signing things until the Captain of the plane and the staff finally put a stop to it. But not before they asked for autographs themselves.
The media was waiting when we changed planes in Toronto and again when we got to Halifax. I hung on the sidelines, waiting for Troy and Trina to usher Sidney out of the airport. I met them at the truck and got in, hoping that Sidney and I would finally be able to enjoy some much needed time alone.
Except that that wasn’t in the plans. We went to dinner at the Crosby’s and then Troy told Sidney that he was expected to report to Ocèanic training camp on Wednesday. “Already?” Sidney said when he was told.
Troy’s smile was amused. “Yes, already.”
Sidney sighed. “Can Dare at least come with me?” He asked.
“I don’t know if that’s a good idea Sidney.” I said hesitantly.
“Why not?” Troy said with a shrug. “Unless you’ve got other plans. I don’t think Pat has anything for you to do right now.”
“Please Dare?” Sidney said, looking at me with puppy dog eyes. “Please?”
“Don’t look at me like that Crosby.” I said, glaring at him. “It is so not fair.”
“If it makes you come with me it is totally fair.” He replied. “Besides…” He added. “The 25th of August is going to be here before you know it, and you’re going to have to go to work and then who knows when I’ll be able to see you again?”
I sighed. As always, he had a point and this time it was a very good one too. “If its okay with your parents… and Pat, then I’ll go with you.”
“Well its fine with us.” Troy said with a wink at Sidney. “As for Pat, leave him to me.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever had anyone’s parents like me this much.” I said, dumbfounded. “Especially not a guy’s. Aren’t you scared I’ll corrupt him or something?”
This time it was Trina who chuckled. “I’m not as naïve as my son seems to think I am Darryl. I know that any corrupting has been done long ago, there’s no point in worrying now.”
I raised my eyebrows at Sidney, who was blushing fiercely. “He’s so cute when he blushes.”
Sidney glared at me. “Whose side are you on anyway?” He asked.
I shrugged and smiled, and continued to eat my meal. Two days later I was standing around la Colisée watching Sidney on the ice. They weren’t pushing him very hard at all from what I could tell, but I guess they knew that he wasn’t actually coming back to the team. He was here for a workout and for the chance to be of legal drinking age somewhere before he headed south again.
That night we went for dinner with the guys who were still around from last year… Mark Tobin, Patrick Coulombe, François Bolduc and Jean-Sébastien Côté. They all seemed like really nice guys. Some of them were even cute. The guys reminisced about last year and talked about almost winning the Memorial Cup.
They caught up on all the latest news on the other guys from last year’s team, some of whom were in the AHL, some were going to NHL training camps, while others had yet to find teams. In all of this, Sidney hadn’t bothered to really introduce me. Guys seemed to forget niceties like that from time to time.
Finally I decided to interrupt the conversation. “Since Sidney apparently isn’t going to introduce me.” I said elbowing him in the side with an amused smile. “I’m Darryl Korulyk.”
Sidney blushed deep red. “Sorry Dare.” He muttered. “Guys, this is Darryl, Dare, this Mark, Patrick, François and Jean-Sébastien.”
“Nice to meet you all.” I said with a smile as I shook hands with each of them.
“How long have you been keeping her hidden away?” Mark teased him.
“She my, umm….” Sidney glanced at me awkwardly.
“I’m his agent’s assistant for the summer.” I answered smoothly, knowing that the fact that I didn’t call myself his girlfriend was going to irritate him.
“She’s also my girlfriend.” Sidney said immediately, not one to disappoint me. He paused realizing what I’d just gotten him to say. “Smart ass.” He muttered.
I shrugged with a grin and stole one of the fries off his plate. “I’m a very good girlfriend too.” I told the guys with a self-satisfied smile. “I can make him do whatever I want him to. It’s a talent really.”
Everyone chuckled, except Sidney who glared at me. “I walked right into that didn’t I?”
I nodded with a self-satisfied smirk on my face. “Yep pretty much.”
He shook his head. “What can I say? She knows how my mind works better then I do.” Sid told his friends with a sigh.
“Well it’s not like you are that hard to figure out.” Patrick said in his marvelous French accent.
Everyone laughed. Patrick was cute with a capital “C”. Sidney reached over and held my hand when he saw me contemplating Patrick. It wasn’t like I would ever do anything with him – I’d just met him and I was with someone else, but he was definitely nice to look at. I squeezed Sid’s hand in mine… he had no reason to be worried.
“So what’s going on tonight?” Sidney asked, stretching his arm across the back of the booth and wrapping it around my shoulders.
“We have training camp tomorrow.” Mark replied. “Some of us actually have to do some work while we’re here man.”
Sidney snorted. “Your spot is wrapped up and you know it. Come on. I’m only here for a little while.” He pointed out. “I just want to have some fun.”
At that I snorted. “You just want to get wasted Crosby.” I pointed out. “And then, well, get lucky. If you’re lucky.” I added with a wicked grin.
Sidney grinned wickedly at me, his smile completely suggestive. “You’re right, that’s exactly what I want to do.”
I shrugged. “Well just be careful not to drink too much Sidney.” I told him, sounding innocent. “I mean, we wouldn’t want you to get so drunk that you failed after all. You’ve only been wanting this since we met.”
“You mean you two haven’t?” Mark asked, his eyebrows raised.
“I don’t do guys who aren’t legal.” I informed Mark with a shrug. “Call it self-preservation if you’d like, but a girl has to have rules.”
Everyone chuckled and the guys gave Sidney some sly, knowing glances. I turned to the waitress. “I need a muff diver.” I told her, with a wink at Sidney.
The other guys all snickered. “What’s a muff diver?” Sidney asked.
“It’s like a blowjob.” I replied with a shrug. “Only for guys.”
“Umm okay.” Sidney said, looking confused.
The waitress brought the shot and looked at me questioningly. I grinned and sat on the table as she handed it to me as I placed it between my thighs. “Dive in Crosby.” I told him with a wicked grin as the waitress added the whipped cream.
I was wearing a pair of jean capris, so it wasn’t like Sidney would be seeing anything I didn’t want him to see just yet or anything like that. But it was the closest to touching me there that he had ever gotten. Sidney glanced at me, one eyebrow raised before diving in in and taking the shot, his arms reaching around my waist to grab my ass as he balanced himself. Successfully grabbing the shot in his mouth he downed it, coming up and kissing me firmly on the lips as he did so, his tongue sneaking into my mouth.
“This is going to be a night that neither of us are going to forget for a very, very, very long time Dare.” He whispered licking a trail down my neck as his friends hooted and hollered, “And for only the very best of reasons.”
From LA we flew to Pittsburgh so that Sidney could go to the Pens rookie orientation camp – basically they warn the guys about all the temptations that they are going to face as pro athletes, do physicals, and let them skate a little. Sidney was staying with Mario during this, and it was decided that Sid would live with Mario when the season started. In the meantime, I was staying in a hotel and was kept busy with work from Pat, who was still in LA.
When the rookie orientation camp was done, I flew out with Sidney back to Halifax. From there he was going to Rimouski for the Ocèanics training camp. We sat down in our seats with a sigh. “Finally.” Sidney said with a relieved sigh. “I thought we were never going to be alone.”
“You call this alone?” I said with a snort. “We’re surrounded by people.”
“But most of them don’t know who I am.” Sidney replied. “Or if they do, they don’t care. Plus they are not reporters, which is great, because I can’t fucking stand the press sometimes. I didn’t have a second to breathe in Pittsburgh.”
I sighed and put my head on his shoulder. “I know honey and I’m sorry.”
He dropped a soft kiss on my forehead. “It’s okay Dare… its not like its your fault or anything, but I can’t wait to get home. I don’t know how I’m going to do that for an 82 game season.”
“You’ll manage Crosby.” I said confidently.
“Thanks Dare.” He replied, dropping a kiss on my forehead. “I’m going to need you to get through all of this.”
“I’ll be there.” I told him honestly. “I’m only going to be a phone call away.”
“Good.” Sidney said softly, hugging me around the shoulders.
We let go of each other after that, because even though we wanted to do nothing more then touch each other, there were some people on the plane who knew who Sidney was and were requesting autographs and stuff. Most of Sidney’s flight was spent signing things until the Captain of the plane and the staff finally put a stop to it. But not before they asked for autographs themselves.
The media was waiting when we changed planes in Toronto and again when we got to Halifax. I hung on the sidelines, waiting for Troy and Trina to usher Sidney out of the airport. I met them at the truck and got in, hoping that Sidney and I would finally be able to enjoy some much needed time alone.
Except that that wasn’t in the plans. We went to dinner at the Crosby’s and then Troy told Sidney that he was expected to report to Ocèanic training camp on Wednesday. “Already?” Sidney said when he was told.
Troy’s smile was amused. “Yes, already.”
Sidney sighed. “Can Dare at least come with me?” He asked.
“I don’t know if that’s a good idea Sidney.” I said hesitantly.
“Why not?” Troy said with a shrug. “Unless you’ve got other plans. I don’t think Pat has anything for you to do right now.”
“Please Dare?” Sidney said, looking at me with puppy dog eyes. “Please?”
“Don’t look at me like that Crosby.” I said, glaring at him. “It is so not fair.”
“If it makes you come with me it is totally fair.” He replied. “Besides…” He added. “The 25th of August is going to be here before you know it, and you’re going to have to go to work and then who knows when I’ll be able to see you again?”
I sighed. As always, he had a point and this time it was a very good one too. “If its okay with your parents… and Pat, then I’ll go with you.”
“Well its fine with us.” Troy said with a wink at Sidney. “As for Pat, leave him to me.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever had anyone’s parents like me this much.” I said, dumbfounded. “Especially not a guy’s. Aren’t you scared I’ll corrupt him or something?”
This time it was Trina who chuckled. “I’m not as naïve as my son seems to think I am Darryl. I know that any corrupting has been done long ago, there’s no point in worrying now.”
I raised my eyebrows at Sidney, who was blushing fiercely. “He’s so cute when he blushes.”
Sidney glared at me. “Whose side are you on anyway?” He asked.
I shrugged and smiled, and continued to eat my meal. Two days later I was standing around la Colisée watching Sidney on the ice. They weren’t pushing him very hard at all from what I could tell, but I guess they knew that he wasn’t actually coming back to the team. He was here for a workout and for the chance to be of legal drinking age somewhere before he headed south again.
That night we went for dinner with the guys who were still around from last year… Mark Tobin, Patrick Coulombe, François Bolduc and Jean-Sébastien Côté. They all seemed like really nice guys. Some of them were even cute. The guys reminisced about last year and talked about almost winning the Memorial Cup.
They caught up on all the latest news on the other guys from last year’s team, some of whom were in the AHL, some were going to NHL training camps, while others had yet to find teams. In all of this, Sidney hadn’t bothered to really introduce me. Guys seemed to forget niceties like that from time to time.
Finally I decided to interrupt the conversation. “Since Sidney apparently isn’t going to introduce me.” I said elbowing him in the side with an amused smile. “I’m Darryl Korulyk.”
Sidney blushed deep red. “Sorry Dare.” He muttered. “Guys, this is Darryl, Dare, this Mark, Patrick, François and Jean-Sébastien.”
“Nice to meet you all.” I said with a smile as I shook hands with each of them.
“How long have you been keeping her hidden away?” Mark teased him.
“She my, umm….” Sidney glanced at me awkwardly.
“I’m his agent’s assistant for the summer.” I answered smoothly, knowing that the fact that I didn’t call myself his girlfriend was going to irritate him.
“She’s also my girlfriend.” Sidney said immediately, not one to disappoint me. He paused realizing what I’d just gotten him to say. “Smart ass.” He muttered.
I shrugged with a grin and stole one of the fries off his plate. “I’m a very good girlfriend too.” I told the guys with a self-satisfied smile. “I can make him do whatever I want him to. It’s a talent really.”
Everyone chuckled, except Sidney who glared at me. “I walked right into that didn’t I?”
I nodded with a self-satisfied smirk on my face. “Yep pretty much.”
He shook his head. “What can I say? She knows how my mind works better then I do.” Sid told his friends with a sigh.
“Well it’s not like you are that hard to figure out.” Patrick said in his marvelous French accent.
Everyone laughed. Patrick was cute with a capital “C”. Sidney reached over and held my hand when he saw me contemplating Patrick. It wasn’t like I would ever do anything with him – I’d just met him and I was with someone else, but he was definitely nice to look at. I squeezed Sid’s hand in mine… he had no reason to be worried.
“So what’s going on tonight?” Sidney asked, stretching his arm across the back of the booth and wrapping it around my shoulders.
“We have training camp tomorrow.” Mark replied. “Some of us actually have to do some work while we’re here man.”
Sidney snorted. “Your spot is wrapped up and you know it. Come on. I’m only here for a little while.” He pointed out. “I just want to have some fun.”
At that I snorted. “You just want to get wasted Crosby.” I pointed out. “And then, well, get lucky. If you’re lucky.” I added with a wicked grin.
Sidney grinned wickedly at me, his smile completely suggestive. “You’re right, that’s exactly what I want to do.”
I shrugged. “Well just be careful not to drink too much Sidney.” I told him, sounding innocent. “I mean, we wouldn’t want you to get so drunk that you failed after all. You’ve only been wanting this since we met.”
“You mean you two haven’t?” Mark asked, his eyebrows raised.
“I don’t do guys who aren’t legal.” I informed Mark with a shrug. “Call it self-preservation if you’d like, but a girl has to have rules.”
Everyone chuckled and the guys gave Sidney some sly, knowing glances. I turned to the waitress. “I need a muff diver.” I told her, with a wink at Sidney.
The other guys all snickered. “What’s a muff diver?” Sidney asked.
“It’s like a blowjob.” I replied with a shrug. “Only for guys.”
“Umm okay.” Sidney said, looking confused.
The waitress brought the shot and looked at me questioningly. I grinned and sat on the table as she handed it to me as I placed it between my thighs. “Dive in Crosby.” I told him with a wicked grin as the waitress added the whipped cream.
I was wearing a pair of jean capris, so it wasn’t like Sidney would be seeing anything I didn’t want him to see just yet or anything like that. But it was the closest to touching me there that he had ever gotten. Sidney glanced at me, one eyebrow raised before diving in in and taking the shot, his arms reaching around my waist to grab my ass as he balanced himself. Successfully grabbing the shot in his mouth he downed it, coming up and kissing me firmly on the lips as he did so, his tongue sneaking into my mouth.
“This is going to be a night that neither of us are going to forget for a very, very, very long time Dare.” He whispered licking a trail down my neck as his friends hooted and hollered, “And for only the very best of reasons.”
Chapter 17 - Some Kind of Wonderful
A few days later I was sitting in the Green Room of the NBC studios in Burbank, California as Sidney was about to make his first late show appearance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Sidney was far more nervous then I would have thought he would have been. It was almost cute, the way he was pacing back and forth.
“Stop pacing Sidney.” Trina said with an amused smile. “You’re going to make me dizzy.”
“Sorry.” Sidney replied with a blush, plopping down on the couch next to me.
Instinctively I reached for his hand and squeezed it in mine. “It’s just another interview Sid.” I pointed out. “No big deal. You’ve been doing these since you were what? 11? No big deal.”
“But this one is going to be broadcast all over North America.” He whined.
“At least its not live.” I replied.
“But there is an audience.” He pointed out.
“Who probably know absolutely nothing about hockey.” I said. “So don’t worry about it.”
“Aren’t I supposed to save hockey though?” He countered. “I can’t do that if I can’t make that audience full of people who don’t care about the game start caring.”
I sighed. “You’re just trying to argue Crosby.” I pointed out with a small personal smile at Sid. You know the kind of smile I mean. It’s the kind of smile that makes single people jealous. It’s only significant to the person whose smiling and the person they are smiling at. “And all I’m trying to do is help you relax.”
He leaned over and kissed me softly on the lips. “Your right.” He said, his eyes twinkling mischievously. “I know a way that you could help me relax Dare.” He added, whispering in my ear.
I hit him playfully on the shoulder. “Don’t even think about it Crosby.”
“Only two more days.” He pointed out.
“What on earth are you two talking about?” Trina asked, looking a little confused.
“Inside joke Mom.” Sidney replied quickly. “Don’t worry about it.”
Then he looked over at me and smiled in a way that almost made me melt. If I could have become one with the chesterfield then I probably would have. Sidney noticed this and lifted the hand that was still holding his and kissed it softly, his eyes burning into mine.
The boy was so horny it was funny. Clearly, in case you hadn’t figured it out, Sidney and I had figured things out in Ottawa. He was interested in having something long term, even if that did mean that it was going to be long distance. “Sidney?” A Tonight Show person (not knowing anything about the behind the scenes TV world I have no idea what this person’s actual job is) said from the doorway.
“Yes?” Sid replied.
“Five minutes.”
“Okay.” Sid said with a sigh, standing and pacing again.
“Sidney sit down.” I said firmly. “The five minutes are not going to pass anymore quickly if you’re wearing out the carpet.”
Sidney grinned sheepishly at me and sat down. “Thanks Dare.” He replied.
I shook my head. “You know that you need me around if nothing else Crosby.”
Sidney chuckled. “Definitely… if nothing else.” He winked at me as he said that.
I just shook my head. The next thing I knew Sid was being called out to the stage and we were watching as he talked to Jay Leno about hockey and about his Mom’s old dryer. Sidney was used to the media, but it was pretty clear that comedians weren’t exactly his thing, though he did get comfortable when the talk was about his Mom’s dryer. It was cute, the way he was nervous.
When it was over, we all headed back to the hotel for a very late lunch, as the Tonight Show is actually filmed in the morning. Sidney and I weren’t staying in the same room, but he still followed me to my room and nobody said a word about it.
“Thank God that’s over.” He muttered loosening his tie and flopping down on the bed. “I can’t believe I couldn’t hit the fucking dryer.”
I giggled. “Well he did put the pressure on there, with the goal light and everything.”
Sidney chuckled and pulled me down onto his lap. “God I’m going to miss you this year Dare.” He muttered into my neck, kissing and nibbling at my neck, making me squirm. “I don’t want August 25th to come.”
That was the day that I had to be at work. Part of me was looking forward to it, but at the same time, I wasn’t because I knew full well that I was going to miss Sidney like there was no tomorrow. “You’ll be too busy to miss me, Mr. Cover-Model.” I teased him gently about the cover shoots he had over the last couple of days… he was going to be appearing on several magazine covers in the next couple of months. “You know it is an 82 game schedule.”
Sidney shrugged. “Doesn’t mean that I’m not going to miss you Dare… you’re going to be the first thing I think about when I get up in the morning and the last thing that I think about at night.”
I snorted. “Crosby please.”
“You’re already the first thing I think about in the morning and the last thing I think about at night Dare.” Sidney told me, looking deeply into my eyes. “I can’t see that changing anytime soon.”
I sighed and snuggled closer. Part of me believed him… the same part of me that was desperate to believe in true love again. But deep down, I was terrified. I mean, what if he found someone new when he was in Pittsburgh? I didn’t even want to think about how it would feel to find that out.
Sidney sighed and kissed the top of my head. This was part of what made me like him so damn much. He knew when to let go of an argument. He also appeared to know that I needed time to accept that he actually was serious and to come to terms with the fact that he wasn’t lying to me.
“Can we just have lunch like this?” Sidney asked, his arms tightening around me.
“Hmmm.” I murmured, kissing his neck slowly.
“We should definitely have lunch like this.” He replied, lowering us both so we were lying on the bed, his arms tightening around my waist as he did so.
“Two more days Crosby.” I pointed out.
“The longest fucking two days in my life.” Sid said with a frustrated groan, rolling us over so that I was no on my back and he was on top of me.
He moved his hips slowly and deliberately, thrusting the way he wanted to… only he wanted us to be naked of course. I moaned low. I wanted to fuck this boy badly. We’d know each other for just over a month… I’d never gone that long knowing someone I was in a relationship with and not slept with him, who ever he was at the time.
He leaned forward and took my ear into his mouth, nibbling on the lobe, making me thrash slightly. “You know you want me Dare….” He whispered. “And it would be so easy right now….” He punctuated this statement with another thrust of his hips.
I moaned again. “Fuck Crosby, you already know that I want you as badly as you want me. Are you trying to make me beg?”
“I hadn’t thought about that….” Sidney murmured, a wicked grin on his face.
“Well stop thinking about it.” I demanded, licking up his neck to just under his ear. “Because I’ve already MADE you beg.”
“But maybe if I make you beg then we’ll both get what we want, instead of waiting two stupid days.” Sidney countered.
“Who said that you were getting anything in two days?” I asked him with my eyebrows raised.
Sidney rolled his eyes. “You know you want me Dare.” He said, thrusting again, kissing and nipping at my collarbone. “So don’t start playing with me now. It’s not fair.”
“Just because I want you doesn’t mean that I don’t have any self-control.” I pointed out.
“Then I’ll just have to make you beg….” Sidney muttered, trailing a line of kisses down my neck to the low-cut V of my shirt.
He was in the process of play wrestling with me to get it off when the phone rang. “Fuck.” He muttered, rolling off me so that I could answer the phone.
“Hello?” I answered.
“Darryl are you and Sidney coming down for lunch?” Troy’s voice was amused.
“Umm he mentioned something about room service.” I said with a smile at Sid. “Let me ask.” I covered the receiver with my hand. “Are we going down for lunch?”
“Do we have to?” He whined.
“What do you think?” I replied, adjusting my clothing.
“I think that you’re going to make me go sit down for dinner with my family when I have this huge fucking boner.” Sidney replied with a grimace as he sat up and adjusted himself.
I giggled. “We’ll be down in a few minutes Troy.” I told Troy, uncovering the receiver.
“See you then.” He replied hanging up.
Sidney moaned. “You are evil Dare.” He told me, standing now and adjusting himself further, so that no one could see that he was totally turned on.
The fact was, I was turned on too. Not that I was going to admit that to him or anything like that. I smiled teasingly at him. “Come on Crosby.” I said, leading the way out of the room.
“You are so going to pay for this some day soon.” He muttered, wrapping his arms around my waist and burying his face in my neck. “Mark my words Dare… you are going to be naked and screaming before you know it… if I have anything to say about.”
His breath was hot in my ear. It totally turned me on. “Whatever you say Crosby.” I replied, titling my head for his kiss. “Whatever you say….”
“Stop pacing Sidney.” Trina said with an amused smile. “You’re going to make me dizzy.”
“Sorry.” Sidney replied with a blush, plopping down on the couch next to me.
Instinctively I reached for his hand and squeezed it in mine. “It’s just another interview Sid.” I pointed out. “No big deal. You’ve been doing these since you were what? 11? No big deal.”
“But this one is going to be broadcast all over North America.” He whined.
“At least its not live.” I replied.
“But there is an audience.” He pointed out.
“Who probably know absolutely nothing about hockey.” I said. “So don’t worry about it.”
“Aren’t I supposed to save hockey though?” He countered. “I can’t do that if I can’t make that audience full of people who don’t care about the game start caring.”
I sighed. “You’re just trying to argue Crosby.” I pointed out with a small personal smile at Sid. You know the kind of smile I mean. It’s the kind of smile that makes single people jealous. It’s only significant to the person whose smiling and the person they are smiling at. “And all I’m trying to do is help you relax.”
He leaned over and kissed me softly on the lips. “Your right.” He said, his eyes twinkling mischievously. “I know a way that you could help me relax Dare.” He added, whispering in my ear.
I hit him playfully on the shoulder. “Don’t even think about it Crosby.”
“Only two more days.” He pointed out.
“What on earth are you two talking about?” Trina asked, looking a little confused.
“Inside joke Mom.” Sidney replied quickly. “Don’t worry about it.”
Then he looked over at me and smiled in a way that almost made me melt. If I could have become one with the chesterfield then I probably would have. Sidney noticed this and lifted the hand that was still holding his and kissed it softly, his eyes burning into mine.
The boy was so horny it was funny. Clearly, in case you hadn’t figured it out, Sidney and I had figured things out in Ottawa. He was interested in having something long term, even if that did mean that it was going to be long distance. “Sidney?” A Tonight Show person (not knowing anything about the behind the scenes TV world I have no idea what this person’s actual job is) said from the doorway.
“Yes?” Sid replied.
“Five minutes.”
“Okay.” Sid said with a sigh, standing and pacing again.
“Sidney sit down.” I said firmly. “The five minutes are not going to pass anymore quickly if you’re wearing out the carpet.”
Sidney grinned sheepishly at me and sat down. “Thanks Dare.” He replied.
I shook my head. “You know that you need me around if nothing else Crosby.”
Sidney chuckled. “Definitely… if nothing else.” He winked at me as he said that.
I just shook my head. The next thing I knew Sid was being called out to the stage and we were watching as he talked to Jay Leno about hockey and about his Mom’s old dryer. Sidney was used to the media, but it was pretty clear that comedians weren’t exactly his thing, though he did get comfortable when the talk was about his Mom’s dryer. It was cute, the way he was nervous.
When it was over, we all headed back to the hotel for a very late lunch, as the Tonight Show is actually filmed in the morning. Sidney and I weren’t staying in the same room, but he still followed me to my room and nobody said a word about it.
“Thank God that’s over.” He muttered loosening his tie and flopping down on the bed. “I can’t believe I couldn’t hit the fucking dryer.”
I giggled. “Well he did put the pressure on there, with the goal light and everything.”
Sidney chuckled and pulled me down onto his lap. “God I’m going to miss you this year Dare.” He muttered into my neck, kissing and nibbling at my neck, making me squirm. “I don’t want August 25th to come.”
That was the day that I had to be at work. Part of me was looking forward to it, but at the same time, I wasn’t because I knew full well that I was going to miss Sidney like there was no tomorrow. “You’ll be too busy to miss me, Mr. Cover-Model.” I teased him gently about the cover shoots he had over the last couple of days… he was going to be appearing on several magazine covers in the next couple of months. “You know it is an 82 game schedule.”
Sidney shrugged. “Doesn’t mean that I’m not going to miss you Dare… you’re going to be the first thing I think about when I get up in the morning and the last thing that I think about at night.”
I snorted. “Crosby please.”
“You’re already the first thing I think about in the morning and the last thing I think about at night Dare.” Sidney told me, looking deeply into my eyes. “I can’t see that changing anytime soon.”
I sighed and snuggled closer. Part of me believed him… the same part of me that was desperate to believe in true love again. But deep down, I was terrified. I mean, what if he found someone new when he was in Pittsburgh? I didn’t even want to think about how it would feel to find that out.
Sidney sighed and kissed the top of my head. This was part of what made me like him so damn much. He knew when to let go of an argument. He also appeared to know that I needed time to accept that he actually was serious and to come to terms with the fact that he wasn’t lying to me.
“Can we just have lunch like this?” Sidney asked, his arms tightening around me.
“Hmmm.” I murmured, kissing his neck slowly.
“We should definitely have lunch like this.” He replied, lowering us both so we were lying on the bed, his arms tightening around my waist as he did so.
“Two more days Crosby.” I pointed out.
“The longest fucking two days in my life.” Sid said with a frustrated groan, rolling us over so that I was no on my back and he was on top of me.
He moved his hips slowly and deliberately, thrusting the way he wanted to… only he wanted us to be naked of course. I moaned low. I wanted to fuck this boy badly. We’d know each other for just over a month… I’d never gone that long knowing someone I was in a relationship with and not slept with him, who ever he was at the time.
He leaned forward and took my ear into his mouth, nibbling on the lobe, making me thrash slightly. “You know you want me Dare….” He whispered. “And it would be so easy right now….” He punctuated this statement with another thrust of his hips.
I moaned again. “Fuck Crosby, you already know that I want you as badly as you want me. Are you trying to make me beg?”
“I hadn’t thought about that….” Sidney murmured, a wicked grin on his face.
“Well stop thinking about it.” I demanded, licking up his neck to just under his ear. “Because I’ve already MADE you beg.”
“But maybe if I make you beg then we’ll both get what we want, instead of waiting two stupid days.” Sidney countered.
“Who said that you were getting anything in two days?” I asked him with my eyebrows raised.
Sidney rolled his eyes. “You know you want me Dare.” He said, thrusting again, kissing and nipping at my collarbone. “So don’t start playing with me now. It’s not fair.”
“Just because I want you doesn’t mean that I don’t have any self-control.” I pointed out.
“Then I’ll just have to make you beg….” Sidney muttered, trailing a line of kisses down my neck to the low-cut V of my shirt.
He was in the process of play wrestling with me to get it off when the phone rang. “Fuck.” He muttered, rolling off me so that I could answer the phone.
“Hello?” I answered.
“Darryl are you and Sidney coming down for lunch?” Troy’s voice was amused.
“Umm he mentioned something about room service.” I said with a smile at Sid. “Let me ask.” I covered the receiver with my hand. “Are we going down for lunch?”
“Do we have to?” He whined.
“What do you think?” I replied, adjusting my clothing.
“I think that you’re going to make me go sit down for dinner with my family when I have this huge fucking boner.” Sidney replied with a grimace as he sat up and adjusted himself.
I giggled. “We’ll be down in a few minutes Troy.” I told Troy, uncovering the receiver.
“See you then.” He replied hanging up.
Sidney moaned. “You are evil Dare.” He told me, standing now and adjusting himself further, so that no one could see that he was totally turned on.
The fact was, I was turned on too. Not that I was going to admit that to him or anything like that. I smiled teasingly at him. “Come on Crosby.” I said, leading the way out of the room.
“You are so going to pay for this some day soon.” He muttered, wrapping his arms around my waist and burying his face in my neck. “Mark my words Dare… you are going to be naked and screaming before you know it… if I have anything to say about.”
His breath was hot in my ear. It totally turned me on. “Whatever you say Crosby.” I replied, titling my head for his kiss. “Whatever you say….”
Chapter 16 - Some Kind of Wonderful
The next day I was sitting with Sidney and his family as his name was called and he stepped onstage and put on that Pittsburgh Penguins jersey for the very first time. I was the first person he hugged, not that I was on camera. Pat stood strategically in front of us. I would have actually been amused if I hadn’t been so damned proud of him.
Trina and Troy were proud too… we all were. Even Taylor couldn’t stop grinning. Sidney was whisked away pretty quickly though. He had to take a ton of pictures and give a lot of interviews. The NHL Network had cameras everywhere, apparently they were shooting some kind of documentary on the draft.
I just sat back and watched it all. When Sid was done with the pictures and the press, he still had to go and meet all of the Penguins executives… though he’d spoken to most of them since the lottery. I went back to my room when he was doing this. There was no point in my waiting around.
I was napping (it had been an emotionally draining day and I had been up late the night before) when the door to my room opened and someone flopped down on the other bed. I rolled over and opened my eyes. “How the fuck did you get a key?” I asked, not surprised to see Sidney laying on the other bed, loosening his tie.
Sid shrugged. “I lied to the front desk. Told them this was my parent’s room. It is booked under our name after all.”
I rolled my eyes. “Pathetic Crosby.” I said, rolling over again, so my back was to him.
“You know you love me.” He replied lightheartedly.
I didn’t say anything, I just closed my eyes and pretended to go back to sleep. Sid didn’t say anything for awhile. I knew he was just watching me, which was totally cute. I knew that unlike me, Sid was still totally excited about everything that had gone on today. He was probably itching to do something… anything, and I wasn’t having that by sleeping.
After awhile Sidney spoke up, whispering softly in my ear, having crawled onto the bed to join me. “Hey. So Dare, are you naked under those covers?” He asked.
I giggled. “You want to find out?” I asked.
“Of course.” He replied with a small grin.
I shook my head. “Well too bad.” I said. “What are you guys doing for dinner? Am I invited or am I fending for myself tonight?” I asked.
“I think you’re going to be stuck fending for yourself tonight Dare.” Sidney replied apologetically.
“Well then you definitely don’t get to find out whether or not I’m naked.” I said I teased him, sticking my tongue out at him.
“It’s not my fault…..” He whined.
“And who’s fault is it Crosby?” I asked, teasing him still. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I would have really enjoyed having dinner with him and spending time with him. But I knew that he stuff that he had to do.
“I’ll make it up to you….” He replied in the same whiny voice, clearly having decided to change tactics.
“And how precisely are you going to do that Crosby?” I asked him slyly.
“Well first….” Sidney replied, realizing where I was going with this. “I’m going to make sure that if you aren’t naked under there, that you are soon.”
“Don’t think so Crosby.” I said shaking my head and rolling my eyes. “You’re not 18 yet honey.”
“A fact that you are never going to let me forget huh?”
“Probably not.” I said with a grin and a shrug. “But look at it this way Crosby…. You’re going to be 18 in a week.”
“And its going to be the longest week of my life.” He grumbled. “All I want to do right now is get you naked and make you scream.”
I rolled my eyes again. “That’s all you’ve wanted to do since you met me Crosby.”
Sidney shrugged. “But it keeps getting closer and closer and I keep getting more and more impatient.” He whined.
I shook my head. “You are such a baby Crosby.” I said. “I mean, look at me, I’m handling this whole situation just fine. I’m not about to go insane just because I can’t get you naked and make you scream.”
Sidney snorted. “Dare, don’t get me wrong, you’re dead sexy and all, but I’ve been with tons of girls. I sincerely doubt that there is a girl left who has the skills to make me scream. You’ll definitely get me to moan though.” He added as though he were trying to appease me.
It was my turn to snort and shake my head. “Crosby I’ve got skills honey.” I told him. “You need to have a little more faith darling….” I added, turning over and licking and kissing his ears gently.
Sidney stifled a groan. “I can’t wait to see what else you can do.” He told me softly, his arms wrapping around me.
I shook my head. “Sometimes Crosby, the way you talk, its almost like you’re only with me to get into my pants.”
“Yes, but you know that isn’t true Dare.” He replied, his eyes burning into mine. “So really isn’t that all that matters?”
I shook my head and rolled my eyes. “I get what you’re doing Crosby.” I told him.
“Oh really?” He replied, eyebrows raised.
“Yes.” I said, rolling my eyes again. “You’re trying to maintain your stupid player too cool for school image.”
Sidney snorted and burst out laughing. “Too cool for school?”
I made a face. “You know what I mean.” I snapped.
“I know.” He said with a grin, rolling over and pinning me under him. Leaning forward he kissed me slowly. “Dare you’re like, the coolest girl I’ve ever met.” He told me softly.
“Oh really?” I replied, stretching up and kissing him again.
“Yeah.” He answered. “Today and the lottery would have been, like, hell for anyone else. I mean, can you imagine how Erin would have been? She would have wanted to be on camera. She would have wanted me to make our relationship public and she would have been pestering me all day about it.” Sidney paused, and looked down at me. “Why didn’t you?”
“Why didn’t I what?” I asked.
“Pester me all day about making our relationship public?” He asked, suddenly looking very confused and very young.
I shrugged. “I trust you Crosby.” I told him softly. “You’ve given me no reason not to, so I figure that you’re a pretty safe bet.”
Sidney laughed. “Thanks Dare.” He replied. “Actually, I can’t thank you enough for trusting me… I know how hard it is for you.”
I shrugged again. “Sometimes its too easy.” I told him honestly. “That’s when I get burned Crosby… it took me awhile to trust you… no offense or anything. It just took awhile, so I guess I feel okay about it.”
Sidney pressed a soft kiss on my shoulder. “And I just want you to know that I appreciate your faith in me, and I’m going to do whatever it takes to make sure that you can always trust me… always.”
“So much that you’re going to leave me to have dinner all by myself.” I teased him… the conversation was getting much to serious for me.
“I could lie and tell everyone that I’m not feeling well.” Sidney replied. “Then we could order room service and hang out here.”
I snorted. “Tell the media you’re sick?” I replied, my eyebrows raised. “Why not tell them that the NHL and the PA were just kidding and the lockout isn’t over after all?”
Sidney chuckled. “Okay, I get your point Dare, but I’d still rather just hang out with you here then go out for supper.”
“While I appreciate the sentiment Sid, maybe you should like, I don’t know, go.” I told him. “I mean, not that I want you to go… but why on earth would you rather have room service?”
“Because then I’d get to spend time with you.” He told me. “I like spending time with you Dare, and I’m going to be moving to Pittsburgh soon.”
I nodded slowly. Clearly I had so known that, but well, its just one of those things that you kind of push out of your mind when you’re worried about other things. I’d been so wrapped up in the excitement of the draft and Sid’s eagerness to get to the NHL that I hadn’t really thought about what would happen afterwards. Yet I knew what was going to happen. I mean there was really no way around it.
I took a slow deep breath. “I know.” I said, struggling to control my emotions. I didn’t want Sidney to know that I was upset. “Do you know when?” I asked.
Sidney shook his head. “Not yet.” He said. “Pretty sure it will be in early August though. Mario said that we’d talk about it at dinner.”
“Oh.” I said in a small voice.
“You’ll come with Pat right?” Sidney asked, his voice and eyes filled with uncertainty.
“Do you want me to?” I asked quietly, somewhat surprised.
“Of course I do!” Sidney replied vehemently. “I need you to come with Pat.” He added in a gentle voice. “I mean, if you don’t come with him, then I won’t be able to see you for a long time, and well that would suck.”
I so didn’t want to do this. I didn’t want to have this conversation. Sidney and I had just been having fun. We hadn’t talked about the future. It was all about having a good time with us. That’s probably why we were enjoying each other so much, because there was no pressure.
And I was about to put a whole shit load of pressure on him. I had to. For both of us. I’ve always believed in honesty and I guess that was kind of my Achilles’ heel. Some people can’t handle the kind of honesty that I dish out. I don’t pussyfoot around things and just because I was already half in love with this kid from Cole Harbour wasn’t a reason for me to start now.
“So what does that mean?” I heard my voice ask, even as my heart was cringing. “What do you want to happen with us Crosby?”
Trina and Troy were proud too… we all were. Even Taylor couldn’t stop grinning. Sidney was whisked away pretty quickly though. He had to take a ton of pictures and give a lot of interviews. The NHL Network had cameras everywhere, apparently they were shooting some kind of documentary on the draft.
I just sat back and watched it all. When Sid was done with the pictures and the press, he still had to go and meet all of the Penguins executives… though he’d spoken to most of them since the lottery. I went back to my room when he was doing this. There was no point in my waiting around.
I was napping (it had been an emotionally draining day and I had been up late the night before) when the door to my room opened and someone flopped down on the other bed. I rolled over and opened my eyes. “How the fuck did you get a key?” I asked, not surprised to see Sidney laying on the other bed, loosening his tie.
Sid shrugged. “I lied to the front desk. Told them this was my parent’s room. It is booked under our name after all.”
I rolled my eyes. “Pathetic Crosby.” I said, rolling over again, so my back was to him.
“You know you love me.” He replied lightheartedly.
I didn’t say anything, I just closed my eyes and pretended to go back to sleep. Sid didn’t say anything for awhile. I knew he was just watching me, which was totally cute. I knew that unlike me, Sid was still totally excited about everything that had gone on today. He was probably itching to do something… anything, and I wasn’t having that by sleeping.
After awhile Sidney spoke up, whispering softly in my ear, having crawled onto the bed to join me. “Hey. So Dare, are you naked under those covers?” He asked.
I giggled. “You want to find out?” I asked.
“Of course.” He replied with a small grin.
I shook my head. “Well too bad.” I said. “What are you guys doing for dinner? Am I invited or am I fending for myself tonight?” I asked.
“I think you’re going to be stuck fending for yourself tonight Dare.” Sidney replied apologetically.
“Well then you definitely don’t get to find out whether or not I’m naked.” I said I teased him, sticking my tongue out at him.
“It’s not my fault…..” He whined.
“And who’s fault is it Crosby?” I asked, teasing him still. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I would have really enjoyed having dinner with him and spending time with him. But I knew that he stuff that he had to do.
“I’ll make it up to you….” He replied in the same whiny voice, clearly having decided to change tactics.
“And how precisely are you going to do that Crosby?” I asked him slyly.
“Well first….” Sidney replied, realizing where I was going with this. “I’m going to make sure that if you aren’t naked under there, that you are soon.”
“Don’t think so Crosby.” I said shaking my head and rolling my eyes. “You’re not 18 yet honey.”
“A fact that you are never going to let me forget huh?”
“Probably not.” I said with a grin and a shrug. “But look at it this way Crosby…. You’re going to be 18 in a week.”
“And its going to be the longest week of my life.” He grumbled. “All I want to do right now is get you naked and make you scream.”
I rolled my eyes again. “That’s all you’ve wanted to do since you met me Crosby.”
Sidney shrugged. “But it keeps getting closer and closer and I keep getting more and more impatient.” He whined.
I shook my head. “You are such a baby Crosby.” I said. “I mean, look at me, I’m handling this whole situation just fine. I’m not about to go insane just because I can’t get you naked and make you scream.”
Sidney snorted. “Dare, don’t get me wrong, you’re dead sexy and all, but I’ve been with tons of girls. I sincerely doubt that there is a girl left who has the skills to make me scream. You’ll definitely get me to moan though.” He added as though he were trying to appease me.
It was my turn to snort and shake my head. “Crosby I’ve got skills honey.” I told him. “You need to have a little more faith darling….” I added, turning over and licking and kissing his ears gently.
Sidney stifled a groan. “I can’t wait to see what else you can do.” He told me softly, his arms wrapping around me.
I shook my head. “Sometimes Crosby, the way you talk, its almost like you’re only with me to get into my pants.”
“Yes, but you know that isn’t true Dare.” He replied, his eyes burning into mine. “So really isn’t that all that matters?”
I shook my head and rolled my eyes. “I get what you’re doing Crosby.” I told him.
“Oh really?” He replied, eyebrows raised.
“Yes.” I said, rolling my eyes again. “You’re trying to maintain your stupid player too cool for school image.”
Sidney snorted and burst out laughing. “Too cool for school?”
I made a face. “You know what I mean.” I snapped.
“I know.” He said with a grin, rolling over and pinning me under him. Leaning forward he kissed me slowly. “Dare you’re like, the coolest girl I’ve ever met.” He told me softly.
“Oh really?” I replied, stretching up and kissing him again.
“Yeah.” He answered. “Today and the lottery would have been, like, hell for anyone else. I mean, can you imagine how Erin would have been? She would have wanted to be on camera. She would have wanted me to make our relationship public and she would have been pestering me all day about it.” Sidney paused, and looked down at me. “Why didn’t you?”
“Why didn’t I what?” I asked.
“Pester me all day about making our relationship public?” He asked, suddenly looking very confused and very young.
I shrugged. “I trust you Crosby.” I told him softly. “You’ve given me no reason not to, so I figure that you’re a pretty safe bet.”
Sidney laughed. “Thanks Dare.” He replied. “Actually, I can’t thank you enough for trusting me… I know how hard it is for you.”
I shrugged again. “Sometimes its too easy.” I told him honestly. “That’s when I get burned Crosby… it took me awhile to trust you… no offense or anything. It just took awhile, so I guess I feel okay about it.”
Sidney pressed a soft kiss on my shoulder. “And I just want you to know that I appreciate your faith in me, and I’m going to do whatever it takes to make sure that you can always trust me… always.”
“So much that you’re going to leave me to have dinner all by myself.” I teased him… the conversation was getting much to serious for me.
“I could lie and tell everyone that I’m not feeling well.” Sidney replied. “Then we could order room service and hang out here.”
I snorted. “Tell the media you’re sick?” I replied, my eyebrows raised. “Why not tell them that the NHL and the PA were just kidding and the lockout isn’t over after all?”
Sidney chuckled. “Okay, I get your point Dare, but I’d still rather just hang out with you here then go out for supper.”
“While I appreciate the sentiment Sid, maybe you should like, I don’t know, go.” I told him. “I mean, not that I want you to go… but why on earth would you rather have room service?”
“Because then I’d get to spend time with you.” He told me. “I like spending time with you Dare, and I’m going to be moving to Pittsburgh soon.”
I nodded slowly. Clearly I had so known that, but well, its just one of those things that you kind of push out of your mind when you’re worried about other things. I’d been so wrapped up in the excitement of the draft and Sid’s eagerness to get to the NHL that I hadn’t really thought about what would happen afterwards. Yet I knew what was going to happen. I mean there was really no way around it.
I took a slow deep breath. “I know.” I said, struggling to control my emotions. I didn’t want Sidney to know that I was upset. “Do you know when?” I asked.
Sidney shook his head. “Not yet.” He said. “Pretty sure it will be in early August though. Mario said that we’d talk about it at dinner.”
“Oh.” I said in a small voice.
“You’ll come with Pat right?” Sidney asked, his voice and eyes filled with uncertainty.
“Do you want me to?” I asked quietly, somewhat surprised.
“Of course I do!” Sidney replied vehemently. “I need you to come with Pat.” He added in a gentle voice. “I mean, if you don’t come with him, then I won’t be able to see you for a long time, and well that would suck.”
I so didn’t want to do this. I didn’t want to have this conversation. Sidney and I had just been having fun. We hadn’t talked about the future. It was all about having a good time with us. That’s probably why we were enjoying each other so much, because there was no pressure.
And I was about to put a whole shit load of pressure on him. I had to. For both of us. I’ve always believed in honesty and I guess that was kind of my Achilles’ heel. Some people can’t handle the kind of honesty that I dish out. I don’t pussyfoot around things and just because I was already half in love with this kid from Cole Harbour wasn’t a reason for me to start now.
“So what does that mean?” I heard my voice ask, even as my heart was cringing. “What do you want to happen with us Crosby?”
Chapter 15 - Some Kind of Wonderful
Sidney and I spent as much time as possible together after that night, but it wasn’t always possible. Pat worked me hard. I was constantly making phone calls and taking messages. I was faxing things. He was calling me whenever he needed something, or couldn’t remember where he put something.
As the day of the draft approached though, Pat gave Sidney and I more time together, because Pat knew that as soon as the draft celebrations started, Sidney wouldn’t have any time for me. I knew, that and I excepted it, mainly because I already knew. I mean, I just knew.
I know that probably sounds really weird, because Sidney and I hadn’t really known each other for that long. But I already knew that he was my best friend. I mean, we’d clicked since we’d first met. So I think I surprised him by being different from how others girls had been.
I mean, when it came time for him to do press stuff, or sign autographs, I didn’t bitch and moan because, well, I didn’t feel as if I had to, if that makes sense. I mean, I knew, at the end of the day, that Sidney was still my best friend, no matter that some girl asked him to sign her chest.
It didn’t hurt that I got to go with his family to Ottawa. Or that I was going to be sitting with him and his family at the table during the draft. We found out on the 22nd of July that Sidney would be going to the Pittsburgh Penguins, who won the draft lottery. The Montrèal Canadiens got the highest pick of the Canadian teams. They would be picking fifth.
As it got closer to the number 1 pick, Sidney held my hand tighter (at least when the cameras weren’t on him – and there were cameras everywhere). He wanted so badly to be a Hab. We’d talked about nothing else since the agreement between the NHL and the NHLPA had been signed. Deep down, I wanted him to be a Hab, because that way he wouldn’t be too far away.
Except the Habs got the fifth pick, and Pittsburgh got number one. Immediately, part of me felt it was rigged, especially since Sid thought it would be Pittsburgh and they were in big time financial trouble… so where better to send the kid from Cole Harbour? In Pittsburgh, he could save a franchise.
When the final ball dropped, Sidney was on camera, and I was standing behind the scenes. One thing I’d already learned, and I’d only been working for Pat for a few days, was that the man was a marketing genius. Pat and IMG were marketing Sidney like a rock star and in Canada at least, it was definitely working.
After the cameras were turned off, Sidney grabbed me up and hugged me tightly. He was the consensus number 1 pick overall. Unlike the guys who came behind him who would have no idea where they were going to be in the fall, Sidney new. I kissed him on the cheek, very much aware of Pat and his parents watching us.
Things got pretty crazy after that. Anywhere he went he was accosted for autographs. It got really insane in Ottawa, and fans were everywhere. Pat was already negotiating with the Penguins, so I sat in on meetings and took notes. Sidney was busy with the press and with fans.
Finally, around 11:30 on our second day in Ottawa – the night before the draft was to take place, Sidney knocked on my hotel room door. It wasn’t something I was expecting at all though. I was exhausted after a day of meetings with Pat, and I figured Sidney was exhausted as well. So I was in a tank top and a pair of boy cut panties when he knocked on the door.
I moaned, thinking it was Pat and pulled on a pair of sweats and answered the door. To my surprise, Sid was standing there. “Took you long enough.” He muttered stepping through the door and sweeping me up in his arms.
“I had to put pants on.” I replied, feeling a little flustered… like I always did when he was holding me.
“You shouldn’t have.” He muttered, his lips pressing firmly against mine. “I’m just going to try and take them off.”
I kissed him back. “Are you supposed to be here?” I muttered.
“No.” He replied, trailing his lips softly down my neck. “But knowing you were a few floors down was driving me insane.”
“Sidney you shouldn’t be here.” I whispered frantically as his hands moved dangerously south of the border.
“Please Dare.” Sidney replied in an urgent whisper. “Tomorrow is one of the most important days of my life…”
“So I’m just supposed to fall into bed with you and spread my legs?” I replied in my most snarky tone of voice.
“Dare that is so not what I meant.” Sidney replied, letting me go and flopping down on his back on the bed.
“Good.” I said, unable to resist, and crawling on top of him and kissing him firmly. “Because honestly, if you were of age, it wouldn’t take one of the most important days of your life to get me to spread my legs for you – just a couple shots of liquid courage.”
“Really?” Sidney murmured, sounding surprised as his hands moved cupping my ass. “Well now you’re just giving me ideas Dare….”
“That’s good.” I murmured, my lips trailing down his throat, as I stopped to lick and kiss and bite here and there. “Because you could get me into so much trouble Crosby.”
He shrugged and moaned at the same time… my lips were totally working on his neck. “Fuck you’re hot Dare.” He muttered, his fingers working frantically to unhook my bra.
It came apart easier then I would have thought. Apparently the boy had some skill with that particular trick… and in case you don’t know, it isn’t a particularly easy skill to master. Most guys fumble and then you end up taking it off yourself out of frustration. Or worse, they just push it up and stretch it because they can’t get it off.
Not this boy however. He was able to take my bra off without any trouble at all. It was so totally hot it made me want him even more then I already did. “Fuck Sidney….” I muttered my voice low. “We have to stop honey.”
“I know….” He murmured as his hands moved up to feel my breasts through my shirt, though my bra was laying somewhere on the floor. “We should shouldn’t we?”
“Yes….” I muttered arching my back and pressing myself into his hands.
“You aren’t exactly making that easy Dare….” Sidney muttered as he reached to lift my shirt, placing soft kisses on my stomach.
“Neither are you Crosby.” I muttered shivering as he licked and nipped at my belly button ring. “Neither are you.”
“So how exactly are we going to stop?” He replied, his tongue swirling in my belly button.
Another knock sounded at the door. “Umm I think that’s how.” I muttered, scrambling off of him.
My hair was probably a total mess, and Sidney definitely looked as though he’d been up to something, I mean, he had that rumpled après sex look, although we definitely hadn’t had time to go that far. I answered the door anyway. Pat was standing there. “Is Sidney in here?” He asked.
He couldn’t see in the room… I’d only opened the door a crack. “What makes you think he’d be here?” I asked innocently.
Pat rolled his eyes. “Come on Darryl.” He said with a smirk. “I wasn’t born yesterday. Besides, he isn’t in the room with Jack, he’s not hanging out with the other guys, and his parents haven’t seen him since dinner, this is the only other place he’s going to be.” Pat paused and grinned. “Plus this is the only place he’d be without his cell.”
I smiled sheepishly and opened the door all the way. “So umm yeah, he so just got here Pat.”
Pat grinned and shook his head. “Sidney, Mario tried to call your room and you weren’t there.”
Sidney blushed and looked at the floor. “Umm sorry Pat.” He said, a wicked little grin on his face. I followed his gaze and blushed. My bra was lying right in the middle of the floor where Pat could totally see it. “Should I call him back?” He asked.
“That would probably be a good idea.” Pat said a smirk on his face. “Just tell him you went to visit some family.”
Sidney nodded and firmly closed the door behind him. “See you tomorrow Pat.” He said firmly. He turned back to me. “Now where were we?” He demanded, closing the distance between us easily and scooping me up in his arms.
“Pat’s knock on the door helped us figure out how we were going to stop.” I giggled and pushed him away.
“Dare that’s no fun.” He replied, reaching out and pulling me to him.
“And you are going to get both of us in a lot of trouble if you don’t call Mario.” I said pressing a finger to his lips to keep him from kissing me. “So maybe you should do that first.”
“Do I get to kiss you afterwards?” He bargained with me.
I giggled and pushed him gently away. “Just call Mario Crosby.” I said. “We’ll discuss your reward – that is if you deserve a reward, after you’re done with Super Mario, or the Magnificent One, or whatever the hell his actual nickname is.”
Sidney chuckled. “They both are Dare.” He told me, kissing me on the forehead softly. “And you had better start thinking of a reward for me, because I so deserve one.”
As the day of the draft approached though, Pat gave Sidney and I more time together, because Pat knew that as soon as the draft celebrations started, Sidney wouldn’t have any time for me. I knew, that and I excepted it, mainly because I already knew. I mean, I just knew.
I know that probably sounds really weird, because Sidney and I hadn’t really known each other for that long. But I already knew that he was my best friend. I mean, we’d clicked since we’d first met. So I think I surprised him by being different from how others girls had been.
I mean, when it came time for him to do press stuff, or sign autographs, I didn’t bitch and moan because, well, I didn’t feel as if I had to, if that makes sense. I mean, I knew, at the end of the day, that Sidney was still my best friend, no matter that some girl asked him to sign her chest.
It didn’t hurt that I got to go with his family to Ottawa. Or that I was going to be sitting with him and his family at the table during the draft. We found out on the 22nd of July that Sidney would be going to the Pittsburgh Penguins, who won the draft lottery. The Montrèal Canadiens got the highest pick of the Canadian teams. They would be picking fifth.
As it got closer to the number 1 pick, Sidney held my hand tighter (at least when the cameras weren’t on him – and there were cameras everywhere). He wanted so badly to be a Hab. We’d talked about nothing else since the agreement between the NHL and the NHLPA had been signed. Deep down, I wanted him to be a Hab, because that way he wouldn’t be too far away.
Except the Habs got the fifth pick, and Pittsburgh got number one. Immediately, part of me felt it was rigged, especially since Sid thought it would be Pittsburgh and they were in big time financial trouble… so where better to send the kid from Cole Harbour? In Pittsburgh, he could save a franchise.
When the final ball dropped, Sidney was on camera, and I was standing behind the scenes. One thing I’d already learned, and I’d only been working for Pat for a few days, was that the man was a marketing genius. Pat and IMG were marketing Sidney like a rock star and in Canada at least, it was definitely working.
After the cameras were turned off, Sidney grabbed me up and hugged me tightly. He was the consensus number 1 pick overall. Unlike the guys who came behind him who would have no idea where they were going to be in the fall, Sidney new. I kissed him on the cheek, very much aware of Pat and his parents watching us.
Things got pretty crazy after that. Anywhere he went he was accosted for autographs. It got really insane in Ottawa, and fans were everywhere. Pat was already negotiating with the Penguins, so I sat in on meetings and took notes. Sidney was busy with the press and with fans.
Finally, around 11:30 on our second day in Ottawa – the night before the draft was to take place, Sidney knocked on my hotel room door. It wasn’t something I was expecting at all though. I was exhausted after a day of meetings with Pat, and I figured Sidney was exhausted as well. So I was in a tank top and a pair of boy cut panties when he knocked on the door.
I moaned, thinking it was Pat and pulled on a pair of sweats and answered the door. To my surprise, Sid was standing there. “Took you long enough.” He muttered stepping through the door and sweeping me up in his arms.
“I had to put pants on.” I replied, feeling a little flustered… like I always did when he was holding me.
“You shouldn’t have.” He muttered, his lips pressing firmly against mine. “I’m just going to try and take them off.”
I kissed him back. “Are you supposed to be here?” I muttered.
“No.” He replied, trailing his lips softly down my neck. “But knowing you were a few floors down was driving me insane.”
“Sidney you shouldn’t be here.” I whispered frantically as his hands moved dangerously south of the border.
“Please Dare.” Sidney replied in an urgent whisper. “Tomorrow is one of the most important days of my life…”
“So I’m just supposed to fall into bed with you and spread my legs?” I replied in my most snarky tone of voice.
“Dare that is so not what I meant.” Sidney replied, letting me go and flopping down on his back on the bed.
“Good.” I said, unable to resist, and crawling on top of him and kissing him firmly. “Because honestly, if you were of age, it wouldn’t take one of the most important days of your life to get me to spread my legs for you – just a couple shots of liquid courage.”
“Really?” Sidney murmured, sounding surprised as his hands moved cupping my ass. “Well now you’re just giving me ideas Dare….”
“That’s good.” I murmured, my lips trailing down his throat, as I stopped to lick and kiss and bite here and there. “Because you could get me into so much trouble Crosby.”
He shrugged and moaned at the same time… my lips were totally working on his neck. “Fuck you’re hot Dare.” He muttered, his fingers working frantically to unhook my bra.
It came apart easier then I would have thought. Apparently the boy had some skill with that particular trick… and in case you don’t know, it isn’t a particularly easy skill to master. Most guys fumble and then you end up taking it off yourself out of frustration. Or worse, they just push it up and stretch it because they can’t get it off.
Not this boy however. He was able to take my bra off without any trouble at all. It was so totally hot it made me want him even more then I already did. “Fuck Sidney….” I muttered my voice low. “We have to stop honey.”
“I know….” He murmured as his hands moved up to feel my breasts through my shirt, though my bra was laying somewhere on the floor. “We should shouldn’t we?”
“Yes….” I muttered arching my back and pressing myself into his hands.
“You aren’t exactly making that easy Dare….” Sidney muttered as he reached to lift my shirt, placing soft kisses on my stomach.
“Neither are you Crosby.” I muttered shivering as he licked and nipped at my belly button ring. “Neither are you.”
“So how exactly are we going to stop?” He replied, his tongue swirling in my belly button.
Another knock sounded at the door. “Umm I think that’s how.” I muttered, scrambling off of him.
My hair was probably a total mess, and Sidney definitely looked as though he’d been up to something, I mean, he had that rumpled après sex look, although we definitely hadn’t had time to go that far. I answered the door anyway. Pat was standing there. “Is Sidney in here?” He asked.
He couldn’t see in the room… I’d only opened the door a crack. “What makes you think he’d be here?” I asked innocently.
Pat rolled his eyes. “Come on Darryl.” He said with a smirk. “I wasn’t born yesterday. Besides, he isn’t in the room with Jack, he’s not hanging out with the other guys, and his parents haven’t seen him since dinner, this is the only other place he’s going to be.” Pat paused and grinned. “Plus this is the only place he’d be without his cell.”
I smiled sheepishly and opened the door all the way. “So umm yeah, he so just got here Pat.”
Pat grinned and shook his head. “Sidney, Mario tried to call your room and you weren’t there.”
Sidney blushed and looked at the floor. “Umm sorry Pat.” He said, a wicked little grin on his face. I followed his gaze and blushed. My bra was lying right in the middle of the floor where Pat could totally see it. “Should I call him back?” He asked.
“That would probably be a good idea.” Pat said a smirk on his face. “Just tell him you went to visit some family.”
Sidney nodded and firmly closed the door behind him. “See you tomorrow Pat.” He said firmly. He turned back to me. “Now where were we?” He demanded, closing the distance between us easily and scooping me up in his arms.
“Pat’s knock on the door helped us figure out how we were going to stop.” I giggled and pushed him away.
“Dare that’s no fun.” He replied, reaching out and pulling me to him.
“And you are going to get both of us in a lot of trouble if you don’t call Mario.” I said pressing a finger to his lips to keep him from kissing me. “So maybe you should do that first.”
“Do I get to kiss you afterwards?” He bargained with me.
I giggled and pushed him gently away. “Just call Mario Crosby.” I said. “We’ll discuss your reward – that is if you deserve a reward, after you’re done with Super Mario, or the Magnificent One, or whatever the hell his actual nickname is.”
Sidney chuckled. “They both are Dare.” He told me, kissing me on the forehead softly. “And you had better start thinking of a reward for me, because I so deserve one.”
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