Chapter 14
Max’s point of view.

I walked into the bathroom, pissed and washed my hands. Those dirty bastards don't ever wash their hands. What the fuck is wrong with men.
I stepped through the door and heard a small whimper to my left. I looked over and saw Giroux with Raven pushed up against a wall. She looked like she was enjoying herself. Lucky bastard.
I turned to walk and caught her shoving at him. She was talking quickly so I stopped to listen.
“Please I am not that girl.”
“You were sitting there inviting all night , don't fucking back out now. There are 30 other women in this bar that would fuck me.”
“I am sorry, I just can't.”
“Oh, but you will.”
“No, please.”
I pulled Giroux off of her. slamming him into a wall.
“You need to cool off.”
“You need to mind your business.” he shouted back at me.
“Hands off.”
I grabbed Raven around the waist and pulled her to me. “You are fine, I got you.”
“Thank you Max”
“That guy is a douche, I would never disrespect you like that.”
“Can we get out of here?”
“Yeah, lets grab Stephanie.”
I found her at bar still waiting on our drinks.
“Hey lets blow this joint.”
“Everything OK? Raven What the hell.”
“Lets just go.” I tugged at her arm.
“What the fuck is going on?”
“Giroux got a little rough with her. Time to go.”
“Fucking bastard.” I grabbed her as she went to walk by me.
“Leave it alone Steph, He has had too much to drink. He probably won't remember in the morning.”

By the time we got to the car everyone was settled down so we hit the interstate and I took both of them to my flat.
“You guys are going to sleep here. No arguments.”
“Max, I don't think Sidney is going to enjoy me staying over at your house.”
“No worries Steph, I will call him.”
“Max it is one in the morning.”
I stepped out of the room calling Sid.
“Hey man, Steph is here with Raven.”
“OK?”
“Listen G made an ass out of himself and I couldn't leave Raven alone. I didn't want to drop Steph at the car this late, so I brought them to the house to crash.”
“Can I talk to Steph?”
“Yeah in a minute, just don't give her shit. I just wanted you to know in case anything ends up in the paper.”
“Thanks for that.”
I handed Stephanie the phone and went to check on Raven
“Are you OK?”
“I think so, I just have never been overpowered like that. I think he would have fucked me in the hall right there in public. Max I am not that girl.”
“Its ok, I don't think you are that girl. You are a great girl, well what I know of you. You don't deserve to be treated like that.”
“Sometimes I wonder, My ex was the same way.”
“Your ex?”
“My ex husband. He was a dickhead and continues to stalk me and our son.”
Fuck, she has a kid.
“How old is he?”
“30” she answered
“No the kid.” I smiled at her and laughed
“Oh he is 4.”
“Thats a great age.”
“Yeah I think so. He really is a good kid, I just wished I had chosen a better dad for him.”
For some strange reason I wanted to offer to do the job but I just sat there holding her hand as she talked about Sam.

Sidney’s point of view
“What the fuck Steph, You have been in Philly for 3 weeks and you are sleeping over at Max’s?”
“Sidney you know it isn't like that, so don't even pull that shit with me.”
“OK well the last thing I expected to hear is that Max Talbot has taken you to his house.”
“Would you have rather seen a picture of us leaving in the morning? I could just read the headlines now. Sidney Crosby’s Girlfriend in threesome with past teammate Max Talbot. Give me a fucking break.”
“I am just not happy about it.”
“Go fucking talk to Geno, I am going to bed. I will call you in the morning I love you.”
With that she ended the call
I was mad as hell. All I wanted to do was punch something.

Stephanie’s point of view.

I think that may have been the longest night of the year. I also think that Raven and Max liked each other a lot. Talk about hero complexes. She just gazed at him.
“Y'all ready to head back to your car? I have to catch a plane in a few hours.”
“Yeah that would be great.” We drove across the city to where we had left the car the night before.
“Can I call you?” Max asked Raven
“Yes you can.” she rattled off her number and Max plugged it into his phone and leaned over
kissing her on both cheeks.
“Take care, Sidney will be OK. I think he is just not used to competition.”
He winked, kissed me over both of my cheeks and then was gone.
“OH MY Steph where have you been hiding him. He is such a sweet guy.” she was swooning bad.
“Max sweet? Are you kidding me.”
“He was just wonderful, so caring. I told him about Sam and he didn't freak out.”
“Sam, you told him about your kid?”
“Yeah why wouldn't I, I mean I should be upfront right?”
“Well I guess honesty is the best policy.”
Oh God, what the hell am i supposed to do now? I know how Max really is and I also know what Raven is going to expect.

I waited on the tarmac as the guys wandered off the plane.
“Hey” I walked over to Sidney hugging him closely to me. He very nonchalantly hugged me back. I saw Geno, he give me a small wave then shook his head as he walked away.
“Everything OK?”
“I don't know Steph, I was just torn apart knowing that you were in Max’s house last night.”
“First of all I slept on the couch, which if I am honest I didn't really sleep. I don't want to fight with you Sidney. I just want to be us. You can't get mad at me when there are constantly pictures of you in the paper with various women. Have you seen Tumblr? Jesus talk about stalkers.”
“Tumblr? what the hell is that?”
“Do you live under a rock? Just pull it up one day and search your name. There are about five million women with picture after picture of you. You ought to be a little more careful about who takes your picture.”
“That was all before you. I just want you. I want to marry you Steph. I want to have you all to myself.”
“You want to what?”
“Marry you”
He looked directly into my eyes and smiled his panty melting smile
“What the fuck? You can't just say something like that? That is the stupidest thing you have ever said.”
“Its the truth. I want you forever.”
“I can't marry you!”
His face contorted into a frown.
“Why not? Because I am Sidney Fucking Crosby right?”
“Yes, I mean no, I mean FUCK!”
“Look I was just telling you how I feel, I get it if you don't feel that way. I was just jealous and I have never been jealous before It wasn't cool. Geno is going to kill me.”
“I get that that is how you feel but I just don't think we are in a good enough place to even consider marriage. I am five hours away and I get to see you like twice a month three times if I am lucky?”
“Then move in. Live with me.”
“Sidney, that would be wonderful but I work in Philly.”
“Quit, you don't have to work.”
“I want to work. I have always given up everything I want for others and I am happy at my new job. I am even feeling a little more helpful these days.”
“I am glad you love your job. I just want you here, with me all the time.”
“I want to be here but you are gone so much and I would just waste away in your house all alone. I need to be busy and Philly keeps me busy.”
“Max keeps you busy.”
“That isn't fair.”
“I just hate that he can have lunch with you and then go to practice. He doesn't have to make sure he has time to drove 5 hours to see you.”
“You are fucking jealous. You really are.”
“Why wouldn't I be?”
"You shouldn't, you should never be jealous. I am with you and only you. Max is a good friend to me and he makes sure I am OK. The times we have had lunch is because I was feeling lonely and just needed a connection to you.”
He smiled softly down at me. “I love you.”
“I love you too, but I am still not marrying you.”
He kissed me softly. “One day, you will say yes.”