Chapter 15
Stephanie’s point of view

I woke stretching reaching over for Sidney but he wasn't there.
“Sidney?” I yelled out.
I got out of bed pulling his comfy cotton robe over my naked self.
I heard him talking over the phone.
“I asked her to marry me last night.” I heard him say
“Dad, look I understand that you think this is all really fast. I love her.”
There was silence for a moment as he listened. I just stood outside of the door.
“That is garbage and you know it. If she was after my money she would have given me some clue. It isn't like that.”
“Yes she knows I make 8 million dollars a year and NO!” he shouted
“You know what, fuck you dad! You have no right to say shit like that and I will not allow you to even begin to think that this is OK. What part of I want to spend my life with her and have kids and retire from all this nonsense are you not hearing. She is the one for me and you had better start listening to what I am saying or we are done.”
He was silent and I heard his dad shouting over the phone.
“I knew that. I know what she is doing all the time.”
“Yeah well.” I walked around the corner and saw him drop his head into his hands.
“That is between the two of us. It is none of your concern.”
He hung up the phone dropping it to the floor at his feet.
“Jesus fucking Christ.” he spoke into his hands.
“Sidney?”
He jumped and looked over at me.
“Did you hear that?”
I nodded not trusting my voice.
“There are pictures of you kissing Max on the computer.”
“What?”
“Yeah, fucking pictures.”
“There can't be, it never happened.”
He stood walking around to the computer. He pulled up his email and then a picture popped up
“Sidney Crosby’s girlfriend kissing Flyers player Max Talbot” he read out loud then turned the screen to me.
I just looked at the angle it was taken it did look like we were kissing but we weren't. Someone had taken a shot as I was going after Giroux. Max was pulling me to him to stop me.
“Sidney I know what that looks like but it never happened.”
“Fine timing, you spend the night then, this fucking shit shows up.”
His phone rang on the last words of his sentence.
“Fuck you Talbo!” he shouted
He was silent as Max talked and I could tell he wasn't listening
“I don't give a shit what you two tell me, I can see it with my own eyes.”
I stepped forward stepping against his chest taking the phone away. “I will handle this Max” then I hit end and looked him in the eye.
“If this is the shit I am going to be handed then Fuck You Sidney Crosby. You told me to trust you and I expect the same thing. You told me not to believe what I saw, yet you believe what you are seeing. Max pulled me to him because I was going after Giroux. You can believe whatever you want, but if you chose to be that asshole then we are done. I will not live my life under your thumb while you get groped by puck bunnies every time you are out of town.”
“That doesn't happen. I wouldn't let that happen.”
“Just like Max would never do that to you. You know where I stand and I would hope that you could trust me.”
“I just don't know what to think. I have never had to deal with something like this. You can leave at any time but even our breakup will follow me for years. I want you to be here. I want you to not have to worry about what you see but I can't control the media.”
“And I can? That is a fucking double standard.”
I turned to walk out of the room but he grabbed me to him. “I’m sorry.”
“You should be.”
“I just have all these feelings that I don't know how to control. I don't know what is OK and what is not.”
“We will be fine if we work together. If I had known that that picture had been taken I would have warned you ahead of time. I was pissed off and Max saved me from making an ass out of myself and going after Giroux.”
“You were really going after G?”
“Yes.”
“You fucking rock.”
“Dont try to sweet talk me I am still mad at you.”
“Just be patient. please.”
"I don't want to have this conservation again, is that clear?"
"Clear as mud."
"Don't be smart."
"Ok, sorry, I really am."
"I want this to be easier. You need to communicate with me."
"OK I admit there are some things I need to work on. I promise to figure it out."
I walked back to the room slumping onto the bed. I had been here for less than 24 hours and we had fought twice. Was this how it was going to be? I needed to get away from this whole situation. I got dressed, grabbed my keys and waked to the living room where he had been sitting. He was standing looking out over the back yard.
"Sidney I am going shopping I will be back in a few hours. I need some space and you need to talk to your father."
"Please don't go. I really am sorry."
"I know but I need to cool off. Right now I want leave, I want to run."
"I don't want you to run, but I need you to stay."
"If I stay we may not make it out together."
I turned leaving him in the living room.
I climbed into my car and called Max
I listened to the phone ring over and over the go to voice mail. I didn't leave a message.
"Hello?"
"Hi Malkin, can we talk?"
"He love you."
"Please don't defend him I know you are mad at him so lose it. I just need to talk about a few things."
"I saw picture, why you kiss Max?"
"I didn't he was pulling me off Giroux. I was pissed and he was just keeping me in check."
"Sid mad huh?"
"Malkin it isn't about that. It is about mutual respect. I deserve the same trust that I allow him."
"Yes you do. Have you talked him?"
"Malkin I walked out I needed space and I was afraid if I talked to him now we would break up for real."
"You cool off. You two silly all time. Why not just live, no fight."
"Easier said than done."
"You talk Sid, he love you and has proved."
"I know you are right but I just want us to be us."
"No Talbo then."
"Max is just my friend."
"Yes but you together make hard on Sid."
"Dammit all to hell..." I screamed in the car as loud as I could. Letting that frustration out felt good.
"Ok I am going to go pick up a few things and then I will head back."
I walked around Macy's for an hour looking for something perfect.

"Sidney?" I called out as I was coming through the door.
I walked around and found him curled up in the bed. I walked over shucking my coat and climbed in bed snuggling behind him. He adjusted and rolled over to face me. He didn't open his eyes just rolled over collecting me in his arms. The closeness of the moment made me understand why I was here, why I knew that I couldn't run but at the same time I didn't know how safe my heart was.
“I’m sorry.” He didn't respond just hugged me close to his chest.
“Please talk to me.”
“There is nothing left to say. I need to learn to control my temper and I need to trust you.”
“Yes and yes.”
A small glimmer of a smile played on his lips.
“I don't want to fight with you on the few days I get to see you. I want us to be here and now not yesterday. I will cool it with Max. I know you are having reservations about my relationship with him no matter how innocent it is. I am sure Max will understand.”
“No,I want you to continue to hang out with Max. I know him better than I do you and I trust him with you. I know he can be a prick but he would never do anything to hurt you.”
“OK I will try to make it less public.”
“That would be nice.” he leaned in and kissed me softly on the mouth.
“I still want to marry you.” I got a full on Sidney smile, not a I am Sidney Crosby Penguins captain smile. I loved those moments when he was just Sidney.
“One day yes just not today.”

Sidney’s point of view.

I knew that I had to make a lot of things right if this was every going to work. I knew that she loved me more than I deserved. I had talked to my mom after Stephanie left and explained the situation. She told me dad had stomped out and that I should follow my heart. “If that girl is special enough to make you want to give up Hockey then she is well worth your time and energy. She is a great girl, just give your dad some time.
I had made it a point to send him a text and apologize. Even if I didn't feel like I was wrong, I shouldn't have talked to him like that.
I kissed her softly on the lips and smiled down at her. I adjusted myself on the bed and covered her body with mine. We felt right in these moments, it was just all the other bullshit that I can't seem to get over. Jealously is a beast that I must learn to tame.
The night slipped into morning and I found myself at a point that I was ready to change in so many ways. I needed to learn how to be a good boyfriend and not just that guy she dates. I had a lot to work on and I knew it would be a life changing experience. I needed to learn to take my captains duties off the ice and into my life and treat her like an equal. If I wanted her to be an equal then I had to let her be one. I reached for my phone and sent a message to Coach Dan.
Can you set up a press conference about the Stephanie and Max stuff. I have some things Ineed to say.
Sid

Yes I will do that. Is everything OK?
Dan

Yes, it will be
Sid

OK good, will let you know
Dan

Thanks
Sid

You got it
Dan

“I am going to talk to the press about this. They need to know where I stand and what I think about this invasion of privacy.”
“Do you think that is a good idea?”
“I have to do something. I don't like pictures like that popping up and I shouldn't have overreacted. I think it was more that my dad had proved me wrong about you in that moment. I saw red and shut down.”
“You knew deep down it wasn't true, right?”
“I think I did, but honestly I was still upset that you had stayed at Talbo’s house.”
“Thank you for being honest.”

“I have something for you” she reached down to the side of the bed and produced a small bag.
“For me?” I knew I didn't deserve anything
“Yes.”
I opened it pulling out a white gold chain and a weird cross or was it and X type charm.
“It is my heart, keep it safe and close always, When you feel panicked about something then you look at it and remember that I gave it to you.”
“I don't understand, why and X or is it a cross?”
“It is both really, it symbolizes the four chambers of my heart. You have the whole thing now take care of it.”
“That's the plan.”

Press conference at 1
Dan

See you there
Sid

I arrived at the press conference a little before one.
“I am just going to make a quick statement. no questions please.
I understand that my Pittsburgh family and fans are concerned for me, but I would appreciate if the fans and the media would give me some space. I know that the pictures were very suggestive, but please understand that this is my personal life and while I am more than happy to give you every second that I am on the ice, this is my private life and I would like it to stay that way. Max Talbot and I are friends and he is also friends with Ms. Proulx. That is all I am going to say on that subject. I love being a Penguin, I love it here in Pittsburgh but I need everyone to please leave myself and Ms. Proulx to our lives. That is all.”
I walked away feeling a little bit better and knew that this would cause some feathers to be ruffled.
“That was very well put Crosby. To be honest I was afraid that you were going to lose your cool.”
“I need to learn to be that calm with Steph.” I grinned at him then walked out got in my Rover and headed back to the house.
I walked through the door to voices that I thought were people but it was just the TV. Steph was glued to it.
“What are you watching?”
“The press conference.”
“That hasn't been on already?”
“NO I guess they were worried they may need to bleep out a few words.”
I smirked and plopped down on the couch beside her. She leaned over putting her head in my lap. I twisted her blonde curls through my fingers as I listened to the words coming from my mouth and just smiled.
“I want to be that calm with you all the time. Maybe one day I could get there.”
“It is a learning curve hon, we will get there, God I hope we can get there.”

I kissed her hard pushing her against her car. “When are you coming back?”
“I don't know. I have an incredible amount of work that I have to get done. I hope in a few weeks.”
“I have a couple days off next week maybe I can come see you?”
“You would do that?”
“Of course I would, I would do anything. Why do I have to keep telling you that?”
“It just seems surreal sometimes.”
“I know I feel that way too.”
I loosed my grip on her and she climbed into her car and was gone. I grabbed my stuff and left for the rink.

“Max, I am really sorry I overreacted.”
“Sid, you are in a very bad place and you need to get yourself together. We are better friends than that. You have a great girl and you are doing everything you can to fuck it up.”
“I know man, I just don't know how to make it right all the time. I feel like I am constantly apologizing for my behavior. How do you do it?”
“It very simple I don't. There has never been a girl to catch my eye in that way. I mean yes there are girls, but they go in knowing not to expect anything.”
“I just couldn't do that.”
“Sometimes that is a good thing. Love her with all of your being. If she is what you want then make it work. Let all the bullshit go and try hard. Maybe you should talk to Geno he can give you better advice than me.”
“I just wanted to apologize for well you know.”
“I knew you were upset and I also knew that you would see reason eventually. I will back off and let you guys work it out if you need me too.”
“You don't have to do that. I know you have good intentions and you have saved her so many times.”
“Well I wouldn't say my intentions are good.” he laughed into the phone.
“By the way have you met Raven?”
“No, but I will be in town next week, I am sure I will then, can we do dinner or maybe even lunch while the Steph is working?”
“Yeah, man that would be great, I will bring Briere along.”
“OK, Will let you know when my plans are finalized.”
“Talk to ya soon, take it easy man, she loves you.”
“She told me she wouldn't marry me though.”
“Fuck, you asked her to marry you?”
“Well in so many words it wasn't formal or anything, but she still said no.”
“I could see why?”
“What?”
“You can't ask a girl to marry you because you are jealous or scared you are going to lose her. You have to do it because you can't take another breath without her.”
“How would you know anything about that?”
“ Because I feel that way, well at least the only time I was around Raven I felt that way.”
"Wait, you and Raven?”
“Yeah, we have been calling and texting the last few days and well it is just so easy.”
“Guess she was good in bed to keep your attention.”
“I haven't slept with her.” I was silent because this isn't the Talbo I know
“Sid, did I lose you?”
“Nah, i was just shocked.”
“Yeah, me too.”
“I am at the rink Kids are waiting on me I will talk at you soon.”
“Later”
I climbed from the car and signed autographs before I made my way into the locker room.
I sat in my stall getting my socks tapped up and my gear over my head.
“Sid, you better?”
“Never better, Geno.”
He nodded then turned pulling his gear off the top shelf.
“Practice hard today big game tomorrow.” He smirked then walked away.

We skated for about two hours, wrapping up practice, I had the rest of the day to get things in order. My first thing to do was to call my dad.
“Dad, we need to talk.”
“I am waiting at your place for you.”
“You are here?”
“Yes, This is a conversation we need to have face to face.”
“I am leaving Southpointe now.”

I drove talking to myself. Practicing what I am going to say and trying to get myself under control. I knew we were going to fight and I knew it was going to be bad. Was I willing to give up my relationship with my father for Steph. I knew the answer no matter how much it hurt.