Chapter 7

“I got us a room so we could spend the entire weekend together.” I explained to her as we exited the limo.
“Sidney, I... I don't know if I can.”
“It isn't like that. I just figured it would take us less time to meet up. It is a suite so you have your own room.” I heard Geno chuckle as the elevator doors shut on us.
“What is so funny Malkin?” she looked over her shoulder.
“You two love.” He stated simply. there was a umph from behind us as Kat elbowed him in the ribs.
“She small and mighty.” he chuckled rubbing his side.
“He need to shut mouth.” Kat spat.
Stephanie leaned into me. Hugging me close.
I opened the door to the suite and showed her to her room. I showed her where mine was too.
“This is all a bit extravagant you think?” she waved her hand around the large living room.
“Only the best for you.” I leaned in and kissed her. She wrapped me in her arms, pulling me to her and wrapping her hands in my dark curls.
“I missed you so much Sidney. I just want to hold you close and enjoy this time.”
“Thats what I am here for.” I pulled back from her staring into her chocolate brown eyes. There was so much depth to her. I have never wanted a girl more than i did her, but I didn't want to cheapen this time with sex. After the show of willing women at the bar, i just couldn't do that to her.
“I want you tomake the trip to Pittsburgh. I want you to meet my family. I have already secured the tickets to a game that they will be coming to and I want you there.”
“Sidney...”
I covered her mouth in a soft kiss. I picked her up and carried her to my room laying her on the bed, I curled in beside her.
“Can we just be here? I just want to be here.” I whispered in her ear. I could still smell the coconut sunscreen that she wore. I kissed her softly on the neck then cuddled into her back. She fit against me like a puzzle piece.

I woke up alone in my bed. I looked around a bit disoriented.
I climbed up still in my clothes from last night and padded through the suite looking for her. She was gone.
I felt my chest tighten and my mind exploded with fear. What the hell happened. I knew last night had brought so many problems to the table, but if i am honest those were small problems. The schedule would be a bigger one. Once the season started I didn't know when i would get to see her. I was on the road so much I was hardly ever home more than several nights a week.
I sat on the couch looking out over Manhattan. wondering why she would have left. I walked to her room and found her suitcase that her brother had dropped off earlier in the day. Hadn't been touched. I wonder if she even knew it was there.

I awoke to someone touching my face. “Hi” she looked down at me. tracing her finger over my mustache. I hated earning those. Part of being a team i guess.
“Where did you go. I thought you had left. Listen I am really sorry about last night. I want to find places where those women don't show up but...” she pulled a Talbo and shhh me.
“That is out of your control. It is just that they are so beautiful and so willing. I think anyone of them would have been more than happy to share a bed with you.” she poked me in the chest.
“I found it amazing that you just curled up in bed with me.”
“Why wouldn't I want to curl up in bed with you? You are my girl.”
“I know that Sidney but there just seems to be so many more easier choices, yet you want to be here.”
“You still didn't answer my question.” I tried to change the subject.
“Oh i brought you some coffee and hot chocolate. I wasn't sure if you even drank coffee so I grabbed both. there is also Bagels and croissants.” she frowned.
“Don't frown.” i reached for her face but she turned her head.
“I am really glad you are here, I have waited weeks to see you. I just realized that I really don't know you. I don't know what you eat or what your favorite movie is.”
“Anything and Nemo.”
“Wait what? Nemo really?”
I grinned up at her nodding. I had stressed myself out and fallen back asleep on the couch. I don't know why i freaked out, i seem to be doing a lot of that lately. The thought of her being gone had ripped my chest wide open and right now it felt like a pulsing nerve. The sheer panic and pain had given me a new appreciation, for what i had in her.
“You are the most incredible, beautiful and patient person I know. I love you.”
Her smile was bright and kind.
“I love you too Sidney Fucking Crosby.”
That comment earned her a flip and tickle. I sat over her tickling her until she begged for mercy.

The weekend flew by and I didn't want to say goodbye to her. The small tear that trailed down her face made my heart clench in my chest. “I will see you in two weeks. I promise just two weeks.”
“I know but i don't want to leave you. There are so many reasons to stay and just as many to go. Why did you have to go and complicate my life Sidney Crosby.”
“You think you are the only one having those feelings? I want nothing more than to leave everything I own, worked for and achieved, just to be with you. I am confused and scared. I know I love you that was the easy part. This isn't going to be easy. There are going to be so many things that you will read and see but please just promise me that you will trust me and listen before you react. There are a hundred girls in Pittsburgh that would love nothing better than to have my attention. I only have attention for a certain North Carolina girl though. Please just trust in us.”
“I am going to try.”
“You know this is going to get worse now that they know about you. I never date, ever. So.
pictures of me cuddled up with a girl are going to be big news. They are going to rip you apart. I don't want to scare you but I want you to be prepared.”
She nodded accepting the Crosby show as a way of life for now.
I kissed her again and hugged her close to me. “Two weeks.” I whispered in her ear, then released her and boarded the plane.

I arrived home to Talbo’s beamer SUV in the driveway
“What the hell is this?” he grinned holding up the newspaper. “Front page my man.”
I took the paper shaking my head. I love hockey but damn it to hell i hated the attention.
“Fuck” I stood there looking at my picture with Steph tucked under my arm.
I pulled out my phone and sent a message.

front page. sorry
sid

Better than the last one
Steph

She was taking it in stride. I underestimated her again,

“So this is the chick from North Carolina?” Talbo grinned.
“Yeah”
“This is serious then? I never figured you for serious?”
“Talbo, you know I have never been a dating kind of guy, but she is I don't know different.”
“Yeah that is what I tell myself every night.”
“You’re an ass.”
“I know” he grinned over at me.

I grabbed my gear and left to skate off some energy with Talbo.
when we got to the rink, Everyone was there skating around. They were playing, more than practicing.
“There he is Front page Crosby.” Flower shouted from across the rink.
i just lowered my head and watched my skates glide across the ice. The stick felt good in my hand and i jostled the puck back and forth across the ice. We burned up the ice and enjoyed the down time. real practice would be starting in three weeks and then everything would change.
Coach Dan didn't take any shit and would expect us to be on our game. The beginning to another Stanley Cup march, is where it always started.
A few hours later i was sitting at a table with Tanger, Geno, Talbo, Nealer and Flower.
“SO guys I have some news.” Tanger spoke softly “I am gonna be a dad.” there was an eruption of congratulations from the table. it made me think how it would feel to be saying that to my boys.
“A dad, you Tanger?” Talbo asked
“Yeah I know.” he answered.
“Guess you had better cut that sex hair of yours.” Talbo smirked
“Nah i plan on having more I think I will keep it. You should grow yours out see if you could get your as long as mine.” I laughed cause i heard a bet coming on.
“I know.” Malkin said “You not cut hair till we win cup.” he laughed over at Talbo
“Game on.” Talbo laughed
“You in Geno?” Talbo questioned.
“No Geno like hair way it is.” he said shaking his head.
Talbo dropped me at the house about two hours later.
“See you Wednesday?” he asked
“Yeah I will pick you up at one ish.” i closed the door and climbed up the stairs to my place.
I have always enjoyed my house but now I wanted Steph here with me. The thought of coming home from practice to find her here made my heart swell. I didn't know if it would ever happen, but i am going to ride this train as long as i can. I grabbed my phone from my pants pocket and sent Steph a message
Hey babe hope you have a good day. Miss you more and more every day.
Sid

I am off today. Going to wilmington to get the fins on my board fixed. miss you too
Steph

Ok well call me later.
Love you
Sid

Will do
Steph

I climbed the stairs and filled the bathtub. My muscles were sore from the work out and I wanted to soak them for a while. After i climbed out of the tub I laid across the bed and fell fast asleep.

I woke to my phone playing Evil angel by Breaking Benjamin. I had downloaded the song so she would have her on tone. Funny how you do little things like that just so you know whether to run for the phone or just let it ring.
“Hello.”
“Hey”
“I miss you.”
“Sidney we need to talk.”
My heart sank those words were never good.
“OK”
“There is this weird camers guy following me around taking pictures of everything I do. Is there anything I can do to make him leave?”
“Talk to your friend over at the police department see what they can do.”
“I have they said unless he is physical there is nothing they can do. He can sit in the parking lot and take all the pictures he wants. I didn't think it would bother me but this is just horse shit.”
I chuckled into the phone.
“I know Baby, You get used to it. I am sorry about it though I thought it would take them longer to figure out who you were.
The conversation continued with what she was doing and asking about her dad and family.
“I got the tickets for the games for you two. I also got tickets for the Carolina game in December.”
“Thanks dad is excited about the pre season game in September. Oh and I got a specail delivery from Malkin the other day.”
“Malkin sent you something?”
“Yeah he did.”
i didn't want to ask but I couldnt help myself.
“What did Geno send you?”
“You will have to wait and see.”
“Oh i cannot wait. Oh your flight is going to land in Pittsburgh while I am at practice rink so Kat is going to pick you up and bring you there. Is that ok?”
“Sure that should be fine.”
“Only a handful more days. I love you.”
“Love you to Sidney.”
“It is all going to be ok, I promise.”
“I hope so.”
I hung up the phone and walked across the room. settling down on the leather chair where i usually caught up on the NHL network.

The next week flew by with meetings and plans for the season. Mandatory practices would start next week. so this was truly our last weekend before the drive started.
“Kat happy.” Geno smiled over at me.
“Why is that?”
“She like see Sid smile.”
I had been carrying a goofy grin for the last two days as I knew that Steph would be here and get a real taste of my life. The morning had lasted forever.
“Yeah well lets get practice over so I can put my hands on my girl.”
“Lips too.” Geno took off on his skates across the rink.
“Get the fuck in front of the puck Talbo” I shouted. “What the fuck is your goddamned problem, you’re playing like a fucking girl.”
“Fuck you Crosby.”
“What the fuck kind of playing is that anyway. Pick up the puck Talbo and score.”

Notes

:)