Second Chances

Autumn.
“Shut up!” I groaned as I was awoken by yelling. I threw my pillow over my head trying to block out the obnoxious yelling.
I lay in bed trying to fall back asleep but was distracted by all the noise. I threw the covers off of me and made my way to the living room.
“Can you guys shut-“I froze as I caught sight of Sid, the yelling stopped as everyone turned to look at me.
“What’s he doing here?” I snapped, I crossed my arms over my chest annoyed that my friends would even let him in.
“Just listen to what he has to say.” Faith pleaded. I sighed before waiting for him to say something.
“Autumn,” He walked over to me and grabbed my face before kissing me roughly.
I wanted to push him away and yell at him, tell him I wouldn’t be so easy, but I couldn’t. I’ve been waiting for this moment since the day I met him, I wanted him to kiss me not because he was drunk or horny but because he wanted to be with me. He pulled away breathlessly and stared into my eyes as he towered over me.
“I love you.” He admitted.
“Sid I-“
“No, let me finish, “He cut me off, “I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to admit it, but I love you Autumn Reynolds, you and only you. I’ve loved you since the day you walked in with Victoria wearing my jersey, you remember it don’t you? The day we first met.”
“Are you sure this is okay?” Steph asked nervously, we were walking through the halls of the consol energy centre trying to find Geno.
“Relax, G told me to meet him here.” Tori reassured.
We had been waiting for a few minutes before Geno finally showed up, “Ready to meet team?”
We all nodded shyly, it had been a few months since we met Geno, we got along with him pretty well and he invited us to one of his games. I followed behind Geno not paying attention to where we were going, as we were making our way towards the dressing room a player on the opposing team walked out bumping into Steph.
”Fuck.” She muttered under her breath as she held onto her foot.
“I’m so sorry, are you alright?” He asked as he bent down to be face to face with Stephanie.
“No, it’s my fault I should have paid more attention.” She put her foot back down and smiled up at him.
“It’s a good thing I wasn’t wearing my skates.” He joked.
She winced at the thought, “Thank God,” she laughed, “Hey, you’re Jonathan right?” She asked as she realized who she was talking to.
He nodded, “I better get going, it was nice meeting you…” He tailed off.
“Stephanie.” She smiled.
“Well Stephanie I’m sorry about your foot.” He apologized again.
“It’s fine. Nice goal out there by the way.” She complimented and he smiled.
“It wasn’t enough to win, good game.” Jon patted Geno on the back.
“Next time Bud.” Geno grinned. Jon waved before walking away.
“Did that just happen?” Steph asked as her cheeks began to brighten.
“Yes, now let’s go I want to see hot dads.” Faith groaned as she grabbed our arms and dragged us along.

I stood there awkwardly as all my friends introduced themselves to the players; I was never good at interacting with others, I had a habit of making people cry the first time I meet them.
“Nice jersey.” Someone called from behind; I turned around to see Crosby grinning at me.
“Yeah, well I heard he was pretty good so I thought I’d wear it.” I smirked.
“Did he live up to your expectations?” He asked.
”Not really.”
“Ouch,” He dramatically put a hand up to his chest, “I felt that.”
“Stop being a baby,” I lightly shoved his shoulder, “You know you did great tonight.”
“I was pretty amazing.” He gloated.
“Now let’s not get ahead of ourselves, I said great not amazing.” I crossed my arms over my chest and smiled.
“Geno!” Sid called out, “Where did you find this girl? I like her.” He put his arm around me and shoved me into his chest.
Geno shrugged and went back to talking to James, I pushed him away from me and laughed before sitting down; he sat down beside me and scooted over a little too close.
“How come I’ve never met you before?” He asked as he ruffled his hair with his hands.
“I’m not from around here.” I explained how I was from Canada and had come down to visit Victoria, like I did frequently, I then explained how the rest of the girls and I would be moving to Pittsburgh before the summer, he seemed to like the thought of that.
It felt like hours had passed by since we first started talking, my butt was numb for sitting for so long but I didn’t mind. I enjoyed talking to Sidney, we played a stupid game of 20 questions as we got to know each other, his idea of course.
“Autumn!” Keirstyn called my name interrupting our conversation.
“What?” I groaned.
“We’re about to leave.” She informed.
“Great,” I mumbled, I sighed as I got up from the bench, “It was nice meeting you.”
“Likewise,” He smiled; I gave him a quick hug before turning to walk away. “Wait!”
“Hmm?”
“Can I get your number?” He asked shyly.
“Sure.” I blushed, he handed me his phone and I typed in my number, I smiled as I handed back his phone.
“Wait, you never told me your name.” He shouted just as I was about to walk out the door.
“It’s Autumn.” I replied before leaving.
As I was walking to my car I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket, I pulled it out and read the text from an unknown number
“Hope to see you at the game tomorrow, wearing my jersey of course”
I smiled to myself as I replied.
“You can count on it”
He replied a minute later, and this went on for a few hours until we both finally agreed to get some sleep.
I nodded, “How could I forget?”
“I’ve loved you since then.” He reassured.
“Why did it take you so long to finally say it?”
“Because I’m an idiot.” He laughed.
“True.” Faith and Keirstyn both replied, I had completely forgotten they were even in the room, I rolled my eyes at them before turning back to Sid.
“I guess what I’m trying to say is, Autumn will you be my girlfriend?”
“Say yes.” Keirstyn whispered.
“Yes!” I laughed before pressing my lips to his.
“Finally!” Faith and Keirstyn both groaned.
I blushed as I pulled away from the kiss, he pulled me in for a hug and I cuddled into his chest.
“Finally.” I whispered to myself.
We pulled away from each other as we heard the front door slam, Steph stormed in visibly upset, she stopped once she saw us and smiled.
“Well it’s about time!”
“What’s up with you?” I asked genuinely concerned.
“Rather not talk about it,” She muttered before jumping onto the couch, “Got any ice cream?” She sighed.
“In the fridge.” I replied as I sat down across from her. She looked behind her at the fridge and groaned.
“I’ll get it.” Sid offered before walking into the kitchen.
“Thanks, you’re a babe.” Steph smiled.
“Yeah, and he’s my babe.” I smiled.
I heard the door open and close and turned to see Tori and Geno walk in hand in hand, "What did we miss?" Tor asked.
"Sid finally asked out Autumn." Faith explained.
"She said yes." Keirstyn added.
""Great! Everyone happy." Geno grinned.
Steph groaned as she ate the ice cream Sid had gotten her, we laughed at her and she frowned.
I smiled to myself as I listened in on the conversation my friends were having, I squeezed Sid's hand and he looked over at me .
"I love you." I smiled.
"I love you too Autumn."

Notes