Public Relations

We pull into Sid’s spot at Consol. Sid turns off the car and we both get out. We walk toward the player’s entrance. Sid flashes his card against the scanner then opens the door for me. He holds it as I walk in. He follows me in. We walk in silence over to the elevator. I press the up button and look over at Sid.
“Thanks for coming with me.” I say smiling.
“Anytime.” Sid says as we get in the elevator and I press the button for my floor. The door closes and the elevator moves.
“Truthfully I didn’t want to be alone.” I say really quietly. At first I think Sid didn’t hear me because he didn’t answer right away, but finally he says something.
“Then you never have to be alone.” He says. He takes a step toward me. He puts his arm around my shoulder.
“I guess.” I say sighing. The elevator stops and I pull away from Sid. We step out and walk toward my office. I pull my key out of my purse and unlock the door. “I’ve never been here when nobody else is here.”
“Really?” Sid asks.
“Yeah, to be honest I didn’t know I was allowed to come here whenever I wanted to.” I say stepping into my office and going right to my desk. I drop my purse on my desk and sit down in my chair.
“Wow.” Sid says. He comes over to the desk and sits down in one of the chairs opposite me. He leans back in the chair and studies my face as I turn my computer on. I don’t notice him staring at me right away.
I’m going through some files on my desk when I look up and see him staring at me.
“What?” I ask putting the files down on my desk and raising my eyebrow.
“Nothing.” He says his face flushing. He’s clearly embarrassed that I caught him staring at me.
“Are you sure?” I ask.
“Very.” He says. “I’m going to take a walk, meet me in the dressing room when you are done.”
“Sure.” I say. “I won’t be long.”
“Take your time.” He says. I smile. He gets up and walks toward the door.
“Sid.” I say before he reaches the door.
“Yeah?” He asks turn around to face me.
“Thanks.” I say before picking the files back up and sorting through them. He doesn’t say anything and if he does I didn’t hear him. He just walks out of the room leaving me to find the files I need.

Once I finish getting the stuff I need from my office I go downstairs to the dressing room. I flash my card against the box, unlocking the door. I pull the door open and walk in. I look around trying to figure out which part of this huge dressing room he might be in.
“Sid.” I call out.
“Over here.” He calls back. I have no idea where he is. I just start walking toward the actual dressing room part. I see Sid putting out some equipment in the stall next to his.
“What in the world are you doing?” I ask tilting my head to the right.
“Just getting some stuff for us to go on the ice.” He says smiling up at me.
“Who’s going where?” I ask.
“We’re going to go skate around.” Sid says.
“I can’t skate.” I say.
“What?” Sid asks giving me a weird look.
“I can’t skate.” I say again.
“How are you even part of a hockey team?” He asks.
“My job doesn’t include skating.” I remind him.
“Well I’ll teach you.” He says. “Come here.”
“Really?” I say. “I’m going to fall.”
“I promise I won’t let you fall.” He says. We stare at each other for couple seconds.
“Fine.” I say finally. I walk over to where Sid is sitting on the bench. I sit down next to him. I slip my heels off and Sid hands me a pair of socks. I put them on. I take the skate from beside me and push my foot into it. It fits perfectly. I look up at Sid.
“I guessed.” He says. “Does it fit?”
“Yes.” I say. I put the other one on.
“I’ll tie them for you.” He says.
“Oh here we go.” I say trying to hide my smile.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” He asks.
“You tie your skates like twenty six times.” I sigh.
“I do not.” He says faking hurt. I try not to laugh, but I break. I start laughing hard. I can tell he’s trying not to laugh as well, but he can’t help it.
“You kind of do.” I say after I finally stop laughing.
“Doesn’t matter.” He says. “Give me your foot.”
I raise my right foot and he ties the skate. Then he takes the left and ties that one too. After my skates are tied he sits down on the bench next to me. He puts on his skates and ties them. Then he passes me some winter mittens and a helmet. I put it on and he smiles at me. I can tell this is either going to turn out badly or be extremely funny to everyone, but me.

Notes

Ahhhh finally a long awaited chapter. I've had this chapter written half done for almost 4 months, but here it is.
Please don't hate me.