Counting Stars

I wake up on Thursday morning in a haze, the memories from Monday still flashing through my mind. Since that afternoon Sidney and I have barely spoken, our only interaction comes over brief text messages. Before Monday and Wednesday’s games I wished Sidney good luck and received simple one word responses. Yesterday was the last “official” day of filming, which really means that all of the shots with the actors are finished. Technically the second crew still has another week or so to film establishing shots. Regardless of this though we are having the wrap party tonight downtown to showcase how successful filming in Pittsburgh can be. I really don’t have anything to do before the party, which starts at 7, and I decide to try to contact Vero or Carol-Lynn. Maybe one of the girls can give me advice on how to handle Sidney. Emma and I had coffee yesterday, but she said that Beau hasn’t said anything to her.

I send Vero a text, Are you coming to the wrap party tonight?

Her reply is almost immediate, Let’s grab coffee at Starbucks in like 30.

Trying to not freak out or read too much into the fact that she wants to talk in person I throw on a pair of skinny jeans, converse and a sweater. I look in the mirror and decide that my hair is a lost cause and throw on a slouchy beret. We picked a Starbucks within walking distance so after I brave the chilly November air a hot coffee sounds perfect. By the time I get there Vero is already sitting at a booth in the corner, I smile and grab my drink before walking over to her. We share a quick hug and then I sit down. “So how has your week been?”

She takes a sip from her coffee, “It’s been fine really. Marc is home with our little girl right now, their flight got in early this morning.”

“Two wins in a row. He must be happy.”

We sit in silence for a moment just drinking our coffee, “Alright, so what do you want to know?”

I debate playing coy and then decide that if Vero and I are going to be friends I have to be able to talk about this stuff with her. “Has Marc said anything to you about Sidney? Or did you notice anything off about him on Monday. We had a disagreement and he’s been a little cold to me since.”

She simply nods, “I heard, Sidney told Marc about it after the game on Monday. They had a few beers at our house. From what I gathered he is more upset with your manager than you.”

“So then why has he been ignoring me?”

“What you have to understand about Sidney is that a lot of things in his life came naturally to him. He worked his ass off of course, but he was born with talent and a lot of it. When it comes to women he does very little work, up until you the girl always worked around his schedule. A woman who has a demanding career is new to him and I think he is struggling to realize that your relationship will be a pain in the ass but so much more rewarding.”

“I was thinking about that too. With our schedules this isn’t going to be easy, but I want to try it, you know?” I pause. “How did you and Marc meet anyways?”

She laughs and waves her hand dismissively, “We have known each other forever, it’s quite boring actually.”

“And did you work around his schedule?”

“I did, because when he was drafted we were already in love. It made sense for us and he had a lot more important things going on than I did. He felt bad about it at first though.” She smiles at a memory, “Our men are graceful and knowledgeable on the ice, but in relationships they are about as clumsy as a newborn giraffe. Give him time Sidney will come around.”

“Thank you, I appreciate the advice,” she smiles and then we both turn as a woman walks in with a stroller and a small child. “Do you want another one?”

“Marc and I actually started trying again. I don’t think either of us could have guessed how much we would love being parents. Do you want kids some day?”

“Definitely. Not in the immediate future, but later yes I want a big family.”

Vero smiles conspiratorially over her coffee cup, “Maybe have a few little Crosbys running around?”

I laugh, “Don’t get ahead of yourself now, one step at a time.” She laughs along with me and we finish our coffees discussing trivial things. We part ways saying that we will take a few pictures at the party tonight. During the short walk home I think about what Vero said and decide that Sidney and I will talk tonight at least briefly. For one, I miss him and two we need to clear the air.

It’s around five when Emma, Janet and my makeup team show up. All day I’ve been debating on whether or not to text Sidney. Now that everyone’s arrived though I will be too busy to think about him for the next few hours. We exchange pleasantries and then Janet gets down to business, “Alright Emma has the dress you chose.
It’s the blue long one right?”

*******
I’m putting on my suit jacket when I hear the doorbell ring followed by heavy footsteps, “Sid, time to go!”

Geno and I decided to carpool to the wrap party. Neither of us brought dates so we figured that together we wouldn’t feel so out of place. “Hey man, thanks for driving. Hopefully we shouldn’t have to stay very long.”

We hop into one of Geno’s more ostentatious cars and make our way downtown, “So, are you going to talk to her tonight?”

I resist rolling my eyes, “I’m not supposed to remember? People need to believe that her and that Liam guy might be a couple. Honestly, I hope that I don’t talk to her tonight.” Geno laughs loudly. “What?”

“Sid, you are a bad liar. It is not her fault that her manager is a bitch.”

“So you think I’m overacting?”

“Duh, this girl is too cool for you already. You are going to lose her if you don’t forgive her. Talk to her tonight, maybe dance with her. If you don’t then I’m going to.”

I punch Geno in the shoulder and spend the rest of the short ride thinking about Brooklyn. Maybe Geno was right, I was overacting. Usually I’m used to the girl going out of her way to be with me. God, I sound like a girl. “I don’t know man, but as soon as we get there I’m going to get a drink, a large strong drink.”

When we arrive Geno tosses his keys to the valet and we make our way into the Omni Hotel. Hundreds of fans are waiting outside and we have to show our ids and tickets to get through the first checkpoint. Once on the small red carpet I noticed the usual cameras and fans. Usually Geno and I are pulled this way and that to answer questions or to sign autographs, but looking around I notice signs with Brooklyn’s name on it as well as her costar. Geno looks at me, “It’s going to be hard to avoid her man.”

We just about reach the doors to the hotel when the screaming becomes noticeably louder, we both turn around and I hear Geno swear next to me. Me, on the other hand all I can do is look. Down at the other end of the carpet Brooklyn just stepped out of her car. Her long blonde hair is in loose curls and pulled to one side. The dress that she is wearing makes me think of all the horrible, dirty things I haven’t had a chance to do to her yet. Her dress looks like dark blue water and has a deep cut down the front then it pulls tight around her hips before pooling at her feet. She looks absolutely gorgeous. I lean over to Geno to yell into his ear, “I’m an idiot aren’t I?” He just laughs and slaps my back before we head into the hotel and make our way to the ballroom.

*******
Janet, Emma and I are all in the SUV on our way to the hotel ballroom. I’m sipping on champagne while Janet and Emma discuss the logistics of the red carpet. Luckily, it’s a short one and fairly informal. I will pose for a few photos, answer a few questions and sign a couple of autographs and then make my way inside. Since Janet is apparently too good to help me on the red carpet Emma will be in charge of making sure my long navy gown is in its proper place. I look at Emma, “I’m sorry you have to take care of me instead of meeting up with Beau.”

She waves her hand, “It’s my job. And I will have plenty of time with Beau once we get inside. Are you nervous about seeing Sidney?”

Janet interrupts, “Don’t spend too much time with him. David has been working overtime trying to keep the photos of you with the two wives, out of the press not to mention when you sat with all of the family members. You really are being difficult.”

Instead of addressing Janet I take a few more sips of my champagne. We arrive a few moments later and I look out of the heavily tinted windows. There are a lot more people here then I think anyone guessed. I take a deep breath and put on my smile as the valet opens the door. Janet exits the car first before helping me out and the fans immediately respond with a loud cheer. Waving I wait near the car until Emma gets out and arranges the end of my dress. The fabric does feel like water over my body and I pull the fabric near my chest for a moment to ensure that no wardrobe malfunction occurred. The three of us start to walk down the relatively short carpet. “I can’t believe this many people are here!”

I nod to Emma and try to smile as I answer her, “Yeah, I never thought that this many people would come, I mean it’s the middle of November for God’s sake.” We are walking towards the portion of the carpet where the fans are the closest to us, I walk over to a group of girls that have signs and photos. Like all red carpets no one can really hear each other so when a girl talks to me I can only nod and smile. We take a few selfies and I autograph some of my old promotional shots. For the course of the red carpet I continue in this manner.

Towards the end a girl wearing a Penguins sweatshirt sticks out a photo of me in the family suite. I do a double take and hesitate before signing the photo she yells, “Are you dating Sidney Crosby?”

The people nearest to us overhear her and I can tell that they are all waiting on my answer. I simply smile and see that Emma heard the question as well. She comes over and ushers me away so I don’t have to answer. The sad thing is I don’t even know what the right answer the girl’s question was. Are Sidney and I dating? Monday morning I would have said yes, now though I don’t know. Emma links arms with me though, “You stopped smiling, don’t worry we are almost inside.”
She drops me off where a smiling male reporter is waiting, “You look absolutely beautiful tonight Brooklyn.”

I smile, “Thanks, you look pretty dapper yourself.”

“Now, your film is the first major motion picture to be filmed entirely in Pittsburgh. Do you think this is the dawn of a new era?”

“I definitely think it’s something special. Besides production being less expensive here it also taps into a whole new talent pool. We were able to cast small parts from local drama schools and universities, and it’s always exciting to see new talent on the screen.”

“Have you enjoyed your stay in our beautiful city so far?”

“Yes, of course. How could I not love it here? There is so much to do and the food is delicious not to mention the people are a lot nicer out here.”

The two of us share a shallow laugh and his production team taps him on the shoulder, “Well thank you for taking the time to talk with us. Come back to Pittsburgh anytime, you’re always welcome.”

We shake hands and then I rejoin Emma and Janet and walk the last few yards to the hotel entrance. Emma and I once again link arms and I try to enjoy the beautiful décor of the ballroom. It’s pretty crowded and the band is playing one of those songs that everyone knows. A few tables are scattered around the room, “Assigned tables?”

Janet nods and leads us over to a table near the front where Liam and his agent are already there along with our director and his wife. They stand when we arrive and we exchange hugs and kisses. I sit down next to Liam, “You look beautiful Brooklyn.”

“Thanks, Liam. Have we missed anything?” He shakes his head.

“Just the usual bullshit of course.”

Our table chats for the next few minutes while the rest of the guests enter the ballroom, no one really comes up to us, but I see Emma looking around. “Are you looking for him?”

Her head whips back around her eyes wide, “Who?”

I laugh and turn to see where she was looking. Sure enough, the guys are sitting at a table across the way. Geno, Beau, James , Marc, Vero, a few others that I haven’t truly met and then finally Sidney are all there. Beau was still looking at our table and I raise my hand in a little wave, he waves back which attracts the attention of his companions. Sidney and I make eye contact and we smile at each other. I turn to Emma, “There’s an empty seat next to Beau. Go, have fun, you are officially off duty.”

“Are you sure?” Emma is already half way off of her seat when she asks. I nod and she practically sprints across the small dance area. Just as she leaves the lights dim and our director walks up to microphone.

The crowd quiets, “Welcome, to our wrap party this evening. We are all very excited to have reached this stage in the production process. The last two months of filming have been amazing and we hope that everyone can enjoy themselves tonight before post-production work gets stared.” He takes a breath. “Many of you invited tonight are people close to the city of Pittsburgh. Tonight is also a celebration of this wonderful city and our studio is excited to begin a new chapter in film making by establishing permanent studios in the area.” A round of applause meets his announcement. After the crowd quiets he continues. “I think though that all of you are sick and tired of hearing me speak. So without further ado, let’s enjoy the evening. We invite everyone to drink, dance and of course make poor choices.”

Our director leaves the stage and the band quickly strikes up a catchy song. A photographer comes over to our table and order us to get together to take a few photos. Once those are done I see Janet and Liam’s agent discussing something and then motioning the two of us to go dance. Liam holds out his hand and I take it with an eye roll as he leads me to the dance floor.

*******
The single guys are left at the table once the music starts. We are all on a strict three drink limit tonight and Dan and Mario are both here to reinforce this, just in case. I look towards the dance floor and see Emma and Beau as well as Fleury and Vero. Geno, Nealer and I remain nursing our beverages. My eye keeps drifting to her table, and each time I see her it strikes me again how beautiful she is. At her table I see Liam hold at his hand for a dance and she agrees. I try to tell myself it’s per the orders of her manager, but it still irks me.

A hand waves in front of my face, “Maybe you should look a little less pissy, Sid.”

I shove Neal’s hand away, “Can you leave me alone?”

James and Geno exchange a look and then wisely choose to drop the subject. On the dance floor Liam and Brooklyn are dancing together still his hand on the small of her back. The song ends and I’m relieved assuming that they will go back to the table and sit down, but they stay and he pulls her closer for the next song. People are taking photos and I realize that I her manager doesn’t have any control over me. I want to spend time with my girlfriend in public and if Janet has a problem with that, she can talk to me. Earlier this week I was an idiot and I fully intend on righting that immediately. I finish my drink in one gulp and make my way to the dance floor. Behind me I hear Geno and James try to reason with me, but it’s too late.

On the dance floor I navigate through some couples and tap Liam on the shoulder, “Do you mind if I cut in?” I don’t wait for his answer, but instead I pull Brooklyn into my arms. This close to her I’m still amazed by her. “You look amazing.”

“What are you doing?” She is smiling, trying to pretend that everything is okay, but I can tell she is concerned.

“I want to apologize, for how I acted on Monday. You’re right, it wasn’t your fault. I was just being an…” I pause searching for the right word.

“An ass,” Brooklyn replied.

I look down shamefully, “Yes, a complete ass.”

Looking back up I see her crack a smile, “It’s fine.”

Quickly, I spin her out and then bring her back in, “Seriously, what can I do?”

“This is more than enough,” She moves to lean into me and I see the moment she realizes that this is supposed to be a secret. Her eyes are full of apologies; I look back at her table and notice that Janet is staring daggers at us. In one of my more spontaneous moments I pull Brooklyn towards me and kiss her, in that crowded ballroom. It takes a moment, but then I feel her lips moving against mine. Remembering we are in a public place I release her. She smiles at me and I return it wholeheartedly. The moment lasts briefly as Janet approaches the two of us angrily. Brooklyn kisses me one last time than allows Janet to pull her away. I return to my table with a huge grin on my face.

Notes