Counting Stars

“I was wondering if you would call me,” Jacob’s deep and slightly voice answers from the other line.

“I could really do without your sass right now.”

He sighs on the other end, “Honestly, I would come, but I have a few days off until your press tour begins.”

I totally forgot, my entire staff is all having a few days off to finish up November. The press tour for, will probably consume December. “Oh, right. How is your mysterious homeland?” Jacob never talks about his home life; I don’t even know where he calls home.

He chuckles, “It’s great, thanks for asking. But let’s focus on you real quick so that I can get back to my vacation, let me guess you didn’t tell the Golden Boy about your sordid past.”

“It’s really not that sordid,” Compared to most other people in Hollywood, my brief stint with illegal substances was child’s play. “You’re right though. I didn’t tell him, and now I feel like I should have. “

“From a guy’s perspective, he is going to think you have no filter if you share this with him so soon. It would scare him off,” I breathe a sigh of relief. “On the other hand, if he finds out from someone else, you're fucked.”

“The only people who know though are you, me and Zac. I don’t think any of us are going to break.”

“You and I both know that secrets in Hollywood don’t always last long. Your secret isn’t safe, that’s the cold hard truth.”

I think about that statement, and Jacob is right, “So I should tell him.”

“You have time, I would wait.” The two of us are silent on the phone for a few minutes. “Are you still there?”
“Yeah, yeah just thinking. Thanks for the advice and enjoy your time off. I’ll see you in a few days.” We hang up and I’m left in my suite alone. Emma and I text a little bit and she offers one last time to take me to the game. Obviously, I can’t be in that public of a place right now. As far as everyone knows I’m broken up about Zac right now. I decide to watch the game from the comfort of my own bed instead.

*********
When we land back in Pittsburgh in the early hours of Tuesday I send a quick text to Brooklyn, and my parents. My family decided to come spend Thanksgiving with me. Since Taylor gets off some time I figured it would be a fun weekend. Of course, I forgot to warn Brooklyn though and my parents’ flight lands this afternoon.

In the morning the first thing I do is call Brooklyn who picks up on the first ring, “Good morning superstar. No skate for you today?”

I smile, appreciating the sweet sounds of her voice, “Nope, but I was thinking we should grab lunch, I have some news.”

“I would love to, let’s go to Moe’s, I have been craving it.”

“Perfect, I’ll pick you up at 12.”

At lunch we grab our food without incident and choose a booth towards the back, “How was your weekend.”

“Relaxing, I did absolutely nothing. Well I watched you kick ass, but that was work on your part.”

I love that she watches my games, and the fact that she is proud of me inflates my ego more than all of the hat tricks in the world. Hopefully, she will still watch my games after I spring the news of my parents’ arrival on her. “So Thursday is Thanksgiving as I’m sure you know. And Taylor has some time off from school so my parents decided to come and visit here.”

“Oh, that will be great. You don’t get to see each other that often.”

Here goes nothing, “They will actually be here tonight and would love to have dinner with you.”

I’m looking down at my food as I ask so I don’t see her initial facial expression, “I would love to meet them Sidney, really.”

I look up and see that Brooklyn is actually smiling, “Um okay, they’ll be excited. Their flight lands around five, so I made reservations at that steak place downtown. And then the four of you can sit together at the game tomorrow of course.”

“That sounds great, Sidney!” She interrupts me, “My mother also invited you to Thanksgiving dinner, but it sounds like you already have plans. And I’m sure that you will want some time with your family to yourself.”

Brooklyn’s parents want to meet me, I take a moment to digest it and I realize that I would love to meet them as well, “Please tell your mom that I’m sorry. I would love to meet them another time. Really.”

She grabs my hand, “Alright Captain, come on. Let’s go I have to prepare myself if I’m going to meet your parents.”

I drop her off at the hotel and we decide that she will wait for me at my house while I go pick up my parents. Without thinking I toss her a key and text the codes to get in to her and I’m on my way. On the way home I realize that I just gave my girlfriend a key, and the possible ramifications. What if she thinks I’m too clingy or expecting something that she has my key, or what if she reads too far into the gesture?

Sidney drops me off and I walk up to my suite, contemplating the events of the last hour or so. I’m about to meet his family and he gave me a key. He probably didn’t mean anything by it. I mean he is such a pragmatic person, it is probably just an ends to a mean. After dinner I will definitely offer to give it back to him. I send a quick text to my sister letting her know about my predicament and she responds with a simple we need to talk. Checking the clock and knowing how my sister is, this will most likely be a long conversation so I bargain with her. I’ll call her after dinner with Sidney’s family and she obliges.

I spend the next hours contemplating what I should wear to meet arguably the most important people in Sidney’s life. We are going to a nice restaurant afterwards so I have to choose something that’s a little more sophisticated. But I can’t look to sexy, I should look classy. Yes, classy is good. Rifling through my closet I decide on a white, flowing skirt that comes to mid-thigh and a black v-neck. I add a gold-metallic belt to accentuate my waist. Looking in the mirror I decide that I’m showing a bit too much leg for late November and add black tights. Pleased with my overall look I sit on my couch and wait for Sidney to text me. When his text arrives saying that they are back at his house I take a deep breath and slide on my black booties, appreciating the extra few inches I gained. I grab a coat and my bag before heading out the door.

On the twenty minute ride to Sidney’s home I rehearse how I’m going to meet his family. After three or four failed attempts I finally give up. Most likely I’m going to make a fool of myself I just hope that I’m adorable while I do it. Once I pull into Sidney’s driveway, i use the code he gave me I take one last deep breath. I knock on the door and then walk in, “Hello?”

Sidney walks into the entryway moments later, looking amazing in black dress pants and a white shirt, “Hey, you look great. Do you want me to take you coat?”

I nod and he takes my coat and drapes it over the banister, “Thanks, you look good.”

We kiss quickly and then he grabs my hand, “They’re in the kitchen. Are you ready?”

“Of course,” I laugh, trying to sound confident as Sidney leads me into the kitchen.

In the room there are three people. A girl is sitting at the counter in a black skirt with a blue blouse on her iPhone, while his parents are looking through a magazine on the counter. Sidney coughs as we enter the room and they all look up expectantly, “Mom, Dad, Taylor, this is my girlfriend, Brooklyn Donahue.”

I smile and wave awkwardly, “Hi, it’s really wonderful to meet Sidney’s family.”

No one speaks for a moment and then Taylor jumps off of the barstool and pulls me into a hug, “I can’t believe it’s really you! I’m a huge fan truly and so is everyone at my school. Again, I really don’t understand what you see in my dorky brother.”

“Taylor!” His mom, I’m assuming interrupts. She walks over to me and I stick out my hand to shake and she instead pulls me in for a hug. “I haven’t heard much about you dear, but I’m excited to get to you know. I’m Trina, and this is my husband Troy, and our daughter Taylor of course.”

Sidney’s father comes over and we shake hands awkwardly, “It’s nice to meet you Brooklyn.”

“Likewise, Mr. Crosby.”

He shakes his head, “Troy, please.”

I glance at Sidney and he smiles back at me, “We should probably head out. I would hate for us to miss our reservations.”

The ride to the restaurant is filled with small talk, Sidney casually holds my hand on the gear shift and I cant help but smile. When we get to the restaurant Sidney opens the door for his mom while Troy helps me out of the car, I smile in thanks and our group is seated at a booth in the back. The dining room is moderately full and I notice a few tables stop speaking as we walk by. The décor of the restaurant is modern and feels luxurious.

Well into the meal the conversation starts to flow, “So, Sidney told us that the two of you met at a game, are you a hockey fan then?”

”I enjoy watching the games, yes, but I couldn’t tell you the difference between icing and hybrid icing.” I answer Trina’s question. “When I was in high school my dad and I went to a few Blue Jacket’s games. I caught the bug I suppose, I do miss sitting with the regular crowd though.”

Sidney fills in his family, “I had you sit with the WAGs one time, it wasn’t that bad was it.”

I grab his hand gently, “No, but the fans are so much more exciting.”

“I know what you mean, Sidney never gets us tickets near the ice,” Taylor complains.

Trina gasps from the other side of the table, “I know why don’t you get tickets for Taylor and Brooklyn against the glass tomorrow. You were going to come to the game right?”

“I don’t think that’s the best idea Trina,” Troy speaks for the second, maybe third time tonight.

“Nonsense, I’m sure they would both have more fun.”

The atmosphere is understandably tense, and I know that Sidney agrees with his father in this situation. He glances at me then his mother and then Taylor who whispers, “Please?”

He runs a hand over his forehead, “Fine, I’ll try to get the two of you tickets. But no promises.”

“You are the best bro, thanks.” Taylor bumps knuckles with Sidney across the table and then look toward me. “I play goalie, in University so I can start explaining some things to you. I know that the WAGs probably aren’t much help.”

We finish up the meal and the waiter drops off the check and both Troy and Sidney immediately reach for it, “Dad, come on. I picked the place, you are in my home let me pay.”

Troy tugs and shakes his head, “No son, this doesn’t change, you know that.”

They stare at each other for a little longer and then Sidney releases the check with a smile, “Well it was worth a try.”

Trina looks at me with a glint in her eye, “Both of my boys are as hardheaded as an ox. Please tell me you will stay for a drink or two at Sidney’s.”

I nod, “I would love to.”

Back at home the five of us are in the kitchen again, I grab two beers for my father and I while Brooklyn pours some wine for my mom and even for my sister. The three women are sitting in the high bar stools at the opposite end laughing about something conspiratorially. Shaking my head I just smile and hand a beer to my dad. “Here you go.”

“Thanks, Sidney. Do I even want to know what those three are talking about?”

I shake my head, “Probably not, the three of them are definitely trouble.” We each take a sip. My dad and I are close of course, but we are men of few words.

“Don’t stand over there, come and socialize,” My mom might be tipsy and judging by how my sister is sneaking refills she is probably well on her way too.

We oblige my mom though and walk over I stand next to Brooklyn and casually drape my arm around the back of her chair. She looks up at me and her clear eyes prove that she might be the only sober woman in the house. I lean down and whisper in her ear, “Are you ready to go?”

Apparently I didn’t whisper loudly enough because my sister exclaims, “Please don’t go! We are having so much fun.”

Brooklyn smiles but shakes her head, “I wish, but I need to run. I have some phone interviews to do tomorrow and I need to pack for my trip home.”

“You should just stay here,” Taylor continues and my mother scolds her. “Oh come on mom, she has definitely spent the night before.”

I blush and Brooklyn does as well, “On that note, I think I really should leave.” Brooklyn slides off her chair. “It was wonderful meeting you all. I’ll see you at the game tomorrow.” She hugs everyone, including my dad and then I escort her out.

I’m helping her with her coat in the hallway, “Your family is adorable Sidney, and your mom and sister are a trip.”

“Well, I’m glad you liked them. They definitely loved you,” we are standing alone in my foyer and I take a look at my beautiful girlfriend once more and groan.

“What?”

“We are a staircase away from my bedroom and I can’t have you. It’s killing me,” I pull her close to me and run my hands along her sides.

She laughs, “We could have a quickie in my car?”

I lean down and place a hard quick kiss on her lips, “Don’t tempt me Donahue, they will already be wondering why I’ve been here so long.”

Brooklyn sticks her tongue out and we walk out the door, “Spoil sport. So I’ll show up tomorrow at Consol around 6:30?”

“Yeah, pick up your tickets and then go up to the family suite. My mom and Taylor should be there, my dad will probably be in my suite.”

“Wait, you have your own suite?”

“That surprises you?”

“No, just wondering why you tortured me with the WAGs.”

I slap her butt lightly, “Don’t lie you had fun.”

She laughs loudly, “Fair enough.” We are at her car now, I open the door. “Okay, I will see you after the game. Good luck, babe.”

Whistling I walk back into my home and find my family relocated to the living room. The TV is on some reality show so I know that my father was outnumbered. They are quiet for a little and then I sit down. I can feel my family staring at me. “So, what did you think?”

My mother and sister immediately begin to talk over each other until my sister finally wins out, “She is so sweet Sidney and so beautiful.”

“Really Sidney, she seems like a wonderful person. Brooklyn is talented, beautiful, it sounds like she loves her family. Not to mention she put up with us for a few hours.”

I chuckle and then I turn to my father. He has been silent during this quick discussion, “Let’s talk in the study Sid.” This doesn’t surprise me, so I rise and follow him to my study. I rarely use this room in my house. It’s built like an office, but personally I don’t have much paperwork, so really I just store some of my trophies here. We walk in and my dad leans against the large desk, while I stay standing.

I’m struck with the odd sense that I’m a child again. Refusing to be belittled, I stride across the room and sit in the leather chair behind the desk. “What do you want to say Dad?”

He takes a deep breath, “You like her a lot don’t you?” I nod and he continues. “She was involved with that actor that just went to rehab. Did you talk about it?”

“We did, she dated him so she was a little unnerved. There really isn’t much else to say.”

“When you date someone, you take on some of their habits, son.”

I shake my head immediately dismissing my father’s accusations. “Don’t dad, don’t even finish that idea.”

“I had to ask,” he looks at me. “She really does seem wonderful though son. And obviously your mom and sister approve.”

No matter how old I get or how much money I make I will always crave my father’s approval. Him and Mario might be the most important men in my life, even as messed up as that sounds. “Thanks Dad, she really is special.”

Notes