Counting Stars

Friday morning Emma and I discuss the events from the Family Skate. “So he wants you to spend your down time in Pittsburgh?”

I nod, taking a bit of my bagel. We are in my hotel room in New York just a few blocks from 30 Rock and the studio for SNL. “Yeah, he wants us to continue seeing each other even though it will be mostly long distance.”

Emma simply whistles from across the room, “Guys don’t usually talk about their feelings so easily.”

“Trust me I was surprised as well.”

The two of us are silent or a moment, “He wants you to come to him, not the other way around. Are you okay with that?”

“I have the more flexible schedule.” I look at her accusingly. “Why are you so against this?”

Emma shrugs her shoulders casually, “I never said that. It’s just that he seems like he is trying to tie you down is all. Isn't he a little older than you?”

I stop her, “He is three years older than me, hardly cradle robbing. And don’t make this about you and Beau.”

“We agreed to never speak of him again,” She fiddles with her coffee cup. “”What I wouldn’t do to screw that man one last time though. That boy knew what he was doing.” Emma sighs dramatically then looks at me. “Speaking of which, how is it between you and Sid? I want all the dirty details.”

“No, no. You don’t get to bash our relationship and then live vicariously through our sex life.” I pause thinking for a moment. “It’s been a fairly long time though, actually like a really long time.”

“Athletes need a release for all that testosterone Bridge. The poor man is probably dying.”

“Trust me, the feeling is mutual.” Now that we’ve started talking about it I can’t stop. Flashes of Sidney’s perfect body assault my mind. Images of our last time in the arena flash through my head.

“You’re thinking about it right now aren’t you?” I simply nod. “I am too, no worries.”

The two of us erupt into laughter and David walks in a few minutes later. David has been my shadow and guide for the past week and will be with me for another as we prepare for Glimpses of Paradise to be released in theaters this Christmas.

Per usual David sports a tacky suit and slicked back hair, “What are you two giggling about?” Before we answer he continues. “More importantly, Brooklyn have you seen the headlines?”

“No, why?” David has this glint in his eyes that always makes me a little nervous.

“All the big papers are covering you and that hockey player.”

“You mean Sidney.”

“Same difference.”

Emma hands me her laptop which is opened to a Yahoo article. I read the headline, “’America’s Sweetheart and Canada’s Golden Boy.’ Really? Who did you pay to write that?”

“That’s the best part. This story has taken on a life of its own!” David sits down next to me on the bed. “Apparently, your guy has an intense female fan base around the world not to mention he is like the spokesman of Canada or something. And you are still the broken-hearted girlfriend, Midwest girl who came to Hollywood and hit it big. Your courtship which I will now leak to the press in its entirety is adorable. You go to his games, wear his jersey, meet his friends, his parents. I’ll even throw in that his sister considers you a role model. He comforts you emotionally and then the icing on the cake, the Holiday Party. Really, it couldn’t have been better if I organized it myself.”

By the time David is finished I am both concerned and impressed, “Wow, that’s good.”

“So I’m going to confirm everything, maybe release statement?”

I nod, “Why don’t you release a joint one with Sidney’s people, something simple of course.”

David gives me a quick peck on the cheek and then leaves the hotel room. By the time he leaves I already hear him on the phone chatting to someone. Now that Emma has mentioned it I wonder if Sidney is as frustrated as I am. And if he’s not does that mean I’m doing something wrong? I check my watch, Sidney should be on his way to his morning skate and I need to be at SNL in about twenty minutes. “Hey Emma, if you want to go walk to 30 Rock and check on that stuff I’ll be there in a few.”

“You’re calling him aren’t you?”

“No! Of course not!” My voice rises unnaturally high.

Emma laughs, “Just promise to keep the moaning quiet, there are other people in this hotel you know.”

I roll my eyes as Emma leaves and try to gather the courage to dial Sid’s number. After a minute I realize it’s now or after his game and I reluctantly dial. His phone starts to ring and I debate hanging up for a moment before he answers, “Hey babe, what’s up?”

“Just checking in, I wanted to wish you luck before the game.”

“Thanks,” I hear some voices on the other end. “The guys say hi.”

“Tell them I say hi back,” Shit, he must be in the locker room already. We really can’t have this conversation with people around and once again I debate postponing it for a later date. My curiosity wins out though. “Um, is there any way that we could talk privately?”

“Yeah, sure.” I bite my lip waiting for confirmation that he is alone. “I’m alone, is everything okay?”

“Oh yeah! Nothing is wrong per say, but Emma and I were talking and I realized it’s been a while since we’ve you know.”

“You were talking about our sex life with Emma again?”

I scoff, “Like you haven’t told any secrets to the guys, besides she was the one that brought it up.”

Sidney is silent on the other line and I’m slightly afraid that I have offended him, “The point of this conversation is?”

“Well, I’m a little frustrated honestly and I want to know if you are um feeling the same way or deprived or anything.” Only silence answers my inquiry for a few seconds before I hear Sidney chuckle. “This is not funny Sid!”

“I’m not an 18 year-old Brooklyn I can survive a week or two without sex.”

“Oh,” I’m disappointed to say the least. My boyfriend just boasted that he can go without sex and apparently feel absolutely fine. Part of me realizes that I sound super needy, but the other part is a little hurt.

“Babe, that doesn’t mean that if you were with me I would be content with just sitting on a couch and cuddling. I want you every second of every day Brooklyn. It would be idiotic of me to say that I didn’t think about your gorgeous body each waking moment or that your beautiful smile doesn’t fill my dreams. You are fucking sexy Lynn, absolute sin and your body drives me crazy.” He takes a deep breath and I’m speechless. “What I meant was that I’m willing to wait weeks hell even months for you. No other girl will replace you or holds a candle to your beauty inside and out. Besides, technology is a wonderful thing and a decent placeholder for the real thing.”

Sidney has stopped talking, but I can’t even form words. This man has got me hot and bothered with no immediate release. I want him physically yes, but emotionally too. Our short conversation has reminded me why this guy is so special.

I don’t realize I’ve been silent that long until Sidney coughs, “You still there?”

“Yeah, you just surprised me that’s all.”

He laughs, “Not exactly my primary intention babe. You can’t tell me that you’re surprised you turn me on.”

“I doubted it for a split second,” I pause. “For the record you are sex on a stick too.”

Sidney’s high pitched laugh fills the phone, “Good to know. I have to get to practice now. You good?”

“Good? No. Horny as hell? Yes.”

“I’ll take care of that later babe, no worries. Have a good day.”

“Promises, promises Sid. But thanks, good luck tonight.”

“Thanks, we will be watching tomorrow.”

********
I walk back into the locker room after my phone call with Brooklyn a little agitated. Unfortunately, it’s game day and I should really be focused on our match tonight with New Jersey, but all I can think about is Brooklyn. Her amazing figure and even more how I am always in a better mood. Right now though I would do anything to have her here and I’m not going to lie my intentions aren’t pure. Arriving back at the locker room I get to my stall and sit down. My movements are slow and a little unsure. Fleury notices this of course, “What did Brooklyn want?”

My movements stop and I shake my head, “I think she would kill me if I told you.”

“Now you have to tell me,” I’m silent and Fleury waves a hand in front of my face. “Come on, nous sommes amis, non? Besides, Brooklyn will probably tell Vero so I will hear it eventually.”

“Jesus, why does everyone feel the need to discuss my sex life,” My outburst is quite loud and it’s caught the attention of a few guys who haven’t yet left for the ice.

“Now you are in trouble,” Fleury occupies himself with his pads.

“Something you want to share, Captain?” Dupuis rarely busts my balls, but apparently today is a rare day. He saunters over to Fleury and I. “How is Brooklyn?”

“Guys, come on,” I just teased Brooklyn for talking about this and now I’m about to do the same thing.

“It’s called locker room talk for a reason, roomie,” Now Nealer and Depres have joined our little posse as well. Soon everyone is requesting details and it’s getting a little annoying and out of hand. Their imaginations are a lot more graphic than what happened on the phone. “We are going to assume the worst. You should just tell us put it all to rest.” Damn, I know that Duper is manipulating me, but I hate this attention.

“Fine, fine,” The guys cheer and then quiet. The guys surrounding suddenly reminds me of the scene from that musical, Grease. Not that I would ever admit to the guys that I enjoy that movie. “She called just to check in really.”

“Bullshit. That was a long phone call.”

“Plus we heard your dumb ass laugh,” Depres interjects and I glare at him.

“Seriously, this doesn’t leave here,” They nod and I take a deep breath. “She is feeling a little, well as she put it frustrated.”

The guys erupt in ohs and whistles. Fleury has a huge shit eating grin on his face while Duper patted me on the back, “Did you help her with her problem?”

“Unfortunately I had to get back to you fuckers, so if anything I exacerbated the problem.”

“You left her high and dry?” Nealer shakes his head.

I hold up my hands defensively, “With the promise that I would take care of her later. Are you all happy?”

“Hardly. One day Sidney you will walk in here and have to dish on your celebrity girlfriend and that will be the day I know I have finally corrupted you,” James pats me on the shoulder and walks away.

*******
It’s the Saturday of my hosting gig on SNL, to say the least I am a little nervous. The last 18 hours have been full of rewrites and rehearsals and I am definitely not feeling comfortable. They just sent me back to my hotel for a little time so that I could decompress and try to relax and grab dinner. My parents just got here as well so we can grab a quick dinner and then I can get back to work. Before I get a chance to nap though Emma calls me, “Hey girl.”

“Are you in the room? I need to show you something immediately,” Emma sounds out of breath.

“Yeah I am. Is everything okay?” my phone just beeps and I realize that she hung up on me.

I hear a knock at the door and go up to answer it, sure enough Emma is standing outside looking frantic. Letting her in she practically runs into my room and pulls out her laptop. “Okay, my friend sent this to me and I think you need to look at this.” Her internet is open to a page that and I’m a little surprised when I see this, is dedicated to the girlfriend of Sidney Crosby.

“Is this real?” The page is full of pictures of me and Sidney along with comments.

“I’m afraid so, I guess this is what David was talking about when he mentioned overzealous fans.”

I’m not really paying attention to Emma anymore instead I am immersed in this brand new world where everyone seems to think that they are in the position to comment on my relationship. These people are saying everything from friends with benefits to that I am a Hollywood whore. “They don’t really like me do they?”

“There were some nice ones, they think you have really pretty hair at least.”

I chuckle, appreciating Emma’s effort, but still feeling a little upset. These girls go one and one dissecting my past, how I act around Sidney and whether or not I’m in a relationship with him for the right reasons. The general consensus is that he should be with someone more ‘normal.’ I close the laptop refusing to look at this any longer. These women don’t know my life or my relationship, not to mention that I get critiqued every day of my life. A few lonely women behind computer screens should be easy to handle, at least that’s what I tell myself. “God, I need a drink.”

“Shit, I’m sorry. I know that you are already super nervous about SNL tonight. Really, I just didn’t want you to get blindsided.”

“It’s fine really. I mean I’m sure that they have been talking about me since we were first spotted together. It was just a matter of time before it got this bad.”

Emma gives me a quick hug, “When Beau and I were a thing my picture ended up on some tumblr or blog, but it wasn’t this bad. Just remember at the end of the day Sidney calls you not any of these bitches.”

“You’re right. I need to focus on tonight anyways.” My phone rings and I see that it’s my Dad. “I have to take this, we are going to grab dinner downstairs in the restaurant. Are you sure you don’t want to come?”

“I have to get stuff ready in your dressing room for tonight, but thanks for the invite. Tell your mom and dad I said hi though,” with that Emma swiftly exits my hotel room.

I walk down to the restaurant and find my parents already seated at a table. We have a wonderful dinner and I have a chance to take my mind off tonight as well as the interesting website that Emma showed me earlier. By the time our dinner is over I’m looking forward to tonight.

*******
We have a great game against Detroit tonight, but I hurried out of the locker room at the end so I could get home in time to watch Brooklyn on SNL. Usually, the guys all choose to go out after a Saturday night win, but tonight we’ve decided to come back to my place and watch the show. Even though I’m sure she is busy Brooklyn still finds time to congratulate me on the win and I wish her good luck.

By the time most of the guys come over I am already pretty far in my first beer. I’m nervous for Brooklyn. This is the first time I will get to see Brooklyn act as her boyfriend. The woman on the TV will be my girlfriend and it is a little confusing at first. Beau, Nealer, Geno, the Fleurys, Depres, and the Dupuis are all over in my living room. I join them just as the opening skit is starting.

Duper looks up at me as I enter the room, “Are you excited man?”

“A little nervous actually, I know she has been working really hard this week.”

And then the intros start and before long the shot cuts to the open screen and the door opens. Out comes my girlfriend looking a little nervous, but a smile ready for the cameras. She walks down the steps slowly and then finds her mark. “Damn, she looks good, Sid.” Beau is right, Brooklyn does look absolutely gorgeous. Her hair is curly and frames her face while she is wearing a long-sleeved dress that looks like the same color of her skin. But it’s covered in various blues gems around all of her best parts. I run my eyes down the rest of her and notice that her legs look absolutely stunning as well. All in all I just have to say that I am one lucky man.

Nealer agrees with me, “Your life is just so perfect it disgusts me.”

The two married guys are noticeably silent, but I see Duper and Flower both send me subtle looks over their wives head. Brooklyn is now starting her monologue though, she smiles brightly, “Thank you so so much! I am so happy to be hosting Saturday Night Live. This year has really been a whirlwind for me and I couldn’t think of a better way to end it. As some of you know, I was in Game of Thrones for a little bit,” The crowd applauds. Her monologue is good, all of us chuckle at certain points.

As the night continues Brooklyn kills it. She is funny charming, sexy really the perfect woman. All of the guys are enjoying it as well and I even get a few texts from friends who are tuning in as well. Apparently even my family is watching. My mom sent a collective text for my dad, Brooklyn looks beautiful and so talented! When do we get to see her again?

My sister decided to text me as well, Brooklyn is way too cool for you. You should definitely propose before she finds someone better.

I laugh at loud and the guys look at me a little weird and I show Geno the text. He also laughs, “She’s right Sidney.”

Brooklyn steps out for the final bows dressed in tight black pants and a strapless sequined top. Once again she looks gorgeous, “Thank you so much to everyone here at SNL this week has been absolutely amazing. I am so grateful for this opportunity! Have a wonderful holiday and Christmas season, Goodnight!”

Our group all claps and hoots. We make small talk for a moment before my phone starts to ring, “Huh, it’s Brooklyn.” All of them suggest that I put her on speaker, but I just shake my head and walk out of the room. “Lynn?”

It’s loud on the other end and I hear people all around her, “Did you watch?”

Suddenly I remember the night that I first called her after that horrible game. And I figure that I am probably one of the first people that she has talked to since the performance. “Of course I did. You were absolutely amazing!”

“Really?”

“Really, I was so proud of you babe. Seriously it was awesome seeing you in your element.”

“Aw thanks.” We are both silent for a moment and I hear someone call her in the distance. “Look I have to go the after party, but I will see soon. Promise!”

She hangs up before I have a chance to really say goodbye. I wonder what she means though that she will see me soon. As far as I know she still is traveling next week before the holiday.

Notes

The past few days have been so busy, sorry! I'm Posting this in the hopes that it cheers up some people after the unfortunate loss tonight...