Counting Stars

“For the record, I am not pleased with you,” That was how Emma greeted me in my dressing room the following morning.

I laughed, “What have I done wrong now?”

“You never called me after the game! I had to hear everything from EOnline this morning,” She plopped her MacBook down in front of me and I saw that she was right. E! had published a small article reliving Liam and I’s night out, including pictures.

Could things already be heating up between costars Liam Hemsworth and Brooklyn Donahue? Well it sure seems that way, just after the first day of filming the two gorgeous stars decided to spend the evening together. They took in a Pittsburgh Penguins hockey game and sat right near the glass. According to fans sitting close by the pair, they definitely enjoyed each other’s company, but it didn’t seem romantic. Fan photos from the night show the two laughing and cheering on the home team. Both were apparently gracious enough to pose for photo after photo with fans as long as it was a break in the play. The photos definitely reveal that there is at the very least a strong friendship between the two. Sources from on set reveal that Liam has had his costar on his mind. Word on the street is that he always sings her praises whether it’s to his entourage, the crew members or to Miss Donahue herself.

It seems that Liam was not the only one smitten with Brooklyn last night. Many of the athletes tweeted about the starlet after the game.

@jneal_18 Probably met the most gorgeous #pens fan in the world last night. @BrooklynRae Let me know if you need a jersey next time.

@Despres747 Met this beautiful woman last night, thank you for the great picture

While these men are waiting on a response from our dear Brooklyn we have already spotted her and Liam together AGAIN this morning. They grabbed an early breakfast on the way to set as seen below. We are definitely shipping this interoffice romance.

I close the laptop, “Its scary how fast they find stuff out sometimes isn’t it, but don’t worry there is nothing to really say about Liam. He’s sweet, but like I’ve said not interested in a relationship with him, fake or otherwise.”

“Fine, fine. At least did you have fun at the game?”

“Yeah, it was amazing. We had awesome seats,” I pause and bite my lip. “And I got to meet Sidney Crosby.”

“And who’s that?”

I pulled up a quick google search for him on my phone, “He’s the captain.”

She quickly scrolled through the photos, “Hot damn. I didn’t know that people that attractive could play hockey. Shouldn’t he be missing teeth or have a crooked nose?”

I laughed, “If only, looking that good should be illegal and he was so sweaty after the game. God, definitely a night to remember.”

“I got a text from David by the way, apparently you need to follow back, respond or at least favorite the guys that tweeted at you last night.”

I nodded and quickly followed the two athletes on twitter before heading to set start the second day of filming.

***************

The last two weeks have been insanely busy, so busy that David still hasn’t even had time to set up more fake outings with Liam. Shooting is progressing quickly, and I think it will finally start to calm down after this week. My days consist of shooting, eating and sleep with not much time for anything else. I walked into my hotel suite after Friday’s shooting and immediately collapsed on the bed. Unfortunately, my phone decided it should ring and I debated ignoring Emma’s call before guilting myself into answering it, “Yes?”

“We are hitting the town tonight!” Emma practically screamed into my phone.

I groaned, “Nah, I don’t think so. Netflix and my bed are calling my name.”

As soon as I finished talking the door to my suite opened and I heard clearly, “I thought you were going to say that, so I took the liberty of coming here to make sure.”

I stayed in my bed and buried into the covers, refusing to get up, “I’m already asleep Emma, better luck next time!” Silence and then, “Oomf.”

Emma jumped on my bed, “Please, Bridge. You need to let loose a little. We will order dominoes, have room service bring up some rum and we will get drunk, get dressed and party hard tonight.”

“But my bed…”

“Come on, we never get to go out! David and Janet left this afternoon, Ethan and Jacob are bored we have a long weekend, its perfect!” Emma was laying on top of me trying to pry the pillow off of my head.

“How about tomorrow?”

“No, besides I haven’t told you the best part,” she paused. “I know where the penguins are going to be tonight!”

In the past few weeks I haven’t been able to get Sidney out of my head and Emma knows that, not to mention she has a major crush on Beau Bennett. She is using my weakness against me, I guess I’ve taught her well, “Fine, but we are getting tomatoes on the pizza!”

“Wooooo! Alright, I’ll call for the pizza and have the concierge order us some rum and diet coke. You go hop in the shower, the guys will be here in 40!”

“The guys are already on their way? How did you know I would say yes?”

“Well, with Sidney on the table I knew you would have to say yes!” and with that my manipulating PA/best friend flits out of my suite.

Forty minutes later, the guys arrive, with pizza and alcohol. I was putting the finishing touches on my look, a flared, short coral skirt with a black quarter length top with cutouts, it was definitely hot, but not too sluttly. “Important question, which shoes?” I held up my nude pumps in one hand and gold stilettos in the other.

“Nude definitely,” Emma replied as she put her earrings in. She wore a black leather mini skirt with a white halter top complemented with tiffany blue heels. Her brown hair has straight with her bangs pulled back. She looked absolutely gorgeous.

We emerged from my bedroom to whistles from the guys, who had already started eating the pizza, “Jacob, its look like we are going to have beat off the men with a stick tonight,” Ethan laughed as he shamelessly checked us out.

I shook my head, “Trust me I think yall will be too busy with your own women to worry about us. Y’all look great,” And boy did they. Ethan was wearing a pair of dark jeans and a casual button up with the sleeves cuffed. And Jacob looked like sex on a stick, with a pair of light jeans and a black v-neck that showed off his ripped arms and torso. The four of us all together were going to have a great night, and I was actually really excited.

“Let’s get this party started. Pittsburgh is never going to know what hit ‘em,” and with that Ethan poured us each a shot.

The pizza was finished, the two handles of rum we had were just about done and we were ready to go. It was just about eleven and I was definitely starting to feel my buzz, I think we all were. Ethan and Emma were discussing security protocol quickly, while Jacob and I were killing the bottles.

“You sure you want to do this? I’’ll stay home with you,” Jacob looked at me with concern. The two of us were definitely closer than I was with Ethan. He knows how much Zac broke me and the poor decisions I made in response to it. Basically, I wasn’t at my best, and while Emma and Ethan know most of the story Jacob knows every gritty detail. I haven’t really gone out since Zac and Jacob is just trying to protect me, but I don’t need his protection right now. Tonight will be my night to get back on the saddle.

I smile, “I’m fine, Jacob. Besides tonight it going to be fun, and you’re not my protection tonight. Got it? I want you to get laid!” I slapped his arm and he let out a small chuckle. Smiling, I got up from the couch discovering that I was still stable on my heels and went over to Emma and Ethan.

“No more business talk! We will take a cab, and I know you already have a VIP table reserved so let’s get a move on!” Ethan and Emma shared a look and then nodded. The four of us grabbed our things and we were off. Our concierge had a car waiting for us and we got in without running into any of the paparazzi. Tonight was going to be fun, there was no other option.

********

“Great game boys! This shot is for Lord Stanley!” Geno made a toast and the six of us or so assembled obliged and downed our vodka. We were all flying high, the season is going great, and we are actually on a winning streak and we beat Philly earlier tonight. To say the least spirits were up, and tonight was the first night we were all going to let loose.

We all sat down and continued drinking. Since we arrived ten minutes ago a couple of the guys had already invited girls to join us, but by no means was the VIP area crowded. The music was loud, the alcohol was flowing and I was having a pretty good time so far. “Well I’ll be damned. Look who just showed up,” Neal pointed over to the stairs that led to the VIP area.

I wish I could say that I didn’t care who it was, but I did I really did. She just walked in, looking absolutely amazing in an outfit that should be illegal. I barely noticed her three companions, instead I focused on her as the waitress led the four of them to a table a little away from ours. Bennett lifted a hand to get the waitress’ attention and she completely ignored him. Neal huffed, “Bennett, dude we’ve been demoted. A genuine movie star is in the building. God she looks good, mark my words men she is coming home with me tonight.”

I shrug, “Pretty sure she’s dating that guy she came to the game with, but good luck,” I informed Neal and then took a large swig from my beer.

“Nah, man they are just friends. She’s been single since Zac Efron broke her heart, apparently it was ugly. But now she’s a hundred percent single,” Flower interjected confidently and everyone turned to stare at him. “What? Vero makes me watch E! News with her sometimes.” We all burst up laughing. “Fuck you guys!”

Neal pats him on the shoulder, “It’s all good man, thanks for the information,”

We kept to ourselves for a while longer, but my eye kept staying over to her table. They had bottle of champagne and the four of them definitely looked like they were having fun. She laughed out loud and suddenly her eyes were on me. She cracked a smile before she waved, and I’m pretty sure I waved back. “I saw that Sid,” I glanced to my left and saw that Geno decided to comment again.

“What, it was an acknowledgement of an acquaintance,” I shrug and suddenly find that my beer label is infinitely interesting. And then the chatter around our table lowered noticeably. Brooklyn and her friend had stood up and were walking. They walked past our table and all of us even those with girls for the night watched. It was as if each of us were praying that those long, tan legs would move in our direction. Of course, that didn’t happen. Instead they made their way to the dance floor.

“Boys, I suddenly feel like dancing,” Neal proclaimed and he followed them to the dance floor, with Beau trailing behind. Those of us left simply shook our heads.

The drinks continued to flow while Geno and I people watched. My eye kept straying to the table that she vacated though. The two guys that she came with didn’t talk much and were starting to look uncomfortable. Neither of them was drinking much and they checked their phones religiously.

And then it was like the air shifted, Brooklyn and her friend had returned with Bennett and James. The guys visibly relaxed, but the one on the right continued to clutch his glass. A pair of beautiful legs tore my gaze away though. As my eyes scanned up I realized that of course those legs were hers.

“Gentlemen, I have returned with the lovely Brooklyn and Emma.”

They waved politely and Brooklyn spoke up, “Hope it’s okay if we join y’all?”

A chorus of enthusiastic affirmations met her question. Geno looked to me and winked before he stood up, “I’m headed to the bar, you can have my seat Brooklyn.”

Both Nealer and I stare at him as soon as he speaks, but she doesn’t seem to notice she just murmurs thanks and slides into the booth. Neal pulls over a chair and quickly punches Geno in the arm, but I barely notice because she starts to speak to me, “Sorry, could you repeat that?”

She chuckles, “I said, it’s nice to see you again.”

I grin like an idiot I’m sure, “Same, uh we’ve missed you at the games.”

“I doubt it, y’all are on streak. You especially captain, 12 points in 7 games?” She takes a sip. “Pretty damn impressive.”

I can’t seem to respond, I’m too dumbfounded. She’s been following our season and more importantly she knows my stats. “Yeah, uh thanks.”

She laughs again and her hand lands on my thigh casually. Shit that feels nice. Maybe it’s the alcohol, but my brain quickly goes into overdrive imagining if that hand would slide up a little farther. I shake my head to try to clear my thoughts.

“Here, got you a drink,” Neal casually threw his arm around her shoulder, and she slightly moves away. I see her glance at her friend, who is currently on Beau’s lap and a little preoccupied.

Suddenly, Emma stands up and Beau clears his throat, “We’re going to head out.” Catcalls immediately start and even Brooklyn joins in with a good natured smile.

As soon as Beau puts his hand on the small of Ella’s, I think that’s her name, back, their two guy friends appear. The lankier one speaks up first, “I can take her home if you’re ready to go Emma.”

She blushes and Beau looks confused, “Sorry man, I didn’t realize.”

Brooklyn spoke up then, “Ethan, come on buy me a drink.” She squeezes past James and grabs Ethan’s hand pulling him back to their first table. She calls over her shoulder, “Have fun Emma and call me tomorrow!”

That is all the encouragement Beau and Emma need as they rush out of the bar. Neal groans, “Well, I’m going to have another drink.”

*************

I arrived back at the table with Ethan and Jacob in tow. “I can’t believe you did that. Emma was into him all night.”

He shrugs, “Are you kidding me? You’re going to let Emma have a one night stand?”

“If she wants to why not? He seems like a nice guy and she was crushing on him for the past two weeks. She is an adult, who is old enough to make her own decisions I think.” I sit down at the table with an exasperated sigh. “All right, let’s go.”

“Wait, you’re not going back? I thought you and that Neal guy were talking?”

“No, I was helping Emma get with Beau. James is nice, but too many tattoos for my taste, not to mention way to obvious.”

“Besides, it’s the captain you want right?” Those are the first words Jacob had said all evening and it sounded harsh.

“What are you talking about?”

“I watch you for a living, I know all of your tells, the shy smiles, the laughing.” He stands up. “You’re the obvious one hun.”

“What the hell is your problem?”

“Nothing, just calling it like I see it.”

I looked back at the table and noticed James still wasn’t back yet and now I was angry and drunk. Pissed at Ethan because he tried to stop Emma from doing what she wants and pissed at Jacob for passing judgment. And Jacob was right, I have an unhealthy crush on Sidney. We’ve only met twice but he’s so attractive and sweet and his thigh was so ripped. I can only imagine what the rest of him feels like…alright so I’m apparently also horny. This was dangerous, I’m pissed, drunk and horny which will invariably cause me to do something dumb.

The waitress arrived to drop off our check and I gave her my card. Sitting there I continued to stew, but remained silent. When our waitress returned with the check I signed, the insane amount of money barely registering. Instead my brain was formulating a plan that I would surely regret in the morning. I grabbed a clean napkin off the table and the pen and quickly wrote my number. The three of stand up and walk towards the exit, but I make a quick detour back to the Pens table. Without breaking eye contact from Sidney I place my napkin in front of him and send him a quick smile. I’m already walking away by the time he reacts. Jacob is giving me a dirty look when I rejoin the two of them. We were mobbed when we walked back to the car.

Notes

Don't worry this story is going to focus on Sidney and Brooklyn, not really Emma and Beau!