Counting Stars

The guys come back to Pittsburgh that Thursday for the game tomorrow. What was supposed to be an easy series for them is actually turning into a battle. When Sidney comes home I can see the stress on his face; everyone already expected him to have at least one goal by now. It’s easy to see that he feels like a disappointment. I pull him into a hug, “Hey babe, what do you want to do tonight?”

He sighs and runs a hand over his face, “I need to be at the hotel by 10 and my parents want to have dinner. I would rather not go out though.”

I lead him over to the couch, “What if I make dinner? I’ll choose something from that list the nutritionist gave you.”

“You can do that?”

“Yeah, I can. Don’t sound so surprised.”

He laughs and even if it isn’t his full out laugh it’s a nice sound. Sidney snakes a hand around my waist and suddenly I’m on the couch too. “Sorry babe, you just don’t seem like the most domestic person in the world.”

“Oh really?”

“Really.”

“One day you’re going to wake up from a pregame nap and I’m going to have on pearls and a cupcake dress with a roast waiting on the table. You just wait.”

I can see that Sidney is trying so hard to keep in his laughter. “And how long will I have to wait for this spectacular roast?”

“Only nice boyfriends get special meals.”

“Babe, you know I can be nice,” He leans over me tauntingly and places a gentle kiss on my neck before biting my ear. “Very nice.”

I can’t help but shiver, “Not fair, Crosby.”

“It’s more than fair, but my parents and Taylor are going to be back soon. You probably need to go to the grocery store.”

“You’re right,” I gingerly move from underneath Sidney. “Be back in a few.”

When I get back from the grocery store, I can hear Sidney’s family in the living room watching T.V. I drop off the groceries in the kitchen and take a deep breath before seeing everyone. I’m not sure what Sidney’s parents think of me since all the drama earlier this year. “Hey everyone, how was the flight?”

Trina instantly stands and hugs me, “Brooklyn dear, I’m so glad you could be here for Sidney. Do you need any help with dinner?”

Okay, so Trina obviously has forgiven me. “If you want to that would be great, but I’ll be fine.”

“Nonsense, Taylor and I will help you, right?” Taylor grimaces, but stands anyways. “Troy, say hello.”

My eyes shift to Sidney’s father; truthfully I don’t know how he feels about me, but judging from his neutral expression it’s probably not the best. He nods to me, “Brooklyn, nice to see you again.”

Determined to make him like me I smile, “Likewise, Troy.”

The three of us head off to the kitchen to make dinner while Sidney and his dad stay near the T.V. We make small talk while I try to not burn down Sidney’s kitchen. With a little luck I get dinner served and on the table without incident. Troy and Sidney sit at the heads of the rarely used table while Taylor and I share a side.

“It tastes wonderful Brooklyn,” Trina comments first with a smile. She passes around the wine. “Taylor, you can have some if you want.”

“Oh no, I’m fine,” Taylor holds her stomach while I bite my lip from laughing.

“We rarely get time to sit around and eat as a family,” Sidney’s mother continues. “Isn’t that right Troy?”

Sidney’s father simply nods and we eat in silence for a little while longer. The lack of conversation is starting to get to me. Our earlier dinner went considerably better than this. I cough, “I’m looking forward to the game tomorrow. It’s been an exciting series so far.”

“Well, this series should be over by now, right Sid?”

The tension between Sidney and his father is palpable. Sidney opens his mouth to reply, but Trina speaks first, “I think there has been enough hockey talk already. Let’s focus on something else. Brooklyn dear, any upcoming projects?”

“I have a premiere in a few weeks.”

“That’s exciting,” We are silent as the conversation lulls once again. “Oh, I almost forgot, Taylor told me that a package came a few days ago and you threw it out, Brooklyn. I hope it wasn’t that box I sent with those things Sidney needed to sign.”

“No, it wasn’t.”

“But you didn’t open it,” Taylor interjects and all eyes are on me. “How did you know?”

I try not to fidget, “Well there wasn’t a return address.”

“I don’t like to have our address out in the open. So it could have been my package then.”

“No, it wasn’t. There wasn’t postage.”

Trina makes a confused noise while Sidney swears, “Was it from him?”

I look at Sidney, “I didn’t even open it, but probably.”

“He was at my house.”

In my peripheral I can see Trina whispering to Troy wondering what we are talking about. “Sidney, is this about her stalker?”

My head whips around at Troy’s question. How does he know? “How do you…? Sidney.”

I glare at Sidney while he just shrugs, “Someone needed to know Brooklyn. This obviously isn’t going away.”

“My people are on it.”

He scoffs, “That’s part of the problem, I can’t believe you don’t see it.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

Troy speaks again with authority, “The investigator we hired noticed a pattern between Jacob’s movements and those of the stalker. He has the means and well your history provides the motive.”

Sidney has told his father everything, “Our history?”

My question dares him to go further and he doesn’t disappoint, “I don’t think you want to remind Sidney as to why he dumped you in the first place.”

“Troy!” Sidney’s mother stands. “I think it’s time that we go. Brooklyn, thank you for the lovely meal. Taylor, do you want to stay here again?”

“I’m not letting my daughter stay with Brooklyn it’s not safe.” Taylor protests, but Troy just holds up a hand. “Sidney agrees with me.”

The three of them leave and I can’t even bring myself to stand. I start to clear the plates when Sidney returns. “Brooklyn.”

I sigh, “What Sidney?”

“I’m sorry, but I was worried. I had a hunch and after some investigating it just seems like too big of a coincidence.”

I shake my head refusing to believe that Sidney is right. Jacob is a great friend; he wouldn’t do anything to hurt me. “We are alone all the time, so why hasn’t he already tried something direct?”

“I don’t know, but do you want to take the chance?”

“So you want me to fire him?” He doesn’t answer, but he doesn’t need to. “I can’t do that Sidney. He has given me no reason to suspect him.”

Sidney groans and runs a hand through his hair, “You are the only one! It’s so damn frustrating. You wouldn’t stay with him and now he is taking matters into his own hands. You don’t think it’s a little weird with the timing?”

“Stop! I refuse to let you besmirch our friendship.” I pause. “But if it makes you feel better I’ll start calling Ethan first. And I won’t be alone with him.”

“I guess that I’ll have to be satisfied with that.”

I cross the kitchen and wrap my arms around Sidney’s middle, “Babe, please relax. You need to focus on the game tomorrow. Go back to the hotel.”

“You’re coming with me.” I feel his soft lips on my forehead. “I will get you an empty room. You’re not staying here by yourself.”

I ask Emma to meet me at a Starbucks the next morning. “Hey, what’s up? Jacob told me that you didn’t stay at Sidney’s place last night. All three of us were worried.”

“Uh, that was Sidney’s idea. He doesn’t want me to be alone anymore.”

She sips her coffee, “What do you mean?”

I lean in towards my friend, “He thinks that Jacob is behind everything.”

“What?”

After I finish explaining Sidney’s theory, I sit back and wait for Emma to digest everything. “What do you think?”

“I hate to say this Brooklyn, I really do, but Sidney has a point. Maybe it is Jacob.”

“You can’t be serious.”

“Let’s just be more careful. Maybe rely on Ethan more than Jacob.” She pauses. “It’s the only lead we have. And it does make a lot of sense.”

I stand up from the table, “I need to go for a run.”

******


Before our pregame naps I’m talking to Duper for a little bit, trying to explain what happened last night. “So you accused her best friend of stalking her?”

“Well, what else was I supposed to do?”

Pascal shakes his head, “I’m sure Brooklyn realized that you were just worried about her. Probably not right then, but this morning yeah. Has she talked to you since?”

“She sent me a good luck text.”

“She’ll come around.”

I settle into my bed and try to clear my thoughts, “I hope she does.”

We win and it’s a much needed one. Now we are one game away from closing out the series and one step closer to a Stanley Cup. I can’t quite find it in my heart to celebrate fully though. Every thought that isn’t revolving around hockey focuses on Brooklyn and keeping her safe. Apparently I haven’t hid that too well. The reporters in the locker room are out for blood even though we won, “You guys need one more win to close out the series, any feelings that this should have been over two games ago?”

“That would have been nice yeah, but we weren’t playing well enough to make that happen.”

“You aren’t putting up the points that you were in the regular season, any reason? Maybe personal distractions?”

I shake my head, “I’m just finding the rhythm.” I chuckle. “Hopefully that happens sooner rather than later.”

After the interviews I find my family and Brooklyn. Outside the door I notice Emma, who stops me, “Sidney, I had coffee with Brooklyn this morning. She told me everything and I want you to know that I think you’re on to something.”

“Help me, keep her safe Emma.” She pats me on the arm and promises that Jacob will never leave her sight.

With that comforting thought I walk into the lounge and locate my family. They are actually interacting with each other, so I take that as a good sign. I approach them and we hug quickly, before I single Brooklyn out, “Can I talk to you for a second?”

We go into the empty trainer’s room, “Good game Sid. What do you need?”

I take her hands in mine, “I want to apologize for how I told you about my assumptions. Really, I just wanted to keep you safe.”

She is quiet for a second and then she smiles, “I know that now. It was just a little shocking at first.” Brooklyn takes a shaky breath. “I’m scared Sidney, really scared.”

“You have too many people that care about you and love you to let you get hurt. I’m never going to let you get hurt.”

My beautiful girlfriend finally breaks down and relaxes into my arms, “I just want this to be over.” We are both silent for a little and then Brooklyn takes a deep breath. “Okay, what do you need to do for your game on Sunday?”

I almost forgot, the coaches changed their minds about the schedule. They want us at the hotel tonight so we can leave in the morning. And I left my bag at home, but I don’t have time to run back home and get it before curfew. “Actually I need my parents to go get my travel stuff, I left it at the house last night.”

“You know what, spend time with your family. I will go get it.” I start to protest. “No, this is what girlfriends do and I want to help you. Honestly, I feel like I’ve contributed more stress than is fair the past few days. Let me do this, please.”

“Fine, but take someone with you. Not Jacob. And text me when you are ready to leave.”

She kisses me on the cheek, “Of course not. I’ll drop it off at the hotel, see you in a bit.”

*******


The game was awkward to say the least and I’m kind of glad that I have a chance to spend some time away from Sidney’s family. I’m happy that the boys won tonight; they were making me more nervous than I cared to let on. And now I have time alone. Finally, I feel like I’m not being watched. I didn’t take anyone with me to go pick up Sidney’s things. Even with that I don’t sense danger. If Sidney is right Jacob is at Consol being watched by Emma and probably Sidney. But Jacob would never do this to me; we have been through too much. I shake my head to dispel those thoughts and turn up the radio.

When I get to Sidney’s place I walk through the front door and head upstairs. His house is empty and dark and it takes me a moment to get my bearings. In his bedroom Sidney’s suitcase lies on the bed all packed. I smile wondering how he managed to forget it. Over on the nightstand are his chargers so I grab them as well and stuff them in. I hear a door slam downstairs, “Hello?”

No one answers and I zip Sidney’s suitcase up. Then I hear footsteps. My heart drops and I look around for a weapon, anything that I could use to defend myself. I settle on an errant hockey stick, only in Sidney fucking Crosby’s bedroom would there be a hockey stick. I hear two knocks on the door and turn with the stick raised. My breath leaves me in a huff as I lower the makeshift weapon, “Oh, it’s just you.”

******


I’m waiting near the exit of Consol with Emma and my family. Brooklyn hasn’t contacted any of us yet and I’m starting to get a little nervous. “Where’s Jacob?”

My father checks his phone absently, “I’m sure Brooklyn is fine.”

“Probably, but I need to be sure.” There is a horrible feeling in the pit of my stomach that I can’t shake.

Everyone in our group tenses while Emma is on her phone, “Where are you?” There is silence and then Emma gives him our location. “He will be here in a second.”

We all wait tensely and then Jacob appears. The smug bastard walks slowly. When he gets to us he looks confused, “What’s wrong?”

“Where is Brooklyn?”

He starts to answer, “I don’t know, I think…”

I’m fed up by now and I ambush the bodyguard, pushing him against the wall, “Don’t fucking lie to me, I know you know where she is and I know you’ve been playing this sick game. Where is she?”

Suddenly, I’m pulled away from Jacob. A few of my teammates are restraining me while Jacob smoothes his shirt, “You guys think I’m the stalker?”

I’m about to start yelling again when my dad holds up a calming hand, “We have some pretty convincing evidence, the letters, the timing, your history.”

“I care about Brooklyn, we’re friends. Once I wanted something more, but I know that won’t work. She loves you. Really, I just want to protect her.”

I shake my head, “But you appeared immediately when she called you, like in L.A.” Around me I can tell that my teammates are confused.

“Right, because it’s my job. If you’re curious about that you should ask Ethan.”

“What do you mean?”

Jacob shrugs, “Well back in Philadelphia he was already there and I had gotten the first flight out.”

I’m determined to make him confess to this, to finally end this. “So, he could have family there.”

“Ethan is from California.” Emma joins the conversation as she keeps calling Brooklyn’s cell.

“Did he know who hosted the party that night then?” I ask already assuming that it’s a dead end.

Emma shrugs, “Unless he knows people on the Kings, then probably not.”

“Is that the hockey team there?” Jacob asks me. I nod. “He has friends on the team; they used to trash talk you.”

My head spins for a second as everything comes into focus. No one else was in Philly when she found the note on her car. He’s had as much access to Brooklyn as Jacob, maybe even more since we’ve thought it was Jacob. Literally everything that’s applied to Jacob applies to Ethan as well. “Where’s Ethan?”

Emma’s face is white as a sheet when she answers, “I sent him with Brooklyn.”

“Call him, please.” Our group is silence as Emma dials and then we wait while it rings. When he doesn’t answer we are all quiet for a second. I look at Jacob, “I have four extra seats in my car. I’m assuming you’re coming.”

Coach Dan stops me, “Sidney, we are in the middle of a playoff series.”

“I really don’t care.” I think I see Dan slightly smile when I say it, but I’m already half way to the car.

*******


“Yep, just me,” Ethan leans on the doorframe.

I focus again on the suitcase and drag it off the bed my movements still a little shaky. “Oh, I forgot I should text Sidney, let him know that I got here.” I check my pockets. “Hmmm, must have left my phone downstairs.”

“Actually, I have it.” Ethan pulls out my phone from his pocket and twirls it in his hand. “I think you should pack a bag instead.”

“What?”

He leaves his perch on the doorframe and walks closer, “Pack a bag, I know you have clothes here.”

Something on the edge of my mind is tingling, but I can’t focus on it. “Why do I need to pack?”

“Because,” He gestures between the two of us. “We are going on a trip.”

“Just us?”

“Please, don’t make me repeat myself.” My bodyguard’s voice is calm but has a distinct edge. I walk over to the closet and pull out a suitcase and start aimlessly putting in clothing.

The silence is killing me and I need answers, “So what kind of clothes should I pack?”

“All types, this is going to be a long trip.” I’m silent for a little while longer. “Have you put it together yet? I know you’ve received my notes. Really, though you should have opened the package. I think you would have enjoyed it.”

Forgetting the haphazard suitcase I turn to face Ethan, “You’re the stalker?”

“Yes, it’s me,” He walks closer. “I know your pathetic boyfriend thought it was Jacob, but let’s be honest he’s half in love with you.”

“Why?”

“For the past two years I’ve watched you make the same mistake over and over again.” He reaches out to touch my cheek and I lean back. A twisted smirk crosses his face. “I’m done letting you make your decisions.”

I can’t believe what is coming out of Ethan’s mouth. He was supposed to be my friend. “You don’t need to do this.”

“Oh, but I do. This is the ultimate act of protection; I’m protecting you from yourself. Now finish packing.”

When I’ve stuffed a suitcase of God knows what I look at my old friend, “How do you expect to get out of here?”

“Everyone thinks that Jacob is out to hurt you, so no one will question my actions, if we go quickly. Come on.”

I shake my head, “I’m not going anywhere Ethan.”

His eyes roll and he pulls out a gun, which causes me to step back, “Are you sure about that?”

“Ethan, please.” My appeal is interrupted by footsteps downstairs. I can distinctly hear two people downstairs.

My captor sneers, “Your boyfriend was supposed to be at the hotel by now.”

“There was a change of plan,” I can’t help smiling.

Ethan doesn’t return the smile instead he pulls me out onto the landing and down the stairs. I can feel the gun pricking me in the middle of my back. Sidney and Jacob come into view and I try not to run to them. Their faces aren’t surprised when they see Ethan just scarily calm. “Gentlemen, I see you finally figured it out.”

Sidney speaks first, “What do you want Ethan?”

I feel him shrug behind me, “Just to protect Brooklyn, because the two of you never have. Jacob you led her to drugs and Sidney,” Ethan pulls me against his chest and I see my rescuers tense. “Oh Sidney, you had her and you broke her heart. You never deserved her in the first place.”

Ethan levels his gun at Sidney, and I cry out, “No, please. Please don’t hurt him.”

“Fine, fine. It won’t matter by today anyways. We will be long gone.”

I look at Jacob for a second and he is motioning for me to do something and I realize that if Ethan had a gun than Jacob would as well. After a quick breath I throw my head back and feel it connect with Ethan’s. His arms drop from me and I feel a different familiar set grab my waist.

********


I pull Brooklyn towards me and get her safely out of the room. Hearing one shot go off I check my girlfriend for any injuries. Then I hear the sirens. Jacob and I called the police on the way over. In just a few seconds the cops come in my house and I gesture vaguely to the hall where we left Ethan and Jacob. I focus on Brooklyn and gently push some hair out of her face, “Brooklyn, are you okay?”

“Oh my God, Sidney. Thank God you’re here.” I don’t hear anything else she says because she starts to sob. My heart breaks as I rock her back and forth in my arms on the floor of my foyer.

Eventually I have to let her go and a paramedic takes her to the ambulance. I stand on shaky legs and give my statement to a cop. Outside is a zoo. My usually quiet neighborhood is having a cultural shock. Between the ambulance fire truck, police cruisers and paparazzi the noise is almost unbearable. I walk back in my house and find Jacob sitting in my kitchen with a beer, “I hope you don’t mind. I needed this.”

“Not at all,” I shake my head and grab one for myself. “First, thank you for all of your help.”

Jacob shrugs, “Part of my job.”

“This was above and beyond, you know that even if you won’t say so.” I take a deep breath. The next part is going to hurt a little. “Second, I’m sorry for accusing you of being the stalker. I was working on limited information and bruised pride.”

“I haven’t made it easy for you to date Brooklyn these past months,” He pauses and then laughs. “Hell, I’ve been a downright asshole. I’m sorry about that. It wasn’t my intention. I was just protec- looking out for Brooklyn.”

I take a sip of my beer and the two of us sit in companionable silence. “I don’t like that you’re in love with my girlfriend.”

“Can you blame me?” I acknowledge the comment with a nod. “It’s getting better though. Seeing how happy she is with you, that helps.”

“Hope y’all aren’t talking about me,” Brooklyn is standing in the archway with a small bandage on her forehead. She smiles and steps towards the island, “There better be one of those for me.” I toss her one and she takes a sip, “Mmmm, Yuengling, my favorite.” We share a smile. “Your family is outside Sid, with Mario. They need to talk to you.”

“I should probably go then,” I kiss Brooklyn on the cheek and head out the door.

******


Once Sidney leaves I focus on Jacob. He looks tired. I sit down on an empty stool, “Thank you for being your usual badass self.” Jacob smiles but it doesn’t reach his eyes. “What’s wrong?”

He sighs, “I can’t believe it is all. How much time did the three of us spend together? And we never knew. Or how about how much time Ethan and I spent together? We were brothers. How did I not know?”

“You couldn’t have known.”

“I need time off.”

“Of course,” If anyone deserves time off it’s Jacob. I imagine he is going through a bit of an identity crisis. Of course, aiming a gun at your best friend will do that to a person. “What if the time off was permanent?”

“Huh?”

“I love you Jacob, like a brother and with our history I think it would be best if you stopped being part of my protection and just stayed my friend. I owe it to Sidney and I think it would be better for us.”

He sighs, “You’re right. We need time apart.”

“I suppose, protecting me at gun point deserves a glowing recommendation for your next employer.”

Jacob laughs, “Damn right.”

I stand and hold out my arms, “Hug it out?” He grudgingly does and I’m surprised to feel that Jacob holds on for longer than normal.
Then with a deep inhale Jacob steps back, “Stay safe, okay?”

“Always,” He leaves and I’m left in Sidney’s kitchen alone. I sit down again and the events of the evening dawn on me. With a shaky hand I reach for my half-finished beer and chug. This is how Sidney finds me just a few minutes later.

“Babe, how are you doing?”

For a second I think about lying, “Not great Sid.” And for the second time this evening I burst into tears.

Sidney makes his way to my barstool and wraps his arms around me, “You’re safe now.”

“I was so scared, he was here and shit he had a gun. Thank you so much for coming to save me.”

I feel Sidney’s hand gently cup my cheek, “I know, I know. I’m sorry that we didn’t get here faster.” He places a soft kiss on my lips, “I love you so much.”

“Oh Sidney, I love you too,” I pause. “Jacob is gone by the way, he isn’t my body guard anymore.”

“I don’t want to pressure you into anything. Jacob and I came to an understanding. If you want him around I can adapt.”

I smile and bring my lips to Sidney’s again, enjoying the feeling of his soft lips against mine. “This is for the best, I don’t want you to adapt. I just want us to be happy with us. Do you think we can do that?”

Sidney’s smile is infectious, “Babe, I couldn’t be happier with us.”

Notes

So, that little twist right??? Originally, my first thought was Jacob and that seemed a little too obvious (shoutout to all those who guessed Jacob!) so I tried to push the envelope. Hope y'all enjoyed the chapter!