Love, Lies, and the NHL.

I sighed as I downed the last of my beer. Looking over at my boyfriend, Sidney Crosby. He was chatting quietly with Chris Kunitz about the Penguins' recent struggles. A few fans stopped by our table with the usual "It's just a slump. You guys will come out of it.", "We believe in you." The same old same old. Sidney would smile and thank them. Signing things if they asked, or taking pictures.

My names Gabriella. I'm a 25 year old Pittsburgh native and I'm dating Sidney Crosby. If you think dating is hard, try dating one of the most popular hockey players of this generation. Sid and I couldn't go anywhere without being noticed. We'd only been together a few months and the Penguins had been struggling ever since. They'd gotten a new GM and a new coach, but things were still messy. It seemed the team would be in this slump forever..

"Gabby." Sidney said quietly, pulling me from my thoughts

"Mhm?" I said looking up at those big hazel eyes

"Are you ready to go?" he asked. I nodded and we headed back to his car, driving home. "I'm sorry." he sighed

"Why?" I asked looking over at him

"I know we're trying to get our relationship going, but the team has just been struggling so much and I haven't been able to spend time with you..." he sighed "I want to, I do, but I'm the captain...I just can't tell them no."

"Sidney, it's okay." I replied

Sid sighed, "Yeah." he pulled back into his driveway and we headed inside. We went up to the room and Sid started a shower. I put on my pjs and hopped into the bed. A while had passed and Sidney was still in the shower.

I put my book down and walked in, "Sid? Are you okay?"

"I just don't know what to do anymore, Gabby. The team is struggling and everyone looks to me for the answer and I don't know. Mario's really putting the pressure on us to win and we're trying, but wins aren't happening."

"It'll be okay, Sid. You guys will find your mojo."

Sidney sighed, "I know that...but then there's also you..."

"Me?"

"Yeah. I don't want you to have to deal with this. There's so much media presence around me now and I just feel like someone or something is going to try and make things difficult for us and..."

"Sidney, stop. I knew what I was getting into the day I met you. I knew it would come with struggles and rumors and lack of privacy. I knew that, Sid. I want to stay with you. I know the team is struggling, but you guys will pull it together and be the Penguins I know and love. And you, you don't always have to have the answers, Sid. This isn't your fault. I know you can rally the team together and be the Captain that I...that I know and love."

Sidney's smiled widened "You love me?"

"Yeah, Sid, I do." I smiled

Sidney smiled and hugged me, "I love you too, Gabby."

"I know, Sid and I promise you. Through the good times and bad, the wins and the losses, I'll be here. To cheer you on and cheer you up."

"Promise?" he said with that perfect smile

I laughed, "I promise."

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