I spend the rest of practice desperately trying to make further eye contact with Sid. It's no use, he is purposely avoiding my gaze. By the time all the players are off the ice I'm practically breaking a sweat I'm so nervous. Usually Sid is showing off and winking at me during practice, this is very unlike him.
Quickly I make my way to the back hallways of the arena. I stand outside the locker room and overhear all the player banter. It's not as loud as usual, the tone seems serious. Outbursts are followed by minutes of silence. The first one out is Sid, still wet from his shower.
"Lets go," is all he says.
I don't argue.

---

We sit in chairs on the balcony of our hotel room, the view of Montreal is breath taking. With the wind gently pushing my hair from my face I look Sid in his caramel brown eyes.
"It's about what coach said isn't it?" I break the silence.
With wrinkles forming on his forehead he nods.
"What did he say?"
"You already know that he thinks a relationship isn't in my best interests right now, but he's disappointed in my work ethic the past week and thinks you're affecting my on-ice performance negatively," he says running his hands through his now dry curly hair.
I don't know what to say. Maybe Bylsma is right. After all Sid has been distracting me from my responsibilities as well. I just feel so safe and care-free with him it's like the rest of the world has stopped turning just for us. I look back up at him.
"I used to believe him. That a relationship would only get in the way of my career, and I would never be the player I promised myself I'd be. But I think the real problem is I've spent so much time focusing on being a better player I never took the time to be a better person. You make me a better person. Maybe I'm not scoring 4 points a night cause when I see you on the sidelines I get a little tingly inside and it throws off a pass, but I'm happier."
He smiles bashfully and then gets serious again.
"If Dan, or anyone on the team really cared about me they'd see that."
I'm speechless, all I can do is ask the obvious.
"What do your team mates think?"
"All James can say is 'Listen to Coach' he thinks that this will affect the rest of the team. Really he's only concerned about his ice time. But he's naive. I mean why would I listen to a guy that showers once a week and hooks up with multiple girls without a hint of guilt?"
This is the most Sid has ever opened up to me about. It comforts me in ways he could never imagine.
I get up from my chair and sit on his lap.
"You have to go back to Pittsburgh," he states.
I start to panic, wondering if that was a subtle way for him to say "It's over."
He reads the look on my face like a magazine, "No, not like that. You need to go to work, and see your friends and family. They're probably wondering where the hell you've been. I've been so selfish. Forgive me."
With relief I kiss him, "you're forgiven."
"I'm just scared that if you go back home we'll grow apart and you'll meet another guy who doesn't travel so much and can meet your parents and love you the way you deserve to be loved."
"That could never happen in a million years."
Sid pauses before saying, "do you really love me?"
It was probably the most sincere question he's ever asked me. I would never disrespect him with anything other than the truth.
"With all my heart," I say confidently.
"Prove it to me."
I wrap my arms around his neck and nestle my head on his shoulder.
"I will. For the rest of my life."
I feel Sid tense up for a second, as if I just proposed to him. It wasn't meant to imply anything, but in this moment I couldn't imagine spending any less time than forever with him.

---

The game that night versus Montreal ended in a shootout, 5-4. Neal with the game winner against Price. Sid had 4 points, all assists. There was a fire, a determination to his game. I hadn't seen him like this since he came back from his concussion. Despite the Penguins winning I was still sentenced back to Pittsburgh. The plane took a detour on the way to Washington to drop me off. The last of 3 game road trip was against the Capitals. Sid got off the plane with me to have a more private goodbye away from the team. Although I could see players like Beau and Geno peeking their heads in the window for a glimpse at the "dramatic" goodbye. We kept it PG with a peck on the lips and a long hug.
"I'll see you in 3 days," Sid says as he turns to get back on the plane.
"Don't forget about the dinner at my parent's!"
I finally called my parents earlier, they were worried sick, but wanted to desperately meet this boy who wasn't Kyle. They hated him. I always knew it, but chose to ignore it. I think they'll like Sid though. Who wouldn't?

Notes

Wow ok so some of my favourite lines I've ever written are in this chapter. I know it's long overdue and I'm sorry, but life got real crazy after the last chapter so voila here I am again 5 months later. Hope you all liked it. Please rate, subscribe and comment for more chapters! It keeps me on track when people are bugging me to put out chapters.