You and I

Three weeks later Dad is feeling good enough to come to a playoff game. Of course, it just happens to be the game where Sidney and his teammates can win the Eastern Conference. They’ve been plowing through their opponents and each round took the minimum of four games. Driving to the arena with my parents the excitement in the city is palpable. Everyone is anticipating not tonight but the next four games and hopefully the Cup. Even I’m getting into the spirit, while trying to remain calming for Sidney at home. I spend all my time at his apartment. He’s wound tight when he comes back from practice or games; I like to think that I help with that pressure somehow.

Walking through the arena I nervously play with the end of my jersey. By no means is tonight a guaranteed win, the Bruins are a tough opponent. When we enter the suite I see that Sidney’s family is already sitting down. “Brooklyn!” Taylor cheers as she sees me and my eyes slide to her. Unsurprisingly she is wearing a Malkin jersey and then I notice a boy beside her. “Hey Taylor.”

All of us exchange hugs as we make introductions. Immediately my father and Troy break off to sit in the corner and start discussing god knows what. As he walks I can’t help but notice that my dad isn’t the steadiest on his feet. “Relax, sweetie. He’s fine.” My mom pats my arm and then heads over to the bar in the corner with Trina. I decide to chat with Taylor for a little. “How is school going?”

“Good, good. I can’t believe that I only have one year left. Oh, and this is my boyfriend, Will.” I wave to Will as Taylor leans closer. “He hates hockey! Isn’t that great?”

I laugh and then the couple goes back to talking. And just like that I’m the third wheel, or looking around the suite, the seventh wheel. Sitting in silence I’m starting to get more and more nervous. The guys are still on the ice warming up and I find Sidney. He looks focused, determined and so damn hot. With a quick glance at the clock I see that I have plenty of time to roam around and diffuse some of this energy before the game starts. I excuse myself from the suite.

Out in the hallway there is little traffic since we are on the club level. It takes me a minute to orient myself, but I head for the WAG suite, for some inexplicable reason. The Consol employee recognizes me and lets me through. Inside, I realize that I haven’t been back to the WAG suite in forever. And now I’m even more nervous. Luckily, Vero spots me first. “Brooklyn, I’m so glad you stopped by. How’s your dad doing?”

“Pretty good for right now. Everyone’s in Sidney’s suite. How’s it going in here?”

“Well, it’s crowded tonight since it’s a big game, but everyone seems to be in a pretty good mood.”

I would agree. The room is full of laughter and talking. “It’s all a little crazy to me.”

“This is nothing compared to the Finals though.” She pauses and then smiles sadly. “Sorry, I keep forgetting that this is the farthest you’ve ever seen them go.”

Vero would never be intentionally rude so I know that she doesn’t mean anything by her comment, but it stings still. If I hadn’t been a coward and left all of this would be old hat to me. “No worries.”

As we take a seat some of the unfamiliar WAGs stare at me and I wonder what they’ve heard. They all knew Grace, Sidney’s ex, I’m sure and I can’t help, but wonder how I stack up. “As if today couldn’t get any better! Brooklyn, welcome back honey!”

I turn and see that Carol Dupuis is waving at me. I jump up and immediately we hug. “Oh my God, it’s so good to see you again!”

“Likewise. It’s been beyond boring since you left.” She leans in conspiratorially. “And that girl Sid tried to replace you with, snooze fest.”

“Carol!” I admonish, but I can’t help but smile. “You’re so sweet.”

I decide to sit down and catch up with my two favorite WAGs for a little before the game starts. Naturally we discuss our old adventures. “Brooklyn, you have to take us out on the town again. That night was the most fun I’ve had in forever.”

I laugh remembering the state the guys found us the next morning. “I thought the boys were going to kill us when they stopped by in the morning.”

Vero chimes in as well. “It was worth it though, best girls night ever.”

After the national anthem I decide I should probably head back to the suite. I stand to leave just as Ann Adams, the wife in charge of the WAGs comes over. “Hello, Brooklyn. Welcome back.”

I smile in thanks as she talks to Vero and Carol about some event they have planned. Once she takes a breath I speak up. “You know Ann, I’m sure it’s too short of notice for this event, but I would really love to be involved in the next one, in any capacity.”

All three women stare at me with wide eyes. “Really?”

“Truly, I want to be involved.”

She stutters and then smiles. “That’s..well…great. I’m so excited.”

Once she is gone both Carol and Vero look at me. ‘’What?”

“You’re going to join the WAGs?”

“Of your own violation?”

“Yes.” They stare at me in silence. “Is this a bad thing?”

“No, this is the best thing! Finally, these things will be more interesting.” Carol answers. “Really, they get so boring.”

“It’s about charity work, Carol.” Vero adds.

“Oh, please. You agree with me.”

“If you don’t mind me asking, why are you joining?”

Her question makes me pause. Asking Ann for information about the WAGs was really a spur of the moment decision. “You know, Sidney and I are working hard at this second chance in our relationship and I’m going to take the opportunity to fix some of my past mistakes.”

“So, Sidney was upset that you didn’t join the WAG Association?”

“He never said that, but deep down I think it would have been something he wanted.” I give both women a hard look. “I’m not guaranteeing anything. This might not work out, but at least I’m going to try.”

My friends are silent. Carol speaks up first. “How diplomatic of you.”

Her voice drips with sarcasm and Vero lightly smacks her arm. “I think she meant to say mature. I’m sure Sidney will appreciate it.”

Just then the puck drops and I realize that I should be back with my family. “Well, regardless I’m excited. I’ll see you guys after the game.” We hug and I say my goodbyes quickly before returning.

******


“How does it feel to be one step closer to the Stanley Cup?” A flash goes off after the reporter asks his question and I take a second to blink. I’m in a post-game press conference with Flower trying to contain some of my energy. We are going to the Finals, again, and all I want to do is celebrate with my family and Brooklyn. But, this has to get done.

“Great of course.” I pause and level out my tone. “We know there is still a lot of work to be done, but for now we are going to enjoy this.”

“Any lingering concussion symptoms?” I shake my head.

“Some people were questioning your dedication to the team at the end of the regular season. You were cleared to play and yet, you sat out an extra two games. Can you explain the reasoning behind that? Was it indifference?” I resist the urge to slap this reporter in the face as he continues. “Complacency? Pride?”

Before I can answer Flower speaks up. “Your question is unfair and honestly pointless. Sidney Crosby and complacency do not belong in the same sentence. And he had the locker room’s full support for his decisions.”

I can’t help but smile at my friend. The reporter continues. “It just seems an odd time for your personal life to trump your professional responsibilities. I think we all know that your girlfriend doesn’t like to stick around.”

The press room is quiet and I wonder for a second if they are going to kick this jackass out. When they don’t I take a deep breath to gather my thoughts. “It amazes me that our team just became Conference Champions and the only thing you seem interested in is tabloid gossip. I, and I’m sure most other true sports journalists would much rather discuss Flower’s fourth shutout of the playoff or Geno’s sick snapshot.” I take a deep breath. “And regardless of my choices concerning my personal life before the playoffs I think my performance in these three series has proven that complacency is not an issue for myself or anyone on this team.”

When I finish a few more flashes go off, but no one responds and I wonder if I’ve gone too far. Maybe I was too harsh. Naturally, my gaze slides over to our PR girl who is subtly giving me two thumbs up, so apparently I did alright. She approaches the microphone, “Any more questions?”

Back in the hallway I thank Flower for his support. “Don’t worry about it, that guy was out of line. And I meant every word I said.”

We hug. “Let’s go find our families.”

The suite is in full party mode when we arrive. The other conference final is dragging so we will have a chance to celebrate the victory. All around me people are smiling and laughing and I immediately get sucked into the good mood. Vaguely I’m aware of people trying to attract my attention, but I’m searching for someone, or someones to be specific. When I find them I can’t help but smile. In the corner my dad is in a deep conversation with Brooklyn’s father and Duper’s dad. Across from them my mom and Brooklyn’s are laughing at their phone screens, sharing God knows what. My sister is with her boyfriend talking to Geno and I have to hold back the laugh when I see the glare on the young kid’s face. Finally they notice me. “Sidney!”

“Hey guys.” We all exchange hugs or handshakes. “Did you guys enjoy the game?”

“It was great, thank you so much for inviting my husband and I.”

“There will always be seats for you two.”

“Great game, Sid.”

I shake his hand. “Thank you, sir.”

Even my Dad gives me a hug. “And you are that much closer.”

“Troy!” My mother interjects. “Let him have this moment.”

“Thanks mom.” I do a quick sweep of the room. “Has anyone seen Brooklyn?”

“Restroom I believe.”

As soon as the words leave my mother’s mouth I see Brooklyn in the doorway. It’s one of those cheesy moments when all I can see is her. I focus on all of her and every gorgeous detail at once. Her hair is straight tonight and falls right above the ‘C’ on the jersey she wears. God, she looks great in my clothes. As my eyes roam lower I resist the urge to groan and decide that I would much rather celebrate just the two of in private instead of with all these people. Her jean shorts are short and probably impractical, but I’m not complaining. And neither are my younger teammates who are brave enough to take a quick peak. Brooklyn finally sees me and she grins before launching herself into my arms. “You are amazing!” I crush her to me and savor the feel of her small body against mine.

I lean back slightly to look into her eyes. “Right back at you.” She rests her neck against my chest for a second and I smile, feeling content.

“Kiss her!” I don’t know who shouts it, but they are joined by more demands. Brooklyn is blushing in my arms and I feel her pull away slightly. We don’t do the whole public affection thing anymore, but at this moment I want to change that. I want everyone to know that she’s mine. So I shrug and bring her lips to mine. Her lips are soft and yielding and I have to remind myself of our audience.

The whistles around us spur me on and I decide to dip her ever so carefully. She laughs against my lips and we are upright once again. The guys are shouting and I peek at my mom who is smiling knowingly at Mrs. Donahue. Brooklyn’s small hand on my cheek lowers my gaze to hers. “What was that all about?”

I lean and whisper in her ear. “A preview of later tonight.” She blushes again and I quickly peck her swollen lips. “Let’s go talk to our families.”

Notes