With the regular season underway, Sid and I fell into a quiet and comfortable routine. Quiet because neither of us were ready to out ourselves to the team or the public, and comfortable because each day I found new reasons to fall for him. On game days Sidney had his own routine and superstitions, and I did my best to stay out of his way. After games we’d occasionally go out to celebrate with the team, but usually opted to stay in and watch movies. The less attention the better.
After a 2-1 win over Dallas, the team was ready to let off some steam. I sat in the corner of the dressing room while Sid showered. The official reason for my being there was to check for any post-game injuries, but I not so secretly enjoyed watching Sidney pull off his gear after an intense game. Even if the smell in the room was less than pleasant.
“You coming to party?” Geno asked, a towel slung low on his hips and beads of water dripping from his hair.
“I’m not sure,” I replied. The last thing I wanted to do was squeeze myself into a cocktail dress and socialize. He sat down next to me and threw his heavy, damp arm over my shoulders.
“You should! I show you good time!” He wiggled closer to me.
I laughed and shoved him playfully.
“Oh yeah?” I flirted innocently. “You think you can handle me?” Geno and I had a casual rapport that I often worried made Sidney uncomfortable. We all knew he had nothing to worry about and the flirting was in good humour, but Sid still seemed uneasy when he saw his bestfriend’s suggestive glances.
“Oh,” Geno pulled me closer to him. “I can handle you! I’ve had crazier.” He obnoxiously kissed my cheek and laughed.
I dramatically wiped my face with the back of my hand. “Disgusting,” I scoffed, rolling my eyes. Pascal and Marc-Andre laughed and my mock discomfort and shook their heads as Geno got up and let his towel fall to the floor. I quickly averted my eyes to avoid seeing anything that would make looking him in the eyes even harder.
“Poor Bea,” Pascal shook his head as he headed to the bathroom, still chuckling.
“Who is abusing you now?” Sid asked, coming out of the shower. Like Geno he had a towel wrapped around his hips. His wet hair was pushed back and out of his face. Beads of moisture trickled down his abdomen and I had to stop myself from getting too excited.
“You coming out Sid?” Geno called to him before I could answer. Sidney looked at me subtly and I shook my head just enough for him to notice.
“Nah, I think we... I think I’m gonna pass tonight.” He replied walking to his stall. “I gotta get some sleep.” He dropped his towel and reached for the clothes in front of him. I tried to tear my eyes from his the rippling muscles of his naked back. Getting caught staring at him was the last thing we needed. Blushing, I excused myself and went to my desk. I knew in due time I’d see him like that again.
I crawled into Sidney’s bed like I’d done so many times before. I’d stolen one of his gym shirts and hung my clothes over the back of the chair in the corner of the room. I snuggled into the warm blankets and propped my pillows against the headboard. My body ached with relief, I’d been looking forward to bed since I’d gotten up that morning. As I was flipping through the channels on the flatscreen T.V that hung on the wall at the foot of the bed, Sid came out of the bathroom wearing only his boxers. I should have been used to seeing him in various states of undress, and for the most part I could keep my cool, but something about the tight black fabric clinging to his muscular thighs took my mind to places I could never repeat.
“Nice bum,” I catcalled as he flicked the overhead light off and crawled into bed with me.
“Your admiration for my giant ass, while slightly concerning, is very hot,” he growled, and leaned over to kiss me. His lips soft against mine. He rested his hand on my leg and I could tell he was getting a little more into it than I’d anticipated. As his hand moved under my shirt I could feel his erection pressing against me.
“Sid...” I whispered between kisses.
He groaned in response and pushed his hand up further.
“Don’t get me wrong, I’m totally open to everything, but I should probably warn you that I’m riding the crimson wave and that might not be so sexy.” I continued, his mouth still hovering over mine.
“What?” he looked at me confused and slightly alarmed and moved in to continue kissing me.
“Y’know? Communist invasion in my pants, the painters are in, shark week?” I interrupted.
“Oooh.” he nodded slowly and rolled so he was beside me. “We could if you want to,” he cocked his head to the side and looked at me slightly nervously.
I shook my head and kissed him lightly. “Another time?” I squeezed his hand.
“Fine by me. You look really hot right now and everything, but I’m not sure I have the energy to play Moses.” He laughed and pulled me against his chest.
“I can’t believe you just said that,” my voice was muffled against his chest, I could feel the vibrations from his quiet laughter.
“I’m hilarious, get used to it.” He kissed the top of my head and we snuggled in together.
After watching Sports Centre for a solid twenty minutes and the last half of a T.V showing of Forrest Gump, we turned off the lights and settled in to fall asleep. I lay in the darkness of the room and tried to drift off. I’d been so tired but no matter what I did I couldn’t fall asleep. My mind started racing and every worry or insecurity I’d had in the last few months appeared from the dark crevices of my subconscious. I lay in bed, wide awake as imagines of Sidney leaving and my job being taken away from me flashed through my mind. Things couldn’t stay this good forever. I wasn’t used to feeling this secure with my life.

“Bea?” Sidney whispered, placing his hand on my shoulder. “Are you still awake?”
“Yeah,” I whispered back, and rolled over to face him.
“I thought so, what’s wrong?” he draped his arm over my side and I shifted towards him.
“Nothing,” I lied. “I’m just thinking about the next few weeks.”
“They’re not too bad,” he brushed his fingers through my hair. “We’re home this week.”
“Then we have the 4 day road trip,” I sighed. I did like the road trips, but the more I worried about our relationship the more they stressed me out. Surrounded by the team for so much of our days, Sid and I were forced to spend road trips hiding from each other. More often then not, we’d go to clubs and I’d be forced to watch groups of beautiful women with tight bodies and shiny hair fawn over him. I was relatively comfortable with myself, until I started to compare myself to what felt like the rest of the female population. I was used to feeling different, but this was more than being an outsider.
“But when we get home it will be Thanksgiving.” I could see him smiling, even in the dark. “And we get to spend our first holiday together.” The excitement in his words put me at ease. I was comforted by his assumption that we’d spend the holiday together.
“You’re right,” I kissed him lightly and he pulled me closer to his body.
“I know it’s overwhelming at first, but you’ll get used to it,” I snuggled into his chest, my head tucked under his chin.
“Do you want to go out on a real date sometime?” I asked without thinking. It had dawned on me a few days ago that I’d never actually been on a date with Sidney. While I wasn’t much of a traditionalist, I liked the idea of doing something formal, just the two of us.
“Aren’t I supposed to ask you that?” he pulled away so he could face me.
“I guess if you want to limit yourself to socialized gender roles.” I shrugged. “I’m not good at waiting, Crosby. I want to go out with you and I don’t see any use in keeping it a secret.”
“Okay,” he chuckled. “But you asked me out, so you get to make the plans.”
I snuggled back against him and kissed his neck gently. “That’s fine by me.”

I slept for maybe an hour before waking up again. I’d rolled onto my side of the bed, and Sidney was fast asleep in the middle, his arm draped over me and his head half on my pillow. I smiled at the peaceful look on his face and slipped out from under his arm. After creeping out of the bedroom I made my way down to the kitchen in search of water and possibly ibuprofen. I didn’t bother turning on the lights and instead left the refrigerator door open while I reached for a glass. Filling the glass with water from the filtered jug in the fridge I thought about what my life had become. I’d gone from working a job I hated and mourning a relationship that had made me miserable, to waking up in Sidney’s arms and working for people who seemed to care.

“I knew it!” I heard a voice being me cry. Startled I shrieked and spun around to find myself face to face with Beau. He stood in his boxers smirking.
“What the hell are you doing here?” I hissed, my heart still pounding from shock.
“I live here,” he laughed and took the water jug from my hand. “What are you doing here?”
I looked at him confused while he poured his own glass. I’d assumed that Sidney lived alone and he hadn’t told me otherwise.
“Nice panties,” Beau grinned and gestured towards my bare legs. Blushing, I grabbed the hand towel off of the stove and held it in front of me. It didn’t cover much but it was better than standing in my underwear with the rookie checking me out.
“Y’know, I’ve known for weeks, but I’m glad to have proof now.” He continued, leaning against the counter.
“Knew what?” I replied nervously.
“That you can the big captain were making monkey.” He took a sip of his water and eye’d me up and down.
“Did you just say making monkey?” I spit back at him. “Are you twelve?”
His smile faded and I could see he was blushing slightly.
“Look,” I finished my water and placed the glass in the sink. “Just please do us a favour and keep it to yourself for a while.” I looked at him pleadingly.
He smiled and nodded, motioning that his lips were locked.
“Thanks,” I patted his shoulder affectionately and headed towards the stairs. Feeling his eyes watching me, I dropped the towel that I’d been covering myself with and gave him something to look at.

Notes

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xx T