***Sidney’s point of view***
“Come on Keeley. Let’s go upstairs.” I said wrapping my arm around her waist and heading up the stairs towards her room. After she found out that Geno wasn’t going to be at her party or even return her messages she decided to go hard on her favorite drink of choice, vodka. I lost track after her twelfth shot. Getting Keeley to come back to the house was harder than I thought it would’ve been. I had to carry her away from the creepy bartender that continued to fill her glass, way after she should’ve been cut off.
“Sidney?” Keeley asked leaning against me even more. I gently picked her up in my arms before I continued up the stairs to the second floor, a little quicker now that I didn’t have Keeley stumbling up the stairs. “Why doesn’t he want me?” I could hear the hurt in her voice. It broke my heart to hear her ask that. After everything that she had been through she didn’t deserve one of her best friends abandoning her on her birthday, of all days. Seeing how he was going to make it up to her was going to be interesting. Something tells me it will take a lot more than a car to make things better between the two.
“Alright Keeley stay here.” I said laying her down on the bed. I went over to my dresser and pulled out a shirt and a pair of shorts. “Here, put these on.” I handed her the clothes and turned so I was facing the dresser again. I pulled out a pair of sweatpants and changed into them.
“Sidney!” Keeley whined getting my attention. “I can’t get this dress off. Help me please.” She whined again. I couldn’t help but laugh at the way that she was acting. I walked back over to the bed and easily unzipped her dress, helping her out of it and into my shirt and shorts.
“Alright it’s time for bed.” I said pulling the covers on her side of the bed down. I watched as she crawled up to the pillows and laid down. I pulled the covers over her and gently kissed her forehead, telling her goodnight. I was almost completely out the door before I heard her call my name again.
“Sidney, will you stay with me please? I don’t want to be alone.” I could see the hurt and fear in her eyes. “Are you sure?” I asked coming into the room further. I watched as she nodded her head yes. I sighed and closed the door behind me. I pulled the covers down on the other side of the bed and climbed in next to her. Keeley rolled over so that her head was laying on my bare chest and her arm was draped over my abdomen. She fit perfectly next to me. I started to run my fingers through her hair making a smile appear on her face. “You’re too good to me Sid.” She whispered before falling asleep.





***Keeley’s point of view***
I woke up to the sound of two voices yelling at each other from what I assumed to be was the kitchen downstairs. I knew by the accent one was Geno and I just assumed the other was Sidney, since he was no longer lying next to me. I sat up so that my feet were hanging off the side of the bed, my head was killing me and I was pretty sure as to why, though I didn’t remember drinking that much. Hell, I don’t remember that much from last night in general. I got out of bed and stretched I wasn’t in my dress anymore either. Sidney must have helped me into his clothes. I was in a pair of shorts that were way too big and a shirt that had his number and name on the front. I slipped the shorts off and placed them on the nightstand, Sid had put a few aspirin and a bottle of water there for me. I don’t know how I got lucky enough to have Sid in my life but I was glad I did. I don’t know where I would be if I didn’t have him taking care of me. I quickly drank all of the water and made my way down the stairs where the two men were still yelling.
“What is going on here?” I asked entering the kitchen where Sidney and Geno were yelling at each other. They both turned towards me shocked that I was standing there and that I had heard them.
“Evgeni and I are just having a discussion, that’s all.” Sidney said between gritted teeth. It was never good when someone used G’s full name, usually it only happened when he was in trouble for something.
“Want to fill me in on it?” I asked sitting on the barstool and taking a bite of the apple that I had grabbed out of the now almost empty fruit basket. Sidney stayed quiet and just looked at Geno. I looked between the two, something was definitely up here.The two were best friends and very rarely ever seriously fought about anything.
“Do you want to tell her why you weren’t at her party or should I?” Sid asked anger apparent in his voice. I watched confused as Geno shook his head no. I was more than interested in why my so called best friend and the man that I was falling hopelessly in love with decided to skip out on my birthday and ignore my messages.
“Tell her!” Sidney all but yelled, stepping closer to Geno. I was more than ready to break up a fight between the two if I needed too. They were both physically stronger, taller and outweighed me by almost a hundred pounds; but I’d still try. Geno stepped back, his back was now up against the kitchen counter. He was looking at the floor and refused to make eye contact with either of us. “Tell her right now.” Sidney repeated. I got up off the barstool and stood in front of Geno, lifting his face up so that he was now looking at me.
“G, I’m your best friend, you can tell me anything.” I said not taking my hand off of his cheek. He took a deep breath before speaking.
“I skip party because I go with girlfriend.” Geno turned his face away from me. I dropped my hand and took a step back. Girlfriend. Geno has a girlfriend.
“Well I hope you two had a good time together.” I said turning my back to Sidney and Geno and walking up the stairs back into Sidney’s room. I climbed back into his bed and pulled the covers over my body.
“Keel open door.” I heard Geno plead through the now locked door.
“Go away!” I yelled throwing a pillow at the door.
“Please Keel. Open door,” Geno was begging now. I had no intentions on opening the door for him at all. I didn’t say anything. I waited and waited for him to say something else but he never did.
“Keeley, it’s me, Sid. Will you let me in?” I could hear the desperation in his voice. I slowly got out of his bed and unlocked the door letting him in. Before he was even completely through the door I was wrapped tightly in his arms.“I’m so sorry Keels. I thought you should hear it from him. I kicked him out and we can spend the rest of the day watching movies and eating ice cream. I’ll even order pizza if you want me to.” I pulled away from him slightly and looked into his eyes.
“Will you pig out too? Pretty pretty pretty please! It’s no fun by myself!” I begged him. I knew he couldn’t pig out with me often due to his diet but I was really hoping that he would make an exception for this one time.Once I saw the smile appear on Sid’s face, I knew he was in.
“Keeley! I’m off to go pick up the pizza. Do you want me to stop and get some ice cream while I’m out?” Sidney asked me. He was standing at the front door slipping his shoes and coat on.
“Yeah! When have I ever turned down ice cream?” I laughed coming into the foyer. “Will you get the peach kind? Pretty please?” I asked sticking my lip out in a pout and giving him puppy dog eyes. Sid rolled his eyes and laughed but agreed to get my favorite. I handed him the keys to his Range Rover and watched as he walked out the door. Once Sidney was outside I closed the door and headed into the living room to find a movie for us to watch. After taking almost every movie out of Sid’s movie cabinet I finally settled on Goon. It wasn’t really one of his favorites but he never complained when I wanted to watch it. I set the movie on the coffee table and went to work organizing the movies back to Sid’s standards. By the time I had finished there was a knock at the door. I quickly opened it and took the pizza out of Sid’s hands.
“I got a surprise for you.” Sid said following me into the kitchen.
“What did you get?” I asked him placing the pizza on the counter and grabbing two plates and glasses out of the cabinet next to me. Sidney pointed to a bag that was now sitting on the counter next to the pizza. I placed the glasses down next to the plates and opened the bag. Inside was a box of hot wings, tootsie rolls, a few cans of Red Bull, and a chocolate cupcake with gold icing and a plastic ring with his number on it.
“Couldn’t resist, could ya?” I asked hugging him. I placed some pizza on both plates along with some wings and handed them to Sidney. I grabbed the drinks and followed him into the living room. He placed the plates on the coffee table and put the movie in the DVD player. We watched and ate in silence, about half way through the movie I took our plates into the kitchen and grabbed the large bag of tootsie rolls, the cupcake and one of the red bulls. I split the cupcake in half and handed one to Sidney. I watched as he shoved the whole thing in his mouth, getting some icing on his lip. I laughed and wiped it off. I quickly put the icing on his nose and moved out of the way before he could get me back. He chased me around his living room with some icing from my cupcake on his finger.
“I’m going to get you!” He yelled. I knew I couldn’t out run a professional athlete but it was still fun to try. Sid quickly caught up to me and grabbed me. He dropped me gently onto the floor and got on top of me, pinning me to the floor and wiping the icing on my nose and cheek. “I told you I was going to get you.” He whispered in my ear. Sid leaned closer to me, our lips almost touching but it was soon interrupted by a knock at the door.
“Are you expecting anyone?” I asked now fully aware that I was still wearing nothing but Sid’s shirt. He shook his head no as he got off of me and helped me up off the floor. I followed closely behind him as he went to the front door. On his doorstep stood Jamie, Gronk, Cooke, Flower, and Tanger. I could see the surprise on Sidney’s face.
“Keeley!” James yelled pulling me out from behind Sidney and hugging me tightly. I hadn’t wished I was wearing shorts or even a pair of pants more than I was right now.
“Uh, Keels, where are your pants?” I heard Gronk ask. I felt the blush set in on my cheeks. I felt someone move and I heard the echo of a smack and then Gronk say ouch.
“I slept in this. I didn’t know I had to wear pants all the time.” I spit at Gronk.
“You can definitely not wear pants anytime you want.” Letang said smacking my ass. I shot him a dirty look, as Sidney let out a low growl. “Don’t touch her.” He ordered. Tanger put his hands up in a surrender. I wrapped my legs around James waist as they ventured further into the house.
“What do you guys want?” Sid asked as they all took spots on the furniture around the living room. James sat on the couch and I sat on his lap laying my head against his chest.
“It’s boy’s night, we’re going out! You weren’t answering your phone so we figured we’d come see if you wanted to come with.” Tanger said sitting next to Sid.
“Keeley and I were having a best friend’s day. So I’ll have to pass on that one.” He said with a rolling of his eyes.
“Sidney! You’ve been with me for the last few days. Go have a good time with the boys! I can hold the fort down for the night.” I said getting off of James and going over to Sid. “It’ll be fun. Just don’t bring home any females.” I whispered in his ear, with a slight giggle. I could see him debate it in his head. “Sidney. I’m serious. I’ll be fine. Go and have a good time. You deserve it.” I said wrapping my arms around his torso.
“Fine. I’ll go.” He said. “Give me twenty minutes and I’ll be ready to go.” I watched as he climbed the stairs up to his bed room. I heard the water turn on and I sank down into the spot he was once occupying.
“Geno and Sid huh?” I heard someone ask. Gronk took up the spot on the love seat next to me.
“What are you talking about?” I asked avoiding his glance.
“Don’t play stupid with me Keeley. You know exactly what I’m talking about. You act like you like G yet here you are prancing around in Sidney’s shirt and no pants. I won’t sit back and watch you play with my captain and my alternate captain’s heads. After everything that they have done for you, this is how you repay them? That’s really whorish of you.” He stated. I shivered at the sound of his voice, his words were filled with poison. I got up off of the love seat and went back over to James. I laid my head on his chest and let Jordan’s words replay over and over again in my head. I felt James run his fingers through my hair, and I slowly let myself relax into his chest.
“Alright boys! I’m ready.” Sidney said coming into the living room. He had on a pair of blue jeans that showed off his muscular thighs and his giant ass, he was wearing a black long sleeve button up shirt with the top two buttons undone and it was rolled up exposing his forearms. The boys got up off and headed to the front door. I followed a little bit behind them. I hugged James, Cook, Tanger, and Flower as they walked out the door. I didn’t even make eye contact with Jordan but I felt his eyes on me. I managed to squeak out a small good bye, but that was it. Sidney was the last one in the house.
“Are you sure you don’t want me to stay home with you?” He asked, his eyes full of concern. As much as I wanted him to stay here I knew I couldn’t do that to him.
“Go. Have a good time, you deserve it. You work too hard. Go and let loose.” I said with a small smile. I hoped like hell it was convincing. Sid let a small laugh out after I told him to let loose. I knew he wouldn’t do too much. He would probably find one of the married guys and hang out with them and drink a few beers. He kissed my cheek and I gave him a hug.
“I’m just a phone call or a text away. If you need me I’ll be home in a flash, okay?” He asked. I gave him a slight nod and watched as he walked out the door. He got into the car and I watched them drive away.Maybe I’d see if Vero was free. We could do something. After all I was in desperate need of some girl time. I climbed the stairs and went into Sidney’s room. My phone was on the charger right next to where his would be. I flopped down on his bed and called Vero. After a few rings I got her voicemail. I hung up and rolled over so I was looking up at the celling. What was I going to do for the night? I felt my phone vibrating next to me and I quickly picked it up not bothering to look at the caller id. That was my first mistake.
“Vero!” I said excited that she had called me back so quickly.
“It no Vero.” I heard him say. His accent think. I felt my heart stop and my breath hitch in my throat.
“What could you possibly want from me?” I asked sitting up quickly.
“I want talk. I miss you.” I rolled my eyes at his statement. He didn’t miss me.
“Evgeni, what do you want?” I asked my heart felt like it was breaking with every word that he said.
“I wanted you. I wait but you no need me. I find Oksana. She love, you no love. I waste time waiting, not worth time. Waiting over. I move on. ” He said. I could hear the sound of music getting louder in the back ground. Before I could even say anything I heard a female voice call him baby. I hung up the phone and threw it across the room. I quickly climbed out of bed and raced down the stairs into the kitchen. I rummaged through dozens of cabinets before I found the one that I was looking for. I knew Sid would try and hide them but I didn’t think he’d be as good as he was about it. I grabbed two large bottles off the shelf and the remaining can of red bull then I went back to Sidney’s room. I climbed back into his bed and took a few large sips of the fiery liquid. The burn felt good, but my pain wasn’t even close to being masked yet. It would probably take one if not two more bottles. When there was enough of the liquid gone I poured the can of red bull into the bottle and shook it up. By the time the first bottle was gone I grabbed the second bottle and crawled over to where my phone was now laying on the floor. I picked it up and dialed the first number that I could think of.
“Keeley, are you okay? It’s almost eleven. You never call this late on game nights.” He said the sleep evident in his voice.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t realize it was this late but I really needed someone to talk too and you were the first one that came to mind.” I half slurred.
“Keeley have you been drinking?” He asked panic in his voice.I let out a little squeak of a yes. “How much have you drank?” I heard something echo on his side and a light groan.
“Um, a bottle and almost a half.” I giggled.
“What?!” He yelled this time. “A bottle and a half of what?” He asked no longer yelling.
“Do you even have to ask?” I laughed. I heard him sigh and the line on both ends was quiet except for the sound of the liquid slushing around in the bottle.
“Keeley.” He finally spoke again. “Are you safe where you are?” I could tell that he was worried.
“I’m at Sidney’s.” I slurred taking another drink from the almost empty bottle.
“As in Crosby? Let me talk to him.” He ordered causing me to laugh. He never was good with trying to boss me around.
“He’s not here.” I said. “Patty I need you and Jonny.” I said wiping a tear away. I heard him kick something and Jonny say a few obscene words in the back ground.
“Alright, you’re on speaker. Jonny and I are here baby girl. What’s wrong?” Patty asked concern filled his voice.
“Geno skipped my party the other night. You guys know we always do something. Well he came over here and he and Sid got into a huge fight. The reason why he didn’t come was because he magically got some girlfriend. He wasn’t even going to tell me. Sidney had to force him to tell me. He called me tonight, told me that I wasn’t worth waiting for anymore. He found some girl named Oksana and he’s moved on and I’m not worth his time. Then tonight Jordan told me I was a whore because I was playing with Geno and Sidney’s hearts.” I explained taking the last few sips that were in the bottle. I stumbled as I got off the floor and made my way back to Sid’s liquor cabinet.
“I can’t do anything right. I’m falling helplessly in love with Geno and he doesn’t even want me. Do you know how much that sucks?” I slurred.
“Keels, do you want us to send you a plane ticket? I know you’re taking some time off of work for a little bit. Kaner and I will be back in a week, then we have eight home games so we’ll be there for a while. We would love for you to stay with us. You know that.” Jonny said. I wished like hell that I could see their faces and be able to hug them.
“I’ll think about it. I’ll let you guys go. Score some goals for me tomorrow. Okay?” I asked picking up a bottle of Jack Daniels.
“Keels. Do something for me please.” I waited for him to continue. “No more alcohol tonight. Please promise me.” Jonny pleaded. I knew I couldn’t promise him that.
“I promise.” I whispered hoping he wouldn’t hear.
“I’ll call you tomorrow. We love you Keeley.” They say in unison before hanging up. I noticed I had a few text messages so I opened them along with the bottle. They were from Geno. Each of the three messages contained pictures of him and who I assumed to be Oksana. In each one they had their lips on each other’s. I took a large swig as I continued to stare at the pictures. I continued to stare at the photos as I finished off the bottle of whisky. I grabbed another one out of the cabinet and decided I would head back up to Sid’s room. I slowly climbed the stairs and drank out of the bottle at the same time. I slipped Sid’s shirt off of me and tossed it into the dirty clothes and stumbled over to his dresser where I found another one of his shirts. I slipped it on and crawled into bed, laying on the side where he slept.

Notes