Anytime

One of the joys of being a manager, albeit an assistant one is being there to work when people don't show up. When you're open for 18 hours a day that can happen very often. I got called in to do the closing shift from 6-12:30 am. At about 12:15 things were pretty quiet. A few students lounged in the chairs by the fireplace sipping their strong brew while I wiped down the counters facing the streets preparing to close. My customers were pretty happy ignoring me while losing themselves in their studies. A familiar Ed Sheeran song came on and perhaps I was a little naieve losing myself in the lyrics.

"I never told her that I liked
The way she dances slightly out of time
And pretends she knows the words, to a song she's never heard
But I tell her all the time" I sung the words to myself with my eyes closed swaying to the music before turning around and opening my eyes and seeing the familiar coffee brown eyes staring back at me with a lop sided grin. I let out a small embarrassed chuckle. "Well they didn't hire me for my voice" I said to his amusement. "What brings you here this time of night? Do you cheat on your barista often?" I was suddenly feeling brave.

"Well you know," he said shrugging his shoulders. His oh so broad shoulders that were wrapped in a black suit likely more expensive than three months of my rent. "A guy has his needs" he said with a slight blush and laugh.

"Large black two sugars?" I said making my way back to the counter.

"Not this time." he said following me. "Large Zen. I need it after today."

"I thought that it was just preseason Captain." I said with a small smile over my shoulder.

"Well, giving up seven goals even in preseason can be tough" he said pulling out his wallet to grab a small wad of bills.

"Oh no," I said placing the cup on the counter. "This one's on me." I added flipping my red bangs out of my face. "Even superstars need one on the house now and then Captain." I said as I noticed the students suddenly get up to leave.

"You know, it's high time that you start calling me Sidney" he said with a smile. "Join me?" normally I would balk at the idea, it could cost me my job, but seeing as the café was empty and I was five minutes to close I figured it was alright. I grabbed myself a tall Earl Grey, removed my green apron and joined him by the fire.

"So I've gotta ask," I said looking at my cup as I ran my fingers around the brim in circles "Why are you not out at a bar or some place like that after a tough loss? Seems more relaxing than a coffee shop."

"Well," he said leaning forward forearms on his knees tea in hand. "to be honest I really didn't want to see my teammates. I prefer solitude after a tough loss."

"I see." I said taking a sip of my cup. Part of me wanted to throw down the cups and take him to the back of the store right there, there was no doubt that he was attractive and that almost any hot blooded female would take the same opportunity given. But there was something about his vulnerability in the moment that stopped me.

"Your wrist," he said nodding towards my tattoo. "Please tell me you're not a Leafs fan"

"No," I chuckled. "I grew up in Canada. A small town called Smith Falls in Ontario" I said sipping my tea.

"How'd you end up here?" he asked without hesitation.

"School," I said nodding but not really wanting to continue. "I went to U of P" I really didn't want to regale him with my embarrassing failures at becoming a doctor. That would just be too much to handle right now.

"What did you.." lucky for me his words were cut off by a voice and a face that I didn't really pay much attention to. I heard a slight French accent as he called for the Captain.

"Sid we're leaving in 10" he said looking at his watch. Sidney nodded and his teammate was suddenly on his way.

"Late night west coast flight" he said. "For some reason we start out the season on the road." He said finishing up his tea.

"I know" I said matter of factly perhaps blushing a little bit at my sudden knowledge of the Penguins schedule. "So I guess it'll be a few days before I see you again." Why did I not try to hide my disappointment? I sounded so pathetic!

"I'll be back Thursday morning I promise." Sidney said with a grin. His cell phone suddenly went off in his pocket. I could see an image of a female pop up with the ring tone but he quickly ignored the call. Who was the mystery woman? Why did I care so much? I walked him to the door as it was time to lock up for the night.

"I'll be here." I said with a nervous smile. "Wait," I said before he turned to walk away. Suddenly I was back in eight grade again grabbing my pen and his hand. "Text me sometime" I said jotting down 10 digits on his hand trying not to look desperate. This probably happened to him on a regular basis. If I never saw him in my shop again I'd know why. There was a moments pause between us before I thought of something to say. "You know, in case you ever need a big coffee order filled or something." I said blushing.

"Thanks." he smiled as he gave a small wave walking away.

"Anytime" I smiled as I closed the door

After locking up I couldn't help but thing to myself. What was I thinking? Do I honestly expect to get somewhere with Sidney Crosby? I worked in a coffee shop. I don't belong on the society pages or some WAGs website having our every move tracked. I went home that night convinced that I'd never see him again. I could just see it now, one of his fan sites declaring that Sid the Kid no longer seen getting his ritual morning coffee because some crazy girl scared him away.

I went home that night to my hole in the wall. To save up, I rented a small in law suite that was behind the home of a more affluent family in the suburbs of Pittsburgh. $850 a month got me one room, a bathroom, small kitchen, cable and internet. Plus use of their hot tub and pool when they weren't home. My 2001 red Honda civic got me to and from work but that was about it. I didn't know a lot of people outside of work. I didn't really care to. I was a loaner. I changed into my pyjammas, a white tank top and blue shorts. My long dyed red hair was a mess, but I knew that I had to be up in the morning for 5am so I didn't care. I climbed into bed ready for a good night's sleep.

The next morning I must've been tired. Exhausted. Usually I'm a light sleeper, my phone had gone off at 3am and I had no idea. I saw a number that I didn't recognize with a photo. It was a photo of my coffee shop, but another location. The caption read 'Sorry Sophia, it was the only thing open' with a smiley face beside it. Oh My God...Sidney Crosby had just texted me.

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