Leave It To Fate

“We’ve been here for almost two hours,” I yell at Lizzie over the loud music of the club. “They’re not here!” “They” meaning the various Pittsburgh Penguin players. I can feel the thud of the bass in my chest, the smell of alcohol and sweat makes me woozy and dizzy while I watch bodies grind and spin on the dance floor. It probably doesn’t help that I’m sober but I have to watch for Liz and make sure she doesn’t make some bad decisions.

“They’ll be here! I can feel it in my bones!” Liz slurs in my ear. She’s already drunk, the girl can drink. She opted for a short silver dress that makes her look like a walking disco ball. Her shoulder length, brunette hair is wavy; bright red lips stain the shot glass of tequila she knocks back. Her bright brown eyes are wild from all the booze. I roll my eyes and leisurely sip at a mojito while I survey the crowd.

“I think that’s the booze you’re feeling, love,” I say.

“That too!” She squeals. “Let’s dance,” Lizzie says, grabbing my arm in an effort to pull me off my stool.

“Oh no, I think I’m good.” It’s not that I can’t dance; I’m part Jamaican for Christ’s sake. It’s just that I wasn’t really planning on going out tonight so I’m not in the mood.

“Yes, you are! You’re here so you might as well,” she says, pulling me off the stool and dragging me onto the crowded dance floor. “Let loose, Mya! Come on, show me those moves!” Lizzie shakes her hips to the beat of “Just Dance” by Lady Gaga, her body moving fluidly as she pulls me close to her. She shimmies up and down, taking my hands in hers and raising them in the air.

“You’re such a moron,” I laugh when I finally give into the music. The beat is intoxicating as it thuds in my chest; Liz circles me in an effort to be seductive but it comes off adorable. The floor seems to shrink as more bodies come onto the floor, squeezing all of us in like packed sardines. Liz turns her backside to me, grinding her bum against mine.

“And you’re a massive lesbian,” I say in her ear. She turns and grins.

“I am not! Only sometimes,” she giggles. Her energy is infectious and I can feel it roll off her and onto me as I move to the rhythm. We dance seductively with each other, gaining the hungry eyes of some men who try to interrupt but we push them away. Tonight is just for the two of us to hang out and get Liz laid, but that comes later. After a few songs, I decide to take a break from all the butt shaking and find a seat at the bar once again, much to Lizzie’s disappointment. I order a gin and tonic even though I told myself I wouldn’t drink anymore tonight.

“I don’t know how people stomach that stuff,” a male voice says on my left. I turn my head, following the voice. “Makes me feel all gross.” Holy shit, it’s him.

“Uh,” I stumble to find my words. “It’s an acquired taste that’s for sure. You gotta trick yourself into liking it.”

“Makes sense, sorry to bother you. I just wanted to find a reason to talk to you,” Sidney blushes. I feel my face warming up as well. Guess I found a reason to stay.

“It’s cool, I don’t really want to be here so it’s nice someone tried to talk to me.” Sidney surveys the room quickly before returning his gaze to me.

“Yeah, I don’t really want to be here either. Just something to do tonight I suppose.” I knock back the rest of my drink, trying to gain some liquid courage to either continue talking to Sidney or to go back out there to dance. I ask for another drink, this time, a shot of vodka, feeling brave. The drink burns my throat and warms my body all at once.

“No chaser?” Sidney asks slightly impressed. I give him a smug smile and shrug.

“I ain’t no bitch,” I say before asking for another one. I can see Sid smile and shake his head from the corner of my eye as I down the next shot. The taste, this time, it is more manageable.

"Where are your teammates?" I ask as I play with the glass. "Flying solo tonight?" Sidney takes a swig of his beer before answering me, his face amused.

"They're here," he answers. "Somewhere. Don't feel like weighing them down so I decided to park myself here. How about you?"

"I'm with a bestie," I giggle. "Who I should probably find." Deciding to ease off the drinks, I try to get off my chair and make my way back to the dance floor.

“Wait!” Sidney calls out. I’m surprised I can still hear him over the loud music. I turn around slowly, making sure not to fall over in these ridiculously high heels. I jut out my right hip, resting my hand on it, a stance I find sexy and authoritative. He looks me up and down, not only once but twice before licking his lips to speak. Fuck, those lips.

“You didn’t tell me your name.” I roll my eyes as I walk over to him, standing in between his open thighs. I lean in close to him, so close I can smell his cologne.

“You didn’t ask, handsome.” Holy shit where is this coming from? It’s obviously the vodka. He blushes and does his best not to look at my cleavage before answering.

“Fuck, where are my manners? I’m Sidney, what’s your name?” Sid asks playfully when he holds his right hand out for me to shake. I look at it slowly; it’s a nice hand. Solid, not too soft looking, inherently manly. I know what they can do on the ice, I wonder… Shaking myself out of my reverie, I put my hand in his, giving it a firm shake.

“It’s Mya,” Sidney smiles sweetly, still holding my hand.

“Nice to meet you, Mya. Go have fun,” he says as he lets go of my hand. I give a lazy salute before dipping into the throng of people to find Lizzie once again.

It takes a few minutes to find Liz but I find her, still living it up among the crowd. Her makeup isn’t as nice as it was when we got here; her skin is slicked with sweat, her hair frizzy but still sexy.

“Mya!” She screeches when I tap her on the shoulder, pulling her away from some tall blond guy. “Where did you go?”

“I was drinking and guess who I met?”

“Who?” Liz yells as she dances around me.

“Sidney Crosby.” Lizzie stops and grabs my face. I swear her eyes are going to pop out.

“No fucking way! For real?” I nod. She continues to squeal and bombard me with questions and I answer them as fast as I can all while trying to keep up with her dancing. As I’m trying to answer her questions and dance, someone taps me on the shoulder.

“Sorry to interrupt but you look amazing and I’d kick myself if I left here without asking you to dance with me,” asks the tall, fit, brunet man. My hormones (or is it the alcohol?) go into overdrive and I nod, letting him take me into his arms. I shimmy up and down the length of his body before turning my back to him, grinding my rear against his pelvis. His hands run up and down my torso as my hand comb through his locks. I never, ever dance with guys like this. Well, at least not anymore. I left that all in college but now I feel hot as ever and with the booze in my system I want to live a little.

“What’s your name?” The stranger asks his lips close to my right ear. Shivers run down my spine before I answer.

“Mya and yours?”

“Mike. Nice to meet you, Mya,” he says spinning me to face him. Our bodies are flush with one another’s and I have to say, it’s kinda exhilarating.

“Likewise, Mike.” I continue to dance against him, running my hands through my hair. I let the music and the alcohol take over me; the mix is a rush, filling me with energy and lust for something. But not that something when Mike’s hands grab my ass. I shove them off, annoyed. We dance some more, my back to him this time but he starts to kiss at my neck which I find that I don’t like.

“I think we should stop now,” I announce, stepping back from him. Mike’s face is confused.

“I thought we were having fun?”

“Well I think that’s enough fun for now,” I say as I try to get away from him. He grabs my arm, pulling me against his chest. I struggle to get out of his grip but he’s so much stronger than me. This is not how I want to end my night.

“What you don’t like me? Come on sweetheart, I can show you a good time. I’m not going to hurt you,” Mike coos. I struggle against him and before I can think to shove my knee in his crotch, someone his pulling him away.

“Is there a problem man?” Sidney asks. Shit. Mike is a little taller than Sid but Sid definitely has more muscle on him and he looks pissed.

“What’s it to you?” Mike spits at him.

“It matters to me that you holding a woman against her will and making her feel uncomfortable. Who knows what could have happened,” Sidney states, his glare is intense. He turns to me, his stare softens. “Is he making you feel uncomfortable?” I nod slowly.

“Yes, a little. Just wanna go home now.” Sidney smiles softly before returning his gaze to Mike, who looks stunned.

“See? I think you should leave her alone now,” Sid practically commands.

“I’m sorry Mya, must be the alcohol. Uh, good night,” Mike says quickly before disappearing into the crowd. I release the breath I didn’t realize I was holding.

“Thanks,” I say as I walk off the dance floor and back to the bar. Sid orders me water and I guzzle it down. Didn’t realize how thirsty I was until the glass in empty.

“No problem,” Sid says gently. I can feel him watch me as I chug another glass of water. Suddenly, my skin is on fire; I can’t stop sweating and it feels like I may pass out. Sidney detects my discomfort.

“Maybe we should go to the restroom or outside,” he suggests grabbing my arm.

“That’s probably a good idea. No funny business.”

“I promise—no funny business from me. Just gonna make sure you’re okay, no let's go.” I nod and let him lead me to the exit where he tells the bouncer to let us back in when we come back. The air is cool—much cooler than it was when we arrived. The dizziness subsides as I stand in the middle of the sidewalk, clutching at my bag for dear life. Definitely not how I imagined this night going. I should have just stayed home but it’s too late now, I have to stay for Liz and God knows how long that may be. I turn around to find Sid standing there, watching me awkwardly, his hands barely fitting in his pockets. He looks good; dark wash jeans paired with a red plaid button down. I can’t decide if I want to cuddle him or aggressively make out with him.

“I wanna go home now but I can’t because one of my best friends is still in there and she makes bad decisions sometimes and I can’t leave her drunk,” I whine as tears start to build up. “Now I’m gonna cry in front of a really cute famous guy.” Sidney chuckles and walks over to him, taking my hand. His face is soft and kind and it makes me wanna cry even more, My God this is so embarrassing.

“Let's go back and find your friend then we can get both of you home. Are you good to drive?” I think about it for a bit and I decide that I don’t think I should drive.

“No, I don’t think I am. We parked in a parking garage around here so maybe we can stay in a hotel.” Just as I think of that brilliant idea, I remember I have to teach tomorrow. Shit.

“That won’t work, I have work tomorrow. Dammit!” I cry out, I even stomp my foot for the full effect.

“Hey, hey,” Sidney says trying to sooth me. “We’ll figure it out, let’s maybe go back inside and grab your friend and then we’ll figure it out from there.” He gives me a reassuring smile as he leads me back inside.

Notes