"So-" I sighed, holding onto the ice coffee in front of me while Sidney nursed the hot coffee he had. I was probably buzzed when I texted him last night, but I still wanted to be here, and despite the lack of conversation, Sidney wanted to be here just as much.
"So," Sidney repeated. I rolled my eyes and absentmindedly flicked the straw wrapper in front of me. I watched it fly into Sidney's lap and began to laugh.
"I promise you, that was totally an accident." I said, lifting my hands as Sidney picked up the wrapper and went to flick it at me. I shrieked and tried to block it, but it didn't even come close to me. I laughed more as the wrapper didn't even come close and landed on the empty space of the seat.
"Ah, fuck." Sidney laughed and rolled his eyes.
"Please don't quit your day job." I begged as the two of us got quiet again. Sidney took a deep breath and looked out the window of the small diner.
The sun wasn't quite setting, but a lot of boats were returning to Cole Harbour to dock for the night. Families walked by, enjoying the breeze and young kids waved as they realized they were staring at the Sidney Crosby.
"Must be crazy being stared at wherever you go." I said, breaking the silence.
"I guess you kinda get used to it. I mean, it's weird when you're trying to eat and people are taking pictures, but it's my life." Sidney explained. I nodded like I knew where he was coming from.
"Are you excited for the youth camp? Isn't it next week?"
"Yeah, it's gonna be a good time. I think I'll have the Cup the last day so I want to surprise the kids with it. Any of your students going to be there?" Sidney asked, taking a sip of the coffee that had been untouched up until that point.
"They moved me back to the high school again. I was with the elementary school for only two years. I'm sure some of their siblings are. I know a lot of the kids are going to the Team Canada training camps."
"That's really cool. I'm sure they'll all do great." he smiled. I nodded and reached for his hand. Rather than pulling away, he began running his thumb over my skin. I took in the calloused skin that still felt just as comforting as I remembered.
"I'm not going to lie, I hated when it was hockey season. Everyone at that high school worshiped your or loved to hate you and I heard your name every single day. I wanted to tell you how much these kids idolized you, but I mean, obviously I couldn't. I've been teaching a senior science course and watching the genius girl dating the hockey captain just took me back to you and I." I admitted. Sidney squeezed my hand and made me look at him.
"We were so young. Do you think that's why we didn't work out?"
"I think so. We just didn't know what to do and running was what seemed easier. I regret it, god I regret not fighting. I just wish we fought for it and maybe we wouldn't be here." I muttered.
"Do you want to be my girlfriend again?" Sidney asked, reaching for my other hand.
"I do, I want that more than anything, but I think we should take it slow. See how the summer goes and we can go from there." I explained. Sidney nodded and slowly rose so we could get going.
"I think you'll have so much fun with me, you won't want the summer to end." Sidney winked as we stood up.
"Yeah?" I laughed, bumping into him.
"Yeah." He smiled, reaching for my hand.

---

The sun had set and the moon was out, illuminating the lake. The two of us sat huddled under a blanket on the dock on Sidney's property.
"Last night, I was going through some photos and there was a whole bunch of them from that one summer when all we did was sneak out." I laughed, feeling his arm wrap about my shoulders.
"God, what was that? The second summer we dated? I had all those scouts and hockey programs and you started the early college programming and our parents were like hellbent on getting us to split up." Sidney joked.
"Yeah, now they just want us back together." I rolled my eyes.
"Remember when the Harrison's dog ripped my leg open and we tried to get out of telling our parents because we knew would get in enough trouble for just being with each other." He laughed.
"Oh my god, yes! And Addie was finishing her internship so she saw us and was like 'why aren't his parents with you to give the insurance info?' and you had to call your mom at 3am." I added. Sidney's chest vibrated with laughter under me and I felt myself press closer to him. He laid back, pulling me almost flush against his chest and looked up at the stars above the dock.
"God, my mom wanted to kill me." He laughed, his hands running up my arm. Despite the hard wood under us, I felt comfortable under his touch and out in the open. I took a deep breath and relaxed even more.
"Are you falling asleep?" Sidney laughed at me.
"I might be." I joked, but quickly let out a large yawn.
"Stay the night." Sidney spoke, his warm breath hit the exposed skin of my shoulder. I groaned and rolled so I was sitting up.
"I want to, but we should take it slow." I frowned. Sidney sat up and crossed his legs so he could face me.
"You've slept with me before." He smiled. I chuckled and reached for his hands.
"I'll call you when I get home." I promised. He stood up and wrapped me in a tight hug.
"At least let me walk you to your car."

Notes