The Roommate

Sidney couldn’t help but love the way he felt when he was around Bri. She did things to him that other women couldn’t ever compare to. She accomplished a lot for him in a short period of time, and there was an undeniable attraction that was amazing to him.

She could be making herself a tea for her drive to work and he’d be head over heals watching her. The way she always wishes him luck on game day or sends her best encouragement after a rough practice always made him feel like a superstar. Fans never made him feel like that successful of a player, but she did. It was effortless too.

She had a sincere heart and she genuinely cared about him and looked out for him. He knew he was extremely protective of her, but the loyalty and protection she gave back was just as fierce. He wasn’t oblivious to the fact that she was having some difficulties being in Pittsburgh but it was his job to make her more comfortable.

Comfort is exactly what he provided her, and safety. She was always so safe in his presence. Now more than ever she had been struggling with the world around her and always felt like she was going to crack under the pressure. She couldn’t be honest with him about that though. She couldn’t ever express her weakness’ to him in fear he thought she wasn’t strong enough for him.

Sidney’s been on a two week road trip in the west coast. A very unconventional way to attempt starting a relationship but if it did go anywhere, unconventional would be their norm. And Bri knew that going into that. While he’s been away she’s been busy surrounding herself with work, trying to distract herself from everything. She even went home to Toronto for a few days without telling Sid, it wasn’t his business to know anyway.

And she’ll tell him when he gets home. He’s not her boyfriend, they’re just unofficially seeing each other. There’s no pressure there.

Bri was editing photographs when she heard the front door unlock. She was surprised he didn’t park in the garage because it was snowing, but that wasn’t any of her business. Marty ran running to the door to greet Sid before she could even begin to get up.

“Hey little guy, how’s it going?” he asked, scooping him up. “Did you miss me?”

“Yes, I did too!” Bri laughed, getting up to give him a hug.

“I missed you too. It feels so good to be home,” he sighed, jumping on the couch, letting everything fall around him. He found the scent of vanilla really relaxed him whenever Bri lit one of the candles, so that was the icing on the cake. He could have fallen asleep right then and there.

“Dozing off already Sid?” she teased, sticking her tongue out at him.

“Yes. I’m exhausted.”

“You’ve had a long time to be away, I don’t blame you.”

“How was the west coast?”

“It was fun. I loved going to California, mainly because of the beach.”

“Don’t even get me started,” she grumbled.

“Was the weather that bad here?”

“We’ve had snow left, right and centre. I’m getting so sick of it.”

“We could see that when we were landing. How long has it been here?”

“Since the day you left. Hopefully now that you’re home it’ll stop,” she said in a more cheery tone.

“Did you really get that much snow?” he laughed.

“Yes! It was awful,” she giggled. “But it’s putting me in the mood for Christmas.”

“Christmas eh?”

“Sid, it’s in three weeks.”

“Three weeks? Shit I have to get my shopping done,” he laughed, wiping his forehead.

“You actually go out shopping at malls for Christmas?” she asked, genuinely shocked by his words.

“Yeah. It’s part of what makes the holidays special. I love it.”

“Even in the busy crowds? Don’t you get stopped?”

“Of course I do. That doesn’t really bother me though. It makes a fan's holiday season that much more better. Then I normally do my charity stuff, and then I have my Penguins Christmas Party.”

“Ou, that’ll be fun!”

“Wanna be my date for it this year?” he turned his head, asking with a huge smile on his face.

“I’d love to be,” she laughed.

“Good. Because my teammates were razzing me about you the entire trip so I think it would be beneficial for my social status if you accompanied me.”

“You’re an idiot,” she laughed. “So are you going to just lounge around all day or do you want to do something?”

“Do you want to go Christmas shopping?”

“Sure!” she smiled, “but I’m not going out with you if you’re in a suit so you need to change.”

He just laughed, slowly getting up from the couch and going to get changed. Bri waited patiently downstairs for him, mentally preparing herself for the chaos that will be shopping in a mall on a Friday of a long weekend… And with Sidney Crosby.

Together they got in the car and drove to the local shopping centre, the one he was particularly fond of. Along the way they caught up on how his road games were, the team bonding that went along with it and what his plans are for the holidays with the Pens. Then it turned into what Bri did over the break.

“Well I worked a lot which was always fun, and went home for a few days.”

His face scrunched up with confusion. “You did? When?”

“Last weekend, I had the time and I was missing home a bit so I drove home for the weekend.”

“Oh your family must have been thrilled to see you home.”

“Yeah, they were pretty happy about that. It’s been a few months since I’ve seen them so it was nice to get away for the weekend with Marty and make a visit.”

“Do you ever think you’d move back home to Toronto?”

“Meh,” she shrugged. “Sometimes. It’s a tricky question because I love being home but I want to experience the world.”

Sid was a little concerned she went home without telling him. It’s not that he wanted to know her business, just that she’s safe and what’s going on at his house when he’s not there. He could tell she really needed that trip home to enjoy herself, he was just hurt he didn’t know.

“I hear you on that,” he laughed, pulling into a parking lot.

The mall was packed from the outside, which already gave Bri anxiety. He was pretty good at staying calm in these situations but he could sense just how uncomfortable Bri was. He grabbed her hand when they met up on the other side of the car.

“So what do we do if someone interrupts us?” she asked, looking up at him with big eyes as the snow gently fell down on them.

“I usually just smile and take a picture or sign something if they have a pen or marker or something. It doesn’t happen a lot here luckily.”

“Do I get to take the pictures?” she asked in a goofy way.

“If you’d like,” he laughed. “Does that matter to you?”

“Of course not, I don’t blame them for wanting a picture with you. It’s just weird.”

“You live with me, you can’t say that.”

They got a lot of shopping done for their parents and sisters, and a few close friends. It wasn’t until they were in a home decor store that it dawned on Bri, what are they going to do about the house for the holidays? He could see her checking out some golden signs that have Christmas sayings on them, clearly she was getting some ideas.

“Sidney, what do you have for Christmas decorations?”

“I only really have ornaments for a tree. Otherwise I’ve never really had time to decorate the rest of the house,” he chuckled. “If you want to, get whatever you want and we can decorate the house together.”

A huge grin grew on her face along with an evil gleam in her eye.

Sidney felt worried in that instant, “Oh boy, what did I just start?”

“Don’t worry, we can make half of this stuff, I swear.”
“You’re a little Martha Stewart.”

“Please, I’m a more thug version of her. And I haven’t even been to jail,” she laughed grabbing a wreath. “Get me a shopping cart.”

Sidney rolled his eyes laughing. Within minutes the cart was full and Bri was accomplished. It helped put her in a better mood thankfully and lightened her mood. While waiting in line Bri could see a crowd appearing from the other side of the glass window separating them.

“Looks like you have some friends here to see you.”

“Oh, I do.”

“If you want to go say ‘hi’ you can.”

“I think I might, you’ll be good without me here?”

“Yes, I can handle the cashier myself,” she laughed.

“Alright, thanks.”

Watching him interact with fans and kids in a setting like this was weird for Bri to see. She was well aware of his status but rarely saw this side of him. He was posing for photos with kids, signing hats, and mingling with parents. Even as the crowd grew bigger it still didn’t bother him in the slightest bit. It was as if he welcomed them to come say ‘hi’.

After she checked out at cash she grabbed her bags and walked out of the stores she stayed a bit distant allowing Sid to do his thing in peace. He noticed she was standing there with her bags and told the kids to hang on a second, coming over to grab the bags out of her hands, waving her over.

“Is this your girlfriend?” one little boy asked out of pure innocence.

Sid chuckled, “no. She’s going to teach me how to make Christmas decorations today so we got supplies.”

“We do that in school!” another little guy piped up.

“That’s so cool! I used to do that in school too. You guys have a merry Christmas ok?” Sidney smiled, patting one on the head, walking back over to Bri.

“Okay, that was adorable,” she smiled, semi turned on with how he treated kids.

“I’m used to it by now. They think Taylor is my girlfriend half the time, and that’s just weird.”

“Especially because you guys look alike.”

“That’s what we say!” he laughed. “Are you all finished up here?”

“Yes,” she said hesitantly. “Wanna get a Christmas tree today too?”

“We can,” he laughed. “Do you know where we can go buy one?”

“No Sid, we’re going to cut it down! I didn’t wear this lumberjack outfit for nothing!”

“You’re such a girl,” he rolled his eyes. “But I like you for it.” He leant over and smiled at her, wanting to kiss her so badly. The temptation was there, but the timing wasn’t right.

When the two arrived back home they got everything ready to start their arts and crafts together. Sidney even agreed to having film some of their activities and offered to help her out. They got a bunch of multi-coloured and sized ornaments and were going to make a modern looking wreath for the front doors. Sid actually liked the idea, and the fact they could do it together.

They made a playful competition to see which one was better and decided to let the public vote, yet didn’t expose his identity. They had fun helping each other glue the balls on the edges, and gently organize them to perfection. It was effortless for them to have fun with each other and for time to fly by.

After their masterpieces were done they hung them on the front door and took a selfie with their creations. It wasn’t something to post but to cherish in the back of her memories for years to come. And while the snow continued to elegantly land on the ground and windowsills surrounding them, they decorated the insides, creating equivalent beauty.

This was a day the two of them recognized as a pivotal day in their friendship, celebrating normalcy in their relationship and solidifying their trust in one another. Even though there were pictures of them in the mall or playfully looking at Christmas trees making their rounds on the internet, they didn’t care about others anymore and what they thought. They were happy to be out in the public… Sort of. They weren’t even out to themselves yet.

Notes

Outfit of the chapter: http://www.polyvore.com/cute_lumberjack/set?id=215908524

Why not surprise y'all with another chapter this week? I've had this one done for a few days and finally getting around to posting it lol

Thank you so much for reading and for all the feedback. It genuinely pushes me to write more and gives me an idea of what direction to put the story in!

Keep it coming, you guys rock! xo