The Coworker

Bri put her outfit together one piece by one as she got ready for her reunion with Sidney. The nerves shot through her veins like dangerous electricity. One wrong move and she could be killed. He could kill her emotionally and she doesn’t think she could recover from another damage like that.

Marty was on the floor next to her playing with a scarf she had debated on wearing. Obviously after his play date with it she decided not so she chose a soft grey coloured one. She knew Sidney would make reference to it because he knew it was one of her favourite colours.

When she got downstairs she could see a figure walking up to her door so she just opened it. Her hair was falling out of the messy bun she created and she couldn't care less. She’s used to him seeing her in a rough spot.

“Hey, that was fast,” Sidney said as he walked in when Bri motioned for him to before he was even at her top step yet.

“When can I say?” she replied with a bobby pin in her mouth to fix her hair. “Where we going?”

“I was thinking for Sushi, you know, be those people,” he shrugged, laughing.

“We are so not those people though,” she laughed back, grabbing her purse.

“But we’ve been acting like people aren’t lately, so what’s the difference?”

Despite the little bit of a jab, Bri shrugged and locked up the house, following in his footsteps while the rain drizzled in the darkness.

Upon their arrival the car was full of painful small talk, this wasn’t them and they both knew it. When they got inside they got seated in a fairly quiet spot so they could have some privacy. Luckily almost everyone in town knew who Sid was so they were always accommodating to his lifestyle.

“How are you liking your new job?” he asked. Work was a touchy subject for her, especially after how things ended at her last job.

“I like it. I mean, it helps that I feel comfortable with everyone. Games just kill me. I’m always running around and I’m in heels and dresses or skirts. I wish I could be more casual and comfortable.”

“Why don’t you just wear flats?”

“It’s boots season. If we make playoffs then maybe I will,” she smirked.

“I like how you just said ‘we’.”

“Well Sidney Crosby, I am part of the team now you know.”

“You are, and I’m actually happy you joined on.” She shot him a face and he knew he needed to explain himself . Slowly but surely he could feel the tension subsiding and his comfort with her coming out to play a little to test the waters. “You have the knowledge of the game and in the world of social media, so you’re a good fit. Plus you’re not a crazy fan girl.”

“What? You didn’t hear the news?” she asked him semi-seriously, causing him to panic on the inside.

“Hear what?”

“I already slept with the captain of the team,” she winked, taking a bite of her appetizer.

He laughed, “you’re an idiot.” With that tiny little joke he could feel himself becoming more comfortable with her again and like things were actually going back to normal. The fact she was that bold to make that statement spoke volumes to him.

“I know, but I had to throw that in there.”

“I’m quite aware of who I’ve slept with thanks. But I do mean it, everyone is really happy you’re here. It’s kind of odd though because I think you’re so good at your job and I absolutely hate social media whereas it’s your entire life and passion.”

“Yet we still get along even though we are on separate pages,” she smirked.

“Well at least now we do,” he said awkwardly, sipping his glass of water.

“So, dinner huh?” she asked. “What’s the occasion?”

The waiter placed their food in front of them and Sidney knew now was the time to tell her. “Well, I wanted to apologize,” he semi started beating around the bush. “And the guys have really be urging me to talk to you about this whole thing.”

Her eyebrows instantly shot up in a look of disapproval of what he just said. He knew he just made her angry so now he was starting to really sweat. “So you mean to tell me that you couldn’t make that decision yourself?” she asked, crossing her arms over her chest in anticipation angirly.

“Well, I was too nervous to and they had to give me a push,” he barely made out without stuttering. He knew he was treading on hot water with her and he had to tread lightly. “They know that it hasn’t been easy working with each other and being in a room with all the tension and they are worried that it’ll affect the game.”

“Oh,” she replied, hanging her head in slight disappointment. “So they all feel like I’m a distraction?”

“No, not all of them and not at all. They just know it’s awkward with what happened between us and thought if we talked it would help. Though I strongly did want to talk to you. You aren’t the problem, I am.”

She took a moment to read his face to see if he was lying. When it came to professional circumstances he knew how to lie with the best poker face anyone’s ever seen. But when it comes to personal, he either gave it away or hid it well, and Bri couldn’t tell what the motive behind this dinner was.

“Well, I’m glad you reached out and they gave you the courage you needed. I’ll work on being nicer at work if you will. But coworkers is all we will be for now, I don’t want to rush you back into my life.”

“I can live with that for a while. Just don’t tease me too much in public places with tight skirts. We all get distracted by that.”

She rolled her eyes and grabbed her glass of wine, “oh shut up Sidney.” Taking her sip she had to reiterate to herself that coworkers is all they will ever be. She can’t trust him and she needs to have her guard up more now than ever.

Notes

Outfit for the chapter: https://www.polyvore.com/dark_night/set?id=233625165

And so the plot thickens!

Please let me know what you think, as always your opinion drives the story!

Thanks for reading :)