AUTUMN LEAVES

Despite missing the first few games of the season, Sidney Crosby was having one of his best hockey season starts. He was scoring goals in bunches, making every teammate around him better and filling the pens locker room with more confidence and determination to bring the cup again to Pittsburgh this year. The team was having fun on and off the ice.

At the Halloween party, Mario introduced Autumn to the penguins’ players and staff who seem to be very welcoming and took a quick liking to the young doctor. She recognized few familiar faces as some of the pens’ kids were her patients. Sidney greeted the couple but mostly kept his distance and mingled with his teammates at the party.

While he was happy for Mario, seeing them together upset him. He thought about what she told him for days after that dinner. She always manages to look cool and collected while he barely had control over his emotions around her. He avoided social situations where he was alone with the couple. Therefore, he stopped visiting Mario at the house or joining him for dinners or drinks.

Despite his efforts, He has seen Autumn many times since the dinner at SteakOut, in person and from afar in Mario’s suite or around the rink. He was polite but reserved towards her when he had no choice but be in her presence or talk to her. They chatted on various occasions but the topics seemed formal and more boring than that of the weather. But Sidney tried to interact with her knowing that it would mean so much for Mario. The more he was around her the more he got why Mario loved her.

It wasn’t until Christmas time that Mario brought up the subject of Sidney’s off the ice demeanor. Following the last game before the holiday break, Mario asked Sidney to meet him in his office. He couldn’t remember the last time they had a conversation that lasted more than 5 minutes. Sidney was avoiding him and now more so than before. He thought that it was no coincidence that he stopped dropping by the house or even talk to him outside of the rink.

Entering Mario’s office, Sidney seemed stressed though they had just won a game where he had 2 goals and an assist. Mario cut to the chase right away. “Have a seat. What’s the problem Sidney? We’ve known each for more than 10 years now. You better tell me why it appears that you’re avoiding me?” Sidney was at a loss of words. After few moments, he collected his thoughts. “I’m not. Why would I avoid you? I’m just busy with hockey and I really want us to win it again this year and prove to everyone that it’s not impossible to repeat”.

Mario rolled his eyes and started to get annoyed that he was lying to him. “Enough with the bullshit Sidney. And no changing topics to hockey. You have a problem with Autumn and me dating and you’re not even willing to be honest about it”. All colors drained from Sidney’s face as he tried to think of what to say fast. “It’s not that”. He simply stated. Mario was getting impatient. He stood up behind his desk and placed his fists on his mahogany desk, lowering himself to look at his protégé. “What is it then?”, he asked. Sidney ventured a look and was met with angry blue eyes. “I just wanted to give you space, you’re in a new relationship and you want to spend more time with her. I didn’t want to intrude”. Half of the truth, Sidney thought.

Mario exhaled a laugh. “is that it? Really? And here I was thinking that you didn’t like her.” The problem is that I like her too much, Sidney thought silently to himself. But he will never share that part with Mario. Mario seemed relieved at the half-lie/half-truth answer that Sidney gave him. Then Mario felt bad for being angry with him. Maybe it was his fault too that he was too preoccupied with his relationship with Autumn that he too ignored Sidney.

“You can never intrude Sid. You are family, I don’t need to remind you of that. Besides, it’s partly my fault too. I should make more time for us to hang out like old times. I guess I just missed beating your ass at pool”. Mario said, earning a small smile from Sidney. Sidney did miss hanging out with Mario too, but he was avoiding any encounter with Autumn because he couldn’t trust himself around her and did not want Mario to catch on to that.

Autumn crossed his mind often and he found himself comparing every woman he met to her. Sidney mostly felt guilty because he knew the woman occupying his mind was Mario’s girlfriend. Girlfriend. Mario’s girlfriend. He reminded himself of that fact every time he caught himself thinking about her or staring for too long. How could he not think of her? About how she was always radiating happiness and confidence. How fast she got along with the team and the WAGs? The latter alone is a challenge. He can never remember a time he saw her not smiling.

After chatting and catching up, Sidney agreed to come to the Christmas dinner that Autumn was cooking for some guests at Mario’s, knowing that he will not be able to go home for the holidays and that his family will be spending it with his sister in Minnesota.

*****

Normally Sidney would just use his keys to enter Mario’s house, but it felt wrong as he was standing there as a guest with a bottle of Mario’s favorite wine and an expensive alcoholic cider. He learned from Nathalie that it’s good manners to always bring the hostess a gift. He thought flowers are too personal, so he assumed that Autumn, like most women he knew, loved cider. As he waited for someone, hopefully Mario, to answer the door, he tried to steady his breathing and act normal as he gave himself some pep talk. It’s just a chick you have a crush on, just get over it Crosby!

Of course, to his luck, Autumn with her brilliant smile and all her short dress glory opened the door for him. “Hi Autumn, it’s good to see you”. “Sidney! I’m glad you could make it, few days ago Mario wasn’t sure you will show up”, Autumn said with her usual cheerful attitude while hugging him. She smelled heavenly. Her long hair cascaded his face for a moment as she kissed him on each cheek. As he entered the house he once called home, he was met with the aroma of turkey and something sweet he couldn’t put his finger on. Of course she can cook. Sidney rolled his eyes at how perfect that woman appears to be. She thanked him for the wine and invited him to join their guests in the living room, where a beautiful ornate Christmas tree was set.

Sidney greeted Mario, Ron Burkle and his wife Janet who decided to spend the holidays in Pittsburgh this year. Autumn’s friends Nate and Tiffany who he met once before were there too. Apparently, it’s a tradition that the three friends spend the holidays together seeing that Nate was Canadian and far away from home, while Tiffany and Autumn considered each other “a family”. It sounded weird to Sidney and he thought that there’s more to this story. Why wouldn’t they spend Christmas with their own families?

Once dinner was ready, Autumn invited everyone to the dining table where a feast was set. The dining room was neatly decorated with the Christmas spirit in every corner. Autumn’s touch could be seen immediately. Dinner was filled with laughter and fun stories that the unlikely group shared. Autumn’s friends were nice and engaging that Sidney found himself talking to them often. They shared many interests including hockey, which put Sidney at ease.

Throughout the night, Autumn would nudge Sidney to ask him if he wants another drink, if he liked the food, or if he’s okay. Sidney was overwhelmed by the attention. He followed her to the kitchen on one of her many trips there. “I’m Okay Autumn, I swear. I will get myself a drink, you don’t have to play hostess with me. You’ve done enough for today. I mean the amount of food you made can feed an army. You must be exhausted. We should be getting you a drink. Can I interest you with a glass of cider Dr. Scott?”.
Sidney asked her playfully.

She swatted him with a kitchen towel across the chest. “What’s with you and cider anyway?”, she asked. “What? You don’t like cider?”, he asked stupefied. “Not really. Someone told you that I did?”.

“Um, no. I guess I thought I knew more about women than I actually do”, Sidney said with a shake of his head and an embarrassed smile. Suddenly his eyes lit up as she was still laughing at his discovery. “I brought the cider for you but since you don’t like it, I’m giving you the second Christmas present”. She looked at him confused mouthing: “second Christmas present?”.
Sidney scratched the back of his neck nervous at the fact that he just slipped. “I got you two presents since I wasn’t sure which one you would like.” He answered mortified. “Oh Sid you’re so sweet, you didn’t have to.” She gave him a tight hug that Sidney thought ended too fast for his liking. He felt that for the first time they were talking less formally and that she liked him and was trying to get to know him somehow, given how important he is to Mario of course.

For the rest of the evening, hockey was the prominent subject. It didn’t bother Autumn anymore. She’s gotten used to it in the four months she’s been dating Mario Lemieux. She was pleased that everyone enjoyed the food she spent so long preparing all by herself, despite Mario’s insistence on helping. That man should not be near a kitchen let alone work in it. When Mario told her not to worry if the food could feed way more than the number of guests, she did not take him seriously. But as she watched Sidney Crosby eat, she understood.

As the clock ticked closer to midnight, Ron and his wife wished everyone a merry Christmas and left as they had an early Christmas day flight. After their departure, Sidney stood up and was planning on leaving as well. As he looked in the couple’s direction, Mario gave him a pointed look. “You’re not going anywhere. Tiff and Nate are sleeping over, and you are too. Plus, you’ve been drinking.” Mario told him decisively. Knowing Mario, Sidney thought that there was no use in arguing over this.

Returning to his seat that was facing the couple, he noticed how tired Autumn looked as she cuddled to her boyfriend’s side, legs tucked under her and both arms hugged Mario’s wide torso, resting her right hand over his chest. She caught him staring and gave him a tired but heart-melting smile. She was happy that Sidney came and that they seem to get along better. He was less reserved than usual, playful even. She felt they were making progress in their new friendship.

While Mario, Tiff and Nate were in deep conversation, Autumn looked at Sidney again. “I could use some cider”, she said, taking him off guard. Sidney gave her a weird look. “It’s the most boring beverage and I need to sleep, so…” Sidney laughed and shook his head. “You’re drunk and tired, I think you could use some sleep”, he answered smartly.

Suddenly, Tiff jumped and gasped startling Sidney that he jumped too. “WHAT?”, he asked alarmed. “It’s midnight, merry Christmas everyone!”. The group erupted in laughter at the drunk excitement of Tiffany and the panicked reaction of Sidney. As the laughter was dying, Mario looked into the green of Autumn’s eye, nudged her nose with his and whispered a merry Christmas followed by a slow passionate kiss.

As they stared at each other again, Mario couldn’t help himself. “I love you Autumn, so much that I want to spend every Christmas with you. I don’t care if that sounds too much, it’s how I feel. I’m happier than I’ve ever been and it’s because of you”. Mario whispered as he used his thumb to gently wipe the single tear that slipped on her cheek. “I love you too Mario and I’m so happy to spend every holiday with you”, Autumn answered honestly as she kissed him one more time. They were in their own bubble not noticing the three pairs of eyes and the “awe” look that Tiff was sending their way.

Sidney had to smile and swallow the lump in his throat. No matter how much he liked Autumn, he needs to learn to be her friend and nothing more. He needs to suppress the urges to hug her, kiss her or more. She’s happy with Mario. Mario was speaking the truth, he is happier than Sidney has ever seen him. They look like the perfect couple and deep down, Sidney was jealous. Jealous that Mario has got something that he will never have.

Notes

Hiya everyone!

Thanks again for reading and commenting! the plot is a little slow at this point, but I hope you're still getting to enjoy the characters and the build up to the actions in the near future. Just bear with me :)

Again your votes feedback motivates me to write so keep it up!

Charlie