Chapter 71

Lily and I took our seats and waited for the guys to come out for warm ups.

"I'm really glad you could come with me tonight Lil. It seems like forever since we were able to spend any time together," I told my best friend.

"I know. Working opposite shifts has really put a damper on our social time, but at least it works for me staying with the boys while you're working. I love those kids ya know."

"Believe me, they love you too and so do I. I can't thank you enough for helping me out with the boys and everything else this last little while. I appreciate it."

The Pens came flying out of the runway and onto the ice. God I loved watching them just skating around their end before they started taking shots, it had to be my favourite thing about coming to the games. Just then, Sid skated by and gave me a little wink. I smiled in acknowledgement.

"If you really wanted to thank me, you could get me one of those! Damn he's gorgeous!"

"Hey, watch it! That's my boyfriend you're drooling over. Besides, they broke the mould when they made him."

"Your what?"

"Boyfriend."

"Since when?" Lily's high pitched scream rang out bringing the attention of about 50 people sitting around us with it.

"Will you keep your voice down, everyone's looking at us."

"I'm sorry, but you just blurt out that the best player in the NHL, not to mention one of the hottest is now your boyfriend and you want me to be quiet!"

"Yes, that's exactly what I'm asking."

"When did this happen?" Lily asked hungry for details.

"New Year's. He found out about his dad; everything he did to keep us apart and we talked through it. I was still determined to stay away from him until he told me he was in love with me and forced me to admit that I was in love with him and that was it. We just kinda happened. We both agreed that we were not going to tell anyone except for you, his family, Mario and Marc and Colby. I don't want the boys to know yet. They think were just friends anyways, so it works. Anyways, he left for the road trip the next day and just got home yesterday and here we are."

"How did he find out?"

"Gloria told him. Don't ask how because it's a long story."

"So, you've been holding out on me since New Years? And you call yourself my best friend!"

"I am your best friend Lil, it just kinda happened so fast, then he was gone and you and I have both been so busy, but I'm telling you now and that's what matters. Forgive me?"

Lily thought about it for a minute. "Forgiveness will require gifts," she smirked and I knew she wasn't really mad at me.

"Hmm, What kind of gift?"

Just then a loud bang startled the both of us. We looked up to see Max Talbot smirking after shooting a puck at the glass right in front of us.

"Oh-my-God! Can I have one of those?" Lily said without taking her eyes off Max.

"Oh Lily, that is one road you do NOT want to travel! I hear he's quite a womanizer."

"Then the ride might be fun!" was Lily's only reply.




Lily and I watched with disappointment as the Pens lost to the Thrashers 4-3. The physicality continued over from the previous game. Sid was hooked and high-sticked yet he was the one that got penalized for unsportsmanlike when he pointed out the infractions to the refs. I'm sure there were more than a few colourful words spewing from his lips, but nevertheless, it was bullshit.

Sid was outraged. I knew he was irritated with himself for letting Kovalchuk get under his skin again. Even Don Cherry stuck up for Sid after the missed calls. I knew it was not going to be pleasant after the game and momentarily debated leaving without seeing Sid but opted not to make the situation worse.

Lily and I waited in the family lounge after the game. Players were coming out a few at a time and I exchanged pleasantries with them. Most of them remembered me from the family skate before Christmas. A few minutes later Marc emerged from the locker room with Max. They made their way over to us and Lily grasped my arm.

"Hey Bekah, how are you?"

"I'm good Marc, how about yourself?"

"Oh, can't complain," he said giving me that trademark grin.

'Really, after a loss he's really this chipper?' I thought.

Max gave him a little nudge in the ribs.

"So, I don't think I've met your friend," Marc quickly said.

"I'm sorry, this is my friend Lily. Lily this is Marc and..."

"Uh Max," Max said extending his arm and shaking my hand. He and Lily locked eyes and shook hands a little too long without breaking their gaze. I looked at Marc and he looked at me and just shook his head. He coughed and cleared his throat to get Max's attention and Max quickly dropped Lily's hand.

"So Bekah, you're a friend of Sid's?"

"Yes."

"I'm sorry to hear that. It's a bad night to be waiting for him, he's pissed! I don't think he's going to be very good company tonight."

"Don't worry about her, she can handle Sid. She's put him in his place more than once," Marc laughed.

"Really? I'm fascinated! Someone actually stood up to golden boy?"

"You wouldn't?"

"Stand up to Sid? Not a chance! I'd like to keep my job. Pissing off super star is not the way to do that!"

"That's a little harsh Max," Marc said. "Leave the guy alone. If you put up with even half the shit he has to, you'd be a little crusty too."

"Whatever Flower," Max said rolling his eyes. "We're going to go grab a drink at Diesel, do you ladies care to join us?" Max asked.

I looked at Lily and her eyes were pleading with me to say yes, but before I got a chance to answer, Sid came out of the locker room like a freight train. Without slowing down or making eye contact with anyone he said, "Let's go," and kept walking.

I looked at Marc, who mouthed the words 'I'm sorry', then to Max who said, "You'd better run, golden boy beckons."

"Lily?" I asked questioningly.

"Go, I'll be fine. I drove remember?"

"Thanks Lil, you're the best! I'll call you later."

I turned and ran to catch up to Sid, but not before I heard Marc say, "I sure wouldn't want to be her tonight!"

Sidney's POV

I thought about yesterday as I drove to the rink. Holding her in my arms and waking up next to her was the most peaceful I've felt in a long time. Lying there beside her, watching her sleep, made it seem like there was nothing else going on in the outside world. I was completely at home with her. She was one person I felt that I could totally be myself around and not worry about what she'd think. I felt completely safe when I was with her. There was only one problem. Bekah drove me absolutely wild! Those eyes, those lips, that body! How was I going to be able to keep finding excuses not to be with her without her getting suspicious? How was I going to be able to resist her period?! Feeling her hands all over my body almost drove me to the brink. I wanted her so bad. I wanted so badly to hold her and kiss her and make love to her. But the very thought scared me to death! I have never been with anyone before. What if I was horrible? Would she know how inexperienced I was? Of course she'd know! Talk about pressure! No, this definitely couldn't happen, not right now. Not anytime soon!






"What's up with you today Sid?" Flower asked as we finished up practice.
"Nothing, why?"
"You were, how you say...an animal. So much energy."
"I'm just feeling good. Nothing unusual. Do you want to stay and take some shots, I'm not ready to go quite yet?"
"More shots? From you? Can't you just use the empty net? I don't know if I can handle any more one on one's from you with the way you've been shooting today."
"C'mon Flower, I need the challenge. Not that shooting against you is a real challenge..."
"That was low even for you Sid," Marc said as he lowered his mask and skated back towards the net.
I took a few shots on him and then skated around in circles. This was actually my favourite time. Staying after practice, skating by myself, shooting on the empty net, practising picking up the pucks as they bounce off the boards. It's where I came to do most of my thinking.
"Hey, I thought we were going to grab some lunch?" Army's voice snapped me out of my thoughts.
"Yeah, I just wanted some more time on the ice."
"Uh oh. More time on the ice means that something is bothering you and you've recruited Flower to be your tutor shooter. Oh man this can't be good."
Colby skated over to the net and stood beside Flower and they both looked at me with anticipation. I skated around in a few more circles before picking up a puck and stick handling it for a bit.
"You two couldn't be more wrong," I said bouncing the puck on the end of my stick before hitting it baseball style and sending it whizzing right by Flower's head.
"Hey watch it! I didn't even have my mask down!"
"So if you're not pissed about something, what's up?" Army said skating towards me and passing me the puck I'd just shot at Flower's head.
"Nothing. I couldn't be happier really. Well, I would be happier if we were winning, but other than that, I can't complain."
Army had a puzzled look on his face. Finally he had it! "Did you get laid last night or something?" he asked.
"Jesus Christ Army, could you be any more crude?"
"Actually yeah. So did you?"
Army's question had gotten Flower's attention and he now skated towards us at centre ice.
"No. Not that I would tell you if I did, but that's not why I'm happy."
"Does this have something to do with Bekah?" Marc asked.
"Wait, who's Bekah?" was Army's question.
"Bekah is a girl that Sid liked but his dad didn't. He even threatened her to stay away from him."
"Whoa. He didn't threaten her, he just strongly suggested," I found myself trying to defend my dad.
"Yeah, strongly suggested that if she didn't stay away from you it would ruin your career and your reputation."
"What's wrong with this girl?" Colby asked.
"Absolutely nothing. She's beautiful and amazing and smart and beautiful and..."
"And she's a mother!" Flower interrupted.
"Holy fuck! You like a girl with a kid? What the hell's wrong with you Sid?"
"Nothing is wrong with me."
"And it's not just one kid, it's two. And she's been divorced, and her son is the same age as Sid's sister, and she's what? Ten years older than you?"
"Well, I don't know Flower, this seems to be your story. And it's twelve years actually."
"Ten, twelve, who gives a shit! Sid, buddy, listen to me. Old, divorced, mother? What the hell are you thinking? You need to get as far away from this girl as you can. Sorry pal, I'm with your dad on this one! Besides, you're young, and not really my type, but some people think you're hot and you play in the NHL for crying out loud! You can have any girl you want and then some. Explore your options my friend. Get to know a few puck sluts, have some fun!"
"I don't want any of that bullshit. I'm not going to go screw any girl with a heartbeat just because I can. I want to be with someone I'm in love with. I want to be with Bekah."
"Yeah well fat chance of that happening when daddy don't approve."
"Actually, she and my dad worked everything out. He adores her now and I have his support to be with her."
"Has he lost his mind?"
"Wait, did you say LOVE?" Flower asked.
"Yes. I love her. I'm in love with her and she's in love with me too. We are together but we're keeping it very quiet for now. Bekah doesn't want the boys to know yet, so she's only telling Lily and the old couple next door and I'm only telling my family, Mario and you two, so as my best friends, I expect you to keep your mouths shut."
"We can't even tell anyone else on the team?" Colby asked. "We need to recruit some help if we're going to make fun of you for dating an old chick."
"You're not funny Army. And no. No one else knows. Not yet. Everybody already knows were friends anyways, so it won't be hard to explain why we're hanging out."
"Are you sure about this mon ami?"
"Yes Flower, I'm sure. What's with the doubt? I thought you liked Bekah?"
"I do. I adore her actually, and her kids. I just want to make sure you're sure."
"I am. I haven't been this sure about anything except playing hockey."
"Then I'm happy for you."
"Merci Marc. It means alot. Army? What about you?"
He was silent for a moment. "You know I'll support whatever you want buddy, but can I ask you one thing?"
"What?"
"Do you order off the kid's menu when you two go to dinner?"