Chapter 82

"You're right on time," I said letting Max come through the door and taking his coat.
"You know me, I hate to be late. It smells fantastic in here," he said following me into the kitchen.
"Thanks. Boys, get washed up for dinner please," I shouted only to hear a chorus of groans in return.


Dinner was far from uneventful. Max was telling the boys stories about growing up with two older brothers and the trouble they used to get into.
"I remember when I was 8, my brother Will caught his girlfriend giving me a kiss and he was sooooo mad. The next day my picture and my underwear was posted on the bulletin board in the cafeteria at school. People made fun of me for weeks!"
"No way!" Alex cried. "That would be so embarrassing!"
"It was, but I got the girl so it all worked out."
"Oh, so you've been a ladies man your whole life then?" I joked.
"Ouch, that stings!" he laughed.
"Okay boys, you have half and hour to watch tv before your baths."
"Max, can I ask you something?" Alex asked timidly.
"Anything bud."
"I have this big hockey tournament this weekend, and I need some serious help with my shot. I'd ask Sid but he's not around so...would you maybe show me a few things?"
"Well, my shot is nowhere near as good as Sid's but I'd be happy to help you out."
'So he not only abandoned me, but my kid too. '
"Why don't you guys go down to the basement and I'll do the dishes," I said getting up from the table.
"I can help you before we go down."
"It's okay, I'll be fine. Go."



A few minutes later I heard the familiar sound of pucks being shot and hitting everything but the net I suspected. I wondered if that was the same sound Sid's grandmother heard coming from her basement when he was little. 'Sid, where the hell are you? Why haven't you called?' I thought as I began to clear the dishes from the table.



When it was all said and done, Alex was ecstatic with the help Max had given him and was confident he was going to be the tournament's highest scorer. Once the boys were in bed, I joined Max in the living room where he had been investigating the bookcase that was dedicated to David.

"Wow, your brother was something else non?" he asked as I flopped down on the couch.
"He was amazing. The perfect blend of intensity and humour. I guess he would be a cross between you and Sidney."
"Can't go wrong there right?" he inquired sitting on the couch beside me. "Tell me about him, about your life growing up with him."
"We've already been through all that."
"No, tell me the little personal stories, like the one with the underwear I told you guys. That's how you really get to know someone. I want to know you Bekah. I want to know what makes you tick."

Before I knew it, it was after midnight and we had been talking non stop; exchanging stories of our childhood. It was the first time I could remember talking about David and being happy. It felt so good to tell someone about him; the real him, not just the hockey player.
"Thank you Max."
"For what?"
"For letting me talk about David. I haven't thought about our happy memories in I don't know how long."
"It really was my pleasure. Like I said, it's those stories that really let you get to know someone, and I want to know you Bekah."
Our faces were no more than three inches apart. His ice blue eyes bore a hole deep into my soul. I was able to open my whole life up to him, but why? What was this intense connection I shared with him? And was it real or my imagination? Sidney's words ran through my mind as I stared into those beautiful blue ponds.
"Can I ask you something Max?" I said barely above a whisper.
"Anything bijou," he replied placing his hand over mine.
"Why are you so interested in me? Is it just to get under Sid's skin?"
"No, that's just an added bonus!"
I pulled my hand out from under his and smacked his arm.
"Are you interested because you want to be my friend, or because you see me as another conquest you're trying to get into bed?"
"I can't believe you'd even ask me that," he said slightly offended.
"Really?" I was surprised. "I know all about you and your women Max, and your dislike for Sid is no secret. Wouldn't that just be the ultimate conquest to sleep with Sid's girlfriend?"
"You are an amazingly sexy woman Bekah, and sleeping with you would certainly be a 'conquest' as you call it, but not because you're Sid's girlfriend; because you are beautiful, smart, funny, caring person who puts everyone else's needs before her own."
His hand now gently caressed my cheek and the look in his eyes sent shivers through my body.
"Golden boy doesn't deserve you. He left you Bekah. He could be here with you right now, but he left you here alone. I'd never do that to you," he whispered while slowly his lips moved towards mine.
"Don't do that Max," I said slightly pulling away. "I can't be your friend if you are going to constantly bad mouth Sid. And I certainly can't be your friend if you're trying to get me into bed."
"That's not what I'm trying to do. I care about you Bekah and I want you to be happy. I don't think that Sid is the one who can make that happen."
"But you are?"
"I didn't say that. I just want you to keep your options open; don't get caught up in the 'idea' of Sidney Crosby, be fully aware of what he is and what a life with him would mean. And I want you to know that I will be here for you, no matter what you need. Promise me if you want or need anything you'll just ask?"
I pondered his statements for a moment as I evaluated his body language and facial expressions. Was he sincere? Something in my gut told me he was. I guess there's only one way to find out.
"I would like one thing Max."
"And that is?" he asked with a raised eyebrow.
"I'd like some company in Harrisburg this weekend."