I flipped the channel on the television, turning the page of the magazine I was trying to read. Just as I was giving up on ways to entertain myself, the door knocked. I got up stretching walking over to the door.
“Hey,” Sidney smiled as I opened the door.
“Hey yourself,” I said opening the door wider for him.
“I thought you might want to have breakfast,” he offered holding up two coffees and a small brown bag and placing them on the counter.
“And to what do I owe this lovely visit,” I said peeking into the bag and pulling out two muffins and scones.
He shrugged. “I just wanted to see you.” he picked up his coffee and took a drink.
“You mean before you left for your road trip,” I calmly stated taking a bite out of the muffin. He choked on his coffee, lowering his eyes to the floor. I couldn’t even pretend to be upset. He was too adorable for that. I only smiled and laughed. “It’s ok.”
He gave me a confused look. “You're not mad?”
I shrugged. “I can never be mad at you.”
“But, I didn’t tell you, at all,” he mumbled.
“I know.”
“Then why aren’t you mad?”
I shrugged. “I don’t know. I was bothered at first, but not so much now. I know you didn’t do it intentionally. I would’ve just liked to know a little earlier,” I explained.
He nodded slowly. “I know. I guess I figured Max would tell Peyton and she would tell you, so I wouldn’t have to. I didn’t know how to tell you.”
I walked over to him and looked into his eyes. “I know it’s hard and I forgive you this time. But next time, just please tell me,” I smiled.
“I will. I promise.” He led me to the living room to sit down on the couch and brought over our muffins.
“What time do you have to leave here?”
“Practice is at 1 and we’re getting on a plane after that,” he said.
I nodded. “So we have a good couple of hours before you leave me.”
He smiled. “Pretty much.” He took a bite from his muffin and stared down at what was left. “So have you spoken to your father?”
I gulped my coffee and looked up at him. “No.”
“Are you going to?”
I sighed before answering. “Yeah, I am. I’ve been trying to avoid it but I know I have to. I’ll probably call him while you're away so we can work everything out for him to come.”
“Are you nervous?”
“As weird as it sounds, I am,” I admitted. “I know I shouldn’t be because he’s my father and everything, but we haven’t had a relationship for so long that I don’t know how to act around him or what to say to him. I don’t even know if I’ll offer him to stay here or just let him go to a hotel. I don’t want anything worse to happen.”
“It wont,” he assured rubbing my arm. “It’ll all be fine, Brooke. I think it’s good that he’s visiting. And if you need anything, you can tell me. I can find him a nice hotel to stay at and pay for it or his ticket if you want.”
“No, it’s fine. You shouldn’t waste your money on that. You're right it’ll be fine. I’m just freaking out is all. Thank you, for offering though.”
He took my hand and smiled at me. “Brooke, you’ll be fine. And things might even turn out better than you expected. Just try to do this for yourself. Don’t force yourself to be nice just because you feel bad. Think about yourself and do what you want, like you told me. I listened to you and look how great that turned out,” he let out a small laugh. “If you do the same, things might turn out better than you expected.”
I leaned in and wrapped my arms around him, squeezing him tightly. It took him a while before he slowly placed a hand on my back and hugged me. “Thank you Sidney. For listening to me and being here. You have no idea how much this means to me.”
“I’ll always be here for you Brooke,” he mumbled.
-----------------------
I crossed my arms as I waited for Peyton to answer the door. I had been standing outside her apartment for five minutes waiting for her to open and let me in. I was already preparing a long speech on the ways of opening the door when someone knocks and adding profanities when she finally opened the door.
“Hey,” she greeted as if nothing were wrong.
I blinked at her, completely forgetting my speech and deciding to just walk in. “You know, when someone knocks on your door, the courteous thing to do is to open it.”
“Sorry, but I was watching tv. I figured you could wait until commercial,” she said.
“Just for that comment I’m going to do a horrible job painting your apartment. I didn’t even want to be here.”
“But you’re alone now that Sidney’s gone,” she pointed out.
“So? You're alone too. Max is gone,” I told her.
“It’s not the same thing. Max isn’t as big of a deal as Sidney. He has more free time to call me. Besides if I didn’t get you out of your house, what would you be doing, watching tv sitting by the phone all day?”
“No.”
“Whatever, at least I care about you. You know you would much rather be here with me,” she argued.
I shook my head taking off my jacket and throwing it on the couch. The whole apartment was already covered with tarps and the buckets of paint were on the floor with brushes. I pulled my hair up in a ponytail and pulled up my jeans.
“Ok, so I thought we’d paint the wall where the couch is and keep moving to the right,” she motioned to the walls.
I nodded. “Sounds reasonable.”
“And if you do a good job, I’ll get pizza,” she added grinning.
“Right, because I’m a dog that needs a reward,” I muttered.
“What?”
“Nothing. We should probably get started.” I kneeled down opening the first two cans and opening the brushes and attaching the rollers. I handed one to Peyton who got up and poured some paint and dipping her brush in it.
“So were you mad at Sidney for not telling you about the whole road trip thing?”
I shrugged. “Not really. I do wish he would’ve told me, but it’s ok. I know he didn’t know how to tell me. I can’t blame him for being considerate.”
“I didn’t mean to tell you and ruin the whole thing. I’m sure he would have told you. I really am sorry,” she said rolling the brush up and down the wall.
I rolled mine on the opposite end of the wall blowing my bangs away from my face. “It’s ok. You didn’t mean to.”
After about twenty more minutes we finished one wall and stepped back to look at the color. “Wow, that’s nice.”
I nodded. “It is.”
She sighed. “Only three more walls to go.” We both looked at each other and laughed.
----------------------
“That was a good game,” Peyton said drinking her soda.
“It was. Tim Thomas was really good. I’m glad they just got a few pucks past him.” I took another bite of my pizza leaning against the couch on the floor. I crossed my legs and turned back to the television checking the highlights and some of the Bruins interviews.
“You know that Tyler kid is not so bad looking. He seems like a classy guy,” Peyton nodded towards the television.
I laughed. “Vero thinks he’s good looking too.”
After a few minutes of silence Peyton said something. “I heard Tyler asked you out.”
I looked at her smirking face growing uncomfortable. “How did you-”
“Max told me,” she said as a matter of fact.
I gave her a confused look. “How could he possibly-”
“Sidney told him.”
“And how did-”
“He heard your little conversation with Tyler, or his conversation with you. He’s not as sweet and innocent as you like to think,” she joked. “Sidney told Max that he had a feeling when he went to talk to the girls. He tried to stay close and signed a few things for the girls quickly and took pictures and the rest of the time he stood there listening in, pretending to make conversation.”
I raised my eyebrows in surprise. “And he heard everything Tyler said.”
She smiled nodding. “Yup. He heard him calling Sidney kind, complimenting your name, asking if you lived around here, and being all nervous about being too forward and asking if he could see you again. Max told me that Sid seemed pretty jealous about other guys talking to you. In a cute way of course.”
I shook my head. “I don’t think Sidney’s the jealous type.”
“Well he was then. You know, Tyler seems to have really liked you.”
“Yeah, sure,” I waved a hand.
She sighed sitting up straighter. “Can I point something out to you without you arguing or getting mad?” I gave her a look before slowly nodding. “Have you noticed how many guys have liked you, asked you out, or had a thing for you? And they’ve all just met you?”
“What’s your point?”
“My point is that this should prove to you that you're pretty, smart, and amazing. You need to stop selling yourself short. Doesn’t all these guys liking you prove that you are great and you just cant see it? Look how many people like you and you don’t even know it.”
“I still don’t see what you're getting at.”
“Forget I said anything. I just want you to be able to see how great you are Brooke. And to stop wondering every night how Sidney could ever like you, like I know you do, and realize that he’s incredibly lucky to have you.”
I pursed my lips thinking over what she had just said. I took in a deep breath looking back as they were finishing up their interview with Milan Lucic and moving to Tyler Seguin. “He does seem like a classy guy,” I decided.
“If only he weren’t so young,” Peyton sighed.
“Yeah, because that’s the problem and not the fact that you have a boyfriend.”
She shrugged. “Minor details.”
I rolled my eyes at her turning around to look at the freshly painted walls. “Aside from the fact that we sat in this room with all the paint fumes which probably wasn’t such a good idea, it looks good.”
“Yeah. It feels homier now. Kind of like your place. You know, I asked for your help because I was hoping to make it look like yours.”
“Why?”
“You always made it feel comfortable and it was always clean. You could always smell your perfume, not because you wore too much but because you always walked back and forth and it would smell like you everywhere. You made me feel peaceful. Like I was at home and lived there forever.”
“Really?”
She nodded. “You made me feel happy, like I never wanted to leave. It’s just how you make people feel. You make Sidney feel like that too. Max and I can see it. He’s always serious and focusing on hockey but with you, he’s more relaxed and looks lucky to have you in his life.”
I felt a small smile tugging on my lips. “You guys think so?”
She nodded once more. “Yeah. Max says he’s never seen him happier. I told him I’ve never seen you happier too. Your whole life, you’ve been pleasing people and not doing anything for yourself. Now, you're with him and you're enjoying yourself and being a little selfish.”
I let out a small laugh standing up and pulling down my jeans. I picked up the empty box of pizza and bought it over to the trash. “Can you hand me the plates?”
“Why?”
“So I can wash them,” I said.
“No, you're not helping cleaning up. You’ve done enough. I’ve taken enough advantage of you today. Go home. Rest. Stare at your phone waiting for Sidney to call,” she smirked.
I gave her a look. “Like you don’t stare at your phone waiting for Max to call.”
“I don’t. he gives me a time when he’ll call. If he calls too late he starts talking way too much. And you know my brain doesn’t function after a certain time.”
I laughed shaking my head at her. “Are you sure you don’t want my help?”
“Yes, I’m positive. Go home,” she said pushing me towards the door.
“Fine,” I mumbled.
She grabbed my arm and turned me around. “Thanks, again. It was nice spending time. Just the two of us. Maybe we can do it again. What with our famous hockey player boyfriends gone and everything.”
I grinned at her. “Anytime.”
------------------------
I sat down in my bed pulling the sheets up to my chest. I stared at the phone down in my hands and picked it up. I took in a deep breath, feeling a knot forming in my stomach. It had been a few days since I had received the message from him. I meant to call, I just didn’t know what to say. I knew I couldn’t keep avoiding it. I closed my eyes putting all my energy into the phone magically dialing itself and leaving a message. I opened one eye to find the phone still in front of me.
I sighed reluctantly picking up the phone and slowly pressing the buttons. I had to do this. For my own sanity. I needed this. No amount of lying could hide it. I slowly pressed the last number and put the phone to my ear. It rang.
I hoped the machine would pick up, knowing with my luck it wouldn’t. besides, he would be in bed by now, watching sports highlights. He’d have a sandwich and a glass of water by his bed, which he would eat during commercial. It rang again.
I kept telling myself, that no matter what happened, him coming, it going horribly, I’d have people to turn to. I’d have Peyton to comfort me and try to cheer me up. I’d have the guys from the team whom I was growing closer to. Most of all, I’d have Sidney who would make sure nothing goes wrong. Who would want to make me happy. He’d make sure I was fine. It would all be all right. I took in a deep breath feeling more secure and less nervous. The phone rang for the last time.
“Hello,” a deep, scratchy voice answered. I took in a sharp breath making sure he didn’t hear me.
I opened my mouth to say something, but nothing.
“Hello,” he said again, growing impatient.
I breathed in, reminding myself I had people. Friends. I could do this.
“Hello,” he said for the last time.
“Hi,” I replied in a low voice.
“Brooke?” he asked, losing the solemn tone.
“Yes,” I answered. “It’s me.” I could do this I repeated to myself. It wasn’t so terrifying anymore.
This wouldn’t be as daunting as I had imagined. The call that I had been dreading for years wasn’t making me panicked anymore. I could do it. I took in another deep breath before speaking again.
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Pizza and Food
I wiped down the counter and walked over into the living room to fix the pile of magazines lying around. I gave the table a slight wipe and placed the remote on top of the television. I went back into the kitchen to wash the dishes and managed to get done soon. As I was drying my hands, the door knocked,
“Open,” I heard a voice mutter.
I walked over to peek through the door only to have it smack me in the face. “Ow, hello to you too,” I said.
Peyton walked into the living room with two huge binders in her hand and thousands of paint swatches in on top. “I need help.”
“Help with what?” I asked walking over and rubbing my nose.
She sat down on the couch and blew her bangs away from her face. “I don’t know what color to color my apartment or what kind of rug I want. Or if I even want a rug or tiles.”
“I just finished cleaning the table,” I muttered.
“What?”
“Nothing,” I shook my head. “Wait, you’re just choosing colors now? Shouldn’t that have been done before you moved in?”
She shrugged. “I like doing things backwards.”
I rolled my eyes sitting next to her and picking up one paint swatch. “Well, do you want bright or simple colors?”
“Simple. I don’t want my apartment to look like a clown threw up on it,” she cringed.
I laughed going over to pick up the remote and turn the television on. “Good point.”
“I also need to decide if I want to put in a nice, cozy rug or cold, but tasteful tiles on the floor,” she added. I sat back down taking rug samples and running my hand through them. “Oh, look they’re interviewing Sidney. Turn it up.”
I raised the volume looking at how serious and focused Sidney was when doing interviews. “So Sidney,” Dan Potash began. “You guys have been on a pretty good streak and have a lot going for you defensively. What do you think it’ll take to keep the momentum going?”
Sidney adjusted his cap before answering. “Yeah, it’s been pretty good. We have some great guys on D and they keep playing great. We just work hard everyday and try to keep improving and make sure that we’re doing the best we can.”
“And you guys have a game against Boston tonight and after that as well. How do you think you’ll play and how will you make sure you pull off a win?”
“It’s just a matter of working hard and doing the best we can. Like I said, we have some great guys on defense and they always open up good chances for us and we try to capitalize on that and keep pushing. Boston has some great guys as well and Tim Thomas has been pretty great this season. We just hope we can keep the momentum on our side and push their team and put in some goals.”
“And lastly, you guys have a road trip coming up soon, do you think you’ll be able to keep this streak up while on the road? You’re up against some pretty competitive teams.”
He nodded. “We are and we hope we can just keep playing good hockey and pull off wins. I mean it’s been great, but if it ends we’ll just try to win again. These guys have been working really hard and I have no doubt they can continue winning.”
“Thank you Sidney. Good luck tonight.”
“Thanks,” he said walking away.
“It sucks,” Peyton said.
“What?”
“That they’re going away tomorrow. It’s too soon.”
I gave her a confused look. “What are you talking about?”
“Their road trip. It starts the day after tomorrow remember? They’re playing-” she sighed. “Sidney didn’t tell you yet,” she mumbled.
“No, he didn’t tell me.”
“He probably just didn’t know how to tell you,” she assured.
“Yeah, probably.”
“You're not mad are you?”
I shook my head. “No, I’m not mad. I just would’ve liked to know sooner.”
“You can take it out on my paint swatches if you want.”
I laughed looking down at the one in my hand. “I like this one. It’s nice.”
“It is. I think I’ve found the one,” she said looking down at the color I had chosen. It was a very light yellow. Almost pale. It was happy but not too cheery. It made you feel peaceful, calm. “Well, we better get going,” she said checking her watch.
“For what?”
“The game’s about to start.”
“Oh, already?” I got up and adjusted my shirt and pulled up my pants going to my room to get my jacket. Peyton turned off the television and checked her reflection on the screen quickly. I grabbed my keys and closed the door, making sure to lock it.
-------------------------------
“Do you think Vero is here?” Peyton asked trying to find our box seats.
“I don’t know but I hope so. She seemed really nice.”
“Ahh here it is.” Peyton opened the door as we walked in only to see no one was there. “Are we the only ones?”
“I guess so,” I said crossing my arms. I felt uncomfortable being here. I preferred sitting near the ice because it was so much more exciting. I had never understood box seats. I knew the rich people sat here and were much more fancy than the hot dogs and soda but apart from the food and treatment, it was no better. Why would someone want to sit all the way up here and not feel the excitement and cheering going on? I wondered if they could even see the puck. I sighed taking a seat closest to the window. Peyton was busy scanning the place for criminals and for food.
“Hey guys.” I turned around to see Vero coming in smiling at us.
“Hey,” I smiled. Peyton stuck her head through the door and waved.
“We’re glad you could make it.”
“Thanks. It’s good to see you two again. Is anyone else coming?”
I shrugged. “I think it’s just us tonight.”
She took off her jacket and sat down next to me looking at the arena where people were starting to file in by the crowd. “What is Peyton doing?” she nodded towards the door where the food was kept.
“Looking for food,” I said.
“Which there is none,” she pointed out.
“I saw a whole refrigerator of food Peyton.”
“You mean a whole refrigerator full of snotty, rich people food. There was all tiny little fruit on a stick and some gray stuff on a cracker. I mean, why would you put fruit on a stick? You can’t just eat it like normal people?”
Vero and I both laughed shaking our heads at Peyton. “I am getting pretty hungry.”
“I’m going to do down to go get normal people food. You guys want me to bring you something?” we both nodded as she headed out the door. “Stupid, arrogant, conceded fruit,” she muttered.
Vero laughed. “Is she always like this?”
“Just when she doesn’t eat. She gets cranky,” I said.
She nodded walking into the room Peyton had been in and pulling out a small cart full of every alcohol you can imagine. She went back in and pulled out a small wooden cart and opened the small doors to turn on a television. “I didn’t know that was there.”
She nodded. “It is.”
“I take it you’ve been here before?”
“Once or twice,” she smirked. “I’ve told Marc I prefer to be in the stands, but he insists this is much better, which I don’t think. But this way, we can see replays.”
“Wow, rich people do like their alcohol,” I joked.
She laughed. “Do you want something? Maybe Peyton does.”
I shook my head. “No. Peyton and I aren’t big drinkers.”
“Neither am I. Only if I’m at a party.” She flipped the channels to the pre-game and sat back down as we watched all the stats for the Boston Bruins. They were currently talking about Tyler Seguin and how he’s been doing his first year in the NHL. They were showing an interview earlier today.
“I hope we can at least play good. The Penguins are a really great team and it’s no secret that Sidney Crosby is an amazing captain and player. I am a little nervous.”
“You know he talks about you a lot,” Vero said.
I looked at her. “Who? Tyler Seguin? I wont lie and say he’s not cute, but I don’t think he even knows me.”
“No. Although I agree that Tyler kid is very good looking,” she smiled. “I’m talking about Sidney. Marc tells me that Sidney is constantly talking about you.”
I felt my face warm up as she laughed at how uncomfortable I was getting. “Wow.”
She nodded. “He doesn’t know I’m telling you this but I think you should know. He tells me that ever since you two happened, he’s been in a great mood everyday. He says he’s never seen him happier,” she grinned.
I looked back at the television that was showing the previous games and zoomed the camera at Sidney’s face. It was hard to imagine that someone who was the youngest captain, the youngest to win the Stanley Cup, and had all these other amazing things happen to him in his life had been happier with someone like me. It was mind-boggling. I turned back to Vero and smiled.
“Brooke, honestly, ever since I met Sidney I can say that this is the happiest I’ve ever seen him. He never stops smiling, especially when he’s just been with you.” I was so surprised I didn’t even know what to say. Thankfully I didn’t have to say anything.
“I’m back. I almost got into a fight with this one girl who was in front of me. She was a real pain in the ass. She kept asking for five million things and when someone gave her what she asked for she claimed it wasn’t what she ordered. I swear I wanted to throw her out of the way. That or say really mean things about her hair.”
Vero and I turned around to see Peyton with a dozen things in her hands. You couldn’t even see her face. We got up to help her and placed things down on the small counter. “Peyton was there anything left at the stand?” I asked looking at everything she had brought.
She thought for a moment. “I think there were a couple of hot dogs left.” She was being serious.
I dragged a small table by the corner in front of our chairs and placed the food on there. There were sodas, hot dogs, nachos, chips, popcorn, 7 different kinds of candy, and some questionable pizza with very strange toppings. Vero grabbed napkins and utensils and straws for us while Peyton was busy putting the ice cream in the freezer.
“Look the game’s about to start,” Peyton said taking a seat. We all sat and started to open our hot dogs and eat the enormous amount of food on the table.
--------------------------
“Ok, I don’t think I can eat anymore,” Peyton groaned placing the empty cup of ice cream on the table. We had all decided it would be fun to top our ice creams with all the candy she brought.
“I don’t think that candy idea was good,” Vero moaned.
“The idea was good in theory, it just wasn’t what I expected,” I said rubbing my stomach.
“And that pizza,” Peyton cried.
I nodded. “That pizza was disgusting.”
“It was so delicious,” Vero smiled.
We both looked at her. “Totally,” I agreed.
“Definitely,” Peyton added.
The game was currently on commercial while both teams discussed with their coaches. Throughout the whole game we wouldn’t give compliments to our own guys but each others. Vero commented on how great Max played or the amazing saves he made and that one slick wrap around goal he scored. Peyton commented on Sid’s stick handling and the goal and assist he managed to get. I, constantly praised the many amazing saves Marc made and how he moved so quickly that nothing got by him.
“Oh, it’s back,” Peyton said. We all sat up and paid close attention to the players. There were about three minutes left. The Penguins were up 3-2 and the Bruins had been incredibly aggressive. They had managed to make some really good hits and had had a lot of scoring chances. Marc would just stop them, and I hoped he would keep it up for the last minutes of the game.
The puck dropped and Patrice Bergeron managed to take control and move swiftly down the ice. Brooks Orpik chased him down the ice trying to poke the puck away. He made a quick pass to Lucic who passed it back. He got closer and slapped the puck top shelf. Marc raised his arm and caught the puck by a piece and held it.
“Oh thank God,” Vero breathed. We all got closer to the window peering down the ice.
“They can win this.” I hoped Peyton was right.
There was a faceoff outside of the Penguins zone between Max and Bergeron. Max won passing it down to Craig Adams. He skated down the ice and I knew they were determined to score one more goal. He passed it to Max again before he got it back and faked a shot from afar then came closer and slapped it.
“Oh, he wants it,” I said eagerly smiling. We all had smiles on our faces from excitement.
Bergeron retrieved the puck and held it for a few seconds. There was about a minute and a half left. He stood there for a minute deciding who to pass it to before he skated towards his bench and made a close pass before going inside the bench. Tyler Seguin and his line came out skating harder and faster. Tyler made a huge hit on Craig stopping him from getting the puck again as Sidney’s line came out.
“Come on, come on,” I heard Vero whisper.
Kris and Brooks were still on the ice and had the puck behind Marc. Just as Brooks skated to the middle of the ice Tyler came and stole the puck. He moved fast down the ice while Kris had gone back to try and get it back. Sidney, Pascal, and Kunitz tried to help him while getting closer to the net to prevent any play. It seemed as if he was all alone while the rest of the Bruins tried to skate down to help him. There was only about 20 seconds left. He moved away staying there for about 10 seconds before skating full throttle and making one quick turn, sliding the puck and shooting it wide.
All three of us got up and held out breaths. I didn’t notice that we were all holding hands and squeezing them tightly in nervousness. It took a while for everyone to react since he had moved so quickly barely anyone saw him slap the puck. Marc, however, was instantly jumping to the side and raising his left arm. We gasped thinking it would make it in. He came back down to waved that he had caught the puck. The horn went off signaling the end of the game and the Penguins all jumped on top of Marc, screaming in happiness.
We all jumped in joy, screaming and throwing our hands in the air, still holding each other’s. We let go and got a female version of a group hug. We turned back to look outside on the ice where the rest of the team had come out to celebrate. The Bruins were slowly making there way to the locker rooms while Tyler had still been standing there, shocked by what had just happened. Although I wasn’t a big fan of the Bruins, or him, I had to admit that a small part of me felt sorry for him. I almost wished he had scored to not see him so sad. Almost.
---------------------
“I still can’t believe that happened. That was so intense. I wasn’t even breathing the entire time,” Peyton went on. She hadn’t stopped being so talkative about the game since we left the room. Vero and I had only kept agreeing with her.
“Tell me about it,” I added. “I thought I was going to faint if he had actually scored.”
“I was mentally threatening Marc the whole time if he didn’t make it,” Vero said. Peyton and I both laughed as we made our way to the locker room.
We had waited a good half hour before coming down, assured that most of the interviews would be done and the guys would be showered and cleaned. When we got there a few of the players were already coming out.
Craig and Brooks came out giving us nod and waving talking about something. We waited about five minutes more before Marc, Sidney, and Max all came out still elated about their win. They all came out with grinning faces.
“Hey,” Max greeted. Peyton smiled and ran over to him as he picked her up.
“Marc!” Vero went over to Marc to squeeze him and kiss her on the cheek.
Sidney came over to me and grinned. “Hey.”
“Hey. That was some game tonight,” I smirked.
“Tonight was amazing,” he admitted.
I shrugged. “I’ll admit, I was cheering for you a little bit.”
He laughed. “Just a little bit?”
“Yeah well you did miss a few great shots, so I wasn’t exactly rooting you on that much,” I joked. We both laughed.
“Geez you guys, can’t you even do something coupley? I mean Brooke he just won a game, a great game and you cant even give him a hug?” Peyton shook her head.
“I think they’re cute,” Vero said. Marc nodded his head agreeing.
“It’s ok Peyton. They’re saving it for tonight. She’s going to give him a big celebratory congrats,” he winked.
“Max!” I yelled glaring at him.
“I meant you were going to give him a big cake. That’s what you're saving for tonight. Brooke, get your head out of the gutter,” he said disappointed.
I scoffed slightly and rolled my eyes at him turning back to Sidney. “Are we leaving now? If I stand too close to Max for so long I start thinking like him.”
He gasped. “What is that supposed to mean? I don’t think I want to be friends with you anymore. I’ll find another named Brooke and call her my best friend.” He grabbed Peyton by the hand and walked away as she waved to us.
“We’re going to go too guys. Have a good night.”
“Bye Brooke. It was good to see you again.” Vero came over and hugged me.
“Yeah, I hope to see you soon.”
“I’ll call you, maybe we can go get lunch or something?”
I smiled. “That’d be great.”
“Ready?” Sidney asked.
I nodded. We walked towards the back exit leading to the parking lot. By the time we got there it was deserted. Except for one car. A group of girls were surrounding Tyler and taking pictures. He smiled politely as they were walking away. He waved at Sidney who smiled back and came up to him.
“Hey, great game,” Sidney shook his hand smiling politely.
“Thanks, but you were better.” He gave a tiny smile, obviously still upset about not getting that goal.
“You were impressive out there. I honestly thought you were going to get that goal,” he joked.
Tyler laughed as I heard footsteps and giggles from behind us. We looked over to see the group of girls were coming back. They whispered and motioned for Sidney to come over, seeming shy. “I’m sorry, excuse me. It was nice to see you again Tyler. Have a good night,” he said walking over to the girls.
I looked over at him smiling at how kind he was. “He’s really kind, huh?”
I turned back to see Tyler smiling back at me. “Yeah, he is.”
He stuck out his hand. “I’m Tyler by the way.”
I smiled shaking his hand. “Nice to meet you. I’m Brooke.”
“Brooke, that’s a great name,” he smiled. “Do you live around here?”
I nodded. “Yeah, not too far actually. I would ask where you live, but that seems like a pretty stupid question,” I admitted.
He laughed towering over me. “Did you like the game?”
“Very much,” I nodded. “I also thought you were going to score. That was a great move you did. If I didn’t like my team so much, I would’ve been hoping you would’ve made it. I almost felt bad for you.”
“Really?”
“Almost,” I smiled laughing.
He smiled again, opening his mouth to say something but stopping himself. He opened it again this time saying, “I know this probably seems really forward and pointless, especially since you probably don’t like my team, but do you think I could see you again?”
I raised my eyebrows in surprise. “Uhm,” I tried to find the right words but got tongue-tied. “Uh,” I looked back at Sidney who was still occupied with the girls.
“Oh, I see,” he said calmly.
I turned back at him, smiling sheepishly. “Yeah, I’m really sorry. Really.”
“It’s ok. I kind of figured, I just wanted to make sure. It’s not big deal, really. It’s too bad though,” he said giving me a boyish smile. “Well I should go, but it nice to meet you Brooke. I hope to see you again. You’re really beautiful.” He walked away giving me one last smiled before shaking his head and getting in his car.
I was too shocked by what had just happened that I didn’t notice Sidney was standing in front of me. “Brooke?”
I shook my head. “Yes?”
“Are you ok?”
I nodded. “I’m fine. Ready?”
He nodded leading me towards his car. “So you talked to Tyler?”
“Yeah, I did. He’s nice. Very nice.”
He nodded. “Yeah, I think he could be a really good player.”
I smiled. “Yeah.” He opened the car door for me helping me up. I turned back to him and kissed him on the cheek. “Have I told you how much I like you?”
He smiled. “No, but I kind of had a feeling.”
I looked up at him, as he placed his hand on top of the car and leaned down to place a small kiss on my lips. I placed my hand on his face and brought him back down kissing him once more. He smiled at me and whispered, “Let’s go home.”
I smiled to myself as he closed the door and got in next to me. that’s when I realized how lucky I was to have him care for me the way he did and have someone tell me everything was alright and make me feel better.
“Open,” I heard a voice mutter.
I walked over to peek through the door only to have it smack me in the face. “Ow, hello to you too,” I said.
Peyton walked into the living room with two huge binders in her hand and thousands of paint swatches in on top. “I need help.”
“Help with what?” I asked walking over and rubbing my nose.
She sat down on the couch and blew her bangs away from her face. “I don’t know what color to color my apartment or what kind of rug I want. Or if I even want a rug or tiles.”
“I just finished cleaning the table,” I muttered.
“What?”
“Nothing,” I shook my head. “Wait, you’re just choosing colors now? Shouldn’t that have been done before you moved in?”
She shrugged. “I like doing things backwards.”
I rolled my eyes sitting next to her and picking up one paint swatch. “Well, do you want bright or simple colors?”
“Simple. I don’t want my apartment to look like a clown threw up on it,” she cringed.
I laughed going over to pick up the remote and turn the television on. “Good point.”
“I also need to decide if I want to put in a nice, cozy rug or cold, but tasteful tiles on the floor,” she added. I sat back down taking rug samples and running my hand through them. “Oh, look they’re interviewing Sidney. Turn it up.”
I raised the volume looking at how serious and focused Sidney was when doing interviews. “So Sidney,” Dan Potash began. “You guys have been on a pretty good streak and have a lot going for you defensively. What do you think it’ll take to keep the momentum going?”
Sidney adjusted his cap before answering. “Yeah, it’s been pretty good. We have some great guys on D and they keep playing great. We just work hard everyday and try to keep improving and make sure that we’re doing the best we can.”
“And you guys have a game against Boston tonight and after that as well. How do you think you’ll play and how will you make sure you pull off a win?”
“It’s just a matter of working hard and doing the best we can. Like I said, we have some great guys on defense and they always open up good chances for us and we try to capitalize on that and keep pushing. Boston has some great guys as well and Tim Thomas has been pretty great this season. We just hope we can keep the momentum on our side and push their team and put in some goals.”
“And lastly, you guys have a road trip coming up soon, do you think you’ll be able to keep this streak up while on the road? You’re up against some pretty competitive teams.”
He nodded. “We are and we hope we can just keep playing good hockey and pull off wins. I mean it’s been great, but if it ends we’ll just try to win again. These guys have been working really hard and I have no doubt they can continue winning.”
“Thank you Sidney. Good luck tonight.”
“Thanks,” he said walking away.
“It sucks,” Peyton said.
“What?”
“That they’re going away tomorrow. It’s too soon.”
I gave her a confused look. “What are you talking about?”
“Their road trip. It starts the day after tomorrow remember? They’re playing-” she sighed. “Sidney didn’t tell you yet,” she mumbled.
“No, he didn’t tell me.”
“He probably just didn’t know how to tell you,” she assured.
“Yeah, probably.”
“You're not mad are you?”
I shook my head. “No, I’m not mad. I just would’ve liked to know sooner.”
“You can take it out on my paint swatches if you want.”
I laughed looking down at the one in my hand. “I like this one. It’s nice.”
“It is. I think I’ve found the one,” she said looking down at the color I had chosen. It was a very light yellow. Almost pale. It was happy but not too cheery. It made you feel peaceful, calm. “Well, we better get going,” she said checking her watch.
“For what?”
“The game’s about to start.”
“Oh, already?” I got up and adjusted my shirt and pulled up my pants going to my room to get my jacket. Peyton turned off the television and checked her reflection on the screen quickly. I grabbed my keys and closed the door, making sure to lock it.
-------------------------------
“Do you think Vero is here?” Peyton asked trying to find our box seats.
“I don’t know but I hope so. She seemed really nice.”
“Ahh here it is.” Peyton opened the door as we walked in only to see no one was there. “Are we the only ones?”
“I guess so,” I said crossing my arms. I felt uncomfortable being here. I preferred sitting near the ice because it was so much more exciting. I had never understood box seats. I knew the rich people sat here and were much more fancy than the hot dogs and soda but apart from the food and treatment, it was no better. Why would someone want to sit all the way up here and not feel the excitement and cheering going on? I wondered if they could even see the puck. I sighed taking a seat closest to the window. Peyton was busy scanning the place for criminals and for food.
“Hey guys.” I turned around to see Vero coming in smiling at us.
“Hey,” I smiled. Peyton stuck her head through the door and waved.
“We’re glad you could make it.”
“Thanks. It’s good to see you two again. Is anyone else coming?”
I shrugged. “I think it’s just us tonight.”
She took off her jacket and sat down next to me looking at the arena where people were starting to file in by the crowd. “What is Peyton doing?” she nodded towards the door where the food was kept.
“Looking for food,” I said.
“Which there is none,” she pointed out.
“I saw a whole refrigerator of food Peyton.”
“You mean a whole refrigerator full of snotty, rich people food. There was all tiny little fruit on a stick and some gray stuff on a cracker. I mean, why would you put fruit on a stick? You can’t just eat it like normal people?”
Vero and I both laughed shaking our heads at Peyton. “I am getting pretty hungry.”
“I’m going to do down to go get normal people food. You guys want me to bring you something?” we both nodded as she headed out the door. “Stupid, arrogant, conceded fruit,” she muttered.
Vero laughed. “Is she always like this?”
“Just when she doesn’t eat. She gets cranky,” I said.
She nodded walking into the room Peyton had been in and pulling out a small cart full of every alcohol you can imagine. She went back in and pulled out a small wooden cart and opened the small doors to turn on a television. “I didn’t know that was there.”
She nodded. “It is.”
“I take it you’ve been here before?”
“Once or twice,” she smirked. “I’ve told Marc I prefer to be in the stands, but he insists this is much better, which I don’t think. But this way, we can see replays.”
“Wow, rich people do like their alcohol,” I joked.
She laughed. “Do you want something? Maybe Peyton does.”
I shook my head. “No. Peyton and I aren’t big drinkers.”
“Neither am I. Only if I’m at a party.” She flipped the channels to the pre-game and sat back down as we watched all the stats for the Boston Bruins. They were currently talking about Tyler Seguin and how he’s been doing his first year in the NHL. They were showing an interview earlier today.
“I hope we can at least play good. The Penguins are a really great team and it’s no secret that Sidney Crosby is an amazing captain and player. I am a little nervous.”
“You know he talks about you a lot,” Vero said.
I looked at her. “Who? Tyler Seguin? I wont lie and say he’s not cute, but I don’t think he even knows me.”
“No. Although I agree that Tyler kid is very good looking,” she smiled. “I’m talking about Sidney. Marc tells me that Sidney is constantly talking about you.”
I felt my face warm up as she laughed at how uncomfortable I was getting. “Wow.”
She nodded. “He doesn’t know I’m telling you this but I think you should know. He tells me that ever since you two happened, he’s been in a great mood everyday. He says he’s never seen him happier,” she grinned.
I looked back at the television that was showing the previous games and zoomed the camera at Sidney’s face. It was hard to imagine that someone who was the youngest captain, the youngest to win the Stanley Cup, and had all these other amazing things happen to him in his life had been happier with someone like me. It was mind-boggling. I turned back to Vero and smiled.
“Brooke, honestly, ever since I met Sidney I can say that this is the happiest I’ve ever seen him. He never stops smiling, especially when he’s just been with you.” I was so surprised I didn’t even know what to say. Thankfully I didn’t have to say anything.
“I’m back. I almost got into a fight with this one girl who was in front of me. She was a real pain in the ass. She kept asking for five million things and when someone gave her what she asked for she claimed it wasn’t what she ordered. I swear I wanted to throw her out of the way. That or say really mean things about her hair.”
Vero and I turned around to see Peyton with a dozen things in her hands. You couldn’t even see her face. We got up to help her and placed things down on the small counter. “Peyton was there anything left at the stand?” I asked looking at everything she had brought.
She thought for a moment. “I think there were a couple of hot dogs left.” She was being serious.
I dragged a small table by the corner in front of our chairs and placed the food on there. There were sodas, hot dogs, nachos, chips, popcorn, 7 different kinds of candy, and some questionable pizza with very strange toppings. Vero grabbed napkins and utensils and straws for us while Peyton was busy putting the ice cream in the freezer.
“Look the game’s about to start,” Peyton said taking a seat. We all sat and started to open our hot dogs and eat the enormous amount of food on the table.
--------------------------
“Ok, I don’t think I can eat anymore,” Peyton groaned placing the empty cup of ice cream on the table. We had all decided it would be fun to top our ice creams with all the candy she brought.
“I don’t think that candy idea was good,” Vero moaned.
“The idea was good in theory, it just wasn’t what I expected,” I said rubbing my stomach.
“And that pizza,” Peyton cried.
I nodded. “That pizza was disgusting.”
“It was so delicious,” Vero smiled.
We both looked at her. “Totally,” I agreed.
“Definitely,” Peyton added.
The game was currently on commercial while both teams discussed with their coaches. Throughout the whole game we wouldn’t give compliments to our own guys but each others. Vero commented on how great Max played or the amazing saves he made and that one slick wrap around goal he scored. Peyton commented on Sid’s stick handling and the goal and assist he managed to get. I, constantly praised the many amazing saves Marc made and how he moved so quickly that nothing got by him.
“Oh, it’s back,” Peyton said. We all sat up and paid close attention to the players. There were about three minutes left. The Penguins were up 3-2 and the Bruins had been incredibly aggressive. They had managed to make some really good hits and had had a lot of scoring chances. Marc would just stop them, and I hoped he would keep it up for the last minutes of the game.
The puck dropped and Patrice Bergeron managed to take control and move swiftly down the ice. Brooks Orpik chased him down the ice trying to poke the puck away. He made a quick pass to Lucic who passed it back. He got closer and slapped the puck top shelf. Marc raised his arm and caught the puck by a piece and held it.
“Oh thank God,” Vero breathed. We all got closer to the window peering down the ice.
“They can win this.” I hoped Peyton was right.
There was a faceoff outside of the Penguins zone between Max and Bergeron. Max won passing it down to Craig Adams. He skated down the ice and I knew they were determined to score one more goal. He passed it to Max again before he got it back and faked a shot from afar then came closer and slapped it.
“Oh, he wants it,” I said eagerly smiling. We all had smiles on our faces from excitement.
Bergeron retrieved the puck and held it for a few seconds. There was about a minute and a half left. He stood there for a minute deciding who to pass it to before he skated towards his bench and made a close pass before going inside the bench. Tyler Seguin and his line came out skating harder and faster. Tyler made a huge hit on Craig stopping him from getting the puck again as Sidney’s line came out.
“Come on, come on,” I heard Vero whisper.
Kris and Brooks were still on the ice and had the puck behind Marc. Just as Brooks skated to the middle of the ice Tyler came and stole the puck. He moved fast down the ice while Kris had gone back to try and get it back. Sidney, Pascal, and Kunitz tried to help him while getting closer to the net to prevent any play. It seemed as if he was all alone while the rest of the Bruins tried to skate down to help him. There was only about 20 seconds left. He moved away staying there for about 10 seconds before skating full throttle and making one quick turn, sliding the puck and shooting it wide.
All three of us got up and held out breaths. I didn’t notice that we were all holding hands and squeezing them tightly in nervousness. It took a while for everyone to react since he had moved so quickly barely anyone saw him slap the puck. Marc, however, was instantly jumping to the side and raising his left arm. We gasped thinking it would make it in. He came back down to waved that he had caught the puck. The horn went off signaling the end of the game and the Penguins all jumped on top of Marc, screaming in happiness.
We all jumped in joy, screaming and throwing our hands in the air, still holding each other’s. We let go and got a female version of a group hug. We turned back to look outside on the ice where the rest of the team had come out to celebrate. The Bruins were slowly making there way to the locker rooms while Tyler had still been standing there, shocked by what had just happened. Although I wasn’t a big fan of the Bruins, or him, I had to admit that a small part of me felt sorry for him. I almost wished he had scored to not see him so sad. Almost.
---------------------
“I still can’t believe that happened. That was so intense. I wasn’t even breathing the entire time,” Peyton went on. She hadn’t stopped being so talkative about the game since we left the room. Vero and I had only kept agreeing with her.
“Tell me about it,” I added. “I thought I was going to faint if he had actually scored.”
“I was mentally threatening Marc the whole time if he didn’t make it,” Vero said. Peyton and I both laughed as we made our way to the locker room.
We had waited a good half hour before coming down, assured that most of the interviews would be done and the guys would be showered and cleaned. When we got there a few of the players were already coming out.
Craig and Brooks came out giving us nod and waving talking about something. We waited about five minutes more before Marc, Sidney, and Max all came out still elated about their win. They all came out with grinning faces.
“Hey,” Max greeted. Peyton smiled and ran over to him as he picked her up.
“Marc!” Vero went over to Marc to squeeze him and kiss her on the cheek.
Sidney came over to me and grinned. “Hey.”
“Hey. That was some game tonight,” I smirked.
“Tonight was amazing,” he admitted.
I shrugged. “I’ll admit, I was cheering for you a little bit.”
He laughed. “Just a little bit?”
“Yeah well you did miss a few great shots, so I wasn’t exactly rooting you on that much,” I joked. We both laughed.
“Geez you guys, can’t you even do something coupley? I mean Brooke he just won a game, a great game and you cant even give him a hug?” Peyton shook her head.
“I think they’re cute,” Vero said. Marc nodded his head agreeing.
“It’s ok Peyton. They’re saving it for tonight. She’s going to give him a big celebratory congrats,” he winked.
“Max!” I yelled glaring at him.
“I meant you were going to give him a big cake. That’s what you're saving for tonight. Brooke, get your head out of the gutter,” he said disappointed.
I scoffed slightly and rolled my eyes at him turning back to Sidney. “Are we leaving now? If I stand too close to Max for so long I start thinking like him.”
He gasped. “What is that supposed to mean? I don’t think I want to be friends with you anymore. I’ll find another named Brooke and call her my best friend.” He grabbed Peyton by the hand and walked away as she waved to us.
“We’re going to go too guys. Have a good night.”
“Bye Brooke. It was good to see you again.” Vero came over and hugged me.
“Yeah, I hope to see you soon.”
“I’ll call you, maybe we can go get lunch or something?”
I smiled. “That’d be great.”
“Ready?” Sidney asked.
I nodded. We walked towards the back exit leading to the parking lot. By the time we got there it was deserted. Except for one car. A group of girls were surrounding Tyler and taking pictures. He smiled politely as they were walking away. He waved at Sidney who smiled back and came up to him.
“Hey, great game,” Sidney shook his hand smiling politely.
“Thanks, but you were better.” He gave a tiny smile, obviously still upset about not getting that goal.
“You were impressive out there. I honestly thought you were going to get that goal,” he joked.
Tyler laughed as I heard footsteps and giggles from behind us. We looked over to see the group of girls were coming back. They whispered and motioned for Sidney to come over, seeming shy. “I’m sorry, excuse me. It was nice to see you again Tyler. Have a good night,” he said walking over to the girls.
I looked over at him smiling at how kind he was. “He’s really kind, huh?”
I turned back to see Tyler smiling back at me. “Yeah, he is.”
He stuck out his hand. “I’m Tyler by the way.”
I smiled shaking his hand. “Nice to meet you. I’m Brooke.”
“Brooke, that’s a great name,” he smiled. “Do you live around here?”
I nodded. “Yeah, not too far actually. I would ask where you live, but that seems like a pretty stupid question,” I admitted.
He laughed towering over me. “Did you like the game?”
“Very much,” I nodded. “I also thought you were going to score. That was a great move you did. If I didn’t like my team so much, I would’ve been hoping you would’ve made it. I almost felt bad for you.”
“Really?”
“Almost,” I smiled laughing.
He smiled again, opening his mouth to say something but stopping himself. He opened it again this time saying, “I know this probably seems really forward and pointless, especially since you probably don’t like my team, but do you think I could see you again?”
I raised my eyebrows in surprise. “Uhm,” I tried to find the right words but got tongue-tied. “Uh,” I looked back at Sidney who was still occupied with the girls.
“Oh, I see,” he said calmly.
I turned back at him, smiling sheepishly. “Yeah, I’m really sorry. Really.”
“It’s ok. I kind of figured, I just wanted to make sure. It’s not big deal, really. It’s too bad though,” he said giving me a boyish smile. “Well I should go, but it nice to meet you Brooke. I hope to see you again. You’re really beautiful.” He walked away giving me one last smiled before shaking his head and getting in his car.
I was too shocked by what had just happened that I didn’t notice Sidney was standing in front of me. “Brooke?”
I shook my head. “Yes?”
“Are you ok?”
I nodded. “I’m fine. Ready?”
He nodded leading me towards his car. “So you talked to Tyler?”
“Yeah, I did. He’s nice. Very nice.”
He nodded. “Yeah, I think he could be a really good player.”
I smiled. “Yeah.” He opened the car door for me helping me up. I turned back to him and kissed him on the cheek. “Have I told you how much I like you?”
He smiled. “No, but I kind of had a feeling.”
I looked up at him, as he placed his hand on top of the car and leaned down to place a small kiss on my lips. I placed my hand on his face and brought him back down kissing him once more. He smiled at me and whispered, “Let’s go home.”
I smiled to myself as he closed the door and got in next to me. that’s when I realized how lucky I was to have him care for me the way he did and have someone tell me everything was alright and make me feel better.
Monday, May 30, 2011
Games
I opened the door to my bedroom and walked in the living room to find Sidney waiting doing something o his phone. He looked up at me with a concerned face. “So?”
I sighed putting the phone down and sitting next to him leaning my head back staring at the ceiling. “He answered. I was about to hang up but I guess he knew it was me. I told him I heard his message and he asked what I thought. I asked him if it was true and he said he meant every word. He told me he missed me and wanted to see me. We spoke for a while and he asked how I was and if I was well. Eventually I told him if he really wanted to come visit and he said yes. I said fine.”
Sidney looked shocked. “Really?”
I nodded. “He said he could come next week. I told him sure and he said he’d call in a few days so we can figure everything out.”
He looked down at the floor thinking for a moment. “And this is what you want?”
“I know I haven’t seen him in years, but he seemed somewhat sincere and-” I paused. “I don’t know when this chance will come again. I not too thrilled, but I do want to see him. I don’t want to keep wondering everyday of my life how he is or if we could’ve been close.”
He gave me a tiny smile. “I get it. I don’t know what I’d do if I wasn’t close to my parents. If you need any help with anything, just let me know alright?”
“Actually,” I said. “I would like to keep us a secret from my father. For a while at least.”
He gave me a strange look. “Why?”
“It’s not that embarrassed,” I assured. “I just don’t want him to come and automatically tell him I have a boyfriend. I’ll tell him after a while. Is that ok with you?”
“Of course. Take your time to get to know your dad first. Tell him when you’re ready.”
I smiled at how understanding he was and leaned in to hug him. “Thank you.”
“No problem. I’m here whenever you need me Brooke.”
----------------------
I walked to open the door to see Peyton standing with Chinese food and DVD’s and a bag with ice cream in it. “Hey.”
“Hey,” I greeted letting her in. “Is it raining?” I asked noticing her jacket slightly wet.
“It just started drizzling. Looks like I came just in time,” she said looking out the window, as the rain grew louder.
I put the ice cream in the freezer and took out the cartons of food. I place them on the table along with napkins and forks and spoons next to the chopsticks. I poured some iced tea into cups and placed them on the table.
She took out the DVD’s and put them on top of the tv. She opened one box and placed the cd inside. “Thank goodness the boys had a late practice and media stuff to do all day. We haven’t had our movie nights in a while.”
“I know.” She took off her shoes and sat down on the couch next to me. I turned on the television and waited for the movie to start. All the trailers were coming on now.
“So I heard you spoke to him,” she mumbled drinking her iced tea.
“Yeah, I was going to tell you.”
“How’d it go?”
“Fine.”
“Ok.” She grabbed her chopsticks and opened one of the boxes to start eating it.
The thing about Peyton you have to understand is that she understands me. She’s probably the only person who really knows me. We have a very different relationship. Although personality wise we’re different, we’re very much alike. She knows that I’m shy and quiet but not around her. Around each other we’re sort of cynical. We don’t talk much about our personal, personal lives or problems. When we do we don’t exactly talk about them. We just say it and move on. We’re actually not very big on talking.
That’s what I liked about our friendship. We understood that we didn’t want to talk about it. We may ask a few questions but eventually say ‘ok’ and move on. To each other, we weren’t exactly bright and shiny people. But that was ok by us.
After two movies and tons of Chinese food, we were currently on the floor shoving spoonfuls of ice cream in our faces. We had decided on some re-run of Grey’s Anatomy since there was nothing on. It was the episode where Meredith found out Derek was married.
“You know,” Peyton said. “I never understood why Meredith was all mean to his face, yet she was still pining for him.”
“That’s love,” I pointed out. “No matter what the other person does to you and no matter what happens, you can get really mad at them, but in the end you still love them,” I finished slowly realizing where this started to apply to me.
Peyton glanced at me. “Are you ok?”
I nodded. “Yeah, I’m fine.”
“I wish I was a doctor,” she blurted out. “I think I’d be good at it.”
I scoffed. “Please, you get all nauseous and queasy at the sight of blood. Remember that one time you were trying to fix the broken mirror and cut your finger? You had a panic attack.”
“That was different. I thought I was going to be genetically altered and turn into some freak with abnormal powers,” she muttered.
I laughed. “Yeah, ok.”
“Still, I think I could be a good doctor. I wouldn’t become emotionally involved. I think I’d be a Cristina. I’d be kick-ass,” she stated. I could only shake my head and laugh.
-------------------
Rain.
It was one of the few things that made me calm. It soothed me. I turned over in my bed to stare out the window and watch the drops fall and hit the window sounding louder and louder. Every few minutes there would be a flash of light later accompanied by an echoing thunder.
I hadn’t slept all night. I couldn’t help but wonder what my father was doing at this moment. Growing up, I had always been close to my parents, but I’d been closer to my father. He would always take me with him everywhere he went. When my mother would work on weekends, he would take the day off and take me to the park, or museum, or somewhere and we’d have fun. I remember thinking he had the funniest sense of humor I’d ever known, even though it was cheesy. I was the only one who ever laughed at his jokes and made the same jokes as him as a child. My mother would laugh at how only we found each other’s jokes funny.
I had always trusted my father. I knew I could tell him anything. He was never one to talk seriously about serious things to me. Besides his humor and happiness, he’d never really show any emotions. I knew he loved me, but I can only recall him telling me twice when I was about four or five. Other than that, he never had an actual serious conversation with me. He had grown up with the mind set that you had to be tough and never show emotions, only to make it seem less aggressive, he constantly joked. If he were serious and quiet all the time, it’d be different, but his always being funny made it better. The only down part: he never quite knew how to comfort me or talk to me sincerely.
I forced myself to get out of bed and went to shower. I came out, changed, made some coffee and grabbed my umbrella before heading out. Once I got to the arena, I assumed practice was almost over. I headed towards the locker room to see Peyton talking to a girl I’d never seen before.
“Brooke, hey. This is Vero,” she motioned to a tall girl next to her. “Well her actual name is better but I can’t say. I’d make it sound bad, so her name is Vero,” she said.
“Hi,” she greeted in a slight French accent. She was tall, to me anyways, almost olive skinned, with dark hair that seemed to compliment her warm eyes.
“Hi, nice to meet you,” I greeted back.
“Vero is Marc’s girlfriend,” Peyton informed me.
“Oh, really? That’s nice. Marc is such a nice guy.”
“He’s all right I guess,” she joked.
Peyton and I laughed as some of the boys began coming out of the locker room. “Oh, Brooke, Max wanted me to tell you that we’re coming to the game tomorrow. Are you coming Vero?”
“I’m not sure, I might be busy, but I’ll try to make it,” she assured.
“Hey guys, I see you’ve met my girlfriend,” Marc said coming out of the locker room.
“Yes we have,” Peyton answered.
“Are you ready to go?” Marc asked.
Vero nodded looking back at us. “Bye girls. It was nice to meet you. Hopefully I’ll see you tomorrow night.”
After they left Sidney and Max came out discussing something and ending their conversation when they saw us. “Hey Brooke how are you?” Max greeted.
“I’m good Max. Where did they go?” I asked crossing my arms.
“To do something dirty,” he grinned walking over to put his arm around Peyton. “Ready to be shown off?”
I frowned. “What?”
“I’m ready,” Peyton smiled.
“Can someone tell me what’s going on please?”
“Peyton didn’t tell you?” Sidney asked.
“I was going to, but I thought this’d be more fun,” she grinned.
Sidney shook his head. “Optional skate today. Max and I usually just hang around with some of the other guys. We don’t really do much. Some days we might work out, but not today.”
I nodded. “So what does this have to do with me?”
Sidney laughed. “Well Max and I thought it’d be a good idea for you to meet some of the other guys.”
“Yeah, so let’s go,” Max said walking away towards the gym. Sidney and I followed behind them.
We walked in with only Aaron Asham and Eric Goddard chatting and stretching out. “Hey boys,” Sidney greeted.
They both nodded at him walking towards us. “Guys meet Peyton and Brooke,” gesturing to us. “Peyton’s mine, so that would mean Brooke is Sidney’s.”
Peyton waved. “Nice to meet you.”
I smiled back. “Hi.”
“You’ll have to excuse Brooke,” Max said. “She’s not really the talkative type.”
I rolled me eyes at him. “That’s not true. I just don’t like talking to you,” I corrected. Max pouted walking away.
Aaron and Eric both laughed. “I like you, you’re funny. And anyone who can make Max cry is a friend of mine.”
Aaron agreed. “Definitely.”
“I am not crying,” Max yelled. “I just have dust in my eye.”
“Well guys see you later,” Sidney said as we left the room.
Peyton had stayed back to go get Max while Sid and I walked into the kitchen area where the vending machines and refrigerator was. Tyler, Mark Letestu, Chris Conner, and Craig Adams. “Hey guys you remember Brooke right?”
They all nodded smiling at both of us. “Yes, hey Brooke how’s it going?” Tyler asked.
“Good, thanks. How about you?”
He shrugged. “Oh you know hockey and all.”
I laughed. “I assume.”
Mark grinned at me. “Hey Brooke, how’s that whole Evgeni thing going?”
I forced out an awkward laugh. “Funny, really.”
“Brooke, you know my kids haven’t stopped talking about you. They’re wondering when they’re going to see you next.”
“Really? That’s sweet. I love them they’re so adorable. I’d love to see them again,” I told him.
He smiled back at me as Sidney waved at the guys leading me to the area where all players got their injuries checked out. Most of the players were there sitting down and chatting about anything, no one really getting anything done or getting anything checked out. “Hey.” The guys all greeted Sidney, going back to their own conversations.
Pascal and Kris were chatting, or more Pascal making fun of everything he said, while Jordan, Geno, and Marc were each taking turns and making jokes. Pascal came over to us trying to hold his laughter in about something.
“Hey guys,” Pascal greeted. “Brooke, can I ask you a question?”
“Sure, what’s up?”
He leaned in and whispered, “Don’t you think everything Kris says is funny?”
“Pascal stop it,” Kris told him.
“Pascal stop it,” he mimicked.
“Come on you’ve already been on me for like fifteen times today. Can you stop?”
“Can you stop?”
He adjusted his cap and rubbed his forehead, stressed. “I mean it.”
“I mean it,” Pascal said increasing Kris’s accent.
He sighed shaking his head and walking over to us. “Hi Brooke, how are you?”
I bit my lip trying to hold back my laughter. “Hi Kris. I’m good and you?”
He nodded shoving his hands in his pockets. “Ok. I haven’t seen you in a while,” he said giving me a tiny smile.
I smiled at him. “It has been a while.”
Pascal looked between us. “Why are you two being so weird?”
We glanced at him and back at each other before clearing our throats and looking away. “So Pascal how are you?” Kris asked.
He gave him a strange look before he repeated what he said. “So Pascal how are you?” He gave him a look before shaking his head once more and walking away. Pascal went after him yelling, “No come back here Frenchie!” He somehow managed to have a paper ball in his pocket as he threw it at his head following him.
“Is everything ok?” Sidney asked.
I nodded. “Yea, I just haven’t seen him in a while so I didn’t know how to act. I was trying not to make it uncomfortable, but completely failed.”
He laughed. “It’s ok.”
“Brooke hi,” Marc waved me over to where he was sitting.
“Hey Marc, weren’t you with your girlfriend like five minutes ago?”
“Yeah, we were going to go to lunch but she had to do something,” he answered.
“Oh, that’s too bad.”
He shrugged as Jordan smiled at me. “Hey Brooke, how are you?”
“I’m good thank you. How about you?”
He shrugged fixing his cap. “Alright. Hey do you want to play with me? I got kind of bored with these guys,” he said.
I laughed. “Sure why not. What do you want to play?”
He pulled out a PSP out of his pocket and grabbed another and handed it to me. “We play this a lot on the road.”
I smiled going over to sit next to him. I hopped on the black hard cushion where players got checked out and sat crossed legged facing him. He set something up on both of ours and we started playing. I had no idea what we were playing, I was only focused on trying to kill him. We were both silent for a few minutes until I spotted Jordan’s player and shot him dead in the head.
“What? Are you kidding me? This can not be happening,” he said. “I’m going to get you this-” he stopped and let out a frustrated breath.
“You got him again?” Sidney asked looking over my shoulder.
I smiled sheepishly. “It’s not that hard, he’s right in front of me.”
Once more, he was trying to look for me when I came up behind him and shot him again. “Come on,” Jordan whined. “Are you kidding me?”
Sidney gave my shoulders a squeeze and laughed at how angry and more concentrated Jordan was getting. “Oh, he’s right there,” Sidney pointed out.
“What? No you’re not going to-” he looked up at me like he wanted to kill me. “I hate you.”
I grinned at him as Sidney, Marc, and Geno laughed. “I’m sorry. I’m not doing it on purpose, you just make it so easy.”
“I am going to beat. You are not going anywhere until I do,” Jordan said sternly.
And he meant it. We played and played several times. Eventually everyone around us was getting bored and practice ended so Max invited everyone over to my place.
-----------------------
“Hey guys, guys look what I can do!” Max yelled. Everyone turned around to see him trying to balance a plate and cup on top of his hand.
“Max I swear you better not drop it or-” I spoke too soon. The plate and cup had smashed in pieces all over the kitchen floor.
Max laughed awkwardly, “It was an accident?”
I sighed as Peyton got up. “I’ll clean it up. I know how she wants it done and you’ll just mess it up.”
Max pouted walking over to where Jordan, Sidney, Marc, and me were now playing. Max felt left out and picked up his PSP to play with the rest of us. Marc left the game and went to find something to watch on the television with Peyton.
I was incredibly engrossed in the game, trying to kill Jordan whenever I could. Anytime Peyton would try to talk to me, I just nodded and mumbled incoherent words. I had never been a fan of video games, but the fact that I was actually good at them and beating Jordan was drawing me more to them. Or at least this one.
“Oh come on Brooke he’s right there, you can catch him,” Sid told me.
“I’m trying,” I muttered moving as fast as I could. I finally saw him a good fifty feet away and went behind a rock. I crouched down and looked through my sniper and shot, managing to shoot his head.
“Yes! I’m sorry Jordan but you just make it too easy for me,” I laughed as Sidney and Max looked at me impressively.
Jordan muttered something under his breath and faked a smile before going back to his game. Sidney smiled. “Wow Brooke, you really are good at this game. Or Jordan’s just that bad, which he usually isn’t.”
I smiled. “I try.”
Peyton and marc walked over to us. “I can’t believe you're actually playing this game with these boys Brooke.”
I shrugged. “It’s pretty entertaining.”
“Men,” Max interrupted.
Peyton gave him a look. “What?”
“We’re not boys, we’re men. I’m a man,” he said puffing his chest out.
“Aw, you're so funny,” Peyton cooed pinching his cheek.
I shook my head paying more attention to who was in front of me in the game. I saw someone and grinned as I realized who it was. I set up for the kill and shot the first chance I got.
Max gasped. “Did you just kill me?”
Marc leaned over my shoulder to see my screen. “Oh, suck it Talbo.” We all laughed as Max tried to look for me but failed and started being careful I wouldn’t get him again.
“Hey Max you know you can get in those bushes right?” Sidney said focused on his game.
“Ha you're dead. Sid’s definitely the worst player,” Max told us.
“I can’t believe you're saying you're the best player,” he replied.
“I didn’t say that,” he corrected. “I said but you're the worst.” He moved sideways trying to run back to Sidney and grinned. “Oh wait, oh wait. I just killed you.”
Jordan and I laughed. “Oh I just killed you Max. I thought you were the best. What happened?”
“You happened!”
Jordan rolled his eyes. “Good one.”
Max scoffed. “Whatever I’m better than all of you here,” he grinned.
“Max is a douche,” Marc said. The rest of us laughed watching Max abandon his game and going over to Peyton.
I yawned getting up from the floor to stretch. “I’m going to get something to drink. Do you guys want iced tea?” they all smiled and nodded as I headed to the kitchen.
“I’ll help,” Sidney offered already getting up. I eyed him as he came over to me. “I know you're going to say its fine, but I’m going to end up helping you anyways, so let’s just skip the argument this time,” he smiled.
I sighed turning back around to the kitchen. “Let’s go.”
I opened the fridge and took out the pitcher of iced tea while Sidney took out a few glasses. “So how are you?”
I stopped mid pour. “What do you mean?”
“I mean you haven’t talked about the whole father situation in a couple of days,” he pointed out. “Are you having second thoughts?”
I cleared my throat. “No I just-”
“You’re just not really sure if you want it or afraid you made the wrong choice?” he chuckled noticing he had finished my thought.
I nodded. “I guess.”
“You're just not sure if you made the right choice and how to make sure you want this and wont back out,” he continued. “Brooke I know it may seem like a bad choice now, but once he gets here it’ll be different, you’ll see.”
I had to smile at his optimism and decided not to argue. “You're right.” I placed the glasses on a tray to take that Sidney took from my hands and put it back down on the counter.
He placed his hands on my shoulders and looked me dead in the eye. “I know you don’t believe me now and you're just saying that to not argue. But you’ll see everything will be ok, no matter what happens. I’m going to be here for you throughout everything. I promise it’ll be fine.”
I nodded, wanting to believe him. I would have, if he hadn’t added the last part. I didn’t want him to promise anything he wasn’t sure of.
“Brooke you told me I deserved to be happy. You can be happy too. You just have to let yourself be,” he told me.
It was then that I noticed he knew how I thought and what I was thinking. He knew about the doubts that I had. He knew how I was thinking about this choice twice. I was grateful for how much he cared. He really was trying to understand me and help me, which was a first from anyone.
All I could is smile and meet him halfway. “Ok. I promise I’ll try.”
I sighed putting the phone down and sitting next to him leaning my head back staring at the ceiling. “He answered. I was about to hang up but I guess he knew it was me. I told him I heard his message and he asked what I thought. I asked him if it was true and he said he meant every word. He told me he missed me and wanted to see me. We spoke for a while and he asked how I was and if I was well. Eventually I told him if he really wanted to come visit and he said yes. I said fine.”
Sidney looked shocked. “Really?”
I nodded. “He said he could come next week. I told him sure and he said he’d call in a few days so we can figure everything out.”
He looked down at the floor thinking for a moment. “And this is what you want?”
“I know I haven’t seen him in years, but he seemed somewhat sincere and-” I paused. “I don’t know when this chance will come again. I not too thrilled, but I do want to see him. I don’t want to keep wondering everyday of my life how he is or if we could’ve been close.”
He gave me a tiny smile. “I get it. I don’t know what I’d do if I wasn’t close to my parents. If you need any help with anything, just let me know alright?”
“Actually,” I said. “I would like to keep us a secret from my father. For a while at least.”
He gave me a strange look. “Why?”
“It’s not that embarrassed,” I assured. “I just don’t want him to come and automatically tell him I have a boyfriend. I’ll tell him after a while. Is that ok with you?”
“Of course. Take your time to get to know your dad first. Tell him when you’re ready.”
I smiled at how understanding he was and leaned in to hug him. “Thank you.”
“No problem. I’m here whenever you need me Brooke.”
----------------------
I walked to open the door to see Peyton standing with Chinese food and DVD’s and a bag with ice cream in it. “Hey.”
“Hey,” I greeted letting her in. “Is it raining?” I asked noticing her jacket slightly wet.
“It just started drizzling. Looks like I came just in time,” she said looking out the window, as the rain grew louder.
I put the ice cream in the freezer and took out the cartons of food. I place them on the table along with napkins and forks and spoons next to the chopsticks. I poured some iced tea into cups and placed them on the table.
She took out the DVD’s and put them on top of the tv. She opened one box and placed the cd inside. “Thank goodness the boys had a late practice and media stuff to do all day. We haven’t had our movie nights in a while.”
“I know.” She took off her shoes and sat down on the couch next to me. I turned on the television and waited for the movie to start. All the trailers were coming on now.
“So I heard you spoke to him,” she mumbled drinking her iced tea.
“Yeah, I was going to tell you.”
“How’d it go?”
“Fine.”
“Ok.” She grabbed her chopsticks and opened one of the boxes to start eating it.
The thing about Peyton you have to understand is that she understands me. She’s probably the only person who really knows me. We have a very different relationship. Although personality wise we’re different, we’re very much alike. She knows that I’m shy and quiet but not around her. Around each other we’re sort of cynical. We don’t talk much about our personal, personal lives or problems. When we do we don’t exactly talk about them. We just say it and move on. We’re actually not very big on talking.
That’s what I liked about our friendship. We understood that we didn’t want to talk about it. We may ask a few questions but eventually say ‘ok’ and move on. To each other, we weren’t exactly bright and shiny people. But that was ok by us.
After two movies and tons of Chinese food, we were currently on the floor shoving spoonfuls of ice cream in our faces. We had decided on some re-run of Grey’s Anatomy since there was nothing on. It was the episode where Meredith found out Derek was married.
“You know,” Peyton said. “I never understood why Meredith was all mean to his face, yet she was still pining for him.”
“That’s love,” I pointed out. “No matter what the other person does to you and no matter what happens, you can get really mad at them, but in the end you still love them,” I finished slowly realizing where this started to apply to me.
Peyton glanced at me. “Are you ok?”
I nodded. “Yeah, I’m fine.”
“I wish I was a doctor,” she blurted out. “I think I’d be good at it.”
I scoffed. “Please, you get all nauseous and queasy at the sight of blood. Remember that one time you were trying to fix the broken mirror and cut your finger? You had a panic attack.”
“That was different. I thought I was going to be genetically altered and turn into some freak with abnormal powers,” she muttered.
I laughed. “Yeah, ok.”
“Still, I think I could be a good doctor. I wouldn’t become emotionally involved. I think I’d be a Cristina. I’d be kick-ass,” she stated. I could only shake my head and laugh.
-------------------
Rain.
It was one of the few things that made me calm. It soothed me. I turned over in my bed to stare out the window and watch the drops fall and hit the window sounding louder and louder. Every few minutes there would be a flash of light later accompanied by an echoing thunder.
I hadn’t slept all night. I couldn’t help but wonder what my father was doing at this moment. Growing up, I had always been close to my parents, but I’d been closer to my father. He would always take me with him everywhere he went. When my mother would work on weekends, he would take the day off and take me to the park, or museum, or somewhere and we’d have fun. I remember thinking he had the funniest sense of humor I’d ever known, even though it was cheesy. I was the only one who ever laughed at his jokes and made the same jokes as him as a child. My mother would laugh at how only we found each other’s jokes funny.
I had always trusted my father. I knew I could tell him anything. He was never one to talk seriously about serious things to me. Besides his humor and happiness, he’d never really show any emotions. I knew he loved me, but I can only recall him telling me twice when I was about four or five. Other than that, he never had an actual serious conversation with me. He had grown up with the mind set that you had to be tough and never show emotions, only to make it seem less aggressive, he constantly joked. If he were serious and quiet all the time, it’d be different, but his always being funny made it better. The only down part: he never quite knew how to comfort me or talk to me sincerely.
I forced myself to get out of bed and went to shower. I came out, changed, made some coffee and grabbed my umbrella before heading out. Once I got to the arena, I assumed practice was almost over. I headed towards the locker room to see Peyton talking to a girl I’d never seen before.
“Brooke, hey. This is Vero,” she motioned to a tall girl next to her. “Well her actual name is better but I can’t say. I’d make it sound bad, so her name is Vero,” she said.
“Hi,” she greeted in a slight French accent. She was tall, to me anyways, almost olive skinned, with dark hair that seemed to compliment her warm eyes.
“Hi, nice to meet you,” I greeted back.
“Vero is Marc’s girlfriend,” Peyton informed me.
“Oh, really? That’s nice. Marc is such a nice guy.”
“He’s all right I guess,” she joked.
Peyton and I laughed as some of the boys began coming out of the locker room. “Oh, Brooke, Max wanted me to tell you that we’re coming to the game tomorrow. Are you coming Vero?”
“I’m not sure, I might be busy, but I’ll try to make it,” she assured.
“Hey guys, I see you’ve met my girlfriend,” Marc said coming out of the locker room.
“Yes we have,” Peyton answered.
“Are you ready to go?” Marc asked.
Vero nodded looking back at us. “Bye girls. It was nice to meet you. Hopefully I’ll see you tomorrow night.”
After they left Sidney and Max came out discussing something and ending their conversation when they saw us. “Hey Brooke how are you?” Max greeted.
“I’m good Max. Where did they go?” I asked crossing my arms.
“To do something dirty,” he grinned walking over to put his arm around Peyton. “Ready to be shown off?”
I frowned. “What?”
“I’m ready,” Peyton smiled.
“Can someone tell me what’s going on please?”
“Peyton didn’t tell you?” Sidney asked.
“I was going to, but I thought this’d be more fun,” she grinned.
Sidney shook his head. “Optional skate today. Max and I usually just hang around with some of the other guys. We don’t really do much. Some days we might work out, but not today.”
I nodded. “So what does this have to do with me?”
Sidney laughed. “Well Max and I thought it’d be a good idea for you to meet some of the other guys.”
“Yeah, so let’s go,” Max said walking away towards the gym. Sidney and I followed behind them.
We walked in with only Aaron Asham and Eric Goddard chatting and stretching out. “Hey boys,” Sidney greeted.
They both nodded at him walking towards us. “Guys meet Peyton and Brooke,” gesturing to us. “Peyton’s mine, so that would mean Brooke is Sidney’s.”
Peyton waved. “Nice to meet you.”
I smiled back. “Hi.”
“You’ll have to excuse Brooke,” Max said. “She’s not really the talkative type.”
I rolled me eyes at him. “That’s not true. I just don’t like talking to you,” I corrected. Max pouted walking away.
Aaron and Eric both laughed. “I like you, you’re funny. And anyone who can make Max cry is a friend of mine.”
Aaron agreed. “Definitely.”
“I am not crying,” Max yelled. “I just have dust in my eye.”
“Well guys see you later,” Sidney said as we left the room.
Peyton had stayed back to go get Max while Sid and I walked into the kitchen area where the vending machines and refrigerator was. Tyler, Mark Letestu, Chris Conner, and Craig Adams. “Hey guys you remember Brooke right?”
They all nodded smiling at both of us. “Yes, hey Brooke how’s it going?” Tyler asked.
“Good, thanks. How about you?”
He shrugged. “Oh you know hockey and all.”
I laughed. “I assume.”
Mark grinned at me. “Hey Brooke, how’s that whole Evgeni thing going?”
I forced out an awkward laugh. “Funny, really.”
“Brooke, you know my kids haven’t stopped talking about you. They’re wondering when they’re going to see you next.”
“Really? That’s sweet. I love them they’re so adorable. I’d love to see them again,” I told him.
He smiled back at me as Sidney waved at the guys leading me to the area where all players got their injuries checked out. Most of the players were there sitting down and chatting about anything, no one really getting anything done or getting anything checked out. “Hey.” The guys all greeted Sidney, going back to their own conversations.
Pascal and Kris were chatting, or more Pascal making fun of everything he said, while Jordan, Geno, and Marc were each taking turns and making jokes. Pascal came over to us trying to hold his laughter in about something.
“Hey guys,” Pascal greeted. “Brooke, can I ask you a question?”
“Sure, what’s up?”
He leaned in and whispered, “Don’t you think everything Kris says is funny?”
“Pascal stop it,” Kris told him.
“Pascal stop it,” he mimicked.
“Come on you’ve already been on me for like fifteen times today. Can you stop?”
“Can you stop?”
He adjusted his cap and rubbed his forehead, stressed. “I mean it.”
“I mean it,” Pascal said increasing Kris’s accent.
He sighed shaking his head and walking over to us. “Hi Brooke, how are you?”
I bit my lip trying to hold back my laughter. “Hi Kris. I’m good and you?”
He nodded shoving his hands in his pockets. “Ok. I haven’t seen you in a while,” he said giving me a tiny smile.
I smiled at him. “It has been a while.”
Pascal looked between us. “Why are you two being so weird?”
We glanced at him and back at each other before clearing our throats and looking away. “So Pascal how are you?” Kris asked.
He gave him a strange look before he repeated what he said. “So Pascal how are you?” He gave him a look before shaking his head once more and walking away. Pascal went after him yelling, “No come back here Frenchie!” He somehow managed to have a paper ball in his pocket as he threw it at his head following him.
“Is everything ok?” Sidney asked.
I nodded. “Yea, I just haven’t seen him in a while so I didn’t know how to act. I was trying not to make it uncomfortable, but completely failed.”
He laughed. “It’s ok.”
“Brooke hi,” Marc waved me over to where he was sitting.
“Hey Marc, weren’t you with your girlfriend like five minutes ago?”
“Yeah, we were going to go to lunch but she had to do something,” he answered.
“Oh, that’s too bad.”
He shrugged as Jordan smiled at me. “Hey Brooke, how are you?”
“I’m good thank you. How about you?”
He shrugged fixing his cap. “Alright. Hey do you want to play with me? I got kind of bored with these guys,” he said.
I laughed. “Sure why not. What do you want to play?”
He pulled out a PSP out of his pocket and grabbed another and handed it to me. “We play this a lot on the road.”
I smiled going over to sit next to him. I hopped on the black hard cushion where players got checked out and sat crossed legged facing him. He set something up on both of ours and we started playing. I had no idea what we were playing, I was only focused on trying to kill him. We were both silent for a few minutes until I spotted Jordan’s player and shot him dead in the head.
“What? Are you kidding me? This can not be happening,” he said. “I’m going to get you this-” he stopped and let out a frustrated breath.
“You got him again?” Sidney asked looking over my shoulder.
I smiled sheepishly. “It’s not that hard, he’s right in front of me.”
Once more, he was trying to look for me when I came up behind him and shot him again. “Come on,” Jordan whined. “Are you kidding me?”
Sidney gave my shoulders a squeeze and laughed at how angry and more concentrated Jordan was getting. “Oh, he’s right there,” Sidney pointed out.
“What? No you’re not going to-” he looked up at me like he wanted to kill me. “I hate you.”
I grinned at him as Sidney, Marc, and Geno laughed. “I’m sorry. I’m not doing it on purpose, you just make it so easy.”
“I am going to beat. You are not going anywhere until I do,” Jordan said sternly.
And he meant it. We played and played several times. Eventually everyone around us was getting bored and practice ended so Max invited everyone over to my place.
-----------------------
“Hey guys, guys look what I can do!” Max yelled. Everyone turned around to see him trying to balance a plate and cup on top of his hand.
“Max I swear you better not drop it or-” I spoke too soon. The plate and cup had smashed in pieces all over the kitchen floor.
Max laughed awkwardly, “It was an accident?”
I sighed as Peyton got up. “I’ll clean it up. I know how she wants it done and you’ll just mess it up.”
Max pouted walking over to where Jordan, Sidney, Marc, and me were now playing. Max felt left out and picked up his PSP to play with the rest of us. Marc left the game and went to find something to watch on the television with Peyton.
I was incredibly engrossed in the game, trying to kill Jordan whenever I could. Anytime Peyton would try to talk to me, I just nodded and mumbled incoherent words. I had never been a fan of video games, but the fact that I was actually good at them and beating Jordan was drawing me more to them. Or at least this one.
“Oh come on Brooke he’s right there, you can catch him,” Sid told me.
“I’m trying,” I muttered moving as fast as I could. I finally saw him a good fifty feet away and went behind a rock. I crouched down and looked through my sniper and shot, managing to shoot his head.
“Yes! I’m sorry Jordan but you just make it too easy for me,” I laughed as Sidney and Max looked at me impressively.
Jordan muttered something under his breath and faked a smile before going back to his game. Sidney smiled. “Wow Brooke, you really are good at this game. Or Jordan’s just that bad, which he usually isn’t.”
I smiled. “I try.”
Peyton and marc walked over to us. “I can’t believe you're actually playing this game with these boys Brooke.”
I shrugged. “It’s pretty entertaining.”
“Men,” Max interrupted.
Peyton gave him a look. “What?”
“We’re not boys, we’re men. I’m a man,” he said puffing his chest out.
“Aw, you're so funny,” Peyton cooed pinching his cheek.
I shook my head paying more attention to who was in front of me in the game. I saw someone and grinned as I realized who it was. I set up for the kill and shot the first chance I got.
Max gasped. “Did you just kill me?”
Marc leaned over my shoulder to see my screen. “Oh, suck it Talbo.” We all laughed as Max tried to look for me but failed and started being careful I wouldn’t get him again.
“Hey Max you know you can get in those bushes right?” Sidney said focused on his game.
“Ha you're dead. Sid’s definitely the worst player,” Max told us.
“I can’t believe you're saying you're the best player,” he replied.
“I didn’t say that,” he corrected. “I said but you're the worst.” He moved sideways trying to run back to Sidney and grinned. “Oh wait, oh wait. I just killed you.”
Jordan and I laughed. “Oh I just killed you Max. I thought you were the best. What happened?”
“You happened!”
Jordan rolled his eyes. “Good one.”
Max scoffed. “Whatever I’m better than all of you here,” he grinned.
“Max is a douche,” Marc said. The rest of us laughed watching Max abandon his game and going over to Peyton.
I yawned getting up from the floor to stretch. “I’m going to get something to drink. Do you guys want iced tea?” they all smiled and nodded as I headed to the kitchen.
“I’ll help,” Sidney offered already getting up. I eyed him as he came over to me. “I know you're going to say its fine, but I’m going to end up helping you anyways, so let’s just skip the argument this time,” he smiled.
I sighed turning back around to the kitchen. “Let’s go.”
I opened the fridge and took out the pitcher of iced tea while Sidney took out a few glasses. “So how are you?”
I stopped mid pour. “What do you mean?”
“I mean you haven’t talked about the whole father situation in a couple of days,” he pointed out. “Are you having second thoughts?”
I cleared my throat. “No I just-”
“You’re just not really sure if you want it or afraid you made the wrong choice?” he chuckled noticing he had finished my thought.
I nodded. “I guess.”
“You're just not sure if you made the right choice and how to make sure you want this and wont back out,” he continued. “Brooke I know it may seem like a bad choice now, but once he gets here it’ll be different, you’ll see.”
I had to smile at his optimism and decided not to argue. “You're right.” I placed the glasses on a tray to take that Sidney took from my hands and put it back down on the counter.
He placed his hands on my shoulders and looked me dead in the eye. “I know you don’t believe me now and you're just saying that to not argue. But you’ll see everything will be ok, no matter what happens. I’m going to be here for you throughout everything. I promise it’ll be fine.”
I nodded, wanting to believe him. I would have, if he hadn’t added the last part. I didn’t want him to promise anything he wasn’t sure of.
“Brooke you told me I deserved to be happy. You can be happy too. You just have to let yourself be,” he told me.
It was then that I noticed he knew how I thought and what I was thinking. He knew about the doubts that I had. He knew how I was thinking about this choice twice. I was grateful for how much he cared. He really was trying to understand me and help me, which was a first from anyone.
All I could is smile and meet him halfway. “Ok. I promise I’ll try.”
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Work and A Lunch
I stared at the phone on the table not taking my eyes off it. I didn’t even blink. I kept my hands together on my lap that was shaking up and down. My mind was picking up the phone and dialing numbers and forming words. My hands were doing nothing. I tried picking up and dialing through my mind long enough that all I was accomplishing is getting a headache. I sighed and got up to go to work.
I grabbed my keys and closed the door and walked down the hallway. The whole way to work, I was trying to ignore the thoughts that ran through my head. I didn’t know what I wanted to do. That’s what was eating away inside me.
--------------------------
“Hey,” Peyton greeted.
“Hey,” I said back taking my seat at my desk across from her.
“How are you doing?”
I shrugged taking a drink from my coffee. “Alright I guess.”
She nodded. “Max told me Sidney went over there.”
I nodded back. “He did. I spoke to him. About everything,” I told her.
She leaned back in surprise, staring at me. “Are….are you serious?”
“Yeah. You were always telling me I needed to trust someone and open up. And I felt like I could do that with him. I felt comfortable around him. I thought he deserved to know. I know it seems fast but-”
“No, it’s ok. I know you and you never do anything rash. You have to think. About everything,” she pointed out. “If you say you trust him, I trust you.”
I smiled. “Thanks.”
“No problem.” She stared at her computer screen intently scrolling through a page with her mouse.
“What are you doing?” I asked.
“Nothing.”
I raised my eyebrow. “Uh huh, sure.”
She sighed. “I’m looking at the girlfriend forums.”
I made a face. “Why?”
“To see if any girls out there are talking about me,” she pointed out. “For all I know they can be saying mean things about me.”
“And if they are, what are you going to do about it?”
“I don’t know, but I’d at least like to know who is talking about me,” she argued. “They better not be saying anything bad about me. Wait, how dare they!”
I looked back up at her. “What?”
“They did write something about me. Look.”
I got up from my chair and walked over to her desk. I leaned down the read what she had her mouse over. “Wow,” I said. “Someone sure has opinions about you.”
“I can’t believe they wrote this! It says if I weren’t so focused on my looks and hair, I’d probably be a better person. The appearance of my hair is enough to know how much hairspray I use. My dressing to way to provocative for the rink and I couldn’t seem less interested in being there. And they called me mean, fat, and conceited. And they think I’m too tall for him, seriously?”
I tried to hold back the laughter. “It’s ok, whoever wrote this probably has no life.”
“Still, how could they think I’m too tall for him?”
“Really? Out of all the things they said, this is what you’re focusing on?”
“Yeah, I mean come on. How tall do they want me to be, your height?”
“Ok, I’m going back to my chair now,” I said sitting down and pushing my chair in.
“I mean if you want to call me tall, that’s fine I get it. But saying I’m too tall for him? That’s a little much. He’s tall enough as it is,” she said. “Like I could be taller than him, please.”
I shook my head smiling at her. I went through my emails and eventually started to organize my already clean desk since there was nothing to do. I was going through some paper work when I decided to get coffee. I pushed my chair back and walked to the lounge. The whole office was quiet with a few people walking around and some quiet personal phone calls going on. I finally reached the lounge, grabbed a cup and poured some coffee.
I walked back outside to suddenly find people pacing and running around with papers in their hand. Phones were going off and the office seemed more alive. I eyed everyone slowly walking back to my desk.
“Brooke!” Carl called from behind.
“Hey, what’s up?”
“I love you!” he shouted picking me up and spun me around.
“Uh, thanks?”
“That piece you gave me for my article was genius! Boss loved it and so did everyone else.”
“Really?”
He nodded. “They’ve been waiting to see that article because they were actually really interested since you know hockey is such a big deal around here. And when they read it, they told me how much they liked it,” he explained.
“That’s really great,” I told him.
He smiled putting me down. “You know, I wasn’t going to take all the credit for myself. I told them that you basically told me what to write. They all thought you were amazing. And I mean they know how much you know about hockey and that my opinions aren’t that strong,” he joked.
“Well thank you. You didn’t have to do that. You could’ve taken credit,” I said.
He shook his head. “No, people deserve to know how great you are. I got to go but I’ll talk to you later,” he said walking off. “I love you Brooke Parker!”
I laughed to myself making my way back to my desk. I was greeted with more people complimenting on the article, which I’ll admit, put me in a better mood.
“Hey Brooke, great opinion on that article. I loved it!” another co-worker said walking past me.
“Well I do my best,” I answered looking back.
Yet another person, Lisa, walked past me shouting. “Brooke! Amazing opinions. It sounded great and we all know Carl isn’t the best with words.”
I laughed. “When has he ever been?”
Adam came up to me next. “Brooke, when will you stop being so great? I swear I read that article and felt like I was talking to you,” he said.
Just as he finished someone I had never seen came up to me. “Are you Brooke?”
“I am. How may I help you?”
“I’m new. I’m an intern and I’ve heard people talking about how you helped someone write the opinion piece on hockey, is that true?”
Adam put his arm around me. “Sure is. Why?” he asked eyeing him.
"I read it and I thought you really gave the writer the direction of what to write. It was real good.”
“Thank you so much.”
“That’s just Brooke. She’s that good,” Adam piped in grinning at me.
I rolled my eyes. “Thank you for saying so.”
“You’re welcome. I have to make these copies. I should get going,” he said holding up papers.
“So soon?”
“What?”
Adam and I both laughed. “She’s just screwing with your mind kid.”
“It was very nice to meet you. I hope to see you around.” He smiled and walked away as Adam and I laughed again.
“I’ll see you around and again, that article was really good. I don’t think Carl could’ve done it without you. Your hockey knowledge still amazes me. Plus, you’re really pretty,” he smiled.
“Thanks,” I told him as he walked away.
Rachel, a photographer came up to me grinning. “Hey, girly. Finally you put your two cents in Carl’s piece. About time it seemed he knew what he was talking about even if he doesn’t,” she joked.
I took a sip of my coffee. “Well, he’s Carl, what are you going to do with him?”
She laughed calling back to me. “Guess you’re right. See you later,” she said.
All of these comments had only taken up a few minutes. I was approaching my desk when I noticed Max and Sidney standing and smiling at me. “What are you doing here?”
“We came by to see if you guys wanted to go to lunch,” Max said. “Separately though.”
Sidney smiled at me. “Hey people sure seem to like you. Even that intern guy.”
I waved my hand. “Oh, no they don’t. They were just talking to me about something.”
He gave me a tiny smile waving off my comment. “So, do you want to go to lunch?”
“You guys finished practice already?” I asked sitting down in my chair.
He nodded. “Yeah, we had an earlier practice. I thought I might come and see if you’re hungry.”
I smiled. “That’s very sweet of you. I don’t really have much work today so I can go now,” I told him already grabbing my purse.
“Well Max and Peyton already left,” he said frowning looking at them walking away. “So guess it’s just us.”
“Guess it is.”
“You know,” he began as he walked. “People were staring at Max and I when we came up here.”
“Understandable. I mean it’s not everyday we get hockey superstars in here,” I smirked.
He opened the door for me leading to the parking lot as we made our way to his car. “Still, they seemed really nice. I tried to be nice back.”
“Aren’t you quite the charmer,” I joked.
He laughed opening the door for me leaning down quickly to kiss me on the cheek and went over to his side. Once he got in he was starting the car when I placed my hand on his arm and leaned over to do the same. “Hey,” I smiled. He smiled back backing the car out of the parking lot.
------------------------
“You know,” Sidney said taking a bite out of his pasta. “People really seem to like you at your work. And I didn’t realize how charming and funny you were.”
I gave him a confused look. “What?”
“I was watching you when everyone was coming up and talking to you and everything you said was funny. Especially to that one intern guy. You really are something else.”
“I’m going to choose to take that as a compliment,” I said taking a drink from my water.
He went back to his food staying silent for a few minutes. He had been thinking about something but I had no idea what it was. I decided to ignore it until he finally spoke. “Uhm Brooke?”
“Yes?”
“I know this is probably none of my business,” he said. “But I was wondering if you had decided what you were going to do about your father?”
I stopped chewing and slowly looked up at him. I had thought about it, way too much. I just didn’t know what I wanted to do. I cleared my throat. “I haven’t decided, no. I, I don’t know what I want to do.”
He nodded. “Oh, well I’m here for you. If there’s anything you need, just let me know.”
I smiled. “Thank you.”
He chewed on his pasta and opened his mouth to say something. “Brooke? Would you mind if I said something about this?”
I put my fork down and folded my hands on the table. “Sure.”
He sighed. “I think you should call your father. I think you should see him.”
“Why?”
“You haven’t seen him in years. I don’t know him but he seems to really be making an effort to try and fix your relationship.”
“You’re right. You don’t know him,” I pointed out. “He always tries to make the effort and ends up backing out or messing something up and just forgets about me.”
He frowned looking down at his plate. “I think you should still hear him out. If you don’t, you’ll be wondering what could’ve happened.”
I chewed on my lip, contemplating what I would say next. “I want to. I just don’t know what I would say.” I glanced at him. “If I called him, would you be there with me?”
“Of course I would. Don’t worry Brooke, I’ll be there with you. It’ll be all right. I promise,” he said reaching over to grab my hand.
I took in a deep breath. “Ok. I think I will call him. At least to hear him out,” I decided.
“Good,” he smiled.
I was thankful for Sidney and how sweet and understanding he was. I was thankful that I could talk to him about this. I was also thankful for having him in my life. That and the piece of chocolate cake now in front of me.
I grabbed my keys and closed the door and walked down the hallway. The whole way to work, I was trying to ignore the thoughts that ran through my head. I didn’t know what I wanted to do. That’s what was eating away inside me.
--------------------------
“Hey,” Peyton greeted.
“Hey,” I said back taking my seat at my desk across from her.
“How are you doing?”
I shrugged taking a drink from my coffee. “Alright I guess.”
She nodded. “Max told me Sidney went over there.”
I nodded back. “He did. I spoke to him. About everything,” I told her.
She leaned back in surprise, staring at me. “Are….are you serious?”
“Yeah. You were always telling me I needed to trust someone and open up. And I felt like I could do that with him. I felt comfortable around him. I thought he deserved to know. I know it seems fast but-”
“No, it’s ok. I know you and you never do anything rash. You have to think. About everything,” she pointed out. “If you say you trust him, I trust you.”
I smiled. “Thanks.”
“No problem.” She stared at her computer screen intently scrolling through a page with her mouse.
“What are you doing?” I asked.
“Nothing.”
I raised my eyebrow. “Uh huh, sure.”
She sighed. “I’m looking at the girlfriend forums.”
I made a face. “Why?”
“To see if any girls out there are talking about me,” she pointed out. “For all I know they can be saying mean things about me.”
“And if they are, what are you going to do about it?”
“I don’t know, but I’d at least like to know who is talking about me,” she argued. “They better not be saying anything bad about me. Wait, how dare they!”
I looked back up at her. “What?”
“They did write something about me. Look.”
I got up from my chair and walked over to her desk. I leaned down the read what she had her mouse over. “Wow,” I said. “Someone sure has opinions about you.”
“I can’t believe they wrote this! It says if I weren’t so focused on my looks and hair, I’d probably be a better person. The appearance of my hair is enough to know how much hairspray I use. My dressing to way to provocative for the rink and I couldn’t seem less interested in being there. And they called me mean, fat, and conceited. And they think I’m too tall for him, seriously?”
I tried to hold back the laughter. “It’s ok, whoever wrote this probably has no life.”
“Still, how could they think I’m too tall for him?”
“Really? Out of all the things they said, this is what you’re focusing on?”
“Yeah, I mean come on. How tall do they want me to be, your height?”
“Ok, I’m going back to my chair now,” I said sitting down and pushing my chair in.
“I mean if you want to call me tall, that’s fine I get it. But saying I’m too tall for him? That’s a little much. He’s tall enough as it is,” she said. “Like I could be taller than him, please.”
I shook my head smiling at her. I went through my emails and eventually started to organize my already clean desk since there was nothing to do. I was going through some paper work when I decided to get coffee. I pushed my chair back and walked to the lounge. The whole office was quiet with a few people walking around and some quiet personal phone calls going on. I finally reached the lounge, grabbed a cup and poured some coffee.
I walked back outside to suddenly find people pacing and running around with papers in their hand. Phones were going off and the office seemed more alive. I eyed everyone slowly walking back to my desk.
“Brooke!” Carl called from behind.
“Hey, what’s up?”
“I love you!” he shouted picking me up and spun me around.
“Uh, thanks?”
“That piece you gave me for my article was genius! Boss loved it and so did everyone else.”
“Really?”
He nodded. “They’ve been waiting to see that article because they were actually really interested since you know hockey is such a big deal around here. And when they read it, they told me how much they liked it,” he explained.
“That’s really great,” I told him.
He smiled putting me down. “You know, I wasn’t going to take all the credit for myself. I told them that you basically told me what to write. They all thought you were amazing. And I mean they know how much you know about hockey and that my opinions aren’t that strong,” he joked.
“Well thank you. You didn’t have to do that. You could’ve taken credit,” I said.
He shook his head. “No, people deserve to know how great you are. I got to go but I’ll talk to you later,” he said walking off. “I love you Brooke Parker!”
I laughed to myself making my way back to my desk. I was greeted with more people complimenting on the article, which I’ll admit, put me in a better mood.
“Hey Brooke, great opinion on that article. I loved it!” another co-worker said walking past me.
“Well I do my best,” I answered looking back.
Yet another person, Lisa, walked past me shouting. “Brooke! Amazing opinions. It sounded great and we all know Carl isn’t the best with words.”
I laughed. “When has he ever been?”
Adam came up to me next. “Brooke, when will you stop being so great? I swear I read that article and felt like I was talking to you,” he said.
Just as he finished someone I had never seen came up to me. “Are you Brooke?”
“I am. How may I help you?”
“I’m new. I’m an intern and I’ve heard people talking about how you helped someone write the opinion piece on hockey, is that true?”
Adam put his arm around me. “Sure is. Why?” he asked eyeing him.
"I read it and I thought you really gave the writer the direction of what to write. It was real good.”
“Thank you so much.”
“That’s just Brooke. She’s that good,” Adam piped in grinning at me.
I rolled my eyes. “Thank you for saying so.”
“You’re welcome. I have to make these copies. I should get going,” he said holding up papers.
“So soon?”
“What?”
Adam and I both laughed. “She’s just screwing with your mind kid.”
“It was very nice to meet you. I hope to see you around.” He smiled and walked away as Adam and I laughed again.
“I’ll see you around and again, that article was really good. I don’t think Carl could’ve done it without you. Your hockey knowledge still amazes me. Plus, you’re really pretty,” he smiled.
“Thanks,” I told him as he walked away.
Rachel, a photographer came up to me grinning. “Hey, girly. Finally you put your two cents in Carl’s piece. About time it seemed he knew what he was talking about even if he doesn’t,” she joked.
I took a sip of my coffee. “Well, he’s Carl, what are you going to do with him?”
She laughed calling back to me. “Guess you’re right. See you later,” she said.
All of these comments had only taken up a few minutes. I was approaching my desk when I noticed Max and Sidney standing and smiling at me. “What are you doing here?”
“We came by to see if you guys wanted to go to lunch,” Max said. “Separately though.”
Sidney smiled at me. “Hey people sure seem to like you. Even that intern guy.”
I waved my hand. “Oh, no they don’t. They were just talking to me about something.”
He gave me a tiny smile waving off my comment. “So, do you want to go to lunch?”
“You guys finished practice already?” I asked sitting down in my chair.
He nodded. “Yeah, we had an earlier practice. I thought I might come and see if you’re hungry.”
I smiled. “That’s very sweet of you. I don’t really have much work today so I can go now,” I told him already grabbing my purse.
“Well Max and Peyton already left,” he said frowning looking at them walking away. “So guess it’s just us.”
“Guess it is.”
“You know,” he began as he walked. “People were staring at Max and I when we came up here.”
“Understandable. I mean it’s not everyday we get hockey superstars in here,” I smirked.
He opened the door for me leading to the parking lot as we made our way to his car. “Still, they seemed really nice. I tried to be nice back.”
“Aren’t you quite the charmer,” I joked.
He laughed opening the door for me leaning down quickly to kiss me on the cheek and went over to his side. Once he got in he was starting the car when I placed my hand on his arm and leaned over to do the same. “Hey,” I smiled. He smiled back backing the car out of the parking lot.
------------------------
“You know,” Sidney said taking a bite out of his pasta. “People really seem to like you at your work. And I didn’t realize how charming and funny you were.”
I gave him a confused look. “What?”
“I was watching you when everyone was coming up and talking to you and everything you said was funny. Especially to that one intern guy. You really are something else.”
“I’m going to choose to take that as a compliment,” I said taking a drink from my water.
He went back to his food staying silent for a few minutes. He had been thinking about something but I had no idea what it was. I decided to ignore it until he finally spoke. “Uhm Brooke?”
“Yes?”
“I know this is probably none of my business,” he said. “But I was wondering if you had decided what you were going to do about your father?”
I stopped chewing and slowly looked up at him. I had thought about it, way too much. I just didn’t know what I wanted to do. I cleared my throat. “I haven’t decided, no. I, I don’t know what I want to do.”
He nodded. “Oh, well I’m here for you. If there’s anything you need, just let me know.”
I smiled. “Thank you.”
He chewed on his pasta and opened his mouth to say something. “Brooke? Would you mind if I said something about this?”
I put my fork down and folded my hands on the table. “Sure.”
He sighed. “I think you should call your father. I think you should see him.”
“Why?”
“You haven’t seen him in years. I don’t know him but he seems to really be making an effort to try and fix your relationship.”
“You’re right. You don’t know him,” I pointed out. “He always tries to make the effort and ends up backing out or messing something up and just forgets about me.”
He frowned looking down at his plate. “I think you should still hear him out. If you don’t, you’ll be wondering what could’ve happened.”
I chewed on my lip, contemplating what I would say next. “I want to. I just don’t know what I would say.” I glanced at him. “If I called him, would you be there with me?”
“Of course I would. Don’t worry Brooke, I’ll be there with you. It’ll be all right. I promise,” he said reaching over to grab my hand.
I took in a deep breath. “Ok. I think I will call him. At least to hear him out,” I decided.
“Good,” he smiled.
I was thankful for Sidney and how sweet and understanding he was. I was thankful that I could talk to him about this. I was also thankful for having him in my life. That and the piece of chocolate cake now in front of me.
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