Afraid

I hope you like this!

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I sat on the couch trying to read my book but failing and twirling it around my hands. It eventually fell to the floor. I sighed, picking it up and deciding I would get myself a glass of water. As I was coming back from the kitchen I heard some shuffling across the door. I stared at the door for a moment before shrugging and returning to the couch.

I again heard feet after a few minutes and muffled voices. I got up from the couch and went to the door. After a second of trying to listen, I pulled the door open soon opening my mouth in shock. I had just caught a glimpse of Max and Peyton making out.

I couldn’t help but gasp loudly. “Oh my God,” I muttered as they quickly pulled apart. I covered my mouth quickly and winced. 

Max removed his hands from Peyton’s back and adjusted his pants while Peyton tried to smooth down her hair and pull down her shirt. “Oh hi Brooke,” she waved awkwardly.

“Hey Brooke how are you?” Max asked not making direct eye contact.

I slowly waved with my hand at the back of my head. “Hi.” I looked between the two of them, waiting for their response.

Peyton cleared her throat and turned towards Max. “Well, thank you Max,” she paused “For that. I’ll talk to you later. Goodnight.” She pushed past me and went inside. I could only eye Max who stood awkwardly before walking away, as I closed the door.

I turned around leaning against the door. “Huh.”

She paced over to the couch before letting out a long sigh. “Before you say anything, you need to know the whole story.”

“What story?” I asked walking and sitting down. “That you and Max have a thing?”

“It’s not a thing!” she argued.

I laughed. “Then what exactly is it? You can’t tell me you’re going out with him,” I said crossing my arms.

“What if I am? What do you have against him?”

“Nothing! He’s Max but he’s nice. But you! You’re constantly judging and picking on him and being mean. Even before I met the guy you would come home saying how Max was getting on your nerves again and how you wanted to punch the French out of him,” I explained.

She hugged the couch pillow before releasing it and throwing it on the couch. “I know. I was serious back then when I said he got on my nerves because he did,” she sighed “But, he got to me you know? It’s like one day I turn around and I have feelings for this French idiot who laughs at his own jokes.”

I looked at her for a moment before asking. “You really like him?”

She sat up, blowing her bangs out of her face. “Yea I really do even if I wish I didn’t. And you can’t help who you like.”

“Well I’m happy for you. I kind of had a hunch something was going on for a while. I’m just curious why you didn’t tell me.”

She frowned. “I wanted to, believe me. I wanted to jump up and down but I guess I thought you’d judge or not believe it. And he felt the same way about the team so we decided to keep it a secret,” she shrugged.

I nodded. “So where’d you guys go anyway?”

“He took me out to dinner and we just walked around, you know talking about each other. We’re still trying to get to know each other better.”

I raised my eyebrows. “Wow I didn’t think Max was capable of actually having a normal conversation,” I mumbled.

“Brooke,” Peyton hissed giving me a look.

“Ok I’m sorry. You really seem to like him though.”

She nodded. “I do. No matter how much I wish it wasn’t him, I can’t help it. You can’t control your feelings towards someone. They just happen you know?”

I pulled my legs up resting my chin on them and wrapped my arms around them as I nodded. “Yea.”

Peyton let out a small giggle. “Huh.”

I gave her a confused look. “What?”

She shook her head. “Oh nothing. Just wondering what you’re thinking of.”

I felt my cheeks turn pink. “What are you talking about?” I tried to play if off.

“How long have you liked Sidney?”

I smiled softly fiddling with the loose strings on the couch. “Maybe for a couple of days.”

“Really?” she asked, her voice full of curiosity and excitement. “What happened?”

“I don’t know.” I answered quietly. “I knew there was something there I just didn’t know what it was and the other day when we went to Max’s house we were just sitting talking about random stuff and I just felt different.”

“Good different?” she asked.

I nodded. “Good different. He’s incredibly sweet and nice and he makes me feel good.”

A grin grew on her face. “So?”

I frowned. “So…?” I waited to hear what she was trying to say.

She took a deep breath seeming a bit frustrated I didn’t get it the first time. “So go for it.”

I furrowed my eyebrows. “What?”

She sighed deeply. “Brooke, do I need to spell it out for you? Go get Sidney.”

“Peyton, no.” I said sternly.

“Why not?” she complained.

“Because,” I paused trying to think of the right answer. “Because he’s Sidney Crosby. He has way more important things to deal with than girls. He rarely has time to himself, let alone date. And most importantly he could never like someone like me. He doesn’t even think of me that way. This isn’t even a discussion worth having.”

She stared at me, not saying anything. Her face showing no emotion what so ever. She sat still without moving a finger for a while until I gave her a slight shake. She shook her head a bit before taking in a deep breath. “Brooke,” she said disappointingly.

I tilted my head at her. “What?”

She let her head fall back on the couch. “Why! Why Brooke?”

“What?”

“Why do you have to be so damn considerate of others!”

“What are you talking about?” I asked trying to understand her.

She sighed fixing her eyes on me. “What’s wrong with you? Why do you have to be considerate of everyone else’s feelings but your own? You always do this. Put everyone else’s needs before yours. And you constantly put yourself down, thinking you’re not good enough, when you are. You’re amazing Brooke and any guy who doesn’t see that is blind. And if someone really liked you, they’d make time for you and tell you they feel the same, which Sidney does. Everyone’s seen that but you. He likes you Brooke.”

“What?” I asked slowly squeezing the pillow even tighter.

She let out a small laugh. “Everyone could see that he liked you the day he met you just by the way he looked at you. You had a thing too, you just didn’t know it yet, until now. Brooke you have to stop being so afraid and stop analyzing everything. If you want something go for it. Don’t think about what other people want. Stop being so afraid of everything.”

I let go of the pillow and slowly got up. I stared at her blinking, not knowing what to say. I finally sighed. “I’m going to bed. It’s been a long day. I’ll see you tomorrow.” I left Peyton without another word coming from either of us and shut my door. I changed and climbed into bed turning off the lights.

Her words echoed in my head not allowing me to sleep for the rest of the night.

Awkward Conversations and Broken Noses

I crossed my arms feeling the chill of the air hit me as I left Marc’s car. He had stepped out with Sidney behind him and we walked to the front door of the café. As soon as we entered the smell of coffee was deeply inhaled as I smiled to myself.

“Finally!” Max called out throwing his hands in the air. “We’ve been waiting forever!”

“No we haven’t. We just got here a few minutes ago,” Jordan corrected.

“Ok, we’re here now. Let’s go order.” Marc went to the counter as everyone shuffled behind him.

I made my way to the end of the line as Kris appeared behind Jordan. He stopped in his tracks and had a serious expression. He looked at me, and without a smile nodded to me. “Hi.”

I forced a smile. “Hey.” I stood awkwardly not knowing what to do next.

He looked down at the floor with his hands in his pockets. I cleared my throat, which caused Sidney to look back and look between both of us. “Brooke do you want to go in front of me?”

I smiled as Kris looked at him and back at me. He sighed and nodded slowly seeming to understand himself only. “No, I’m fine Sidney, really.”

“No, really it’s ok. I don’t mind.” He smiled and stepped aside to let me pass. I took a step forward and thanked him.

Once we all got what we wanted, Jordan pushed a few tables together as we sat down. Everyone immediately sat down and started eating in silence.

“So Brooke,” Max said drinking his water. “Are you excited about tonight’s game against the Rangers?”

I looked up from my plate shrugging slightly. “Yea pretty excited. I don’t know too much about the Rangers to be honest but I do like them. I mean Lundqvist is great in net so that’ll probably be hard throughout the night, but I think you guys can manage. I think Biron being a back up could be good for the team, and Frolov is really going to be good for the team as well and have a fantastic season, and Del Zotto was one of my favorite prospects, so he’ll probably keep being awesome. So it should be a good game if they’re on their best tonight,” I shrugged taking a bite out of my salad.

I suddenly heard the table go silent and I looked up. The guys were staring at me in awe with their mouths open, eyebrows raised, wide eyes. I cleared my throat and smiled slightly. Next to Max, Peyton smirked giggling to herself.

“What?” I asked.

She shook her head smiling. “I think they’re just amazed that you can know so much about hockey, which is so wrong if they knew you.”

“Oh.” I said.

“Wow! Girl knows her players,” Max grinned eating again.

Jordan nudged me. “Do you really know that much about hockey?”

“Well, I mean I guess you can say I know more about hockey than most, but that’s probably because I’ve been watching it ever since I was a child,” I explained.

“Nice.” Tyler smiled at me.

I smiled sheepishly returning back to my plate of food.

“I’m hoping to get into a fight.” Jordan said. “I haven’t been in one in a while.”

“Wuss.” Max scoffed, then muttering something about kicking someone’s ass.

“Brooke have you ever been in a fight?” Tyler asked.

Marc shook his head. “No she’s way too nice for that.”

Peyton scoffed across the table. “Ha!”

I gave Peyton a look knowing what she was thinking about. “Uhm, Peyton.”

She looked up at me and smiled innocently. “Yes?”

I gave her another look and shook my head slightly, hoping she got my telepathic message.  She didn’t. Or she did but chose to ignore it.

She stared at me blankly for a moment before shrugging. “You guys are just lucky you didn’t know her back in high school.”

“Why?” Jordan asked.

“Peyton.” I said, barely audible.

She looked around the table before putting down her fork and sitting up straighter preparing herself. “Do you guys want to hear a story about Brooke?”

“Always,” Max answered.

“Peyton.” I said more sternly.

“Well you see, in high school and pretty much in her entire life, Brooke has always been the nice, sweet innocent girl. You’d be an idiot to hate her. But there was this one incident that ended up becoming legendary in our school,” she explained.

“Peyton.” I protested louder.

“What happened?” Marc asked leaning in to hear.

Peyton continued. “She had just become friends with this new guy in school really fast. He would always hang around her and be really sweet to her. Only problem was that one of the provocative girls in school had her eye on him, as did every girl because he was extremely handsome.”

“Peyton.” I yelled a little.

“Well Brooke paid no attention but one day, she came up to her and yelled at Brooke to back of her man and before she walked away,” she paused for effect before finishing, “She slapped her across the face. And then out of nowhere,” she paused again. “Brooke tackled her onto the lunch table and rolled over her and punched her in the nose, which she ended up breaking for a whole month!”

“Peyton!” I screamed.

The whole table gasped and started to laugh hysterically. Jordan and Max were the loudest and started to imitate the punch, Jordan knocking Max out who collapsed onto the table. Marc and Tyler laughed even harder. I even saw out of the corner of my eye that Sidney and Kris were laughing as well.

I covered my face in my hands as I felt my face start to heat up. “Well I know never to slap Brooke now.” Max joked.

I removed my hands from my face to glare at him. He looked straight down. “Wow Brooke I didn’t know you could be so aggressive. We could use you on our team.” Jordan grinned.

“Why did you get so mad?” Tyler asked.

I shrugged. “I just didn’t like her accusing me of stealing ‘her man’” I said using air quotes.

“Did you really break her nose?” Sidney asked.

I nodded slowly, embarrassed. “I’m not proud of it.”

Kris interrupted it. “Impressive.” He said still looking down at his plate.

Sidney nodded in agreement. “Yea. It is especially because of your size.”

At that comment everyone laughed. I frowned. “What’s wrong with my size?”

Max laughed. “Come on. You’re really tiny. And how tall are you like five feet?”

I sat up straighter. “I’ll have you know I’m five two,” I argued.

“Big difference. Why couldn’t you be Peyton? She’s five seven.” Peyton elbowed him on the side hard. “Ow! What was that for?” she gave him a look and he didn’t understand at first. “Oh!” he nodded looking at us again nervously. “I mean it seems like she’s five seven to me. It’s not like I know that for a fact or anything.”

The whole table exchanged looks and choosing to ignore him for now. “Well, let’s go.” Marc said getting up to throw his food out. Everyone followed him starting their own conversations.

As I got up to throw my food out Sidney came behind me. He threw his food out and then bent down. “I didn’t mean to offend you or anything. I’m sorry.”

I looked up at him smiling at how sincerely apologetic he seemed. “It’s ok really don’t worry about it.”

He smiled. “Thanks. And by the way, I don’t mind that you’re small,” he finished and walked ahead of me.

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I laughed shaking my head at Max and Jordan who were battling each other on Guitar Hero. We had gone over back to Max’s place since he wanted everyone to go over his house so he’d feel cool. Tyler had left somewhere while Kris left about five minutes later. I felt horrible but I understood he didn’t want to see me.

Peyton and Marc were on the floor discussing something while I was on the couch with Sidney. I sat on the edge while he sat about two feet away from me.

“Can someone else please battle me? I’m tired of Jordan!” Max whined.

“You’re just mad because you keep losing to Jordan,” Sidney replied.

He gave him a look. “You couldn’t win even if you tried. Baby.”

Sidney laughed even thought I could see he clearly didn’t find it funny what so ever.

“You know no one thinks you’re a baby right?” I asked Sidney looking at his serious face.

He shrugged. “Max probably does, but that’s ok,” he let out a small laugh. He tilted his head thinking before looking at me. “I was really shocked to find out you did that in high school, you know.”

I looked at him. “Really? Well I’m not exactly proud of that. It wasn’t my finest moment.” I smiled sheepishly.

“Maybe but I didn’t expect that from you. You seem so,” he paused trying to think of the right word.

“Afraid?” I said. “It’s ok you can say it.”

“I don’t think you’re afraid.” He corrected. “You’re strong.”

I smiled softly looking away from him, feeling my stomach turn into knots.

“You’re strong too. No matter what anyone else tells you,” I explained.

He shook his head. “People think I am afraid like I couldn’t hurt a fly or anything.”

I laughed. “Then you should prove them wrong. Steal some kid’s candy or something.”

He nodded. “I should. Only if it’s healthy though.”

We both laughed silencing out any other noises in the room.

So...Good Talk?

I sighed as I tapped my fingers on my legs sitting on the couch. I was beginning to grow impatient waiting for the door to knock. I had no idea what I was going to say to Kris. I didn’t know how I felt about Sidney yet. I just knew I didn’t like Kris as much as I wanted to. He was a nice guy and I wanted to like him, but I couldn’t.

I felt something for Sidney and even though I knew he’d never feel anything for me, I couldn’t lead Kris on. My thoughts were interrupted by a few knocks on the door. I got up and went to answer it.

I braced myself before opening the door and giving Kris a small smile. “Hey.”

“Hey.” He walked inside as I stepped aside to let him in.

He looked around the apartment for a moment taking everything in as if he’d never been here before. He looked back at me as I gestured my hand to the couch. He started walking as I followed.

He sat down on the other edge of the couch and sighed. “So I think we need to talk.”

I nodded looking down at the floor. “Yea.” I took a pause thinking of the words to say before opening my mouth again. “I just want to do this without sounding to cliché. Kris, you’re a sweet guy. You’re a great guy. I just don’t want you to think I’m-,”

“Settling?” he finished.

“Yea. I’m just confused about some things, if that makes sense,” I said, guilt working its way into each word I spoke.

He tilted his head. “About what?”

“I don’t really know,” I admitted.

He frowned. “Oh.”

I nodded. “Yea.” We sat in silence for a few minutes. “Would you like some water?”

He shrugged. “Sure.”

I got up and walked over to the fridge thinking of what to say next. I could feel his eyes burning a hole through my back. It made this even harder. I heard his footsteps follow me. I turned back around and handed him a bottle of water. He muttered a thank you. I took a drink and waited for him to say something.

He took a drink and looked at me. “I like you, a lot.”

I looked at him in shock, not expecting him to be so blunt. I didn’t know what to say back. I opened my mouth a few times. I sighed before finally saying, “You’re sweet. And I do like you,” a tiny smile appeared on his face, but soon faded. “And I really want to like you the way
you want me to,” I looked up at him. “But I don’t.”

He frowned and grew very serious. I started to feel suffocated from the growing tension in the room. “Why don’t you like me?”

“It’s not that I don’t. I do. Just not as much as you’d like me to,” I explained.

“Is there someone else?” he asked.

I shrugged slightly. “I don’t know, maybe. But that’s not important.” I smiled softly walking closer to him as he leaned against the counter crossing his arms and his legs stretched out.

“So say it.” He gave me a stern look.

I furrowed my eyebrows. “What?”

“That you don’t like me.”

I shook me head. “You are an amazing guy Kris and I do like you. A whole lot. That’s why I don’t want to start anything. I cant like you more until I sort out my feelings. I don’t know if I will. And I wouldn’t be able to make you happy like you deserve.”

His eyes fell to the carpet. I began to feel that gnawing feeling in my stomach again. I felt the guilt rising up to me. I stepped closer to him and grabbed his hands from under his crossed arms. I squeezed them slightly and gave him a small smile. “I do wish I could like you more. I do wish I could give you what you want.”

He let out a small laugh. “Me too.” He looked at me for a moment without saying anything. He just stared into my eyes and smiled. “Well, at least I tried right?” he said adjusting his cap. “You know the first time we met, I thought you were the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen,” he admitted.

I felt my face start to warm up. “Me? Really?” I walked over the living room again as he followed. “Why would you ever like someone like me?”

He laughed as he sat on the couch. “You were just incredibly cool and witty and amazingly breath taking in everything you said. I was always amazed by you.”

I stared at him for a moment before smirking. “Well you’re not so bad yourself. You are charming and incredibly adorable. You’ll find someone who is dying to be with you.”

“Really?” he smiled hopefully.

“Of course.” I replied as I reached in for a hug. He embraced me with such warmth as I wrapped my arms around him. He let go and we smiled at each other. I kissed him softly on the lips smiling once more.

He nodded. “You will too.”

I sighed. “I hope so.”
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“Brooke! You’re here!” Max ran to pin me against the wall the second I walked into the locker room and hug me as tightly as he could.

I tired gasping for air. “Let me go,” I mumbled into his shirt.

He let me go as he grabbed me by the arm and pulled me to sit down on the bench. “You know, Sidney’s around here somewhere,” he said nudging me with his elbow and grinning.

I shook me head. “Yes Max I’m pretty sure he’d be here at practice. I don’t know why I come in here. I should just wait outside in the hallway.”

“No. You come in here because you love me.” he smirked at me.

I shot him a look.

“And because Peyton makes you,” he added shrugging.

Marc came in the locker room and smiled as he walked towards the two of us. I let out a yawn as I stretched my arms above my head. “Tired?”

I nodded softly. “Sort of?”

Max and Marc both smirked. “Hmm, wonder what you were thinking of.” He gave Max a knowing look.

I rolled my eyes looking around the room. The truth is, I was thinking about both Kris and Sidney. I felt horrible for what I had done to Kris and couldn’t get rid of the guilt. I wondered if he hated me.

At the same time, I was trying to figure out what exactly it was I felt for Sidney. Yes, he was sweet and different but I’m not sure if I like him more beyond the friend point. But I was sure that he felt nothing for me.

“Brooke? Are you ok?” Max shook me lightly.

I shook my head, relieving my thoughts and nodded. “Yea, I’m fine. Sorry I was thinking.”

They nodded as Marc looked to the side and a mischievous smile grew on his face. “Hey, look who’s coming.”

Max and I turned our heads to see Sidney walking over to us. He smiled politely and stood in front of us. “Hey Brooke.”

I smiled back. “Hey Sidney.”

He looked at Marc and Max. “Are we still going to lunch?”

Marc nodded. “Yea, we’re just waiting on Jordan now.”

“And Kris,” Max said looking around the room to try and spot them.

My eyes went wide. “What?” They all looked at me strangely. “What did you say?”

“I said we’re just waiting on Kris too.” He gave me a confused look and returned back to looking.

I felt my stomach turn over. My heart began to race. The guilt came rushing back in seconds. I felt my face grow paler by the second. “Oh.”

“I don’t think Brooke feels to good.” I heard Marc say.

I took in a deep breath and forced a smile on my face. “I’m fine. Just got a little headache. I’m fine, really.”

He nodded cautiously as Max stood up. “Let’s go find them before I die of starvation. Maybe Tyler wants to come too.”

Marc smirked at me. “Brooke, do you want to come with us?”

“Oh, no I don’t want to I intrude. I’m fine, really.” I replied in protest.

“You wouldn’t be intruding. We want you to come, right Sidney?”

He smiled slightly. “We wouldn’t mind at all. You’re better company than Max who never stops talking,” he shrugged.

Max gasped and put his hand over his heart as if he were offended. “That is such a lie! Now, I’m not going to talk you anymore!” he crossed his arms and looked the opposite direction.

Sidney merely shook his head. I sighed. “Well, if you’re sure.”

“Great,” Marc smiled. “You can ride with me and Sidney.” He finished glancing quickly at both of us. “The other guys can ride with Max.”

I frowned. “Wait. What about Peyton?”

“I’ll drive her!” Max yelled scaring all of us slightly. He cleared his throat and sniffed trying to act more casual. “I mean. I’ll go get her.” He shrugged and took a few steps before running out of the room to find her.

We stood there staring at him before shaking our heads and walking to the parking lot to Marc’s car. He stepped out into the parking lot and laughed.

“What?” I asked.

He shook his head. “Nothing.” He paused before saying, “Brooke you can take the front seat.”

I frowned. “What if Sidney wants the front seat?”

“Sidney’s nice so he’ll give it to you anyway,” he explained.

I looked at Sidney who let out a small laugh. “It’s ok, you can have it.”

I climbed into the passenger’s seat as he went to the back. Marc came in and grinned. “See? Told you. He’s a gentleman, right? Just one of his many great qualities. He treats any pretty girl like a gentleman.”

I looked at Sidney through the mirror and saw him texting on his phone. “Oh, I’m sure Marc,” I said sarcastically.

He began to drive onto the street as he spoke again. “Hey Sidney, did you know Brooke is single?”

He laughed. “Really Marc? I had no idea.”

He nodded. “Oh yes, she is. I just thought you should know. And she hasn’t been on any dates lately.”

“How do you know? I keep my personal life, personal.” I snapped.

“Brooke,” Marc began. “No girl goes on dates without mentioning them. And you have that not going out on dates lately look on your face.”

I felt my face heat up as I sunk into the seat.

“Hey Sid, have you been on any dates lately?”

I glanced at the side mirror to see him sort of making a face. “Why do you want to know?”

He shrugged. “Just want to know if you’ve met anyone worth mentioning.”

“Well I don’t really meet people with all this traveling,” he reminded.

“True. It’s hard to find a girl that can deal with all of that and have a life,” he looked at me. “Hey Brooke how needy do you get? Are you independent?”

I glared at him. “Marc! If you don’t drive this car I will take the wheel and run you over myself.” I said sternly.

He laughed. “Ok, ok I’ll stop.” After a moment of silence he opened his mouth again. “Your wedding would be so amazing!”

“Marc!” I yelled.

I could only shake my head as Sidney and him laughed.

The Godfather

“So I heard you had a date with Sidney.” I looked up to see Max standing in front of me, all the guys pouring into the locker room behind him.

I rubbed my eye tiredly. “What are you talking about?”

“Everyone’s talking about how he came over and you guys had a date,” he explained taking a seat next to me and taking off his shoulder pads.

I shook my head. “No, it was not a date. It was dinner.” I paused for a moment before speaking again. “And who told you we had dinner?”

Max shrugged beginning to untie his skates. “Everyone’s talking about it.”

I cast a glance at all the guys chatting or laughing about something before lowering my voice. “And who did they hear it from?”

“Well, I think Tyler told me that Flower and him were talking and that he mentioned it.”

I sighed. “And does everyone know about it?”

He nodded slowly. “Yea, everyone was giving Sidney a pretty hard time about it. They kept making jokes. But he just laughed,” he explained.

“Oh.” I began to think if Kris had heard anything yet and wondered what he’d say. I got up. “Excuse me. I have to go do something.” I took a few steps before seeing Kris staring at me with a blank expression.

He adjusted the cap on his head. “Hey Brooke.”

“Hey Kris,” I slowly waved and put my hands in my back pocket.

“So everyone’s saying how you and Sidney went on a date,” he began putting things into his bag.

I let out a small laugh. “Yea, that’s just some big misunderstanding. It wasn’t like that at all.”

He glanced at me before looking back down. “Really?”

I nodded. “Yea. He and Marc came over last night to return my phone and I was making dinner for Peyton when she cancelled and I offered them, but Marc said he had to go and basically forced Sidney to stay and eat. I guess he was just too nice to say no.”

A smile tugged on his lips for a second. “That does sound like him.”

I nodded my head. “Yea.” I looked at him for a moment before asking, “So how are you?”

Kris seemed confused at first but soon understood what I mean by the question. “I’m ok. Uh, I think we should maybe talk later.”

I sighed. “Yea, I think we do.” I checked my phone and glanced at him. “You want to come over my place at around 7?”

He nodded. “Yea, ok. Well I’m gonna go shower, so I’ll see you later?” he walked away.

“Hey Brooke!”

I turned around to see a smiling Marc. “Hey Marc.” I forced a smile onto my face.

“What’s up?”

I didn’t want to accuse him since I hadn’t known him very well, but I couldn’t help it. “Oh, nothing. Heard any good gossip lately? Max just happened to tell me a very interesting rumor,” I said crossing my arms.

His smiled faded as he adjusted his cap nervously. “I’m sorry. I didn’t try to make it seem that way,” he reasoned.

I shook my head. “What did Sidney say about all this?”

“Oh, he didn’t seem to mind it too much.” A smirk was growing its way onto his face.

I frowned. “What do you mean?”

He shrugged. “I mean he didn’t try to deny the fact that I said that you two were on a date.”

“Well it’s just he we were finally acting normal around each other and now he’ll probably get all awkward again.” I shrugged.

“I doubt it,” he tried to reassure me. “Hey some of us were going to go out for lunch, you and Peyton want to come?”

“Oh, I wouldn’t want to intrude.”

“No, really. It’s fine. We’ll al just get changed and head out.” He waited for no response as he disappeared behind the showers.
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“Ok, so we’ll go order and you and Sid can go get a table,” Max explained.

I frowned. “What about everyone else?”

“They’re ordering.”

I furrowed my brows. “Well aren’t Sidney and I going to order?”

Max shrugged. “You can order when we get back. Stop nagging,” he gave me a face.

I turned to Sidney. “I don’t know how you deal with him everyday.”

He let out a small laugh. “It’s ok. It’s not that bad once you get used to it.”

We walked over to a large table in the café and took seats across from each other. “Brooke! You can come order I already got Sidney his food,” Marc explained.

I came back minutes later with a sandwich, iced tea, two slices of cake, a muffin and a banana. Sidney looked at me in shock. “Are you planning on eating all that?”

I grinned. “Oh, yes. Every last bite.”

He shook his head slightly. “You have some dedication to food.”

I could only smile.
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“Ok, me and Marc will go get the snacks. Peyton can you help us carry the stuff?” asked Max as we were purchasing the tickets.

She nodded. “Yea and Sidney and Brooke can go save seats since the movie is about to start.”

I shook my head turning to look at Sidney. “Why is that we always get stuck with the seats?”

He let out a small chuckle. “Come on, we should go before the seats fill up.”

“Well it’s a Tuesday afternoon. I don’t think many seats will be taken.” I assured.

Once we walked in, we took seats in the middle section when two parents and their little son walked in wearing a number 87 jersey. He gave Sidney a big toothless grin.

He looked at me. “Sorry. I have to go say hi,” he excused himself and went up to the boy and his family. He greeted his parents kindly and squatted down to sign the little boy’s jersey. After signing it, the boy threw his arms around Sidney’s neck before leaving.

He came back and sat down as I stared at him, smiling. “How do you do it?”

“Do what?” he tilted his head a bit.

“Do that. You’re so great to all of your fans and you never once complain and you’re always so considerate to them,” I explained.

He shrugged, “Well they’ve been really great. It’s the least I can do. I don’t mind it, at all. I’m just glad they care about me at all. The fact that I’m a role model to someone even if it’s a little boy is just amazing. I am grateful to them for all that.”

I raised my eyebrows at him shaking my head. “You are some kind of guy, Sidney.”

He gave me a slight smirk. “I try.”

I stared at him, surprised by the sly smirk he gave but eventually laughed. He also began laughing when everyone else came. “What’s so funny?” Max asked.

“Oh, nothing,” I assured him.

“Fine. Don’t tell me,” he replied taking a seat next to me. “I didn’t want to know anyway.”

Just as I opened my mouth to say something the movie began and I shifted in my seat. I put my hand on the armrest to my right. After a moment or so, his put his hand too, no knowing mine was there. I jumped slightly and removed my hand. “I’m sorry,” I said quickly. I suddenly felt my face warm up.

He shook his head. “No. It was my fault.” He took his hand out and placed it on his leg.

I folded my hands and looked at the screen. For the entire movie I tried to focus on not making any other movement close to him. But every few minutes I would tear my eyes away from the movie and looked at Sidney’s hand on his leg as he bounced it up and down.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
“That was quite possibly the worst movie I’ve ever seen!” Max whined as we were walking out of the theater.

I shook my head looking at him. “Well I wouldn’t know because you kept talking through the whole thing.”

He shrugged. “There was nothing else to do.”

“There was an entire movie going on!” I yelled throwing my hands in the air.

Sidney chuckled, catching my attention. “Max just likes to talk a lot, even when no one wants him to.”

We all laughed while Max pouted. I looked back to my right only to notice Sidney wasn’t there. I looked back at Max who nodded behind me. I turned around to see him greeting and signing things for a few guys. “Of course.” I muttered.

“He’s a good guy isn’t he?” Marc asked behind me.

I nodded. “Yea. I have no idea how he doesn’t go crazy.”

He stepped in front of me. “He’s a special kind of guy, that Sidney.”

I nodded again. “He sure is.”

“Ok, look. He’d kill me if he knew I said this, but I think he likes you,” he sighed.

“What is with you and Max that you’re constantly pushing me with him,” I shook my head.

Marc shrugged. “It’s just, we do think he likes you. He’s not exactly the most open person, but he has spoken to you a lot while you’ve been together. That’s something big for him, letting down those walls of his. He doesn’t do it often.”

I let out a breath. “It’s probably just because we talk about stupid stuff, so I guess he doesn’t feel as shy or uncomfortable.”

He nodded. “Yes, but its with you who he feels more comfortable with. Look, I’ve known the guy for a few years now and we’re real close but he doesn’t even talk to me the way he talks to you,” he explained looking over his shoulder and seeing Sidney come back talking to Max.
He moved a few steps away from them.

He lowered his voice before continuing. “And, me and Max have seen the way he looks at you when you’re not looking. When you’re taking with someone else, he just smiles at you and keeps staring.”

I gave my head a shake. “Ok, you guys are way in over your head. You’re ridiculous for thinking that he has any sort of feelings for me.”

“Maybe. But Max and me aren’t the only ones who see it. The other guys think you might have a thing for him to. You’re always giggly and laughing when you’re with him.”

I crossed my arms. “You guys are too much.”

He smirked. “I just think you’d be real cute together.”

Max appeared beside Marc. “I know right! Wait, who are we talking about?” he asked making a face.

“Sidney and Brooke,” Marc replied.

A grin grew on his face. “Oh yes. You would be. You’re kids would be so cute. I call godfather!” he yelled raising his hand.

“Oh!” Marc interrupted. “I already have the perfect wedding gift for you guys.

“Can I get in on that I couldn’t think of anything,” he said nudging Marc. They started to argue and I could feel the other guys’ eyes on us.

“Stop! I am not getting married nor am I pregnant!” I yelled, causing everyone to look at me. I ignored the looks and lowered my voice. “Max you are not going to be godfather.”

“Fine!” he yelled and stormed off. "But I could be like the Godfather ot all godfather's!" he cried.

Marc shook his head laughing. “Oh, Max. But you see what happened right now? Sidney looked over here and couldn’t help but smile in your direction. And he hasn’t stopped either.”

I furrowed my brows and looked over in Sidney’s direction. I caught his eye quickly shift over to Jordan who was rambling about something. I turned my attention back to Marc.

“Just something to think about,” he shrugged walking away.

I looked back over at Sidney. He was incredibly nice and didn’t make as nervous as I would normally be around someone of his popularity. He was sweet. I could definitely tell there was more to him than what he showed in interviews. There was more to the respectful, serious, put together hockey player than everyone saw on television.

And there was something I felt inside me when I was around him or when he made me laugh. I couldn’t exactly tell what I felt for him. And I’m not sure I wanted to find out.