I know it's been awhile....
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I yawned stretching my hands above my head waiting outside the locker room for Peyton and the guys to come out. I leaned against the wall staring down at my shoes when I felt someone hovering over me. I looked up to see it was Kris.
I smiled slightly, scratching my arm. “Hey Kris.”
He adjusted his backwards cap and nodded at me. “Hey Brooke. How are you?”
I nodded. “I’m good. How are you?”
He shrugged. “Pretty tired.”
“Right, you just played. That was a good game. I really liked that assist you got and the goal you set up for Evgeni was great,” I said looking around to see if anyone would come and interrupt.
He crossed his arms and let out a small grin. “I did try to help him. I’ve been trying to play better.”
“That’s nice. I could definitely see that tonight,” I told him looking to my left and peering inside the locker room. I caught Sidney sitting down being interviewed by numerous reporters. A tiny smile grew on my face at how serious and focused he looked trying to pay attention to them. He wiped his face with the towel on his shoulder before smiling politely and answering a question.
“Have you told him?” I looked back at Kris who had no expression on his face.
I sighed, knowing exactly what he was talking about. I crossed my arms and looked
down. “No, I haven’t told him. How long have you known?”
He let out a small laugh. “Brooke I may not be the smartest, but I’m not stupid. Everyone on the team knows. Even the equipment managers know.”
I raised my eyebrows in surprise to his response. “Oh.”
“Sidney’s probably the only one who doesn’t know. He’s too nice to ever notice much. Besides I kind of figured it out when you didn’t want to be with me,” he lowered his voice.
I tilted my head not knowing what to say. “You didn’t say anything. I wasn’t even sure I liked him at the time,” I explained.
He shook his head. “You didn’t need to tell me. I could just feel it. I didn’t say anything because I knew you would feel bad. I’m not mad at you. You know that right?”
“Actually I didn’t,” I admitted. “I thought you were mad at me. And I hated it. I really like you and I want to be friends.”
He frowned. “I know we haven’t spoken. I guess I was more mad at myself for not being nice and not speaking at all. I’m sorry.”
“It’s ok, really. Are we good now?” I asked hopefully.
He nodded smiling. “Yes we are.”
I grinned at him hesitating before taking a step forward and wrapping my arms around his middle. He was surprised and left his arms on his sides before bending down and wrapping his arms around me. We remained hugging for a while, without saying anything until we finally pulled apart. We both smiled as a few players started to come out all cleaned and dressed.
I peeked back inside to see where Peyton was only to see Sidney, again, talking to Marc. I felt Kris bend down and speak lower. “You should tell him.”
I let out a breath of air smirking at him. “Since when did you become the advice giver?”
He shrugged. “Since now. Sidney won’t do anything until he’s positive it’ll have a good outcome. You need to be the first one to do something.”
“What if he doesn’t feel the same? It can have an even worse outcome,” I argued.
Kris opened his mouth to speak when Max, Peyton, Marc, and Sidney came out of the locker room. “Hey guys!” Max greeted. Kris and I were staring at each other until I looked down at the floor, my face growing serious. Kris looked down as well and kept quiet. “Did you guys see that goal I scored? It was- ow!” Max shot a look at Peyton who elbowed him. He looked at the two of us confused. “Who died?”
“What’s going on?” Peyton asked. “Is everything ok?”
I nodded. “Everything’s fine. Right Kris?” I said eyeing him.
“Yeah,” he assured sticking his hands in his pockets.
Everyone exchanged looks before Marc cleared his throat. “Ok, we were going to go out to eat. You want to come Brooke?”
I kicked my shoe around not making eye contact. “I don’t want to intrude.”
“It’s ok. You wouldn’t be intruding. We all want you to come,” he smiled.
Peyton interrupted latching onto me. “Yes. She’s coming. Don’t worry.” She squeezed my shoulder.
“Ok, we’ll meet back here in a few minutes. We have to do a few more interviews,” Sidney and Marc walked past us to where a few reporters were standing.
Max nodded at Kris. “You’re still coming right?” He nodded. “Let’s go Peyton you can fix yourself in the bathroom.”
Peyton furrowed her eyebrows. “What’s wrong with me?”
He forced out a laugh. “Nothing! I was just joking!” She eyed him before smiling at me and leaving with him.
He pointed down the hallway to where a few players were already waiting. “I guess we better go.” I fell into step with him when he turned back at me. “And for the record, Sidney’s an idiot if he doesn’t like you.” He turned and kept walking, making me follow.
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“If I had another slice of pie,” I began shoving the last piece of pie into my mouth. “Would that be too much?”
“Considering you already had two other giant slices, I’d be impressed,” Jordan replied.
“I’d love to see you try and eat it. I don’t think you can.” Tyler added shaking his head.
Max laughed. “I don’t even know how you got to desert so fast, I’m still trying to finish my dinner,” he said moving around his pasta.
“She has a talent, really. She eats like there’s no tomorrow,” Peyton explained taking a drink from her water.
Everyone around laughed. Mark Letestu slurped his spaghetti while laughing at Marc who was trying to throw a piece of asparagus across to Kris. I looked across the table next to Jordan who was talking to Sidney.
I looked back down at my empty plate before glancing back up at Max and Peyton who were both smirking at me. I merely raised my eyebrows before shaking my head and taking a drink from my water. Next to me Tyler got up and went over to sit by Kris. A few moments later Jordan was called over by Tyler who was laughing at Marc, Kris and Letestu’s antics.
I sighed at the empty chair next to me, looking up at Sidney who was eating his lobster in quiet. Peyton was muttering something to Max who was nodding and elbowed him slightly. He cleared his throat loud enough for everyone at the table to give him strange looks.
“Are you alright?” Jordan asked.
He forced a laugh and coughed. “Yea I’m fine.” Jordan shrugged and returned to speaking to Kris. “Brooke I see Tyler left you, are you lonely?”
I shook my head, not looking up. “Not really.”
“Well I think you are,” he replied, his voice growing louder and more energetic. “Sidney, be a nice guy and go and keep her company.”
Sidney stared at him for a moment before smiling slightly and looking over at me. I simply smiled and gave my head a shake. “Sure why not,” he pushed his chair back and walked over to me before I waved a hand to the seat next to me and smiled politely. He took a seat and gave me a small smile.
“Hey,” I greeted.
He nodded. “Hi,” he paused sliding his plate over to him. “I haven’t seen you since before the game.”
“I know I guess I’m not as special as I thought I was. Shame, really. I can be great company,” I joked smirking.
His shoulders moved up as he laughed. “Well I’m sorry for not making the effort. I sort of got caught up in interviews.”
“Never apologize for taking the time to answer questions for other people. It’s your job,” I said pushing my plate aside.
Sidney looked down and nodded his head slightly. He seemed to grow serious from my statement and said nothing. I wondered if I should take it back or say something before he spoke. “So what did you think of the game?”
“I think it was good. Stamkos and Malone were great and their offense only got stronger,” I trailed off my voice lowering. “Oh, you meant you guys. You guys were great!” I forced a laugh. “I thought those two goals you made were great. Amazing stick handling.”
He let out a small laugh. “Thanks but those were great set ups by Duper.”
“Can you please just take credit for the goals? I don’t want to have to keep complimenting you until you agree. And it’ll be forced so it wont even be real, so just take the credit, please.”
He sighed as a smiled tugged on his mouth. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For being so nice to me,” he explained.
I sat up straighter and glanced quickly to see everyone else engrossed in their own conversations before looking back at him. “It’s not like I can be mean to you. That’s physically impossible.”
He shrugged. “But thank you for always listening to me. I know I tend to complain a lot to you and you’re nice and listen to me.”
I sighed. “Well you’re welcome. And for the record, I don’t mind listening. I mean it.” I thought for a moment before opening my mouth again. “If you ever need someone to talk to I’m here. And you have my number if anything. You have to talk and let everything out. You can’t keep holding this inside. It’s not healthy. For you or anyone.”
He nodded silently as everyone at the table began to stand up. “Hey guys we’re leaving!” Max called. Once the check was paid everyone was putting on their coats. He got up and went to grab his jacket. “Hey Brooke some of us are heading over to my place. You want to come?”
I buttoned up my coat sighing. “I don’t know. I’m pretty tired. I think I’ll just head home.”
“Come on it’ll be fun,” Peyton argued. “Please for me?”
I stared at her. “Alright.”
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“Come on I so beat you!” Jordan yelled at the television. He Marc, Kris, Sidney, Peyton and I had gone over to Max’s. they were currently playing some violent video game.
“Don’t you guys have to get up early tomorrow?” I asked leaning against the couch.
“They have a late practice tomorrow,” Peyton informed me not taking her eyes away from the television. “Oh I need to talk to you soon.”
“About what?”
she shrugged. “Just something. No big deal.”
I shook my head a bit. “Oh ok then.” I turned to my left to look at Sidney who was laughing at Marc and Kris’ movements to try and kill Max and Jordan. “You’re not playing?”
“Not right now no,” he replied. He concentrated on the screen before speaking again. “Were you serious?” I tilted my head, confused. “About before. When you said I could call you if I ever needed to talk.”
I lifted my eyebrows in realization and nodded softly. “Yes I did. I know we’re not exactly the best of friends, but you have to talk about your problems. No one expects you to be strong all the time.”
Peyton choked on a piece of popcorn loudly. I turned to look at her. “Sorry, my bad.”
I ignored her and turned back to Sidney. “Thank you,” he smiled. “Enough about me, let’s talk about you.”
I had to laugh. “Sidney you’ve been saying that a few times already.”
“I know but I feel like we rarely talk about you. I feel like I don’t even know you. you could be a
serial killer for all I know.”
“I can assure you if I was, you’d know by now,” I joked. “What do you want to know about me?”
He smiled. “When’s your birthday?”
“March 9th.” I answered.
“And how old are you?”
“22.”
“You’re from Jersey right?”
I nodded.
“We’re very competitive with your team, I don’t think we can talk,” he said.
“Hey they’re not my team!” I argued. “Besides I don’t even like them that much.”
He frowned. “really?”
“Yea, I feel like sort of a traitor. I don’t even know that much about them. it’s kind of sad to be honest,” I explained.
He grinned. “I think I like you more for not supporting them.” I laughed at his honesty. “Do you there a lot like to visit your family?”
Peyton choked, again. I turned to look at her. “Do you need water or something?”
She gave me a weary smile. “No I’m fine.” I rolled my eyes at her.
“Uh, no I don’t actually go out there too often. You know with work and everything, it’s complicated.”
Peyton mumbled something next to me.
“Peyton!” I hissed. “Jordan I think Peyton wants to challenge you. she says you suck.”
“What? She sucks. Let’s see if she can beat me!” Jordan got up and dragged Peyton to the
floor and tossed her a controller.
She looked back at me and snickered.
I looked back at Sidney who had a small smirk. I suddenly felt an arm around me. “Hey guys are you talking about me?”
“Yes Max because we have nothing better to do than talk about you and your creepy mustache,” I spoke dryly.
“Ahh see I knew you loved me,” he grinned.
“Yeah sure I do.”
He stuck a few popcorns in his mouth and swallowed them. “You’ll realize it. and it’ll make you miss me even more. You are going to miss us right?”
I frowned. “Why am I going to miss you?”
Sidney lowered his head as Max realized I hadn’t been told. “Oh because…because I’m going to Mars!”
I eyed both of them. “What’s going on?”
Max cleared his throat. “Uh we have to go on the road for a few games.”
“Oh. When do you leave?”
“Tomorrow after our practice,” he replied.
“Oh. Well good luck!”
They both gave me confused looks. “What? You’re not sad?”
“A little I guess,” I lied.
“Arent you going to miss us?” Max asked.
“Max I don’t know how to tell you this, but you’re not exactly my favorite person in the world.”
He gasped putting a hand over his heart. “How can I not be your favorite person? I’m awesome. And I’m French!”
I laughed. “I was just joking Max. now if you’ll excuse me I have to go to the bathroom,” I said getting up and walking out of the living room.
Once I came out of the bathroom I made a turn around the small hallway. “Oh my-! Geez Marc! Warn me next time you’re there! What, you just stand in dark hallways waiting for people?”
He uncrossed his arms and laughed. “Sorry I didn’t mean to scare you.” I stood there trying to regain my breath. “So you know?”
I looked at him and sighed. “Yeah, Max just told me.”
He nodded. “Sidney would have told you but I guess he was trying to find the right time.”
“Well it’s not like he owes me an explanation or anything.”
“Nice lying back there,” he grinned. He walked out of the hallway into the kitchen.
I jogged a few steps to catch up. “You caught that huh?”
“I don’t think anyone else did,” he assured pouring himself some soda and offered me a
cup.
I smiled thankfully and accepted it. “I just wasn’t sure how to react exactly.”
“It’s ok.” He took a drink from his cup and smiled at me. “So is there anything you want to talk about?”
“Not really why?”
He shrugged. “I just feel like we don’t really get a chance to talk, that’s all. I feel like you don’t like me,” he pretended to wipe a tear from his face.
I drank from my cup and tried not to laugh. “I’m sorry if I hurt your feelings.”
He grew a bit serious. “It’s not just me.”
“What do you mean?”
He bit his lip and sighed. “Ok, I’ll tell you, but you didn’t hear this from me.”
I nodded.
“It’s just the rest of the guys feel that you don’t talk much.”
“What? That’s just me. I’m not very talkative, honestly.”
“It’s just that everyone sees you talking with Sidney all the time.”
“I’m not even talking that much! I swear! Ask Peyton I never really talk. I’m not joking,” I
argued.
“They feel that you’re hiding something. Like the reason you don’t talk is because there’s something we don’t know and you don’t want to tell us,” he explained.
“Do you all feel this way?”
He nodded slowly. “Sort of. It’s not like they’re mad or anything. They’re just curious.”
I let out a breath of air. “Thank you for telling me Marc.”
He smiled. “No problem. I think we should get back in there.”
“Yeah.”
He began to walk before turning around. “He’ll miss you.”
I stared at him as he smirked and walked away leaving me in the kitchen.
