Talks and Pie

“So what are you going to do when you get home?” Sidney asked taking a sip of his coffee.

I shrugged. “I’m probably going to move some stuff around.”

Peyton scoffed. “Seriously? I move out and the first thing you do is rearrange furniture? I don’t know if I should be offended or have pity for you.”

I laughed. “Yes I’m moving furniture because now I can actually get the sofa to face the television,” I joked. “Plus it’s still pretty early, so I’ll clean up the mess you left.”

She gasped. “I did not make a mess!”

I nodded. “Ok, then.”

“So, you’re going to get everything set up in your apartment?” Sidney asked across from me.

“Yeah, the furniture might take some time because Peyton decided to pick out the heaviest couch and tables,” I explained. “But other than that I don’t think I’ll do much with the place, besides clean.”

“Ok, I seriously was not that messy to live with. Was I?” she asked worriedly.

I gave her a look. “You constantly left plates of food in your room and crumbs on the floor and in between cushions.”

She frowned. “You’re just a neat freak, it’s not my fault I accidentally dropped a few pieces of food.”

I smirked nodding at her. “Uh huh.”

“Do you need any help moving things around?” asked Sidney checking his phone.

I shook my head. “No, it’s fine really. I wouldn’t want to bother you, you’re too nice to me already.”

“I don’t mind, honestly. I feel a little responsible that Max hasn’t left you alone,” he told me laughing.

I laughed along with him. “Well, in that case,” I said. “Why not? I’d love the help, if you’re sure it’s not a problem.”

He shook his head. “Not at all. I have something I need to take care of but I can be at your place around five. Is that good?”

“That’s perfect. Gives me time to try and clean up all the boxes and bubble wrap left lying around.”

Peyton slammed her hand on the table. “Ok, I refuse to believe I was such a horrible roommate. Did you really not like me?”

I smiled at her. “Of course I did.”

“Hey,” Max interrupted. “I can’t believe anyone hasn’t tried to defend me and said that I have indeed left Brooke alone.”

Everyone looked at him. Marc cleared his throat. “So Brooke,” he began. “Do you think you’ll be lonely living by yourself now?”

I took a drink from my coffee. “I’m sure it’ll take some getting used to but I think I’ll be fine.”

“I would offer my company, but apparently I’m a bother,” Max scoffed.

I shook my head grinning into my coffee.
------------------------------

I wiped the counter one last time before picking up a few pieces of tape and paper and threw them in the trash. I checked the clock on the microwave. It was nearing five. I had just gone into the bathroom to check myself when the door knocked.

I rushed over to the door and opened it. “Hey,” I greeted.

He smiled. “Hey. I bought food,” he said holding up to cups of coffee and a bag with muffins.

“I’m not sure about you, but I figure you can never have too much coffee.”

I laughed letting him in. “No I can definitely never have too much coffee.” I took the things and placed them on the kitchen counter as he took off his shoes by the doorway.

“So, what do you want to move around first?” he asked looking around the living room.

I sighed. “Well I wanted to move the couch more to the wall and have it facing more of the tv. I also wanted to move the table around and change the chair from the window to next to the couch, if it’s not too much,” I told him.

He shook his head. “No don’t worry about it, it’s fine.”

“Thanks, I would have done it myself but I don’t exactly have the body or muscles of a hockey player,” I said beginning to clear the table.

He examined the couch for a second before extending his arms and grabbing the couch, lifting it in the air and moving it almost effortlessly. I watched him and the way it was so easy for him. My eyes slowly landed on his arms and how the shirt became very tight around his muscles and accentuated them even more. I shook my head to continue clearing the table and not focus on him.

“I’m done with the table and chair. Where did you want the table?” he asked.

“I just want it to be the other way around,” I said. He nodded and again picked up the table easily switching it around the living room.

“There,” he said placing the table gently down. “Your apartment furniture is now how you want it.”

I smiled thankfully. “Thank you very much. I owe you, really.”

He smiled. “Do you mind if I use your bathroom?”

I shook my head. “No, go right ahead.” I took out the muffins from the bag and placed the coffee on the table. I grabbed the papers and went to put them in Peyton’s old room. As I placed them on a small dresser she left I couldn’t help but look at the room and how empty it was.

“Are you ok Brooke?” I heard Sidney ask from behind me.

I crossed my arms, feeling the room colder without anything in there. “I guess I knew she left but I never looked at her room. Now that I that have, it all just seems so-”

“Real,” he interrupted.

I nodded. “Yeah, I can’t believe she’s gone. She was my only roommate.”

As the words left my mouth I felt a large hand rest on my shoulder. I looked up to see if it was actually Sidney and it was. He patted my shoulder, trying to comfort me. “It’ll be ok,” he told me.

He looked down at me as well looking at me, not knowing what to say. I opened my mouth before having to clear my throat. “Uh, the coffee’s getting cold,” I pointed out.

He removed his hand from my shoulder, nodding slowly and turned away from me, walking slowly into the living room. He stopped as he glanced at my room tilting his head at something. “Who is that?” he asked pointing to something in my room.

I walked over to see what he was pointing at. I suddenly grew stiff, feeling my stomach turn in knots. “That’s my mother,” I told him.

He nodded. “She’s pretty,” he mumbled.

I swallowed the lump in my throat. “Yeah, she was.” I quickly shook my head and walked to the living as he followed me. I picked up a coffee and sat on the couch putting one leg over the other.

He did the same, only sitting and resting his elbows on his knees, holding his coffee with both hands. “So, do you think you’ll get lonely?”

“I don’t think so. I mean I’ll miss her a lot but I think I’ll be fine,” I said looking down at my hands. “Are you lonely? You know, living the life that you live and going back home alone?”
He stared down at the muffin he had taken out and grew serious. I had immediately regretted asking the question. “You don’t have to answer,” I quickly added. “I was just wondering is all.”

He shook his head. “No, it’s fine. It’s just that no one’s ever asked me that, so I don’t exactly know how to respond.”

I nodded.

He sighed. “I do. I do get lonely. I mean I look at everyone on the team who has their wives and families to go home to. Or when we win a game and they have them there, they go celebrate with them and share the happiness together. They have someone to share their day with and it’s nice. It makes me wish I had that. I know I don’t have any right to want or wish for anything else because of all this that I already have but I kind of do. I do want someone to share my victories with and be able to celebrate with. And I don’t get to see my family as much as I would like to, so that makes it even worse,” he said. “And even if I ever find someone I like, they might not want to deal with the whole hockey thing,” he finished, not looking at me.

I bit my lip listening to him intently. “You’ll find someone,” I decided. “You will. There cant be anyone who wouldn’t be lucky to have you. You’re amazing and incredibly sweet. If they really like you they’ll deal with the hockey thing and your lifestyle. They’ll make the effort. Especially if they care about you,” I said giving him a tiny smile.

He nodded. “That’s why I don’t want to drag anyone into this life,” he explained.

I shook my head staring at him intently. A sudden flow of anger came into me and it kept growing by the second. “Don’t start with this again,” I scoffed.

He looked taken a back by how angry I had gotten. He grew a concerned look on his face, not knowing what to say. “What do you mean?”

“Stop talking this way. Stop being so negative. You have everything going for you. You have this amazing career and life. Yes it’s hard but people worship the ground you walk on. You have great teammates and friends. Some girl would gladly try her hardest to make you happy and work around your bus schedule. You just don’t let yourself be open to dating that you’ll never find her,” I sighed. “For all you know she could be right in front of you,” I mumbled.

He tilted his head looking down at his hands. “Brooke, I’m sorry for complaining to you. It’s not fair,” he said.

“I don’t mind. It’s not the complaining that bothers me. It’s your constant negativity in your personal life,” I told him growing angrier. “How do you expect to find someone if you’re not willing to open up?” I suddenly realized I should have been taking my own advice. I shrugged it off and brought my attention back to him. “And you can’t keep talking to me about your love life.”

He gave me a confused look. “Brooke-”

I shook my head interrupting him. “No. You just cant. You have to know that talking to me about things like these put ideas in my head that maybe I’ll be the one you fall for. And I wont. I know it and you know it. You can’t keep putting these fake stupid ideas in my head, knowing full well that you don’t like me. I’m sorry that you think this is tough, really. But it’s not fair to me, at all to make myself imagine all these wonderful things that could happen when I know full well that they wont,” I pointed out.

“Brooke, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean you make you feel this way,” he apologized.

I shrugged my right shoulder. “It’s ok.”

He stared down the floor growing serious. His eyes grew closer together and he thought. His hands were on his legs shaking up and down. He was unsure of what to say before he cleared his throat. “We’re having a private practice tomorrow, you can come if you want. I’m sure Peyton will be there.”

I huffed at his attempt to forget about everything said but chose to ignore it. “Maybe,” I answered.

He sighed starting to get up. “I should go.” He started walking to the door and putting his shoes on.

I nodded walking to the door. “Thank you for helping me. I appreciate it, really. I owe you.”

“It’s fine really. I don’t mind,” he told me putting his hands in his pockets. “Do you need help cleaning up?”

“No it’s fine I got it,” I said opening the door for him.

He gave me a tiny smile walking out before turning back around. “Brooke?” I raised my eyebrows up at him. “I hope you do come tomorrow.”

“Really?” I asked in slight surprise.

He nodded. “Yeah, maybe we could all go out to get some lunch afterwards.”

I looked down. “We’ll see. Bye Sidney,” I said in a low tone.

“Bye Brooke,” he said walking down the hallway.

I turned back around to look at the coffee and muffins left on the table. I picked up the crumbs and threw them in the bag. I grabbed the two cups of coffee and walked over to the kitchen sink. There were a few knocks on the door. “It’s open,” I called.

“Hey Brooke,” I heard Peyton call.

“Hi Brooke!” Max greeted.

“What’s up?” Peyton asked coming into the kitchen.

“Nothing, really. Just cleaning up. What are you doing here?” I asked.

She hopped onto the counter taking a drink from her water. “I finished unpacking most of my things and Max and I went out for dinner. We thought we’d pay you a visit. I thought Sidney would be here,” she finished.

“You just missed him,” I told her pouring the coffee into the sink.

“That’s a shame, I thought for sure we’d catch you to making out in Peyton’s old room,” Max interrupted.

I furrowed my eyebrows. “Why exactly in Peyton’s room?”

He shrugged. “You’d found a use for it. You’re sex room.”

I shook my head walking into the living room and throwing myself on the couch. I crossed my legs and leaned my head back taking in a long deep breath. “I got mad at him.”

Peyton came in the room and sat on the floor in front of Max and I. “What happened?” Max asked.

I sighed. “He kept talking about how he envied the guys on the team that have families and are happily married and I just snapped at him.”

“How?”

“I told him that he wasn’t going to start complaining again because he has a great life. And he keeps saying he doesn’t want to drag some poor girl into his busy life but I told him he doesn’t open himself up to date so of course he’ll never find a girl,” I paused taking in a breath. “And how the girl could be right in front of him,” I added slowly.

Max and Peyton both had wide eyes surprised by what I had told him. “Is that it?” she asked.

I shook my head. “Then I told him how he could think he could find someone when he doesn’t open up. And that’s when I realized, I should have been taking my own advice,” I mumbled.

They both sat there, unsure of how to react. “What did he say?”

“He said he was sorry,” I told them.

“Wow,” Peyton said. “Finally!” She threw her hands in the air.

I frowned. “What?”

“Finally! You did something. I was wondering how long it would take you.”

I glanced at Max who looked just as confused as I did. “What are you talking about?”

“You! Finally you stopped being so considerate of his feelings and said what you wanted. I have been anticipating this day for so long Brooke!” she got up from the floor and hugged me.

I patted her back unsure of what else to do. “Thanks?”

Max laughed. “Alright, did he say anything else?”

I shook my head. “He just said that there was a practice tomorrow and that I was welcome to come. That he hoped I would come.”

“Are you going to?”

“I’m not sure,” I muttered.

“Brooke! Sidney’s not the best at trying to be subtle. Him inviting you to come tomorrow and
saying he hopes you come is big! You need to do something so he doesn’t feel like he just wasted his time,” he explained.

“I’m not sure if I should do anything. He seemed pretty serious at wanting to forget our conversation,” I pointed out.

“Brooke,” Max began. “You have to do something. He’ll only try for so long. If he doesn’t feel you reciprocating any feelings, he’ll just give up,” Max explained.

I bit my lip for a moment before saying, “He’s just….I don’t know. He seems pretty set in not wanting to see anyone.”

“But he hasn’t,” he told me. “Because he doesn’t know that someone out there can actually deal or want to deal with his whole lifestyle and the baggage it brings. He says he doesn’t date because he doesn’t actually think someone will want to date him just because they want to date him. They want Sidney Crosby and the perks. He hasn’t met someone real who just wants to be his friend. And everyone can tell he’s lonely. Do you think he enjoys waking up early everyday to shoot commercials or do advertising and at the end of the day have no one to complain to?”

I shrugged. “I know he’s lonely. I can see that, but he just needs to open up to someone.”

“And he’s already opened up to you,” he pointed out. “You’ve become a great friend to him in a short amount of time. It’s probably the quickest he’s ever trust anyone. If you want any kind of relationship with Sidney, you need to do something now.”

I sighed. “How did you become such an expert at all this? One minute you couldn’t be more oblivious to relationships and now you’re giving me advice in how to start one,” I said.

He grinned. “I try, I try,” he joked shrugging. “But seriously, think about it. And do something. And whatever you decide to do, you should come to practice or after so we could all lunch or something.”

I let out a small laugh remembering Sidney had said that. “We’ll see.”

Peyton patted my leg. “Don’t worry Brooke, it’ll all be fine. And you never know how things will end up. They could end up to your favor. You just have to try,” she smiled comfortingly.

I smiled. “Thanks guys.”

They both smiled nodding their heads. Peyton got up and adjusted her shirt. “We got some desert from the restaurant and thought we could watch a movie,” she suggested stretching her arms above her head.

“I never say no to a movie and desert,” I said getting up. “What kind of desert?”

“Chocolate pecan pie,” Max answered.

“Great, I’ll go get the plates,” I called from the kitchen.

“I’m going to go to the bathroom,” Peyton announced walking past me.

“I’ll pick out the movie,” Max decided. Peyton walked backwards as we both exchanged looks. “What?”

I cleared my throat. “Nothing.”

“Just,” Peyton sighed. “Nothing French.”

He gasped. “What are you talking about?”

“I’m talking about the fact that the only movie you seem to watch multiple times is the one about Guy Lafleur.

He frowned. “Fine, I’ll pick something else.”

I could only laugh.
---------------------------

I yawned, opening my eyes slowly as the light coming from my window was blinding. I stretched my arms and let my eyes peek to see if it was nice outside. I stared up at the ceiling thinking about everything that had happened. Maybe they had a point. Maybe I did need to do something.

My cell phone suddenly vibrated interrupting my thoughts signaling it was a message. I opened it up to see it was a message from Peyton. It said: Practice ending soon. Bunch of us going out to lunch. Get here fast! Please come.

I sighed debating whether or not I wanted to go before trudging out of bed and into the shower. I quickly got changed and managed to make myself look somewhat presentable. I took another look in the mirror before I grabbed my jacket, phone and keys before locking the door behind me.
------------------
I walked through the back tunnel of the arena as I made my way past the locker room and into the hallway leading up to the ice. I slowly approached the light as I heard loud noises and laughter and chatting coming.

“Brooke! You made it,” Marc shouted skating over to where I was. “Glad you could make it. How are you?” he asked adjusting his mask.

I smiled. “Good thanks.”

“Well I got to get back but are you coming with us to lunch?”

“I don’t know,” I replied.

“You should. It’ll be fun,” he looked over to where someone was calling him. “I got to go we’re doing a shoot out before practice ends but I’ll see you in a bit.” He skated off to where the rest of the team was beginning to line up.

“Hey, you made it,” Peyton greeted.

I nodded. “I did. How long have you been here?”

“Since it started. Max dragged me here because he didn’t want to come alone.”

“Oh.” I let my eyes wander the players as my eyes finally landed on Sidney. He was talking to Kris and Max and playing around with his stick. He laughed at something Kris said and paid attention back to the front of the line. He chewed on his lip as if thinking what he would do when he got up front.

Eventually it was his turn to shoot. He waited for a second before starting to skate down the ice. “Come on, go blocker side,” I mumbled to myself.

As if he somehow heard me telepathically, he skated to the right more making swift movements with the puck. Just as he was approaching the net, he switched from to backhand and shot the puck high blocker side causing Marc to thrust his body to try and catch it but miss it. Everyone clapped and laughed at how exaggerated Marc’s movement was. Sidney skated to high five some of the guys sitting on the bench.

“You’re such an asshole,” Marc laughed.

Soon enough, Peyton and I were outside of the locker room waiting for the guys to come out.

“So you’re coming with us to lunch right?” Peyton asked fiddling around with her phone.

“I guess,” I answered seeing the reporters come out.

“Good,” she smiled.

“Hey, are you guys ready?” Marc asked emerging from the locker room his hair still wet.

We both nodded. “Yeah, let me just head to the bathroom really quick,” Peyton said walking down the hallway.

“So did things go well with Sidney last night?” he asked hopefully.

I shrugged. “They were alright.”

He made a face. “That doesn’t sound convincing.”

“It’s just….complicated is all.”

He nodded. “Well hopefully it wont be soon.”

I gave him a look as he smiled widely at me. I shook my head as max, Kris, and Jordan came out. Behind them all was Sidney. “Hey,” Sidney greeted.

“Hey,” I smiled back.

“Are you coming to lunch with us?”

“Of course she is,” Peyton interrupted putting her arm around my shoulder. “She’s way too considerate to decline to anything. Plus she cant say no to food,” she grinned at me as I narrowed my eyes at her.

He laughed. “Great. Then we should get going,” he said beginning to follow the guys who were already walking towards the parking lot.

After deciding who would go where in the car, we finally arrived at a little café. We were inside and immediately seated since it was nearly empty. Everyone had ordered what they wanted and we were now eating silently since no one had eaten since they got up.

“So Brooke are you missing Peyton yet?” Jordan asked taking a sip of his coffee.

“Yeah,” I replied not looking up from my pasta. “But it is nice to have things the way I want them since she was such a pain about her things,” I joked.

“Glad to know I was such a pain,” she mocked. I smiled at her as she laughed going back to her food.

“Well I don’t know about you guys, but I’m stuffed. And that pie we ordered for the table didn’t help,” Max said aloud.

We all exchanged glances. “What pie?” I asked.

He grinned. “Oh yeah, I ordered it but it never got to you guys. Heh, sorry?”

“You’re a pig,” Peyton muttered. Max simply put his arm around her.

“Well excuse me I’m going to go to the bathroom,” I said pushing my chair back and getting up. I walked to the bathroom and came out within a few minutes. I looked myself over in the mirror before opening the door. “Oh geez,” I breathed jumping back and placing my hand over my chest.

“Sorry,” Sidney mumbled. “I didn’t mean to scare you.”

I shook my head. “It’s ok. I just didn’t expect it.”

He shoved his hands in his pockets. “I came to talk actually. I just told the guys I needed to use the bathroom.”

I leaned against the wall. “What did you want to talk about?”

“I wanted to make sure you weren’t mad. About yesterday.”

“Why would I be mad?” I asked in disbelief.

“Because you got angry that I kept being so negative and because of-”

I stopped him before he said what I knew he would say. “I’m not mad. Don’t worry. I could never be mad at you,” I said lightly.

“Good. I really do want to apologize though. I don’t mean to unload all of these things to you and be a bother-”

“Sidney, you’re not a bother,” I assured. “You need someone to talk to. And as I’ve said before, I’m here. Always. You can always count on me,” I reassured.

“Thank you Brooke,” he said in a low voice.

I crossed my arms. “Is that all you wanted to talk about?”

He nodded. “Yeah. We should probably head back to them. I can take you home if you want,” he said looking down at his shoes.

I gave him a tiny smile. “That’d be nice.” I pushed myself off the wall and stood in front of him.

“So we’re good?” he asked smiling hopefully.

I smiled looking up at Sidney and his adorable smile. The hallway was bright because of the light above his head and it was making his eyes look even lighter and sweeter. They weren’t his usual brown, but more hazel and they seemed to glow. Suddenly Max’s voice rung through my head: You have to do something. He’ll only try for so long.

Before I knew it I was taking a few steps forward. I slowly brought my hand up to his shoulder and stood on the tips of my toes and brought my face closer to his. Sidney dropped his head lower and placed his hand on my back. He dipped his head lower so that our lips met. I moved my hand up to the back of his neck and breathed in as I pushed myself closer to him with more force. As he started to move his hand up my back I pulled away before it could last any longer. I let my feet fall flat as I took in a sharp breath pulling away to look up at him.

“We’re good,” I whispered. I brought my hand back down to my side.

Sidney looked at me, the tiniest hint of a smile appearing on his face. He bent down slowly and brushed his lips on my cheek, surprising me. “Come on,” he said softly next to me. He began walking as he turned to glance at me with a small smile.

I followed after him trying to hide my girlish giggles. I walked slowly smiling to myself and replaying what had just happened.