Monday morning, Sidney was taking Karen to her doctor's appointment in Wheeling. She seemed kind of nervous on the drive down and Sidney had noticed. They got to the doctor's office and Karen checked in. She sat down waiting to be called as Sidney held on to her hand.
"It'll be ok baby."
"I know, I'm just afraid of what he'll tell me."
Sidney kissed her temple and soon the nurse called for Karen to follow her. Sidney stayed in the waiting room as Karen went in. She sat there and waited as patiently as her nerves would let her until the doctor came in.
"Karen, it's nice to see you. How are you doing?"
"Good."
"Well let's take a look at your knee and see the progress. Your wrist seems to be doing fine?"
"Yeah, will I need to keep the cast on for the last few weeks?"
"We might be able to take the cast off, re-xray it and see from there."
"That would be great."
The doctor unwrapped her knee and felt around the incision. He bent it a little and saw Karen wince in pain.
"Apparently that didn't feel too good. The incision still looks good, no infection but you still have a lot of swelling on the opposite side. Feels like a lot of fluid is still in there. I think we'll get some xrays and see from there." He gave Karen some papers and told her to come back after her xrays.
Karen went to the waiting room to get Sidney and they went downstairs so she could get the xrays done.
"What did he say?"
"There's no infection around the incision but there is still a lot of swelling so he wants more xrays done to see what's going on. He said they will take off the cast on my wrist and re-xray it and see if its progressing."
"You ok?"
"I just don't want to go through surgery with my knee again" she said with tears in her eyes.
"It'll be ok baby" Sidney said as he pulled her into a hug. He let her go when they called her in.
Karen got in the room and they first took off the cast on her wrist. When they got it off, they xrayed her wrist first and then she got up on the table so they could get her knee. When they were done, they wrapped her knee and wrist again. After 20 minutes, Karen came back out and they told her it would be at least a couple hours until the doctor would be able to read the film and she told them she would be back.
"What did they say?" Sidney stood up as Karen came out.
"They said to come back in a couple hours."
"Why don't we go grab some lunch then?"
"Sounds good."
Sidney took her hand and went to the car. He took her to their chinese restaurant to make her feel better. Karen would eat but she picked at her food more.
"It's going to be ok baby. They'll find out where the fluid is coming from and they might be able to get it out without surgery."
"You do realize that is the third time you've told me 'it'll be ok'."
"Well I guess I need to say it a few more times until you start to believe me. If surgery is the answer then we'll deal with that decision when it comes."
"Um, we?"
"You honestly think I'd let you go through this alone?"
"No" she whispered.
"It'll be ok" Sidney said laughing which got Karen to laugh. "Say it, it'll make you feel better."
"Everything will be ok." Karen looked into Sidney's eyes and knew everything would. They finished eating and took a drive around. Sidney never really been around Wheeling and Karen showed him the sights of Oglebay Park. She saw where they were getting the decorations set up for the 'Festival of Lights' and made a mental note to bring Sidney down one night to drive through the displays.
Two hours had passed and they were heading back to the hospital and her doctor's office. As soon as they walked in, the nurse told Karen she could head back. She asked if Sidney could go with her and she didn't see a problem with it. Sidney held onto her hand as they walked the hallway to the office.
"Karen, please come in and sit down."
"Dr. Louis, this is my boyfriend Sidney...
"...Crosby?"
"Yes sir. It's nice to meet you" Sidney said as he shook his hand.
"Well the pleasure is all mine. My daughters will be jealous that I got to meet you."
"So, I take it that it's not a problem that he's here?" Karen asked smiling.
"No, it's not. First the good news, your wrist is progressing very well and the bone has fused together like we wanted. It might be weak from having the cast on, but I still want you in a hard brace for the next couple weeks of your medical leave from work. You'll be able to take it off for an hour or two a day or leave it on all day and take it off to sleep. When you do go back to work, I want that brace with you so if working on the computer causes any strain you can put it back on."
"So the bad news is about my knee."
"I'm not going to lie to you Karen, it doesn't look good. The xrays show a lot of swelling around the joint and since there's still fluid in there, it's not going down as fast as we thought."
"Is surgery an option?" Sidney asked.
"It is, but it's going to be the final option. Right now I want to give you a stronger anti-inflammatory pill and we'll see if that helps relieve the fluid and swelling. I want to see you three days before your leave is up to see if I need to extend it for surgery or if you'll be able to go back to work and maybe surgery could still be an option but not a priority. If you walk around on it, I am ordering that you wear the brace and not just have it wrapped."
"Ok. If the swelling goes down but there is still some fluid, would I be able to go to work and stand on it until after the New Year and maybe get the surgery then?"
"If there is still some fluid and you feel like you can go back to work, I want that brace on. I know pushing your cart could be a challenge, but standing for 8 hours I'd prefer you have the stability on your leg. One wrong move and if you fall or twist your knee, we won't be waiting until after the New Year. Understand me?"
"Yes I understand."
"I take it that this young man will be making sure you follow my orders if you don't?"
"I have every intention to make sure she does what she needs to sir" Sidney said smiling at Karen."
"Good. I like this guy Karen."
"Yeah, me too. I have one other question. You saw how I winced when you bent my knee, is there any exercises I can do to limber it up since it's been wrapped or in a brace for a few weeks now?"
"You're staying at your house in Pittsburgh right?"
"Yeah."
"Here is the name and number for a physical therapist in Pitsburgh that you can call and see about maybe getting in twice or three times a week" he said handing her a card.
"Thank you Dr. Louis."
"If you need anything Karen, give me or the office a call. I will call downstairs to the pharmacy for your prescription and you can pick it up before you leave."
"Ok."
"And Sidney, it was a pleasure to meet you. Before you go, could I maybe get you to sign this for my daughters?"
"Sure." Sidney signs the paper and they headed out. They went to the pharmacy to get her meds and left to go back to Pittsburgh.
"Well that was somewhat good news. Have the next two weeks on new medication and then wear the brace after you go back to work. Surgery can wait awhile."
"Yeah, I guess" Karen said somewhat dispondent as she looked out the window.
"What's wrong? I thought you would be happy from what he said."
"I am, I just thought he would tell me there was no swelling or fluid and that after two more weeks of being home, it would be fine."
"It will be baby."
Karen looked over and smiled at Sidney "I love you."
"I love you too baby" Sidney smiled back.
They got back to the house and Sidney helped Karen inside. She went into the living room and sat down.
"Baby, do you mind if I head to the arena and go work out for a little bit?"
"No, go ahead" she said giving him a soft smile.
"I won't go if you want me to stay with you."
"No, Sid go I'll be fine. I already feel bad that you skipped practice to go with me."
"I wanted to go with you alright" Sidney leaned down and kissed her "I'll see you in about an hour or two, ok?"
"Ok."
Sidney kissed her again and then left. Karen sat there and tried to think on the bright about this. She grabbed the card from her pocket and called the hospital to see about scheduling some times for her physical therapy. When she got off the phone, there was a knock at the door and she got up to answer it.
Karen smiled when she opened the door "Max. What are you doing here?"
"Well they said Sid took you to the doctor for your knee and I wanted to see how it went. Everything ok?"
"Yes and no. The doctor didn't find any sign of infection but there is still some swelling and fluid present."
"Then we need to get you to sit down." Max helped her to the couch and they sat down.
"Sorry you just missed Sid. He went to go work out since he missed practice."
"You know once he gets to the arena, he'll put on his gear and skate around for an eternity."
Karen had to laugh at how true it was "I know. I don't blame him though he loves what he does."
"We all do or we wouldn't be playing."
"That is true. So Max, why do I think there is another reason why you stopped over today?" she asked smiling at him.
"I need some advice about your friend Natalie."
"You, superstar, needs advice on a girl? The world must be coming to an end."
"Very funny. Will you help me?"
"What help do you need Max?"
"I need help with getting Nat to possibly be my girlfriend."
"I think I can help with that." Karen said. She smiled at him knowing it might take a some doing, but she was going to try and help the best she could.
12.28.2008
12.27.2008
Chapter 71
After Sidney was done with the media and getting his shower, he met up with Karen in the lounge. He looked at her but it looked like something was bothering her. He walked over and kissed her before offering his hand to help her up so they could leave. When they walked outside, Sidney held onto her hand as they went to the car. A few fans called for him, but he waved and got in.
"Why didn't you want to go sign?" Karen asked as Sidney pulled out of the parking lot.
"No specific reason, just didn't feel like it."
"Ok. You sure you feel like going to Pops then?"
"Yeah I'm sure."
They got to Pops and went inside. Karen waved at Pops at the bar and walked over to the booth her and her friends always occupied. She saw her friends and had to laugh when she saw Max, Jordan and Ryan sitting there with them.
"Did you guys adopt them or something?"
"No, its more like a bad rash that won't go away" Natalie said looking at Max.
Sidney saw the look too and looked at Karen "you know about something you're not sharing with me?" he whispered in her ear.
"Your guess is as good as mine" she whispered back.
Everyone made a move so they could sit down and join the fun. Every now and again, Sidney would see Karen get quiet and stare off. He knew she was fine before the game and he wondered what happened between then and now to change her mood. They stayed for a few more hours and then decided to leave.
"Do you mind if we crash at the house tonight Kiki, I really don't feel like driving back at this hour?" Sheril asked as they walked outside.
"You know I don't mind."
"We won't be interrupting anything between you and loverboy will we?" Natalie chimed in.
"No because I can't get my leg to move the way I want it to for any position, so it'll be fine."
Karen watched the three of them walk to their car and went to Sidney's. He was waiting by the passenger side door to help her in. "Everything ok?"
"Yeah. They are going to stay tonight, I hope you don't mind."
"Of course not. I wouldn't want them driving back this late either."
Karen smiled before she kissed him "I love you more than you know right now."
"Mmm, not that I'm complaining but why's that?"
"Because you are not only good to me, but to my friends too."
"I guess it's because of how close you guys are. They take care of you, like you take care of them and I need to take care of all of you. Your friends are special to you and if I am going to fit into your life, they're going to be special to me too."
"Thank you. Will you follow behind them?"
"Absolutely." Sidney kissed her and helped her in the car then went around to get in. He saw Sheril pull out and got behind her, following her to the house.
"Before we get to the house and don't get a chance to talk, something bothering you tonight?"
Karen didn't really want to get into anything and then have to hide feelings when she got around her friends "no, why would you ask."
"I don't know you just seem to be off thinking about something and wondered what was going on."
"Sorry, didn't think I was doing that."
"So, you going to tell me?"
"It's nothing. Just some things went through my mind is all."
"Which means we'll talk tomorrow after your friends leave" Sidney said as he pulled in the driveway behind Sheril. Karen looked over at him and smiled before getting out and going inside.
"What's with the bags? You going on a trip or did this turn into a hotel?"
"Hasn't it always been a hotel the way you guys are always here?"
"Did you take in a border?" Diane said looking at Sidney with a huge smile.
"I'm going to go change while you answer that baby" Sidney said walking upstairs.
"Thanks, I appreciate it." Karen looked back to her friends and went to sit in the living room "Sid decided to bring some of his clothes here so he doesn't always have to leave, go to Mario's and then come back. It just makes it easier."
"Is he slowly moving in?" Natalie asked.
Karen smiled "kind of."
"So then everything is ok between you two?"
"Everything is perfect" Sidney said coming in and sitting beside her.
"Apparently we'll have to look for the 'Do Not Disturb' sign on the front door before walking in next time we come up."
"Or you could just call before you leave and we can be done before you get here."
"Thanks for that information" Natalie said while rolling her eyes.
"How about some information from you? What was the look to Max about earlier tonight?"
Natalie was about to say something when she looked at Sidney.
"I won't say anything to him or do I need to leave?"
"No you don't need to leave. Alright, well the night that we went to Pops after the home opener and you left to go sit at the bar, Max and I were kind of flirting at the table. When we were leaving, he pulled me back and he kissed me."
"Really?" Karen said smiling.
"Don't get all happy. We exchanged numbers and talked a couple of times. He asked me to dinner one night and I came up to meet him and..."
"Did you sleep with him?" Diane asked surprised.
"Technically, sleeping wasn't involed but we did other things. I told him afterwards that I didn't know if I wanted a relationship right now and he's been calling me ever since that night. That's why I made the comment in his direction."
"Max is a great guy, why wouldn't you want to date him?" Sidney asked in defense for his friend.
"It's not just about Max, I see how it is between you two when Karen is down in Wheeling during the week. I don't think I can handle a relationship like that."
"Um Nat, I decided to stay here more and commute to work. I'll probably only stay down in Wheeling with Maggie when Sid is on a road trip for a couple days." She saw the look on her friends' faces, especially Natalie "I guess I couldn't handle it either." Karen felt Sidney's hand squeeze her shoulder and she leaned into him.
"So you're saying what?"
"I'm not saying what you already know. Give him a chance Nat, Max will surprise ya. At least he's got one hell of a body on him."
"Excuse me baby" Sidney said making her look at him.
Karen leaned in and kissed him "sorry stud, but he does."
"I think I'm going to bed on that. Goodnight ladies. You coming up baby?"
"I'll be there in a minute."
They waited for Sidney to leave and then talked for another few minutes.
"Who's idea was it for him to move in here?"
"Kind of both of ours. I hate being away from him and he was talking about looking for a house and I mentioned to him that if he needed a place before a game that he could come here while I was at work. We just started talking and I mentioned that I would try and stay up here when he has home games during the week and commute to work. That way we could spend time together at night. He'll still have some stuff at Mario's and I'm sure he'll stay there some times too. It's something we're trying right now."
"Well I know I speak for all of us when I say that we're happy for you" Diane said as the other two agreed.
"Thanks guys. After being away from him, I don't want that to happen again. I am going to head up, so I will see you guys in the morning."
"Duh, it is the morning."
"Shut up, I will see you guys later today."
Karen went upsatirs and opened the door to her bedroom. Sidney was already in bed and she quietly went into the bathroom to change. She came out and got into bed, feeling Sidney reach out for her and pull her to his warm body.
"So did you continue to talk about me when I left?"
"Yep. I went into detail about how you had a better body then Max's. The girls were obviously jealous."
"You lie, but I love you anyway."
"I love you too stud. Go back to sleep" she cuddled into him and went to sleep herself.
Everyone was up by noon and they all went out for lunch. Sidney had called Max to join them and when they walked into the restaurant Natalie sternly looked at her friends when she saw Max waiting for them. Karen held Sidney back and told the rest they would meet up with them.
"Did you call him to join us?"
"Maybe, was that wrong of me?" he said pretending not to smile.
"Sid?"
"What, the way she talked about him I figured she needed a push."
"Please tell me you at least didn't tell him what she said last night?"
"I didn't. All I told him was we were going to lunch before they went back and he practically jumped at the chance to come."
"This should be fun."
Sidney led Karen to the table and she got a look from Natalie. Karen just pointed at Sidney and left it at that. Lunch went smooth and Karen watched how Max would flirt with Natalie. It proved that this was deeper than just some alcohol related evening, Max really did seem to like her. After lunch, Sidney and Karen went back to the house leaving the girls with Max. They had taken both cars so they could head back when they were done. Once they got to the house, Karen sat down and waited for Sidney to join her. He came in a few minutes later and looked directly at Karen.
"What?"
"What was going on last night?"
"I need to know something, did you lie about sleeping with Sophia?"
Sidney looked Karen dead in the eyes as he answered her "no I didn't. I thought you believed me?" he said getting up.
"Sid wait. I do believe you but before the game she came up to me and it rattled me the way she was talking. I knew she was doing it to make me rethink everything and I told myself I wasn't going to let her, but it did."
"One night we were together, yes, the temptation was there and something could have happened. She kept pushing and I kept pushing her away. I could have let it happen and regretted it later, but I wasn't about to be a conquest for her. When I told her nothing was going to happen and started to leave, she went on about how many other players would kill for a chance with her. I just told her that I would kill to be with you again and left."
"I'm sorry for doubting you but I had to really make sure after what she said."
Sidney walked back over to her and brought her up to face him "I know. Let's just forget about everything that happened while we were apart and make this our new beginning."
"I like the sound of that" Karen said as she smiled at him and waited for Sidney's lips to meet hers as he leaned in. Sidney moved his hand down Karen's back and brought it back up but he managed to get it underneath her shirt. "Um, whatcha doing there studly?"
"Nothing, why do you ask?" Sidney said while he moved his lips to her neck.
"Because it seems to me like you're trying to start something."
"Who me? Never. You said you aren't able to and I am respecting that decision."
"Then why is your hand up the back of my shirt?"
Sidney pulls his head back to look at her "is that where it is? I have no idea how it got there baby."
"Stop being a smartass and remove the hand."
"Fine" Sidney removes his hand from under her shirt, only to put it on her ass and lightly squeezes it.
Karen takes his hand away and goes to sit down "you are being impossible."
"And you are being a tease" Sidney said sitting beside her.
"How am I being a tease?"
"From at the arena, touching me the way you did and then leave me hangin. You are such a tease."
"You're going on something from yesterday? Wow, how did you have the stamina to last that long?"
"Why do you ruin the game? Be nice and play along."
Karen sat there laughing "you are just bound and determined to see for yourself that I am not able to get how you want me."
"No" Sidney put his arm around her shoulders and turned her to him "its just been too damn long since I've made love to you."
"Let's see what the doctor tells me tomorrow ok? Maybe I could see a physical therapist while I'm there to help limber it up. I've tried to bend my knee when the bandage was off, it's hurts."
"I'm sure it does baby and I'm sorry for pushing."
"You're not pushing Sid. I want the same thing you do."
"Alright, we'll see what happens tomorrow. How about we spend the rest of the day just being together?"
"I love just being with you."
Sidney kissed her and they got comfortable on the couch finding some movies on tv to occupy the rest of their day.
"Why didn't you want to go sign?" Karen asked as Sidney pulled out of the parking lot.
"No specific reason, just didn't feel like it."
"Ok. You sure you feel like going to Pops then?"
"Yeah I'm sure."
They got to Pops and went inside. Karen waved at Pops at the bar and walked over to the booth her and her friends always occupied. She saw her friends and had to laugh when she saw Max, Jordan and Ryan sitting there with them.
"Did you guys adopt them or something?"
"No, its more like a bad rash that won't go away" Natalie said looking at Max.
Sidney saw the look too and looked at Karen "you know about something you're not sharing with me?" he whispered in her ear.
"Your guess is as good as mine" she whispered back.
Everyone made a move so they could sit down and join the fun. Every now and again, Sidney would see Karen get quiet and stare off. He knew she was fine before the game and he wondered what happened between then and now to change her mood. They stayed for a few more hours and then decided to leave.
"Do you mind if we crash at the house tonight Kiki, I really don't feel like driving back at this hour?" Sheril asked as they walked outside.
"You know I don't mind."
"We won't be interrupting anything between you and loverboy will we?" Natalie chimed in.
"No because I can't get my leg to move the way I want it to for any position, so it'll be fine."
Karen watched the three of them walk to their car and went to Sidney's. He was waiting by the passenger side door to help her in. "Everything ok?"
"Yeah. They are going to stay tonight, I hope you don't mind."
"Of course not. I wouldn't want them driving back this late either."
Karen smiled before she kissed him "I love you more than you know right now."
"Mmm, not that I'm complaining but why's that?"
"Because you are not only good to me, but to my friends too."
"I guess it's because of how close you guys are. They take care of you, like you take care of them and I need to take care of all of you. Your friends are special to you and if I am going to fit into your life, they're going to be special to me too."
"Thank you. Will you follow behind them?"
"Absolutely." Sidney kissed her and helped her in the car then went around to get in. He saw Sheril pull out and got behind her, following her to the house.
"Before we get to the house and don't get a chance to talk, something bothering you tonight?"
Karen didn't really want to get into anything and then have to hide feelings when she got around her friends "no, why would you ask."
"I don't know you just seem to be off thinking about something and wondered what was going on."
"Sorry, didn't think I was doing that."
"So, you going to tell me?"
"It's nothing. Just some things went through my mind is all."
"Which means we'll talk tomorrow after your friends leave" Sidney said as he pulled in the driveway behind Sheril. Karen looked over at him and smiled before getting out and going inside.
"What's with the bags? You going on a trip or did this turn into a hotel?"
"Hasn't it always been a hotel the way you guys are always here?"
"Did you take in a border?" Diane said looking at Sidney with a huge smile.
"I'm going to go change while you answer that baby" Sidney said walking upstairs.
"Thanks, I appreciate it." Karen looked back to her friends and went to sit in the living room "Sid decided to bring some of his clothes here so he doesn't always have to leave, go to Mario's and then come back. It just makes it easier."
"Is he slowly moving in?" Natalie asked.
Karen smiled "kind of."
"So then everything is ok between you two?"
"Everything is perfect" Sidney said coming in and sitting beside her.
"Apparently we'll have to look for the 'Do Not Disturb' sign on the front door before walking in next time we come up."
"Or you could just call before you leave and we can be done before you get here."
"Thanks for that information" Natalie said while rolling her eyes.
"How about some information from you? What was the look to Max about earlier tonight?"
Natalie was about to say something when she looked at Sidney.
"I won't say anything to him or do I need to leave?"
"No you don't need to leave. Alright, well the night that we went to Pops after the home opener and you left to go sit at the bar, Max and I were kind of flirting at the table. When we were leaving, he pulled me back and he kissed me."
"Really?" Karen said smiling.
"Don't get all happy. We exchanged numbers and talked a couple of times. He asked me to dinner one night and I came up to meet him and..."
"Did you sleep with him?" Diane asked surprised.
"Technically, sleeping wasn't involed but we did other things. I told him afterwards that I didn't know if I wanted a relationship right now and he's been calling me ever since that night. That's why I made the comment in his direction."
"Max is a great guy, why wouldn't you want to date him?" Sidney asked in defense for his friend.
"It's not just about Max, I see how it is between you two when Karen is down in Wheeling during the week. I don't think I can handle a relationship like that."
"Um Nat, I decided to stay here more and commute to work. I'll probably only stay down in Wheeling with Maggie when Sid is on a road trip for a couple days." She saw the look on her friends' faces, especially Natalie "I guess I couldn't handle it either." Karen felt Sidney's hand squeeze her shoulder and she leaned into him.
"So you're saying what?"
"I'm not saying what you already know. Give him a chance Nat, Max will surprise ya. At least he's got one hell of a body on him."
"Excuse me baby" Sidney said making her look at him.
Karen leaned in and kissed him "sorry stud, but he does."
"I think I'm going to bed on that. Goodnight ladies. You coming up baby?"
"I'll be there in a minute."
They waited for Sidney to leave and then talked for another few minutes.
"Who's idea was it for him to move in here?"
"Kind of both of ours. I hate being away from him and he was talking about looking for a house and I mentioned to him that if he needed a place before a game that he could come here while I was at work. We just started talking and I mentioned that I would try and stay up here when he has home games during the week and commute to work. That way we could spend time together at night. He'll still have some stuff at Mario's and I'm sure he'll stay there some times too. It's something we're trying right now."
"Well I know I speak for all of us when I say that we're happy for you" Diane said as the other two agreed.
"Thanks guys. After being away from him, I don't want that to happen again. I am going to head up, so I will see you guys in the morning."
"Duh, it is the morning."
"Shut up, I will see you guys later today."
Karen went upsatirs and opened the door to her bedroom. Sidney was already in bed and she quietly went into the bathroom to change. She came out and got into bed, feeling Sidney reach out for her and pull her to his warm body.
"So did you continue to talk about me when I left?"
"Yep. I went into detail about how you had a better body then Max's. The girls were obviously jealous."
"You lie, but I love you anyway."
"I love you too stud. Go back to sleep" she cuddled into him and went to sleep herself.
Everyone was up by noon and they all went out for lunch. Sidney had called Max to join them and when they walked into the restaurant Natalie sternly looked at her friends when she saw Max waiting for them. Karen held Sidney back and told the rest they would meet up with them.
"Did you call him to join us?"
"Maybe, was that wrong of me?" he said pretending not to smile.
"Sid?"
"What, the way she talked about him I figured she needed a push."
"Please tell me you at least didn't tell him what she said last night?"
"I didn't. All I told him was we were going to lunch before they went back and he practically jumped at the chance to come."
"This should be fun."
Sidney led Karen to the table and she got a look from Natalie. Karen just pointed at Sidney and left it at that. Lunch went smooth and Karen watched how Max would flirt with Natalie. It proved that this was deeper than just some alcohol related evening, Max really did seem to like her. After lunch, Sidney and Karen went back to the house leaving the girls with Max. They had taken both cars so they could head back when they were done. Once they got to the house, Karen sat down and waited for Sidney to join her. He came in a few minutes later and looked directly at Karen.
"What?"
"What was going on last night?"
"I need to know something, did you lie about sleeping with Sophia?"
Sidney looked Karen dead in the eyes as he answered her "no I didn't. I thought you believed me?" he said getting up.
"Sid wait. I do believe you but before the game she came up to me and it rattled me the way she was talking. I knew she was doing it to make me rethink everything and I told myself I wasn't going to let her, but it did."
"One night we were together, yes, the temptation was there and something could have happened. She kept pushing and I kept pushing her away. I could have let it happen and regretted it later, but I wasn't about to be a conquest for her. When I told her nothing was going to happen and started to leave, she went on about how many other players would kill for a chance with her. I just told her that I would kill to be with you again and left."
"I'm sorry for doubting you but I had to really make sure after what she said."
Sidney walked back over to her and brought her up to face him "I know. Let's just forget about everything that happened while we were apart and make this our new beginning."
"I like the sound of that" Karen said as she smiled at him and waited for Sidney's lips to meet hers as he leaned in. Sidney moved his hand down Karen's back and brought it back up but he managed to get it underneath her shirt. "Um, whatcha doing there studly?"
"Nothing, why do you ask?" Sidney said while he moved his lips to her neck.
"Because it seems to me like you're trying to start something."
"Who me? Never. You said you aren't able to and I am respecting that decision."
"Then why is your hand up the back of my shirt?"
Sidney pulls his head back to look at her "is that where it is? I have no idea how it got there baby."
"Stop being a smartass and remove the hand."
"Fine" Sidney removes his hand from under her shirt, only to put it on her ass and lightly squeezes it.
Karen takes his hand away and goes to sit down "you are being impossible."
"And you are being a tease" Sidney said sitting beside her.
"How am I being a tease?"
"From at the arena, touching me the way you did and then leave me hangin. You are such a tease."
"You're going on something from yesterday? Wow, how did you have the stamina to last that long?"
"Why do you ruin the game? Be nice and play along."
Karen sat there laughing "you are just bound and determined to see for yourself that I am not able to get how you want me."
"No" Sidney put his arm around her shoulders and turned her to him "its just been too damn long since I've made love to you."
"Let's see what the doctor tells me tomorrow ok? Maybe I could see a physical therapist while I'm there to help limber it up. I've tried to bend my knee when the bandage was off, it's hurts."
"I'm sure it does baby and I'm sorry for pushing."
"You're not pushing Sid. I want the same thing you do."
"Alright, we'll see what happens tomorrow. How about we spend the rest of the day just being together?"
"I love just being with you."
Sidney kissed her and they got comfortable on the couch finding some movies on tv to occupy the rest of their day.
12.25.2008
Chapter 70
After they ate, Karen did up the dishes as Sidney did other things that was in his game day routine. When she was done, she went into the living room to join Sidney.
"Am I allowed to join you or will that disrupt the hockey universe?"
Sidney laughed and held out his hand. Karen took it and he pulled her to sit beside him "nothing you do will disrupt my hockey universe."
"I just want to make sure."
They sat together until Sidney was ready for his nap. He got up and brought her with him. They went upstairs and Karen laid down waiting for Sidney to get out of the bathroom. He came out a minute later, set the alarm and laid down bringing her towards his body. Karen laid there then looked up at Sidney. He was already asleep and looked so boy-like. She loved the different faces to him and she just studied the features of his face, his shoulders, his arms, chest and stomach until she could fall asleep.
An hour and a half later, the alarm rang and Sidney got up after turning it off. He saw Karen start to stir and kissed her to wake her up.
"Hey baby, how long will it take you to get ready?"
"Not long. I got my shower this morning, so I can get ready while the girls are on their way up."
"Will you go in with me today?"
"I'll have to think about that, go with you or with my friends" Karen laid there moving her hands like they were scales "I think its a no contest."
"You going with me then?"
"No, the girls" she said and tried to keep a straight face but a smile broke out anyway.
"You are not right baby." Sidney started to undress so he could get a shower. He stayed directly in front of her and stripped down to where he was completely naked before he walked into the bathroom and then shut the door.
"Now who's not right" Karen yelled at him. She stayed there laughing then got up and got dressed. After she was ready, she sat back on the bed and waited for Sidney to come out. She grabbed the phone calling Sheril to tell her to meet at the arena since she was going in with Sidney. Karen hung up right before Sidney emerged from the bathroom with nothing but a towel on.
Seeing her dressed and ready "I guess you decided to go in with me?"
"You have a very nice argumentive style Crosby."
He walked over to her and kissed her "I knew that would get you to change your mind."
Karen stood up and kissed him back before walking out of the room "I'll be downstairs."
"Wait, we have time to add to the routine" he said grabbing for her.
"Sorry but that's not possible right now" she smiled at him and went downstairs.
Sidney went to get dressed so they could get to the arena. As they were driving to the arena, Sidney wanted to talk about what she meant at the house.
"Can I ask you a question baby?"
"Sure."
"Is there a reason, besides needing to get to the arena, that you turned me down?"
Karen smiled "it's because of my leg. My knee and hip won't let me get into any position yet."
"So then you weren't turning me down."
"No I wasn't. If I wasn't hurt when we got back together, trust me I would have attacked you that first night."
"I think that's the other way around baby. I always find myself attacking you."
"True, but it could have been different for once."
"You think so?"
"I think you're afraid to let me take control."
"I'm not afraid of anything" he said with a little distain in his voice.
"Ooo, did I strike a nerve there Crosby? Did I find a weakness?" she said touching his sides getting him to laugh.
"No you didn't."
"Alright, but you would love what I could do to you if you ever let me."
Sidney thought about that for a minute "maybe one day." He looked over when he heard Karen laugh and shake her head at him. "How's your knee feeling today? I see we didn't bring the crutches today."
"It's ok. I have two weeks left on medical leave and I guess I wanted to test it with it just being wrapped and walking under my own power."
"Baby, you can't rush injuries like that. You're going to do more damage to it."
"Thanks for the info Dr. Crosby but I don't know how much more damage I can do to it."
"You could do a lot more than you think."
"Well my appointment is Monday so when the 'real' doctor looks at it, he can tell me what's going on."
"What time on Monday? Maybe Doc Sid needs to be there to offer his own opinions."
"10a and doesn't Doc Sid have practice?"
"It'll be an optional skate practice anyway."
"Doesn't that just mean it's the option to skate? Don't you still need to be there?"
"I think I could miss one practice. I'll just tell them that I need to drive you to your appointment."
"Sid..."
Sidney pulled into the players lot and parked the car. He looked over at Karen who just looked at him "there will be no more discussion about it. I am going with you so you need to deal with it." He got out of the car and went to the passenger side to help Karen out.
"We need to change this 'I'm always right so just go with it' attitude of yours" she said smiling.
"It's never going to happen baby, so just go with it."
Sidney kissed her cheek and they started to walk in. There were a few fans that were calling to Sidney and he smiled at Karen before walking over to sign. Karen stood by the entrance and looked around seeing Sophia standing up top over the entrance. When Sidney started to walk towards her and take her hand, Karen shot a look to her and just smiled as they went inside.
They went to the lounge area and Karen went to sit down on the couch to wait for Sidney to come back out. He had taken off his jacket and tie and came to sit beside her. They sat and talked as other players started to come in. All of them were happy to see Karen there and joined them to relax before they needed to get ready.
About an hour later, the guys were heading into the locker room to get changed. Sidney stayed for a little bit longer with Karen on the couch. They were sitting close and talking. Karen was distracted when Max and Geno came back into the lounge area with only shorts on and started flexing around behind Sidney. Karen tried to keep from laughing and pay attention to what Sidney was talking about. She about lost it when Jordan, Marc-Andre, Matt Cooke and Hal Gill joined in on the fun. Karen broke out laughing and Sidney saw where her eyes went and turned around.
"What are you guys doing?"
"Just giving Karen an option" Geno said.
"You think you're the only stud in this locker room Sid?" Max added in.
"Well according to MY girlfriend, I am the only stud to her" Sidney said standing up, taking off his shirt.
Karen looked to Vero, who was still in the room witnessing this for help. She was laughing just as much as Karen especially once Marc joined. He was skinny but still had nice definition. Vero just shook her head and whispered "I think they're beyond help" to Karen. A few minutes later Coach Therrien came in and told the guys to go get ready. The guys left and Sidney was standing there with Karen. He wrapped his arms around her and she just smiled at him.
"Was that all for my benefit or do you guys do this all the time?"
"It's a game day ritual. What are you talking about baby."
"Glad I was here to see it. So much machoism in one room, it's going to be hard to watch the game now."
"Why's that?"
"I'll just keep picturing what's really under those uniforms."
"Really and who will you be picturing more?"
"I'm not sure. I mean all you guys have the defintion but are all different. Like Geno and Marc are kinda thin but muscular. Max, Jordan and Matt have a little more meat to them, but Hal now there's what you call built."
"Um, care to add me in there?"
"I get to see you almost every night stud, it was the first time seeing them like that. But if I had to pick a winner, it's you hands down" Karen whispered running her hands over his chest "this is what I want to always see."
Sidney smiled and loved when her hands touched him "you're going to make it hard to play hockey now."
"You might need to jump in a very cold shower then."
"I'll just use all this pent up energy for the game."
"Well, I will let you go so you can get ready. The girls should be getting here soon and I want to go up to meet them."
"How about a good luck kiss first?"
"Like I would leave without giving you that."
Sidney leaned in and pressed his lips to hers. The kiss got a little more intense and continued on. A few minutes later Karen felt a tap on her shoulder, broke the kiss turning her head and staring directly at Max's smiling face.
"If it's not too much to ask Karen, but could we maybe have our captain back so he could suit up and join us on the ice for, I don't know, a hockey game?"
"What's the matter Max, jealous that you don't get this before a game?"
"Well if you're offering Karen, you know I won't turn you down."
Karen turned her head and kissed Sidney once more before she let go of him "good luck stud and Max, keep dreaming." Karen winked at Sidney before walking out of the lounge. Sidney just shrugged his shoulders at Max and went to get ready.
When Karen got outside, her phone went off and it was Sheril telling her they were parking the car and they would be there in a few minutes. Karen told her that she would be around the doors and would meet them there. She wasn't waiting long when she heard a voice behind her.
"You must be desperate Karen."
"What do you want Sophia?" she said turning around to face her.
"Well I expected somewhat of a better greeting than that but I'll take what I can get. You know Sidney was a nice change from all the others I've had."
"Meaning what?" Karen said not getting upset.
"Just that he was young and I think I made a very good impression on him."
"Yeah, I say you made an impression alright....the wrong one."
"I don't think so."
"Really? Then why are we back together already?"
"Because you're so pathetic."
"No, I think it's because nothing happened and I had no reason to wait for the delousing process."
"Is that what he told you, that nothing happened? You are really nieve Karen. When have you ever known a hockey player to turn me down?"
"You're right, they've never turned you down...that is until Sidney. I believe him when he said nothing happened between you two."
"Then you just fell for the ultimate lie because it did happen and it was amazing" Sophia said before walking away. Karen just stood there. She didn't want to believe that Sidney lied to her about being with her but like she told him, she couldn't judge him if he did with what happened with Rick. Soon her friends met up with her and they waited the few minutes until they opened the doors.
The game started and ended with the Pens winning 5-2 over Buffalo. The girls wanted to go celebrate at Pops and Karen text Sidney telling him she wanted to go with them and if he wanted to meet up with her after he was done. She got a text back and Sidney asked her to wait for him so they could head over together. Karen told her friends they she would meet them there and went back down to the lounge to wait for Sidney to get done. As she sat there waiting and talking to some of the other girls, she couldn't keep what Sophia said out of her head.
"Am I allowed to join you or will that disrupt the hockey universe?"
Sidney laughed and held out his hand. Karen took it and he pulled her to sit beside him "nothing you do will disrupt my hockey universe."
"I just want to make sure."
They sat together until Sidney was ready for his nap. He got up and brought her with him. They went upstairs and Karen laid down waiting for Sidney to get out of the bathroom. He came out a minute later, set the alarm and laid down bringing her towards his body. Karen laid there then looked up at Sidney. He was already asleep and looked so boy-like. She loved the different faces to him and she just studied the features of his face, his shoulders, his arms, chest and stomach until she could fall asleep.
An hour and a half later, the alarm rang and Sidney got up after turning it off. He saw Karen start to stir and kissed her to wake her up.
"Hey baby, how long will it take you to get ready?"
"Not long. I got my shower this morning, so I can get ready while the girls are on their way up."
"Will you go in with me today?"
"I'll have to think about that, go with you or with my friends" Karen laid there moving her hands like they were scales "I think its a no contest."
"You going with me then?"
"No, the girls" she said and tried to keep a straight face but a smile broke out anyway.
"You are not right baby." Sidney started to undress so he could get a shower. He stayed directly in front of her and stripped down to where he was completely naked before he walked into the bathroom and then shut the door.
"Now who's not right" Karen yelled at him. She stayed there laughing then got up and got dressed. After she was ready, she sat back on the bed and waited for Sidney to come out. She grabbed the phone calling Sheril to tell her to meet at the arena since she was going in with Sidney. Karen hung up right before Sidney emerged from the bathroom with nothing but a towel on.
Seeing her dressed and ready "I guess you decided to go in with me?"
"You have a very nice argumentive style Crosby."
He walked over to her and kissed her "I knew that would get you to change your mind."
Karen stood up and kissed him back before walking out of the room "I'll be downstairs."
"Wait, we have time to add to the routine" he said grabbing for her.
"Sorry but that's not possible right now" she smiled at him and went downstairs.
Sidney went to get dressed so they could get to the arena. As they were driving to the arena, Sidney wanted to talk about what she meant at the house.
"Can I ask you a question baby?"
"Sure."
"Is there a reason, besides needing to get to the arena, that you turned me down?"
Karen smiled "it's because of my leg. My knee and hip won't let me get into any position yet."
"So then you weren't turning me down."
"No I wasn't. If I wasn't hurt when we got back together, trust me I would have attacked you that first night."
"I think that's the other way around baby. I always find myself attacking you."
"True, but it could have been different for once."
"You think so?"
"I think you're afraid to let me take control."
"I'm not afraid of anything" he said with a little distain in his voice.
"Ooo, did I strike a nerve there Crosby? Did I find a weakness?" she said touching his sides getting him to laugh.
"No you didn't."
"Alright, but you would love what I could do to you if you ever let me."
Sidney thought about that for a minute "maybe one day." He looked over when he heard Karen laugh and shake her head at him. "How's your knee feeling today? I see we didn't bring the crutches today."
"It's ok. I have two weeks left on medical leave and I guess I wanted to test it with it just being wrapped and walking under my own power."
"Baby, you can't rush injuries like that. You're going to do more damage to it."
"Thanks for the info Dr. Crosby but I don't know how much more damage I can do to it."
"You could do a lot more than you think."
"Well my appointment is Monday so when the 'real' doctor looks at it, he can tell me what's going on."
"What time on Monday? Maybe Doc Sid needs to be there to offer his own opinions."
"10a and doesn't Doc Sid have practice?"
"It'll be an optional skate practice anyway."
"Doesn't that just mean it's the option to skate? Don't you still need to be there?"
"I think I could miss one practice. I'll just tell them that I need to drive you to your appointment."
"Sid..."
Sidney pulled into the players lot and parked the car. He looked over at Karen who just looked at him "there will be no more discussion about it. I am going with you so you need to deal with it." He got out of the car and went to the passenger side to help Karen out.
"We need to change this 'I'm always right so just go with it' attitude of yours" she said smiling.
"It's never going to happen baby, so just go with it."
Sidney kissed her cheek and they started to walk in. There were a few fans that were calling to Sidney and he smiled at Karen before walking over to sign. Karen stood by the entrance and looked around seeing Sophia standing up top over the entrance. When Sidney started to walk towards her and take her hand, Karen shot a look to her and just smiled as they went inside.
They went to the lounge area and Karen went to sit down on the couch to wait for Sidney to come back out. He had taken off his jacket and tie and came to sit beside her. They sat and talked as other players started to come in. All of them were happy to see Karen there and joined them to relax before they needed to get ready.
About an hour later, the guys were heading into the locker room to get changed. Sidney stayed for a little bit longer with Karen on the couch. They were sitting close and talking. Karen was distracted when Max and Geno came back into the lounge area with only shorts on and started flexing around behind Sidney. Karen tried to keep from laughing and pay attention to what Sidney was talking about. She about lost it when Jordan, Marc-Andre, Matt Cooke and Hal Gill joined in on the fun. Karen broke out laughing and Sidney saw where her eyes went and turned around.
"What are you guys doing?"
"Just giving Karen an option" Geno said.
"You think you're the only stud in this locker room Sid?" Max added in.
"Well according to MY girlfriend, I am the only stud to her" Sidney said standing up, taking off his shirt.
Karen looked to Vero, who was still in the room witnessing this for help. She was laughing just as much as Karen especially once Marc joined. He was skinny but still had nice definition. Vero just shook her head and whispered "I think they're beyond help" to Karen. A few minutes later Coach Therrien came in and told the guys to go get ready. The guys left and Sidney was standing there with Karen. He wrapped his arms around her and she just smiled at him.
"Was that all for my benefit or do you guys do this all the time?"
"It's a game day ritual. What are you talking about baby."
"Glad I was here to see it. So much machoism in one room, it's going to be hard to watch the game now."
"Why's that?"
"I'll just keep picturing what's really under those uniforms."
"Really and who will you be picturing more?"
"I'm not sure. I mean all you guys have the defintion but are all different. Like Geno and Marc are kinda thin but muscular. Max, Jordan and Matt have a little more meat to them, but Hal now there's what you call built."
"Um, care to add me in there?"
"I get to see you almost every night stud, it was the first time seeing them like that. But if I had to pick a winner, it's you hands down" Karen whispered running her hands over his chest "this is what I want to always see."
Sidney smiled and loved when her hands touched him "you're going to make it hard to play hockey now."
"You might need to jump in a very cold shower then."
"I'll just use all this pent up energy for the game."
"Well, I will let you go so you can get ready. The girls should be getting here soon and I want to go up to meet them."
"How about a good luck kiss first?"
"Like I would leave without giving you that."
Sidney leaned in and pressed his lips to hers. The kiss got a little more intense and continued on. A few minutes later Karen felt a tap on her shoulder, broke the kiss turning her head and staring directly at Max's smiling face.
"If it's not too much to ask Karen, but could we maybe have our captain back so he could suit up and join us on the ice for, I don't know, a hockey game?"
"What's the matter Max, jealous that you don't get this before a game?"
"Well if you're offering Karen, you know I won't turn you down."
Karen turned her head and kissed Sidney once more before she let go of him "good luck stud and Max, keep dreaming." Karen winked at Sidney before walking out of the lounge. Sidney just shrugged his shoulders at Max and went to get ready.
When Karen got outside, her phone went off and it was Sheril telling her they were parking the car and they would be there in a few minutes. Karen told her that she would be around the doors and would meet them there. She wasn't waiting long when she heard a voice behind her.
"You must be desperate Karen."
"What do you want Sophia?" she said turning around to face her.
"Well I expected somewhat of a better greeting than that but I'll take what I can get. You know Sidney was a nice change from all the others I've had."
"Meaning what?" Karen said not getting upset.
"Just that he was young and I think I made a very good impression on him."
"Yeah, I say you made an impression alright....the wrong one."
"I don't think so."
"Really? Then why are we back together already?"
"Because you're so pathetic."
"No, I think it's because nothing happened and I had no reason to wait for the delousing process."
"Is that what he told you, that nothing happened? You are really nieve Karen. When have you ever known a hockey player to turn me down?"
"You're right, they've never turned you down...that is until Sidney. I believe him when he said nothing happened between you two."
"Then you just fell for the ultimate lie because it did happen and it was amazing" Sophia said before walking away. Karen just stood there. She didn't want to believe that Sidney lied to her about being with her but like she told him, she couldn't judge him if he did with what happened with Rick. Soon her friends met up with her and they waited the few minutes until they opened the doors.
The game started and ended with the Pens winning 5-2 over Buffalo. The girls wanted to go celebrate at Pops and Karen text Sidney telling him she wanted to go with them and if he wanted to meet up with her after he was done. She got a text back and Sidney asked her to wait for him so they could head over together. Karen told her friends they she would meet them there and went back down to the lounge to wait for Sidney to get done. As she sat there waiting and talking to some of the other girls, she couldn't keep what Sophia said out of her head.
12.24.2008
Chapter 69
Hey guys. Here is a short but sweet chapter to tide you over. Figured I'd write a little bit while Tom was roasting in the oven. Enjoy the chapter and I wanted to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and whoever got Sid wrapped with a big red bow today....there will be a posse formed later to retrieve him :)
The next morning, Sidney got up with the alarm on his cell phone. It was Saturday and it was a game day. He let go of Karen and carefully got out of bed to not disturb her. He went to the bathroom and came out about 15 minutes later. Sidney stood at the doorway and looked at Karen lying in bed. He saw how peaceful she looked and thought back to what she told him last night. Sidney smiled to himself and knew what he needed to do. He got dressed and was ready to go but kissed Karen on the cheek to wake her up.
"Hey sleeping beauty, wake up."
"Mm, what time is it?"
"A little after 8. I need to go get ready and head to the arena for our morning skate."
"Oh that's right, you play tonight."
"Yeah, are you going to come tonight?"
"Probably, there's this really hot player for the Penguins that I've been scoping out at every home game."
"Care to tell me who he is? Maybe I can make arrangements for you two to meet?"
"Thanks, but I've already met him and now I am just waiting for the right opportunity to make my move."
Sidney caressed her cheek and smiled "you can make any move you want baby. I know we'll get into this more when I come home but I don't hold sleeping with Rick against you."
"You don't?" Karen said softly with tears threatening to fall.
"No I don't baby. I understand why it happened and I think it's what you needed too."
"Thank you" she whispered.
"I got to go and we'll talk more later ok?"
"Ok. I love you."
"I love you too baby. Go back to sleep and I'll see you in a couple hours."
Karen turned her head and Sidney leaned in to let their lips meet. He pulled back and smiled at her before he left. Karen laid there and a few tears fell until she smiled and it hit her what he said 'when I come home'. She got comfortable again and closed her eyes to fall back asleep for a few hours.
Karen had woken up a couple hours later and managed to get a shower so all she had to do was get ready for the game later. She went downstairs and made a cup of coffee and had a small breakfast, figuring she would eat when Sidney came back. Karen smiled knowing she would finally get to see him during a game day and see his routine. Usually she always kicked him out to go back to Mario's because she didn't want to disrupt it. After she was done in the kitchen, Karen went into the living room and put on her iPod in the speaker dock, letting the tunes fill the room. She grabbed a book and sat down, as comfortably that her leg would let her and started to read waiting for Sidney to get back.
Around noon, Karen heard a car door shut and soon Sidney appeared in the doorway of the living room.
"What's with the bags?" Karen looked up and asked.
"I figured I would bring some of my stuff over here so I wouldn't always have to go back and forth between here and Mario's."
"How long you plan on staying there sailor?" she said with a smile.
"As long as the beautiful woman that lives here allows me too."
"I don't think you brought enough stuff."
Sidney put his bags down and walked over to her, sitting on the edge. He leaned in and kissed her "I can always get the rest later."
"How was your morning skate?"
"It was good, feel ready for tonight."
Karen looked into his eyes and saw his love for her "there's something else I need to tell you."
Sidney knew this was probably about Ryan and he could have told her he already knew, but wanted to hear it from her "tell me."
"When you were in St. Louis for a game a couple weeks ago, I went to Pops to watch the game there. I just didn't want to watch the game by myself. When I got there, I saw Whit at the bar and went over to sit with him. We talked and he yelled at me for deserting the team after we broke up."
"He yelled at you?" Sidney said laughing.
"Well not really yelled but apparently your teammates were mad at me because I stopped coming around them while you were with her. Anyway, I apologized and we watched the game and talked. When the game was over, we stayed for a little while longer. As we got ready to leave, he walked me to my car and before we said goodnight, he kissed me. I pulled away from him and told him I couldn't because I still had feelings for you."
Sidney took her hand and held it looking at her "I know baby."
"You know what?"
"That he kissed you."
"He told you?" Karen asked somewhat surprised.
"Yeah. After I met up with the guys yesterday he told me before we headed to the arena. I was mad at first but when he explained why and everything, I realized that if didn't get you one of the other guys would have."
"What do you mean?"
"He said that I wasn't the only one that took a liking to you and that all the other guys found out how amazing you were. I guess if I didn't get you when I did, I would have had some competition for you."
"Well you stole my heart from the beginning so I think it was pretty clear who I wanted to end up with."
"You stole mine on the ice."
"That's funny since Mario said the same thing" she said smiling remembering that day. "He said I awed you in more ways then one."
"That you did baby, that you did. How about we get something to eat so you can join me for my pregame nap?"
"Sounds great because I am starving."
Sidney helped her up and kissed her when she was directly in front of him. They broke apart and headed to the kitchen to make some pasta. Twenty minutes later, they were eating and continued talking. Karen felt a sense of ease over her that he forgave her for what happened while they were apart. She wondered if maybe something did happen between him and Sophia and he just didn't want her to know. It didn't matter now anyway. They were back to where they both wanted to be....with each other.
The next morning, Sidney got up with the alarm on his cell phone. It was Saturday and it was a game day. He let go of Karen and carefully got out of bed to not disturb her. He went to the bathroom and came out about 15 minutes later. Sidney stood at the doorway and looked at Karen lying in bed. He saw how peaceful she looked and thought back to what she told him last night. Sidney smiled to himself and knew what he needed to do. He got dressed and was ready to go but kissed Karen on the cheek to wake her up.
"Hey sleeping beauty, wake up."
"Mm, what time is it?"
"A little after 8. I need to go get ready and head to the arena for our morning skate."
"Oh that's right, you play tonight."
"Yeah, are you going to come tonight?"
"Probably, there's this really hot player for the Penguins that I've been scoping out at every home game."
"Care to tell me who he is? Maybe I can make arrangements for you two to meet?"
"Thanks, but I've already met him and now I am just waiting for the right opportunity to make my move."
Sidney caressed her cheek and smiled "you can make any move you want baby. I know we'll get into this more when I come home but I don't hold sleeping with Rick against you."
"You don't?" Karen said softly with tears threatening to fall.
"No I don't baby. I understand why it happened and I think it's what you needed too."
"Thank you" she whispered.
"I got to go and we'll talk more later ok?"
"Ok. I love you."
"I love you too baby. Go back to sleep and I'll see you in a couple hours."
Karen turned her head and Sidney leaned in to let their lips meet. He pulled back and smiled at her before he left. Karen laid there and a few tears fell until she smiled and it hit her what he said 'when I come home'. She got comfortable again and closed her eyes to fall back asleep for a few hours.
Karen had woken up a couple hours later and managed to get a shower so all she had to do was get ready for the game later. She went downstairs and made a cup of coffee and had a small breakfast, figuring she would eat when Sidney came back. Karen smiled knowing she would finally get to see him during a game day and see his routine. Usually she always kicked him out to go back to Mario's because she didn't want to disrupt it. After she was done in the kitchen, Karen went into the living room and put on her iPod in the speaker dock, letting the tunes fill the room. She grabbed a book and sat down, as comfortably that her leg would let her and started to read waiting for Sidney to get back.
Around noon, Karen heard a car door shut and soon Sidney appeared in the doorway of the living room.
"What's with the bags?" Karen looked up and asked.
"I figured I would bring some of my stuff over here so I wouldn't always have to go back and forth between here and Mario's."
"How long you plan on staying there sailor?" she said with a smile.
"As long as the beautiful woman that lives here allows me too."
"I don't think you brought enough stuff."
Sidney put his bags down and walked over to her, sitting on the edge. He leaned in and kissed her "I can always get the rest later."
"How was your morning skate?"
"It was good, feel ready for tonight."
Karen looked into his eyes and saw his love for her "there's something else I need to tell you."
Sidney knew this was probably about Ryan and he could have told her he already knew, but wanted to hear it from her "tell me."
"When you were in St. Louis for a game a couple weeks ago, I went to Pops to watch the game there. I just didn't want to watch the game by myself. When I got there, I saw Whit at the bar and went over to sit with him. We talked and he yelled at me for deserting the team after we broke up."
"He yelled at you?" Sidney said laughing.
"Well not really yelled but apparently your teammates were mad at me because I stopped coming around them while you were with her. Anyway, I apologized and we watched the game and talked. When the game was over, we stayed for a little while longer. As we got ready to leave, he walked me to my car and before we said goodnight, he kissed me. I pulled away from him and told him I couldn't because I still had feelings for you."
Sidney took her hand and held it looking at her "I know baby."
"You know what?"
"That he kissed you."
"He told you?" Karen asked somewhat surprised.
"Yeah. After I met up with the guys yesterday he told me before we headed to the arena. I was mad at first but when he explained why and everything, I realized that if didn't get you one of the other guys would have."
"What do you mean?"
"He said that I wasn't the only one that took a liking to you and that all the other guys found out how amazing you were. I guess if I didn't get you when I did, I would have had some competition for you."
"Well you stole my heart from the beginning so I think it was pretty clear who I wanted to end up with."
"You stole mine on the ice."
"That's funny since Mario said the same thing" she said smiling remembering that day. "He said I awed you in more ways then one."
"That you did baby, that you did. How about we get something to eat so you can join me for my pregame nap?"
"Sounds great because I am starving."
Sidney helped her up and kissed her when she was directly in front of him. They broke apart and headed to the kitchen to make some pasta. Twenty minutes later, they were eating and continued talking. Karen felt a sense of ease over her that he forgave her for what happened while they were apart. She wondered if maybe something did happen between him and Sophia and he just didn't want her to know. It didn't matter now anyway. They were back to where they both wanted to be....with each other.
12.21.2008
Chapter 68
Karen watched as Sidney turned around and walked to the front door, going outside. She walked over to the table and sat down with her back towards the doorway. She never wanted to hurt him but she had to tell him. Karen knew what that night was and what it meant she just hoped Sidney would understand.
As Karen sat there she heard the front door open then shut again. She turned her head looking directly at a bouquet of a dozen roses.
Sidney handed them to her "there's another surprise in the hallway" he said speaking softly.
Karen stood up and put the flowers on the table. She wiped her eyes and followed Sidney out into the hallway. She smiled when she saw the guys standing there. “Well isn’t this a surprise. If you guys are the welcome wagon, you’re a few years late.”
Jordan walked over to her and gently hugged her. “Sid told us you were hurt so we came by to see you.” He looked at her and saw all the bruises and bandages “damn Darryl, what’d you do to her?”
Karen just smiled at Jordan “I made a rookie mistake…he found some Adidas in my closet.”
“I hope you got rid of it” Jordan laughed with her.
“Nope, I left it there so he sees it everytime he’s here.”
Sidney walked over and put his arm around her waist softly. He didn't want the others to know they had just hit a snag in making up. “Just wait until I replace it all, you won’t be complaining then.”
“I’m not complaining now, you are.”
“She’s got you there Sid” Geno said walking up to them. “I guess you will do anything to get out of our Twister rematch” he said as he hugged her.
“Didn’t it come down to between you and Jordan? Why do I get the pleasure of a rematch?”
“Between you and Jordan, it’s no contest. Besides, you’re better to look at when you are bending in all different ways.”
“Do you want to jump in here at all Sid?” Karen asked with pleading eyes.
“I think Geno has a point. I know I was impressed by the positions you can get in to.” Sidney smiled then whispered “you know what you need to do baby.”
“Fine, I’ll get rid of my Adidas clothes.”
“Good girl” Sidney said kissing her temple. “Forget it Geno, it’s never going to happen.”
“Никогда не говорите никогда Crosby” Geno said in Russian as he walked away laughing.
“Where’s Gonch when you need him.”
“I hate to admit it, but the man is smooth” Jordan said with a smile.
“How about we call for some pizzas?” Ryan suggested to the group and everyone agreed. Sidney knew the number and made the call. Karen went into the kitchen as the guys all went into the living room to watch TV. After Sidney got done ordering, he went to find Karen.
"I figured they didn't need to know what's going on, so it was better to act like we normally do around them."
"Yeah, whatever you want to do it's fine" she said still not looking at him.
"Come with me for a second" Sidney took her hand and led her outside to the back porch. "I told the guys about your accident and they wanted to come see you."
"It's fine, I don't mind that they came over."
Sidney heard a knock at the door "we'll finish talking when they leave ok." He kissed her forehead and left to pay for the pizzas. Karen stood outside for a minute to collect herself before going in and joining up with the guys.
After a few hours of eating and telling stories, the guys left leaving Karen and Sidney alone. Karen started to clean up but Sidney stopped her. “I’ll get this, sit down and rest.”
“I’ve been resting the last couple of hours. I can clean up without hurting myself.”
“Well I’m sure you can, but you’re not going to so sit.”
Karen sat down and watched Sidney take the empty pizza boxes to the kitchen. She heard him open a trash bag then came back with another one for the rest of it. When he was done, he took the bag to the kitchen and then came back sitting beside her on the couch. Sidney carefully moved Karen so she could cuddle up to him as they watched TV for a little bit. She figured he didn't want to talk yet so she enjoyed being with him, even if it could be for the last time. An hour had passed and Sidney hadn’t heard anything from Karen and saw she was asleep when he looked down at her. He got up without disturbing her and gently picked her up. He carried her up to her room and put her in bed. He went back downstairs to lock up and soon joined her.
After Sidney got back upstairs, he went into the bathroom and came out in his boxers. He laid down gently and rolled over so he was facing Karen. He put his arm around her waist and kissed her head. When he pulled back he saw Karen looking directly at him.
"That night didn't mean what you think it does."
"Ssh, we'll talk about it tomorrow."
"We need to talk about it now Sid. I had so much unresolved feelings about Rick that seeing him brought a lot of them back. I guess he sent someone to come get me and we started talking before the game. That's why you saw me by the locker room after warm ups. We agreed to talk after the game and I met up with him outside. We went to the hotel where they were staying and had a late dinner and talked. After dinner we went to his room and I don't know if it was not being with you or all the feelings for him that came back but when he kissed me, something felt right at that moment."
"Does it still mean something?"
"No. The next morning when I looked at him I knew there wasn't any feelings left for him. It was like we closed the book on us and it was what I needed." Karen couldn't stop the tears that started to fall "I never planned for it to happen but I'm glad it did. He kissed me before he left that morning and there were no feelings between us, no spark, nothing. After I left to go home I knew I that I wanted to be with you." Karen searched Sidney's eyes for anything that would give her a glimpse of hope "please say something."
"So if something did happen between Sophia and I..."
"I don't really think I have a place to judge now. It's not like we really cheated on each other since we weren't together."
"But still knowing you were with someone else, it's going to be hard."
"I know" she whispered.
"Just go to sleep baby, we'll figure this out tomorrow." Sidney pulled her close and Karen laid there with her eyes open for a little bit before finally closing them and trying to fall alseep.
As Karen sat there she heard the front door open then shut again. She turned her head looking directly at a bouquet of a dozen roses.
Sidney handed them to her "there's another surprise in the hallway" he said speaking softly.
Karen stood up and put the flowers on the table. She wiped her eyes and followed Sidney out into the hallway. She smiled when she saw the guys standing there. “Well isn’t this a surprise. If you guys are the welcome wagon, you’re a few years late.”
Jordan walked over to her and gently hugged her. “Sid told us you were hurt so we came by to see you.” He looked at her and saw all the bruises and bandages “damn Darryl, what’d you do to her?”
Karen just smiled at Jordan “I made a rookie mistake…he found some Adidas in my closet.”
“I hope you got rid of it” Jordan laughed with her.
“Nope, I left it there so he sees it everytime he’s here.”
Sidney walked over and put his arm around her waist softly. He didn't want the others to know they had just hit a snag in making up. “Just wait until I replace it all, you won’t be complaining then.”
“I’m not complaining now, you are.”
“She’s got you there Sid” Geno said walking up to them. “I guess you will do anything to get out of our Twister rematch” he said as he hugged her.
“Didn’t it come down to between you and Jordan? Why do I get the pleasure of a rematch?”
“Between you and Jordan, it’s no contest. Besides, you’re better to look at when you are bending in all different ways.”
“Do you want to jump in here at all Sid?” Karen asked with pleading eyes.
“I think Geno has a point. I know I was impressed by the positions you can get in to.” Sidney smiled then whispered “you know what you need to do baby.”
“Fine, I’ll get rid of my Adidas clothes.”
“Good girl” Sidney said kissing her temple. “Forget it Geno, it’s never going to happen.”
“Никогда не говорите никогда Crosby” Geno said in Russian as he walked away laughing.
“Where’s Gonch when you need him.”
“I hate to admit it, but the man is smooth” Jordan said with a smile.
“How about we call for some pizzas?” Ryan suggested to the group and everyone agreed. Sidney knew the number and made the call. Karen went into the kitchen as the guys all went into the living room to watch TV. After Sidney got done ordering, he went to find Karen.
"I figured they didn't need to know what's going on, so it was better to act like we normally do around them."
"Yeah, whatever you want to do it's fine" she said still not looking at him.
"Come with me for a second" Sidney took her hand and led her outside to the back porch. "I told the guys about your accident and they wanted to come see you."
"It's fine, I don't mind that they came over."
Sidney heard a knock at the door "we'll finish talking when they leave ok." He kissed her forehead and left to pay for the pizzas. Karen stood outside for a minute to collect herself before going in and joining up with the guys.
After a few hours of eating and telling stories, the guys left leaving Karen and Sidney alone. Karen started to clean up but Sidney stopped her. “I’ll get this, sit down and rest.”
“I’ve been resting the last couple of hours. I can clean up without hurting myself.”
“Well I’m sure you can, but you’re not going to so sit.”
Karen sat down and watched Sidney take the empty pizza boxes to the kitchen. She heard him open a trash bag then came back with another one for the rest of it. When he was done, he took the bag to the kitchen and then came back sitting beside her on the couch. Sidney carefully moved Karen so she could cuddle up to him as they watched TV for a little bit. She figured he didn't want to talk yet so she enjoyed being with him, even if it could be for the last time. An hour had passed and Sidney hadn’t heard anything from Karen and saw she was asleep when he looked down at her. He got up without disturbing her and gently picked her up. He carried her up to her room and put her in bed. He went back downstairs to lock up and soon joined her.
After Sidney got back upstairs, he went into the bathroom and came out in his boxers. He laid down gently and rolled over so he was facing Karen. He put his arm around her waist and kissed her head. When he pulled back he saw Karen looking directly at him.
"That night didn't mean what you think it does."
"Ssh, we'll talk about it tomorrow."
"We need to talk about it now Sid. I had so much unresolved feelings about Rick that seeing him brought a lot of them back. I guess he sent someone to come get me and we started talking before the game. That's why you saw me by the locker room after warm ups. We agreed to talk after the game and I met up with him outside. We went to the hotel where they were staying and had a late dinner and talked. After dinner we went to his room and I don't know if it was not being with you or all the feelings for him that came back but when he kissed me, something felt right at that moment."
"Does it still mean something?"
"No. The next morning when I looked at him I knew there wasn't any feelings left for him. It was like we closed the book on us and it was what I needed." Karen couldn't stop the tears that started to fall "I never planned for it to happen but I'm glad it did. He kissed me before he left that morning and there were no feelings between us, no spark, nothing. After I left to go home I knew I that I wanted to be with you." Karen searched Sidney's eyes for anything that would give her a glimpse of hope "please say something."
"So if something did happen between Sophia and I..."
"I don't really think I have a place to judge now. It's not like we really cheated on each other since we weren't together."
"But still knowing you were with someone else, it's going to be hard."
"I know" she whispered.
"Just go to sleep baby, we'll figure this out tomorrow." Sidney pulled her close and Karen laid there with her eyes open for a little bit before finally closing them and trying to fall alseep.
12.18.2008
Chapter 67
"If you heard me last night, I told you nothing happened with her."
"I know and I believe you but what I want to know is how did you meet her? Did she approach you or did you seek her out?"
"I didn't seek her out baby." Sidney had her sit down and he sat in front of her on the coffee table "she approached me after the preseason game with Tampa Bay." Karen closed her eyes and put her head down remembering that night. She tried to play back waiting for Rick in the parking lot talking to Ryan, wondering if she was waiting around. "Baby, what's wrong?"
"Nothing, just remembering if I saw her that night." She was actually wondering if she saw her with either Ryan or Rick. "If she approached you then she was waiting for you which makes sense."
"What do you mean?"
"She saw you wink and smile at me during the playoffs and I have been waiting to see when she would make her move."
"But I thought she would only come after me if she knew we were together?"
"That's what I thought too. She must have changed her mind when she saw me leave without you that night. So what happened?"
"After I saw you walk past the dressing room, I couldn't stop thinking about you the whole night. When I left, everyone was gone which was nice since I wasn't in the mood to sign autographs. I was unlocking my car and she came up to me."
Flashback
"Excuse me, Sid?" Sophia said as she approached his car.
"Can I help you?"
"I was wondering if I could get you to sign this for me" she said handing him a puck.
Sidney sighed and took the puck "sure." He signed his name and gave it back to her "here you go."
"Thanks" she said making sure her hand grazed his. "You played a great game tonight."
Sidney knew she was just being polite but losing in a shootout isn't playing great "thanks, if you'll excuse me I need to go." He got into his car and went to shut the door but Sophia stepped in before he could.
"You know, if you need someone to take away the pain of losing, I'm a great listener." Sophia handed him a piece of paper with her number on it "call me sometime." She smiled when he took it and touched his arm before leaving.
End of Flashback
"I ended up calling her when we got back from Tampa. We went out for dinner and then to Marc's. He had the team over for us to get together before we left for Sweden. All the guys were shocked when they saw I was with someone else and not you. I think I got questioned by everyone. We had gone out a couple times before we went to Sweden and she called me a few times while I was gone but when I saw you at the game, I couldn't stop thinking about what I was doing with her."
"So the night you kissed me...."
"I was checking my feelings for you. I needed to see if the spark was still there between us and it was. When you kicked me out of your room, I needed to figure out a way to get rid of her."
"But you ended up staying with her for a few more weeks."
"I know. I tried to break it off with her but she didn't want any part of it."
"Because she won't give up until she's slept with you."
Sidney saw her head go down and took his hand, lifting her head to look at him "I didn't give her that chance baby. She tried, believe me but after that night in Sweden I couldn't stop thinking about you. I wanted to be with you and I knew sleeping with her would have jeopardized that. I wanted to be with you again and if you knew I had been with her, you wouldn't want me back."
"I don't know about that. I gave Rick another chance I think I could've been pursuaded to give you one too."
"I hope that's what you're doing now, giving me another chance" he said holding her hand.
Karen was about to say something when Sidney's phone went off. He grabbed it and saw it was Jordan, answering it. Karen closed her eyes wondering if telling him about Rick and Ryan, he would want her again.
"What did Jordan want?"
"To remind me about the guys getting together before practice. I told him I was in the middle of something and would just see them at the arena."
"You don't have to cancel plans because of me Sid. Go meet the guys, I'm not going anywhere."
"Are you sure?"
Karen smiled at him "go Sid. We can finish talking when you get back from practice. I don't think we should get more into this when you were going to leave in a little bit anyway."
Sidney got up and helped Karen up. She started to stumble but he wrapped his arms around her, holding her against his body. "I'll go, but I will be back so we can finish this ok?"
"Ok."
Karen saw Sidney dip his head down and closed her eyes feeling his lips on hers. She brought her right hand up to his neck and massaged under his hair. After a few minutes, Sidney pulled away and put his forehead to hers "I do still love you and all I want is for us to work everything out."
"I want that too."
"I think you forgot something there" Sidney said smiling at her getting her to smile.
"I love you too Sid."
He kissed her again and told her goodbye before leaving. Karen took a deep breath hoping everything would work out for the best.
Sidney met up with the guys and they all stared at him when he sat down.
“What’s going on today Sid? You look a little too happy.”
“I was with Karen” he said with a huge smile on his face.
“Does this mean what we think it means?” Jordan asked
“It might, but she’s got a lot going on right now and she’s thinking about us. She was in an accident at work a few days ago.”
Ryan’s head shot up “how bad?”
“She’s ok, but her left side is pretty banged up. Her knee was wedged between a forklift and the bay in the warehouse, she hit her head and her wrist got fractured. Other than that, she’s good. I think I'm going to stay with her these next couple of weeks until she can go back to work."
“Well that’s where the smile is coming from” Marc-Andre chimed in. “She’s hurt and to get back on her good side for dumping her, you’re working your way back into her heart by taking care of her.”
“I don’t have to work my way back when I never left her heart. She never stopped loving me which surprised the hell out of me. We still have a lot to talk about though. She said she had some things to tell me.”
Ryan sat there and wondered if she would tell him about their kiss. Maybe he should tell him beforehand then he wouldn't be so mad at her when she told him.
“Maybe we could stop over to see her after practice today.”
“I’m sure she wouldn’t mind Geno. Just don’t ask for that rematch in Twister yet.”
"Oh alright" Geno said dejectedly as the guys all laughed.
They noticed the time and all headed to the arena. As they were walking out, Ryan decided what he needed to do.
"Hey Sid, got a minute?"
"Sure, what's up Whit?"
"I think you should know something. I was at Pops watching the game in St. Louis and Karen had shown up. She didn't want to watch the game by herself either. Anyway after the game ended, we stayed to drink and talked for awhile before we left."
"Ok. Why are you telling me this? You guys met up and had a few drinks while watching the game, I don't see a problem with it."
"I'm telling you this because when I walked her to her car, I kissed her."
"You did what?" Sidney said as the anger built inside of him.
"I kissed Karen."
"YOU MADE A MOVE ON MY GIRLFRIEND?" he said yelling at him.
"She wasn't your girlfriend then and unless I missed something inside, she's still not officially your girlfriend. You never actually said you two were back together."
"So you kiss her and now you want to make a play for her?"
"I never said that Sid. I am being a friend and steppin up to tell you what happened. I don't want you to get mad and take it out on Karen when it was all me. I kissed her and she backed away. Damn man, you are not the only one who took a liking to her. Everyone in that locker room has at one time or another admitted what an amazing woman she is but you got to her first and her heart is with you. Even if she thought you had slept with Sophia, she couldn't bring herself to cheat on you. I took a chance but she loves you."
Sidney's face softened towards his friend "I didn't know what was going on. Why didn't you guys ever tell me?"
"We didn't want you to get jealous everytime you saw one of us have fun with her. Look Sid, I told you because you said Karen had some things to tell you and I knew she would tell you about that night. Just remember it was me that kissed her, I wanted to see if anything would happen, not her." Ryan walked away and got in his car heading to the arena. Sidney stood there for another minute before getting in his car and heading over himself.
Karen had taken a nap and was in the kitchen getting something to eat when her phone went off.
"Hello."
"Hey girl. How you feeling?" Sheril asked.
"I'm doing ok. My knee is hurting a little bit from last night but that was to be expected. What's up?"
"Well, I had some free time and wanted to see if you and Sid got anything worked out."
"He came over about 9a and we talked until he had to go to practice."
"Is he coming back after practice?"
"I think he is. We have a lot more to talk about."
"Did he tell you why he hooked up with her?"
"Yeah and it was what I knew all along, she seeked him out. I was just waiting for her to target him and she got to him at the perfect time."
"Did he fuck her?"
"I love how you get to the point Sheril and he said he didn't."
"You believe him?"
"Yes I do. Sidney's not like that and I know she threw herself at him and he rejected her."
"I just don't want you to get hurt again."
"If I do it will be my own fault."
"What are you talking about?"
"I haven't told him about Rick yet."
While Karen was in the kitchen on the phone, she didn't hear Sidney walk in. He heard her talking and went in that direction but stood outside the doorway and listened to her conversation.
"Are you seriously crazy to tell him about that?"
"Sheril I have told him the truth about everything since we got together, I am not about to lie to him. If he doesn't want to be with me after I tell him, then I will deal with it. I have to tell him."
"I just hope you're prepared for what may come from it."
"Whether I'm prepared or not, I can't keep it from him."
"Well if you need to talk I will be home all night."
"Thanks girl."
"I got to go. Bye."
"Bye." Karen hung up and went to walk out of the kitchen when she came face to face with Sidney standing in the doorway.
"So, what do you need to tell me?"
Karen just looked at Sidney and took a deep breath letting the words slip out on their own "I slept with Rick after the Tampa preseason game."
"I know and I believe you but what I want to know is how did you meet her? Did she approach you or did you seek her out?"
"I didn't seek her out baby." Sidney had her sit down and he sat in front of her on the coffee table "she approached me after the preseason game with Tampa Bay." Karen closed her eyes and put her head down remembering that night. She tried to play back waiting for Rick in the parking lot talking to Ryan, wondering if she was waiting around. "Baby, what's wrong?"
"Nothing, just remembering if I saw her that night." She was actually wondering if she saw her with either Ryan or Rick. "If she approached you then she was waiting for you which makes sense."
"What do you mean?"
"She saw you wink and smile at me during the playoffs and I have been waiting to see when she would make her move."
"But I thought she would only come after me if she knew we were together?"
"That's what I thought too. She must have changed her mind when she saw me leave without you that night. So what happened?"
"After I saw you walk past the dressing room, I couldn't stop thinking about you the whole night. When I left, everyone was gone which was nice since I wasn't in the mood to sign autographs. I was unlocking my car and she came up to me."
Flashback
"Excuse me, Sid?" Sophia said as she approached his car.
"Can I help you?"
"I was wondering if I could get you to sign this for me" she said handing him a puck.
Sidney sighed and took the puck "sure." He signed his name and gave it back to her "here you go."
"Thanks" she said making sure her hand grazed his. "You played a great game tonight."
Sidney knew she was just being polite but losing in a shootout isn't playing great "thanks, if you'll excuse me I need to go." He got into his car and went to shut the door but Sophia stepped in before he could.
"You know, if you need someone to take away the pain of losing, I'm a great listener." Sophia handed him a piece of paper with her number on it "call me sometime." She smiled when he took it and touched his arm before leaving.
End of Flashback
"I ended up calling her when we got back from Tampa. We went out for dinner and then to Marc's. He had the team over for us to get together before we left for Sweden. All the guys were shocked when they saw I was with someone else and not you. I think I got questioned by everyone. We had gone out a couple times before we went to Sweden and she called me a few times while I was gone but when I saw you at the game, I couldn't stop thinking about what I was doing with her."
"So the night you kissed me...."
"I was checking my feelings for you. I needed to see if the spark was still there between us and it was. When you kicked me out of your room, I needed to figure out a way to get rid of her."
"But you ended up staying with her for a few more weeks."
"I know. I tried to break it off with her but she didn't want any part of it."
"Because she won't give up until she's slept with you."
Sidney saw her head go down and took his hand, lifting her head to look at him "I didn't give her that chance baby. She tried, believe me but after that night in Sweden I couldn't stop thinking about you. I wanted to be with you and I knew sleeping with her would have jeopardized that. I wanted to be with you again and if you knew I had been with her, you wouldn't want me back."
"I don't know about that. I gave Rick another chance I think I could've been pursuaded to give you one too."
"I hope that's what you're doing now, giving me another chance" he said holding her hand.
Karen was about to say something when Sidney's phone went off. He grabbed it and saw it was Jordan, answering it. Karen closed her eyes wondering if telling him about Rick and Ryan, he would want her again.
"What did Jordan want?"
"To remind me about the guys getting together before practice. I told him I was in the middle of something and would just see them at the arena."
"You don't have to cancel plans because of me Sid. Go meet the guys, I'm not going anywhere."
"Are you sure?"
Karen smiled at him "go Sid. We can finish talking when you get back from practice. I don't think we should get more into this when you were going to leave in a little bit anyway."
Sidney got up and helped Karen up. She started to stumble but he wrapped his arms around her, holding her against his body. "I'll go, but I will be back so we can finish this ok?"
"Ok."
Karen saw Sidney dip his head down and closed her eyes feeling his lips on hers. She brought her right hand up to his neck and massaged under his hair. After a few minutes, Sidney pulled away and put his forehead to hers "I do still love you and all I want is for us to work everything out."
"I want that too."
"I think you forgot something there" Sidney said smiling at her getting her to smile.
"I love you too Sid."
He kissed her again and told her goodbye before leaving. Karen took a deep breath hoping everything would work out for the best.
Sidney met up with the guys and they all stared at him when he sat down.
“What’s going on today Sid? You look a little too happy.”
“I was with Karen” he said with a huge smile on his face.
“Does this mean what we think it means?” Jordan asked
“It might, but she’s got a lot going on right now and she’s thinking about us. She was in an accident at work a few days ago.”
Ryan’s head shot up “how bad?”
“She’s ok, but her left side is pretty banged up. Her knee was wedged between a forklift and the bay in the warehouse, she hit her head and her wrist got fractured. Other than that, she’s good. I think I'm going to stay with her these next couple of weeks until she can go back to work."
“Well that’s where the smile is coming from” Marc-Andre chimed in. “She’s hurt and to get back on her good side for dumping her, you’re working your way back into her heart by taking care of her.”
“I don’t have to work my way back when I never left her heart. She never stopped loving me which surprised the hell out of me. We still have a lot to talk about though. She said she had some things to tell me.”
Ryan sat there and wondered if she would tell him about their kiss. Maybe he should tell him beforehand then he wouldn't be so mad at her when she told him.
“Maybe we could stop over to see her after practice today.”
“I’m sure she wouldn’t mind Geno. Just don’t ask for that rematch in Twister yet.”
"Oh alright" Geno said dejectedly as the guys all laughed.
They noticed the time and all headed to the arena. As they were walking out, Ryan decided what he needed to do.
"Hey Sid, got a minute?"
"Sure, what's up Whit?"
"I think you should know something. I was at Pops watching the game in St. Louis and Karen had shown up. She didn't want to watch the game by herself either. Anyway after the game ended, we stayed to drink and talked for awhile before we left."
"Ok. Why are you telling me this? You guys met up and had a few drinks while watching the game, I don't see a problem with it."
"I'm telling you this because when I walked her to her car, I kissed her."
"You did what?" Sidney said as the anger built inside of him.
"I kissed Karen."
"YOU MADE A MOVE ON MY GIRLFRIEND?" he said yelling at him.
"She wasn't your girlfriend then and unless I missed something inside, she's still not officially your girlfriend. You never actually said you two were back together."
"So you kiss her and now you want to make a play for her?"
"I never said that Sid. I am being a friend and steppin up to tell you what happened. I don't want you to get mad and take it out on Karen when it was all me. I kissed her and she backed away. Damn man, you are not the only one who took a liking to her. Everyone in that locker room has at one time or another admitted what an amazing woman she is but you got to her first and her heart is with you. Even if she thought you had slept with Sophia, she couldn't bring herself to cheat on you. I took a chance but she loves you."
Sidney's face softened towards his friend "I didn't know what was going on. Why didn't you guys ever tell me?"
"We didn't want you to get jealous everytime you saw one of us have fun with her. Look Sid, I told you because you said Karen had some things to tell you and I knew she would tell you about that night. Just remember it was me that kissed her, I wanted to see if anything would happen, not her." Ryan walked away and got in his car heading to the arena. Sidney stood there for another minute before getting in his car and heading over himself.
Karen had taken a nap and was in the kitchen getting something to eat when her phone went off.
"Hello."
"Hey girl. How you feeling?" Sheril asked.
"I'm doing ok. My knee is hurting a little bit from last night but that was to be expected. What's up?"
"Well, I had some free time and wanted to see if you and Sid got anything worked out."
"He came over about 9a and we talked until he had to go to practice."
"Is he coming back after practice?"
"I think he is. We have a lot more to talk about."
"Did he tell you why he hooked up with her?"
"Yeah and it was what I knew all along, she seeked him out. I was just waiting for her to target him and she got to him at the perfect time."
"Did he fuck her?"
"I love how you get to the point Sheril and he said he didn't."
"You believe him?"
"Yes I do. Sidney's not like that and I know she threw herself at him and he rejected her."
"I just don't want you to get hurt again."
"If I do it will be my own fault."
"What are you talking about?"
"I haven't told him about Rick yet."
While Karen was in the kitchen on the phone, she didn't hear Sidney walk in. He heard her talking and went in that direction but stood outside the doorway and listened to her conversation.
"Are you seriously crazy to tell him about that?"
"Sheril I have told him the truth about everything since we got together, I am not about to lie to him. If he doesn't want to be with me after I tell him, then I will deal with it. I have to tell him."
"I just hope you're prepared for what may come from it."
"Whether I'm prepared or not, I can't keep it from him."
"Well if you need to talk I will be home all night."
"Thanks girl."
"I got to go. Bye."
"Bye." Karen hung up and went to walk out of the kitchen when she came face to face with Sidney standing in the doorway.
"So, what do you need to tell me?"
Karen just looked at Sidney and took a deep breath letting the words slip out on their own "I slept with Rick after the Tampa preseason game."
12.16.2008
Chapter 66
After Sidney got home from the game, he couldn't stop thinking about Karen. He needed to know what happened and how she got hurt. Sidney went to the kitchen to get something to drink and found Mario sitting at the table.
"You look like someone just stole your best friend. What's going on Sid?"
"I saw Karen at the game tonight."
"And that was a bad thing?"
"From the way she looked it is. She had a cast on her wrist, her knee was bandaged and her face looked bruised on one side. I don't know what happened and it's killing me not to know."
"Didn't you get a chance to talk to her after the game?"
"No. Her friends had to get back to Wheeling right after, but she did say I could come over tomorrow and we can talk."
"Well that's good. Must mean she's not mad at you anymore."
"That's what I am hoping. I don't want to go over there with the intentions of wanting her back and have her tell me she wants nothing to do with me."
"I don't think you have anything to worry about Sid. I've seen that look in Karen's eyes before and it's the same look she had when she was with Rick. She still loves you and I don't think that is going to change anytime soon. Yes, she may be hurting from the break up, but she's not going to give up on you or a chance to be with you again."
"Can I get that in writing?"
"Sure. It'll also come with a lifetime supply of 'I told you so' too."
"I can't wait. I'm going to go for a walk to clear my head before I can get some sleep tonight."
"Alright."
Sidney left the house and went down the street. He felt Karen's house key in his pocket and decided he couldn't wait to go see her. He walked across the street and looked in the house. He saw it was dark and used the key to unlock the door. Sidney quietly walked inside and upstairs to her bedroom. He was glad that there was some light coming in from the window and he saw her lying in bed, facing his way. Sidney knelt down on the floor and pushed a stray hair behind her ear.
“Baby, I’m sorry this happened to you. I still can’t help but think some of this happened because of me. I was an ass for not standing up to my parents and breaking it off with you. I should have followed my heart and stayed with you. I also shouldn’t have gotten involved with Sophia when I knew what it did to you to see us together. But you were right, she’s exactly what she is, not that I let her add me to her list. I couldn’t see myself with her or let myself be with her. Needless to say it’s over with her. It was over before we left for our road trip and during that time, I went through every possible scenario of what I could do to make it up to you and get you back. I miss you and I do love you baby.” Sidney got up and lightly kissed her on part of her cheek that wasn’t hurt before he left her alone to sleep. He left her room, looking back to her before going downstairs and leaving the house.
When the front door shut, Karen opened her eyes and a single tear fell as she whispered ‘I still love you too’ and closed her eyes again to go back to sleep.
The next morning, Karen woke up and tried to move. She groaned as she got up and went to the bathroom. When she was done, she didn’t feel like getting back into bed and hobbled out of the room going downstairs. She went into the kitchen to fix some coffee and noticed it was only 9:19am. Karen wondered what time Sidney would be over and before she could answer herself, there was a knock at the door. She smiled to herself knowing how anxious he was to talk to her. She limped to the door and opened it to reveal Sidney.
"Morning" he said almost shyly.
"Morning Sid."
Karen backed away and made room for him to come in. As she did, she lost her balance and Sidney was there to catch her. Karen couldn't stop herself and looked into his eyes, seeing them soften.
"You ok?"
"Yeah, I just backed up to fast. Thanks for catching me."
Sidney started to lean in but Karen didn't want to start this off like that. It killed her because she had dreamed of Sidney's lips on hers again and here she was the one backing away to not rush it. "Sorry, I didn't mean to do that. It's an instinct being this close to you."
"I know I just don't want us to rush into anything when our feelings are so confused right now."
"My feelings for you aren't confused. I know what I want and I want you."
Karen smelled the coffee was done and got out of Sidney's grip "do you want some coffee?"
"Tim Horton's?"
"I wouldn't have anything else in the house."
"How about if you go sit down and I will go get it for us" Sidney kissed her forehead and left her to go sit in the living room while he went to the kitchen.
Karen went to go sit down and Sidney came in a few minutes later with the coffee. Karen took a sip and smiled as she looked at him. He made it perfect for her with the right amount of cream and lots of sugar. Sidney sat to the right of Karen and when he put his cup down, he picked up her right hand, holding it with his right hand as he put his left arm around her shoulders and brought her body closer to him.
"So what happened to you?" he asked with concen in his voice.
"I wasn't paying attention and lost a battle with a forklift at work."
"How the hell does that happen?"
"I was walking into the warehouse and I had other thoughts on my mind. I came around the corner and the guy was driving the forklift too fast and he bumped me. I fell towards the metal post of the bay and when he went to stop, he turned the forklift into me and pinned me against the post. I hit my head when he bumped me and my wrist and knee was just smashed against the metal post."
"What other thoughts were you thinking about that got you to not watch where you were going?" Karen just looked down and took a deep breath "it was about me?"
"Ever since that night in Sweden when you kissed me, I've been playing it in my head all day and night. But you have no reason to believe this was your fault Sid" Karen said looking at him when she said the last part "I've had thoughts of you since April and I've managed to stay on my feet. This was a freak accident from the guy going to fast, it had nothing to do with us breaking up."
"How did you..."
"I heard you last night."
"I thought you were asleep."
"I was but when you touched my cheek moving my hair, I knew it was you. So I just kept my eyes closed and heard what you had to say."
"I wish you would have woken up" he said with a smile.
"Where was the fun in that? Besides, I wasn't sure what you were going to tell me so I figured it was best to pretend I was still asleep."
Sidney got up and sat on the coffee table in front of her so he could look into her eyes "what did you think I would have told you?"
Karen kept her eyes down before she looked up at him "that you didn't want to be with me again."
"If I wanted that to happen, I wouldn't have come over late at night and whispered it to you."
"I guess. Tell me what happened after I left you in August?"
Sidney got up and paced around "they kept reiterating what you heard them say while you were there. For the last few weeks all I heard was how you weren't good for me. That my game would suffer because I would spend all my extra time with you. They couldn't understand when I tried to tell them how much I love you. I guess since my dad controls the professional side, I never had the personal side to interfere with that. They're scared that my personal side will screw up my professional side."
"So they expect you to not have a personal life until you're done playing?"
Sidney stopped and looked at her "that's what they want."
"What do you want Sid?"
He walked back over to the couch, sitting beside her and turned her head to make her look at him "I want you. I want to be with you. I want to do what we talked about when you came to see me. I want you to stay here with me on weeks when I have home games and commute to work, I want to stay here with you. I want us to be together." Sidney searched her eyes for an answer but when he saw the tears forming, he wasn't sure what to expect "please tell me that is what you still want."
Karen brought her hand up and caressed his cheek "I'm sorry but I changed my mind." She got up and stumbled but Sidney caught her and their faces were mere inches away from each other "I want you here when you get home from road games too."
Sidney smiled before bringing his lips down onto hers for a passionate kiss "I think I like that change, but does that mean you would be here when I get back?"
"Depends on the time of day. If its before 2pm, I'll still be at work and you will have to wait for me to come home."
"I'll wait forever baby" he said kissing her again. "Are we going to be ok?"
"We will, but there are some other things I need to know about before anything can happen between us. Things you need to know. After we talk some more and you still feel the same about me that you do right now, then we'll be ok."
"What do I need to know? But more importantly, what else do you want to know about?"
"Sophia."
Sidney knew what she wanted to know before she said her name. He had nothing to hide since nothing happened with her but it scared him to know what she could tell him.
"You look like someone just stole your best friend. What's going on Sid?"
"I saw Karen at the game tonight."
"And that was a bad thing?"
"From the way she looked it is. She had a cast on her wrist, her knee was bandaged and her face looked bruised on one side. I don't know what happened and it's killing me not to know."
"Didn't you get a chance to talk to her after the game?"
"No. Her friends had to get back to Wheeling right after, but she did say I could come over tomorrow and we can talk."
"Well that's good. Must mean she's not mad at you anymore."
"That's what I am hoping. I don't want to go over there with the intentions of wanting her back and have her tell me she wants nothing to do with me."
"I don't think you have anything to worry about Sid. I've seen that look in Karen's eyes before and it's the same look she had when she was with Rick. She still loves you and I don't think that is going to change anytime soon. Yes, she may be hurting from the break up, but she's not going to give up on you or a chance to be with you again."
"Can I get that in writing?"
"Sure. It'll also come with a lifetime supply of 'I told you so' too."
"I can't wait. I'm going to go for a walk to clear my head before I can get some sleep tonight."
"Alright."
Sidney left the house and went down the street. He felt Karen's house key in his pocket and decided he couldn't wait to go see her. He walked across the street and looked in the house. He saw it was dark and used the key to unlock the door. Sidney quietly walked inside and upstairs to her bedroom. He was glad that there was some light coming in from the window and he saw her lying in bed, facing his way. Sidney knelt down on the floor and pushed a stray hair behind her ear.
“Baby, I’m sorry this happened to you. I still can’t help but think some of this happened because of me. I was an ass for not standing up to my parents and breaking it off with you. I should have followed my heart and stayed with you. I also shouldn’t have gotten involved with Sophia when I knew what it did to you to see us together. But you were right, she’s exactly what she is, not that I let her add me to her list. I couldn’t see myself with her or let myself be with her. Needless to say it’s over with her. It was over before we left for our road trip and during that time, I went through every possible scenario of what I could do to make it up to you and get you back. I miss you and I do love you baby.” Sidney got up and lightly kissed her on part of her cheek that wasn’t hurt before he left her alone to sleep. He left her room, looking back to her before going downstairs and leaving the house.
When the front door shut, Karen opened her eyes and a single tear fell as she whispered ‘I still love you too’ and closed her eyes again to go back to sleep.
The next morning, Karen woke up and tried to move. She groaned as she got up and went to the bathroom. When she was done, she didn’t feel like getting back into bed and hobbled out of the room going downstairs. She went into the kitchen to fix some coffee and noticed it was only 9:19am. Karen wondered what time Sidney would be over and before she could answer herself, there was a knock at the door. She smiled to herself knowing how anxious he was to talk to her. She limped to the door and opened it to reveal Sidney.
"Morning" he said almost shyly.
"Morning Sid."
Karen backed away and made room for him to come in. As she did, she lost her balance and Sidney was there to catch her. Karen couldn't stop herself and looked into his eyes, seeing them soften.
"You ok?"
"Yeah, I just backed up to fast. Thanks for catching me."
Sidney started to lean in but Karen didn't want to start this off like that. It killed her because she had dreamed of Sidney's lips on hers again and here she was the one backing away to not rush it. "Sorry, I didn't mean to do that. It's an instinct being this close to you."
"I know I just don't want us to rush into anything when our feelings are so confused right now."
"My feelings for you aren't confused. I know what I want and I want you."
Karen smelled the coffee was done and got out of Sidney's grip "do you want some coffee?"
"Tim Horton's?"
"I wouldn't have anything else in the house."
"How about if you go sit down and I will go get it for us" Sidney kissed her forehead and left her to go sit in the living room while he went to the kitchen.
Karen went to go sit down and Sidney came in a few minutes later with the coffee. Karen took a sip and smiled as she looked at him. He made it perfect for her with the right amount of cream and lots of sugar. Sidney sat to the right of Karen and when he put his cup down, he picked up her right hand, holding it with his right hand as he put his left arm around her shoulders and brought her body closer to him.
"So what happened to you?" he asked with concen in his voice.
"I wasn't paying attention and lost a battle with a forklift at work."
"How the hell does that happen?"
"I was walking into the warehouse and I had other thoughts on my mind. I came around the corner and the guy was driving the forklift too fast and he bumped me. I fell towards the metal post of the bay and when he went to stop, he turned the forklift into me and pinned me against the post. I hit my head when he bumped me and my wrist and knee was just smashed against the metal post."
"What other thoughts were you thinking about that got you to not watch where you were going?" Karen just looked down and took a deep breath "it was about me?"
"Ever since that night in Sweden when you kissed me, I've been playing it in my head all day and night. But you have no reason to believe this was your fault Sid" Karen said looking at him when she said the last part "I've had thoughts of you since April and I've managed to stay on my feet. This was a freak accident from the guy going to fast, it had nothing to do with us breaking up."
"How did you..."
"I heard you last night."
"I thought you were asleep."
"I was but when you touched my cheek moving my hair, I knew it was you. So I just kept my eyes closed and heard what you had to say."
"I wish you would have woken up" he said with a smile.
"Where was the fun in that? Besides, I wasn't sure what you were going to tell me so I figured it was best to pretend I was still asleep."
Sidney got up and sat on the coffee table in front of her so he could look into her eyes "what did you think I would have told you?"
Karen kept her eyes down before she looked up at him "that you didn't want to be with me again."
"If I wanted that to happen, I wouldn't have come over late at night and whispered it to you."
"I guess. Tell me what happened after I left you in August?"
Sidney got up and paced around "they kept reiterating what you heard them say while you were there. For the last few weeks all I heard was how you weren't good for me. That my game would suffer because I would spend all my extra time with you. They couldn't understand when I tried to tell them how much I love you. I guess since my dad controls the professional side, I never had the personal side to interfere with that. They're scared that my personal side will screw up my professional side."
"So they expect you to not have a personal life until you're done playing?"
Sidney stopped and looked at her "that's what they want."
"What do you want Sid?"
He walked back over to the couch, sitting beside her and turned her head to make her look at him "I want you. I want to be with you. I want to do what we talked about when you came to see me. I want you to stay here with me on weeks when I have home games and commute to work, I want to stay here with you. I want us to be together." Sidney searched her eyes for an answer but when he saw the tears forming, he wasn't sure what to expect "please tell me that is what you still want."
Karen brought her hand up and caressed his cheek "I'm sorry but I changed my mind." She got up and stumbled but Sidney caught her and their faces were mere inches away from each other "I want you here when you get home from road games too."
Sidney smiled before bringing his lips down onto hers for a passionate kiss "I think I like that change, but does that mean you would be here when I get back?"
"Depends on the time of day. If its before 2pm, I'll still be at work and you will have to wait for me to come home."
"I'll wait forever baby" he said kissing her again. "Are we going to be ok?"
"We will, but there are some other things I need to know about before anything can happen between us. Things you need to know. After we talk some more and you still feel the same about me that you do right now, then we'll be ok."
"What do I need to know? But more importantly, what else do you want to know about?"
"Sophia."
Sidney knew what she wanted to know before she said her name. He had nothing to hide since nothing happened with her but it scared him to know what she could tell him.
12.15.2008
Chapter 65
The next couple weeks were a blur for Karen. She would go to work and whatever home games during the week and weekend. She avoided going out to Pops or anywhere else in hopes of running into Sidney. That also meant she was distancing herself from the other players that were her friends too. She couldn’t be reminded of being with Sidney by being around his teammates.
Saturday night, the Pens were playing the last game of a road trip in St. Louis. Karen decided to go to Pops to watch the game with other people around. If she stayed at home, she would just intently watch Sidney and get all depressed. She walked in and saw a familiar person at the bar.
“Whit? What are you doing here?”
“I’m sorry and you are? I mean you look like someone I know, but I could be mistaken.”
“Haha, very funny.”
“Seriously though just because you and Sid broke up doesn’t mean you had to break up with the entire team.”
“I didn’t realize I was dating the entire team” Karen said with a laugh. “Let me think of all the possibilities for a second.”
Ryan laughed at what she said “you became our friend too and by avoiding Sid, you were avoiding us.”
“Sorry Ryan, I just didn’t think I could handle being around them when you guys would get together. I never meant for that to happen.”
“I know and the guys know as well. Just don’t be a stranger now that you know.”
“I won’t and anytime you guys want me to come hang out, I will answer when you call. So what are you doing here?”
“Well since I’m still recovering, I came here to watch the game. Better than watching it alone.”
“Yeah, I had the same feeling. Mind if I join you?”
“Have a seat.”
They watched the game and had fun together. Karen realized that Ryan was becoming a friend that she could hopefully talk to when she needed to, especially about Sidney.
As the game ended, neither of them was ready to leave yet and stayed to talk some more.
“So is the crotch jockey still around?”
“Unfortunately yes. Its weird how Sid just acts like she there and not like when he was with you. He won’t hold her hand and if she grabs his, he reluctantly holds it. I don’t even think I’ve seen him kiss her. He’s not happy with her Karen.”
“I’m not happy being without him. He brightened my world when we were together and that’s why I can’t see why he would do what his parents want to be unhappy then be with me and be happy.”
“That’s something you need to talk to him about.”
“I know, but it hurts too much right now.”
They sat there for another hour then left. Ryan walked Karen to her car and stood there as she unlocked the door.
“Are you ok to drive?”
“Yeah, didn’t have that much, how about you?”
“I think I’ll be ok too” Ryan said laughing. “You know, Sid’s not the only one that has taking a liking to you.”
“What are you talking about Whit?”
“Just that if you and Sid don’t work it out, there’s someone else right around the corner.”
Before Karen could respond Ryan had his lips on hers and he was kissing her. After a minute, he pulled back and looked into her eyes then went back in for another kiss.
“Ryan, stop. I can’t do this” Karen said as she took a step back.
“Can’t blame a guy for trying, sorry I thought maybe there was a chance.”
“If I didn’t still love him you probably did have one, but I’m not that girl.”
“And you just proved that you weren’t. If you were a puck bunny you wouldn’t have stopped me whether you were still into him or not. I’ve had my share believe me and I was one of the first ones to see you were different.”
“Thanks Whit, I really appreciate that. I better go home and I promise not to be a stranger anymore.”
“Good because next time, I will come find you.”
They both laughed and Ryan grabbed Karen into a hug. Saying goodbye, they got into their own cars and headed their separate ways.
Monday at work, Karen kept thinking about Ryan and the night at Pops. That night still plagued her but she knew she made the right call even if Sidney did break up with her. She had also replayed the night in Sweden over her mind a thousand times. She couldn’t concentrate on her work and it seemed to get worse as the day went on. Karen went into the warehouse to look for something and as she came around the corner of the aisle she didn’t see the forklift coming towards her. The next thing Karen knew, she was pinned up against the corner railing.
Everyone came to help out and carefully moved the forklift. Karen collapsed into a co-worker’s arms as they helped her to the ground. She felt the blood run down her head from the gash that she hit on the metal column of the bay. Karen couldn’t move her left leg and her left wrist was throbbing. The pain got worse and Karen passed out from it.
A little while later, Karen woke up in the hospital. She looked around and saw her wrist was in a cast and when she couldn’t move her leg she saw it was in a brace.
The doctor came in and told her that her wrist was fractured and her knee was smashed. They were waiting for the swelling to go down to see what the extent of her injury was and if surgery was a possibility. He told Karen that she could go home in a day and they wanted to keep her overnight because of the trauma to her head.
After Karen got released, she got everything taken care of at work. She went on a month of paid medical leave to give her knee time to heal and she was able to stand on it to do her job. Karen decided that instead of being in Maggie’s way at her house, she would go stay at her house in Pittsburgh. Since she was injured on her left side, Karen was able to drive to her house. Her wrist being in a cast wasn’t helping on the drive, but she still managed to get there in one piece.
Natalie had made arrangements with work so she could be up with Karen to help her out for the first few weeks. Karen knew it was to already be close to the arena to go to the games. The Pens had a home game and Karen really didn’t want to go. She told the girls to go without her and she could forgo a game.
During the game on Thursday night against Edmonton, Sidney kept looking in the stands for Karen. He saw Sheril, Diane and Natalie but for the whole night, Karen was never there. He had hoped she wouldn’t do that and not go to games to avoid him. Ever since the Sweden trip and what happened at Pops with Sophia, he was hoping to try and work things out with her.
After the game, the Pens were going on a two game road trip and wouldn’t be back at Mellon until next Thursday. Sidney prayed that Karen would be at that game so he could maybe talk to her afterwards.
When the girls dropped off Natalie at Karen’s before heading back to Wheeling, they told her about how Sidney kept looking for her.
“I’m telling you, the boy was possessed trying to find you” Sheril told her. “He wouldn’t be doing that if he was still with Sophia.”
“Really Karen, you still love him and from tonight his actions clearly shows he still loves you” Diane reassured her.
“I just don’t want him to see me like this.”
“Karen, you wouldn’t be like this if you weren’t preoccupied by thoughts of Sidney” Sheril said then went to hug her. “Look, we’ve got to go but just remember what we said and you will be going to the game next week with us.”
“We’ll see. Talk to you guys later.” Karen hugged her friends and they left. She saw Natalie’s look “don’t say it alright?”
“I won’t need to unless you decide to be stupid then I will be saying it everyday from here on out. I’m going to bed. See you in the morning.”
“Night Nat.”
Karen sat there for a little bit longer. She felt the need to text Sidney but decided against it. She got up as best as she could and headed to bed.
The week went fast and it was Thursday again. Karen didn’t really feel like going to the Pens game, but the girls insisted that she go and have fun. Karen took off the brace and only had her knee wrapped and used her crutches. She was glad the bandage from her head was gone, but her forehead and around her eye was still bruised and very noticeable.
“I don’t know if I can do this” Karen said as they walked up to the doors.
“You’ll be fine” Natalie reassured her.
“Everyone’s looking at me.”
"Let them look they have no idea what happened. You’re here to enjoy a hockey game" Sheril told her.
“Yeah ok”
They got inside and headed to their seats. Karen didn’t fully sit down in the seat yet knowing she’d have to get up for others coming in to the row. She was leaning against her seat and heard the crowd cheer as the players took the ice. Karen dreaded seeing Sidney or just dreaded Sidney seeing her like this. She kept her head turned and was talking to the girls until Diane told her she was being stared at. Karen closed her eyes and sighed looking at the ice to see Sidney, Jordan, and Max looking up at her. She could tell they were talking to each other probably wondering what happened. She gave them a small smile and got up, grabbed her crutches to head inside the Igloo Club with Diane following her.
“You ok?”
“I thought I could handle seeing him but it still hurts.”
“Well, they all three seemed concerned when they saw you. I think Sid was more concerned than the other two.”
“Doesn’t surprise me one bit”
“Come on, let’s go sit down and you’ll feel better.”
“Ok”
Meanwhile on the ice, Sidney tried to keep his head in warm ups but he couldn’t, not with Karen in the stands and all banged up. Max skated over to Sidney to calm him down.
“Sid? There’s nothing you can do right now. At least she’s here, be thankful for that and play your heart out for her.” Max began to skate away “considering she still has a place in there.”
Sidney just smiled to himself and got back into warm ups. Before he got off the ice, he saw Karen come back to her seat then skated off. During the game, Sidney would look up at her before face offs and any stoppage during the game. He wanted to make sure she was still there and he wasn’t dreaming. When first intermission came, Sidney got out his phone and texted Karen. He was hoping she would talk to him in some form.
As the second period started, Karen felt her phone vibrate in her pocket. She reached and opened it seeing she had a text from Sidney. She looked at him on the ice before reading what it said.
Would you be able to talk after the game? I think we need to.
Karen couldn’t text with one hand so she asked Sheril to reply for her. She told her what to say and sent it off to him. During the second intermission, Sidney checked his phone and saw he had a reply from Karen.
Sorry, can’t. They need to head back after. Maybe come over to the house tomorrow?
It wasn’t what Sidney wanted but he’d take it. At least she was up to seeing him. He was going to make this right with her no matter what. He sent a reply then got ready to hit the ice for the third period. Karen’s phone went off and she looked at it.
Ok. I’m glad you’re giving me a chance again. See you then.
She sat there in thought for a minute before closing her phone. ‘What did he mean by another chance?’ Karen thought to herself. She went over what happened in Sweden when he kissed her and started to say something when they were interrupted. Karen shook the thoughts from her head and watched the last period of the game.
When the game was over, the girls took Karen home and then they headed to Wheeling. Natalie went back too since Karen was moving around better. Besides, Natalie told her that she and Sidney needed privacy to talk. Karen decided to just take a pain pill and go to bed since all that walking got her knee throbbing.
Saturday night, the Pens were playing the last game of a road trip in St. Louis. Karen decided to go to Pops to watch the game with other people around. If she stayed at home, she would just intently watch Sidney and get all depressed. She walked in and saw a familiar person at the bar.
“Whit? What are you doing here?”
“I’m sorry and you are? I mean you look like someone I know, but I could be mistaken.”
“Haha, very funny.”
“Seriously though just because you and Sid broke up doesn’t mean you had to break up with the entire team.”
“I didn’t realize I was dating the entire team” Karen said with a laugh. “Let me think of all the possibilities for a second.”
Ryan laughed at what she said “you became our friend too and by avoiding Sid, you were avoiding us.”
“Sorry Ryan, I just didn’t think I could handle being around them when you guys would get together. I never meant for that to happen.”
“I know and the guys know as well. Just don’t be a stranger now that you know.”
“I won’t and anytime you guys want me to come hang out, I will answer when you call. So what are you doing here?”
“Well since I’m still recovering, I came here to watch the game. Better than watching it alone.”
“Yeah, I had the same feeling. Mind if I join you?”
“Have a seat.”
They watched the game and had fun together. Karen realized that Ryan was becoming a friend that she could hopefully talk to when she needed to, especially about Sidney.
As the game ended, neither of them was ready to leave yet and stayed to talk some more.
“So is the crotch jockey still around?”
“Unfortunately yes. Its weird how Sid just acts like she there and not like when he was with you. He won’t hold her hand and if she grabs his, he reluctantly holds it. I don’t even think I’ve seen him kiss her. He’s not happy with her Karen.”
“I’m not happy being without him. He brightened my world when we were together and that’s why I can’t see why he would do what his parents want to be unhappy then be with me and be happy.”
“That’s something you need to talk to him about.”
“I know, but it hurts too much right now.”
They sat there for another hour then left. Ryan walked Karen to her car and stood there as she unlocked the door.
“Are you ok to drive?”
“Yeah, didn’t have that much, how about you?”
“I think I’ll be ok too” Ryan said laughing. “You know, Sid’s not the only one that has taking a liking to you.”
“What are you talking about Whit?”
“Just that if you and Sid don’t work it out, there’s someone else right around the corner.”
Before Karen could respond Ryan had his lips on hers and he was kissing her. After a minute, he pulled back and looked into her eyes then went back in for another kiss.
“Ryan, stop. I can’t do this” Karen said as she took a step back.
“Can’t blame a guy for trying, sorry I thought maybe there was a chance.”
“If I didn’t still love him you probably did have one, but I’m not that girl.”
“And you just proved that you weren’t. If you were a puck bunny you wouldn’t have stopped me whether you were still into him or not. I’ve had my share believe me and I was one of the first ones to see you were different.”
“Thanks Whit, I really appreciate that. I better go home and I promise not to be a stranger anymore.”
“Good because next time, I will come find you.”
They both laughed and Ryan grabbed Karen into a hug. Saying goodbye, they got into their own cars and headed their separate ways.
Monday at work, Karen kept thinking about Ryan and the night at Pops. That night still plagued her but she knew she made the right call even if Sidney did break up with her. She had also replayed the night in Sweden over her mind a thousand times. She couldn’t concentrate on her work and it seemed to get worse as the day went on. Karen went into the warehouse to look for something and as she came around the corner of the aisle she didn’t see the forklift coming towards her. The next thing Karen knew, she was pinned up against the corner railing.
Everyone came to help out and carefully moved the forklift. Karen collapsed into a co-worker’s arms as they helped her to the ground. She felt the blood run down her head from the gash that she hit on the metal column of the bay. Karen couldn’t move her left leg and her left wrist was throbbing. The pain got worse and Karen passed out from it.
A little while later, Karen woke up in the hospital. She looked around and saw her wrist was in a cast and when she couldn’t move her leg she saw it was in a brace.
The doctor came in and told her that her wrist was fractured and her knee was smashed. They were waiting for the swelling to go down to see what the extent of her injury was and if surgery was a possibility. He told Karen that she could go home in a day and they wanted to keep her overnight because of the trauma to her head.
After Karen got released, she got everything taken care of at work. She went on a month of paid medical leave to give her knee time to heal and she was able to stand on it to do her job. Karen decided that instead of being in Maggie’s way at her house, she would go stay at her house in Pittsburgh. Since she was injured on her left side, Karen was able to drive to her house. Her wrist being in a cast wasn’t helping on the drive, but she still managed to get there in one piece.
Natalie had made arrangements with work so she could be up with Karen to help her out for the first few weeks. Karen knew it was to already be close to the arena to go to the games. The Pens had a home game and Karen really didn’t want to go. She told the girls to go without her and she could forgo a game.
During the game on Thursday night against Edmonton, Sidney kept looking in the stands for Karen. He saw Sheril, Diane and Natalie but for the whole night, Karen was never there. He had hoped she wouldn’t do that and not go to games to avoid him. Ever since the Sweden trip and what happened at Pops with Sophia, he was hoping to try and work things out with her.
After the game, the Pens were going on a two game road trip and wouldn’t be back at Mellon until next Thursday. Sidney prayed that Karen would be at that game so he could maybe talk to her afterwards.
When the girls dropped off Natalie at Karen’s before heading back to Wheeling, they told her about how Sidney kept looking for her.
“I’m telling you, the boy was possessed trying to find you” Sheril told her. “He wouldn’t be doing that if he was still with Sophia.”
“Really Karen, you still love him and from tonight his actions clearly shows he still loves you” Diane reassured her.
“I just don’t want him to see me like this.”
“Karen, you wouldn’t be like this if you weren’t preoccupied by thoughts of Sidney” Sheril said then went to hug her. “Look, we’ve got to go but just remember what we said and you will be going to the game next week with us.”
“We’ll see. Talk to you guys later.” Karen hugged her friends and they left. She saw Natalie’s look “don’t say it alright?”
“I won’t need to unless you decide to be stupid then I will be saying it everyday from here on out. I’m going to bed. See you in the morning.”
“Night Nat.”
Karen sat there for a little bit longer. She felt the need to text Sidney but decided against it. She got up as best as she could and headed to bed.
The week went fast and it was Thursday again. Karen didn’t really feel like going to the Pens game, but the girls insisted that she go and have fun. Karen took off the brace and only had her knee wrapped and used her crutches. She was glad the bandage from her head was gone, but her forehead and around her eye was still bruised and very noticeable.
“I don’t know if I can do this” Karen said as they walked up to the doors.
“You’ll be fine” Natalie reassured her.
“Everyone’s looking at me.”
"Let them look they have no idea what happened. You’re here to enjoy a hockey game" Sheril told her.
“Yeah ok”
They got inside and headed to their seats. Karen didn’t fully sit down in the seat yet knowing she’d have to get up for others coming in to the row. She was leaning against her seat and heard the crowd cheer as the players took the ice. Karen dreaded seeing Sidney or just dreaded Sidney seeing her like this. She kept her head turned and was talking to the girls until Diane told her she was being stared at. Karen closed her eyes and sighed looking at the ice to see Sidney, Jordan, and Max looking up at her. She could tell they were talking to each other probably wondering what happened. She gave them a small smile and got up, grabbed her crutches to head inside the Igloo Club with Diane following her.
“You ok?”
“I thought I could handle seeing him but it still hurts.”
“Well, they all three seemed concerned when they saw you. I think Sid was more concerned than the other two.”
“Doesn’t surprise me one bit”
“Come on, let’s go sit down and you’ll feel better.”
“Ok”
Meanwhile on the ice, Sidney tried to keep his head in warm ups but he couldn’t, not with Karen in the stands and all banged up. Max skated over to Sidney to calm him down.
“Sid? There’s nothing you can do right now. At least she’s here, be thankful for that and play your heart out for her.” Max began to skate away “considering she still has a place in there.”
Sidney just smiled to himself and got back into warm ups. Before he got off the ice, he saw Karen come back to her seat then skated off. During the game, Sidney would look up at her before face offs and any stoppage during the game. He wanted to make sure she was still there and he wasn’t dreaming. When first intermission came, Sidney got out his phone and texted Karen. He was hoping she would talk to him in some form.
As the second period started, Karen felt her phone vibrate in her pocket. She reached and opened it seeing she had a text from Sidney. She looked at him on the ice before reading what it said.
Would you be able to talk after the game? I think we need to.
Karen couldn’t text with one hand so she asked Sheril to reply for her. She told her what to say and sent it off to him. During the second intermission, Sidney checked his phone and saw he had a reply from Karen.
Sorry, can’t. They need to head back after. Maybe come over to the house tomorrow?
It wasn’t what Sidney wanted but he’d take it. At least she was up to seeing him. He was going to make this right with her no matter what. He sent a reply then got ready to hit the ice for the third period. Karen’s phone went off and she looked at it.
Ok. I’m glad you’re giving me a chance again. See you then.
She sat there in thought for a minute before closing her phone. ‘What did he mean by another chance?’ Karen thought to herself. She went over what happened in Sweden when he kissed her and started to say something when they were interrupted. Karen shook the thoughts from her head and watched the last period of the game.
When the game was over, the girls took Karen home and then they headed to Wheeling. Natalie went back too since Karen was moving around better. Besides, Natalie told her that she and Sidney needed privacy to talk. Karen decided to just take a pain pill and go to bed since all that walking got her knee throbbing.
12.14.2008
Chapter 64
The next day, Karen wasn't sure how to feel. She was confused from the actions Sidney did last night and she wondered when he would figure out what he wanted. Of course the main thing that concerned her was if she was what he would still want. Karen got ready and met up with Nathalie and Mario to go to the game.
The game was good but Ottawa came out on top and they split the weekend. Karen watched Sidney with intent as he played. She loved how his intensity can change with every shift and every period of the game. That was one thing she loved about him and watching him play, he made it seem like nothing could distract his game. After the game, Karen went back to her hotel room to pack and just stay in. Nathalie tried to get her to go out with the guys for their last night in Sweden but she couldn't keep being around Sidney and act like nothing was wrong between them. She stayed in and went to bed early.
After they got back to Pittsburgh, there was a week before their home opener. Karen went to work and tried to forget about what happened in Sweden. Karen hoped that after they got back she would have heard from Sidney. She knew he was getting ready for the home opener, but she still wished he had made up his mind. What she didn't know, was her answer was coming very soon.
Karen was anxious the whole day. She and her friends were going to the home opener and she was still uneasy about seeing Sidney. The girls got to the arena around 4 and there were a good bunch of people already there. They found their spot on the wall overlooking the player’s parking lot. Karen saw Whit wave and yell at her getting looks from the other people around her. She smiled and waved back, yelling a response. After seeing Jordan, Max and then Geno, who blew a kiss towards her direction, Karen looked up and saw Sidney pull in. She closed her eyes and turned her back on the parking lot. She knew he would see Sheril, Diane or Natalie and know the girl wearing his jersey beside them was her, Karen just didn’t think what happened next, would.
“Oh My God! I don’t fucking believe it.” Natalie said with disgust in her voice.
“That asshole, he basically dumps you and look who he picked up.” Sheril said shocked.
Karen had to turn around to see what they were talking about. When she did, her heart shattered in her chest.
“Is that…?” Diane tried to ask hoping her eyes deceived her for her friend’s sake.
Karen could only answer two words “Sophia Jenkins.” She turned back around to hide the tears that wanted to fall, but Sidney caught her expression. Karen had to walk away to get her head cleared with Diane following her to make sure she was ok.
“What happened between you two that he would go out and get that to be around?”
“He broke up with me that night he text me when we were at Pops and I went outside to talk to him. I told you guys he needed time to get the season underway because I didn’t want all the questions about what happened.”
“What did happen?”
“He did what his parents wanted and that was to push me aside so he could concentrate on playing hockey. But what I don’t get is he keeps sending me all these mixed signals. When I went to Sweden with Nathalie, he came to my room to talk and he kissed me but there was nothing about us getting back together. He said he wanted time to figure what he wanted…looks like either he doesn’t know what he wants or he wants that” she said wiping her eyes as the tears fell.
“I don’t believe that is what he really wants Karen. We all can see how much he loves you.”
“Then why is he doing this?”
“I don’t know. Give him the time he needs and hopefully it will turn out the way you want it to.”
“Yeah, I just won’t want to touch him after being with that trouser snake.”
“I don’t blame you one bit.”
They walked around for a few more minutes then made their way back to the others. The doors opened a while later and they went to their seats. Karen stared around the arena wondering where Sophia was sitting. As the players took to the ice, Karen watched them skate around until Sidney came on the ice. As soon as he looked up at her, she engaged Sheril into a conversation so she wouldn’t look at the ice, or him. When warm ups were finished, Natalie told Karen that every time he skated past or was standing still, he was looking up at her. He did the same during the game whenever he had a moment, he would look towards Karen and hope she would look at him. He caught her looking at him but only to turn away when their eyes met.
After the game, Karen and her friends went to Pops for a few drinks. She didn’t expect a few choice players to show up. Karen heard a commotion and looked up to see Max and Whit walking towards her with Pops.
“Excuse me ladies and my best customers, but since we have a packed house, would you mind sharing your huge booth with these fine young men.”
Karen looked at Max and Ryan’s pleading eyes “can’t you just make them sit at the bar? This is our table Pops and you are asking us to share with them?”
“Pretty much. Come on Karen, from what I’ve been told you know these guys well enough to let them join you.”
“Oh alright” Karen said pretending to be mad about sharing but started laughing when Ryan pretended to pout and Max started to fake cry.
The girls moved around to let them in and were later joined by Brooks Orpik and Jordan. Karen’s friends hadn’t met Brooks yet and she did the introductions as she got up for Ryan to slide in.
“Could I have the outside please?”
“I let you share my booth and you take the outside seat away from me. Wow Whit, would you like my first born too?”
“Maybe later after a few shots. Please, it’s easier with my foot.”
“Fine” Karen just laughed and sat back down, scooting over to make room for him to sit. Pops brought over a round of drinks and they all sat there and had fun. Karen felt Ryan drape his arm across her shoulders and sit a little closer to her. She knew he was there, but played it off.
A few minutes later, Sidney walked up with Sophia on his arm “hey guys, mind if we join you?”
“There seems to only be room for one more person not two, sorry” Sheril said hoping he would get the picture.
“I can just sit on your lap Sid” Sophia said in more of a whine as Karen rolled her eyes.
“We can go somewhere else.”
Karen motioned for Ryan to get up “you can stay, I’ll go somewhere else.”
“Karen, don’t leave.” Max said.
“I’m only going to the bar.” She looked at Sophia’s direction and then back at the table “you know I need something a lot stronger to deal with her.”
“What’s the matter Karen, finally realizing that what ever you had, I will eventually get. First it was Rick, now Sidney.”
“I think we need to get this straightened out. First of all, you didn’t take Rick away from me because if you did, we wouldn’t have been together for 4 years. You had nothing to do with why we broke up and was never a factor in our relationship or problems. As for Sid, I am not about to stand here and disrespect him by playing your game because I have more respect for him then you ever will. I mean, that’s what this is, isn’t it? A game to play with others emotions not caring who gets hurt in the process as long as you get what you want. I just hope Sidney actually sees you for what you truly are.” Karen avoided eye contact with Sidney but knew he was looking at her. She walked over to the bar and sat down. A minute later Ryan joined her to talk.
“So what happened between you and Sid?”
“You mean he didn’t say anything to you guys?”
“Just that things needed to slow down between you two and that you guys decided to take a break.”
“I had nothing to do with that decision. That was all his parents and instead of following his heart, he did what they wanted and that was to get rid of me. I just hope they appreciate the one he’s with now.”
“Well, whatever happened, you can tell breaking up with you was not what he wanted.”
“Um, Whit, look at who he’s with and tell me that is not what he would want. Hell, if I were a guy, I’d pick her over me anyday, well the looks and the body part, her personality and moral standards withstanding.”
“Well, I’d rather have you than her and I know Sid is thinking the same thing.”
Karen looked at him and was flattered, but she couldn’t see herself with one of Sid’s friends let alone one of his teammates.
“Ryan…I…”
“Its fine, I was just making a statement to make you feel better about all this. Besides, I don’t think that over there will last too much longer.”
“Why do you say that?”
Ryan looked over at the table “because Sid hasn’t been able to keep his eyes off of you all night. You can tell he’s still in love with you.”
“Then why her? Out of anybody any puck bunny, why her?”
“I don’t know.”
They stayed at the bar for awhile longer. Karen looked over and saw Sophia getting up and then head to the bathroom. She took that as the opportunity to get her friends and head home.
“Hey guys, I am ready to head out.”
“Yeah we are too.”
Karen steps back and the guys let them out so they can leave.
“Hey, can I talk to you for a minute?” Sidney asked Karen. She walked a few feet away from the others and Sidney followed her. “I just wanted to say thank you for what you said.”
“No problem, it’s what she does and I couldn’t do that to you even if you weren’t standing there” Karen said not looking at him then began to walk away.
Sidney grabbed her arm and stopped her, making her look up at him “I never wanted this to happen between us. I do still love you.”
Karen could feel Sidney get closer to her, but she stepped back “if it’s not what you wanted then why are you going along with it?” She never gave him a chance to answer her as she met back up with her friends to leave.
The game was good but Ottawa came out on top and they split the weekend. Karen watched Sidney with intent as he played. She loved how his intensity can change with every shift and every period of the game. That was one thing she loved about him and watching him play, he made it seem like nothing could distract his game. After the game, Karen went back to her hotel room to pack and just stay in. Nathalie tried to get her to go out with the guys for their last night in Sweden but she couldn't keep being around Sidney and act like nothing was wrong between them. She stayed in and went to bed early.
After they got back to Pittsburgh, there was a week before their home opener. Karen went to work and tried to forget about what happened in Sweden. Karen hoped that after they got back she would have heard from Sidney. She knew he was getting ready for the home opener, but she still wished he had made up his mind. What she didn't know, was her answer was coming very soon.
Karen was anxious the whole day. She and her friends were going to the home opener and she was still uneasy about seeing Sidney. The girls got to the arena around 4 and there were a good bunch of people already there. They found their spot on the wall overlooking the player’s parking lot. Karen saw Whit wave and yell at her getting looks from the other people around her. She smiled and waved back, yelling a response. After seeing Jordan, Max and then Geno, who blew a kiss towards her direction, Karen looked up and saw Sidney pull in. She closed her eyes and turned her back on the parking lot. She knew he would see Sheril, Diane or Natalie and know the girl wearing his jersey beside them was her, Karen just didn’t think what happened next, would.
“Oh My God! I don’t fucking believe it.” Natalie said with disgust in her voice.
“That asshole, he basically dumps you and look who he picked up.” Sheril said shocked.
Karen had to turn around to see what they were talking about. When she did, her heart shattered in her chest.
“Is that…?” Diane tried to ask hoping her eyes deceived her for her friend’s sake.
Karen could only answer two words “Sophia Jenkins.” She turned back around to hide the tears that wanted to fall, but Sidney caught her expression. Karen had to walk away to get her head cleared with Diane following her to make sure she was ok.
“What happened between you two that he would go out and get that to be around?”
“He broke up with me that night he text me when we were at Pops and I went outside to talk to him. I told you guys he needed time to get the season underway because I didn’t want all the questions about what happened.”
“What did happen?”
“He did what his parents wanted and that was to push me aside so he could concentrate on playing hockey. But what I don’t get is he keeps sending me all these mixed signals. When I went to Sweden with Nathalie, he came to my room to talk and he kissed me but there was nothing about us getting back together. He said he wanted time to figure what he wanted…looks like either he doesn’t know what he wants or he wants that” she said wiping her eyes as the tears fell.
“I don’t believe that is what he really wants Karen. We all can see how much he loves you.”
“Then why is he doing this?”
“I don’t know. Give him the time he needs and hopefully it will turn out the way you want it to.”
“Yeah, I just won’t want to touch him after being with that trouser snake.”
“I don’t blame you one bit.”
They walked around for a few more minutes then made their way back to the others. The doors opened a while later and they went to their seats. Karen stared around the arena wondering where Sophia was sitting. As the players took to the ice, Karen watched them skate around until Sidney came on the ice. As soon as he looked up at her, she engaged Sheril into a conversation so she wouldn’t look at the ice, or him. When warm ups were finished, Natalie told Karen that every time he skated past or was standing still, he was looking up at her. He did the same during the game whenever he had a moment, he would look towards Karen and hope she would look at him. He caught her looking at him but only to turn away when their eyes met.
After the game, Karen and her friends went to Pops for a few drinks. She didn’t expect a few choice players to show up. Karen heard a commotion and looked up to see Max and Whit walking towards her with Pops.
“Excuse me ladies and my best customers, but since we have a packed house, would you mind sharing your huge booth with these fine young men.”
Karen looked at Max and Ryan’s pleading eyes “can’t you just make them sit at the bar? This is our table Pops and you are asking us to share with them?”
“Pretty much. Come on Karen, from what I’ve been told you know these guys well enough to let them join you.”
“Oh alright” Karen said pretending to be mad about sharing but started laughing when Ryan pretended to pout and Max started to fake cry.
The girls moved around to let them in and were later joined by Brooks Orpik and Jordan. Karen’s friends hadn’t met Brooks yet and she did the introductions as she got up for Ryan to slide in.
“Could I have the outside please?”
“I let you share my booth and you take the outside seat away from me. Wow Whit, would you like my first born too?”
“Maybe later after a few shots. Please, it’s easier with my foot.”
“Fine” Karen just laughed and sat back down, scooting over to make room for him to sit. Pops brought over a round of drinks and they all sat there and had fun. Karen felt Ryan drape his arm across her shoulders and sit a little closer to her. She knew he was there, but played it off.
A few minutes later, Sidney walked up with Sophia on his arm “hey guys, mind if we join you?”
“There seems to only be room for one more person not two, sorry” Sheril said hoping he would get the picture.
“I can just sit on your lap Sid” Sophia said in more of a whine as Karen rolled her eyes.
“We can go somewhere else.”
Karen motioned for Ryan to get up “you can stay, I’ll go somewhere else.”
“Karen, don’t leave.” Max said.
“I’m only going to the bar.” She looked at Sophia’s direction and then back at the table “you know I need something a lot stronger to deal with her.”
“What’s the matter Karen, finally realizing that what ever you had, I will eventually get. First it was Rick, now Sidney.”
“I think we need to get this straightened out. First of all, you didn’t take Rick away from me because if you did, we wouldn’t have been together for 4 years. You had nothing to do with why we broke up and was never a factor in our relationship or problems. As for Sid, I am not about to stand here and disrespect him by playing your game because I have more respect for him then you ever will. I mean, that’s what this is, isn’t it? A game to play with others emotions not caring who gets hurt in the process as long as you get what you want. I just hope Sidney actually sees you for what you truly are.” Karen avoided eye contact with Sidney but knew he was looking at her. She walked over to the bar and sat down. A minute later Ryan joined her to talk.
“So what happened between you and Sid?”
“You mean he didn’t say anything to you guys?”
“Just that things needed to slow down between you two and that you guys decided to take a break.”
“I had nothing to do with that decision. That was all his parents and instead of following his heart, he did what they wanted and that was to get rid of me. I just hope they appreciate the one he’s with now.”
“Well, whatever happened, you can tell breaking up with you was not what he wanted.”
“Um, Whit, look at who he’s with and tell me that is not what he would want. Hell, if I were a guy, I’d pick her over me anyday, well the looks and the body part, her personality and moral standards withstanding.”
“Well, I’d rather have you than her and I know Sid is thinking the same thing.”
Karen looked at him and was flattered, but she couldn’t see herself with one of Sid’s friends let alone one of his teammates.
“Ryan…I…”
“Its fine, I was just making a statement to make you feel better about all this. Besides, I don’t think that over there will last too much longer.”
“Why do you say that?”
Ryan looked over at the table “because Sid hasn’t been able to keep his eyes off of you all night. You can tell he’s still in love with you.”
“Then why her? Out of anybody any puck bunny, why her?”
“I don’t know.”
They stayed at the bar for awhile longer. Karen looked over and saw Sophia getting up and then head to the bathroom. She took that as the opportunity to get her friends and head home.
“Hey guys, I am ready to head out.”
“Yeah we are too.”
Karen steps back and the guys let them out so they can leave.
“Hey, can I talk to you for a minute?” Sidney asked Karen. She walked a few feet away from the others and Sidney followed her. “I just wanted to say thank you for what you said.”
“No problem, it’s what she does and I couldn’t do that to you even if you weren’t standing there” Karen said not looking at him then began to walk away.
Sidney grabbed her arm and stopped her, making her look up at him “I never wanted this to happen between us. I do still love you.”
Karen could feel Sidney get closer to her, but she stepped back “if it’s not what you wanted then why are you going along with it?” She never gave him a chance to answer her as she met back up with her friends to leave.
Chapter 63
Karen came back down and saw six pairs of eyes on her. She went to sit down with them in the living room, taking the remote and turning off the tv.
"I think you guys need to know something about what happened with Rick. I never told you guys the whole story about why I left him." Karen took a deep breath "when everything started going bad, I found out I was pregnant. I thought maybe this was what could have brought us back to where we were before he got traded, but it didn't. He didn't seem to care, well at first he did, but not so much afterwards. A few months later, I was shopping with Janet Gretsky and felt a sharp pain. She took me to the hospital but it was to late and I lost the baby. It took Rick about two days before he came to see me and from that I knew I needed to leave him."
"You did the right thing if he was acting like that" Diane said.
"I know I did, but he changed after he got traded and I couldn't stop it. I know he never meant to hurt me and after last night I get that. Maybe I should have let him go first then gone to visit him to see if it was a situation I wanted to be in. Everything that happened was not all on him and I don't want you guys having this bad opinion of him."
"Karen, we're sorry for jumping to conclusions about him but from what you said after you came back, it was just a natural reaction" Natalie commented.
"You guys know how private I am about a lot of things and I was still hurting from having lost not only the person I thought was the love of my life, but my baby too. I didn't want all the sympathy every day until I could let go of it. Last night let me let go of it. Just tell me you guys understand I did what I had to do to get the closure I needed."
Diane got up and went to hug her friend "I'm sorry for being so hard on you. I do understand I just didn't want to see you fall back on that path with him."
"He's on a better path now Di. If the old Rick was anywhere inside that body, he would have came out but he didn't. He was genuinely sorry for how things went. If I would have stayed until he got back from his road trip so we could have talked, I don't know where I'd be today."
"Maybe not here or with Sidney" Sheril chimed in.
Karen didn't want to get into the whole Sidney thing when she didn't even know what was going on with them. She hoped this wasn't going to last long and they would be back together soon so she wouldn't have to explain about him breaking up with her. "Maybe, but you never know."
"Well thank you for telling us about what happened. Rick was always a good person and I can see getting ripped away from friends can change someone."
"I tried to make it work but it wasn't going to happen. But after last night, I have my friend back and right now that is all I wanted" Karen said but then got a faraway look.
"What's the matter?"
"It's nothing. What are we going to do today?"
"We haven't been shopping for a while?" Natalie said cheerfully.
"I'm up for it" Karen said as the others agreed. They all got ready and headed for the mall.
The following week, the team was on its way to Sweden for their two games against Ottawa. Karen had only seen Sidney one other time and it was during the other preseason game at the arena. She tried to not concentrate on him, but the team as a whole to get a feel for how the season would go. Sidney made that a little complicated on her when he would look up to her every chance he had during the game. Karen just wanted him back in her life and his decision to be away from her because of what his parents wanted was killing her. She shook the thoughts from her head when her phone rang.
"Hello."
"Hey Karen, it's Nathalie. How are you?"
"I'm hanging in there. What can I do for you?"
"Well, you can come to Sweden with me for the games."
"Nat, I don't know. I don't think Sidney wants me there."
"Karen, the way he's been mopping around he'd want you there even if he didn't admit it out loud. Besides, it will give me someone to talk to. Please say you'll come with me?"
"Let me see what I can work out at work and I'll let you know."
"That's all I ask. I'll talk to you soon. Bye."
"Bye" Karen hung up and sat there. In a way she wanted to go, but another part of her didn't want to be around Sidney and not be with him. She would decide and let her know later.
Karen had decided to go to Sweden with Nathalie and put in for the time off. She told her friends she was going and they all thought it would be good and maybe her and Sidney could talk. They were leaving soon and just waiting to board the plane. Karen was nervous on the plane ride over to Sweden and Nathalie picked up on it.
“You ok Karen?” Nathalie asked sensing her uneasiness.
“I don’t know if I should have come. Sidney’s not going to want me here and I don’t want to be a distraction for him.”
“Karen, whether you want to believe it or not, Sidney still talks about you. Mario and I both see breaking up with you was a mistake.”
“But does Sidney see it?”
“I think he does. I know he regrets doing what his parents wanted.”
“How did you know this was his parent’s idea and not his?”
“From how he talked about it, we knew it sounded like Troy’s doing. Give Sidney some time girl, he’ll come around.”
“Let’s hope, I do miss him.”
The plane landed hours later and the families headed to the hotel. Being it was the same hotel the players were at Karen knew running into Sidney was inevitable.
On Saturday, Karen went to the arena with Nathalie a couple hours before game time. They met up with Mario and Karen felt a bomb drop in her stomach when she saw Troy talking with him. They headed over against her better judgment.
“Hi honey, Karen glad you decided to come.” Mario said greeting his wife and friend.
“Yeah I wasn't until I had some very strong persuasion. I don’t see how you win arguments in your house.”
“I usually don’t.”
Karen looked at Troy before excusing herself to look around. She wasn’t about to stand around and make nice and the less time she was around him the better. Karen walked around and ended up down by the locker rooms. She had a pass so no one would tell her to leave but she didn’t want to be in the way either. As she was walking past the Pens locker room, she saw a couple of the players head in. Karen got hugs from Jordan and Max and the surprised look on Evgeni’s face was priceless. She didn’t keep them knowing they needed to get focused and ready. When she was starting her trek back upstairs, she ran directly into Troy who was coming down to see Sidney.
“Didn’t think you would be here Karen?”
“Sidney did invite me when we were dating.”
“But since you’re not dating anymore, don’t you think you shouldn’t have come?”
“I’m here because Nathalie asked me.”
Meanwhile, Marc-Andre was walking past them and saw how heated the conversation was getting. Karen saw him and when he went into the locker room he decided to involve someone else.
“Hey Sid, I didn’t realize Karen was coming over for the games.”
Sidney sat in his stall stunned.
“Yeah Jordan and I saw her a few minutes ago too” Max added.
“Where was she?”
“Walking past the locker room.”
“Yeah but now your dad seemed to have found her. It didn’t look like it was going very good.”
Sidney stood up and practically ran out of the room. He saw his dad and Karen in the hallway and by the look of it, Karen was on the verge of tears. He got closer without being seen but could hear what was going on.
“If you would just admit it to yourself that it’s over Karen you might be able to move on?”
“You’re proud of yourself aren’t you? Being able to still control your son’s life has you sleeping well at night, doesn’t it? And for your information I have admitted it to myself that it’s over…but it doesn’t mean that it hurts any less.” Karen walked away only to be met with Sidney’s arm that came out and stopped her. “Let me go Sid” she whispered looking up at him with tears flowing down her cheeks. He moved his arm and let her go walking over to his dad.
“You seriously can’t leave well enough alone can you dad? I broke up with her like you and mom wanted but that doesn’t mean she is going to cease to exist.”
“Look Sid, I was shocked when I saw her and maybe I overreacted.”
“Not maybe dad, you did overreact. When I broke up with her I know I hurt her but you reminding her doesn’t help the situation.”
“I’m sorry alright. When I see her I will apologize to her ok?”
“Ok. I need to get ready so I will see you after the game.”
“Good luck son.”
They hugged and parted ways.
Karen had walked around until game time. She liked to just watch all the people who come to hockey games and the Swedes were not different. When she knew the game was about to begin, she found Nathalie and Mario, sitting down with them. She saw Troy was on the other side of Mario and she was happy to have seats inbetween them. The game went on and the Pens won the first one. Karen opted to head to the hotel then go down to the locker room with Mario to congratulate the guys.
“Sidney, great game”
“Thanks Mario. Didn’t Karen come down with you?”
“No, she went back to the hotel. I don’t think she wanted to be around certain people. She’ll be ok, go get your shower and head back to the hotel.”
“Yeah, ok.”
Sidney got his shower and met up with the team to head back to the hotel. When Sidney got to his room, he couldn’t sit still. He needed to find Karen and talk to her. He found Mario’s room and asked Nathalie if she knew what room Karen was in. Nathalie didn’t want to give up her room number but she knew Sidney would knock on every family member’s door to find her. She told him the room number and he thanked her then left.
Karen had gotten out of the shower and put on a pair of shorts and a t-shirt. When she looked in the mirror to comb her hair, she smiled realizing she had on one of Sidney’s shirts. Karen closed her eyes and remembered the day he gave it to her. She was brought out of her thoughts when there was a light knock on her door. Karen thought it might be Nathalie so she didn’t bother to look through the peep hole and just opened the door. Karen’s heart stopped when she saw Sidney standing in the hallway.
“Sid? What are you doing here?”
“I was hoping we could talk. Can I come in?”
Karen moved out of the way and Sidney walked in. He saw what she had on and smiled.
“Nice shirt. I’ve been looking for that one.”
“You gave it to me remember.”
“No, I gave it to you to wear for the day. You assumed I gave it to you to keep.”
“Do you want it back?”
“Maybe some day I will want it back, but I think it looks good on you.”
“So, what did you want to talk about?”
“We’ll talk in a minute, there’s something I need to do first.”
“Which is what?”
Sidney walked over to her and pulled her to him kissing her. Karen was about to move away but his kiss surrendered her to him. She brought her hands up to Sidney’s neck and let her fingers play with the bottom of his hair. Karen felt Sidney’s tongue lightly move over her bottom lip and she granted him access. As the kiss deepened, Sidney moved them closer to the bed but Karen stopped him and pulled away but Sidney kept his arms around her.
“I’m sorry it’s just when I saw that you were here, I couldn’t help myself.”
“It’s ok. Is that what you wanted to talk to me about or was there something else?”
“Why did you decide to come over for the games?”
“I wasn’t going to but Nathalie talked me into coming over with her. She is a very persuasive woman.”
“Yeah she can be.”
"I think she had an ulterior motive for me coming over though."
“Which was?”
“This. I guess she figured that if we saw each other we might talk.”
“Well we are in the same room and it does appear that we are talking.”
“We might be talking but nothing is really being said.”
“I know.”
Karen removed herself from his arms and walked away from him. “Things just can’t go back exactly how they were.”
“They might be able to. If not today, then one day after the season gets going.”
“I don’t know Sid. I don’t know if I can risk the heartache of us getting back together and then your parents ripping us apart again.”
“I won’t let that happen again.”
“You never stopped it from happening in the first place Sid. I thought we’d be together even if they didn’t approve.”
“My dad helps control the hockey side of my life…”
“Sounds like he has full control of your personal life too" Karen saw his expression change "look, I’m sorry ok, it was never my intention to get into this with you now."
“You’re just so angry with me.”
“And that’s what’s killing me because of how much I love you. We barely saw each other as it was Sid and if you needed full concentration during camp you knew I would have given it to you.
“I know you would have.”
“You just couldn’t tell your parents that.”
“What do you want me to do Karen?”
Karen closed her eyes and took a deep breath “I want you to go back to your room and do what you told me you needed to do. If me being here caused any distraction I’m sorry, it wasn’t my intention. Take your time and space that you need and when you get it figured out, call me.”
She walked over to the door and opened it to give Sidney the hint. He walked towards her and took the door out of her hand, letting it shut “If I do get this figured out, will you be there when I call you?”
“Yes” Karen said it in a whisper but Sidney heard her loud and clear. He leaned into her and pulled her into his body kissing her.
“Night.”
“Night Sid.”
Sidney opened the door and left, leaving Karen to fall against it more confused than before.
"I think you guys need to know something about what happened with Rick. I never told you guys the whole story about why I left him." Karen took a deep breath "when everything started going bad, I found out I was pregnant. I thought maybe this was what could have brought us back to where we were before he got traded, but it didn't. He didn't seem to care, well at first he did, but not so much afterwards. A few months later, I was shopping with Janet Gretsky and felt a sharp pain. She took me to the hospital but it was to late and I lost the baby. It took Rick about two days before he came to see me and from that I knew I needed to leave him."
"You did the right thing if he was acting like that" Diane said.
"I know I did, but he changed after he got traded and I couldn't stop it. I know he never meant to hurt me and after last night I get that. Maybe I should have let him go first then gone to visit him to see if it was a situation I wanted to be in. Everything that happened was not all on him and I don't want you guys having this bad opinion of him."
"Karen, we're sorry for jumping to conclusions about him but from what you said after you came back, it was just a natural reaction" Natalie commented.
"You guys know how private I am about a lot of things and I was still hurting from having lost not only the person I thought was the love of my life, but my baby too. I didn't want all the sympathy every day until I could let go of it. Last night let me let go of it. Just tell me you guys understand I did what I had to do to get the closure I needed."
Diane got up and went to hug her friend "I'm sorry for being so hard on you. I do understand I just didn't want to see you fall back on that path with him."
"He's on a better path now Di. If the old Rick was anywhere inside that body, he would have came out but he didn't. He was genuinely sorry for how things went. If I would have stayed until he got back from his road trip so we could have talked, I don't know where I'd be today."
"Maybe not here or with Sidney" Sheril chimed in.
Karen didn't want to get into the whole Sidney thing when she didn't even know what was going on with them. She hoped this wasn't going to last long and they would be back together soon so she wouldn't have to explain about him breaking up with her. "Maybe, but you never know."
"Well thank you for telling us about what happened. Rick was always a good person and I can see getting ripped away from friends can change someone."
"I tried to make it work but it wasn't going to happen. But after last night, I have my friend back and right now that is all I wanted" Karen said but then got a faraway look.
"What's the matter?"
"It's nothing. What are we going to do today?"
"We haven't been shopping for a while?" Natalie said cheerfully.
"I'm up for it" Karen said as the others agreed. They all got ready and headed for the mall.
The following week, the team was on its way to Sweden for their two games against Ottawa. Karen had only seen Sidney one other time and it was during the other preseason game at the arena. She tried to not concentrate on him, but the team as a whole to get a feel for how the season would go. Sidney made that a little complicated on her when he would look up to her every chance he had during the game. Karen just wanted him back in her life and his decision to be away from her because of what his parents wanted was killing her. She shook the thoughts from her head when her phone rang.
"Hello."
"Hey Karen, it's Nathalie. How are you?"
"I'm hanging in there. What can I do for you?"
"Well, you can come to Sweden with me for the games."
"Nat, I don't know. I don't think Sidney wants me there."
"Karen, the way he's been mopping around he'd want you there even if he didn't admit it out loud. Besides, it will give me someone to talk to. Please say you'll come with me?"
"Let me see what I can work out at work and I'll let you know."
"That's all I ask. I'll talk to you soon. Bye."
"Bye" Karen hung up and sat there. In a way she wanted to go, but another part of her didn't want to be around Sidney and not be with him. She would decide and let her know later.
Karen had decided to go to Sweden with Nathalie and put in for the time off. She told her friends she was going and they all thought it would be good and maybe her and Sidney could talk. They were leaving soon and just waiting to board the plane. Karen was nervous on the plane ride over to Sweden and Nathalie picked up on it.
“You ok Karen?” Nathalie asked sensing her uneasiness.
“I don’t know if I should have come. Sidney’s not going to want me here and I don’t want to be a distraction for him.”
“Karen, whether you want to believe it or not, Sidney still talks about you. Mario and I both see breaking up with you was a mistake.”
“But does Sidney see it?”
“I think he does. I know he regrets doing what his parents wanted.”
“How did you know this was his parent’s idea and not his?”
“From how he talked about it, we knew it sounded like Troy’s doing. Give Sidney some time girl, he’ll come around.”
“Let’s hope, I do miss him.”
The plane landed hours later and the families headed to the hotel. Being it was the same hotel the players were at Karen knew running into Sidney was inevitable.
On Saturday, Karen went to the arena with Nathalie a couple hours before game time. They met up with Mario and Karen felt a bomb drop in her stomach when she saw Troy talking with him. They headed over against her better judgment.
“Hi honey, Karen glad you decided to come.” Mario said greeting his wife and friend.
“Yeah I wasn't until I had some very strong persuasion. I don’t see how you win arguments in your house.”
“I usually don’t.”
Karen looked at Troy before excusing herself to look around. She wasn’t about to stand around and make nice and the less time she was around him the better. Karen walked around and ended up down by the locker rooms. She had a pass so no one would tell her to leave but she didn’t want to be in the way either. As she was walking past the Pens locker room, she saw a couple of the players head in. Karen got hugs from Jordan and Max and the surprised look on Evgeni’s face was priceless. She didn’t keep them knowing they needed to get focused and ready. When she was starting her trek back upstairs, she ran directly into Troy who was coming down to see Sidney.
“Didn’t think you would be here Karen?”
“Sidney did invite me when we were dating.”
“But since you’re not dating anymore, don’t you think you shouldn’t have come?”
“I’m here because Nathalie asked me.”
Meanwhile, Marc-Andre was walking past them and saw how heated the conversation was getting. Karen saw him and when he went into the locker room he decided to involve someone else.
“Hey Sid, I didn’t realize Karen was coming over for the games.”
Sidney sat in his stall stunned.
“Yeah Jordan and I saw her a few minutes ago too” Max added.
“Where was she?”
“Walking past the locker room.”
“Yeah but now your dad seemed to have found her. It didn’t look like it was going very good.”
Sidney stood up and practically ran out of the room. He saw his dad and Karen in the hallway and by the look of it, Karen was on the verge of tears. He got closer without being seen but could hear what was going on.
“If you would just admit it to yourself that it’s over Karen you might be able to move on?”
“You’re proud of yourself aren’t you? Being able to still control your son’s life has you sleeping well at night, doesn’t it? And for your information I have admitted it to myself that it’s over…but it doesn’t mean that it hurts any less.” Karen walked away only to be met with Sidney’s arm that came out and stopped her. “Let me go Sid” she whispered looking up at him with tears flowing down her cheeks. He moved his arm and let her go walking over to his dad.
“You seriously can’t leave well enough alone can you dad? I broke up with her like you and mom wanted but that doesn’t mean she is going to cease to exist.”
“Look Sid, I was shocked when I saw her and maybe I overreacted.”
“Not maybe dad, you did overreact. When I broke up with her I know I hurt her but you reminding her doesn’t help the situation.”
“I’m sorry alright. When I see her I will apologize to her ok?”
“Ok. I need to get ready so I will see you after the game.”
“Good luck son.”
They hugged and parted ways.
Karen had walked around until game time. She liked to just watch all the people who come to hockey games and the Swedes were not different. When she knew the game was about to begin, she found Nathalie and Mario, sitting down with them. She saw Troy was on the other side of Mario and she was happy to have seats inbetween them. The game went on and the Pens won the first one. Karen opted to head to the hotel then go down to the locker room with Mario to congratulate the guys.
“Sidney, great game”
“Thanks Mario. Didn’t Karen come down with you?”
“No, she went back to the hotel. I don’t think she wanted to be around certain people. She’ll be ok, go get your shower and head back to the hotel.”
“Yeah, ok.”
Sidney got his shower and met up with the team to head back to the hotel. When Sidney got to his room, he couldn’t sit still. He needed to find Karen and talk to her. He found Mario’s room and asked Nathalie if she knew what room Karen was in. Nathalie didn’t want to give up her room number but she knew Sidney would knock on every family member’s door to find her. She told him the room number and he thanked her then left.
Karen had gotten out of the shower and put on a pair of shorts and a t-shirt. When she looked in the mirror to comb her hair, she smiled realizing she had on one of Sidney’s shirts. Karen closed her eyes and remembered the day he gave it to her. She was brought out of her thoughts when there was a light knock on her door. Karen thought it might be Nathalie so she didn’t bother to look through the peep hole and just opened the door. Karen’s heart stopped when she saw Sidney standing in the hallway.
“Sid? What are you doing here?”
“I was hoping we could talk. Can I come in?”
Karen moved out of the way and Sidney walked in. He saw what she had on and smiled.
“Nice shirt. I’ve been looking for that one.”
“You gave it to me remember.”
“No, I gave it to you to wear for the day. You assumed I gave it to you to keep.”
“Do you want it back?”
“Maybe some day I will want it back, but I think it looks good on you.”
“So, what did you want to talk about?”
“We’ll talk in a minute, there’s something I need to do first.”
“Which is what?”
Sidney walked over to her and pulled her to him kissing her. Karen was about to move away but his kiss surrendered her to him. She brought her hands up to Sidney’s neck and let her fingers play with the bottom of his hair. Karen felt Sidney’s tongue lightly move over her bottom lip and she granted him access. As the kiss deepened, Sidney moved them closer to the bed but Karen stopped him and pulled away but Sidney kept his arms around her.
“I’m sorry it’s just when I saw that you were here, I couldn’t help myself.”
“It’s ok. Is that what you wanted to talk to me about or was there something else?”
“Why did you decide to come over for the games?”
“I wasn’t going to but Nathalie talked me into coming over with her. She is a very persuasive woman.”
“Yeah she can be.”
"I think she had an ulterior motive for me coming over though."
“Which was?”
“This. I guess she figured that if we saw each other we might talk.”
“Well we are in the same room and it does appear that we are talking.”
“We might be talking but nothing is really being said.”
“I know.”
Karen removed herself from his arms and walked away from him. “Things just can’t go back exactly how they were.”
“They might be able to. If not today, then one day after the season gets going.”
“I don’t know Sid. I don’t know if I can risk the heartache of us getting back together and then your parents ripping us apart again.”
“I won’t let that happen again.”
“You never stopped it from happening in the first place Sid. I thought we’d be together even if they didn’t approve.”
“My dad helps control the hockey side of my life…”
“Sounds like he has full control of your personal life too" Karen saw his expression change "look, I’m sorry ok, it was never my intention to get into this with you now."
“You’re just so angry with me.”
“And that’s what’s killing me because of how much I love you. We barely saw each other as it was Sid and if you needed full concentration during camp you knew I would have given it to you.
“I know you would have.”
“You just couldn’t tell your parents that.”
“What do you want me to do Karen?”
Karen closed her eyes and took a deep breath “I want you to go back to your room and do what you told me you needed to do. If me being here caused any distraction I’m sorry, it wasn’t my intention. Take your time and space that you need and when you get it figured out, call me.”
She walked over to the door and opened it to give Sidney the hint. He walked towards her and took the door out of her hand, letting it shut “If I do get this figured out, will you be there when I call you?”
“Yes” Karen said it in a whisper but Sidney heard her loud and clear. He leaned into her and pulled her into his body kissing her.
“Night.”
“Night Sid.”
Sidney opened the door and left, leaving Karen to fall against it more confused than before.
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