Thursday, July 23, 2009

28: No Gift Like the Present

I didn't get any restful sleep that night. I remembered that I had dreamt, but I couldn't remember about what; I assumed it had something to do with the talk we had had before calling it a night.

Last night left me with a lot to process. Sidney had asked if we were official, which wasn't the same thing as directly asking me if I wanted to be his girlfriend. Or if I wanted him to be my boyfriend. Instead, he had implied that sleeping with a girl meant you should be boyfriend and girlfriend, so what the hell, let's just say we're together. Not exactly romantic. And since he put it that way, did he even want us to be together? It sounded much more like obligation than anything else.

However, he wanted me to meet his parents. So that had to count for something, right? I mean, guys don't just introduce girls to their parents for no reason. They have to like them, really like them, to take that step. Right? I hadn't even considered introducing him to mine; in fact, I was actively keeping any knowledge of him from my mother.

We had known each other since July. That's two months. We really got to know each other since our tennis match in the beginning of August, even if only a week had passed since we'd admitted our feelings for each other. Everything seemed to be happening so soon.

Luckily, and very generously, Sid gave me the option of how I could meet his parents. If I agreed to meet them—and I still was unsure—I could be introduced as a friend and avoid the discomfort of being judged and assessed with their critical eyes. Even so, I would still need to make an incredible first impression. That way, if Sid later had to inform them of a change in our relationship status, they may approve of me being bumped up from "friend" to "girlfriend."

Sidney woke up and tried to kiss me. I placed a hand over my mouth and spoke through my fingers. "Morning breath."

"I don't care," he responded, pulling my hand away from my mouth and placing his lips there instead. Disgusting, but cute. Things escalated quickly, even though I was still sore from last night. This time, we moved slowly and patiently, concentrating on each other's wants, doing everything we were too desperate to do last night.

Afterward I teased him for getting a workout before practice. "Hm, I don't want to go to practice. I'd rather stay in bed with you."

"No fucking way!" I told him, a little too vehemently. "You're going to practice, because you have to kick some Red Wing ass. Especially Maltby. I hate that motherfu—"

He chuckled, "Okay, okay, I'm going. You look tired. Do you want to stay here while I'm gone? That way, we can spend some more time together before I leave."

"Do you mind? I mean, wouldn't it be weird to leave me here?"

He shrugged. "Well, you can sleep some more, shower and pretty yourself up for me." I playfully hit his arm. "We'll have lunch. The team won't leave until later in the evening, at six, I think."

I stretched and then curled back into a fetal position on his bed. "Well, if you're going to force me to sleep in your big, comfy bed, I guess I can suffer through it."

"That's my girl." He kissed my forehead. "By the way, I have your present. Don't let me forget to give it to you."

"Can I have it now?" I asked.

"So impatient. It can wait 'til I come back." I tried to pout, but he laughed and refused. As much as I didn't like the idea of Sidney spending money on me, I loved surprises and getting presents. "I'll be back around noon."

With Sid gone, I got a little more sleep before I took a long, hot shower in his amazing bathroom. How do people with showers like this exist outside of the confines of the shower stall? Of course, it was after I was naked and wet that I realized my bag with a change of clothes was still out in my car. I threw on my jeans and shirt so I could run out for the bag. Once back inside, I changed into the clothes I had brought with me—nothing fancy, just khakis and a long-sleeved cotton shirt. I sprayed his black hoodie with Axe before putting it on, so I wouldn't have to bother him with wearing it to get that scent back. I glanced in the mirror, happy to see that the bulk of the hoodie half-covered the hickey on my neck. I took my make-up bag out of my purse and put on some mascara and lip gloss, but didn't bother with applying the rest of it.

I didn't have to wait long for him. When he returned, he dropped his hockey bag by the door and leaned against the door frame in the living room, watching me flip through the channels on his television set.

"Hey, Sid, how was practice?" I asked. When he didn't respond, I gave him my full attention. "What's up?"

"Nothing, I'm just appreciating what Max said, that morning we woke up at his place." I raised my eyebrow, not understanding. "It's nice to come home when someone is waiting for you, especially when that someone is wearing your clothes."

I looked down at this hoodie and smiled. "I love wearing it and smelling you. It's almost like you're constantly hugging me."

"I'd rather do that myself," he said, striding over and pulling me into his arms. "Hm, what's this?" he then asked, caressing the patch of skin darkened by his over-amorous attention last night.

"Oh yeah, thanks a lot for that." He kissed me, and as much as I enjoyed that, I couldn't help but ask, "So, do I get my present now?"

Sidney laughed. "Sure. If this is what you're like now, I'd hate to see you at Christmas. Or your birthday. By the way, when is your birthday?"

"February," I answered absentmindedly. "I'm not present-crazy or anything, I just get so excited. On Christmas Eve, my parents put the presents under the tree, and tell me I can't open them yet. It's the suspense that kills me."

"Well, then I won't keep you waiting any longer," he said, and he led me into the kitchen. He reached into the cabinet under the garbage disposal and pulled out a big, blue gift bag. "Now that I'm thinking about it, this really is going to seem lame. I don't know if I want to give this to you anymore."

"Oh, come on! You can't do this to me!" I howled. "I need to know what's in that bag."

He smiled and prefaced, "Okay, but honestly, you're going to think this is so dumb."

I practically ripped the bag out of his hand and opened it. When I saw what it was, I wrinkled my nose. "You bought me a skillet." I started to laugh.

"See, I told you that you would think it's dumb."

"No, it's not dumb. It's thoughtful, and that's what matters the most." I kissed him on the tip of his nose. "I think I'll keep it here, if you don't mind."

"That's perfect," he joked, "because I don't have one."

"What do you say we make use of it and have something to eat?"

I ended up making grilled cheese sandwiches, since the cut-up vegetables from last weekend's party had shriveled in the fridge. I asked Sid if he ever cleaned out his refrigerator, and he blushed and made the excuse of playing on the road so much.

"Sorry this isn't a great display of my culinary skills," I said, swallowing a bite of my sandwich.

"Well, that's what the skillet is for, to entice you to come cook for me any time you want. I don't do a lot of cooking, obviously, so if you need any other kind of kitchen gadgets, let me know, and I'll get them."

Laughing, I responded, "You must be really desperate for some home-cooked meals."

"I never had to spend a lot of time away from family before—and not just my family, but I mean others, too. In juniors, I billeted with a great family, and then here with Mario and his family. Even though it's not your home, it's someone else's home. You can't fake that atmosphere, and nothing beats a hot meal after a hard practice."

"Do you regret buying this place and moving out?"

"No. I needed to adjust to a new routine, but Nathalie still cooks my pregame meal when we've been playing at home, and I needed to find a new route to the arena, but I think I've done well with it so far. I mean, then I couldn't have you over."

"Did Mario have a no-girls rule?"

Shrugging, Sid said, "I don't know, it never came up." I wanted to press the issue, about how "it never came up," but he changed the subject. "We didn't get to finish our movie. Do you want to keep watching it?"

I laughed. "I don't think we ever started watching it. But I'm game."

We settled in on the couch, with me sitting normally and Sidney sprawled out across the length of the seat, head in my lap. I ran my hand through his hair, which looked in need of a haircut, but I kind of liked it long. Tousling a curl of his hair, I reveled in how he bought that skillet. Sure, it wasn't really a present, and it wasn't really for me either, but I liked knowing he thought about me outside of the time we spent together. Besides, this moment, right now, was worth more to me than anything he could buy me.

We stayed in that position for the entire movie. It felt so good to just sit there and relax with Sidney, no talking, no doing, no people; just us, just being. When the movie was over, he reluctantly sat up. As he began packing for his trip to Detroit, I made sure to tuck all my things in the bag I had packed.

"You know, you could just bring some stuff over to keep here," Sid said, and added with a blush, "I mean, if you want to."

I laughed. "Why? I love commandeering your shirts! That's a major step, Crosby, are you sure you're ready to clear out a drawer for me?"

The gleam in his eye betrayed his joking mood. "For you, babe, I'd clean out my closet."

I did my best to act flattered as he made a show of clearing out the top drawer of his dresser for me. I grabbed the tank top and shorts out of my bag, which I had planned on wearing to bed last night. That was all I had clean that might come in handy for when I visited him again.

"When will I get to see you in that," he asked, as I stuffed them into the drawer.

"Next time I stay over."

"That would be next Friday, right?"

"Nope."

"Aren't you gonna come to the game? You'll love it—we're raising the championship banners."

"Of course I'll come to your game, but I'm not spending the night with you. Not with your parents in the house," I answered matter-of-factly.

"Oh, yeah, I forgot." He looked mildly angry.

"Don't worry, we'll figure something out," I told him. He finished packing, and we both left his residence at around four in the afternoon. Sid had to get to the airport, and I had to make my way back to my real life.

"Bye, Nelly, I'll miss you," he said.

"I'll miss you, too. Have a safe flight."

"And you'll think about what I said?"

He didn't have to clarify his question; I knew that he was asking me to further consider meeting his parents. I nodded and told him I'd think about it. We got into our cars and sped off in opposite directions.

11 comments:

  1. He is soooo cute! And thoughtful... This chapter just made me smile :)
    I love your story, Jay!

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  2. I finally just got caught up with this blog... so awesome!! I can't believe I didn't find it till now =(

    I'm so in love with this story now and I can't wait to see what happens! Also... every now and then I'll read something that stands out;

    "no talking, no doing, no people; just us, just being."

    I love that so much... you're a very talented writer =D

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  3. awa this chapter was so cute!
    i really hope Nelly decides to meet the parents =D

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  4. ok, so the whole spraying the sweatshirt thing... too frickin adorable!
    My best friend is a guy, and I love getting hugs from him because of his cologne* Last Christmas, he bought me a pillow that he had sprayed with it, and I loved it!

    Great update!!!!

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  5. This story is so cute!

    I went away for a few days and didn't have any cell phone service. Yesterday was the only day that I left the lake house and was able to get service. Your story was the only thing I checked on my phone! I feel like such a geek lol

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  6. You guys are so awesome! I hope I never let you down. I think you may particularly enjoy the next two days though... fingers crossed!

    @Anna, I love you. You may feel like a geek, but you just made my day in ways you'll never understand.

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  7. So cute he bought her a skillet! I love to cook so I would literally die if a guy thought to buy me one! Keep it up, love this story!

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  8. I love this story! And Anna don't feel like a geek haha. When I stayed at my cousins I would stay up until 2 AM so I could have some computer time. Please update soon!

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  9. Awe, Siddo is so adorable. The part about the sweatshirt made me smile. I love wearing guys clothes, especially a boyfriend's.

    Great chapter, you're seriously talented, and I can't wait for more! =)

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  10. I recently started reading your blog! I don't know where I've been to not have found this blog earlier.

    Keep it up!

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  11. this so intresting!!!!!!! i love it i cant stop reading!!!!! i have a lot of catching u to do (in a good way)!!!!!!!

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