Friday, August 7, 2009

44: Making Up for Lost Time

Happy birthday, Sidney! Enjoy your first day with the Cup (watch the video, there's a special guest appearance that I know you guys will love)! I hope it's everything you ever imagined it possibly could be.



I slept until noon. Despite the crazy night spent laughing, partying, fighting, crying, and making up, once I was in Sidney's bed and in his arms, that all melted away. I had the best sleep of my life that night.

I told him. Finally told him I loved him, and it felt great. The roller coaster ride to get here was insane, but if I had to do it all over again, I would. All the fighting, screaming, crying, it was all worth it. The feeling of reciprocated love was amazing. My entire body felt like it was going to explode, but in a good way.

Last night, I watched him brush his teeth and rinse with Listerine, but I grabbed a soapy washcloth and rubbed his lips until they turned from their natural pink to a cherry red. He protested, but I told him it was his just desserts. I still didn't know if it he did it on purpose or not and he stubbornly refused to tell me; but I don't think I really wanted to know. Yes, I was willing to forgive him and move forward, because I loved him, but I made it very clear that I wasn't joking when I said I'd rip his lips off if it ever happened again.

It sucks, but I realized that this might happen again. Not with Lynne, necessarily, but with other crazed fans, who would think that they were entitled to him somehow. He's not just a great hockey player, but he's gorgeous, too, so he gets lots of attention. I'm sure girls threw themselves at him, and I mean that literally—running to him, grabbing him, and planting their skanky lips on his.

I'd have to find a muzzle for him, just to prevent this from ever happening again.

Sid's phone rang, which woke us both up. He reached over and picked it up. "Hello?" His voice was groggy with sleep.

"Dude! Are you still in bed?" I was lying so close to Sidney that I could hear TK's voice echo from the ear piece.

"Whadya want?"

"Are you coming over to watch the game?"

"I don't know." He looked at me with raised eyebrows, asking silently if I wanted to go. I shrugged my shoulders. "Maybe, it depends."

"Okay, well, the game starts in an hour, so you'd better figure it out." He paused before adding, "If Noelle's there, bring her along."

They hung up, and Sid regained his hold on me. "Are you interested in going over to TK's and Kelsey's?"

I stretched my arms. "Mmm, I don't care. I'd like to just spend all day in bed with you, but you probably won't let me."

"That does sound tempting. I'm kinda hungry though."

"I went shopping yesterday," I told him. "What do you want me to cook?"

His eyebrows rose. "What kinda shopping?"

"Grocery shopping." He looked at me expectantly. "The receipt's on the fridge," I told him proudly.

He squeezed me closer, and I had trouble breathing. "Thank you," he whispered, knowing that it couldn't have been easy for me and appreciating my effort. "But actually, I was thinking we could go out."

"Do you want to take me on a date, Crosby?" I teased, rubbing his arm.

"If you're my girlfriend, do I still have to take you out on dates?"

"Yes," I informed him, kissing the tip of his nose. "I think after this weekend, we need to have some fun. What do you say to that?"

"I say okay. Do you want to do anything in particular?"

"Oh, something low key. I've had enough drama to last me the rest of the year, if not next year, too."

"Lunch and a movie?"

"Yes, please."

Although we had made plans for lunch, Sidney and I still didn't get out of bed immediately. Finally we got up, and I declined his invitation to shower together. I was still menstruating and I wanted to spare him the gory details. I used the bathroom in the hallway to shower and get ready.

We agreed that we would drive separately, so that when our date was over, we each would go back to our respective homes. I got to pick the restaurant while Sid selected the movie. I made sure to have all my things to take home with me—especially his black hoodie. I missed that thing most of all. It was like a security blanket when Sidney and I were apart.

"Hey, Sid!" I holllered. "I can't find my cell. Can you call it?"

He pulled his phone out of his pocket and called my number. At first I didn't hear anything, so we split up and wandered around the house. Eventually, Sid found it between the couch cushions.

"Your ringtone for me is one of Mike Lange's goal calls?" he laughed.

"Yeah! It is, this one is from game 4 of the finals last year. I love when he says, 'Slap me silly, Sidney!'"

Sid blushed five different shades of red. "I can't believe that's your ringtone for me."

"Well, what about you? Do you have one for me?"

"No. It's just a plain ring for everyone."

I rolled my eyes, and then pretended to be hurt. "Don't criticize me for being uncreative when you're even worse. I don't even have my own ringtone."

"Well, what do you have in mind?"

"I have an idea. I pick your ringtone for me, and you pick mine for you!" We both laughed and agreed, and I picked my brain for the perfect song as Sidney followed me to one of my favorite restaurants, the Spiced Island Tea House on Atwood Street in Oakland.

I ordered my usual pad Thai and also some nan, which was amazing like always. Sid handed me his phone when my brainstorm hit. I downloaded the ringtone and personalized it so it would play it when I called.

"What did you select?" he asked, reaching out to take his phone back.

"No. We'll reveal it when you think of one for me."

"But I'm having trouble thinking," he whined.

"Then think harder," I advised, popping a bean sprout in my mouth.

I paid the bill for lunch, and Sid bought dessert from Dave & Andy's, just down the road. He has such a sweet tooth, even though he did his best to stay away from it. Sometimes, though, you have to treat yourself, and since our weekend was so disastrous, we needed the treat. Mmm, birthday cake ice cream. I was such a happy girl, with a belly full of good food and a cute boy to hold my hand.

We then drove to Loews Theatre in the Waterfront. Sid insisted that we see Saw VI, even though I protested.

"We agreed that you would choose the restaurant and I would choose the movie. You can't renig on the deal now!"

"But I took you to a great place that you enjoyed. This movie is gore for the sake of gore, with no redeeming cinematic qualities whatsoever."

"But you promised," he whined, pouting those swollen lips. How could I say no to that?

I stood on my tiptoes and brushed my lips against his. "I guess."

The movie was just as bad as I thought it would be, but I spent the two hours curled up against Sid. Theatres were great places to go out in public with him, because he was just another person in the dark. Everyone else was just as focused on the big screen as we were, so they didn't notice the hockey hotshot in their midst. No one bugged him for an autograph or for a picture, and I didn't have to worry about being photographed and being written about in tomorrow's paper, either.

After the dreadful movie, Sid and I were still reluctant to separate. We dawdled, first stopping into Starbucks for a coffee, and then we headed to Barnes and Noble. I could spend hours in that store alone. Sid got tired of me wandering around the fiction and literature section. He kissed my temple, told me he was going over to the magazines, and to come find him when I was done.

I probably spent half an hour weaving through the aisles before I picked out two books and began to search for Sid. I still had his cell, since I didn't want to ruin the surprise of my ringtone, so I couldn't call him to find him. Eventually, I spotted him in the sports section (of course) with a few kids around him. He signed some autographs and took some pictures, but mostly he was just talking to them. I just watched, not wanting to rush him or tear him away from the kids. He looked so at ease, and I loved seeing him like that.

He saw me watching and grinned at me, starting to stand. I shook my head at him, letting him know that he could take his time, and then I gestured to the café to let him know I'd be there when he was done. I bought my books and took a seat in a comfy armchair, opening The Count of Monte Cristo and reading the first few pages.

Fifteen minutes later, he appeared at my side. "I'm sorry about that."

"No, it's okay," I assured him. "You were so great with them, I didn't want to interrupt."

He held out his hand and helped me up from the chair. A few heads turned as he put his hand between my shoulder blades and we walked to the exit. As much as I loved being Sidney's girlfriend, I was still having a little trouble adjusting to being the girlfriend of the Sidney Crosby. I blushed and looked down to the floor as some people pointed and talked behind their hands.

My stomach growled, and Sidney asked me, "Do you want to grab something to eat before we call it a day?"

"Sure. I mean, as long as I'm not keeping you from anything."

"Not at all. I didn't have a thing planned for today except for hanging out with you."

"Really? And how could you plan that? We weren't speaking until Friday."

He shrugged. "I told you, I knew you'd be back."

I shook my head, wondering how he could have been so sure. Then again, everyone seemed to be an expert regarding my relationship—everyone but me.

We ate at Damon's Grill, which was a mistake. As a sports bar, the place was packed with hockey fans. Most of them left us alone, only to ogle Sidney and leer at me, but a few disturbed us as we ate. All the while, Sidney was gracious and polite.

"I got it!" he cried at one point, grabbing for my phone.

"It's about time," I told him.

"Okay, call your phone," he ordered, and I used his cell to dial my own number.

I laughed as Salt-N-Pepa's "Whatta Man" played from my phone's speaker. "You are so full of it, aren't you, Crosby?"

He grinned and called his phone, and The Killers' "Andy, You're a Star" played. At first, he looked confused, because I don't think he's ever heard the song before, but as the happy chorus toward the end of the song played, he smiled and blushed.

When dinner was finished, we knew our day had to come to an end. As we walked to our cars, prolonging the time we had left together by taking excruciatingly slow and small steps, my hand was in his back pocket and his arm was around my shoulders. I fiddled with my keys, still not wanting to unlock my car.

"I'm so pissed that practically this entire week has been wasted," I told him.

He shrugged. "I figure, if we get all of our fights out of the way early, we can have a smooth-going future."

I laughed. "That's interesting logic. I hope you're right." I wrapped my arms around his middle and placed my cheek against his chest.

He kissed the top of my head. "Thanks for being so great about today."

"What do you mean?"

"With the kids, and then the people at dinner. I know it can get annoying at times, but it comes as part of the territory."

"I won't lie, it was a little annoying when we were trying to eat, but you were so great with the kids. I know that they look up to you, and you really make a great role model for them."

"Are you going to come to Wednesday's game?"

"I have to check my work schedule, but I really want to. It's Max's first game."

I shook from his heaving chest as he laughed. "I knew you were going to say that. And I'm not going to be jealous if you come to a home game in the middle of the week because of Talbo instead of me."

"Good, because you're my second favorite Penguin." He mock-frowned. "But you're my favorite boyfriend."

"Well, that thought will keep me warm at night. We're away Friday—"

"I know," I interrupted him. I really did have his schedule memorized. "Away against Columbus on Friday, and then hosting the Minnesota Wild on Saturday."

"That's my girl. And then I kinda told the guys I'd host the team's Halloween party on Saturday."

"I thought the team threw that party?"

"They do. But only for a little while, because they don't want us to be out long after the game, so we all either go out or go over to someone's house to party into the wee hours of the night."

"Did you just say 'wee hours of the night'?" I laughed at him.

"Yeah, I did. So what?"

"Nothing. Please continue."

"Well, I was hoping you'd help me decorate and stuff."

"Sure. Did you pick your costume, yet?"

"Yeah, um, some of the guys and I picked a theme."

"What is it?"

"I can't tell you," he said, seriously and not in a teasing manner. "We take this very seriously. Some of the guys group together and think of elaborate stuff, and it's kind of a contest among the guys to see who has the better costume."

"Okay. Well, I'll help with decorations and stuff, you just let me know what's going on. I love Halloween, so it will be a lot of fun."

"Great." He squeezed me once more. "As much as I don't want to, Nelly, we really should get going."

"I know. I just don't want to."

He held me a little longer before finally disentangled himself from my arms. "Be careful driving home, Nelly. Call or text me so I know you got there safe."

I giggled. He was worried over a half hour drive. "Will do, El Capitán." He started to walk away.

I unlocked my door and opened it, but I turned around and called after him. "Hey, Sid. I love you."

Sidney turned around and rushed back to me in a few great strides and kissed me deeply. "I love you, too."

We separated again, and I got in my car, closed the door, and locked it. I was worried that if I didn't trap myself in my car, I would rush back to him, and I'd never get home. My car reluctantly started, seemingly as unanxious as I was to leave. I finally headed home. What a crazy weekend this has been, but also so wonderfully perfect in a very twisted way.

11 comments:

  1. this was a great chapter!!
    i cant wait for more!! :)

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  2. Oh I am so happy that they are back to their normal, happy selves. I love them together! I really do!! And I can't wait to see what elaborate halloween costume the guys come up with. Should be very entertaining!!

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  3. oh this chapter was so great!
    i can't get enough of them, really.
    everything about their relationship is just too cute.
    && i cant wait to see what halloween has in store!

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  4. o0o0o0o can't wait to see what the boys are planning for halloween!

    I love how great things are, and I love that Nelly didn't let the creepers at the sport's bar bother her.

    <3 great update =D

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  5. Great update! They are so cute together! I love the end when they told each other they loved each other. So sweet!!!

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  6. You make my heart smile* lol
    That was a great chapter! They were able to just have an enjoyable time together!

    Can't wait for the next update!

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  7. Oh, and I'd love it if you'd check out my story and let me know what you think!
    http://pensaddict87.blogspot.com/2009/08/chapter-1-that-was-close-call.html

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  8. Loved this chapter- it's nice to see them so happy again. I was excited to read what their ringtones are mostly because I love both of those songs and it's kind of adorable to think about those being ringtones for each other. Also, I nearly had a heart attack from laughing so hard at the video you posted. Max and Sid in helicopter gear- priceless.

    Great chapter!!!

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  9. Love your story!!! The parade in Cole Harbour was awesome!!!! I am so lucky to live in Nova Scoita!! Sid & Max are so much hotter in person then on tv OMG!! haha

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  10. i spent this whole chapter thinking about how they were missing the steelers game..hahaha

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