Chapter Eighty-Four

“Guess what I’m doing tomorrow.” He said on the phone late one night.

“Going to practice?” I asked confused on where he was going with this.

“True. But I am also going to an RMU soccer game.” He said.

“Are you really?” I asked. I was so surprised. Sidney hasn’t seen me play soccer since I was in high school.

“Max and I will be there.” He said. Lately, Max has been hanging around more often. He doesn’t have a girlfriend and he says when he is hanging with us he doesn’t feel like a third wheel like he does when he is with some of the other guys.

“Oh, awesome. We should go eat after.” I said. We talked for a little while longer. Then I hung up so I could get some sleep. It was our first home game tomorrow, and I was really nervous. I was even more nervous now that I knew Sidney would be there.

“Is that Sidney Crosby?” One of the freshman girls asked during warm ups.

“Yeah.” Sophie replied.

“Why is he here?” She asked.

“He is kind of my boyfriend.” I said.

“You are dating Sidney Crosby?”

“Yeah, I thought everyone knew. We have been best friends forever.” I said.

“Wow, you are like the luckiest girl, ever.”

“Sure, I guess.” I said.

It was weird that she didn’t know. It was weird that someone was making me and Sidney into a big deal. It was weird, because it really just seemed normal to me. It seemed normal that my boyfriend is Sidney Crosby. That my boyfriend has thousands of girls wishing they could get with him. It was normal for fans to be everything. This was all normal, but him sitting in the stands watching me, wasn’t that normal.

We won the game. I didn’t play bad, but I didn’t score at all. When I walked out of the lockerroom, Sidney was signing autographs. He was signing autographs and taking pictures with fans at my game. I walked over and just talked to Max.

“Good game.” He said.

“Thanks.” I said looking at the crowd around Sidney.

“It was fun watching you.” He said.

“I think people will come just to see Sidney rather than come to watch the game.” I said.

“He didn’t want this to happen.” He said.

“I’m sure.” I said and went to sit on the bleachers.

“No, seriously.”

“I know, its not his fault. I’m glad he came.” I said.

“I’m glad you came too.” I said looking at Max.

“Sid was really excited to come. He told like everyone at practice today.” Max said. It made me laugh.

“It’s the truth.” Max said.

“I know, I’m just tired.” I said. About two minutes later, Sidney walked over.

“Good game, babe.” He said picking up my bag.

“You don’t have to carry my bag. I said.

“I’m your boyfriend, this is something boyfriends do.” He said.

“Okay? I’m pretty sure boyfriends don’t sign autographs.” I said.

“Sorry.” He said. He looked sincere.

“I know. Its fine.” I said. Max, Sid, and I all went to get food after the game. Then, we went back to Max’s house to watch a movie. It was kind of fun hanging out with someone other than just Sidney. I still love Sidney and Sidney and I have our share of alone time, but its fun just hanging out. And Max is so funny. He compliments Sidney well. Its fun to watch. Its even better when Marc-Andre and Jordan and TK are around. Unfortunately, when they are around, the girlfriends are around. The girlfriends still don’t like me much for some reason.

“I don’t want you to leave.” I said while laying in bed with Sidney at Mario’s house. It was the day before he was leaving for Sweden for two weeks.

“Me either.”

“Shut up, you so do. You are so excited to go to Sweden and be with the guys and start the season.” I said smiling at him.

“Yeah, but I wish you could come too.”

“Thanks babe.” I said smiling.

“I’m serious.”

“I know, its just I feel like you just got back and now you are leaving again.”

“I know, I’m sorry.”

“Its not your fault.”I said.

“You kind of are acting like it.”

“What?”

“I’m just saying just because I have to leave, doesn’t mean I want too.”

“I know.”

“I don’t think you do.”

“I know you love me, Sidney. I know that. I know that you love being with me. I also know you love hockey. You love it maybe more than you love me. You love it more than I could ever understand. But, I accept it. Its hard to know that when you are gone you aren’t missing me because you still have hockey.”

“I don’t love hockey more than I love you. And, just because I am going away to play hockey doesn’t mean I don’t miss you. Of course, I miss you. You are the love of my life.” He said.

“I know I’m sorry.” I said wiping away a tear.

“Why are you crying?”

“I hate when you leave. You would think I would have gotten use to it, but its still hard. Especially because it’s the first time you leave. The middle of the season, its easier because I’m more use to it. But right now, in this moment.. I just don’t want my boyfriend to leave.”

“As your boyfriend, I don’t want to leave. As a hockey player, I want too.” He said.

“I know, and I can’t be mad at you for that. Atleast I can watch you on tv.” I said.

“I’ll talk to you all the time.” He said.

“I know. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t apologize. You don’t need to with me.” He said.

“I love you.”

“I love you, too Jo. I will love you no matter how far away I am playing hockey. I love you and I will miss you more than you will know. But you have to know that I am coming back. I will always come back to you.” He said kissing me.