Chapter Eighty-Six

November

I had a tournament in Michigan for four days. Sidney has been away as well. Everything has been really good with the two of us. No fights, no nothing. We are actually kind of boring. People tell us that all the time. Its kind of a compliment. Sidney was coming to pick me up after the tournament. We were at the airport and I was thinking I would see Sidney. He said he was going to be there. Instead, it was Max.

“Hey?” I said walking over to him.

“Hey, sorry its just me.” He said.

“You are good enough.” I said smiling.

“Sure.”

“Where is Sidney?” I asked after he got my bags.

“He had a commercial.”

“Oh.” I simply said.

“He really wanted to be here. He thought he could make it, but he ended up not being able too.” He said being so sincere.

“Yeah, I get it.”

“I’m sorry.” He said.

“Its not your fault.” I said playing with the ring on my necklace.

“Whats wrong?”

“Its just..” I said and then realized I shouldn’t say anything.

“What?”

“I love Sidney, don’t get me wrong. Its just he isn’t here because he has to do a commercial. How stupid does that statement sound?” I said looking at him.

“He wanted to be here, though.”

“I’m sure he did. But, he’s not.” I said.

“Do you want to get lunch or something?” He asked.

“Yeah, that would be great.” I said.

So that’s what we did. We went to lunch. It was kind of weird at first being with Max without Sidney. But, after a few minutes it just seemed normal.

“So whats really wrong?” He asked.

“this.” I said pulling up the ring.

“you don’t like it?” He asked confused.

“Of course I like it.” I said shaking my head.

“Then whats wrong?”

“Today. He wasn’t there, he was at a commercial. Do I love Sidney? Yeah, with my whole heart.”

“So whats the problem?”

“Did you know that before I met Sidney, I didn’t even believe in marriage.” I said.

“You are lying.”

“No, I’m serious. Forever is a long time don’t you think?” I asked.

“Yeah, its forever.” He said not really sure where I was going with this.

“Yeah, that’s a long time. I didn’t believe that you could want to be with someone for that long. I couldn’t even imagine loving someone enough to want to even know them for forever.. then I met Sidney.”

“Okay?”

“I love Sidney but I can’t imagine our life together.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean like when you sit down and picture ten years from now.. I can’t really picture it. I love Sidney and I can’t imagine loving anyone else. I can’t imagine marrying someone that isn’t Sidney. But, is this what our life is going to be like? Him not being able to do things because of a commercial. I mean in all seriousness, I don’t want to just be Sidney Crosby’s wife. I want to have a life and a job.”

“you will.”

“Yeah, but then what.. I just leave for Canada when he does? Pittsburgh is my home. I love it here. What happens if he leaves the Penguins? I’m suppose to follow him and of course I would. But I mean Cole Harbour is his home, Pittsburgh is mine.” I said.

“He gets that.”

“I know.. I just don’t know. This ring is just so serious.”

“So you don’t want it?”

“No, I do. I love him and I want to be his wife. Its just I’m 19.” I said. He just looked at him. It seems like he didn’t know what to say.

“Sorry, I shouldn’t have told you these things.” I said.

“No, its fine. We are friends. You should know that Sidney really does love you. He loves you more than anyone I have ever seen.” He said.

“Thanks for saying that.”

“I’m not just saying it. It’s the truth.”

“Thanks, Max.” I said smiling.