Chapter 24

The next morning Logan and I were up bright and early. We both sat down to eat breakfast and the questions started.

"Is everything good with you and Sid now?"
"Yeah everything's fine." I replied trying to think of a quick and simple excuse to tell him what had happened last night.
"What was it about anyway? I mean I like him and all but if he's being a dick to you then I will be forced to hurt him a little."
"Logan stop," I began with a chuckle, "he didn't do anything I just have some things on my mind."
"Like what Brooke? What's going on?"
"I guess that school is going at a faster pace now and I have a boyfriend now to juggle along with the papers and exams. And I'm really starting to miss home. I haven't seen my family or friends in four months and it sucks."
"I know what you mean about missing home. I don't even know the last time I talked to any of my friends but I kind of think of the team as my new friends which helps a lot. And well I guess I can't compare our school work because I know there's a big difference between university and high school."
"Yeah but I guess you know that school work can be overwhelming at times."
"I can see where you're coming from there."
"And I guess we should finish getting ready before we're late for school."

We both headed off to our rooms and were out through the door within fifteen minutes. When I dropped Logan off I saw that Laura was standing in front of the school with another girl, waiting for Logan.

"Who's that with Laura?" I asked thinking I knew the answer but hoping I was wrong.

This girl looked very tiny but she still seemed to be in good shape. Her hair was blonde and a big mass of curls down to her waste. She had her makeup on and done perfect. If I hadn't known any better I would have thought that Barbie had come to life.

"Oh that's Laura's friend Kristy." He answered.
"I see." Was all I could say as I felt my heart drop.
"Yeah, she's been hanging around us a lot lately. It's starting to get annoying though so I think I might try to find her a man. Shouldn't be hard cause, well, look at her. But anyway I'll see you after school."
"See ya."

I drove away feeling like I was in a daze. The full morning seemed to drag by as I walked from class to class looking and feeling like a zombie. All of my friends at school tried to convince me to go home because they thought I was sick and I was debating it. I stayed to wait for Max and at twelve he was already there waiting for me.

"Hey Max." I greeted him as I jumped in the car.
"How goes it Brooke?" He asked grinning from ear to ear.
"It goes good. Where you want to do lunch?"
"There's a little cafe about five minutes from here that's pretty good, is that suitable for you?"
"Yeah that sounds great."
"By the way at morning skate I told the guys I couldn't go to lunch with them because I was going with you and I don't think Sid liked it. I wouldn't have said anything but I figured you would have told him."
"No I called after he left because this kind of involves him. I'll tell him I wanted to have lunch with you since we don't hang out anymore."
"Yeah that's because you and Logan each have lovers now."
"That's not true you guys have been pretty busy. Besides you and Jordan used to drop by all the time but you don't really call anymore either."
"Well we don't want to interrupt anything." He said with a cheesy grin on his face.

We were pulling into the parking lot at this time and went inside. We just talked about random things and joked back and forth until the waitress came and took our order.

"So what's this all about anyway? You kind of had me worried a little last night."
"It's nothing really serious, it's just Logan's girlfriend."
"Do you not like her or something?"
"You could say that." I replied. I went on and told him about the conversation I overheard, the little spat with Sid, and Barbie this morning.

"This could be bad." Max replied after our food was delivered.
"I don't know what I should do. I don't want to tell Logan because he seems to like her a lot. I don't really want to tell Sid either though."
"Why not tell Sid? Then he at least has a heads up and knows what's bothering you."
"Because I think then to make me feel better he would stop wanting to hang out with Laura and then Logan's going to be pissed at him. That's the last thing I want."
"Oh Ms. Cooper you have yourself a little situations here. In my opinion I don't think you have to worry about it. Sid might never meet this girl and even if he does it won't matter. The guy really likes you. You're all he talks about, it's sickening."
"Really?"
"Yeah it really is sickening." He replied with a smirk, causing me to smile as well.
"Not what I meant Max."
"I know. But I do believe you have nothing to worry about. And as far as you worrying because she's a looker then you're crazy. You're like one of he hottest girls I've ever met."
"Thanks Max. I'm going to take your advice and not even think about it until I really have to worry, if I ever do."
"And if there's a possibility that it seems they might somehow get close then I'll help you devise a plan to take her down, or beat the shit out of Sid, one or the other."
"Awe thanks Max you're the best."
"I know." He stated simply, causing us both to smile.

We sat and talked for another half an hour until I had to get back to school.

"I'm glad you came to me for help." Max stated as he pulled up to the entrance.
"Me too. You really did make me feel better. I almost feel stupid for worrying now."
"It's my job to help. We've grown really close Brooke and I hope you know that you can come to me about anything."
"I know I can and I hope you know that I'm always here for you too."
"I kind of figured but it's nice to hear it out loud." He said with a wink. He leaned over to give me a hug and a kiss on the cheek before I got out of the car.

The rest of the day seemed to fly by since Max had lifted my spirits. I was in a really good mood when I went to pick Logan up at school.

"Hey Brooke." He said when we were on our way home.
"Hey. How was school?"
"I got a phone call at dinner time from your boyfriend wondering why you're hiding dinner with Max from him. We both thought it was kind of strange."
"It was last minute. I just wanted to hang out with Max for a while, I am good friends with him after all."
"Well sorry, but I may have told Sid everything that you said to me at breakfast about juggling school and him and missing home."

'Great.' I thought to myself. 'I made up a bunch of crap this morning and now I have to make up some more to cover all that up. Should be fun.'

We drove the rest of the way home in silence as I wondered what I could tell Sid to make all of this better so all could be forgotten and so I don't have to worry about it anymore.

Chapter 23

The next morning I woke up to the sound of my cell phone going off. I was so stunned that I didn't check the caller i.d or the time.

"Hello?" I answered still half asleep.
"Oh I'm so sorry, did I wake you?" Max asked through the phone sounding kind of pleased.
"Yes you did. What time is it?" I asked.
"It's seven, I figured I would call before we went to morning skate." He answered while I heard a chorus of laughter in the background.
"Why the hell would you do that?"
"Well you have school tomorrow so I figured I would help you get back into the routine since you've had a little while off."
"Is this supposed to be funny? Who else is with you right now?"
"Just Staalzy, Tangers, TK, Flower, Sid, and myself."
"Oh I hate you all."

I didn't even wait for him to respond before I hung up. 'Stupid, immature hockey players.' I mumbled to myself while I put my phone back on the table next to my bed.

About four hours later I dragged myself out of bed and jumped in the shower to wake myself up. When I got out and got dressed I heard dishes downstairs so I went down to join Logan for breakfast.

"I hate the team." I stated as soon as I walked into the kitchen.
"Why?" Logan asked looking confused.
"The morons figured that since they had to get up at seven then I should have to get up too."
"What did they do?" Logan asked with a huge smile on his face.
"Stupid Max called me," I started causing Logan to blow out laughing, "It was seven in the morning. I'm glad you find it funny because I will get them back for that."
"Was your boyfriend involved?"
"Of course he was."
"That makes it even funnier."
"Well I"m glad everyone thought that was so funny."

Then we sat down and ate some breakfast. Right after breakfast my phone went off and when I looked it showed one new text message.

Having pre-game nap. I'll call you after the game.
-Sid

Then Logan and I cleaned up the dishes and watched some tv until the game came on.

By the time the guys got home they were up in the series 3-1. They had lost one and won one while in Philadelphia. Logan and I were both doing quite well in school and he was spending more and more time with Laura.

Wednesday when the guys got home Sid called to make some plans for us. When Logan found out he wanted the four of us to hang out so I could get to know Laura better. We all went out for something to eat and then back to our place to watch a movie. After the movie Laura said that she should head home.

"Brooke can you give her a ride home?" Logan asked me while she went upstairs to use her cell.
"Of course. I'll run upstairs and put pants on since it's too cold for shorts outside. You going to stay here for a bit or go home Sid?"
"I'm going to hang for a bit."
"Ok well tell Laura I won't be long when she comes back down." I said as I headed upstairs to my room.

When I walked past Logan's room I heard Laura talking about him and figured I would stop and listen for a minute to see what she would say about him. I mean there's no harm in making sure she wasn't using him somehow.

"Oh my God Kristy he's so sweet." I heard her say. "And he has an amazing friend I can set you up with."

I was satisfied with what I heard so I started walking away until I heard what came out of her mouth next.

"His name is Sidney Crosby." "Yes the professional hockey player." "Well yeah he has a girlfriend now but I think I can change that." "Well it's Logan's cousin so I'll get closer to Sidney like that and turn him off of her and on to you." "I know I'm excited too." "Alright I'll see you tomorrow, bye."

I heard her phone click shut and I took off to my room so she wouldn't know I had heard anything. As I was changing my pants I was fuming. I couldn't believe that little bitch thought that she could set my man up with someone else. I decided to keep my mouth shut until I figured out what to do.

"Ready to go Laura?" I asked when I got downstairs.
"Yes I am." She answered. She then gave Logan a quick kiss and turned to Sid. "It was nice to meet you Sid, I'm sure I'll see you again soon."
"Yeah I'll see you later." He responded as I slied my eyes and headed out to wait for her in the car.

A couple minutes later she hopped in and we were on our way. We rode in complete silence except for when she was directing me to her house.

"Thanks so much for the ride." She said as we pulled into her driveway.
"It's no problem." I muttered.
"I'll see you later." She said as she got out of the car and shut the door.

I put the car in reverse, instead of what I wanted to do which was to run her over, and backed out of her driveway. On the drive home all I could think about was what I had overheard and what I should do about it. By the time I pulled into the driveway I had my mind made up that I wasn't going to mention what I had heard to either Logan or Sid.

"There she is." Logan stated as I walked through the door.
"Yeah here she is." I replied as I plopped down next to Sid on the love seat.
"So I wanted to wait until you got back to start this. What did you guys think of her." Logan asked with a hopeful look on his face.

'Great' I thought to myself, just what I had wanted to avoid. I was hoping that they had already discussed her and I wouldn't have to.

"Man she seems great", Sid started, "And funny too. I can definitely see why you like her."
"Thanks Sid. So what about you Brooke?"
"She seems to really like you." I stated simply, not wanting to say too much and give away the fact that I was contemplating a hitman for her.
"I hope so because I am really starting to like her." Logan said. "I should head upstairs, she wanted me to call her before we went to bed tonight. I'll see you guys tomorrow and we should plan something else for the four of us."
"We will for sure. See you tomorrow Logan." Sid replied.

Logan bounded up the stairs leaving Sid and I alone downstairs.

"Hey, what's wrong?" Sid asked with a worried look on his face.
"Nothing." I replied simply.
"Brooke I know that you're lying, just tell me the truth. You know you can talk to me."
"I know that. It's nothing important I just don't really like Laura."
"What are you talking about? She was great."
"I just have a feeling about her."
"I think you're being paranoid. She was nothing but nice all night."
"You know what Sid, I can't help that I don't like her. But I'm not going to sit here and listen to how great you think some other girl is."

With that I walked upstairs and into my bedroom slamming my bedroom door shut behind me. I don't even know why it made me so mad what he said but it felt like it struck a nerve. A few minutes later I heard Sid and Logan talking at the top of the stairs.

"What the hell happened?" I heard Logan ask.
"I wish I could tell you." Sid answered.
"Could be that time of month, she gets pretty moody then." Logan stated causing them both to laugh.
"I guess I'll go see what's wrong. That was weird I think something's going on."
"Man if it's anything serious tell her to talk to me and if not you better tell me."
"I will Logan, don't worry. See you later."
"See ya man, good luck."

Then I heard Logan's door close and a light knock on my door. Sid slowly opened the door and looked in.

"Can I come in?" He asked with a serious look on his face.
"Yeah." I answered with a small smile.
"Brooke what's going on?" He asked as he closed the door and came to sit next to me on the bed, and grabbed my hand.
"It's nothing Sid I don't even know why I got mad at you. I just really have a bad feeling about her." I said while I leaned my head against his shoulder.
"It's fine baby and I'm sorry. I shouldn't have pushed it knowing how you felt."
"Let's just forget about it."
"Sounds good. I'm going to head home so you can head to bed. Want to hang out tomorrow night, just the two of us?"
"Of course I do. I'll call you after school."
"Perfect." He said with a smile and then kissed me on the forehead.

We headed downstairs so I could see him off. Before he left he leaned in and started kissing me. It got sort of intense as he pushed me up against the wall and pressed his body against mine. I could feel my cheeks go hot and I wrapped my arms around my neck and running my hands through his curly, black hair. After a few minutes he pulled away and looked into my eyes.

"I should go." He said hoarsely.
"OK." I said simply not knowing if my legs could support me.
"I'll talk to you tomorrow baby."
"See you tomorrow Sid."

He gave me another quick kiss and then left. I locked the door behind him and headed up the stairs. I got ready for bed and crawled in with my phone. I called the only person I knew I could count on in Pittsburgh.

"Hello?" His french accent rang through the phone.
"Hey Max, I kind of need a favour."
"What might that be my love?"
"I have a break from twelve to one thirty tomorrow and I was hoping maybe we could do lunch? I really have to talk to you about something."
"I would love to have lunch. Is everything OK though Brooke?"
"Oh yeah, it's nothing serious."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes Max everything is fine."
"OK well I'll pick you up at the main entrance of your school at twelve."
"Thanks Max."
"Anything for you."

We hung up the phone and I turned in and tried to get to sleep hoping that Max might come up with a solution to my problem.