Chapter 6

I found myself to be tossing and turning and not being able to fall asleep. I had just settled down in a comfortable position when I heard my phone beep signaling that I had just received a text message. When I looked at my alarm clock it read 4:13am. A feeling of panic washed over me. ‘Who could be texting me at this time in the morning?’ I thought to myself. I hurried out of bed and grabbed my phone off of the night stand. I felt cold when I saw that the text was from Chelsea. The text read:

‘Hey get on MSN tomorrow when you wake. Amber said she told you so I just want to explain myself, OK?’

I texted her back a quick ‘fine’ and crawled back in bed. I knew that this was going to be a very sleepless night. I managed to fall asleep at around 7am and when I woke up my clock read 2:47pm. ‘Oh I cannot believe it’s so late’ I groaned to myself as I dragged myself out of bed and into the shower. After getting out of the shower I put my hair in a messy bun and ran downstairs to see what my online conversation had in store for me.

“It’s about time you crawled out of bed.” Logan said.
“I didn’t get much sleep last night.” I replied.
“You’re not seriously going to let that asshole and you’re so called friend get to you like this are you?” he asked.
“Well it’s not that easy to just forget about,” I said while warming up some of the leftover Chinese food, “besides I got a text message from her at like quarter after 4 last night saying she knows Amber told me and she wants to explain herself to me, so that had me thinking for a while.”
“I can understand that but you’re better off anyway, I never did like him. And you do know that I’m here if you want to talk.”
“I know you are, thanks Logan.”

With that I signed online and sure enough Chelsea was online waiting for me.

Chelsea~N~Mitchell: Hey there I was starting to think you weren’t going to get online.
BrookeC: I slept in.
Chelsea~N~Mitchell: So you were talking to Amber I hear.
BrookeC: Yeah she called me yesterday.
Chelsea~N~Mitchell: Brooke I never meant for you to get hurt but I’ve always had a thing for Mitchell.
BrookeC: Is that supposed to make it OK?
Chelsea~N~Mitchell: I don’t see why not, you knew I liked him when you started dating him.
BrookeC: That is such a lie. If I knew I wouldn’t have done it. Besides we were all like 14, nobody was serious about it back then.
Chelsea~N~Mitchell: But still, I really had a crush on him then and it never went away. And I had to see you guys together all the time.
BrookeC: It didn’t seem to bother you since you always had boyfriends too.
Chelsea~N~Mitchell: You know what, I only came on here to apologize to you because I felt bad.
BrookeC: I don’t need your guilt, sorry.
Chelsea~N~Mitchell: Brooke I do still think of you as a best friend and Mitchell do still care about you.
BrookeC: Clearly. I have to go I have school to get ready for tomorrow. Hope you and Mitchell are happy together.

Then I signed off and noticed that Logan was sitting behind me and reading the entire thing.

“Did I go too hard on her?” I asked.
“Are you serious?” he replied, “I was expecting it to be worse than that.”
“Well there was no point in being too hard on her; I mean there’s nothing I could have said to change the way things happened.”
“You’re right but if it was me I would’ve been a lot meaner to her.”
“I just want to forget any of this ever happened.”
“I think that would be a good idea. Now do you want to hear what Sidney Crosby had to say about you?”
“Is it good or bad?” I asked beginning to feel a little nervous.
“Well it would be good for you but bad for me.”
“Why would it be bad for you?”
“Because you’re like my big sister and I don’t want to know that guys are thinking about you like that.”
“Oh, well now I’m starting to feel embarrassed already, but go ahead anyway.”
“OK well at first he didn’t really say much besides agreeing with the guys when they said you were hot”, he said with a grin on his face, “Then when the crowd left and it was just me with him, Jordan, and Max he started asking more questions about you.”
“What kind of questions?”
“Just simple questions like wanting to know where you were from, how old you were, what you were doing in Pittsburgh, and if you had a boyfriend. So after he asked about a boyfriend and I told him no he smiled and said that it was cool. Well after that Max and Jordan gave him a hard time and made fun of him up until we walked in through the door and saw how upset you were.”
“Well that’s not really too exciting, he was just asking to try to get to know me better.”
“I’m not done yet.”
“Oh, sorry.”
“After you came back we all noticed that he was staring at you basically all night, which is why Max winked at him when he said that Pittsburgh guys were better. Then after you went to bed they started teasing him some more. Max even said he should have went upstairs to ‘comfort’ you which thankfully Sid said he wouldn’t be able to do. So then he started going on and on about how you had to be the prettiest girl he’s ever seen and how funny and cool you seemed and he was hoping that he could get to know you better.”
“Well I don’t really know what to say about that.”
“Yeah and I thought they were great so I’m probably going to be hanging out with them a lot so they all said you should come along with us when we hang out too.”
“I think I would enjoy that, they seem like they’re a fun bunch of guys.”
“Yeah that’s what I’m thinking too. Just try not to act funny around Sid because I wasn’t supposed to tell you any of the stuff they were saying about you.”
“I promise I will not let them know you mentioned anything about it to me.”
“OK that’s good. I was kind of worried at first. Anyway I’m starving let’s get something to eat.”

We both got off our couches and cooked supper although it was 8 in the night. We then watched some T.V. and went to bed. We were both nervous because school started the next day and neither one of us knew what to expect.

Chapter 5

When I turned around I had four sets of eyes staring back at me. I hurried to wipe my eyes and cheeks clean from all the tears in the hopes that neither or them noticed.

“Hey Logan,” I said shakily, “I thought I was supposed to come and pick you up when you were done.”
“They were still really busy so they said they’ll call me and reschedule so Max, Sid, and Jordan offered to bring me home so I wouldn’t disturb you,” Logan answered, “we brought Chinese food for us all.”
“I’m not really hungry, what happened to the rest of you guys?” I asked.
“They all went home with their girlfriends but we made plans with Logan instead.” Max said staring at me.
“I’m sorry this might be out of line but are you OK? You clearly look like you’ve been crying.” Sid said sounding like he was concerned.
“Yeah we can leave if you want to be alone.” Jordan offered.
I managed to form a little smile. “No that’s fine you guys stay here as long as you want, I’m going to head out for a little walk or something.”
“Do you want me to come with you?” Logan asked.
“No I just want to be alone to clear my head for a while,” I answered, “Thanks though.”

He just nodded his head as I put on my coat and boots on and headed out the door. All I could think about was how much I was hurting right now as I turned the corner and saw a park bench. I was sitting there for about an hour lost in my thoughts when I was interrupted by my stomach trying to talk to me. “OK time to go home.” I thought to myself. I didn’t notice that Jordan’s SUV was still there in my driveway and when I walked in through the door I tripped over a pair of boots and fell to the floor with a loud thump.

“Son of a bitch.” I said as I pulled myself off the floor. When I looked I saw Logan, Max, Sid, and Jordan staring at me and trying to hold in their laughter. “You guys suck.” I said as a little grin spread across my face.

With that they all exploded into laughter along with myself.
“So are you ready to eat now, we’re starving?” Sid asked.
“You guys didn’t have to wait for me you know.” I replied feeling a little bad.
“Well Logan said you wouldn’t be gone long before you had to turn around and come back before getting lost.” Jordan said while chuckling.

Logan just gave me a smile as I threw my purse at his head and missed. Then we warmed up the food and sat around and ate it while watching some T.V. After we had eaten the conversation came that I had been hoping to avoid.

“So what was wrong earlier when we came home?” Logan asked.
“Yeah you seemed devastated,” Max said sincerely.

So I explained to them the phone call from Amber and what she told me about Mitchell all while I was fighting back tears.

“Wow, that guy seems like a real jackass. I mean he could’ve at least told you.” Max said.
“I know I figured he would’ve at least given me that, especially since he’s dating one of my best friends.”
“I’m sorry this happened to you, some guys can be really stupid.” Sid replied.
“I know, thanks guys.” I said half smiling and wondering why Logan hadn’t said anything. He and Mitchell never really did get along because Logan didn’t think he was good enough for me. I never really paid attention to that because he always was way too overprotective of me.
“I’m going to make a special trip home and I’m going to kick his ass,” Logan said the anger evident in his voice, “I always said he was bad news but nobody ever believed me. Oh he’s going to hear it from me. I’ll get his number from Amber and I’ll call and talk to him myself.”
“Logan calm down it’s going to be fine. It’s hard now but at least I don’t have to see them together you know, so that should make it easier.” I stated trying to seem stronger than I felt.
“Besides Logan, Pittsburgh guys are much better anyway.” Max said jokingly winking at Sid causing Sid to turn a slight shade of red while the other guys laughed at him. I didn’t really understand why and decided that I probably would be better off not knowing so I just shrugged it off.

“So, why did the rest of the guys go with their women and you guys stuck around with this loser?” I asked jokingly as I nodded my head towards Logan who just gave me a smile.
“Well my girlfriends had work tonight and Jordan’s girlfriend had to head back to Ontario,” Max answered, “and poor Sid is a lonely soul.” he said while laughing.
“Yeah I just broke up with a crazy one so I am going to be a little more cautious this time,” Sid stated matter-of-factly.
“Well you guys I’m sorry but I’m exhausted so I’m going to head upstairs to bed. Make yourselves at home and stay as long as you want,” I said, “goodnight guys.”
As I headed upstairs there were a chorus of goodnights and sweet dreams directed to me. I smiled to myself, brushed my teeth and crawled into bed. While I tried to sleep I heard them whispering downstairs and found myself wondering what they were talking about.

Chapter 4

As I pulled into the driveway my cell phone began going off. When I looked at the caller ID Logan’s number was on the display.

“Are you serious, I like just left there.” I answered.
“That’s no way to talk to your favorite cousin, like a brother to you since you were 14 years old,” he shot back with a laugh. “Besides someone else wanted me to call you so they could talk to you.”
“Oh yeah and who might that be?”
“Hello,” a French accent rang through my speaker.
“Umm, hi.” I answered back.
“This is Max Talbot, one of the guys from the baseball team you met earlier,” he said with a chuckle.
“Oh I’m never going to live that one down am I?”
“It’s not likely. Logan hasn’t stopped talking about it since you left.”
“I’ll be sure to tell him you told me that. What’s he doing stalking you guys anyway, isn’t he supposed to be training.”
“Well the place is pretty crowded here now so it’s too busy here for him right yet so he has to wait until some people leave and well all of our girlfriends left and we saw him sitting by himself and recognized him as the guy who tried to take out Staalsy so we had to come give him a rough time.”
“Oh don’t be too hard on him he’s always been quite clutzy.”
“That’s funny he said you were the clumsy one and he’s surprised you weren’t the one to bump into one of us.”
“Well it’s nice to know you guys are having a bonding session over my expense.” I replied with a little giggle.
“Anyway, I just wanted to apologize to you about the way Brianne acted towards you earlier. She’s actually a very sweet person once you get to know her and well when she thinks you’re not trying to steal her boyfriend, which is me by the way.”
“Yeah I kind of figured that since you’re the one calling and apologizing and I would never try to steal a girl’s boyfriend trust me. But it’s fine I can understand her being so protective since I’m sure you guys have girls throwing themselves at you all the time.”
“Well imagine we do, a strapping young bunch of guys such as us,” he replied laughing. I could hear the rest of the guys chuckling and agreeing with him in the background. “And I wanted to make sure it was still possible to turn you into a Pens fan.”
“It’s possible but it’s highly unlikely. No offense or anything I’m just not that big of a sports fan.”
“Yeah that’s what Logan said, but we like a challenge. Here’s Logan again, it was nice talking to you.”
With that Logan was back on the phone. “Isn’t this unbelievable, I’m passing time with the Pittsburgh Penguins.”
“Yeah that’s great for you but it’s not going to be so great when I see you.” I replied laughing and hung up my phone.

As I hung up the phone and lay back on the couch I realized that I just had a phone conversation with a famous hockey player and how jealous my father and brother were going to be when I told them. Then I realized that Logan was hanging out with a bunch of famous guys and apparently telling them embarrassing things about me. Just as I was thinking about ways I could pay him back I heard my computer and realized that somebody had messaged me on MSN.

NewfieCutie: Hey Brooke, how’s the big move going?

It was one of my best friends, Amber, messaging me. We had been inseparable since we were 3 years old and I realized this was the first time I had been away from any of my family and friends.

BrookeC: It’s going pretty well. We’re pretty much settled in now and Logan has
actually started work today.
NewfieCutie: Really, that’s awesome for him, where’s he working?
BrookeC: It’s a Starbucks coffee place.
NewfieCutie: Wow, good for him. Listen I have something kind of important to tell you
so can I have your number so we can actually talk about it. I actually have
some bad news and surprising news.
BrookC: Yeah no problem.
As I typed in my number I had a feeling of worry wash over me wondering what the bad news could be and hoping everything was OK. Just as I was thinking this my phone rang.

“Hello,” I answered.
“Hey hun,” Amber responded.
“What’s up? Is everyone OK you kind of have me worried here.”
“Everyone’s fine it’s just some new happenings you should probably hear about.”
“OK shoot.” I said as I sighed with relief.
“Well I’m going to tell you the surprising news first. So I found out that Jared and I are going to have a baby.”
“Oh my God Ambie! When did this happen?” I was shocked.
“Well I’ve been feeling pretty sick for the last month or so and I wasn’t getting any better so mom said I should go get checked out. So I went and the doctor ran a few tests and apparently I’m 3 months pregnant.”
“Oh wow, I mean this is great news but I’m shocked. I know you guys will do great but I am, I’m shocked.”
“So were we believe me, especially our parents.”
“Oh I didn’t even think of that, how’d they take it?”
“Well, they were all kind of disappointed at first since we’re both so young and not finished college yet, but they’ll be fine. I mean it’s not like it was planned but we’re going to take care of the baby and finish school and everything is going to be fine.”
“I have no doubt that you guys are going to be no less than perfect.”
“Now for the bad news, are you ready for it?”
“Yeah I think so.” I answered nervously.
“It’s about Mitchell.

I could feel myself go cold. Mitchell had been the love of my life since I was 13 and he was the only reason that I wanted so desperately to stay at home. We had broken up the day that Logan and I left for Pittsburgh. It was probably the hardest thing I had to do. We were both crying and didn’t want to let each other go but we knew there was no chance in making it work. We really didn’t even know the next time we were going to see each other.

“Brooke, are you still there?” I heard Amber ask.
“Oh yeah sorry, I just kind of zoned off when you said his name, is he OK?”
“He is. Brooke, I’m really sorry to tell you this but Mitchell and Chelsea started dating two days after you left.”
“Mitchell and Chelsea, as in my ex-boyfriend ,Mitchell, and one of my best friends, Chelsea.” I said as I felt my eyes fill up with tears.
“Yeah that would be them. I am so sorry but I felt I should tell you since neither one of them were going to.”
“What do you mean neither one of them were going to?”
“Well when I saw them out I went up and asked what the hell they were doing and how they were going to have the heart to tell you and they both said you were far enough away that you wouldn’t find out so they weren’t going to tell you. So I told them I would tell you because you had a right to know.”
“Yeah I do appreciate you telling me,” I said through tears, “even though it was really hard to hear. I cannot believe this. I mean I knew we were both going to move on I just didn’t think it would be so fast. And with one of my best friends from school makes it that much worse.” As I said this I could hear someone yelling out to Amber.
“Listen hun I have to go,” she said, “you’re too good for all of this and I really hope you feel better soon.”
“Thanks Ambie that means a lot.”

With that we hung up the phone. I sat down on the couch and just broke down. I couldn’t wrap my head around what I had just heard. I couldn’t believe how much this news had hurt me. I was now crying uncontrollably so I didn’t bother to wipe away the many tears that were streaming down my face. I then heard the door click and was surprised at who was standing there.

Chapter 3

The next day when I got up I decided to make some breakfast for Logan and myself since we had gone grocery shopping the day before. So after a quick shower I headed downstairs to start. I decided on French toast and bacon, and when I almost had it all cooked Logan showed up in the kitchen.

“Well, well I don’t think my mother even cooked like this for me.” He stated.
“Don’t get too used to it because once school and hopefully work starts I’m going to be way too busy to do this all the time.” I replied jokingly.
“That’s fine with me, as long as I get good food on the weekends.”
“Yeah I’ll see what I can do about that.” I replied sarcastically.

After we had eaten our breakfasts we both sat down at our laptops and done our resumes. After printing them off we left the apartment to look for some “Help Wanted” signs. A few hours later we returned home and had delivered all of our resumes. We both settled down on our respective couches to watch TV knowing that we had everything taken care of and just had to wait for school to start.

“This is going to be a very boring few days.” Logan stated.
“I know but I guess we could paint and decorate to keep us occupied for a little while.”
“Yeah I guess we could do that to pass some time, but we should get some food first because I’m starving.”
“I could go for some food myself, what would you like?” I asked.
“It doesn’t matter to me whatever you want.”

After debating for a few more minutes we both decided on steak, baked potato, and fried mushrooms and onions. After the meal was cooked we both sat at our island and ate discussing which jobs we would prefer over the rest of the ones we had submitted our resumes for. About an hour after we had eaten, our phone rang for the first time since we had moved here and we were both anxious to see who it was.

“Hello,” Logan answered. “Yes this is he.” Then he took off to his bedroom to finish the call. When he came back downstairs I was curious as to who could have gotten our number so quickly.
“Well, who was it?” I asked being very curious.
“That was the manager at the Starbucks down the street, he wants me to go in tomorrow at 1 for an interview.”
“Wow that was fast.”
“Yeah apparently not many people had put their applications in since they are all focused on school and what not.”
“Yeah some people are lucky enough not to have to juggle school and jobs, but I’m sure we’ll be able to handle it.”
We just chilled for the rest of the night and headed off to bed pretty early.

The next day Logan was very excited about his interview.
“I can’t believe Starbucks has to interview people before giving them jobs though,” he said.
“I guess they wanna make sure you’re at least capable of working there.”

A few hours later Logan and I pulled into the parking lot in front of Starbucks. We were both taking in the sights and talking among the two of us when Logan bumped into somebody.

“Oh my, I am so sorry I wasn’t watching where I was going.” Logan said.
“That’s fine I wasn’t really paying attention to where I was going either.” The other guy said.
“OMG you’re Jordan Staal, and holy shit Brooke would you like it’s like the entire Pittsburgh Penguins here”
“The who?” I asked.
“Oh for fuck sakes Brooke I can’t take you anywhere.” Logan said, obviously very embarrassed about my lack of knowledge of this group of guys.
“Jeez, sorry I’m not a fan of what, baseball?” I guessed.
All the guys began to laugh while Logan threw me a very nasty look.
“Actually we’re hockey players.” One of the guys said.
“Listen man I’m sorry for bumping into you and making you put up with my sport challenged cousin here but I’m running late for my interview so man it was great meeting all of you.” With that Logan ran off leaving me with this bunch of guys I didn’t know.

“Well doesn’t my cousin care a lot about me leaving me here with a bunch of strangers, and big strong guys at that.” I said with a smile on my face.
They all let out little laughs and just stood there staring at me.
“Well, um I’m Brooke.” I said beginning to feel a little embarrassed.
“I’m Jordan, as you may have heard, and this is Army, Flower, Max, Bugsy, and Sid.”
“Hi guys” I said a little shyly now after realizing they were going to stay and talk to me for a while.
“Hey” they all said back.
Just then a van pulled up and a few girls got out and walked over to us.
“Took you long enough,” Army said grinning at them.
“Well we’re not all crazy drivers like some people.” One of the girls said while looking at Jordan.
“Who’s this?” One of the girls asked, slying her eyes at me.
“This is Brooke, we just kind of bumped into her, or well actually her cousin,” Max said and got a few chuckles from the guys and me. “Brooke this is Army’s girlfriend Mel, Flower’s girlfriend Vero, Brianne, Bugsy’s wife Abby, and Jordan’s girlfriend Heather.”
“Hi” I said as they all put their hands out for me to shake except Brianne.

“Well are we going to go get some coffee or just stand here like a bunch of idiots?” She asked, obviously trying to get everyone away from me.
“Yeah we probably should get going I have to get back home soon I have work early tomorrow”, Vero said.
With that Brianne, Abby, and Mel walked on into Starbucks with Max, Bugsy, and Army following close behind.
“Don’t mind her,” Vero said, “it’s just when we see our boyfriends talking with new girls it kind of puts us on edge because they’re all so famous and you can’t really trust some girlies.”
“Oh, it’s fine,” I replied, “I didn’t even know who they were.”
“Yeah, she thought we were baseball players.” Sid said jokingly.
“Hey, I’m not a sporty girl and I’m new here.”
“Clearly,” Vero said laughing, “believe me you’ll find out soon enough that they’re kind of a big deal around here. Listen guys I really should go inside now because I want to get ready for work for tomorrow. It was nice meeting you Brooke.”
“Yeah it was nice meeting you guys too.”

With that they all left to go inside of Starbucks while shouting bye to me over their shoulders.
“Well that was weird.” I said under my breath thinking that nobody was around.
“What’s weird?” A voice said behind me.
When I turned around I saw Logan standing there.

“You scared me you ass.” I said while hitting him in the arm.
“Sorry,” he replied, “but listen, the manager gave me the job and he’s short staffed today so he wants me to stick around today and learn the basics and stuff and then we’re going to plan out a schedule around school so I’m going to need you to come get me later.”
Yeah that’s no problem just give me a call when you’re ready.”
“I will, and when I get home I’ll tell you what I heard Mr. Crosby and a few more of the players say about you, which is kind of disturbing for me because you’re like my sister.”
“I’m actually scared to know what they said.”
“Yeah I see that you’re blushing missy.”
“Oh just get to work, and we WILL talk about this later.”
“OK then I’ll call you when I’m ready.”
“Sounds good, have a good day at work.”
“Thanks, I’ll try.”

As I got into the car and drove away I couldn’t help but wonder what the guys had said about me, and why I should be as excited about it as I was.