More Than A Memory-Ch11

I was walking back to my office two days later when I noticed the door was open. “Hey” he said as I walked in. “Hey yourself” I replied kissing him on the cheek, then walking to sit on top of my desk in front of him. “What are you doing tonight?” he asked. “Nothing. Why?” “Will you come to the game tonight?” he blurted out quickly. “Sure?” I said questioning him. “Well it’s a big game, and I’m going on a road trip tomorrow so I figured we could spend some time together.” “How is watching you play spending time together?” I asked. “Don’t worry about it” he said standing up. "I'll have the car pick you up around 6" he said. "Why a car? I've been to game before, I know how to get there" I said fixing a stack of papers. He chuckled and shook his head. "Well it would kind of be hard for us to get your car to my house after the game." I stopped and raised my eyes to him. He had a smug grin on his face. "Go to your place? After the game?" I repeated. He now had my full attention. "Yup. I'll leave your ticket with the driver. 6:00. Be ready" he said standing up. He bent to kiss me. He pulled away and walked to the door. Before he closed the door behind him he turned to me. "Oh yeah, you don't have to bring anything with you in case you were wondering. I've got you covered." I raised my eyebrows again. "6:00" he repeated. I nodded and watched in astonishment as he waltzed out of the office waving to the ladies, probably throwing out some charming comments to make their day a little brighter.
*
I got home around 5:00 and jumped into the shower. After blow drying my hair and running the straightener through it I picked out an outfit. I put on a pair of dark wash skinny jeans and an oversized grey cowelneck tunic with a black braided belt at the waist. I chose a pair of Stuart Weitzman high heel, black leather, knee high boots. By the time I was done with my makeup and putting on my jewelry it was almost 6. I made sure I had everything I needed in my purse, including my makeup bag with the essential toothbrush and hairbrush so I wouldn’t look like a total slob tomorrow morning. The thought of sleeping at Sidney’s gave me butterflies. I wonder what he had in mind. The sound of a car pulling into the driveway shook the thoughts out of my head. I grabbed my jacket, scarf and gloves and hurried down to the carport. The driver opened my door for me and handed me an envelope. I opened it in silence while we pulled out of the complex and made our way to the arena. There was a note in the envelope.
Pey-
Use the pass to get in the building early; you don’t have to wait in line. You don’t have to wear the pass, I know you don’t like to, but make sure you have it because you will need it unless you come down with Mario after the game. Enjoy your dinner; I picked out your menu. Can’t wait to see you.
-Sidney
I smiled and took out the ticket and pass. I put them in my purse and settled into the seat to enjoy the rest of the ride.
We arrived at the arena about 20 minutes later and I was driven to the main gate. “You know how to get in right Miss?” the driver asked. “Yes, thank you” I replied. “Would you like me to walk with you up there?” he asked. I was surprised by how polite he was. “No, that’s ok. I have a pass so I should be able to get in quickly. Thank you very much” I said as he shut the door as I got out. “You’re welcome. Have a wonderful evening.” I walked quickly up the hill and listened to the groans of the crowd of people as I walked to the front of the line. “I bet she’s one of those puck bunnies” some girl, a few years younger than me said a little too loudly. I looked over my shoulder at her and laughed. Yes, I indeed was the puck bunny, in an outfit showing barely any skin, when she and her group of friends looked their shirts had gotten into a fight with scissors. I laughed again and showed the cute old man my ticket and walked in. I went up to the Igloo Club and quickly found the box. I was greeted by a woman with the whitest teeth and best smile I have ever seen. “You must be Peyton!” she cheered. “Yes, I’m Peyton Brooks, nice to meet you” I said extending my hand. I was surprised when I was hugged. “I’m Nathalie. Sidney has told us many good things about you!” I smiled and nodded, “Has told me many good things about your family too. Thank you for allowing me to watch the game from up here, it really is beautiful.” “No problem at all! It is nice to have another female around here some times.” She smiled and grabbed my arm lightly, “Come meet Mario and the guys.” “Sure” I said hurriedly as she pulled me across the floor.
“Excuse me dear” Nathalie said, totally interrupting conversation, “This is Peyton Brooks. Sidney’s girlfriend.” My eyebrows raised and I could feel my heart stop for a millisecond when she said the word girlfriend. He told them I was his girlfriend? Well, I guess I could have seen that one coming. “Hello Peyton” Mario said standing up to shake my hand. “Pleasure to meet you” I said. “So Sidney tells us you are a doctor?” he questioned. “Yes” I answered quickly, “Well I’m the head of psychology at Children’s.” “Wow. That’s great! So you must have been there when the team came down” he said. I nodded, “Yes. It was my turn to coordinate all the events. It was a great time. Everyone loved it.” He smiled, “Good.” He then turned to a group of men talking, “Excuse me gentlemen. This is Peyton Brooks; she is the head of psychology at Children’s. She is also Sidney’s girlfriend” he said, the last part slower. I was greeted by a bunch of ‘hellos’ and ‘nice to meet yous’. “Peyton this is Ken Sawyer, David Morehouse, Ray Shero and Chuck Fletcher.” I shook their hands and mingled for a few minutes before Nathalie came over and pulled me away. “Don’t worry, they like you. They are just very powerful men in this business. You’ll come to find their intimidating attitudes quickly disappear” she said laughing. “Now go down that hallway and to the right there is a little kitchen type thing. The people there will make you whatever you want.” “Ok, I’ll be back then” I said smiling. I walked out of the box and sighed. This wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be.
*
I ate my meal; steak and shrimp kabobs with roasted vegetables, while I waited for the game to start. I chose a seat that was away from the others, so I could watch the game in semi silence. When they skated out for their warm up I smiled at him, even though he couldn’t see me. I watched him skate over to one of the ushers and ask him a question. The usher nodded his head, and Sid turned around to look in the direction of the box. His face came up on the jumbotron in the middle of the ice and he had a huge smile on his face. A second later he jumped back on the ice and started skating his warm ups. Before the actual game started an usher came to me and brought me a small box. “Excuse me, are you Miss Peyton?” “Yes” I replied. He smiled, “This is from Sidney. He says enjoy the game” he said handing me the box. “Thank you.” I opened the box slowly and saw another note in his handwriting, this one was messier, he must’ve been in a hurry.
Pey-
They don’t sell these here, so I figured I should probably get you some. If Nat didn’t tell you, the kitchen has the best chocolate cake. See you soon.
-Sid
This time there was a smiley face next to his name, and I laughed. The opening faceoff began as I took out a package of Sour Patch Kids, the candy I used to eat at every one of his games. I ripped open the bag and began gnawing as I watched him skate around. He was definitely a better player now. Ten minutes in Sid scored. I clapped my hands and squealed, the result of an old habit. I heard a chuckle from beside me and I realized Nat was staring at me. She smiled, “Don’t worry. I used to do that all the time.” I felt myself blush and I brought my attention back to the ice.
*
They won the game 3-0. It was a good game, he would be happy. I watched the crowd file out for a while and said goodbye to everyone to waste some time so Sid could do his interviews. I walked slowly down the hallway looking at all the framed pictures. I finally made it to the elevator, showed my pass and stepped in. I was the only one in the elevator, and I enjoyed the privacy. I fixed my makeup and hair quickly and put on a small spritz of perfume before the door opened. When it did I could already hear the players talking. The large door was opened from me and I could see a bunch of media people lined in the locker room. I took a seat on a folding chair in the hallway and waited for a few minutes. I was lost in my email when I saw two large feet standing in front of me. I looked up, way up, to see a smiling blonde boy in front of me. I stood up quickly. “Are you waiting for someone?” Jordan Staal asked. “Um. Yes, Sidney actually” I said. “Oh yeah! You’re Peyton!” he said. I nodded, staring at him. “Do you know…um… when he is going to be done in there?” I asked. Why was I stuttering? “Well I’m pretty sure it would be 20 minutes. But I’ll do you a favor. Hold on” he said. He turned around and went over to all the reporters. He casually parted them and caught Sidney’s eye. He pointed out the door and made eye contact with me. He smiled as he was answering the question. When he was done he politely said he was done answering questions. The reporters filtered out as he quickly walked over to me. “I just have to shower. Give me 5 minutes then we’re out of here” he said quickly. I nodded. He turned around quickly and walked to the shower stalls.
A few minutes later Jordan returned. “So do you want to meet some of the guys?” he asked. “Sure” I said standing up. He slipped his arm around my shoulders and strutted to some of the stalls. “Hey ladies, this is Peyton” he said. “You’re the chick from the hospital!” Max Talbot yelled. “Max, she’s right here, turn your voice down” Jordan said. Max smiled, “So what are you doing with Staalsy? Did he pay you?” I laughed then looked up at Jordan. He was shaking his head. “Actually, I’m not here with Jordan” I said. “Oh so then your single?” he asked. “Easy Max. She’s with me” I heard Sid say from behind me. Jordan’s arm slipped off my shoulder and Sidney’s around my waist. “All the pretty ones are taken!” Max cried. “Yeah, right Max” Jordan said. “Sorry guys, but we have somewhere to be” Sidney said. We said goodbye to everyone and he grabbed his bag. We walked out through the darkened hallways and approached the doors. “I’m sorry about this. But I want you to take these, and go out that door over there” he said pointing to a different door and handing me his keys. “Go to the right when you get out the door. I’m in parking space five. If you can’t find it press the lock button, it will beep. I will be there in no longer than 10 minutes.” I nodded and he bent to kiss me. I put my hand on his cheek and kissed him a little harder. He pulled away a minute later. “What was that for?” he asked. “Winning” I said. He smiled and kissed my forehead. “10 minutes” he said, and turned around to walk out the door. I watched him put his hand on the handle and take a deep breath, when the door opened I could hear the screams and see the flashes. I laughed to myself and wondered if that girl and her friends were out there. I turned on my heel and listened to my shoes click down the hallway.