"Hi Grant, what time are you getting to the party for?" Joanna shot out a quick text to him, as she finished brushing her teeth. Just as she was setting her phone down, she heard the quick chime of his reply.
"Just got here a few minutes ago. On your way?" Grant had written back.
Frazzled that she was late, Joanna took another peak at the time in the upper corner of her screen, 4:04pm blinked back at her. The pool party that Mr. Lemieux was throwing was starting at four. And Grant was already there? What happened to being fashionably late anymore? Knowing that it would take her another twenty minutes at least to get there, Joanna quickly texted a "yes, will be there soon" message as she hurried into her bedroom to get the rest of her things.
Quickly grabbing her keys and purse, while fixing her sunglasses on top of her head, she took one last glance at herself in her bathroom mirror before heading out. Light to virtually no makeup since she planned on swimming, leather jacket and cut off shorts overtop of her one-piece swimsuit. It was a pool party, so she knew people would be prancing around half naked, but it was still a work event for Joanna, and she wanted to appear professional. She buttoned her jacket all the way up in an effort to appear more covered, and then just as quickly shook her head and decided to leave it open. She was going to a pool party, I'm going to have to show some skin, she thought to herself.
Without giving herself another moment to hesitate on outfit choices and run the risk of being late, she grabbed her keys and jumped into her car. Plugging in the address Grant had texted her the night before, she pulled out of her apartment complex. Driving had always helped to clear her head, and these days she had a lot on her mind. Her thoughts a constant jumble of thoughts. Ever since she had learned that James was Sidney, and all of the superstar baggage that his name brought with him, she had tried to keep him out of her thoughts. But somehow he had a way of creeping back in. The more she tried to tame her thoughts, the more she kept thinking about him. She had not seen him since that awkward day in the training room. He had kept a respectful distance from her, and she did the same. Neither one lingering in the same room any longer than necessary. But that still didn't stop the butterflies from fluttering in her stomach when she saw him, or from noticing when he looked at her. But they had promised each other to leave their past behind. And she had to keep looking forward. It was too painful to look back.
They had only spent one night together. To anyone, that was not an especially long amount of time. But even at the time, Joanna and Sidney had promised not to forget it. But here they were, forced to work together. Knowing that he was here, and he was just outside of her reach, made everything just so heartbreakingly painful. She didn't think she was in love with him, she didn't know him well enough for that. But she had been in lust with him in Spain, and that initial connection and spark had not faded. It wasn't love at first sight, Joanna didn't believe in things like that, but whatever they had, hadn't died. At least not for her. But her profession swore her to an oath. She was his doctor and he was her patient. End of story. There could be nothing more.
Likewise, he had made it very clear to her that day in the training room that he wanted nothing further either. Which made her reality all the more painful. She felt like she was pining after someone who hadn't given her another thought since that day in Madrid. Boys, what jerks, she thought to herself.
Joanna sighed to herself as she continued driving. This internal dialogue had been playing on an endless loop inside of her head for the last several days. She had examined things from a thousand different angles and perspectives. She had to move on. Learn to live with the butterflies and find some semblance of peace in his presence.
Pulling off the highway, Joanna patiently followed her GPS guide as she was directed to a quiet and elegant neighbourhood. "You have arrived at your destination," it spoke quietly but distinctly. Yes, she had, she thought to herself, as she stepped out of her car and took in her surroundings.
A beautiful house, no a mansion, stood in front of her. Sprawling, manicured lawns and large enough to house several bedrooms and bathroom she was sure. Just beyond her gaze she could see a number of people milling around a pool, and she knew she was in the right location as she walked closer and saw Grant and Dr. Green standing to the side of a large outdoor swimming pool. She glanced around and saw several young women in tiny bikinis and many of the penguins players shirtless. So much for feeling like I wasn't wearing enough clothing, she thought, as she hugged her jacket a little tighter around herself and walked towards the only two people that she really knew at the party.
Both Grant and Dr. Green were standing in a loose circle with three or four other guests. From her angle, Joanna couldn't make out whom they were with, but seeing as she didn't know anyone else here, she wasn't going to let that stop her from joining their conversation. Grant kindly caught her eye as she approached and gave her a warm smile. Turning his body away from the group, he reached out and gave her a big hug when she was close.
"So, what did you get?" He asked still holding onto her.
"How did you know my score came out?" she asked, feeling his lips turn into a smile against her cheek, as he pulled away to look at her.
"C'mon, just tell me!" he gave her a wide grin and nodded his head once, hoping to invite a response.
"Ok, fine! 248."
Before she knew it, Grant let out a soft whoop and had lifted Joanna of the ground. He gave her a small twirl before gently settling her down. Given her interactions with Grant before, and their usual serious nature, Joanna was more than surprised with his behaviour. But pleased nevertheless. She had worked so hard on that exam, and she had been ecstatic when she learned that she had done so well.
"Congrats" he said to her as he set her down. His eyes crinkling with genuine support.
"Thanks, Grant."
As both her and Grant turned back to the group, she noticed that all eyes were on her and Grant and there was a general silence in the group. As she looked around, she locked eyes with Sidney again. His face was carefully arranged in a neutral expression, but his eyes held more truth, a trace of disappointment flashed through them for a moment before he recovered.
"What's all this about?" Dr Green asked, looking between Joanna and Grant.
"She just scored a 99 on her board exam, Dr Green." Grant said, gesturing with his thumb at her, "she's going to have her pick of fellowships now."
Joanna couldn't help but smile widely when Grant said that, and also when Dr Green reached over and shook her hand firmly. "Congratulations Joanna, I'm so proud of you."
"Thank you both so much." Her momentary feeling of unease when she realized that Dr Green and Grant had been talking to Sidney, was replaced with warmth by the overt support the two had shown for her.
The three turned back to the group, as Sidney and none other than Mr. Lemieux himself looked at Joanna with curious expressions on their faces.
"I just passed my last board exam this week." She explained sheepishly and extended a hand to Mr. Lemieux "It's a pleasure to meet you, Sir. My name is Joanna, and I'm one of the doctors working with Dr Green this season."
He looked back at her with a small smile on his lips, "Very nice to meet you, Joanna," he said, "Please call me Mario, and I see congratulations are in order."
Joanna blushed, already feeling that too much of this conversation had been steered on her, said "Thank you" and waited for the conversation to be directed away.
Grant however did not share the same opinion, and said "She's being too modest, Mario. She couldn't have scored much higher than she did, and this gives her an excellent advantage when she's applying for sports fellowships next year. Dr Green and I will have a tough time competing with all of the other programs out there that will be sure to want her, and keep her here with us at UPMC."
"Well I certainly hope we get to keep such an intelligent physician like yourself," Mario looked back at Grant and Joanna with a warm smile. "Have you met Sidney yet, Joanna?"
Mario stepped back and gestured to Sidney, who had been silent throughout the entire exchange.
"Yeah we met last week," Sidney said in way of explanation. Sidney once again locked eyes on her, his brown eyes smoldering, and Joanna suppressed an involuntary shiver. Those damn butterflies were prancing around again.
Sidney casually turned to Dr Green asking a question about his elbow, whether to avoid her or not she wasn't sure, and Grant eagerly joined them. Mario looked thoughtfully at Joanna.
"Tell me about yourself, Joanna"
Feeling as if she were on a job interview, she looked weakly back at him. In many ways, it was a job interview. He was her boss in a sense. Maybe he didn't oversee her training in the same way as Dr Green, but he certainly was a commanding presence in all things Penguins and NHL related.
Joanna began talking about growing up in the suburbs of Toronto, going to New York for medical school. She glossed over the part about following a boy, and then about her time in Pittsburgh thus far – a handful of months so far – for residency. As she spoke, she felt herself growing more comfortable around him. He was easy to talk to, she thought surprisingly to herself. He listened carefully to her, asked thoughtful questions, and smiled encouragingly to her throughout.
She hadn't realized how much time had passed until she heard a faint ringing from within the depths of her bag and shot Mario an apologetic look. She fished around for her phone and saw that it was her grandparents calling. "I'm so sorry, but I think this is my Grandmother," she looked up at him again "So nice to meet you. And thank you for hosting, you have a lovely home." She flashed him a quick smile as she pulled the phone to her ear.
"Hi Gram," she said, turning away from him.
Mario gave her another thoughtful look at Sidney rejoined him.
"What do you think of the new doctor?" he asked his star player. Sidney was more than a player to Mario though, and in many ways, considered him to be as close as family. He respected Sidney's attitude on and off the ice, and knew that his endurance, perseverance and talent kept him at the top of his game. But somehow, he still wanted more for Sidney. His commitment to staying number one at all times, was starting to take a personal toll. What he had with his wife, he wanted for Sidney. Whenever the pressures of his own career had become too much, he knew that Natalie was there for him. She was his anchor, his endless source of patience and kindness. And while Sidney himself had a number of these qualities himself, Mario knew that he needed a life outside of the arena with someone who could keep him level headed and grounded.
"Only met her for a few minutes that day" Sidney said, shifting his eyes from Mario to the ground, simultaneously shrugging his shoulders. "Why?"
"Now Sid, I know you don't like when I try to give you advice on your personal life," Mario said
Sidney looked up at his mentor with surprise, and for a moment his heart spluttered and paused. Did Mario suspect something? Had he found out somehow? Sidney prepared to defend his actions immediately when Mario continued "But that's the kind of girl you need in your life. She's smart, independent, grounded." Sidney's heart went from a momentary pause to full blown palpitations. "Just some food for thought" he said knocking his beer bottle gently against Sidney's before he turned away.
…...
Joanna spent the rest of the party with Grant, their legs dangling in the pool as they sat side-by-side people watching.
The people here were just so beautiful she thought. The players walked around casually, mingling with each other as their muscles rippled in the sunlight even doing something as simple as twisting open a beer. Sidney was no exception. With his shirt off, his chiseled muscles glowed in the sunlight bouncing off his hair and back and arms.
The players' girlfriends and wives stood beside them all, equally stunning and beautiful. In their barely there bikinis, looking as toned and in shape as if they had stepped out of a Sports Illustrated catalogue. Feeling more at home with Grant on the fringe of this new race of humans, Joanna talked more with him than she had ever done before. She usually felt so out of place with him. He was just so smart, she usually felt like she could never keep up with him. But today Grant talked little about medicine, and it felt more like a conversation between friends than colleagues. When a lull peaked in their conversation, Grant stood up and offered Joanna a hand, "Swim?" he asked her.
Joanna took his hand, and peeled off her jacket, tossing it behind her before she turned back to Grant.
His eyes roamed over her, and Joanna caught his eye as he finished drinking her in. He didn't even blush or look guilty, but more with the eyes of a man that liked what he saw and who wasn't afraid to let her know that.
Her breath hitched in her throat for a second, before she recovered and knocked her shoulder playfully against his. "Race to the other end?"
In reply, Grant grabbed her and they both fell sideways into the pool sending a fine spray of water over the half a dozen supermodel wives/girlfriends who had been huddled only feet away from them. A few of them shrieked as their hands went up to cover themselves from the spray, "my hair!" one said, as she frantically tried to smooth away the water that had fallen over the perfectly sculpted locks. Joanna surfaced from the water, giving Grant a shove as he too surfaced next to her. She gestured with a nod of her head to the group of women.
Grant took in their appearance – some had mascara running down their faces – while the rest glared back at the two of them.
If looks could kill…
Grant said a brief "My apologies, ladies" before he turned back to Joanna. "Now about that race?"
Joanna momentarily paused at the sight of the women, still shooting daggers in their direction at Grant's half assed apology, but when she saw that huge smile dancing across his face she turned her full attention back to him.
She answered him by ducking her head back into the water. Pushing off aggressively, she attempted to keep her lead on Grant before he could catch up.
….
Sidney couldn't help but glance over at Joanna. She had been talking to that sports med doc Grant all day, and the two seemed to be hitting it off. Sidney couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy shoot through him. It was unfamiliar to him. Sure he had been jealous before. Like when another team won the Stanely Cup, or another player beat him for the Hart. But this was a different type of jealousy. His other losses fueled him, he took the losses as motivation to be better. He felt helpless as he looked over at Joanna, as Grant flirted shamelessly with her.
Grant's eyes as he looked her up and down like a sleaze. His hands as he pulled her into the water. His goofy smile as he watched her swim away from him, and those hands of his again as he pulled her into him for a victory hug when she won their race.
Sidney forced himself to turn away from them. He made the decision to focus on his career this season, he thought firmly to himself. When he had seen her face in the orientation meeting that day, he had panicked. His summer self, James, had not meant to travel beyond Spain. He had even used his old teammate's name and part of his persona when he met Joanna. He didn't expect for any of that to mix with his other world. And when it did, he felt his walls crashing down around him. The only solution he had come up was to pretend like it never happened, it was only the way out he could see.
But now looking back at Joanna and Grant, he wondered helplessly if there had been another solution that he had not acknowledged. Refused to acknowledge. And that was to be with her. Mario's words churned around his head, "That's the kind of girl you need."
As he looked across the pool to the group of WAGs still huddled in a protective circle, frantically talking and gesturing to Grant and Joanna with looks fueled by hatred, Sidney couldn't help but cringe. Those girls weren't what he wanted. And certainly weren't what he needed.
With a sinking feeling, Sidney realized that it was too late. He was too late. He had no one else to blame but himself, and the words that he just couldn't say.
…...
Joanna and Grant walked back to her car in companionable silence. "Well today was fun." He said to her as they slowed and Joanna reached for her keys.
"Yeah, it was. Even when we splashed those girls." She laughed, and Grant laughed along with her.
As she unlocked her SUV doors, Joanna took a step towards the car and then turned back to Grant. She opened her mouth to say bye, when he stepped in towards her. His right hand came up around her head as he leaned his body against her car, effectively enveloping her within his reach.
The sun was setting behind them, lighting up the Lemieux house like a portrait. The brilliant orange and yellow hues hitting Grant's hair. Joanna couldn't help but think back to the fountain light show with Sidney in Spain.
"I wanted you to know," Grant began saying, as Joanna wrenched her eyes from the sunset and back to his, "That I broke up with my girlfriend."
Joanna slowly exhaled a breath that she didn't realize she had been holding. "Just something to think about." Grant said, as he brushed a light fingertip against her jaw before letting it fall. He flashed her another breathtaking smile as he moved away from her.
Thank you to everyone who has been reading this! It's my first time posting anything like this, so very much appreciate any reviews/comments/thoughts you may have!
