***Author's note: So I'm an idiot. I usually am such a stickler for making sure my details match real life as close as possible, but I totally messed up. I was on instagram the other day and the pens posted a picture about some day in June of 2014 as a tbt to when Patric Hornqvist joined the Penguins. And instantly I was like...crap. Because in my story its April 2014. Whoops. Oh well, suspension of disbelief right? Speaking of which, all of the WAGS in this chapter are completely made up.***
"A little to the left...no your left."
"Like this?"
"No too far, bring it down, like that, no, too much!"
"Arg! How about now?"
"Yeah, good. Ok, ready?"
"Yes, let me just adjust my leg...ahhhh, damn it! It fell over. Hang on, are you still there? How does yours look so perfect?"
"I used the ice bucket."
"Oh, maybe I should try something like that. These pillows aren't working. Be right back."
Sid leaned back against the headboard of his hotel room. It was day three of the road trip and the team had arrived at their hotel in Minneapolis. He'd gotten settled, watched some tv, chatted with Rebecca and now was attempting to have skype sex. Rebecca didn't even know it was a thing until he'd mentioned it tonight. She'd been skeptical at first, but Sid explained how a lot of guys did it when on the road. It made the trips not as long and lonesome. She'd been reluctant to admit that she missed him in the more "carnal" sense, but he could hear it in her voice that she was lonely and he'd been eager to offer this as a solution. After assuring her that he was completely alone and that the door was locked (he'd literally had to show her with his laptop's webcam that the deadbolt was infact...bolted), she'd agreed to "try some things out." He'd set himself up pretty easily, taking the tray from room service and the ice bucket thus creating himself a makeshift tripod, while she continued to have some trouble getting the angle quite right. Nevertheless the anticipation had him half hard as he waited eagerly for her to pop up in the screen. Suddenly there was some rustling, a few clangs and curses, then her smiling face filled his screen. Her hair a bit disheveled, cheeks pink and the nightgown she'd changed into for the occasion a little askew and he was at full mast.
"I think I got it," she said proudly. "I've got about four legal ethics books holding this up, but the height looks about right."
Sid laughed, "You need a tripod."
Rebecca made a face. "Are you serious? Right, I'm going to walk into a Best Buy and ask for tripod so that I can cyber sex my boyfriend while he's out of town? Oh and by the way said boyfriend is Sidney Crosby, so if you could give me a discount, I'll get you an autograph?"
Sid laughed again, "Ok, enough. You're killing the mood. Here bring your nightgown down a little."
Rebecca sighed and then complied, leaning back against her own headboard. She adjusted the gauzy fabric so that most of her breasts were in view.
"How's that- oh my god, I can see you erection!" The shriek echoed in the quiet of his room and Sid suddenly worried about the thickness of the hotel walls.
"Shhh, that's the point, Becs." he said, his hand wrapped around the offending erection.
"I know, I guess, I just didn't expect for it to be right there. On the screen, it just seems…"
"Bigger?"
"No! I mean, well sort of. It's just a little intimidating."
"Well, what do you suggest?"
Even though the slight fuzziness of the screen he could see her blush.
"I don't know, maybe take off your shirt?"
He grinned. Then reached back and pulled the t-shirt off with ease. His naked torso filled the screen and he could see the appreciation in her eyes. He adjusted himself so that the camera wasn't focused only on his lower half and took hold of himself again.
"Better?"
Rebecca nodded.
"Ok, my turn, can you take off your nightgown?"
It took a moment, but Rebecca nodded and up and over her head came the nightgown.
She laid there before him, her skin pink, her breast high and round, the dusty pink nipples staring back at him, tight from either the cold or arousal. He watched as she pulled a lip in between her teeth and a hand snaked down and out of view, slowly moving, as he swallowed thickly.
Fifteen minutes later, they both had found their release. Their respective brows sweaty, chests heaving and smiles on their faces.
"That was...different." Rebecca said, her grin wide.
"That was awesome. The things that came from your mouth Miss Cooper!" Sid said teasingly.
Rebecca turned tomato red. "Excuse me, yours too! I'm starting to question this nice Canadian boy routine Crosby."
"What can I say, you've corrupted me."
Rebecca rolled her eyes. "Hardly. But I will say, I didn't mind some of the creative uses of hockey terms." She giggled, a sound Sid didn't hear much, but when he did he knew he wanted to hear that sound for the rest of his life.
"You mean how I'm good with my hands when I go in tight or how effective I am down low?"
Rebecca laughed, "Well now they don't sound as sexy, but in the moment…"
"Well, only a few more days and I can give you that poke check, you asked for."
"Boy, am I a lucky girl or what?" She reached for her nightgown and slipped it over her head.
Sid frowned at the loss of his R rated view, then became serious. "I can't wait til we get back, Becs. I miss you."
She softened, her voice quiet, "I miss you too."
She blinked a few times and he could tell she was tired. With the time difference it was past midnight in Pittsburgh.
"Rebecca?"
"Hmm?"
Don't leave. Don't go Philadelphia. Stay.
"..I love you."
"I love you, too."
"First let's hit Lululemon, then Nordstrom. Oh and I promised Matt I would stop into Burberry and pick him up a belt."
Paulina walked quickly her manicured hands moving animatedly. It was Sunday afternoon and Rebecca had found herself at the Ross Park Mall with Malin and Paulina Lawson, longtime girlfriend of Matt Niskanen. She'd been surprised to get a call Friday afternoon at the office from the Swede. Rebecca had worked out all the Hornqvist family travel for the rest of the year. So she was even more surprised when Marin hadn't wanted to discuss travel but rather invite her for a shopping and lunch girls day on Sunday. It had been Rebecca's instinct to say no. But the truth was with Sid gone, she was feeling a little lonely. Plus she wanted to make an effort. Lunch and some shopping was less intimidating that the WAGs suite at the Consol, so she had accepted the invitation.
When Malin had called, Rebecca had been staring at the computer screen. Her heart in her throat as she contemplated when she saw before her. University of Pittsburgh School of Law. It had been on her mind for the past few weeks. The idea of not going to Philadelphia. Of staying in Pittsburgh. Of making a life with Sid. Of being a WAG like the others. Of living this life. She could go to school during the year, spend the summers with Sid. She could study environmental law and work with some of the organizations around town. She had saved up enough money that she could still support herself and go to school. It could work. Just making that decision scared her as much as thrilled her. Right now it was only a thought, but the clock was ticking, she was going to have to make a decision soon. And so saying yes to Malin had been the first step.
So here she was. Sunday afternoon, shopping with hopefully some new friends and feeling like she was on display. Getting ready she'd known that this was a new league. She had to make sure her hair was just right, her makeup flawless, her clothes stylish, but not trying too hard. She had to be like them, because now she was one of them.
The women chatted happily as they scanned the racks of their first stop. Paulina was beautiful like Malin. Wavy blonde hair, with bright blue eyes, lined heavily with dark eyeliner. She was thin, with tight jeans and a low cut top. She walked with an air of confidence that Rebecca couldn't help but admire. She pulled clothes off the hangers as she walked, asking Rebecca a million questions. Rebecca tried to keep up and wondered if she should pick out some things to try on. She found a few tops and a pair of yoga pants and followed Paulina, as Malin looked for a place to sit down.
Gently grabbing onto her wrist, Paulina pulled Rebecca into the dressing room. She locked the door and with a swoop pulled off her shirt and bra, reaching for the first of many sports bras she'd pulled from the rack. Rebecca stood there awkwardly, trying to avert her eyes. She held her small stack of items and wasn't quite sure what to do. Paulina stood in front of the mirror in all her half naked glory, as she pulled the sports bra over her ample chest and looked at herself critically. She was very fit. Her body with not an ounce of fat but her boobs were big. So much so that she was spilling out of the bra.
"Hmmm," Paulina said eyeing herself critically in the mirror. "A little small. Here, you try, it should fit you." With an easy motion, she had the bra off and turned to Rebecca, her breasts on full view.
Rebecca felt very uncomfortable. She'd never had girlfriends like this. Her speed was more coffee shops and museums, not striping down and sharing clothes in a dressing room. But she wanted Paulina to like her, so she took the bra and pulled off her jacket and removed her top. She unclasped her bra, as Paulina moved onto the next thing.
The sports bra fit fine. But there was no reason for her to buy one. She worked out here and there, but wasn't very consistent. Not enough to justify buying a sports bra that was...Rebecca looked at the tag, and her eyes nearly bulged. Ninety-four dollars! She was about to be unemployed. There was no way she could spend almost a hundred dollars on a bra.
Paulina looked at her. "Oh yeah, that looks good." She walked towards Rebecca, reached out and felt her chest. "You have nice tits. I bet Sidney loves them." Paulina gave a grin while Rebecca just stood there, not sure what to do. "C'mon," Paulina prodded playfully. "I'm dying to know how he is in bed. I mean he's gotta be a machine right? All that focus. Intensity. I mean can you even walk in the morning?"
Rebecca was sure she would have turned green, if it weren't for her face turned bright red.
"Oh, please," Paulina smiled. "Don't act like this is a crazy question. I mean you have to know that everyone is wondering the same thing. I mean for years we've been wondering, Katy would never say anything eith-" Paulina stopped talking. A blush formed on her own face. "Oh sorry, that was tacky."
Rebecca felt ill. She wanted to go home. This was exactly why she didn't want to do this. Spend time with these women. She felt like a fraud. And she wasn't about to tell this stranger about her sex life, especially when the woman was basically feeling her up.
"It's fine," Rebecca said, trying to keep her voice steady. She wouldn't let anyone see her stumble. She straightened her shoulders and gave a grin that was as fake as she suspected Paulina's boobs were, "I have no complaints."
In the end she spent $326. She'd probably end up returning it all, but she wasn't going to balk at prices in front of Paulina. In fact, she was certain that she wouldn't let any of these women see her crack. It's not that she had anything to prove, she just wouldn't let anyone make her feel inferior, ever.
From Lululemon they went to Nordstrom, Paulina picked a Givenchy handbag along with a pile of clothes and pulled out her credit card, like this was just a drop in the bucket.
By early evening, Rebecca was exhausted and she felt no closer to the women than she did at the beginning of the day. They had nothing in common, other than the profession of their significant others.
"Do you want to join for sushi?" Paulina asked as she tapped away furiously at her iPhone and they walked to Malin's Mercedes in the parking lot.
Rebecca wanted to say no, but didn't. "Sure."
"Great," Paulina said, her eyes still glued to the screen. "We're going to meet some of the girls, it will be good for you. Meeting some of the others. They can get used to you."
There was something about the way Paulina said that last sentence that made Rebecca pause, a sinking feeling beginning to form in the pit of her stomach. But there was no going back.
The trio met about five other WAGS at a place nearby. The restaurant was very high end and the rest of the group was seated when Rebecca and the others arrived. She smiled at the group when introduced and she could feel her heart hammering against her chest.
God, why did she care so much about what these women thought of her? Most, she already knew from coordinating travel plans, but now she wasn't some staffer on the end of a phone call or email, but one of them. And that was weird. Plus, she wasn't sure but during the introductions, she thought she saw a scowl on the face of the girl on the end.
It must be her imagination, because that same woman then smiled and offered her a seat next to her. The group had a few polite questions, but then began chat amongst themselves. The woman who invited her to sit was Karissa Engelland, wife of defenseman Deryk. She looked at Rebecca and gave a tight smile, "It will be nice to have the guys back tomorrow," she said lightly, brushing back her long auburn curls. She was very beautiful. Model beautiful. And she intimidated Rebecca, just as much as her husband did on the ice.
Rebecca nodded and smiled politely, taking a bite of sushi in effort to find something to do with her hands.
"Oh, guess what I heard, Emily," Karissa turned away from Rebecca and started speaking loudly to the woman across the table. "Sidney and Katy had dinner in Colorado, a few days ago. I spoke to her this morning, she wouldn't say, but Deryk told me she was at the hotel, after midnight I hear."
Rebecca froze.
The group stopped talking and just gaped at the end of the table. Emily didn't know what to say. Her eyes shifted from Karissa to Rebecca quickly and she looked extremely uncomfortable.
As for Rebecca, she felt her stomach turn. It was as if she had been transported to some middle school lunch table and the head mean girl was sitting right next to her.
She must of misheard. Everyone must have misheard.
"Im hoping they'll patch up whatever went wrong, I mean they were together forever." Karissa continued on as if she didn't notice everyone had gone silent and were staring at her. She shrugged, "I don't know about you all, but I'm rooting for them."
Rebecca tried to swallow but couldn't. She felt everyone's eyes on her. She wanted to disappear. No, she needed to disappear. Leave. Right now. It didn't matter she had rode with Malin. She could call a cab.
This wasn't true. It couldn't be. She'd talked to Sid just this morning and last night. He never said anything.
"Kari," a voice piped up, warning and low.
"What?" Karissa said, looking innocent, "Katy is my friend, she was part of this group for a long time. Forgive me if I want to see her happy. Sid made some mistakes, but from what it sounds like, he's trying to right the wrong."
Right the wrong.
Rebecca could feel her body tremble down to her bones. The whole restaurant was closing in on her. Was this true? What was worse, the fact that Sid had seen Katy or that she was being humiliated in front of this group? Either way, it was more than she could take. The sting of tears prickled and Rebecca had to get out of there. She wouldn't let them see her tears.
No way. She wasn't one of them. She would never be one of them.
Pushing back her chair, she grabbed her bag and coat. She didn't say a word, but got up and started walking. She heard someone call her name, but she didn't stop. She kept going until she reached the door. With a push, she was out of the restaurant and in the fresh air. She took giant gulps of the fresh cold April air. It didn't make sense. Karissa was lying. She had to be. Why would Katy be in Colorado? Why would Sid go to dinner with her? Did he think Rebecca wouldn't find out? Was he going to tell her when he got back?
And then there was the voice. That stupid voice. The doubt. The fear. The thought that he did have dinner with her. She did go to his room. He was going to right the wrong.
And all her insecurities, all her apprehensions came rushing back. And the tears started to fall.
Rebecca collapsed into a nearby bench. She stuck her hand in her purse, blindly feeling for her phone and pulled it out. With shaking fingers she tried to search for taxis in the area. Her tears dropped onto the screen. She wanted to just be swallowed up. Fall deep into a black hole.
She was going to stay. She had seriously thought she could stay.
Once again she was a fool.
The sound of footsteps made her look up.
Paulina stood in front of Rebecca, her arms crossed and a tight look on her face.
"Karissa is a cunt," she said plainly.
Rebecca looked back down at the screen. Embarassed of the tears that wouldn't stop.
"Don't listen to her. I can't believe she did that. Although, I sort of can. She's the worst." Paulina plopped down next to Rebecca.
"She and Katy have been friends forever. They modeled together back in the day," Paulina rolled her eyes, "Whatever. I'm sure she has no idea what she's talking about."
Rebecca looked at Paulina. She wanted to be brave. She wanted to show that she couldn't be broken. Not anymore. But when she opened her mouth all that came out was, "I want to go home."
Paulina quirked her mouth, then nodded. "I'll get Malin."
The ride home was quiet. When she got out of the car, Rebecca mumbled a thank you while Paulina and Malin just looked at her pitifully.
She let herself into her house and dropped her stuff. She felt tired. She and Sid had made plans to talk after the game. He wasn't playing, his wrist was acting up, but he'd promised to call when they got back to the hotel.
The hotel.
She tried to fight off the images that conjured up in her mind.
And it was suddenly as if the past few weeks had never happened. How quickly all those feelings of doubt and uncertainty came rushing back.
She looked all around her. The boxes half full. The pictures on the floor.
There was only one certainty now.
She was leaving.
***Author's note: Ahh, sorry about the unresolved cliffhanger, but the next chapter will get a bunch of stuff addressed. Thank you for your patience with this chapter, I am so sorry about the hold up. I got so sick again on my birthday and had the worst ear ache I can ever remember. My ear was totally clogged up for almost two weeks. Only today is it starting to open up, I felt like I was going to lose my mind. Sitting down and typing (which I tried numerous times) was terrible. I was so distracted by my ear. Anyway, I'm on the mend and promise to keep moving with the story. I hope you enjoyed and again Paulina, Karissa are purely figments of my imagination and are not the real love interests of the players I attached them too. BTW, how about those Penguins?! I'm not going to lie, I was a little put out that the only loss in the past 13 games was the game I went to in which they scored 0 goals, but when you win the other 12 it's hard to stay mad for very long. So excited about this team and can't wait for the playoffs! Once again, thanks for reading and GO PENS!***
