Chapter 36

"Good morning," I offer looking up from my newspaper. It's early – real early - but I, unlike someone else we know, clearly managed to get a good night sleep. Sid looks like his head just hit the pillow before it was time to wake up. There are bags under his eyes, his skin looks pale and considering he probably only needs to shave once a week, he's lookin' a bit scruffy. I guess that's the price he is going to have to pay for his actions last night.

"Mmm… morning…" he moans and sits down across the table from me.

"Coffee?" I ask.

"Yes please," He nods and rubs his face and then stretches out his neck, working out a kink by rolling his head back and forth. I guess he should stretch before partaking in anything too kinky. I fill a cup and plop it down in front of him with a bit of a crash. He jumps when the cup hits the table and then cringes as I scrape my chair along the floor. Ah, poor baby is a bit hung over. Shucks. I pick up my spoon and tap it on the table, something that irritates him when he's in the best of spirits, while I go back to reading the paper. He won't ask me to stop. He's too polite for that, he'll just silently stew.

It doesn't take long before he snaps and jumps to his feet. I laugh quietly to myself, stopping my tapping and putting the spoon down. He thinks that I've stopped, so he sits back down momentarily. He reaches for his coffee cup and I begin drumming my fingernails on the table. He loves that too. I can see him twitch as he takes another sip of his coffee. He'll justify his annoyance with me as a side effect of the alcohol. I will be blame free.

I watch him suffer for a bit but then lay off when he begins to rub his temples. I don't want to give him a headache, I just want to emphasis the one he already has.

He drinks a bit more coffee, pulling the sports section of the paper out from my pile. He flips through the pages, stopping for a few seconds if he sees something he's interested in. Most of the stories are about him and he won't read those. There is a small article about the Steelers and their upcoming season but other then that, he just skims. He finishes his coffee and leans back in his chair, looking outside, for what must be the first time, as he sees what I have already seen and have not been looking forward too.

"Wow it's a mess out there, hey?"

"Yeah, I'll start cleaning up soon," I moan and nod. The wind must have picked up overnight cause there are cups and plates everywhere. Chairs are flipped over, lanterns are blown down, tablecloths are twisted around tables and buffet equipment.

"No, I've got a company coming in to do that…" Sid insists, waving his hand for me to stay where I am. I know that's a nice thought but it's not going to happen.

"Yeah, I know but I need to supervise and such. The rental company is coming to get the tables, linens and stuff and the stage company is coming to take that all down. By the time you get back tonight, it should all be normal again."

"Normal…" Sid sighs.

"Yup…" I agree watching his facial expression. He looks almost sad, as he stares out over the yard.

"Like it didn't happen…"

"Sid…" I offer, placing my hand on top of his. I knew there would be some let down after the party was over and the real work began for the next season, I just didn't think it would come quite so quickly. "It did happen and today you need to remember to take time and take it all in. I know that yesterday was crazy but it's important to slow it down a bit today…"

"Yeah, for sure," he nods but the look in his eyes is still sad and a bit vacant. I guess they don't call it Cup Hangover for nothing.

"You want something for breakfast?" I ask, climbing to my feet to get myself a refill.

"Sure."

"Some toast maybe? There is some fruit salad and a bit of yogurt left. I could scramble you some eggs…" I offer, pulling open the fridge door. I have to adjust to having proper groceries in the fridge when Sid is home for the summer, for as much as I could live on Eggo's everyday, he would complain about the lack of nutrition.

"Sure, that would be great. You don't need to go to any extra effort or anything," He says but I know it's just easier if I make him breakfast. Watching him cook for himself is painful. And the mess is unbearable. And seriously, how hard is it not to use a metal spatula in a non-stick pan?

"It's no problem," I ignore him and start pulling out some food. "Phil will be here to prep the cup soon."

"Prep the cup?"

"Yeah, you know, wash it up and get everyone's dirty fingerprints off it." We went over this a couple days ago, at the party briefing. Sid offers me a black stare. Why do I even talk?

"Oh… okay…" he just shrugs. Now I wonder if he heard anything…

"And then you are off to the hospital. Your parents and sister will meet you there. And then, you have the golf tournament and another autograph signing session, then I understand you are taking the cup to the airport yourself and meeting Phil back there with the trophy case. The plane leaves at eight, so you can't be late!"

"Okay… wow…" Something tells me I am going to get a thousand text message questions today and reconsider my plan to stay home and clean up. It might just be easier to go with him. He looks overwhelmed and I hope it's just because the coffee hasn't kicked in and he hasn't had any breakfast. I decide to fill up his cup – he's going to need a serious caffeine boost to get through this day.

As I pour, I try to help him look on the bright side. "And then you get to come home and do nothing until tomorrow morning. A whole three hours of free time for yourself. What will you do with yourself?"

"My body might go into shock…" He looks up at me and I lay my hand on his shoulder and give him a little squeeze.

"Would you like me to book you something?" I tease.

"NO!" He laughs finally. It's good to hear him laugh. "Some quiet will be good. Will you be home?"

"Yup, probably asleep. I am freakin' exhausted." I return the coffee pot to its stand and debate making more to help get me through the rest of the day.

"Oh yeah? Jay keep you up?" Sid asks in a somewhat bitchy tone that takes me completely off guard.

"What? No!" I snap back at him. Where the fuck did he hear that?

"Sorry, I just assumed…" he shrugs but the bitchy tone is still there.

"Assumed what exactly?" I hiss at him.

"I saw you with him last night, so…"

"That's none of your business!"

"I know, I know… I'm sorry… I just… I thought you guys were done…" He shrugs, backing down. I understand that he doesn't want to get into a fight right now but then maybe he shouldn't have brought it up.

"We are. It was just – whatever. I don't need to explain myself to you!" Who the fuck does he think he is? People in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. "And as if you get to talk!"

"Pardon?" he practically yelps. That's right. I have eyes too.

"How was Deborah?" I sneer, folding my arms over my chest. If he wants to be bitchy, ohhhhh, he picked the wrong girl to go against!

"I don't know…" he replies slowly but with intent. "…you'd have to ask Max."

"Hmm?" I gulp.

"Max. You would have to ask Max how Deborah was. He took her home. I went to bed alone last night, if that's what you were thinking…if that's what you assumed," He explains starring at me accusingly. Okay. Point made. Assumptions were made on both sides so I guess I can't be too mad. I do, now however, feel a wee bit stupid. I know that I have no right to be upset even if he did, or did not, have company last night. In fact, I guess I should have expected it. It's his twenty-second birthday, he's a red blooded male, he's a hero in this town and could have anyone he wanted. Why he went to bed alone is a mystery to me… unless… unless Jay was right…

'No!' I instruct myself firmly, starring at the floor. 'Don't be ridiculous! You work for him, this is a professional relationship. He could have any girl he wants - super models, celebrities, anyone. Jason was just flattering you to get in your pants, don't buy into that. You're only gonna let yourself down.' I give my head a shake and look up, squaring up my shoulders and cutting the delusional crap out of my mind. It doesn't last long, as I catch Sid's eyes - gorgeous, gorgeous eyes - and feel my cheeks warm as the blood rushes in. I look away quickly and thank god he can't read my thoughts.

"Um, I think I hear someone in the driveway. It might be Phil. I'll go check," I stutter and back out of the kitchen. Quickly.

-.-

Wow, did this summer go by quick. I didn't even get a proper vacation. I had a couple days here and there but no real chance to go and unwind and just let it all go. I mean, I know I shouldn't complain, and I'm not really, it's just nice to get to get a moment away from the game. Between Cup celebrations, extra commercials, never ending press requests and then all the regular summer stuff that I have to do, training and charity work and such plus the Olympic camp, it's like, shit people, back off for a minute!

Now, I am heading back to Pittsburgh and it seems like I didn't get anything done this summer. I had a to do list. Dad always says there will be plenty of time for to do lists when I retire. Easy for him to say, he has Bree to do all his work for him. And he is retired. I don't have those options.

"So…" I turn to Bree as she walks down the front stairs of my house into the driveway where I am loading my gear into the truck. My dad nods and climbs into the driver's side door. I've said good-bye to a lot of people before – my mom, dad, sister, grandma, friends, teammates - but saying goodbye to her… well, quite frankly sucks.

"So, you're off?" She asks with a friendly smile.

"Yeah, I guess so," I nod, then return to chewing on my bottom lip. I am such an idiot. I had all summer. I had all fucking summer to tell her how I felt but I didn't. I kept waiting for the right moment. I kept waiting to be alone with her. I kept waiting. And now it looks like I am going to have to wait longer. I can't very well just lean in, kiss her and then climb in the car and drive away. I mean, I could. It would be a bit of a dick move but at least it would be a move.

"Well have a good flight," I watch Bree's lips move and can barely hear her words because all I can think is 'I wonder what her lip gloss tastes like…'

"Thanks," I finally acknowledge, shaking out the thoughts in my head. I think this is where I am supposed to say 'bye', turn around and get into the car. Instead I stand here, like I am stuck, like one of those wasps on the sticky tape hanging on the back deck. "I… ah… just wanted to, um, thank you again for, ah, all your help this summer. My mom couldn't have done it without you. Hell, my sister probably would have flunked out of school if it wasn't for you…"

"It's my job," Bree responds modestly.

"I know… I just… I know they appreciate the help," I stumble over my own tongue. "I appreciate it…"

"I do what I can." I can tell that I am making her uncomfortable with the praise. She's not used to it. She should be. She's amazing.

I turn and climb into the car beside my dad and close the door. She gives me a little wave and I feel a pain in my heart. I know I will see her again in a couple of weeks in Pittsburgh but for some reason leaving her right now is harder then ever - harder then it ever should have been.