The feeling of dread that pools in my stomach when I see my brother can't not be ignored. I'm almost glad that Sid has to go to practice so he doesn't have to be involved in this ugliness. When Sid shuts the door behind him, I move to the sofa to sit and wait for John to say what's on his mind. When I look at John, the smile he had on his face the entire time Sid was in the room is gone. John sits down in the chair beside me and I wait.

"So, dad told me what's been going on here and it's more than hockey. I thought you gave up the Kid sis. What was he doing in here?"

While my father has always had a sheen of polish over him, John has never been able to cultivate that skill and contempt radiates from him. After all of the years that have gone by since our parents' divorce, John blames me even more now than ever for not taking father's side. Growing up, I was always so much closer to my father than my mother; but, the divorce showed the ugly side of both of them and it has coloured my view of them ever since. I pull myself back to the present.

"John, let's stop the bullshit ok. I know father sent you here to check up on me and you always do what he wants, don't you John?"

He smirks at me and replies "you are avoiding the question Sloan. Tell me that you've given up the Kid?"

"John, I don't answer to you and I only answer to father because I work for him. I will tell you this once and only once because I want you to leave as soon as possible. Father was abundantly clear about what he wanted and you can report back that he got everything he wanted, ok?" I watch as John stares at me intensely. What he doesn't realize is that I've become a really good actress.

He must like what he sees because he finally smiles and says "good. That was smart Sloan. I'm glad you've decided to be smart. Now, I'm going to watch the practice and then I'll be leaving. I'll make some excuse about business for having to leave if anyone asks."

I nod and don't say any more. I can finally release the breath I've been holding when the door closes behind him. What is this family? What is wrong with us that my father is so cruel, my brother travels across the country to make sure my father's 'orders' have been followed and I haven't talked to my mother in months, or has it been a year? I thought I'd carved out some peace for myself in my life. Then I let my father guilt me into helping with his sports team, I fall in love with his star player and my life becomes a satirical farce or some mafia movie with the father making demands and all his kids falling in line. I wouldn't believe it if I wasn't in the middle of it right now myself. This can't end well. There are so many lies told to so many people surrounding me that I don't know that I can see the truth anymore. Shit. I can take some solace that John is leaving. I don't know why he's staying for practice but I can only guess that he wants to make sure that he makes me as uncomfortable as possible by observing Sid. Oh shit, that's not what he wants. He's going to talk to Sid after practice!

I don't think, I just run. In the hall, I resist the urge to keep running and slow down so that I'm walking quickly. I have to force myself to say hello to people as I pass them. I am singularly focused on getting to rink level. Of course the elevator takes forever to come and even longer to actually get to the level. The hall is deserted which tells me that they have started the press conference so I head there first. Yep, Sid is sitting at the table and the media have started their questions. I look around and Jennifer is managing the questions. "Have you come down to check on your star?" I hear John whisper behind me.

"It's the first press conference of the playoffs. I need to be here. What about you?" I ask him.

"Sloan, I'm taking a keen interest in our star too. He doesn't seem too heartbroken to have lost you."

Shit, I was really hoping to avoid this conversation. "John, not that I need to explain myself to you, ever, but it wasn't a real relationship. If you must know, it was only sex and it was only going to last the season."

He chuckles "at least you had that much sense in you. I guess you could have done worse than an athlete. Make sure that you don't move on to another one. We need these guys focused for the playoffs."

I take the insult by ignoring it. It's better that he thinks that I'm playing around then the truth. I notice that Sid is finishing up and he walks our way. I plaster the company smile on my face. "Hi Sid, I hope that was as painless as it looked."

Sid smiles back and I know that it's his company smile too. "It's a necessary part of the job. Thankfully it's short."

We both turn toward John who looks between us. "You know, maybe I'll stay for the game tonight. It has been so long since I saw a game. Mario won't mind if I crash his box."

Great, that's just great. He's staying for the game which means he'll be here overnight too. I wonder "John, will you be staying at father's house or do you need a hotel room." I pray that his answer is the house because I don't want to explain why I'm not staying at a hotel.

"Since dad was just here his house is open and ready so I'll stay there. How are you doing at the hotel?"

"It becomes home after a few months. At least it's only temporary" I respond.

We all walk to the locker room and, at the door, John says "I haven't seen some of these guys in years. I'll see you later." He makes his way directly to Geno. I guess he wants to make sure that he's talked to all of the 'big stars' while he's here.

Sid and I are left standing at the entrance. Under his breath, Sid says "I hope you don't mind me saying this but your brother is an ass."

I have to swallow back a chuckle. "Yeah, he really is" I reply. I feel Sid lean slightly into me and then he goes to his stall. That small moment of contact goes a long way to sooth me. I can't resist watching him walk away.

"What did you think?" Jennifer asks as she comes up beside me.

"It went really well. You handled the large presser as well as the smaller ones. It was really well organized." I tell her.

"Thanks Sloan. It's been so much easier handling them with the new rules. They may have grumbled at first but the reporters are following the rules without my prompting now. It's really working well."

I'm glad to see that she can see the difference. She's really come a long way. Jennifer heads into the locker room when her name is called and I'm left watching the room again. My brother is currently fawning over James. It's like he feels that he's above everyone yet he also wants to be accepted as one of them. Sid was right, he is an ass.

I move beyond John and take in the rest of the room. Even though we're managing the press when they are in the locker room, it's much calmer in here with press out at the official media location used for the playoffs. It's definitely calmer but it's also more serious. You can tell that it's the playoffs. The guys are joking but there is also an undercurrent that's very thoughtful. Everyone knows that the Stanley Cup is at stake now.

My phone vibrates and it's Sid 'meet me in medical room 2' is all it says. I head that way and, when no one is in the hall, I slip inside. Before I can say anything, Sid pulls me into his arms and his lips are attacking mine. I can't do anything but try to keep up. My hands feast in his damp hair and I can smell the soap he just used in his shower. When Sid pulls away, his hands cup my cheeks gently.

"How are you?" He asks.

"Better now" I respond.

He smiles then says "really, how are you Sloan? Did John give you a rough time?"

This man is the sweetest. "I can handle my brother Sid. He may be an ass but I've known him my entire life. I know how to handle him. I have to tell you though, the end of the season can't come soon enough so that we can stop all of the hiding" although then Sid will know. I'm not looking forward to that part.

"I agree but after seeing your brother and father's reaction, I'm even happier that we're waiting. We don't need anything unpredictable right now." He kisses me softly and I hold him close to linger on his gorgeous lips a few moments longer. Finally, we do part and Sid says "I talked to my mom. She and my dad will be coming in tomorrow." Oh oh, that means they might overlap my brother. Sid seems to know exactly what I'm thinking. "We'll deal with it Sloan. If your brother is still here then we'll deal with it. Of course mom knows that I'm in love with you. She said that she knows me too well for her not to have seen it."

I'm panicked a little at first. His parents know not only that we're together but that we're serious. Then I calm down. His family isn't my family and they were wonderful to me when I met them.

"Are they ok with that Sid? Are they ok with me?" I can't help but ask him. I need it confirmed.

"Yes she is very much ok with it and with you; mostly with you. I told her that we're living together too. They stay at a hotel when they're here so it won't be a problem but I wanted them to know. They started staying at the hotel because I was living with Mario and Nathalie then they just kept doing it. I guess they're as superstitious as the rest of us."

I get over my surprise that he told his parents that we're living with each other quickly and focus on the fact that they are ok with it. "Sid, you're not just saying that? She was really ok?"

He caresses my cheek and kisses my lips again. "Really Sloan, she's very happy that we're in love. She said that she could see it right away and is looking forward to spending more time with you."

I see the truth in his eyes. "Ok, I look forward to spending time with your parents too." It's the truth. I really want to get to know his family. Hopefully they're going to be my family too someday. "But Sidney, what are we going to do about your family and my brother in the same place at the same time?" Then it hits me "Sid, do they know about ..." I leave it there.

"I won't lie to my parents Sloan but, no, I didn't tell her. I told her that you have a difficult past and that we would talk after the season. I told her that it's not my story to tell. She trusts me Sloan. She was fine with that, really." Sid looks a little wary at me.

"Ok Sid, I trust you too." I kiss him slowly and within moments we are wrapped up in each other again. I can't get enough of his lips, cheek and then his neck where I nip and lick.

"Sloan, we need to either stop now or keep going."

I pull back when Sid says this and I want to keep going but my head cools even if my body doesn't. "Ok, I know. We need to stop."

Sid kisses me softly and says "yeah, we do."

I pull back and straighten my clothes. Sid has managed to pull my shirt out of my skirt and unhook my bra. I think back to the first time we were together and I had to give him some direction. He's certainly caught on and fast. "Ok, I'll see you at home later after your game day nap. Hey, I like the sound of that, I'll see you at home" I tell him.

Sid smiles. "I like it too. I'm heading home then. Will you sit up in Mario's box with your brother tonight? Will he expect you to do it?"

"I don't think so. I really hope not." I tell him. I give him a last kiss on the cheek and then head out the door. No one is in the hall so I head to the elevator and back up to my office.

"Sloan" I turn when I hear my name as I'm about to go into my office. It's David; it can't be good when the President wants to see you. It never has in the past.

"Hi David" I say and he gestures me into my office. That's when I notice another man with him. Once in my office, David shuts the door and we all sit down.

"Sloan, this is Alex Samuel. He is our chief legal counsel on the lawsuit from Tom McMillian."

I turn to Alex. "It's nice to meet you Alex."

"You as well Sloan. I've spoken with David, Mario and your father about this lawsuit to find out what precipitated them bringing you into the company when they did. Their actions and reasons set up that Tom wasn't performing before you ever got here. The premise of the lawsuit is that you terminated his employment because of a personal issue between you which we all know is far from the truth. In fact, all three, David, Mario and Ron, said that they would have fired Tom before you did. If we find the right proof, we can get this thrown out before it goes anywhere."

I consider this for a moment and then reply "ok. If he's blaming me then why am I not being sued personally too?"

Alex looks up from his notepad and says "I suspect that's going to be next. His lawyers wanted to see what the organizations' response would be and then they'll add you to their list."

Great, this day keeps getting better. Now I may be sued too. "Ok, so I can anticipate a lawsuit coming my way. What's our next step?" I ask.

"Sloan" David jumps in. "You don't have to worry about anything. The law firm will represent you as well as the Pens."

"Thank you David. Alex" I turn to the lawyer now "what do you need from me?"

"Sloan, this is a preliminary meeting. I wanted to meet you and let you know some of the details of the lawsuit. In the next couple of weeks we may need to meet again. We could also make it all go away and then you won't have to be any more involved than you are today."

I nod to him and we all get up. David and I both say goodbye to Alex at the door and then go back into my office. We sit down again and David asks "how are you Sloan? I know that this wasn't what you signed up for when you came to help us."

I smile at David and reply "no, it isn't. David, nothing that has happened here was planned. That isn't a bad thing. In fact, I really think that this was a good move for me."

David pats my arm. "Sloan, I hope that you know that we're lucky to have you too."

We chat a little more about the playoffs and the media strategy then David leaves. I shut the door behind him and go back to the sofa.

What a fucking day! My head is spinning with everything that has happened. Dan and David's encouraging words were heartwarming. John has been the biggest rock in the road today. He loves to cause trouble and especially to me. Sidney's news about his parents coming was surprising too. The ups and the downs of today have me dizzy and the game preparations haven't even started. I look at my watch and know that Sid has already gone home for a nap. I wanted to go home with him or at least meet him there but that isn't going to happen with the way that this day has already gone. I send Sid a text to let him know that I won't be home and then I go back to my desk. I have to get some work done.


I felt better after seeing Sloan. Well, better but with a raging hard on. Those few minutes in the medical room weren't nearly enough with her. They made me feel better to know that she was ok and that her brother didn't give her too much trouble. It's going to be interesting having her brother and my parents here at the same time. Hopefully John will leave long before my parents get here.

As I drive to Consol, I wish that I was playing tonight. It's the first game in the first series of the playoffs. I hate that, once again, I'm watching my team play. At least this time I know that I'll be back and I'll be back tomorrow if I have anything to say about it. This afternoon, I'm going to have a lot of time to waste while I wait for the game to start; but, even if I'm not playing, I still get to the rink at the same time. Call it superstition or routine, it is what it is.

After parking, I head to the locker room and see the guys warming up. After talking to some of them, I move onto the rink and sit up in the stands. This is why I tape my stick out here. I love the quiet and peace of the ice before anyone has skated on it. They haven't even put out the nets yet.

"Is this where you hide before the game?"

I turn and see John walking to my row and sit a couple chairs away. Ass. "Hi John. I wouldn't say that I'm hiding since anyone can find me."

"I guess so. It's going to be a good game. I'm looking forward to it."

"Yeah, it's going to be a great series. It's most of the Islander's first time in the playoffs so you can expect the unexpected."

"I love the unexpected. It makes life so much more interesting" he says. What an ass.

"I guess so" I reply.

"So" John says "how long are we going to keep making small talk rather than discussing how long you've been fucking my sister."

I know he's trying to get a rise out of me saying it the way he did; unfortunately, it's working. I take a few deep breaths and try to calm down before I answer him. "I don't see how that's any of your business John" is all I can say.

"It's my sister Sid so it's my business. Tell me how long you've been fucking my sister."

Yeah, it's definitely working. I want to punch the guy. "Ok, I have a great deal of respect for Sloan so I'll answer your question then I'm not talking about this anymore with you. I was sleeping with your sister; past tense. We stopped a few days ago. It was only sex and it wasn't for long. She broke it off and I'm fine with that, ok?" I turn to him now being sure to keep my face neutral. John stares at me for a few minutes and then turns back to the ice. I do too. Hopefully this is over.

"Well, I apologize Sid for the direct questions but I need to look after my sister. She's had a tough time of it and I only want to make sure that she's ok" John finishes. Does he really think that I'm buying into his shit? Asshole.

"I understand John and that's why I answered you." I let that lay there and hope that he takes it as his cue to leave. I'm relieved when he gets up and begins walking away.

"Oh Sid, I heard that your parents are coming in tomorrow. I haven't seen them since you guys won the Cup. I can't wait to see them again."

Fucking asshole.