Chapter Thirty One

"Wow, I am glad that's over," Sid laid back on Amber's bed.

"I can't believe I'm not dead… I am so embarrassed, I almost wish I were."

"You? I can't believe Max isn't dead… I'm not sure who wanted to kill him more… my dad or me…"

"Yeah… you're sister is pretty feisty too…"

"Holy Shit! That was funny!" Sid started laughing hysterically as he replayed the whole night in his head. "I loved at the end when Nathalie told him to leave, Austin gave him a bill for the swear jar! That was hilarious! I almost died not laughing!"

"Too bad he doesn't know all the French swears… Your mom didn't say anything…" Amber pointed out, quieting Sid's laughter.

"Neither did Mario… all night… they just seemed to sit there and take it all in," Sid agreed. It was definitely an awkward evening without comments from either of them. Sid was sure that he was going to hear about it eventually from both of them. "I couldn't tell what side they were on at all…"

"I'll give you one guess," Amber rolled her eyes then sat on the corner of the bed.

Sid reached for her and pulled her down to the bed, wrapping his arms around her protectively. "I think we need to give them the benefit of the doubt. I think my mom is on the fence and my dad will work on her… as for Mario, he just needs some time I think. He needs to know that you aren't going anywhere…"

"I am sure he is really going to appreciate you and Max fighting…"

"The guys will sort Max out, Mario knows that. He won't be able to cause a stink for long. Staalze was witness to Max saying he was fine with it too, so that'll help. It's not just my word against his," Sid pointed out. "And it's a contract year for Max, so he'll have to be at the top of his game. He doesn't have time to get caught up in this bullshit."

Amber rolled on to her side and looked down at Sid. "Tell me it will get easier."

"It will. I promise," Sid reassured her, running his hand softly along her cheek. "And not just 'cause it can't get worse. Everything is out there. We have nothing else to hide. Everyone knows everything. Now its just time for them to accept it and move on."

"Moving forward…" Amber murmured, while lowering her lips to Sid's. It had felt like an eternity since he had touched her lips. "Make love to me…" she moaned into his mouth and he was all to happy to oblige, pulling her on top of him.

-.-

"Well that was interesting," Troy declared, as he slumped contently into a chair in Mario's study. Mario handed him a cigar and then a flame to light the end, before starting one for himself.

"Certainly was," Mario agreed, turning to his own chair.

"What did you make of it?" Troy asked, genuinely interested in hearing the opinion of the man he respected greatly.

"It's a lot to take in…" Mario admitted.

"You must have known that Max would start a scene when you invited him here…"

"I had a slight indication. There had been mention around the arena that Max and Sid had fought and I just wanted to see what it was about," Mario explained. "I had no idea…"

"Sure you did," Troy shook his head. "And you knew full well that it was going to cause problems. It's time to cut the bullshit - this is my son we are talking about. He mentioned that you don't appear to like Amber very much."

"I just wanted to make sure that he wasn't blinded by sex goggles," Mario smirked. "You know how some of those boys can get? Pretty girl sucks their dick and they think they're in love."

"Sidney is not like that and you know it," Troy argued. He felt himself getting protective of his son, with the last person he ever thought he would.

"Just doing my due diligence. A lot of people have a lot invested in that boy and you know that," Mario reminded him. "Nobody knew anything about her. She could have been taking him for a ride. I think we can safety say that that isn't the case anymore… maybe we know a little too much about her now... Max certainly showed some pour taste, describing that in front of the kids, but we definitely have insight into who she really is…"

"Yeah, I think Max could have left something to the imagination," Troy chuckled, sitting back in his chair.

"Good for Sid anyway… flexibility is important, keeps the home fires burning…" Mario added, laughing to himself.

-.-

Trina reached across the table wiping a handful of bread crumbs and spilled wine towards her. Perhaps for the next meal they would have to re-implement the children's table rule – and put her husband there. He seemed to spill more food then anyone and that included the nine year old. It was embarrassing really. At least that was the least embarrassing part of the night. Things had gotten pretty intense over dinner.

"You really don't need to do that," Nathalie walked into the dining room.

"Oh yes I do," Trina argued, continuing her cleanup. "No one else needs to be responsible for my husband's sloppiness."

"So… I can't help but be curious, you haven't said anything about what you think about Amber…" Nathalie asked.

"What's to say? My son has made it very well known that our opinion doesn't matter to him."

"Trina… you know that isn't true."

"Isn't it? He invited this girl into his life without so much as an introduction before hand. After all that we have done for him…"

"I think your son has paid you back for that. You are going to have to let that go eventually, believe me it will only cause problems," Nathalie warned Trina based off personal experience with her own mother in law.

"All I am saying is, would it have been so hard for him to have shown a little respect? I mean, we are his parents!"

"So you don't actually have a problem with her, you're just being stubborn?" Nathalie pointed out. She knew she might be crossing the line but she couldn't help but feel bad for the girl. Someone had to stand up for her.

"I never didn't like her…"

"Trina come on, you haven't exactly made a fair effort to be nice to her. The poor girl moved here to be with your son. She had to give up everything. Believe me that's not easy," Nathalie explained, softening her tone. "She just wants to be liked by her boyfriend's mom… perhaps you could talk to her… it might help to calm your nerves too. She really is a nice girl, she is smart and confident –"

"Oh yes, confident we have seen… poor Max didn't stand a chance."

"I don't know if I would say 'poor Max'. He created quite a scene. She had to be confident to deal with him, especially the way she did. I can't imagine how embarrassed she must have been…"

-.-

Amber woke up with the sunlight pouring into her eyes. The window of the Lemieux's guest room faced the east, making it hard to sleep in. She reached up behind her and pulled the curtains shut tightly but it hardly made a difference. Looking next to her in the empty bed, Amber squinted as she attempted to adjust her eyes to the light. The empty space had been recently abandoned, as it was still warm and smelt like Sid sweet cologne. Sid had either snuck back to his own room to avoid being caught or he had already left for his workout. Either way, it was way past the time of social acceptance for her to be hiding in her room. The last thing she wanted was for anyone to think she was hiding or too embarrassed to face them. Even if she was.

Amber climbed out of bed and pulled on some casual clothes before heading downstairs to face the day. As she entered the kitchen, she stopped briefly in her tracks. The room was empty except for Sid's mom sitting in one of the barstools at the kitchen counter, sipping coffee and reading the newspaper. She was still in her pyjamas, making Amber wish she too could feel that comfortable in this house. As if sensing her presence, Trina looked up from her paper and glanced in Amber's direction.

"Well come in," Trina insisted. "I don't bite."

Amber cautiously walked into the kitchen, muttering good morning and getting herself out a coffee cup.

"Nathalie took Alexi to her swimming lessons," Trina explained their hostess's absence. "She should be back soon. She had mentioned that you and her were doing some shopping this morning."

"Um, yeah… we were going to check out some design stores and maybe get more off Sid's 'list of essentials'… you are welcome to join us…"

"Hmmm… that sounds lovely… I am not sure what the boys had planned for today, so I'll have to check with them… unless you know… seeing as how you're Sid's manager now, maybe you know what his schedule holds for him…"

Amber couldn't tell if Trina was being sincere or not. She was an exceptionally hard woman to read.

"I am sorry if that bothers you…"

"It doesn't bother me that he hired a proper manager. It was a long time coming, we can all agree on that," Trina paused as if she was reflecting on the past number of years. "Out of curiosity, what decision came first? The decision to be with you? Or the decision for you to be his manager?"

"I guess to be with me…" Amber responded after a minute of thought, she wasn't sure what Trina was trying to get at with that question and she certainly didn't want to dig herself into a deeper hole. "The manager thing was reactionary… after I lost my job in Ottawa, I wasn't going to move here. I was going to go and work in Europe and Sid wasn't exactly happy with that idea… he wanted me to come here, so he asked me to come and be his manager… I just can't sit around and do nothing. I have to work. I have to be busy. He knew that. I can't just be some trophy sitting on his mantle," Amber tried to explain.

"He's not just a trophy on yours?" Trina asked cautiously.

"No. I know you probably don't think that but I am not that person and I will prove it. It might take time for you to trust me or even like me but… I will do my best. I love your son. Not because he is rich or famous or a good hockey player but because he is a good person and he's caring and compassionate and genuinely the best person I have ever known," Amber explained to Trina.

Amber shifted uncomfortably in her spot, as Trina continued to stare at her, even over the edge of her coffee cup while she took a slow sip. Amber had just poured out her heart and knew she couldn't do anymore to make this woman like her. She held her ground and lifted her chin with confidence of her position, like Nathalie said she would have to. It was Trina's decision now.

"Well then…" Trina put her coffee cup down on the counter and stood up. Amber didn't know whether she should brace herself for impact or start running the opposite direction. "… take good care of my boy." Trina took the couple steps towards Amber and opened her arms. Amber stepped towards her and was embraced with a large hug, potentially one of the most awkward hugs of her life.

"Good to see you two getting along," Nathalie said, walking into the room.

As Trina stepped back to greet their host, Amber watched as she wiped a tear from her eye.

"I understand we have lots to do today," Trina choked out, as if she was fighting back tears. "We should get started, don't you think? That house needs to be perfect before the start of the season… Sid doesn't need any more distractions!"

-.-

"Tabernack! What the FUCK?" Max swore as his head hit the fresh drywall behind him. He pulled himself away from the wall and inspected for damages - in both the paint and his head.

"What the FUCK were you thinking, coming into Mario's house and attacking her like that? Who the fuck did you think you were helping? Yourself? She will NEVER forgive you for that!" Sid hissed at him. Sid had been waiting for him in the hall and as soon as he stepped through the door, he grabbed him by the collar and practically threw him across the small space. Max looked around as quite a crowd gathered to watch, after hearing Max make contact with the wall. So much for keeping their problems away from the ice…

"She has forgiven me for a lot worse…" Max shrugged. Maybe he had gone a bit too far last night but seeing her acting like a part of Sid's family made him sick.

"There is something seriously wrong with your head, you know that?"

"Yeah, you just put a new dent in it…" Max laughed, rubbing his head. He certainly had no intention of letting Sid get any reaction out of him.

Before he knew it, Max was back up against the wall, reeling from a blow to the face from his pissed off Captain. Max could taste the blood in his mouth, as he reached up and checked his teeth.

"Still think I am joking around?" Sid asked, clearly still ready for more.

Max lunged at him, hitting him square in the jaw and then grabbing him in a head lock. "You have NO RIGHT to be mad at ME!"

Sid struggled free, pushing his team mate and former best friend to the ground. He reached down and grabbed him by the collar, pulling him back up to his feet, just to nail him in the head. "After the SHIT you pulled last night, you should be glad you walked out of there… unlike you, I had some respect for that FAMILY…"

Max climbed to his feet, his lip busted and blood flowing freely. "RESPECT? You want to talk to me about RESPECT! Who were you respecting when you picked her?"

"I didn't pick her to screw you over… You need to get that through your thick head! What you did yesterday, the things you said in front of everyone… that was disgusting… those were private moments, you should have kept that sick shit to yourself!"

"I just thought that everyone should know who you are getting involved with… you should be proud… the things she can do with her tongue and with her body…mmm…" Max was baiting him now. He made the motion of fucking her just to see his reaction. "Even your Dad seemed interested…"

Sid lunged at him again, grabbing his head and punching him in the stomach, till Max was bent over gasping for air. The only reason Sid stopped was because some of the group of guys had jumped in to separate them. Sid struggled to get free, to return to the fight, while Max crawled to lean against the wall.

"ENOUGH!" Sid heard their coach bellow down the hall, while running towards the crowd of people.

"What the FUCK is going on here? I am sure everyone has some work to do… " Dan yelled, as he approached, surveying the damage. Max was practically laughing as he wiped the blood from his face and Sid was shaking out his hand. The crowd of people quickly disappeared and Sid forced himself to reign in his temper, as he knew better then to continue fighting in front of his coach. "You two. In my office… NOW!"

Both Max and Sid walked with their heads down towards Dan's office and once inside heard the door slam sharply behind them.

"So who would like to explain that?" Dan asked, the tone in his voice indicating that he was not impressed. "Anyone? Anyone want to explain the email I got this morning from Mario, warning me that Max might get his ass kicked?"

"Max pulled some shit at dinner last night and I was just reminding him of some etiquette…" Sid shrugged. He was surprised that Mario had told Dan so soon.

"Sid's mad 'cause his new girlfriends a whore and won't do the things to him that she would do for me…" Max quipped with a smile. He then watched as Sid's hands formed fists again, noting the blood that had stained the surface of Sid's skin. He wasn't sure if it was his or Sid's own…

"ENOUGH! What the fuck is wrong with you? You don't think I will send you down to the minors? If this gets out to the media, you think any team would want you after this shit?" Dan snapped at Max, then turned to face Sid. "And you… what the fuck are you doing fighting? What if you hurt yourself?"

"Oh the poor baby… what if you get a booboo?" Max teased.

"Then my girlfriend will kiss it better… you're just jealous…" Sid pointed out.

"Jealous? Of that whore? I finished with her years ago…"

"Oh please… everyone knows you want her back… that's what this is about… you can't stand the fact that she has moved on… upgraded to a real man… someone who can treat her right!"

"Holy fuck, you two sound like a bunch of drunk bitches right now! You need to cut it out… You aren't leaving this office until you come to some kinda peace treaty... I am going to go get a coffee and when I get back, I expect that there won't be any blood on my carpet and that you two will have come up with a solution. Or you'll both be benched for the home opener…" Dan threatened, knowing that the only power he had was in taking away their ice time. And that is wasn't real power because there was no way he could not play Sidney Crosby without a shit storm on his desk in the morning and possibly risking his job.