Sidney
I wake up alone in bed with a throbbing headache. Lying still, I assess where I'm feeling the pain and determine that it's not a concussion headache which is what I always think of first. While not a doctor, my vast experience as a patient allows me to assess my pain accurately. The puck hit my ear, requiring stitches, and my head snapped to the right. That's where the headache is coming from today. I'll be fine after the trainer works on me or I have a massage.
It's 10am so Anna must already been downstairs. I take care of business in the bathroom, and swallow down some Tylenol, then get dressed. I find Anna drinking coffee at the breakfast bar and reading something on her iPad.
"Good morning" I say as I approach and kiss her lightly. "Did you sleep well?"
"I did" she smiles at me. "And I'm currently reading about my rock star boyfriend who singlehandedly won the game last night."
I chuckle and make my breakfast shake. It's only when I've turned on the blender that I notice that everything was out on the counter for me ready to mix it. Anna must have done it all for me. Hmm.
When I'm done, I sit next to Anna and look at her iPad. She's reading an article about last night's game and, indeed, it is heralding me as the hero. It could be worse I guess because we could have lost. I hate when they focus on me rather than the team or the whole game. Like any one player can win an entire game all by themselves. Maybe Maurice Richard once upon a time but not now for sure.
"How are you feeling?" Anna asks.
"Had a headache but took something and it's gone" I tell her. "I'm good now."
She narrows her eyes like she's trying to see inside my head herself. Anna must like what she sees because her frown turns into a smile and she gives me a quick kiss.
"Ok, good" she tells me. She looks closer at my ear and says "the swelling is gone where the stitches are and they look good."
"You know a lot about stitches huh?"
She smirks and goes back to her iPad.
I scroll through my phone and review some of the emails that I've received. They can all wait. I send a text to Chris, our trainer, and ask who's on call for massage. His immediate response tells me to come into Consol. He's in and can work on my neck. I look at Anna, back at my phone and then at Anna again.
"What?" she asks.
"Chris is at the rink and said that he can see me right away to work out my neck. Do you mind if I run in?"
"Of course not" she tells me.
"It's just that" I begin and sigh. "I'll tell him no. We set the day aside to talk and that's what I want to do."
She smiles and cups my cheek.
"We will" she says. "Here's what we'll do. You go in and get your neck worked on and I'll go to the grocery store." I look skeptically at her. "Seriously Sid, you have no food. I couldn't make something for lunch unless the ingredients included Gatorade, apples and batteries."
I chuckle and reply "ok. I guess that isn't appetizing, huh?"
"We'll meet back here, have lunch and talk" Anna says.
"Great."
I finish my drink and take it and Anna's dish to the sink. We each get our things and head out to my car which is when I realize that Anna doesn't have one.
"Why don't you drive me to Consol, go shopping and then pick me up after?" I ask her.
"Ok" she replies.
We chat on our way to the rink about nothing in particular. It feels normal, right, and I enjoy every moment of it. At the rink, I kiss Anna and she drives off in my car. I go inside and find Chris in the trainer's room. We chat for a little while and then I get on the table. These guys, our trainers, are truly miracle workers because quickly my neck is better, loose and limber again, and I leave feeling great. It's perfect timing because Anna has finished grocery shopping.
When I get into the car, I notice the many, many bags in the backseat.
"Did you buy out the store?" I ask her.
"We may never have lived together Sidney but I know how much you eat, which is basically everything you can get your hands on" she tells me. "Oh, and I texted Andy and asked for a list of the top foods you need to eat so I got lots of those."
"You're so cute" I chuckle.
"Well, I didn't realize until I was in the produce section that I know what you like to eat but not what you need to eat. I've never had to worry about that before so I asked Andy. You were in treatment."
"Hey, I think that was a great idea and I really appreciate it babe."
She smiles.
"How did the treatment go?" she asks.
"I'm feeling brand new."
"Those guys are miracle workers" Anna tells me.
"I thought the exact same thing earlier and pretty much every day. They really are incredible" I agree. "What are we doing for lunch?"
"Chicken sandwiches with shredded cabbage slaw."
"Sounds good."
We chat all the way home and then continue as we unpack the groceries. As I unpack the food, I see that she has purchased everything that I need to eat for the next few days.
"You realize that you are smiling at Brussel sprouts Sid" she says to me.
"Yeah I do."
"Ok, why are you smiling at the vegetables?"
"It's not the Brussel sprouts so much as all the food. You got it all Anna."
"Oh, ok."
"Thank you" I tell her and kiss her.
The quick, soft kiss that I intended deepens quickly and I'm lifting her up onto the counter and grinding against her. The mood is hot, heavy and then completely blown when my stomach growls. I pull back and press my forehead to hers.
"Oops" I say.
"Hungry Mr. Crosby?"
"For a number of things."
"Food Sidney, let's take care of the food."
"Fine" I growl, kiss her quickly and then help her off of the counter.
We put the rest of the groceries away and then make lunch. Well, Anna makes lunch and I do what she tells me to do since I'm completely hopeless in the kitchen. Quickly, more thanks to her than me, we are sitting at the kitchen table eating.
"So" she begins. "Where do you want to start?"
Confused I ask "what do you mean?"
"We're going to talk. Where do you want to start?"
Oh.
"Um, are we going to go back two years ago or do you want to start with moving in together now? I've never done this before" I tell her.
"Me either Sid. Why don't we start with living together now? Why do you want me to move in?"
"That's easy. We're back together and I don't want to waste any more time. If we're together than let's be together. Plus, with my schedule, I don't want to be away from you any more than I have to be."
"Ok" she says and smiles.
"Why do you want to move in with me?" I ask. She doesn't answer directly. "You do want to move in with me, right?"
"Of course I do" she says. "For all the same reasons that you said. I'd add that we need to be together to actually be together. We can only do that if we're in the same place."
She seems sure. She sounds very sure. I guess we're both on the same page on this if nothing else yet.
"Ok" I reply. "Um, so what's next?"
"How about what I'm going to do while you playing?"
"What do you mean?" I ask.
"Sid, you'll be practicing, playing, and all the other things that you need to do. What am I going to do? I'm not the 'wait at home for your man' kind of woman."
Oh.
"What did you do before?" I ask. "You know, with Matt."
She frowns then says "I worked on Matt's campaign planning and strategizing and then, in the end, I was the candidate's fiancée and I worked in that capacity."
"So work here" I tell her.
"Doing what?"
"I don't know. With the Pens I guess" I tell her. "I'm sure that Mario could use you in some capacity."
"I don't want you calling in any favours or asking Mario. Please Sid. It wouldn't be right. I will talk to Jennifer though and see if there is a position for me. Then I get to travel with you guys too. Ok?"
"Ok" I reply.
Wow, this is the first time I've ever suggested using my position to help someone. At least Anna is thinking clearly and dismissed the idea quickly.
"Well, we know what's going to happen here, now, or at least our next steps" Anna says. "But Sid, these things really aren't the main problem right?"
She's right. All of these things need to be discussed but they aren't our main issue. We need to talk about what happened two years ago, what happened after I found out about the abortion, essentially about all the shitty stuff.
"Yeah, you're right. Let's clean up and then" I pause.
"Then we can talk about the rest" she says.
"Yeah" I agree.
Anna
I know that I'm portraying a confidence that I only partially feel. Maybe being with Matt has made me a stronger person and a better girlfriend / fiancée. I know how to have a healthy and loving relationship; although, a part of me feels like I don't know how to have a successful one because I've had to two major relationships in my life break up, both Matt and Sid.
After Sid and I finish cleaning up from lunch, I pour myself a glass of wine, Sid grabs a bottle of water, and then we go to the family room. We each sit on different end of the same sofa and face each other. I guess it's time to put what I've learned to use.
"Let's start with the abortion" I blurt out.
Sid looks stunned by my outburst, about as stunned as I feel, so I explain.
"Sorry" I tell him. "It just came out before I could think."
"Ok, no problem. There still are some things that we haven't talked about" he says and smiles. "I actually have a few questions if you don't mind."
"Ok" I tell him. "Let's start there. What do you want to know?"
"When did you know that you were pregnant?" he asks me.
"Um, almost four weeks after we had sex. My period has always been regular, to the day, and when it was late, I knew. I took a test, a few of them actually, and they were all positive."
"Did you tell anyone?"
"No Sidney. Who was I going to tell? I almost told Lauren, we spent a lot of time together that spring, but with how close you are with the Lemieuxs, I didn't want to put her in the middle of anything. Also, then I'd have to tell her that we had sex and she had a crush on you when you lived with them. It would just be weird."
"She had a crush on me?" Sid asks.
Oh oh. That must have been a secret. Oops.
"Yeah, but let's focus on one thing at a time, ok?" I tell him.
"Yeah, ok" he says and takes a drink of his water. "So you had to deal with it alone."
"Yes. I told my mother that I was going to see my aunt. She lives in Connecticut. I flew into New York first, told everyone I was going to do some shopping, and then drove to my aunt's home."
"Why New York?"
"What better city to get lost in, so that no one knows you, but in New York? Anyway, I found a clinic that took cash and wouldn't keep records. I heard about it at boarding school because a few girls used it. Anyway, I underestimated how long recovery would take. When I got to my aunt's house, I felt horrible but she believed me when I said it was the flu. No one knew what happened."
"And that was it?"
"Yeah it was pretty simple. At least the procedure was" I tell him.
"What does that mean?"
"Sid, we've never really talked about my family's religious beliefs."
"No, I just assumed that you disagreed with them. I mean you've had an abortion and we've had sex."
"I guess that's an easy assumption to make" I tell him. "I don't believe exactly what they do Sid, I don't. Besides, I don't know that they believed half of what they said they did. Anyway, I do believe in God. I'm pro-choice, but I do believe in God. I also believe that abortion is murder because whether the baby can live outside the womb or not, it is a baby. I killed our baby Sidney. I did."
I have to stop and take a few deep breaths. I still can't think of our baby without wanting to sob uncontrollably.
"Oh Anna" he begins and I hold my hand up to stop him.
"Sid, this isn't something that I'll completely get over. I would do the same thing again but that doesn't mean that I think that it's ok. Nothing about it is ok. I just thought it was the best solution to an untenable situation. That doesn't mean that it was a good solution."
I look at him pleading for understanding. It might be impossible since he's a man, or because he didn't go through it himself, but maybe he can understand part of it at least.
"That must have been so hard for you Anna. I'm sorry that you had to do that alone. I'm not saying that you should have told me, we didn't even know each other and I get your situation, but I wish you weren't alone."
"I get it too" I tell him. "Of course I couldn't tell my mother and father. They would have forced me to have the baby and marry a man I didn't love or give up the baby for adoption. Neither of those were options so I did what I had to do."
"I don't know if I'm allowed to have an opinion" Sid says.
"Of course, you can have any opinion you want Sidney."
"My experience is that, even if a man has an opinion, if it's about abortion then that man should keep his mouth shut. The law is a woman's right to choose."
"Well it's just you and me Sidney. If we're going to talk about it then let's talk about everything openly and honestly."
"Ok, you probably know that I was raised Catholic so I struggled with abortion. I've always been able to see the grey in the black and white that is usually presented on the subject. Anyway, I've never been able to articulate my thoughts and what you just said is exactly what I believe. I don't think it's right or should be easy; but, it is also the best solution in a bad situation some times. That's what happened to you, a bad situation, and you did the only thing that you felt you could."
"Yeah" I say. He does get it. "Thank you."
"For what?"
"For getting it. For getting me."
"Did you think that I wouldn't?"
"Actually, I thought that you would hate me" I tell him.
That's when it all makes sense. I didn't tell Sid because I thought that he would hate me and I couldn't have him hating me.
"That's what it came down to Sid. Yes, when we got together that fall, we were close and sharing a lot of things with each other but this was one thing that I just couldn't tell you. I thought that you would hate me and the more I knew you, the more I loved you, the more fear built up inside of me. I couldn't tell you because I thought that you would hate me and that would have killed me. It nearly did when it finally came out and you knew."
"I get that" he says but doesn't sound convincing.
"Do you?"
He's silent and stares down at his water bottle. One thing that I've learned about Sid is that you need to wait him out when he's silent like this because he needs to think through something. He'll talk once he's figured out whatever it is he needs to process.
"No, I don't. I'm sorry but I don't. We were in love Anna and wanted a future life together. I wanted to marry you, have a family with you, and be together forever with you. When you love someone, how can you keep such a big secret from them? How can you do that? No, Anna, I don't understand the secret part."
I don't know how to make him understand. How do I make him understand how I felt? How do I make him understand?
"In the beginning, I didn't think that it was anything long term" I tell him. There was no way that you really wanted me. Then, the longer it went on, and the deeper I got into the relationship, I didn't know how to tell you. I guess I convinced myself that it didn't matter since we weren't really together when it happened. It wasn't right and I'm not trying to make excuses for my behaviour. I'm just trying to help you understand why I did what I did."
"Ok, I kinda get that. What we had was overwhelming, I felt it too, and you didn't know how to tell me about it or how I would respond to the lying since we'd already argued about being truthful."
I feel relief. He does get it, at least a little bit.
"Yeah, that's it" I tell him. I just got in deeper and deeper and then I didn't know how to get out of the hole. I loved you so much Sidney. God, I was a mess back then. I didn't know how to handle, well, anything it seems. Work was great but the rest, everything personal, I was simply a mess and didn't know what to do, say, or how to act. I mean, look at my parents' relationship and tell me that I know how to have a loving relationship."
"I never thought of that" he replies. "I have my parents, grandparents, all kinds of cousins and you had your parents. I guess we had very different examples of relationships."
I take a drink of my wine and stare at Sid. He seems to get it. He seems to understand.
"Anyway, at some point in our lives we make our own decisions about our life" I tell him. "We need to take accountability for our behaviour. If I'd realized that earlier then maybe we wouldn't have gone through all of this Sid."
"You can't go there Anna. Everything that's happened has brought us here, to this moment, when we're sitting on this sofa and discussing a future together. It's been painful, the past years have been painful, but they have brought us here." He smiles and continues "that's one way to look at it. The better way I think."
"So what's next?" I ask.
"You've been standing up to your mother, I've seen it a few times. How did that come about?" he asks. "You used to either avoid her or you did whatever she told you to do. That isn't happening anymore."
I chuckle.
"No, it doesn't happen anymore. I guess that started, or stopped, when Matt and I got together. She was mollified because I made a decision that she approved of and then, over the next months, I saw less and less of her as she started taking care of my father. It sucks that it had to happen because my father was sick but it happened."
"I hate to admit it but I did enjoy hearing you put her in her place when you told her about breaking up with Matt. Maybe that makes me a bad person but I really did enjoy listening to you on the phone with her."
I chuckle again. Only Sid would feel bad in that kind of situation. He's so sweet.
"I think that I owe you an apology" he begins. "For how I behaved back then, when I found out, I think that I owe you an apology."
Confused, I ask "for what exactly?"
"I don't think that I over reacted exactly. I mean, Anna, that was shocking and, quite honestly, I was completely blind-sided, so however I reacted was going to be my reaction. But, after that day, I should have called you and spoken to you about how I felt and asked how you were doing. If you love someone, then you treat them better than I treated you."
"And how I treated you" I add softly.
"Yes" he agrees. "We both screwed up I guess. I want you to know, I need you to know, that I don't hold it against you. The abortion I mean" he explains.
"You should" I tell him and feel tears well in my eyes.
"No, I shouldn't. Don't you ever think that I'm disappointed, or mad or whatever other negative emotion you can imagine, that you could even think that I would hate you. Yes, initially that's what I thought but I was angry, upset and frustrated. When I thought about it, truly and honestly thought about it, I knew that I was angry about the lying and nothing else."
Really? I squint at him, looking as if I can see directly into his soul. That's stupid of course but what I do see makes me believe him. I can live with Sid being mad about the lying but if he was mad or disappointed about the abortion, wow, I don't know if I could live with that.
"Do you believe me?" he asks.
"Yes" I answer quickly. "I'm relieved and yes, I believe you."
I put my wine down on the coffee table and then climb across the sofa until I'm straddling his lap. I wrap my hands around his hard neck, wow he even has muscles there, and stroke his cheeks with my thumbs. I love the way his eyes soften and grow dark. This is the moment when I feel, truly feel deep inside, all of the love he feels for me. This has to be the closest thing to perfection on earth.
"I love you" I whisper and kiss him.
"I love you" he whispers back.
Our lips softly rub and sip. His love warms my heart and spreads throughout my entire body. This is perfect. An absolutely perfect moment.
Sid pulls back and asks "will you move in with me?"
"Yes, of course" I tell him.
"Good, great" he says and kisses me again.
This time, I pull away and shift so that he's cuddling me. It is the best feeling. Ok, maybe the second best.
"Holy crap, it's 5pm" he says when he looks at his watch.
"Wow, the afternoon has gone by fast."
Sid picks up his phone when it buzzes and says "Tanger is asking if we want to go out to dinner with him and Cath. What do you think?"
I'd love nothing more than to stay her in our perfect bubble but that's not realistic and we're going to have to burst it sooner than we want anyway. No one noticed that I was at the game, no one in the media, but we could get our picture taken if we go out. Should I do that so soon after Matt did his interview and announced talked about our break up? It could make it worse. Of course we need to live our lives at some point. Will it really be better if we wait? I make a quick decision to live my life.
"That sounds great" I tell him. "I haven't seen Cath yet and it will be great to spend some time with her and Kris."
"Ok, let me text him back." Sid messages Kris who responds immediately. "Ok we're all set. He'll make reservations for 8pm."
"Whatever will we do for the next few hours? Hmm, I just don't know how we'll fill the time" I tell him and start leaving kisses up his neck.
We're interrupted by my phone ringing. I ignore it but Sid pushes me back slightly.
"I like your idea but answer your phone first and then I'll meet you upstairs" he tells me.
"Ok" I tell him, stand and go into the kitchen to get my phone.
I'm surprised when I see that it's Jennifer, the Pens' head of PR.
"Hi Jen, how are you?"
Sidney
While Anna's on the phone, I go upstairs and fill the tub while waiting for her. I installed a deep soaker tub in the master bath so that I could actually soak my aching joints and muscles comfortably in my own bath. It has a great side benefit of being able to fit both Anna and I together. A wet and slippery Anna sounds very appealing right now and I feel my dick twitch in anticipation.
"You aren't going to believe what just happened" Anna says as she walks into the bathroom. "Awe, you filled the tub."
"I thought we could participate in some water sports" I tell with a wink. "What am I not going to believe?"
"Oh yeah, it was Jen. You know that she's pregnant right?"
"It's hard to miss" I tell her.
"She's only in her seventh month too. That's going to be a very large kid. Anyway, her doctor has put her on bed rest so she can't work."
"Oh, that's too bad" I reply. "Is it serious?"
"Serious enough that the doctor doesn't want her working but the baby and Jen will be fine. Anyway, since I'm here in Pittsburgh now, she's asked if I can finish up the season for her. She'll be on bed rest until the baby is born and then will be taking a few months off for mat leave. Jen says that if I step in then she can stop panicking that everything will fall apart."
"Wow, do you want to do it?"
"Of course I do. It's a great opportunity and it will keep me close to you. What do you think?"
Wow, she's asking me what I think about her job and not like she's asking permission. She's asking my opinion.
"Um, if you want to do it then I think that you should. You just said that you needed something to do, beside me that is" I smile at her. "Do you want it?"
"I think it would be great. I did so much on the campaign, not just the media piece but the strategy too, so I'd love to do it."
"Great" I tell her. "Now get naked."
I strip out of my clothes and then get into the tub. For a few moments, Anna simply shakes her head and chuckles before removing her clothes too.
"Come here" I tell her and pull my legs apart so that she can fit in front of me.
I pull her back to me while I settle against the back of the tub. The water is hot, Anna is slippery and smooth, and everything in the world seems right. As if reading my mind, Anna sighs and lays her head back against my chest.
"This was a great idea" she says. "This is another reason that I need to move in with you."
"Baths together?"
"No" she says. "This tub. It's awesome!"
I dig my fingers into her side and she gasps, giggles and then tries to move away. She can't because my other arm is holding her firmly in place against me.
"Stop it" she shrieks still giggling. I stop and she settles back in place. "Ok, I like that you're in this tub with me."
"But the tub is still good, right?"
"Oh yeah."
"I put this tub in because I can actually fit my whole body in here. Too many tubs, even if they say that they are deep, never completely cover you with water."
"That's the worse" she tells me.
"I know that you're laughing at me but I don't care. I love this tub" I tell her.
"I'm glad that you love this tub."
"You're making fun of me and I still don't care."
She chuckles and my hand slides to cup her breast. It is wet and slippery from the water, her nipple is pebble hard, and I lightly run my thumb over it. The small catch in Anna's breathing tells me how much she enjoys it so I do the same thing with my other hand on her other breast. This time she gasps louder and her hips shift. I rub one nipple between my thumb and finger and elongate it and slide my other hand down, over her stomach and between her legs to cup her.
I do nothing else with that hand but can hear Anna's breathing quicken. She breaths heavier too. I love how responsive her body is to my touch and I can tell the exact moment when it's not enough. Anna pushes her hips up into my hand so that my middle finger slides between her folds. She moans when my finger slides over her clit. It makes me remember something.
I slide another finger over her clit and, with the two, I rub slowly. Very slowly my fingers circle around and around her clit while I continue to elongate her nipple. Anna begins to let out small moans and gasps that get louder, deeper and longer the more excited that she becomes. She tries to turn, move, but I hold her still.
"Don't move" I whisper in her ear. "You are so fucking hot. I want you to cum just like this, I want to watch you and feel you."
I increase both speed and pressure with both hands driving her further and further. Quickly, she's gasping and panting. Her hips tilt and push into my hand. I can tell that she's close, very close, so I continue the pressure and speed and then bite down, hard, on her ear lobe. That does it.
I feel her come undone in my arms, under my hands, and hear her cry out. It's hot, really fucking hot as her body shakes and stiffens against mine. A few moments later she relaxes completely against me, limbs limp like noodles. I smile and kiss her cheek. I will never get used to this or take it for granted. I love this woman.
"Well that was fun thank you" she giggles. "Want to move into the shower and I'll show you how grateful I am?"
We must set the record for getting out of the tub and into the shower where Anna does indeed show me exactly how appreciative she is.
Later, as I dress for dinner, I can't help but smile at our afternoon water play.
"If you keep smiling like that then they're going to know exactly what we've been doing" Anna says.
"They have two kids Anna. I think they are well aware what sex is and that we have it."
Anna giggles and says "zip me up please."
I zip up her dress letting my fingers graze over her smooth skin.
"Up Sidney, zip it up."
"Spoil sport."
She shakes her head at me and picks up her shoes.
"Come on" she says. "We're going to be late if we don't leave soon."
I do up my last button and follow her out of the bedroom and downstairs. After getting our coats, we get into the car and are on our way.
"Where are we eating?" Anna asks.
"Do you remember that steak and seafood place you loved? That's where we're going."
"Oh, I love that one."
"So does Tanger."
We arrive quickly at the restaurant and I park using valet. Kris and Cath are waiting for us at the table. The girls embrace and start talking at the same time. They don't stop as they sit down. I didn't realize that they knew each other so well but they're talking like they are long lost friends. Actually, I don't remember Anna ever being this comfortable with one of the guys' wives but, here she is, talking easily with Cath about their kids.
Tanger and I look at each other and laugh. The waiter comes up and neither of the girls notice it so Kris and I choose the wine. They are still talking when the waiter comes back with it and goes through the pouring process. It's only when a glass of wine is sitting in front of Anna, and a glass of sparkling water for Cath, that they remember where they are.
"Sorry" Anna says and smiles at Tanger and I. "How are you Kris?"
"I'm good. Sounds like you're doing ok too" he says to her.
Anna looks at me and then back at Kris.
"I'm definitely doing well" she tells him.
The evening is a lot of fun. Cath and Anna continue to chat and laugh like great friends and take up most of the conversation. Tanger and I manage to get a few words in occasionally. It does give me time to observe Anna with others and the differences between Anna two years ago and Anna now. She's visibly more confident and open. The polish that always covered her nerves and insecurities is now infused with warmth and seems a more natural part of her.
The girls excuse themselves after dessert and leave Tanger and me at the table.
"That is one fine woman" Tanger tells me. I guess I must look confused because he continues. "Cath is, of course, but I'm talking about Anna. I've never spent time like this with her, just talking, you know? Nothing about hockey or the team. She's really funny and Cath likes her and she doesn't trust easily. She's a fine woman mon ami."
"Yeah" I tell him. "She really is."
"How are things going? I mean, you guys haven't been together for two years and she was engaged to another guy a couple days ago."
I take in Tanger's question and consider it. Can we really make a life together after be apart for so long? We just dove right in without considering the time apart. Is that a problem? We spent the afternoon talking so we do know what we're doing, right?
"Sid?"
"We spent this afternoon talking" I tell him. "We went through everything that happened when we broke up and talked it all through. It's not going to be easy but we'll be ok."
Tanger looks like he's about to say something when the girls arrive back at the table ready to leave. We part at valet.
"That was so much fun" Anna says as I drive us home. "I didn't get to spend much time with the wives when I had my internship. Cath always seemed really nice but she's really warm and sweet too. I like her a lot."
"That's great, I'm glad" I tell her.
"I'm going into Consol tomorrow to meet with Jen and talk about taking over for her. The doctor said that she can come in for two hours so we need to fill it with everything I need to know."
"You'll come with us on the road trip then?"
"I will" she replies.
"We'll need to be in separate rooms. That sucks" I tell her.
"Oh, I didn't think of that. I guess we will need to stay in separate rooms; although, I will have so much to do that I don't know how much I'll use the bed anyway."
"We could make great use of it together."
"Ha, yeah we definitely could but you need your sleep when we're on the road. Plus I don't think it's right if we stay in the same room for away games. No girls in the rooms, remember?"
She's right and I didn't really mean it when I said that we should stay in the same room. I follow the rules, especially as captain, but that doesn't mean I can't sneak into her room.
"I remember the rules" I tell her. "I follow them too by the way."
"Good" she replies and hops out of the car since I've pulled into the garage at home.
We chat about the next day, driving in together which won't work, and Anna taking one of my cars. She doesn't like the truck so she'll take the Tesla. We work such different hours that driving in together probably won't ever work. Besides, there's no way that I'm getting up as early as she does. I really don't know how she does it.
When we're in bed, she scrolls through her phone while I watch Sports Centre. She forgot it at home when we went to dinner so she wants to catch up on messages.
"Wow" she says.
"What?"
"I have fifty five missed calls."
I turn to look at her.
"Who are the missed calls from?"
"One from Matt and one from his campaign manager. One from my mother. The rest are various media and people that I don't even know."
"Why are all of these people calling you?"
"Matt's interview" she tells me softly.
Oh yeah, he gave an interview about their break up. Everyone must be trying to get an interview or quote from Anna now.
"Ignore them" I tell her.
"Oh I intend to ignore the media calls but I need to call Matt."
She looks at me a little warily. The truth is I wish that guy didn't exist and that she'd never talk to him ever again.
"He can tell you what's going on" I tell her.
She takes that as I intended and calls him while staying on the bed beside me. This is why I don't go completely crazy about her talking with her ex. She doesn't rush out of the room or make sure that she's alone when she calls him. Anna talks to him right in front of me.
"Hi Matt" she says.
Pause.
"Yeah, I figured that happened. Sorry, I went out for dinner and left my phone at home."
Pause. A long pause.
"But it went ok?"
Pause.
"That's what we expected though, right?"
Pause.
"I'm going to be the head of PR for the Pens starting tomorrow. Jennifer is going on maternity leave so I'm going to step in and help them out. I'll need to see how much attention I get from the media before I can actually do the job."
Pause.
"There's nothing that you can do Matt. You can't deal with all of it yourself. I'll get through it just like you will. Soon something else will catch their attention and then it will be over."
Pause.
"Ok, you too, bye."
She disconnects and smiles at me.
"The interview went well, as well as it could, and this is just the feeding frenzy wanting dirt. Nothing unexpected happened. It took them a little while to dig up my new cell number."
"Did you and Jen talk about what might happen with the press?"
"Briefly" she tells me. "We'll talk about it more tomorrow. There are options. I could stay away from the press and use Adam in my place directly with the media. Of course the hockey guys may just ignore all of the political crap and treat me like they used to do."
"As long as it's not Rossi."
She chuckles as I hoped she would.
"Yeah, he's still such an ass" she tells me and then sighs.
"What?" I ask.
"I'm going to be back tomorrow" she says.
"Are you concerned about it?"
"A little bit. Last time I was with the Pens, I was an intern and now I'm coming back in a different capacity. It can sometimes be difficult to make the transition."
That's what she's worried about.
"Anna you're going to be great. It's ok if you have a learning curve. No one expects you to jump right in and fill Jen's shoes."
I can tell from the look in her eyes that I've said something wrong but I have no idea what it is.
"Sid, my concern is with others being able to make that transition and change how they view me. I know that I can do the job."
Oh. Ok. That's great. Why is she ticked off with me?