Anna
The road trip did not start well. First, how can my luggage get lost when it's a private plane? Well, they managed it so now I'm left scrambling for clothes. At least we're in New York City so there are a lot of nearby options to buy replacement clothing. Second, the communications team lost the morning's footage from player interviews and now wants our team to juggle the PR schedule so that they can reshoot. Finally, as if I needed anything else to happen on my first road trip, Mario has come on this trip and asked if Sid and I can join him for dinner tonight. Not only do I have more to do right now than anticipated but less time to do it in since I'll be spending a couple of hours with Mario!
"How can I help?" Adam says in a low voice beside me.
I immediately want to say no and that I'm fine; but, I need to remember that I have team for a reason and I need to let them help me.
"Let's go upstairs" I tell him.
We travel up in the elevator with a couple of the players going to their hotel rooms to unpack. The players will have dinner together but we usually do our own thing, thankfully, so no one will notice if we don't join them.
Shit! I may not be joining them but I have to meet with Mario and Sid for dinner so I will be busy. My mind is so full right now that things are falling out.
"Can you drop your stuff off and meet me in my room?" I ask Adam.
"Sure, give me a few minutes."
I go to my room while Adam goes to his across the hall. With nothing to unpack except my briefcase, I take out my phone to figure out what I can do next.
'What time is dinner?' I text Sid.
'7pm' he replies.
'Meeting at the hotel or restaurant?'
'Hotel lobby. What room are you in?'
I know exactly what Sid wants to do when he comes to my room so I put a pin in that immediately.
'I'm not telling. I have to work before dinner. Sorry'
I add a frowny face.
'Spoil sport' he texts back.
'ttyl xo' I respond.
There's a knock at the door so I put my phone down.
"Come in" I tell Adam and stand back so that he can do so.
"Are you ok?" he asks.
I smile and say "define ok?"
He laughs and sits at the table. I join him.
"Ok, seriously, there are a few big things that need to get done so I'll need everyone on deck" I tell him.
"Before I came in, I sent out a mass text and asked everyone to stay put for the next thirty minutes in case we need them."
"Good thinking" I tell him. "The most pressing thing is that the Comm team needs to reshoot the footage they lost this morning."
"They lost it all?"
"Yeah, the tech guys tried to recover it but the drive was damaged beyond repair because it was submerged in water."
"How did it get submerged in water?" he asks.
"Let's not go there" I reply.
Adam rolls his eyes because he understands that it was their own fault and now we need to bail them out. We are more of a team than those on the ice and this is how we help other team members.
"We need to evaluate the full schedule for the next two days and see where we can adjust. Do you have the amount of time and players they need?" I ask.
"Yeah, I have the details for the footage and the current media schedule."
I think for a few minutes about how to handle this and decide that it's time to test the interns.
"Let's give this to a few of the interns. Too many and it will be a disaster so please choose the top two or three that you think are ready for this kind of assignment."
"You want me to delegate the assignment?" he asks surprised.
"You know them better than I do" I tell him. "You're ready for it too Adam."
He smiles at me and nods.
"Good" I tell him. "Can you talk to them and make sure they're on the right track then come back here?"
"I can. What else do you need me for?"
"They lost my suitcase so I need clothes" I tell him. When his eyes start twinkling and he smiles widely, I continue quickly. "This is not a pleasure trip of shopping. We're going to one store to get everything I need and that's it. I'm hoping that it will go faster if you're with me. Don't make me regret that" I finish and shake my finger comically at him.
"Yes ma'am" he tells me. "Give me ten minutes and then I'll be back."
He leaves with purpose and I set up my laptop and begin going through email. I'm almost down to fifty unread, success!
The knock on the door startles me. Adam took less time than he thought so I grab my purse and door key. When I open the door, instead of walking out, I'm pushed back in by Sid. Before I can react, he's pushed me up against the wall and his lips are attacking my neck.
"Sid" I say and push him back.
"Come on, we have time before dinner."
He leans down again and his lips attack my neck again. It takes a little more effort to push Sid back but he takes a step backward this time and furrows his brows.
"What's wrong?" he asks.
"Nothing's wrong" I tell him. "I just have a lot to do before dinner. I'm sorry but I don't have time."
"Are you sure it's nothing that can wait?" he grins at me.
I smile back and say "no. There's a few things that need to be taken care of immediately."
"Like what?" he asks.
I do not have time to describe my job to him right now, even though I appreciate that he's interested, but this is not a good time to chat.
"Right now" I tell him. "Right now I have to run out to a store and get clothes since they lost my luggage."
"It's a private plane. How do they lose luggage on a private plan?"
"I have no idea but I need something to wear."
"Let me take you out."
"I appreciate it but I'm going to one store, buying the minimum of what I need and then coming back to deal with a multitude of other fires."
"Let me take you" he repeats.
I don't have time to argue and he is very earnest so I agree. The door knocks and I remember Adam. Crap.
I open the door and both men see the other.
"Sid is coming with us Adam" I tell him then I look between them. "This is a quick trip. One store, a few outfits, and we're out. I'm warning you both."
They both nod and then follow me down the hall. We find a cab in front of the hotel and I tell the driver to go to Calvin Klein. They'll have everything that I need.
On the way, Adam goes on and on about what I need to buy and even Googles the latest Calvin Klein collection.
"In, out, fast, simple" I tell him.
Adam just waves his hand to dismiss me and Sid chuckles.
We get there quickly and I almost ask the cab driver to wait for us but I don't think we'll be that fast. When we're inside, Sid follows me and Adam begins to look around. I go directly to a sales person.
"I'm Blair, how may I help you today?" she asks me.
"Hi Blair" I reply. "I'm Anna. We flew in this afternoon and my luggage was lost. I need three business outfits, probably with skirts so they don't need altering. I also need panties, one bra, and a pair of pointy toed pumps that will go with the outfits. Oh, and as fast as humanly possible. I'm a size four."
"Size four? Nice going girl" Adam says as he breezes us.
Blair stare at me for five seconds and then realizes that I'm serious.
"I can definitely help you. May I ask a few questions?"
"Yes" I reply.
She proceeds to ask me about colour, style, materials and price. I answer all except price because Sid jumps in.
"Don't worry about the price" he tells her.
Blair nods and turns back to the store. I watch for a few moments while she begins gathering clothes.
"Sid" I say in a low voice to him. "Did you come to pay?"
He blushes slightly and says "of course."
I barely manage to prevent rolling my eyes.
"I appreciate it" I tell him and kiss his cheek. "You know that I have money and can afford to buy my own clothes."
"I know" he says. "But I'm here so let me."
Again, I don't want to argue so I smile and kiss his cheek.
"Thank you" I tell him and then follow after Blair.
I find her in front of the changing rooms where she has assembled seven full outfits. There are skirts, jackets, tops, and even two dresses. I pick the ones that I want to try on and go into the change room. Blair follows me with my choices.
"Can you bring me the black dress too?" I ask. "I have a dinner tonight and that will be perfect."
She leaves and returns a few moments later with the dress then shuts the door behind her as she leaves. I immediately strip down and start trying on clothes quickly. It's easy to make decisions. They are all nice so it's what fits best which are three outfits and the black dress.
When I come out of the change room with the clothes over my arm, Adam gasps.
"You've already tried them on? I have a whole bunch here for you?" he tells me.
"Adam, I've tried on clothes, chose what I need and I'm done."
He frowns, Sid laughs and I walk with Blair to the counter.
"How are these shoes?" Blair asks holding a pair out to me.
I try them on, they fit and the heel is also very high. Perfect.
"They're great" I tell her.
"I chose some jewellery that will work too."
"Oh, I hadn't thought of that, thanks" I tell her.
She shows me panties and the same bra that I'm currently wearing. How did she know that?
Two other girls join Blair at the counter and begin packing everything up for me. Sid hands them his credit card to pay and I try to calm down Adam who is very disappointed that he couldn't 'dress me' like the last time that I was in New York with him.
"Thank you" I tell Sid and kiss his cheek when we're in the cab.
"You're welcome" he replies.
"I'm available if you're in a giving mood" Adam says making us all laugh.
In my hotel room again, I marvel that we actually did the whole trip in forty-five minutes. I thought that it would take an hour with these guys in tow.
Sid hangs everything up for me while I answer the phone. It's the comm lead asking me about the scheduling. I confirm that we'll make it happen and will give him the adjusted schedule in the morning. He tries to push for it tonight but I don't want to put that kind of pressure on the team making the changes. Besides, what can the comm team do with the schedule overnight when everyone else is sleeping? They can wait for the morning.
When I disconnect the call, I find Sid sitting at the table so I sit across from him.
"Please take this in the most caring way possible, please" he tells me. "You look exhausted."
"Thanks" I tease him back. "It's going to be crazy busy while I get up to speed. Hopefully it will calm down to a regular busy after that."
"I worry about you" he tells me.
"I know you do and I appreciate it Sidney. Things are going well and I'm ok."
"If you're sure" he says.
"I'm sure."
"Do you want me to leave while you work? I can meet you downstairs in the lobby at seven o'clock."
He looks unsure of himself so I say "why don't you meet me here at five minutes to seven and we'll go down together?"
He smiles and his face clears.
"Ok, good" he says as he stands and then kisses my forehead.
I watch him walk away, he definitely fills out those jeans perfectly, then return to my laptop and try to focus on my email.
Sidney
We're on our way from New Jersey to Philly and I reflect on the past three days. The team is in great spirits because we won the games against the Rangers and the Devils. Hopefully we can beat the Flyers and make that three in a row.
I'm happy about the games but I'm also perplexed. I thought I'd get to see Anna more on this trip but she's been so busy that we've barely had a moment alone. The most time I spent with her was at dinner our first night in New York and we were with Mario. The two times I tried to spend some time alone with her, I found her room full of interns and it was chaos. I don't know how they get anything done when they're all talking at the same time. Each time she apologized and said that she would make it up to me. Right now she's in a different car on the train still working. This isn't what I had in mind when I asked her to move in. Maybe it will settle down once she's transitioned completely into the role.
I turn my attention back to the guys who I'm having lunch with and the conversation they're having. Everyone has their phones out and are showing baby pictures around. It has become a common theme around here. Even the guys who used to be the 'young ones' are now having babies. Obviously it makes me think about having my own family. It's not in the immediate plans of course but I would like to have a family with Anna soon.
I feel my phone vibrate and I'm surprised it's a text from Anna.
'Do you have plans for dinner?' she asks.
'No' I reply.
'You do now'
I have to chuckle.
'Sounds good' I reply.
'I'll text when I'm free, ok?'
'Definitely ok' I tell her.
'xo'
My mood definitely lightens as I think about having dinner with my girl. It will be really nice to have some time together, alone, and be really 'together'. I had to jerk off last night because she was busy. I hope dinner tonight includes 'dessert.'
A few of us play PSP after we've finished lunch and that takes us through to Philly. Of course we're recognized by a few people at the train station and we stop for autographs and selfies. One person booed at us, which does happen in Philly, but regardless we are on the bus and at the hotel quickly. I unpack my things when I'm in my room and change into the usual shorts and tee shirt. Andy has set up one of the hotel meeting rooms with mats and equipment for us to stretch out so I'm going to take advantage of it. My hip felt tight last night so some extra body work can definitely help.
My phone vibrates and Tanger is texting about going downstairs. I tell him yes and we meet at the elevators soon after. We stand in silence as we wait for the elevator and remain that way as we descend.
"I can't take it" Tanger says and turns to me. "What's wrong? It's been noticed that you've been odd during this trip. You seem a little better now but still weird."
Shit.
"Yeah, I've been a little out of it" I tell him.
Tanger doesn't respond, I know that he won't pry even though he asked about me, but I feel like I owe him more.
"It's been an adjustment having Anna back. I love that we're back together and that she's here; but, it's a change and you know that I don't usually like change."
Tanger nods and replies "it can be tough when you first live with someone. They're always there when you're used to have more time to yourself. It's worth it but definitely requires flexibility and change."
"That's not it Tanger. I would love to be spending more time together. It's like we aren't even together because she's been working so much. We moved in so that we could actually be together but it feels more like casual dating."
"Holy shit Sid, has it even been a week? She's suddenly in a new job, that is really a job and a half, and thrown immediately into a road trip. Man, give her some time to figure a few things out before you start freaking out, ok?"
I guess it has only been a week since Anna's been here and, even though she was with the Pens two years ago, this job is new to her. Maybe the job is too much for her to take on. It's very different than being the 'candidate's girlfriend' like she was on the campaign. I'll have to keep a close eye on her and see if she needs help.
Andy has the room set up for us and I quickly get to stretching. Tanger gets on a bike beside Murray and, after Andy greets them, he moves to me to help me stretch out. As he works my leg around to stretch out my hip he asks how it feels and adjusts based on what I say. I empty my mind, focus solely on the muscles stretching and slowly I can feel my body relaxing and the tightness releases.
"How's that?" Andy asks.
I test the muscles and the tightness and pulling is gone. Andy is a genius.
"Perfect, thanks" I tell him.
"You might want to bike it out for ten or fifteen."
"Thanks, I will" I reply.
Andy leaves me to work on Sheary and I join Tanger and Murray at the bikes. I jump into the conversation about the Steelers' chances this weekend. My phone vibrates and it's a text.
'Does an hour work?' Anna asks. 'My room?'
'Perfect' I type back.
"Anna?" Tanger asks me.
I think the smile on my face tells him everything that he needs to know. It's only been ten minutes but I want to shower before dinner so I wave goodbye and head back up to my room. After my shower, I choose jeans and a tee shirt hoping that we are eating in and, if we're not, maybe I can talk her into it. While I wait the last few minutes, I scroll through my email and answer the few important ones. One is from Taylor asking if she can come visit during a break in her schedule. She doesn't have classes a couple of days and they've cancelled practice to give the players a couple of days off.
It doesn't escape me that this is a big step. If Taylor comes to visit then she'll be staying with me; me and Anna. This is the first opportunity for them to meet and Taylor doesn't know that Anna has moved in. My parents don't know either. I'm going to need to call them and let them know but I wonder what mom will think about Anna moving in since I've never done that before. Sure, I've had girlfriends stay with me for weeks at a time but not completely combining our lives. A small voice in the back of my mind reminds me that Anna hasn't really moved in yet. She has a suitcase full of stuff and some clothes and toiletries that she's purchased.
I decide not to reply to Taylor because I need to talk to Anna first. Then I'll probably call Taylor because I don't want her to hear about Anna in an email. There shouldn't be a problem but she'd never let me forget that I didn't have the courtesy to call her if I don't.
When I notice the time, I leap off the bed, run out the door and am in front of Anna's door in five seconds. I have to force myself to knock softly. She quickly opens the door and moves back so that I can walk inside but I'm rooted to the spot.
Anna is standing there wearing only my 'Property of the Penguins' tee shirt which shows off her bare legs perfectly. Her hair is down and flowing over her shoulders. She isn't wearing any makeup and her smile shows off her plump, pink lips. She's perfect.
"Are you coming in?" she asks in an uncharacteristically husky voice.
I can't speak so I do exactly what she asks and walk into the room. As I pass, I can faintly smell her fragrance and every part of my body reacts, or rather reacts more. A few feet into the hall, I turn to face Anna barely in time to catch her launching into my arms. Her arms wrap around my neck and her legs around my waist. I encircle her waist then settle under each cheek of her perfect ass. My lips can barely keep up with hers.
I reverse our positions so that I'm holding Anna up against the wall. Her lips move across my jaw and then continue so that she's sucking on my earlobe.
"It's been too long" she whispers.
I shiver as her hot breath flows over my ear and her words travel directly to my dick. Her lips travel down my jaw and neck while she releases her legs around me and slides her body down mine. Anna's hands slide to my chest and she pushes me back. When I lean away, she continues to push me back until the bed is behind me. I'm still unable to do anything but watch her as Anna now slides down my body until she's kneeling in front of me, her nimble fingers quickly unbutton and unzip my jeans then pull them with my shorts down to my ankles. I pull my shirt over my head so that I'm naked.
With one more push from Anna, I'm sitting on the bed and her lips slide over my hard dick. Fuck, she's so hot and I have to focus so that I don't go off. I still marvel at how good she is and how well she plays my body. It's still so surprising that she's this assertive. That's when she grabs my balls and my mind shuts down completely.
I'm only aware of sensations now. Her wet, hot tongue slides up and down as her head bobs up and down too. One of her hands slowly slides up and down my thigh while her other hand lightly squeezes my balls. Her head bobs up and down but only in short strokes now. Every couple of bobs, I push to the back of her throat and sweat breaks out over my whole body.
I'm close, so fucking close, and I have a fleeting thought that I need to tell Anna I'm about to cum but my brain still isn't working fully. Her nails dig into my thigh, her hand closes with more pressure over my balls and then, fuck me, then she unsheathes her teeth and I feel friction against my dick.
The next thing that I'm aware of is Anna's lips again only kissing up my stomach and chest. I'm lying flat against the bed and a now completely naked Anna is sliding up my body. She stops when she's straddling my waist and brushes her hair off her face.
I'm again amazed at her beauty. Her hair flows over her shoulders with the tips teasing her hard nipples, her plump lips are curved in a satisfied grin and her eyes, holy shit her eyes, are dark with passion and light with mirth.
"I guess you're happy to see me" she says.
Only Anna can make me want her desperately and laugh with her at the same time.
"Maybe" I tell her.
She wiggles her hips and my now limp dick rubs against her entrance. She's drenched and I feel my body stirring again, already, but I know that I'll need a few more minutes to be completely up for more.
"You are so beautiful" I tell her and brush her hair back so that I can cup her cheeks with my hands. "You take my breath away with how beautiful you are Anna."
Her smile disappears and her eyes soften while she tilts her head so that she can kiss my palm. She cups my hands with her own and guides them down her neck, over her breast bone and down further to cup each of her breasts. When her head falls back and her breasts push into my hands, she lets out that moan that drives me wild, that I've always remembered since our first time. Rolling her nipples between my thumb and finger elicits that hot as fuck moan again.
I grab Anna around the waist and flip our positions so that she's beneath me. Before she can say anything I capture her lips and another moan. So fucking hot. I pull her hands above her head and hold them there with my left hand then slide beside her. That move allows me to slide my free hand down the centre of her body, over her stomach and between her legs. I make a quick decision and push two fingers inside quickly and deep. Her hips thrust up so I do it again. She cries out my name this time so I thrust again, in and out, again and again. My girl wants it hard and fast tonight. Wow.
I watch Anna's face while I finger her. Sweat has broken out on her forehead and over her lip. Her mouth is open and she's panting. Her hips thrust hard against my hand in the same rhythm of my thrusting fingers.
"Sid, more, God, please" she cries out.
She grabs at my wrist and pulls it away from her body completely confusing me. Anna opens her eyes and stares directly into mine.
"You, please, I need you" she cries out.
Oh.
I release her wrists and slide my body over hers settling between her legs. My thighs push hers wide apart so that I can see the muscle strain. I'm about to shift back but Anna reaches between us and guides me inside of her. I push until I can't go any further. She's so wet and hot. Fuck. This is exactly what I dreamed about last night, and the night before, and the night before. This is where I never want to leave.
I feel Anna shift beneath me, tilting her hips so that I slip out slightly and then back in.
"Sidney! Please!"
It seems my girl still wants it hard and fast so I set a pace that elicits another moan. Over and over, hard and fast, until I feel Anna's finger nails dig into my shoulders and her panting quickens. I push her legs apart further, seemingly impossible, and I get a small amount deeper which sets her off. For a few moments, I feel her walls constrict around me and relish in the pleasure; unfortunately, I can't hold on any longer so I submit to my own orgasm.
Soon after, I realize that I'm still lying on top of Anna, and I must be heavy, so I slide off so that I'm beside her on the bed. The only sound in the room is heavy breathing as we try to catch our breath.
"Wow" she says breathless.
"Yeah, wow."
"I hope you don't mind having room service for dinner" she tells me.
"You could ask me to do anything right now and I'd say yes."
"Good to know" she says. "Ok, how about shower, then dinner, and then 'anything'?"
I chuckle and turn my head to look at her and see that she's looking back at me.
"Sounds good to me" I reply.
"The usual for dinner?" she asks.
"Yes."
I take a moment to enjoy that she knows what to order me for dinner the night before a game. Of course that thought flies out of my head when she gets out of the bed, naked, and crosses the room to the phone. I don't even process what she's saying because I'm preoccupied by looking at her. Thankfully we have a shower and dinner ahead of us because I am definitely up for 'anything' right now. I need some sustenance first.
"See something you like?"
I look up at her words. She's finished on the phone, has one hand on her hip and her head is tilted. Wow, she's magnificent.
"Always" I reply.
She chuckles.
"Come on, let's have a shower."
I follow her into the bathroom and then the shower. While my hands may slip a few times, ok maybe more than a few times, there's mostly only washing going on. My stomach rumbles a few times reminding me of something else that I'm hungry for; food.
While Anna is finishing in the bathroom, I dress. I'm presentable when there's a knock at the door.
"I'll get it" I yell to Anna and then open the door.
I don't know who is more surprised when I come face to face with Adam.
"Oh" he says. "Sorry Sid. Anna asked me to let her know when we were finished so I thought I'd drop by. Can you let her know that we're done and I can fill her in tomorrow? Or I can send her an email tonight? Or I can do both?"
I let the man ramble for a few moments. He's clearly unsettled and surprised to have found me in Anna's room.
"Come on in Adam" I tell him and move back to let him pass. "We're just waiting for dinner."
Now.
"Anna" I call through the bathroom door. "Adam dropped by to see you."
Adam may be gay but I don't want him to see my girl walk out of the bathroom naked.
"Ok, I'll just be a minute."
I gesture for Adam to sit at the table and I join him. It feels awkward, hell it is awkward, but thankfully I'm good at setting people at ease.
"Did everything work out with rescheduling the interviews for the Comms team?" I ask him.
"Yeah, we were able to make it work and I think they've finished all of the interviews" Adam tells me.
"I think I'm up for the next episode."
"That's what was on the schedule that I saw. You guys really hate doing that stuff, don't you?" he asks.
Instinctively I start to disagree but, Adam is also Anna's friend, so maybe I should try being more open with him.
"I will deny every saying this" I tell him. "But, yeah, we hate doing all of these interviews. I guess we can't complain too much since we get to play the game we love."
"That's one way to look at it and probably the best."
Anna comes out of the bathroom then, thankfully in a robe, and joins us at the table where Adam gives her the update she requested. It's fascinating to watch Anna talk with Adam about work. She's clearly competent about this aspect of her job and Adam clearly respects her. It's good that she has him to help her. This job would be way too much this suddenly without help and someone having her back.
They finish up as there's knock on the door so Anna says goodbye to Adam while I show the waiter into the room to set up our dinner. When we're alone again, we both sit at the table and dig into our meals. Anna ordered mine perfectly and my stomach is very appreciative.
"Hungry?" Anna asks.
I realize that I've been eating without speaking.
"Sorry, yeah, I'm hungry" I tell her.
She chuckles and eats more of her own dinner. I notice that it's only a salad with grilled chicken and she's only picking at it.
"Is everything ok?" I ask her.
"Yeah, why wouldn't it be ok?"
"You don't seem hungry."
"I don't really eat very much but I'm good."
I'm not convinced but change the subject. We talk about her moving in and redecorating a couple of the rooms for an office for her. She wants to do something with extra appliances in the kitchen but I don't cook so it doesn't matter to me. I'm actually really happy that she's making my home hers too. I started worrying earlier that we hadn't talked about it since she agreed to move in. Maybe she just hasn't had the time.
I watch her as she's talking and I notice the dark circles under her eyes and her pale complexion. Shit, I'm right, this job is way too much for her.
"Are you ok?" I ask her.
"What do you mean?"
"It's been a week since you took over for Jen so I just wanted to check in and see how you're doing."
"I'm sorry this is the first time in a while that we've been able to get together but" she begins.
"I know you've been busy and that's not bothering me. I'm worried about how you're feeling. Don't get mad at me but you look a little tired."
"I've been working a lot but that's expected" she tells me. "It will slow down when we get back home and I can find a more normal schedule."
"Ok" I reply.
Since we're both finished eating, I push back my chair and open my arms. Anna smiles, slides off her chair and onto my lap where I encircle my arms around her. She settles her head into the curve of my neck and all feels right in the world.
"Are you sure that you're doing ok?" I whisper and kiss the top of her head.
"Yes Sidney, I'm doing more than ok actually."
"I worry about you" I tell her.
"You don't have to worry Sid. In fact, I'm loving it. The team is great and, for the most part, the reporters assigned to the Pens are great too. Dan Potash has me laughing hard on a daily basis."
"I know you're enjoying it but it's a lot to handle. Just two years ago, you were an intern and now you're running the show. That's a lot of pressure and a lot of work."
She pulls back so that she can look up at me.
"What are you saying Sidney?"
"I'm just saying that it's ok to ask for help if you need it."
"Why do you think I need it?"
"Like I said, it's kinda new for you, and it's a really big role too. You were awesome as an intern, the best in the world if you ask Geno, but this role is new and different, so I just want to make sure that you're ok and that you know I'm here for you if you need help."
"Sid, everything is fine. I'm working a lot of hours, as expected, but it's great."
"Then I'm glad but I want to make sure that you know I'm here for you."
"I know that Sid and I appreciate it" she says. This time she moves completely off of my lap and walks a couple of feet away before turning back to me. "What's going on?"
Now I'm confused.
"What do you mean?" I ask her.
"Why are you so worried about me and my job? I know what I'm doing Sid. This isn't the first time I've worked with the media, created and implemented strategy, and worked with a team."
She stands in front of me with her hands on her hips looking annoyed. This is not going as I expected.
"I'm not doubting that you know what you're doing Anna. It can be overwhelming and highly stressful work so I just want to make sure that you know I can help you" I tell her.
"How do you think that you can help me?" her annoyance seems to be growing.
"I don't know. I've been around for a long time, I know the media and team really well, so I might be able to help out if you need it. That's all. I don't want it to be too much for you."
"And why do you think it would be? Sure, you've been around the Pens longer than I have, but you don't have experience in PR. You're used to being interviewed and that is very different than what I do. Media scrums are actually a small component of my job and the interns take the lead there. I look at the big picture, ensure that we are making all the right moves to support the PR strategy and team narrative and most of my time is spent fighting fires."
"See" I reply. "It's a huge job. I don't want you to, well" I'm not sure how to finish.
"Fail?"
Her tone catches my attention quickly because it's changed and become harder.
"No" I tell her. "Not fail. I don't think you're going to fail."
"It certainly sounds like you think I'm going to fail."
How did this go so wrong? I was just trying to offer help to my girlfriend.
"I don't think you're going to fail Anna, honest I don't. The only thing that I'm trying to do is offer any assistance I can. I love you and I worry about it."
Her eyes soften and she gives me a small smile.
"I love you too Sidney but you have to stop worrying. Everything is fine. I'm fine."
"Ok but I can't guarantee that I won't worry about you. I love you and that's never going to stop."
"Ok" she tells me and her smile widens. "Now that you have some sustenance, are you ready for a little 'anything'?"
She shrugs so that her robe slides off of her shoulders and falls to the floor leaving only gorgeous, naked skin. Yeah, I think I can find some energy for a little 'anything'.
Anna
Sidney hasn't taken his eyes off of me. As I wander around the locker room after the practice scrum, I can feel his eyes on me, following my every move. He's been watching me a lot since we got back from the road trip and it's different than his usual appreciative stare. When I catch him, he looks worried rather than sexual. I know that he loves me and that's why he worries but it doesn't make it any less distracting or annoying. I feel like I'm constantly having to prove myself to him. Everyone else has accepted me and the job that I'm trying to do in Jen's absence; but, Sidney seems to doubt my abilities and that I'm capable of doing the job. Most of the time, I simply try to ignore it but that is becoming increasingly difficult.
"I wouldn't be able to focus if I had a fine, fine man like that staring at me all day" Adam whispers as he walks up to me.
"Hmm?"
"Sid can't take his eyes off of you" he says. "So hot."
I chuckle.
"Yeah, it's hard to focus" I tell him.
"What's wrong?"
There's no one around us thankfully.
"It's not hot Adam. He worries about me so that's why he watches me."
"Oh no, a hot man who worries about you, call the police now!"
"Adam, I'm serious" I shake my head. "He's constantly watching me and, when we're alone, he asks me over and over if I'm ok. It's so annoying."
"Anna, relax, it's fine. He's just trying to look out for you because he loves you."
"I know that but it's no less annoying. We don't get a lot of time together so I don't want to spend our time together arguing about my capabilities."
"You argue?"
"Adam, I told you, it's all the time. He constantly watches me and asks if I'm ok. I seriously don't know how much I can take."
"There are more important things to worry about" he tells me.
The tone in his voice draws my immediate interest.
"What's going on Adam?"
"I caught wind that Rossi is writing an article ripping Geno apart. It's not going to look good for the organization either. What do you want to do?"
"Do you have any more information? Do we know when it's coming out? Who his sources are?"
"No, only that he does have a source inside the organization" he pauses which makes me know that there is more to this article than what he's telling me.
"What aren't you telling me Adam?"
"The reason the article hasn't come out yet is because he's taking on a new approach."
"A new approach?"
"He's changing the focus to involve you. Apparently he's going back to when you were here as an intern, your role in helping Geno with the media and everything that happened when you left."
"He's going back to all of that shit?" I ask.
"Probably so that he can bring up Sid and everything that happened back then. It makes for a more sensational story."
"Shit. Once again I've become the story."
"Only for assholes like Rossi."
"It only takes one asshole" I remind him.
Adam nods and we leave the locker room together. I need to think about how we're going to handle the Rossi story. He can write whatever he wants and we can't stop him. In fact, if we interfere then that becomes part of the story and more of a nightmare.
When we enter the intern's bullpen, I'm instantly surrounded by the team and they're all asking questions at the same time.
"Whoa" I try to say above the din and hold up my hand. "One at a time, ok?"
They all silence and look at each other.
"Can we go into your office?" I'm asked.
"Sure" I say and we all walk to my office.
They crowd in and shut the door. This must be serious.
When no one speaks, I ask "what's going on? Someone speak please."
Everyone looks at Mark so he speaks for the group.
He turns to Adam and asks "did you talk to her about the Rossi article?"
"Yes, I told her about it" Adam replies.
"Stop talking about me and start talking to me please. What's going on?"
Mark turns to me again.
"We've heard that the story has completely changed, not just a little bit like we originally thought. It isn't about Geno at all anymore, in fact, he's only mentioned peripherally as someone you worked with."
I can feel my stomach move into my throat.
"And" I say.
Mark takes a deep breath.
"And" he continues. "The article is now solely focused on you and Sid, you most specifically."
I can't speak. This is my worst nightmare happening. Not only am I becoming the story but Sid and my past is being drawn into it too. This is horrible.
"How do you know this?" Adam asks.
Mark explains how they learned about it and where the details came from but I can't focus on the conversation. My mind whirls with how we're going to spin the story when it comes out. We can't do anything to stop it because that will become part of the story too. The strategy needs to be about response and recovery.
"Are you ok Anna?" Adam asks me.
I look around the team and they're all staring at me. I'm sure they're worried about how I'm going to respond.
"Yes, I'm ok. We knew this would be a possibility given everything that's happened and only hoped that it could be avoided" I look at them.
Hmm, maybe this is a good time for an object lesson.
"What do you think that we should do?" I ask the group.
They look surprised and then glance around at each other appearing to not quite know how to respond.
"Let's ignore that this is about me" I tell them. "Pretend that it's someone else. What should we do?"
It takes a few moments but someone says that we should talk to Rossi and try to convince him not to write the story. Someone else disagrees and provides their own opinion. This goes on for a while and I have to smile because this is the kind of conversation and debate that I hoped would happen. In PR, there are often many options and all have consequences so talking through each option with others makes for finding a good solution. It takes about ten minutes but the team does make a collaborative recommendation.
Mark continues to speak for the team.
"The best option is to prepare how we'll play defense after the article is published. Anything we do before will become part of the article and fan the flame so that's not an option. The same can be said for trying to get the paper's owner to not publish. All we can do is create a plan for how we'll respond and prepare the team on the plan and messaging."
I look around at the team and they are all looking anxiously at me.
"Do you all agree?" I ask and they nod. "Good. I agree too" which causes smiles. "Now who would like to create the plan?"
Everyone wants to be involved so I choose Mark and one other and give them direction. We'll meet first thing in the morning to review the plan together. Everyone leaves my office except Adam.
"You didn't want me to create the plan?" he asks me.
Oh.
"Adam, I know that you could do it easily but I want to give the others opportunities to step up and take on new challenges" I tell him. "Besides, I want to talk to you about the Winter Classic."
Adam and I sit down and begin discussing the Winter Classic which will be in Pittsburgh this year and we'll be playing the Rangers. I want Adam to lead the event for our team which means he'll be working closely with the Ranger's and NHL's PR teams.
As we're wrapping up, my phone rings and it's the equipment manager Dana.
"Hi Dana" I answer.
"Anna, you need to get down here now" he sounds urgent. "Sid just punched Rossi."
What?!
"On my way" I say and then disconnect. "Let's go" I tell Adam as I'm rushing out the door.
I almost run through the hall and take the stairs down to ice level to get there more quickly. When I get to the player's lounge, the tension in the room is palpable. The few guys in there turn to me immediately when I come into the room.
"Where's Sid? Where's Rossi?" I ask the group.
"Rossi is in the trainer's room and Sid is in the doctor's room" Kris tells me.
I turn to Adam and say "go to Rossi. Listen to what he has to say so you can hear his point of view and maybe find out what he's going to do about it. Be careful not to give him any information that he can use."
Adam nods and walks in the direction of the trainer's room while I go directly to the doctor's room and Sid. He is sitting on the examining room table with ice on his hand and the trainer, Chris, beside him.
"Are you ok? Did you hurt your hand? You didn't break anything did you?" I ask.
"I'm ok, my hand is bruised, and no, I didn't break anything" Sid answers.
"We're going to take x-rays to be sure but I don't think that anything is broken" Chris says.
I begin to calm my fear for Sid's safety and my anger rises to replace it.
"Chris" I turn to the trainer. "Would you give us a few minutes please?"
Chris nods and quickly leaves the room closing the door behind him.
I turn to Sid and take a few deep breaths. I don't even know for sure what happened but I want to kill him just for punching Rossi. It's incredibly stupid for a man who makes his living with his hands to punch someone not to mention how stupid it is to punch a reporter. A few more breaths are needed before I can speak calmly to him.
"What happened?" I ask.
"It was stupid" Sid answers.
"Yes, if you hit him then it was definitively stupid; but, I need to know what happened and it needs to be everything Sidney. I need to clean this up and to do so I need to know everything."
Sid sighs and looks down at his hand.
"Ok" he begins. "I was coming out of the locker room and heard two of the interns talking about an article that Rossi is writing. They said that it was supposed to be about Geno but it's now about you and it really tears you up."
"Then what?"
"I went to the media room to talk to Rossi about it."
I don't respond. Instead I take a few deep breaths so that I can let him continue.
"He was there so I asked to speak with him. We went into the hall and I asked him about the article. Rossi said that he doesn't talk about his articles while he's writing them. I told him that if it was about you then he better talk to me if he ever wants another Penguins interview or comment ever."
Shit, it gets worse. He threatened him too.
"He tells me that I can't do that to him" Sid continues. "I said that I can and will if he's going to write a story about you because you aren't the story. He said that you made yourself the story when you were engaged to a politician, broke that engagement and went back to you superstar hockey ex-boyfriend. Again I told him that you aren't the story and that he should focus on the game and not the bullshit. He said that his article isn't bullshit and if you want to jump from one public figure's bed to another, and then work for this hockey team, then you are fair game for any story he wants to write. That's when I hit him."
I literally run my hands through my hair taking the bun down by doing so.
"What did you hope to achieve Sidney?"
"I wanted him to not write the article."
"Did you really think that would work?" I ask.
"I don't know. I just needed to stop him, protect you from his bullshit."
"That's the problem Sidney. You don't have to protect me. It's my job to protect the Pen's organization including players. You can't go all 'crazy boyfriend' on a reporter and I can't believe that I actually have to say that to you because you should already know better. I had a small problem on my hands because he was writing the story and now you've made it a huge, messy, complicated issue."
Sid looks stunned by my words. For a moment, he doesn't speak and it's only after a deep breath that he talks.
"Ok, I get that there's a problem now. What should I do to help out?" he asks.
"Sidney, the best thing you can do is take care of your hand and then go home for the rest of the day. Please don't talk to anyone, especially reporters, and don't go out in public. I have a feeling that this will be on the internet soon if it's not already. I need to talk to Rossi and try to fix this headache." I run my hands through my hair again. "This is not what we needed today" I say almost to myself.
Sid is quiet so I leave. I can feel my anger growing again and it will solve nothing for me to get truly pissed at him right now. First, I need to deal with the professional problem in front of me. Tonight I will deal with the personal stuff with Sid because someone needs to keep our personal and professional lives separate.
Shit.
Author's Note: thank you for reading. Was that an awesome Stanley Cup Final or what! Conn Smythe winner too! Thank you for continuing to comment. I love to hear your thoughts and opinions on the story.