Goalie // Sidney Crosby

Nineteen

"Oh yeah cause having to hangout with you is clearly worth letting down thousands of people!"

"Hey you never know."

"Be thankful you hit that snap shot as quickly as you did."

"Within the first 30 seconds Ems! I think I get a rain check for another night too, just for that."

"Oh you wish." Emerson rolled her eyes trying to conceal her closed lip smile. The pair decided to put their dressier clothes on that they would wear before games, for media. Emerson was adorned in a navy blue dress that fitted her perfectly, a business causal in her opinion. And Sid just went with his suit; boy did men have it easy.

They came to the crosswalk and waited as the cars went by. Emerson only had a windbreaker covering her upper body, and she of course regretted that as soon as another cold wind sent shivers down her whole body. Sid immediately offered his jacket multiple times on their short walk but she declined. Sometimes you could suffer for a couple minutes than inconvenience someone else.

When the light turned signaling they could go, Sidney put a hand on her back; as he easily towered over her and wanted to make sure she was near when they crossed. Ems felt ten times warmer with this touch, whether it was from a fire of emotions erupting from within her or the fact he was just closer shielding her from the wind.

Walking into the fancy restaurant, Emerson immediately felt vulnerable as she looked to who she was with. Her and Sid definitely looked as of they could be on a date right now and she silently prayed no one would recognize them.

The high beamed ceilings and the eclectic decor made the atmosphere cool and airy. The tables were very private with stacks of wine cracks around giving even more separation. As the two were seated Ems felt very out of place as she looked around; it was rare for her to ever be seen in this nice of a place. Sidney on the other hand looked liked he belonged. The stoicness of his chisled face as he looked through the menu left her mesmerized. Down to his freshly combed back hair to the way his dress shirt accentuated his body..

Almost immediately a waiter came over to their table, "Hi, my name is Maxwell and I'll be your server today. Can I start you two off with anything to drink?" his eyes gleamed as he seemed very enthusiastic about job...

"Just a water thanks." Sidney said politely and Emerson followed suit, "I'll do the same."

"Okay that'll be right out." the waiter's eyes lingered on Emerson for a few extra seconds, he gave her a warm smile that made her blush. Sidney watched their interaction with narrowed eyes, only content once Maxwell walked away. Boy was he already thinking he'd be in for a night.

"Order whatever you want Ems."

"Um, you're not paying for me." Emerson hated other people using their money on her when she could pay for herself. She didn't want to seem like a freeloader or needed someone's money. She'd argue with someone about this, even if it was for a small coffee.

"I am." Sid smirked catching her death glare right in the eyes, "I brought up getting dinner in the first place so I'm paying."

Ems sighed, "fine. Next time I call dibs on the check though."

"Deal."

The two fell into a silence as they looked through their options of what to get. Emerson always felt overwhelmed with menu options and she decided to stick with something she knew couldn't disappoint. When the waiter came back around with their waters they were able to order. Ems went with the penne al a vodka because she knew it would be a safe bet; it wasn't a surprise when Sid went and ordered a ton more than she'd ever be able to eat.

"Thank you Sid, for taking me out." her words were quiet and filled with shyness as she wanted him to know she was grateful.

"Anytime. I enjoy spending time with you." he smiled.

"Yeah uh, me too."

Sidney could see the color rising to her cheeks. And the thing was, he was well aware of how she felt for him.. the last few days he started picking up on things.. and a couple teammates spilled some info at that. He decided to change the conversation, "what are you planning on doing next week for the bye-week? I hope you're taking advantage of it."

"Oh trust me I am!" for once this was something she planned in advance rather than last minute adventures. "I'm seeing Bryce for the first few days then I'm heading up to Boston for the rest."

"Going to see old teammates?"

"Yep! I am so excited, I can't even begin to explain it." she was grinning ear to ear just thinking about seeing those boys.

Sidney didn't want to think about her with Bryce doing whatever they were planning to do or with old teammates. Of course he was in no position to speak, he'd probably want to go visit them if he were her. His stomach had a dropping pit feeling in the bottom, and he regretted asking her her plans.

Emerson asked, "What about you?"

"Seeing some old buddies. Then my family back home for a bit. I'm just excited to get some downtime."

"Oh I don't think I'll be getting much of that once I get to Boston." Ems laughed to herself shaking her head slightly. She was already imagining all the stuff they'd have planned and want to do. And she was ready for a few days that would feel once again like college.

"Do your best to.." god Sid hated when he sounded like he was talking down to her. He never meant things to come out like he was her senior. but at least she never seemed very phased by it.

"I will. But I'm sure they've already got their itinerary set."

"You'll have to let me know how it goes. I do enjoy hearing the stories of your... very poorly thought through ideas." Sid teased poking fun at her. Emerson made the mistake of telling him a story of the team over the summer when they went to Europe; then he wanted to hear more. He never would think to do the stuff they did with him team, but he wasn't ever on a college team.

"Oh I'm sure I'll have a few for you." she grinned. It was easy to see how genuinely happy she was, the giddiness very evident in her body language and as she talked. He himself was happy to see her in such a great place after she struggled for such a long time.

"You deserve to have some fun, I know you've missed them.."

"Ah I feel like I've worried you with all the times I've kept you up to talk about my problems.."

"Maybe a little, but it was never a bother whatsoever."

"I was never gracious enough to ever really ask how you were, ya know?" Emerson could pick apart his thoughts only slightly, but there was something so private about him that she couldn't put her finger on. He definitely wasn't like the guys she was used to dealing with for the last few years.

"I promise I've been good. What you've been going through, I went through when I was 18 so I've had 12 years of this." he chuckled, "besides I love all this so, it keeps me busy and I wouldn't want it any other way."

"Oh okay, good! But just know I will gladly lend a shoulder if you ever need it."

Sid carefully reached across the table and took Emerson's hand into his. Her small fragile hand laid gently in his own, his fingers grasping here softly, "I'll remember that."

The feeling of their skin touching made a shock ignite in Emerson's whole body. She was taken aback by his actions, but her whole head only spun. Her stomach lurched, chills went down her spine. It was actually, almost painful, but she didn't want it to go away. She was so far into her feelings for Sidney that these emotions would only get stronger from here. Ems knew that and she wasn't sure how ready for that she was.

Sidney saw the emotions in Emerson's eyes as she tried to think of what to do. He only sat across from her silently watching her inner turmoil with a soft smile. He hoped she wouldn't fight this for too long.