Just Another Pretty Face in the Crowd

Chapter Fifteen - Found Out

As soon as Tony left, I instantly dove for my phone. I didn’t even remember sitting it down on the kitchen counter. I guess I was too preoccupied with other things.

1 missed call.
1 voicemail.
4 text messages.

The voicemail was from none other than Coach Nolan: “Dru, just reminding you that you said you’d be at the gym today. I don’t want to keep pestering you about this but I want all my guys to be in tip top shape when softball season starts. Only a couple more weeks!”

I opened up the few messages that were on my phone:
Sidney: Afternoon! :) [received 12:12]
Sidney: What r u doin? [received 12:58]
Sidney: Are you okay? [received 1:55]
Dustin: Hey, sis! [received 2:13]

I quickly typed a quick message back to Sidney letting him know that I was fine and that I was just at the park. I left out the part of me having a mental breakdown. I really didn’t need nor did I want to him to worry about me.

He quickly replied: And here I thought u were dyin

I couldn’t help but snort as his message. 'Yes, Sidney because I totally died.'

“Well, Caesar, I’m heading off to the gym before Nolan skins me alive.” I said. It was mainly to myself but it always helped when you are able to talk to something else. 'Don’t want to look crazy, now do I?'

Caesar made no attempt to move. He was probably fast asleep on the couch now that Tony was gone.

I grabbed my gym bag and made my way to the university's gym. Hopefully, I wasn’t too late for Coach Nolan’s expectations. Better late than never is what everyone says. I hope that still applies in my case.

My phone beeped at me, letting me know that Sidney texted me: What r u doin

Our conversation pretty much consisted of us updating each other on our days. His practice went great now that he was allowed to actually skate with his team again. The doctors said he could probably play in the next week or two if his recover was going as great as it was. He apparently passed all his concussion tests.

Do you want to grab a bite to eat with me tonight?

The message came out of the blue causing a lump formed in my throat. I nearly choked on my water and stumbled on my the treadmill. It was just a simple, innocent text but it still made my stomach twist in knots.

I replied back as soon as I regained my composure: Sure. Where and when?

It was long for him to text back: I was thinkin around 7 its gonna be a surprise.

I texted him back: Okay…

Does it have to be a surprise? I absolutely hated surprises. I hated not knowing what to expect.

I finished up my workout. I glanced at the clock and realized I had plenty of time to get ready for this dinner... whatever we were having... with Sidney.

“Hey buddy!” I said as I walked through the door of my apartment. Caesar just glanced up at me and wagged his tail in greeting. He looked tired as all hell but I wasn’t about to complain, that just meant that I didn’t have to worry about him wrecking the place.

I quickly fed him before I headed to my bedroom to get ready. I didn’t want to just wear my plain old usual jeans and a band tee. He could be taking me to some fancy restaurant uptown. Jeans and band tees were probably not acceptable wear for something like that.

“That would be embarrassing,” I mumbled to myself.

I searched my closet before I found something that was pretty much in between. The dress was something that I hadn’t worn since my graduation. My mom insisted I buy it because I could reuse it if I really wanted to. She really didn’t want me to waste big bucks on something that I would just stand in for a couple hours.

'I’m pretty sure I’m the only girl in the world that has just ONE dress in her closet.'

It was cream colored with a green and pink floral design on it. The dress had sweetheart neckline with straps that crossed over in the back. Even though the hem reach just above my knees, I still felt a little exposed. I just hoped it was enough to impress Sidney.

I had finished applying my mascara when I heard a knock at the door.

“I’m coming!” I had to shout it because Caesar was being the 'ferocious guard dog' that he was.

I opened up the door and had to stop myself from swoon at the sight of him. In my opinion, he was drop dead Sexy in his light blue jeans, black polo shirt and jacket. 'That is Sexy with a capital ’S’.'

I liked the simplicity in my kind of men. I didn’t need a man in a suit or a tux at my door, even though some days that would be nice. I just wanted a guy that was as real as I am.

“Come on in!” I stepped aside after checking him out maybe little bit longer than I should have. “I just need to grab my shoes and then I’ll be ready.”

“That’s fine.” He shot me a smile before I disappeared into my bedroom. I tried to quickly rummage through my closet. I wasn’t the most fashionable girl in the world but I knew that my converses were not going to cut it tonight. I also knew that I had a pair of cream flats somewhere at the bottom of my closet.

“There you are!” I shouted as I found them wedged between old pair of black, non-slip sneakers and the wall. I slipped them on quickly.

“You okay?” Sidney’s voice had hint of concern in it. I couldn’t help but giggle to myself. It was kind of cute.

“Yea! I didn't think it would take that long,” I said as I walked back into the living room. He was kneeling next to Caesar, who was enjoying the belly rub that he was getting. “I’m telling you right now that my dog loves you more than he loves me.”

“I’m just that lovable.”

I decided to keep my mouth shut, keeping my opinion to myself. I changed the subject, hoping to avoid the conversation. "Where are we going tonight?"

“I told you it was a surprise.”

I looked at him with a frown on my face, “I don’t like surprises though.” I pouted before slipping on my usual pea coat.

“I’m sure you can live through it just this once,” he said, smirking as he opened my apartment door.

“What if I don’t?”

“Then I guess everyone is gonna hate me forever!” He answered back as he opened the stairwell door as for me as well.

“Can you at least give me a hint?” I was practically begging and he was just getting amused at by it. He had this stupidly cute grin on his face that told he was just gonna me make wait.

“I can’t do that, now can I? That would be considered cheating.”

I groaned and pouted once again. “That isn’t fair.”

He just laughed at me. As much as this conversation was probably funny, I didn’t find it funny at all.

When we got to his car, he opened the passenger side for me like he did the last time. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” he said, smiling at me. I did love his smile. His smile was gorgeous and made me weak in the knees. Like the rest of the girls in the world.

He rounded his truck and jumped in the driver’s seat, turning over the ignition. Back in Black by ACDC come spilling out his speakers. I couldn’t help but grin because this was a classic.

“You like ACDC?” he questioned.

“Sure, I like them. I don’t have any of their songs on my iPod. So, I guess that makes me a radio fan of them?”

“What kind of music do you listen to?”

“Every kind, I guess." I answered adding a shrug with it. "My parents are 80’s people. I grew up listening to Bon Jovi and John Cougar. I found my own footing in the newer rock and heavy metal scene when I was high school.”

“Okay." He paused for a moment. "So what’s your favorite band then?”

“Oh gosh! The first band that popped into my head was Avenged Sevenfold but I have plenty more. Nickelback is in the top five too.” I answered back. “Okay! My turn, since we’re playing twenty questions! Who do you listen to?”

“I’m definitely a Metallica fan. I guess it would be the same style as you, heavy metal.” I remember the other day when I joined him watching practice. He was wearing a Metallica shirt. I never pegged him for a heavy metal kind of guy. “What’s your favorite food?”

“I love seafood.” I didn’t miss a beat. It had been forever since I had a decent meal at Red Lobster or Joe’s Crab Shack. “But, honestly, I’m not too picky. My turn. Are you excited to get back on the ice?”

“What kind of stupid question is that?” he said, laughing at me. “Yes, I’m excited. It feels like forever since I was able to play." He paused again. "What were you really doing this afternoon?”

My eyebrows furrowed and a frown etched onto my face. We were sitting at red light so he was able to turn and look over at me. He had facial expression I never seen on him before. If I had time to guess, I would have said it looked like jealousy or worry. Maybe both? “Why? You spying on me?"

“No,” he answered, too fast for his own good. I hoped that he was telling the truth. “Okay, Geno texted me saying he saw you walk off with some guy and you were heading towards your apartment.”

“Geno?” I was confused. Geno was at the park? Why? “When did he tell you this?”

“After I asked you to dinner. He was walking his dog, Jeffrey. He was gonna say hi but some guy rushed up to you.”

“Are you jealous?” I asked, I was genuinely curious if he was or not. It wasn't that I was trying to be a bitch. I just wanted to know.

He didn’t answer my question, “Who was he?”

“Why do you need to know?” I asked back. If he wasn't going to answer my question, why should I answer his?

“Because I want to know.”

I looked at him. “You’re worrying over nothing, hun.”

“Please don’t call me that.”

I was confused. “Why not?”

“I don’t want to be that guy you play some little game with. I’m not like that.” He voice was stern and getting colder by the second. He was being dead serious.

“You think I’m playing games with you?” I asked. I was still confused. I knew that I should just tell him that it was Tony and let this blow over. Unfortunately there was small part of me found he's reaction funny in a sick, twisted way.

“Yes, I do. Especially if you are talking to some other guy behind my back. That’s not fair to me... Or him.”

This night was heading in the wrong direction. Fast. I didn’t want him thinking that I was playing games with him. I didn’t want him to angry with me. I just wanted him to be the happy Sidney that he always was with me.

“It’s not what you think it was,” I said after a moment of silence and thought.

Sidney just glanced at me. His expression was etched with confusion and jealousy. He shifted in his driver's seat. “Then explain it to me.”

“I was talking to Tony.”

“Tony as in Tony DiPollo. Our friend?” he asked, then jumped to more conclusions. “Are you and him together or something?”

“What? No!” I was kind of appalled that he would jump to that conclusion instead of calming down.

“Then what is -”

“I needed advice and I needed to talk to him,” I cut him off. “He is my best friend. He's been there for me for a long time. I wasn’t in the greatest mood this afternoon. I texted him hoping he could help me out.”

Sidney relaxed a little. I did realize he was gripping the steering wheel so tight till the whites of knuckles faded into normal flesh tone. “Why didn’t you just text me?” He sounded disappointed.

“I just couldn’t.” I answered, honestly.

He grew silent, the radio playing a song that was just white noise to us now.

“I’m sorry." I felt the urge to apologize. “I didn’t want to ruin tonight for us but, please, understand that if I could have turned to you, I would have. Tony's just my go to guy with certain things.”

Silence filled the cab of his truck again.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” he asked.

“I didn’t want you to worry,” I answered, honestly.

“Worry about what?”

“About me and Tony,” I answered, softer than before. “I didn’t want you to think that I have a thing with Tony. I don’t.”

He was silent again. We sat in silence for a long time till we pulled into a restaurant parking lot. I noted the name: Buca di Beppo. It sat on the edge of a mall parking lot near the CONSOL.

I couldn’t tell if Sidney was still mad because he won’t look at me. I could only see the profile of his face. I just so desperately wanted him to say something. Anything really.

As soon as he parked and turned off the ignition, he was out of the truck. I watched him as he rounded the front end. I never thought to even follow him, hoping that a few moments to himself would calm him down.

But instead he approached my door and opened it for me. He reached over, unbuckled my seat belt, and gently pulled me out of the seat, enveloping me into a hug.

I just melted into it. I rest my head on his chest and he kissed the top of my head. I felt him mumbling something but I just couldn’t hear it.

“What was did you say?"

“I said I’m sorry,” he spoke just a little louder. Just loud enough for my ears to hear it and my ears only. “I overacted.”

I smiled a little, “Just a little.”

“I’m sorry if I ruined the night for you.”

I laughed lightly. How could I ever be mad at this man? “It’s okay. It was just the car ride here. We still got dinner and the car ride back.”

He smiled into my hair. “Come on, let’s get inside. It’s getting a little chilly out here.”