Harbour Lights and Lonely Nights

The papers had all been sorted out. In a week’s time Emily would be allowed to work in the U.S. and her things would all be in Pittsburgh. She had already sold her trunk after a drawn out good-bye to the vehicle that held so many memories and now had money to purchase a new one in Pittsburgh. She had sent her application in to Pittsburgh U as soon as she got back to Cole Harbour and had finally received an acceptance. Her credit transfer had been looked in to and approved. All the work had kept her busy and taken from her the chance to really worry. While not everything would be in place for another week or two, Emily was getting off her plane in Pittsburgh. During her flight she was lucky to be sitting beside someone who slept the whole trip but unlucky to be sitting in front of a woman and her two kids. She had heard them threatened with not seeing their ‘nanna’ and also if they didn’t behave, turning right around and going back to Newfoundland.

It was both a blessing and a curse when the plane landed on the American tarmac and the pilot announced the plane’s arrival at its destination. Emily was filled with so much anticipation that every minute of the pilot’s speech stretched on so long she lost interest. All she could think about was Sidney. The flight she managed to get was early enough that she wouldn’t miss the game and Sidney had offered to come pick her up, even though Mischa already planned to. As much as Emily had grown fond of her new roommate she couldn’t miss the opportunity to see Sidney earlier.

It was when she grabbed her luggage and walked out into the sea of people that she realized she wasn’t dressed in the best thing to be meeting Sidney. She hadn’t expected him to be picking her up when she left the house. It was only after he called her on the way to the airport the arrangements were settled. She had chosen this shirt because there was still a game tonight. He wouldn’t care though.

As the airport flooded with people Sidney was glad for the obstruction of view. It made it harder for him to be recognized because even he knew his cap could only do so much. At the same time though, it made it harder to spot Emily. He stood on his toes to see over the throngs of people, and fell back down on his heels in defeat. He waited for it to die down but it didn’t. Then, among the shoulders and faces he saw the top of her dark brown hair. She had her back faced to him, looking around in the other direction. It was just this that he could make out until a few people parted ways. His studied her appearance. Her high ponytail of curls swaying as she looked around. The blue t-shirt she wore and how followed the curve of her waist. Then the shock of the shirt itself and how it made his stomach drop. It was like his dream held in it more truth than he had thought. There was no 13, no Cammalleri. Instead he saw its palindrome, 31, and the name that brought that frightful image to his mind: Price.

The sight of her swinging curls was replaced by the vision of her widening smile she turned around and spotted him. It took him a moment to shake the image of his dream from his head before he let himself become aware of her presence. Then he couldn’t help but smile too. Couldn’t help but watch her bite her lip and drop her bags with a feeling of total entrancement. Frantically his eyes took in her whole appearance as she started towards him, running the short distance as he held his arms open for her and braced for the impact. Her small frame came into contact with his and his arms locked around her tightly to pull her off the ground in a monumental hug. Neither of them spoke a word, they just held on for dear life. When her feet came gently onto the shiny floor her body still clasped against him, breathing in the smell of aftershave from his shoulder and revelling in the feeling of his strong warm contours against her. Her waist felt so small in his arms, her hair smelt so familiar against his cheek. Then finally soft words flowed from her warm breath, “I missed you.”

The embrace ended as they pulled away to look at each other. “Missed you too Em. We should probably grab your bags though.”
She nodded and went back to where she had dropped her bags.

Emily knew despite the spontaneous greeting that Sidney would be looking to stay low key. Attracting attention was probably the last thing he wanted so the two walked to the car in relative silence. The reality of being in Pittsburgh, her new home, finally sinking in as Sidney put her bags in the truck and came to sit in the driver’s seat beside her.

“So where am I driving?”
Emily pulled a piece of paper from her pocket and read Sidney the address as he punched in into his GPS.
“So, I watched your first game.”
“It was awful.”
“Something was bothering you.”
Sidney kept his eyes on the road but Emily knew better than to trust that answer.
“Sidney, I know you. Something was bothering you.”
Only Sidney wasn’t really ready to admit the worries that had been bothering him, or the dream he had had the night of the game. Not to her. “I just had an off game Em, it happens. Anyways tonight’s going to be better. I got tickets for you and Mischa and her friend.”
“Yeah, I think I’ll bring Mischa. You guys are her second favourite team.”
“Second?”
The casual conversation felt nice as the drove along the streets. She felt at home in the spacious SUV with Sidney’s presence beside her. “She’s from Chicago.”
“Ah. How’s Cole Harbour doing without me?” He joked cockily on the topic of hometowns.
“Surprisingly it is managing without you. But seriously, I loved being back. Hopefully I’ll have some chances to visit.”
“I’ve got a house in Halifax I’m always at during the offseason. You’ll have to come up and see it.”
“You have a SECOND house?”
Sidney glanced at Emily, surprised he hadn’t mentioned it before. “Ya.”

Most of the drive was just talk of the time that had lapsed since the last time they had spoken. Eventually the GPS told Sidney to turn and they slowly approached the house on the right. Emily recognized the small townhouse from the pictures she had seen. “this is it.”
“Do you need help with your bags?”
“No, you just concentrate on getting ready for the game. Thanks for picking me up.” She pushed the door open, ready to step out.
“No problem. Your tickets will be at will call.”
Emily smiled, leaned across the centerpiece—bringing with her the smell of lavender—and planted a kiss on his cheek. Her lips were still the softest thing he had ever felt and even after she pulled away the feeling of them seemed to linger on his skin. “Since I won’t see you before the game, good luck Cros.”
All he could manage was a smile in response. When her door closed he popped the trunk open and watched her in the mirror. When she walked up the steps he rolled her window down and waved. He had pulled away and was gone by the time Mischa answered the door.

---

The arena was pretty full when the team skated out onto the ice. The blue white and red jerseys made his fears resurface. He could remember the feeling of her lips on his cheek as she wished HIM good luck. But he could also remember the name and number on the back of her as she walked away. Really, he didn’t usually care that the habs were her favourite team but when the two were playing against each other, seeing her in the rival logo felt like a betrayal. And feeling that sense of betrayal in turn made him feel guilty. It was a petty and selfish thing to feel betrayed at that. He knew it and he hated that he couldn’t stop it.

His eyes, despite not wanting to see her in that shirt again, travelled to the seat she should be in. The seats themselves were empty but he noticed two girls shuffling past seated fans towards the empty chairs. One, a tall red-headed girl, clad in a Pens away jersey. Fleury’s name and number on her back. Behind her, holding drinks, the familiar brunette was clad in a familiar Penguins home jersey. His own name on her back nearly made him exclaim in relief or happiness but he held it back. Instead he felt himself do a subtle fist pump as he skated by the boards. Emily didn’t notice as her and Mischa settled into their seats. She couldn’t believe she was actually about to watch her two favourite teams play each other. The Canadiens had always been her favourite and held a special place in her heart. Before the 2005 draft the Pens weren’t a team she really cared for. She could think of other cities she would have cheered on before Pittsburgh but that had quickly changed. Sidney had her heart and for the most part the Penguin organization had his. So she grew to love them. Maybe not as much as Montreal but enough that she faithfully wore her Crosby jersey even that night.

Max skated by the glass and gave her a little wave, glad to see she had made it.

She watched with as much excitement as the habs skated. Price, Gionta, Subban, Cammy. Some of her favourite players in her favourite colours. Being a habs fan had made her especially likely to scrutinize goalies but when everyone else had stuck by Halak she was happy with the decision to trade him. She knew that Price would prove himself this season. And after Cammy’s play against the Pens last year she couldn’t help but be curious of how he’d perform on the new ice.
When she looked back to the Penguins she noticed Crosby looking at her, shaking his head with a smile. Clearly he had noticed her too keen interest in the other team but she was quick to point to her jersey. She was cheering on the black and gold as much as her heart bled bleu blanc et rouge.

During the game it was hard not to smile when Price made a lightening fast save, even his 5 saves on Sidney’s 5 shots. He was denied again and again and the frustration showed clearly on his face. She still cheered him on. Number 87. It was also hard not to cheer when Cammalleri made his two goals, but she held back. The man had a knack for scoring on Fleury. But the disappointment she felt when the Canadiens scored the last two goals within 45 seconds of each other and it was clear that the Penguins had no chance of coming back, was very real. Montreal won it 3-2. Just like the first game played in the Mellon arena in 67, and the last game played in it 42 years later the habs beat the Penguins at home. The vexed Pittsburgh team still didn’t have their revenge for last year and they had still yet to win in the Consol.

After the loss Mischa had to go home because she claimed to have work early in the morning. Emily stayed behind to meet up with Sidney. As soon as she saw him she could tell how upset he was and they walked to his car in near silence as she let him cool down. He signed a few things through his car window while leaving the players exit and finally spoke as they began to drive.

“I don’t understand that team.” When he finally spoke his eyes were square on the road, determination on his brow as they stopped at a light, “Last year they came into the playoffs an 8th seeded team and managed to knock us out in the second round. I mean even this season their roster lacks any depth and they still manage to beat us. Did you see Price? He was a machine. He never played like that last year.”
The frustrations came out strung together into one massive disappointment.
“He had an off year last year.”
“Or he’s getting lucky this year.”
Emily shook her head, “Or he’s that good. Give him some credit. He’s certainly got some impressive credentials.”
The words came out so unaffected. She said them calmly and she didn’t look at him. This was how she felt and she was just trying to be reasonable. She wasn’t trying to put down his talent or elevate the other player’s. The captain needed to see he wasn’t invincible. Other players have good games too. After all, Emily could remember when Sidney got drafted—the memory would forever be burned in her brain—Price had only been a few draft picks behind. But Sidney didn’t really want to hear her stick up for the player. Not after the unfounded dream he had or the fact that it was slowly becoming clear the goalie was her favourite Hab and therefore probably her favourite player. But before he could protest her phone vibrated loudly in the cupholder.

It was a text from Max.

From: Superstar25
Where is my drink ma chére?

Emily responded asking where he would like to go and he sent her the address of a club.

“I owe Max a drink and he wants me to meet him at this club. You in?”
The phrase ‘I owe Max a drink’ perplexed Sidney but one look at her smiling at him and he couldn’t say no. “Sure.”

---

After going home and getting ready the two arrived together in a cab. The club was the same one the guys had gone to during the preseason. Inside they found Max ordering drinks at the bar.

“Jambes! There you are…” The French man smiled warmly, barely faltering when he saw his captain, “and Sid too! Wow. Only been back one night and you’ve already got the hermit out of his shell.”
“Hey Max,” she greeted him with a hug, “Nice game tonight.”
“Ah, but we lost.”
Emily looked for some conciliatory words but all she could think was, “there’s always the next game?”
Max laughed and nodded his head. “That there is.”
He led them to a table with shots in his hands. As they sat down he placed shots in front of them. Clear and tainted blue. “I thought I owed you a drink.”
“You can get the next two rounds.”
“Next TWO rounds? You’re not going to start with the barfight stories again are you?” She asked, referring to the night she had listened to him on the phone.
Sidney was lost in their conversation. Obviously there was information he was missing. They had their own references he didn’t understand and he didn’t really like. If it had been any teammate other than Talbot he wouldn’t even be slightly worried. His teammates were good guys. As was Talbot but the French man always got what he wanted. And a part of Sidney irrationally feared that he wanted Emily.
“No no. Marc and Staalsy are coming too. Maybe Tanger. Tonight is about welcoming you to our city.”
Max held up the small glass and the two others at the table mimicked him. He made a toast to Emily and they all downed the liquid. The burning of the alcohol spread through their extremities like wildfire. Emily and Sid went to grab two more rounds and brought them to the table. When Emily was talking to the bartender Max signalled Sidney from across the people to put it on his tab which Sidney discreetly relayed to the bartender. By the end of the night Emily probably would have forgotten about it anyways.
“Forget les habs. At least we didn’t have to listen to that ole ole ole song.” Maxime said as they reached him. Emily laughed, having intimate knowledge of the song.
“Hal came and shook my hand after the game.” Sidney finally contributed, “It must have been a strange game for him.”
“No need to dwell on losing,” Emily interjected, “more drinking.”
Max smiled at the suggested and the two clinked their small glasses together before linking arms and downing the shots. It was a gesture they had successfully done the night they were out with Mischa and Alex and the memory made them both laugh, although neither really knew why. The sight annoyed Sidney but luckily the two were separated when Max’s phone rang and he was forced to leave so he could hear the caller. It had been a long time since he had been to a club with Emily.

“I liked your jersey tonight,” Sidney tried to start conversation since they were alone. He was tired of feeling helplessly confused as the other two spoke.
“Aww you know you’re my number 1.” The girl’s frame shimmied closer to him so she could feel the side of their legs touching.
“Only because you’re a little biased.”
“Maybe.”
“I thought you’d be wearing your Price shirt.”
She shook her head and lazily shoved him a bit with her elbow, “I was only wearing that today because I wanted to support my team and I knew I wouldn’t be wearing it to the game.”
“Does that mean you’re not hanging your Habs gear up for good?”
“Nope, never.”

When Max returned from his phone call he took his last shot, standing up, to catch up with the other two. Everyone was almost there, that’s what the call had said. And since there would soon be people to keep him company, Max asked, if Sid minded him stealing Emily away for a bit. In that position Sidney only had one answer he could give without seeming like an ass so he shrugged. “Go ahead.” And Max lead Emily out to the dancefloor. Sidney watched as the song began and he sat alone stewing in his annoyance watching them dance before a familiar blond sat down at the table.
He barely noticed.

“Fancy seeing you here again.”
His eyes flicked towards her, “Yeah. We lost.”
“I saw.” The blonde’s eyes followed Sid’s gaze to the two dancing figures. “Is that your friend?”
“Yeah.”
“I thought she left.”
“She’s actually moving here.”
Max’s hands on Emily’s sides as she moved to the music made him crazy.

The music of the party was too loud to hear most of what people were saying to you. They had come because Brian had wanted to go and so Emily had wanted to go. She begged Sidney to come with her and be her ride. She was pretty sure Brian would ask her out any day now, she just needed to have more places to bump into him.

Now she was doing more than bumping into him on the dancefloor. He would have much preferred staying in with the girl and watching a movie. Or drinking by the water but not this. Not watching her in the mass of people dancing with him. The annoyance balled his fists at his side, relaxing only when he felt a hand on his shoulder. A girl from their grade who he had seen around games and school with her perfect blond hair, Brittany he thought her name was.
“Wanna dance?” she practically purred at him.
The combination of alcohol, frustration, and her sexy figure made the answer an obvious yes. Teenage hormones are so predictable. Anything to get his mind off of Emily and Brian, the soon to be couple. It shouldn’t even be bothering him, so he wasn’t going to think about it.

“You must really mean a lot to her.”
Hazel eyes looked at her in confusion, what did she mean by that? But she just smirked and got up, “I hope some day a guy looks at me like that.”
Then she walked away into the crowd, the ever moving bodies that stopped and went with the music. She was replaced moments later by the guys and Vero.

“So, Emily’s here for good, eh?” Jordan asked as they all sat and noticed Max and Emily finishing up the song.
“Looks like it,” Although, for the first time he was starting to question her motives for moving. Was it really for him? Would something really blossom from this friendship that sometimes so closely resembled purgatory? Or was Max going to make it there first…