Determination

SIDNEY’S POV
 
I looked at James in awe, and March had the same expression on her face. It was as if time was frozen for a moment, allowing all three of us to get our thoughts together. I knew I shouldn’t be showing ANY emotion at all, but it was hard to act totally normal and not surprised at all.
 
A bunch of emotions flashed across her face, and I wondered what she would say. At first it was just surprise, and then curiosity and I think there was even a little bit of fear. I didn’t know what feeling would win over for her, and I just wanted to scream SAY NO! But I kept my mouth shut as I waited for her answer. March finally smiled and said, “When did I say I wouldn’t go out with you? I was kidding over there, you know!”
 
My stomach fell like it does on a free fall at an amusement park as March gave James her answer. I felt like I was at the top of the ride again when James asked, “So maybe you’ll go out with me? Maybe we could have dinner or something on Saturday night?”
 
She shrugged, “James, that’s not exactly what I meant. I mostly meant that I wouldn’t NOT go on a date with you, not that I would go on a date with you.”
 
My heart rate went back to its normalcy.
 
I looked at James. He looked hurt, REALLY hurt, but he nodded and said, “I get it, just friends?”
 
She gave him a kiss on the cheek, and I saw Nealer’s expression. He enjoyed it a lot more than he should, I could see it on his face that was full of happiness and hope. March said, “Yes, just friends sounds good to me!”
 
We exited the arena and were outside in a sea of fans. I heard James mutter under his breath, “Crosby’s got you wrapped around his finger, doesn’t he?”
 
I could have said something to James, but I let the moment pass without me interfering.
 
 
MARC ANDRE’S POV
 
I was just finishing putting my pads away, planning to meet March at the door and help her from being overwhelmed by all the fans. But Sid the Kid and Nealer beat me to it.
 
I don’t know what James said, but it caused Sidney and March to have the strangest expressions on their faces.
 
Sidney looked as if someone had just told him he could never play hockey again, and March looked a variety of things, sort of surprised and happy. I can only infer what she said next, James’s back was now turned to me and I couldn’t see his expression when March replied. She was smiling, though and I didn’t want to see anymore. But when I finished putting my goalie gear away and I looked back, March kissed James on the cheek, and I knew what had happened.
 
James asked March out, and she had said yes.
 
I tapped Geno on the shoulder, my stomach feeling a little bit sick. “Tell the others I’m not feeling well, I’m going to sneak out the VIP entrance.”
 
Evgeni’s chocolate brown eyes were full of unasked questions, but I’m not going to indulge him. “Better soon.” He said to me with a nod. “I tell others.”
 
“Thanks.”
 
 
JAMES’S POV
 
I was in second place to Sidney fucking Crosby. I ALWAYS am. After all, who wants me when they can have Sid the fucking kid? Well two can play it that game, and when I play the game, I play to win. I will not come in second place to Sidney Crosby one more time. This time I will win. I will get the girl I want, and Sidney Crosby will not.
 
I watched March outside as I signed my own autographs. She’s clearly the happiest person here. She has her big bright smile plastered on her face and it’s clear that she’s seriously the most beautiful girl ever. Her brown curls are so pretty and natural, and her eyes are seriously maybe the most beautiful thing about her is her brilliant, sparkling green eyes, and they smile when she does. And her body isn’t bad either, she’s probably about 5’8, I wonder what she’s listed at. She has a little bit of curve, but I seriously barely notice it because of her FACE.
 
“March! Can you sign this for my mom? She wanted to play hockey like you, but didn’t get to!”
 
I saw her brilliant smile again as she grabbed a jersey from the little girl who had called out to her. The girl was probably five or six “What’s your last name sweetie?”
 
“Keaton! K E A T O N.” The little girl spelled it for March, and she wrote a little note on the jersey in the first seven.
 
A woman who looked about 70 years old gave March a smile, and placed something in her hand, and said something to her, and she teared up and signed the old lady’s jersey. March is having the most fun out of anyone here. She’s the sweetest person I’ve ever met. If only she had said yes to Saturday night.
 
MARC ANDRE’S POV
 
Everyone was home within about a half hour or so, except for March.
 
“Where’s Wilson?” I asked when everyone who was with the crew came in.
 
Sidney said with a smile, “I swear, she’s the craziest, sweetest person ever! She’ll be back in like an hour. She pledged to stay there until everyone there met her and got an autograph. She’s something really special. I offered to stay with her, but she insisted I sit this one out. She said I should go because I looked tired and I was probably starving, which I am. But she probably is, too. I love her and she’s crazy.”
 
I nodded, but noted Sidney’s “I love her” comment. Isn’t she Nealer’s girlfriend? From what I saw in the locker room, she appears to be.

KRIS'S POV

I noticed Sidney, James and Marc Andre were all acting weird. They are really the best of friends, but now they won't even look at each other without glaring or just looking away quickly. I have this nagging suspicion that it has something to do with the love interest on our team.

"Hey, Nealer!" I called to my friend from the living room where Jordan and I were watching the Devils home opener against the Flyers. Giroux is a pussy.

James waltzed in, a bowl of tortilla chips in one hand and a glass container of salsa in the other. His hair looked like he had done it up, which he always does, so no real surprise there. "What's up Tanger?"

I didn't think he'd tell me what's actually going on, and I said instead, "The Devils are-"

Just as I said that, that tiny kid Gionta put the biscuit in the basket behind Ilya Bryzgalov. "Oh never mind."

"Score?" James asked, dropping the bag of chips on the coffee table in front of me, and when I looked up he was checking his phone.

"Look for yourself douche. It's tied at four and it looks like the Devils are on a 5 minute major or something."

"Or something? What do you mean or something? Don't you play hockey?" James said sarcastically, and at the end added, "Douche."

I laughed, "Listen, douche, what's wrong with you?"

James glared at me and said, "Nothing, douche."

"Stop calling me a douche and talk to me brother!"

James objected, "I don't have a brother! Only Rebecca."

I rolled my eyes, "Whatever, but March isn't your little secret you know Nealer."

His eyes went wide, and he looked like a little kid. Pascal was right when asked about James Neal, he's the kind of guy you just want to trip up in the hall ways. "I know. Crosby's got her wrapped around his finger." James stuck his middle finger in the air as Sidney walked in, and both James and I shared a laugh.

"What?" Sidney snapped. "Are the Flyers losing?"

I looked at James and we burst into laughter again, for absolutely no reason what so ever. Sid the Kid looked pretty aggravated. "We should get a team counselor, because you, Flower and Nealer all need to get over yorselves." I told them, leaning back into the couch. Sidney and James gave me identical glares and I couldn't help but laugh. "I don't know what it's about, and I really don't care. But good job on the ice, pushing your differences away to play the game."

Sidney didn't say anything else, just stalked out.

Then I realized Jordan was just silently laughing at us. Nealer caught him off guard and pushed him off the couch. Jordan came back with a pillow, taking James off guard too. Pretty soon all three of us were in a huge pillow fight, feathers everywhere.

"This is like when we did the roadtrip commercial!" Staalsy said with a laugh, and we all had to chuckle, remembering watching that commercial with Jordy before.

Suddenly there was yelling from the kitchen .

"Just keep your hands off of her!" Sidney snapped.

In his french accent Marc Andre replied with just as much fire, "What is she, your property or something? She's not even yours! She's NEALERS. You should be the one keeping your paws off!"

Both Jordan and I turned to look at James, who was wide eyed. "Is she really? Impressive!" Jordan said with a laugh.

James protested, "No she's not! I asked her out, but she rejected me!" His eyes were wide. How is he James Real Deal Neal, he's like a little kid with nice hair.

I shook my head. "Marc Andre must not have taken it that way. Or Sidney."

James said miserably, "But Sid was WITH me!"

Jordan chuckled, "You asked her out in front of SIDNEY? Wow that's some impressive bravery right there!"

James did look distressed though, and I could tell he didn't really find it funny. He didn't think any of this was the least bit funny. Poor kid. "I just wanted-"

A knock at the door interrupted the conversation between James, Jordan and I, and seemingly the fight going on between Sid and Flower.

"She's back, and you WILL NOT say anything!" Marc Andre growled. I'd never heard him sound so threatening. Ever.

I exchanged glances with Jordy and Nealer. "We say nothing?" I suggested, except I was mostly telling my friends, not asking for a confirmation on that.

"Get the door Jordan." I instructed, and he called me a douche before doing it.

March walked into the kitchen, and I heard her say, "I love being a Pittsburgh Penguin!"

I exchanged a glance with Nealer. "I think you should step in later."

I nodded, "Yeah, I don't want my head ripped off by Sidney or Flowers."

"The fans are so sweet!" She gushed. "I just love all of them, and I couldn't get to everyone because some dude whoworks for Consol was about to tow my car, so I just told them I would get them all next time! They're the best guys! You have the best fans in the whole world!"

I heard Jordan say, "Yeah, but one thing. You keep saying they're just the guys' fans. They are your fans too! Did you not hear the WILSON cheer that went up?"

March giggled, "I guess somewhere in the back of my head I did!" She joked. "How are my devils doing?"

There was a soft thump and then, "Not YOUR Devils! Devils suck!" Marc Andre. We all laughed, even James and I as we envisioned what had just happened.
***********************************************
SIDNEY'S POV

My fight with Flowers was almost entirely forgotten when March walked in. It's like all my problems sidappear when when I'm with her. She just has that effect on me. On everyone, Marc Andre seemed to have forgotten for now too.

"I gotta call my dad!" Her green eyes shined bright. She's a god damn beautiful girl. It's not fair that I have to share her with the whole team, even though only two other guys are after her. And when those two guys are James Real Deal Neal and Marc Andre Fleury, I have virtually NO CHANCE. It made me want to take out James and Flowers, but I know I can't do that.

March picked up the phone and dialed her dad's cell phone number (They're in Florida, no one will answer at home) Her happy excited face went from just that to disappointment.

She didn't leave a message, just hung up. "Oh well, nothin could ruin this day for me!"

I exchanged a glance with Flowers. Would our fight ruin her day if not kept under wraps?

"Leave an excited message at home." Staalsy suggested

A beautiful smile lit her face, and she said, "Great idea Jordy!"

She dialed her home phone number, and suddenly her face dropped almost as soon as she dialed. "Oh hey." There was a pause and she asked, "Are you guys still in Florida?" Another pause, longer this time. She now growled into her phone, "Put dad on the phone RIGHT NOW! Excuse me boys."

She ran upstairs, and for ten minutes at least there was yelling and sobbing from her room.

The group in the kitchen disassembled, and I decided to go upstairs and see what the situation is.

I stood outside the door, and I heard her crying. When I tried to open the door, it wouldn't budge, she had locked us all out. She doesn't ever lock the door, she seriously must not want to talk to any of us. When I tried to pull open the door, the sobs stopped. She knew I was here.

"March," I said gently. "March please open this door." The knob rattled, and I tried to open it again. "Please," I said softly.

She opened the door for me then. Her face was tear stained, and she collapsed in my arms, her hands holding my biceps. I lead her into her room, I didn't really want to gather a crowd outside the door.

I shut the door behind us, and I sat on her bed and let her cry into my chest. "I was right! I was right! They don't care about me at all!"

I stroked her curly (nappy looking at this point) hair and rubbed her back. "Shh, they do to care about you."

"Do not!" She said angrily, looking up at me. "I called Dad's cell phone, you know, because they were supposed to be in Florida for Dad's 'mandatory' meeting for work." She put her hands up and made air quotes around the word mandatory. "So I took Jordan's advice, ready to leave them a happy, excited message on the home phone for when they all came back from Florida. And JAMES answered the phone! I asked him if they were still in Florida and he said no and asked me what I was talking about. No one went to Florida at all! So I asked to talk to my dad and that's about the point where I excused myself and came up here. I heard him say before James put him on that they weren't supposed to answer my calls, because they were supposed to be in Florida!"

I let her calm down before she continued the story, a little calmer this time. "He said that the meeting in the south was cancelled, and I told him he was full of shit and he told me I was right, and he and mom just didn't want to pack the whole family up for 'one stupid game in the most disgusting city in the United States!' Those were my mom's exact words Sid I talked to her too!" She was still crying, but she had her emotions a little more under control now. "They couldn't come and support the history makin' eighteen year old girl who happens to be ther daughter! Sidney it was the biggest day of my whole life and they weren't there because they didn't want to be!"

I held her as she cried some more. My blood was boiling; how dare her parents do that to her! I was going to do something about it and it wasn't going to be pretty that's for sure."

JORDAN'S POV

Myself, Kris, James and Marc Andre all stood outside March's bedroom door as she told Sidney her story. We were all super angry, James was about to break the door down and console her himself, but the reasonable, responsible part of him told him no and he kept his cool as much as he could.

But I've never been more angry at ANYONE than I am at the Wilson family right now. How could they do that to her? March is right, she's the history making eighteen year old girl who is also their fucking DAUGHTER. How are they not being supportive? He r dad sounded like a pretty cool guy up until right now.

I motioned the boys downstairs, I had an idea.

Kris was the only one who actually followed me, Marc Andre and Nealer staued perched at the door.

"Come on I have an idea!" I hissed.

They reluctantly followed Kris and I down the stairs.

Once we were back in the kitchen, I checked the score of the now over Devils game. 5-4, Henrique scored an overtime goal. The only goals that kid scores are over time goals.

"Okay, we all know why she's upset, I say we CALL the Wilsons and tell them off!" I said excitedly.

Nealer and Flower both reached for the phone in my hand, and glared at each other when I pulled it away. "Neither of YOU two! You're too crazy about her and you'll do or say something you'll regret. I vote Kris does it."

He raised an eye brow, he was wearing a hat backwards, and so was Marc Andre. I've never seen Real Deal James Neal wear anything on his head but a helmet. The kid freaking loves his head of hair. Kris has pretty cool hair, it's longer though and that's just not James's thing. Kris said, "Me? No, I think you should do it Jordan! I'm not totally all," He searched for a word, and surprised us all by saying, "I'm not totally English."

"Kristopher Letang!" James said in mock shock. "You lied to the weather man! You told the weather man that you THINK in English!"

I haven't a clue what they are talking about, but Kris clearly understands because he burst into laughter. "Nice one Nealer. But Staalsy, I'll do it."

I nodded, and handed him March's cell phone that was left on the table.

Kris played around with it, but when he put it back down on the table he sighed in defeat and said, "Passcode protected."

"Gimme it." Marc Andre said, and Kris slid it across the table to him. Within minutes, he gave it back to Kris, all open.

We all gave him surprised looks. "Alright, eiter Flower is a genius or stalker." James declared and we all chucked softly.

"Nah I just know her better than Krissy."

Kris put on a face of mock offense and replied, "Well I guess Mary Andrea just stalks March Wilson!!!!"

We all laughed until I said, "Hey Kris, can we just call now?"

Kris nodded and went to recent calls, calling the house phone back. "Hello?" He said. "This is Kristopher Letang."

There was a pause and he laughed softly, even though I could tell he attempted not to. "Kris then. This is Kris Letang and I need to speak with Mr. Wilson."

There was another pause and said, "Oh yeah I'll just send it with her over the summer, good? Great." He rolled his eyes. "Oh hello Mr. Wilson, this is Kris Letang, defenseman number 58 for the Pittsburgh Penguins hockey club."

"He's so OFFICIAL!" James said, wide eyed like a little kid. I wanted to punch him in the shoulder, but Flower took care of that for me. "Ow!" He yelped and we all smirked, especially Flower.

"Yes, we were informed you and your family would be in Florida and that is why you could not attend March's first game in te National Hockey League." I couldn't help but laugh. He's so FRENCH and he sounds a little bit funny.

"Well I'll have you know when Ms. Wilson was informed you had not gone to Florida just stayed at home and sat on your lazy a-"

"KRIS!" I whisper yelled, and he mouthed 'Gotcha sorry' back to me.

Kris said into the phone, "Yes she is crying in her bedroom right now." He made a face. "Very distraught, but trust me she is in the care of people who have actually cared for her the wat no one else has before." He made another face, "Yes I do."

James laughed, and Marc Andre started laughing too. I didn't know what they were laughing about until later.

"Yes, the best hands of all! That she is ever been in in HER WHOLE ENTIRE LIFE." Kris over emphasized, and we all had to laugh at that.

There was a long pause. "I can not let you know of that information." Kris might have been able to make it as an actor. I was laughing and believing his officalness.

"Alright, I plan to see you on that date. Uhh what was it again?"

March's father on the other line repeated the date of whatever the hell Kris was planning. "Oh no, that doesn't work, how's December 12?"

"Kris!" I protested.

Marc Andre said, "Kris, Kris NO!"

James just shook his head and laughed some more.

Kris nodded, "Alright. Great. See you on December 12 no matter what. Yes at 2:00 PM, which means after noon if you're not good with time skills and stuff."

We all covered our mouths so we didn't laugh at Kris too much. He's actually hilarious.

"DECEMBER 12 OF THIS YEEEAR!" Kris yelled, "Yes i'm sure the date works! Okay see you then! We'll meet at the coffee shop called Coffee Works. Alright. See you then and goodbye!"

Kris hung up March's phone and slammed it down on the counter top.

James, Flower and I were all doubled over in laughter. "You could be an actor Krissy, not bad!"

He smiled, "And I made sure we'll be in San Jose playing the skarks when he comes here waiting for me."

We all slapped him high fives, even though we never pegged him as the evil genius of the group.

SIDNEY'S POV

We have another home game, against the Washington Capitols tomorrow. OVECHKIN. I'm going to make sure we win.

At 10:30 at night, I opened the door to March's room, I could tell she wasn't asleep yet.

"Hey March?" I asked quietly, the rest of the house is asleep as far as I know.

She sat up. "Oh hey Sidney." She scooted over in her bed, seeming to know what I wanted.

I crawled under her covers again, just as I had last night. "Wow it's just one thing after another for you, isn't it March?" I asked rhetorically, and she nodded.

She said, "Thank you for always being there for me. I love you so much!"

I hugged her and closed my eyes, and felt her grip tighten around my neck. God, she even SMELLS good! What am I going to DO with myself?

When I let her go, her hands remained on my shoulders. I didn't speak, just let her do whatever she was going to do.

I felt her soft lips connect with my cheek in the darkness, and I resisted the urge to turn my head and get her in the lips instead. But I have to be gentle and slow with March. She's beautiful, and her lips remained on my cheek for a long time.

And after a few minutes, I asked her "March?"

"yeah Sid?" Her voice was shaky, and I knew she felt she had done something wrong.

I asked the question I'd been dying to know the answer to all day. "March? Why did you turn James down earlier today?"

There was a silence and she sighed heavily. "I'm not sure. Maybe just so this wouldn't be at all awkward. I didn't want to ruin my friendship with him, but I'm pretty sure I already did."

I shook my head, "No. Don't ever think that. And even if you did, Nealer always bounces back fast."

I looked her in the eye for a long time. I slowly leaned in, and kissed her right on the lips.