Love Never Felt So Good

“Hey Sid.” James grinned as they prepared for an exhibition game against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Their first game of the year.

“Nealer.” Sid nodded, very carefully tying his skates, pulling his shirt over his head. James grinned to himself, feeling rather accomplished. “Why are you so smiley?” He asked.

“You’re going to owe me big time, Cap.” James laughed, pulling his cell phone out of his Under Armour’s.

“Yeah, why’s that?” He asked. James handed his captain his black iPhone. Sidney took the phone and looked down at the screen to see a photo of Missy and Bailey, standing together and posing for the picture in matching Penguins tees and wide smiles on their faces. “Bailey’s here tonight?” He asked, confused. It had only been four nights since the two met and they had text back and forth a few times, but hadn’t made any plans.

“You’re welcome.” James laughed, “Missy asked her at the last minute to tag along, she happened to be free. Dinner after the game… you interested?” He asked with a shit eating grin.

Sidney gave him an obvious look.

“I can’t –”

“Be out late, yeah, neither can she.” He insisted. Sidney could hardly contain the smile across his face as he finished lacing up his skates. He had been meaning to set something up between the two of them since Missy and James’ party, but he had been running around the country doing a stop or two for Gatorade and Reebok and now he was finally getting settled before the season started.

Sidney hit the ice for warm ups opting to skate without a helmet. He knew where Missy sat for most games and fought to keep his head from snapping in that direction, but casually made his way around the rink before approaching the seats beside the penalty box, two rows off the glass.

He couldn’t help but smile this time as he made eye contact with Bailey who was looking just as beautiful as he remembered. He wanted to laugh as he saw her snapping photos with her phone, giving him a little wave. He waved back, giving her a goofy grin, causing the people around her to look at her.

Her hair was down over one shoulder in big waves and she wore her red lipstick again. She donned a black Penguins t-shirt and he was itching to know whose name was on the back.

The game couldn’t go by fast enough.

Beau hammed it up for Missy and her new friend, tossing Bailey a puck and running his hand through his hear like some 90’s heartthrob.

“Kid.” Sidney shook his head.

James laughed along with him.

The Blue Jackets were no match for a keyed-up Consol arena and a Captain who was eager to impress, notching two goals and an assist in 60 minutes of play.

“Geno threw the media off your scent, you owe him one.” James pat Sidney on the shoulder before he disappeared into the showers, anxious to get cleaned up. He spent a little extra time in the mirror, toweling off his hair so it didn’t drip down into his dress shirt.

Without a tie, Sidney tossed on his sport coat, glad he donned a navy suit that Taylor had picked out for him before the season started.

“Sid, lookin’ sharp, eh?” Brooks teased. Sidney tossed a towel at him as he slipped out of the dressing room, feeling very much like a kid as he snuck to the player’s lounge, a place that was off-limits to the press. He spotted the two girls almost immediately. Bailey had her arms folded across her chest, the corner of her iPhone just peeking out of her pocket and donning a pair of brown motorcycle boots with her dark jeans and tee.

“Hey Sid.” Missy smiled. Sidney greeted her with a hug and without thinking, leaned down to kiss Bailey’s cheek in greeting.

“Nice game.” She grinned, he instantly felt bashful, surprised at his own actions.

“Thanks.” He grinned.

“I can see why they pay you to do that.” Her eyes twinkled with an inside joke.

He wanted to be alone with her. He wanted to take her back to his place, lose their clothes and have their food delivered for the next three weeks. He wanted to see what that red lipstick tasted like.

“Hi Baby.” Missy greeted James with a kiss. Sidney kept his eyes trained on the door behind them so as to not make eye contact with Bailey as his teammate kissed his girlfriend.

“Who’s hungry?” Neal asked, taking Missy’s hand in his.

“Sid, do you mind driving Bailey? We took the batmobile here.” She winked, speaking of James’ two-seater Mercedes.

“What?!” James asked, eyes wide.

“We were out picking up guys!” Missy insisted, “can’t get the cute ones in my Jeep.” She teased.

James shook his head as Sidney smiled at Bailey.

“I’m parked out back.” He insisted. Bailey fell into step with the Captain as they walked through the parking lot.

“Can I ask you a question?” She looked up at him with those same, big, dark eyes.

“Sure.” His cheeks hurt from smiling so much.

“Those shorts you wear during the game… does it ever feel like you’re wearing a giant diaper?” She tilted her head at him. Sidney tossed his head back with a laugh. “I don’t even want to know how you guys sweat through those things.” She added, this time, earning a true Sidney Crosby giggle from him. “Why do some guys wear the visor and some don’t? I mean, do they know how fast you’re going?” She asked incredulously. “I’m glad you wear one.” She added. Sidney loved her commentary. “Also… Ice Girls? Really?” She gave him a pointed look as he opened the door to his pick up truck for her. He offered her his hand to help he step up into the lifted truck.

Placing her dainty hand in his, he couldn’t help but revel in the warmth of her hand in his.

Crossing her legs, Bailey felt dwarfed in size sitting in the truck. You could take the boy out of the country…

“They don’t really feel like diapers, they just feel like big, heavy pants, like you’re wearing a life jacket on your legs, there are pros and cons to visors and everyone has their preference, and Ice Girls… were not my decision.” Sidney answered all of her questions with a laugh as he buckled into his seat. “Here…” He reached across her grabbing the buckle for her seatbelt and dragging it across her body. Bailey was perfectly and entirely aware of just how close they were.

“Thanks.” She grinned.

“Safety first.” He looked up into her eyes, unable to control the pink cloud that moved up his neck when she laughed at him.

Safety first? He wanted to slam his head against he steering wheel.

When they arrived at the Mexican restaurant, Bailey immediately started moving her shoulders to the samba beat playing throughout the floor. She wrapped a hand around Sidney’s bicep as they walked to the table where Missy already had a strawberry margarita waiting for her, and an ice-cold water for Sidney.

“Mm, thank you.” Bailey smiled as Sidney pulled her chair out for her. She subconsciously scooted her chair just a bit closer to Sidney’s as he took his own seat beside her. Taking a sip of her margarita, she smiled as Missy launched into a story about she and James’ first date at the same restaurant.

Bailey crossed her leg, angling towards Sidney. He would have given anything to run his hand up her thigh, place his fingers on her knee and make sure that anyone in the restaurant knew she was there with him… even if she wasn’t.

Not five minutes into their evening, a young girl approached the table, an eager smile on her face and an iPhone covered in flower stickers as she quietly spoke up.

“Um, are you Bailey Bradford?” She asked, nervously tucking a piece of hair behind her ear.

“I am! What’s your name?” Bailey turned on the charm, turning to face the little girl.

“I’m Miranda.” She replied, “you’re my favorite dancer! I was going to go to your workshop in Philadelphia last summer, but a week beforehand, I broke my wrist rollerblading and my Mom said I couldn’t go.” She explained quickly.

“Oh, that sucks! I would have loved to see you there!” Bailey smiled. “We should take a picture, right?” She suggested, watching as the little girl’s eyes lit up excitedly.

“Okay!”

Bailey took the offered iPhone and handed it to Missy who was more than happy to take the photo of the two. “Have a good night, okay? Make sure you keep an eye out for some workshops this summer!” She insisted, giving the girl a one-armed hug.

“Thank you, Bailey!” She waved before practically skipping away.

“Does that happen a lot?” Missy asked, “she was adorable!” She added.

“Not so much here, sometimes I run into students around town. It happens more in the big cities.” Bailey replied, dipping a chip in some salsa. “It hasn’t happened here in a long time.” She shrugged.

Sidney admired the way she handled her young fan, knowing that it wasn’t always easy to interact with them after a long day.

Missy and James turned to one another, whispering quietly.

“Sip?” She offered, turning her straw towards Sidney. For a split moment, he had an internal dilemma. He didn’t drink hard liquor during the season. But she looked so cute and that little smile on her face was perfect enough to convince him to take a small drink.

Sidney ducked his head and took a quick drink.

“Good, right?” She asked with a laugh as she dunked a tortilla chip in the spicy salsa.

“That’s too spicy.” He shook his head.

“Mm, the spicier the better.” She insisted before the waiter could come around and take their orders. Sitting beside Bailey at dinner, Sidney felt like a total asshole for not trying harder to see her when he could. She was gorgeous and sweet and insanely talented, he would only be so lucky if she chose to spend some of her spare time with him.

Sidney draped his arm around the back of Bailey’s chair, getting more comfortable in his own seat as James launched into a story.

That evening after they were all full of tacos and for some, margaritas, Sidney stood in front of Bailey awkwardly as they left the restaurant.

“Do you need a ride home?” He offered, twirling his keys around his finger.

“That doesn’t make much sense, now does it?” She asked, her dimples hitting him right in the heart. Now that he finally had her in front of him again, he wasn’t too keen on letting her get away.

“Wouldn’t be safe to have you sit in Missy’s lap in that car…” He trailed off, glancing over to James’s car where the couple was already occupying the car in question.

“Yeah, I guess you’re right.” She laughed. “I could maybe use a lift.” She blushed as Sidney held her door open for her for the second time that night. “Do you mind?” She asked as she flipped through the dials on his radio. Country, country, talk radio, static…

“I don’t listen to a lot of music…” He said awkwardly, watching as her jaw dropped.

“Listening to music is half of my income.” She said with wide eyes, making him laugh. Flipping through the dials again, she found a top-hits station. “Oh, this is a good one.” She smiled in content as Beyoncé’s Mine.

Stop making a big deal out of the little things, cause I got big deals and I got little things – Got everything I'm asking for but you.

Sidney noticed the way she instantly started moving with the beat of the music.

Stop making a big deal out of the little things, let's get carried away. Come right now, you know where I stay.

“I just wanna say you’re mine, you’re mine.” She sang along quietly.

“Who is this?” He asked.

“The queen, Beyoncé.” She grinned, making him laugh. “I worship her. We always warm up to Beyoncé for class.” She finished.

Sidney wanted to stall, to circle the city before pulling up to her apartment building. Feeling the all-too-familiar heat on his cheeks as he parked his car.

“Tomorrow I don’t have practice or a game. Maybe I could take you out for breakfast?” He asked. She would follow him anywhere if he was wearing those dress pants.

“How busy are you tomorrow?” She asked, “I have an errand to run and I’d love a second pair of eyes.” She said cryptically.

“I’d love to help.” Sidney agreed blindly. “Pick you up at 11?” He asked.

“I’ll be there.” She agreed. Once again, she leaned over and kissed him on the cheek before hopping out of the car.

I just wanna say, you're mine, you're mine.