Chapter 23

Chapter 23

Since I was a late add on for tickets, I was forced to sit by myself behind the net. Wearing a Crosby jersey, looking like a was a weak girl, and being alone was not a good combination, trust me. Several full-grown men actually harassed me about being a Penguins fan, at one point actually threatening to “take care of her myself.” I just didn’t understand how they could pride themselves in being hockey fans when they were acting like this. It got worse and worse the more they drank too. It started off okay when Max scored the first game. I was able to turn around and just smirk at them. It started going downhill when the Flyers scored a soft goal on Fleury to tie it. Then they scored another one, and another one. I groaned and put my head in my hands, frustrated at the sloppy game the Penguins were playing and the jeering of the fans around me. This was almost worse than the game I went to in Toronto and wore a Montreal jersey. I took it all wordlessly, this is what you get for being a true hockey fan, until I felt a hot substance burning my back. I turned around to see one of the men had “accidently” dropped the nacho cheese all over my neck and back.
“Oops.” He laughed obnoxiously, definitely drunk. “I guess you’re going to have to put that jersey in the trash. Oh, just like how the Penguins are playing.” His buddies all giggled and punched him on the shoulder for the lame-ass joke.
“Haha, you’re just so damn funny.” I sneered before sitting back down in my seat. I was going to have to call Mom and ask her how to get stains out, Sidney was going to be pissed. This was the jersey he wore in Game 5 of the finals last year. The crowd was boisterous now, enjoying the Flyers having a rare 3-1 lead over the Penguins and they were going overboard with the “Crosby Sucks” music. The next shift Sid was in he got a hold and high stick in the face go uncalled. There was a TV time out after that and he was skating around in front of the bench. I saw the look in his eyes that you see rarely, the raw hunger of just having to succeed. When he got that look in his eyes, anything could happen. Pigs could fly, hell could freeze over. There were only a few moments that I was truly amazed that Sidney was my brother. Most of the times I just saw him as my pain in the ass older brother, but there are rare times I see him as the hockey superstar he is. It’s when he’s flying down the ice, fire in the belly, dodging defenders, avoiding hits, and working magic to get the puck in the goal. That’s when I wonder how I’m related to him. That’s exactly what he did early in his next shift, picking up a goal on a dirty rebound. I jumped up and started cheering like crazy, just to rub it in everyone’s faces around me. I cheered even louder when less than five minutes later, he scored again on a power play goal to tie the game up. When the Flyers took a time out to get their heads out of their asses, I took the opportunity to go to the bathroom. I was walking up the concrete steps when I felt a splash and cold liquid was dumped over my head. It completely drenched my hair and jersey, even traveling all the way down to my jeans. I felt the familiar stickiness and got a taste of it, beer. The same man that spilled nachos on me had just dumped an entire beer over my head. I stared at the security guard in disbelief, wasn’t this why they were there? He pointedly looked away, pretending that he hadn’t seen anything. I stepped closer to the guy.
“I figured you would need some after they lose tonight.” He said letting out a shit-eating grin.
“Your lucky if I don’t beat your ass right now, you little fucker.” I growled, just plain annoyed.
“Miss, I’m afraid that if you don’t stop threatening other fans, I am going to have to escort you out.” The security guard spoke up. Great, of course he was paying attention now.
“Yeah Miss, leave me alone.” He taunted. I clenched my fists to my side, but ignored my heightening blood pressure and walked back to my seat. With less than three minutes left in the game, Sid scored his third goal, completing his hat trick and winning the Penguins the game. I jumped up and down screaming, not because I was excited but because it was driving around my crazy. I pulled the special pass out of purse to get down to the locker room when I felt something getting poured on me again. This time it was even worse, the beer left me absolutely drenched and dripping. Of course, it was the same asshole, this time holding two empty beer cups.
“I didn’t think last time was enough.” He said grinning. I didn’t hold back this time. I swung my right fist forward, punching him square in the face. All I meant was to get him to stop dumping stuff on me. I didn’t mean for him to stumble backwards, eventually falling down, with blood gushing out of his nose. It was a nice bonus, I guess I don’t know my own strength. But hey, a girl has to do what a girl has to do. A security guard started caring to me and one grabbed my arm, pulling me backwards. Along with beer and nachos on the jersey, now there was blood on it to. There was no way Sid was getting this one back, oops.
“Miss, you’re leaving with me. Now. You’re lucky he’s been harassing you all night, or we would be heading downtown.” He snapped.
“I’m with the Penguins.” I snapped, showing him my pass.
He sighed. “I guess I’ll take you down there then.” He escorted me down to the locker room, his grip on my elbow tight. I felt like I was a naught six year old when he dragged me into the locker room by my elbow into the center of the room. I was normally never in the locker room this soon after the game.
“Is this yours?” He asked around the room, acting like I was a dirty sock or something. No one spoke up for a few seconds, shocked by appearance.
“Yeah, she’s with us.” Gonchar finally spoke up. The security guard left grumbling and I stood there awkwardly in the middle of the room. “I’ll um, be outside.” I said.
Sidney stood up. “Why are you wet?”
I rolled my eyes. “Some jackass kept dumping beers on me every time you scored. Oh, and nachos too.”
He looked at me surprised. “And they didn’t do anything about it? How did you end up getting in trouble?” He asked. I flexed my hand, which was stiff, swollen, and my knuckles were already turning blue. “Oh, I don’t know.” I said grinning.
“Is that blood?” Sidney asked me shocked.
“Yeah.” I said unable to keep the grin off my face, I was actually proud of my stength.
“Did he hurt you?” He asked outraged.
“Not quite.” I said laughing.
“Kylie, what the hell is going on?” Sidney said angrily.
“Well,” I paused for a moment, “he pissed me off so I decked him.” A low whistle went around the room. “Hard enough for him to bleed?” Some one asked shocked.
“Remind me to not get you mad.” Jordan said laughing.
Sidney had a smile playing on the edge of his lips. “I taught you well.”
I shrugged, “Guess so.”
“Still, you can’t go around just punching people.” Sid lectured. Of course, he couldn’t just compliment me and leave it at that.
Jordan tossed me a shirt. “Here, your soaked. Use mine.” I nodded my thanks and ducked outside the dressing time to swap shirts. It was just a simple grey t-shirt that said “Thunder Bay Hockey” on it. It was huge on me though, almost going down to my knees. I walked back into the locker room and folded Sid’s jersey and put it on his stall.
“Oh yeah, which one did you pick out?” He asked motioning to the jersey.
“Game 5 one.” I said hesitantly.
He closed his eyes. “You’re explaining it to Mom when we mail it to her.”
“Deal.” I replied. I hung around the locker room for the next hour or so, watching the boys conduct interviews and change back into suits. Finally, every one got herded out out of the room and onto the team bus. While walking, Max wiggled up next to me. “Nice right hook.” He whispered into my ear.
“You’re just lucky I didn’t use it on you.” I hissed back.
He let out a hearty laugh. “You’re right.”