I Hate New York

Chapter 4

triggers: infidelity, curse words, mentions of cheating, heavy angst
words: 3k

This wasn't how you wanted to celebrate your ten year anniversary with Sidney. This wasn't how it should be celebrated. It should be celebrated with champagne, maybe on an island with gorgeous views, and some amazing food to go with it. You weren't supposed to celebrate it, stuck inside your house, not even being able to look your spouse in the eye.

He woke up, not being able to turn over and give you a kiss on the cheek. He wanted to reach out to you but couldn't. There were so many things he had to say, so many wrongs he had to right, but he couldn't come up with the courage to flat out say it. He wasn't the strongest when it came to spilling out his feelings. He never has been.

It was one of the first things you teased him about when dating. How even though it had been obvious you were the one he had his heart set on, he still didn't make a move until he came back the summer after his first professional season. When he asked you out on the front porch of your parents house with flowers in his hand. He was stumbling over his words and he was blushing, but he finally asked you out.

You still gave him a little hell about it, but you took the flowers from his hand and kissed him on the cheek anyway. Those first few dates with Sidney was the pure definition of politeness. He never let you open a door by yourself and he always made sure that you were comfortable. If you got cold he offered you his jacket. When you went on walks around town, if you mentioned that you liked something he would make a mental note for later and get it for you. Sidney went above and beyond to make sure that you were happy, always putting your needs above his.

He was still like that. There were times where you could see a glimpse of your old Sidney through his dark brown eyes. From the way he said certain words to the way he made his toast in the morning. He was still your Sidney, just a little older.

-

"Dude, Mat...you have to get up." Anthony shook his friend as he laid in the opposite hotel bed. It was nearing the time they had to leave for morning skate in Tampa and Mat was still passed out.

Mat wasn't himself lately. Although he finally got to scoring and playing his normal game, outside of the ice he wasn't normal. He wasn't his chatty, happy self. When he got done with the media he wouldn't talk to anyone unless he absolutely had to. Anthony knew something was going on with his friend, and he was determined to figure out what that was.

"We have to leave soon, get your ass out of bed." Anthony shook his friend harder. Mat groans and rolls over on his side, picking up his phone and scrolls through notifications. "What's up with you? You never sleep this late," Anthony comments while going to the bathroom to brush his teeth and slip into his shoes.

Mat drags himself out of bed, grabbing the clothes he was going to wear to the rink. Anthony waited for him on the beds, texting his girlfriend back and checking other notifications. Mat came back, looking a little better but still not his full self.

"Mat seriously, what is wrong? Does it have to do with that girl you're seeing?" Anthony stood up while Mat put his shoes on. Still not saying a word, Anthony shrugged and started to walk towards the door.

"She was married," Mat answers a few minutes later. Anthony widens his eyes and his skin pales in color. "I uh, found out right after the Pens series finished." Mat pulls his shirt over his head and sits down on the bed so he can slip into his tennis shoes. His friend stood in shock. This was the last thing that he expected to hear from Mat. At the worst, he could have assumed that she died or something.

He thought about sharing who she was married to. He had so many secrets that he could exploit, all he had to do was go to some instagram account or tabloid and her life could be over with the snap of a finger. And as tempting as it was for Mat, he decided against it. He knew that if he were ever in that position (he doesn't think he would be) that he wouldn't want it shared over every social media platform known to man.