The Road to the Cup ~ Wattys 2015

What Usually Happens

I walked into the bar; it was pretty much empty. There were a couple of Pens fans who had beaten us here, and they raised their glasses to the guys as we walked in. A few of us sat down at the bar, and the rest of the team snagged a few booths in the back. I sat at the bar next to Geno with the other seat next to me open. I wasn't going to drink, drink, I was there just for the atmosphere. Sidney was in a booth with Fleury and Maatta. Beau and Rob were with Geno and I at the bar. I ordered a Shirley Temple and watched the guys talk and laugh. I really loved this team. My drink came and I thanked the bartender.

My phone buzzed. It was Justin, 'Hey, I want to apologize for earlier and catch up. Where are you?'

'Bar down the road from the Joe.'

'Be right there,' Justin sent back. A few minutes later, a breeze from outside came in and Justin sat down next to me, "Hey."

"Hi," I said turning to him.

He caught sight of the Shirley Temple in my hand, "You're still drinking those?" He laughed.

"Yeah," I smiled, swirling the glass a little.

"Cool," he nodded and we sat there quietly for a few minutes.

"So..." I said and laughed awkwardly.

"I'm sorry, Erin. I shouldn't have pushed your guys like that, I don't know what came over me."

"It's what always happens, Justin. It's no big deal. You were still fired up from the game; don't worry about it," I smiled.

"You've always known me so well," he mused.

"You seem to forget that we grew up together and that I coached you."

"You're right, as usual," he laughed stretching to put his arm around me. I leaned my head on his shoulder. "It's been so long since I've seen you, Snowflake," he murmured, using my nickname from when we were kids.

"It has been a while, J."

"Things haven't been the same since you left for Union. There aren't many girls like you," he rubbed small circles on my shoulder with his thumb.

"Mhm," I replied, not wanting to talk about this.

"Why'd you leave me?" Justin clearly did want to talk about it.

"I had to go, Justin. Union was my dream school," I replied.

"And what about your dream guy?" He had never been one to beat around the bush.

"I'm still looking," I turned to find him, but he wasn't at the booth. I spun on the barstool and scanned the place. He was gone. I nudged Geno, "Hey, where's Sidney?" I asked quietly, not wanting Justin to hear what I said because I knew he'd get pissed.

Geno frowned and jerked his thumb at a booth towards the front of the bar. Olli and Sidney were sitting across from each other, and both had a girl hanging off of them.

I frowned, feeling hurt, and turned away, but not before catching Sidney's eye. He smirked and raised his eyebrow at me, daring me to do something, even though we both knew I wouldn't. I hunched back over the bar and bit my lip.

"Is something wrong?" Justin asked, already knowing the answer.

"No," I lied.

"Erin, come on, I know you better than I know myself, something is wrong. Why don't you tell me? I can help you."

"I'm fine," I said. I wasn't going to use Justin to get back at Sidney for finding someone else, even if it would piss him off. He had every right to move on, as did I. But I wasn't going to exercise that freedom; no one could compare to Sidney. What was I thinking? Sidney and I were never a thing, I had made sure of that. We had just kissed a few times; it was more of a fling. But it still hurt like hell and I felt like trash being tossed away. We had made out and walked away like it was a dirty, scandalous hookup, which it almost was. I knew it was my fault that I felt like this, because I had encouraged him, but I didn't think he would move on so soon after what he had said to me. That was very selfish of me; I should want him to be happy, especially after I had been the one to push him away for my job.