Opal's Boy

Chapter 9

BEEP BEEP BEEP

I slapped my bedside table where my clock should've been.

I sat up groggily and remembered it was all the way on the other side of my room.

When I turned it off, I walked down the hall to wake Veda up. I came to a quick stop as I heard her talking.

"I don't know, I've gotta go in at ten but Opal's going in at eight."

She paused and giggled.

"I've gotta go, I heard her alarm clock turn off. I'll see you later Patrick."

Patrick? Awake at six in the morning? Unheard of.

I tiptoed back to my room and quickly got into the shower.

When I got out, I blow-dried my hair and put it into a high ponytail, just how the boss liked. I put on my Blackhawks polo and my skinny khaki pants before heading downstairs to eat breakfast.

As I read my schedule and ate cereal, I heard Veda come downstairs.

"Morning sleeping beauty," I said, not bothering to look up.

"Is that our uniform?" She asked as she opened the fridge.

"Did you not have one with the Kings?" I asked.

"No. As long as we looked professional, we could wear whatever we wanted," she explained as she got her own bowl of cereal.

"I like having a uniform. If I look gross one day, I can blame it on the outfit," I told her.

She laughed and nodded.

I looked at my watch. 7:30.

"I've gotta go, Veda. Good luck today."

I kissed her cheek, slipped on my flip flops and headed out the door.

When I got to the rink, the entire team was only in speedos.

"What do we have here?" I laughed.

"Coach said you and the rest of the trainers are giving us massages," Patrick winked.

"Well where are the rest of the trainers?" I asked.

"Don't know. You're the first one here," Saad said.

I looked at my watch. It was 8:15.

"I'll be right back."

I walked down the hall to my boss' office.

"Hey, where are the rest of the trainers?" I asked as I stood at his door.

"They'll be here at ten. I wanted you here early so I could talk to you alone. Come in, sit." He motioned for me to come over.

I closed the door behind me and sat down at the chair in front of his desk.

"So I know you're dating Sidney Crosby. What do you think about working in Pittsburgh with him and the rest of the Penguins?" He asked.

"Sir, I don't think I'd do good there. I only know Sidney and to be blunt, I don't like the Penguins organization. I don't think it's a good move for me," I explained.

"You wouldn't have to make the long trips to see your boyfriend and vice versa," he said.

"I don't mind it."

"I really think you'd like it, Opal," he smiled.

"I grew here I Chicago. I didn't know anything about anything. These guys helped me through all my problems and I honestly wouldn't feel comfortable leaving them. They're a big part of my life," I told him.