Chapter 11

Hadley had a hard time getting to sleep that night she kept thinking about how great the date had actually gone and for the first time in a long time she was looking forward to something other than work. She finally fell asleep thinking about what the future may hold for her.
Sidney was the same way he lay in his bed just thinking about how perfect the night had gone…and she even let him kiss her goodnight. He thought for maybe a half second about making the kiss longer but he kept going back to that conversation on the deck the night of his birthday…he knew he had to be careful she had been hurt by Felix, but he wasn’t like Felix, he was different and he had to keep showing her that. But for now he had to get some sleep the team was leaving for training camp early the next morning.

--- Early the next morning -------

She heard her door whip open and she gently rolled over to look at the clock she had beside her table 8am.

“What the hell”

“O don’t start with that…I want details how did it go.” Katy said

“It was a great night….is that enough can I go back to sleep now?” Hadley said not even opening her eyes.

“NO…that is not enough…are you going out again….what did ya talk about….OH MY GOD did he kiss you”

“yes…a lot…and I’m not telling. NOW PLEASE I NEED SLEEP.” Just then her phone went off…

I can’t get anything peace she thought but when she saw who the message was from she couldn’t help but smile.

I had a great time last night. I will try and call when I get a break…XOXO SID

Hadley couldn’t wipe the smile off of her face. She liked him she knew and she was even admitting it to herself. Sure she was scared but she liked the way she felt when she read that message…it proved to her that she could be happy with someone again…she found herself laying there hoping that it would turn into more than just dating…

-----On the bus-------

Sidney couldn’t help but smile at how last night went. No freak outs, no wine being spilt everywhere, and most importantly she had a good time, she let him kiss her and happily agreed to talk when they could throughout camp. He was already looking forward to the date at the incline when he got back.

“So any spilt wine last night?” Maxed asked as seriously as possible pulling Sidney out of his thoughts.

“Ha Ha very funny but no I let the waiter open it” He retorted. “I learned my lesson the first time thank you.”

“Ooooo the kid is in love” Max joked not able to hold in the laughter anymore.

Sidney just blushed but shook his head. He couldn’t love her…not yet anyway. Hell he had just gotten her to go on a date with him and given her recent history that was a feat in itself. He wanted to enjoy this and see where it went, he wanted a future with her, a relationship definitely…hopefully she was willing. He decided to just ignore the joking and be happy in the moment something he was going to have to thank her for someday.

------ A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER------

Hadley was barely making it through the day at work. It had been brutal the past few days a couple of people had left the firm because they were deployed with the reserves so everyone’s work had doubled. On top of that she was letting her thoughts get the best of her. She hadn’t heard from him since the last text message he sent the morning after the date. She had a great time and she couldn’t wait for date two like he had mentioned but since they hadn’t spoken like they said the bad part of her brain was winning the battle. Maybe he was just saying those things to be nice and maybe he didn’t want anything more which she was almost completely positive that she wanted to see what would happen now.

“Earth to Hadley…lets go get some lunch and then you are going to spill” Katy said.

Hadley just nodded and got up. She was really grateful that she had someone to talk to now especially now when she was beginning to take a chance with her heart again especially so soon after Felix and with the anniversary coming up soon she was really going to need Katy.

“I haven’t talked to him since that text he sent and now my mind is going to all sorts of places” Hadley said as they sat down at the diner table. “ I don’t think he is going to call…he probably still thinks that I am the crazy girl.”

“Ok first of all, he is going to call. I haven’t talked to Jordy that much since he had been gone. But when I did talk to him he said camp was hard the first couple of days and he was just worn out and anyways according to Jordy Sid hasn’t stopped smiling since the date night kinda like someone else I know.” Katy said matter-of-factly.

“Still Katy you have talked to him I have gotten nothing.” Hadley said.

Just then her phone beeped signaling a message.

Sorry I haven’t called…camp is kicking my ass…keep your phone around tonight…XOXO Sid

She couldn’t help but smile at that. It was almost like he was reading her mind. Well at least she had something to look forward to now.

“So was I right” Katy asked knowing that she was.

“This is going to be the only time that I admit this but yes you were right, he said to keep my phone around tonight.”

Katy just smiled at Hadley but continued with her speech anyway. “Hadley before you even start second guessing how happy you are and how much you really do like him let me say this… You deserve to be happy and if he is going to make you happy then go for it, don’t second guess anything until he gives you a reason to. He isn’t Felix.”Hadley smiled at her friend “I don’t know how I am ever going to thank you for everything you have done. You really have saved me. I used to think that I would never have a friend like you but I am so so lucky to have you as a friend.”

Katy just smiled and nodded “Ok no more sappy shit. Let’s get through work and then vege til our men call.”Hadley just laughed. It had only been one official date was Sidney really her man???
-----THAT NIGHT----


Hadley and Katy were both laying on the floor watching the notebook and eating popcorn when
Hadley’s phone went off. She got up and ran to the phone hoping it was the call that she had been waiting for. He phone had already rang four different times but it was all work stuff. She hoped this time was different.

“Hello” she said not looking at the caller id because she didn’t want to be disappointed again if it wasn’t him

“Hey there beautiful” his voice echoed into the phone. Hadley pointed to her bedroom and Katy nodded and then all but pushed her into the room so she could talk to Sidney.

“Hey yourself, how was camp today”

“Good I’m beat but I wanted to talk to you for a little bit”

She just smiled and then said “You probably don’t want to talk about Hockey do you?”

“It’s ok I don’t mind. But I would love to hear what you have been up to since our date.”

“Umm Ok but its not really that interesting…I just work and come home” she half laughed because she realized just how much she had closed herself off.

“Do you love your job though?” he asked sensing her tone when she said that.

“Yes I really do love it…I get to be creative and my dad…” but she stopped what she was saying, she wasn’t sure if she was ready to talk about that because she never talked about it with anyone.

“Your dad what?”

Even though he felt stupid asking all these questions Sidney wanted to know everything about her.

“O nothing my dad passed along the advertising gene.” Hadley said trying to hide the sadness in her voice.

“O kind of like my dad passing along hockey.” he finally answered instead of answering questions because he could tell that she didn’t want to talk about something right now.

“Yes exactly like that.” She said happy that he somehow understood that she needed a change of subject.

They talked about everything that night and talked about their date at the incline when he got back. He also promised that they would talk more now that he was in back into the swing of camp. It amazed both of them that they got along so well.

Hadley hadn’t felt so at ease just talking to someone since her dad. She could always tell him anything. When he left she shut down but somehow after only a few conversations, and one official date, she was opening up again for the first time in years. She liked it that way…she knew she like him more than she thought possible…she couldn’t wait for the future.

“ Can’t wait to see you when you get back Sidney” Hadley said and shocked herself that she said it so willingly out loud even though she had been thinking it since he had called her.

“Me either Hadley, Can I ask you something before we got off here for the night” he said knowing that there was no going back now no matter what her answer.

“Would you maybe want to ummm be my girlfriend?” he asked nervously.

“Yes Sidney I would love to be your girlfriend.” Hadley answered not even have to think about it.

“Really” he said surprised that she had answered so easily considering what she had told him.

“Yes really, there is just something about you Sidney”

“Wow I’m lucky. Goodnight Hadley and sweet dreams” Sidney said.

No I’m the lucky one Hadley thought after she hung up the phone. He was slowly bringing her back to the person she was when her dad was around, something that no one had been able to do not even Felix. But there was still so much that he didn’t know about her.