I will update soon.. sorry for the lack of updates.. before I would write alot and have chapters saved, but now I have no chapters so I have to take time to write.. wednesday there should definitely be an update up. God Bless <3

Nineteen.

That night I had sex with Sidney. I wasn’t really sure what it meant. Actually, I think I knew what it meant. Sidney and I obviously had chemistry, physically and emotionally. Having sex with Sidney wasn’t a difficult decision, I hadn’t really thought about it, but it felt right. However, he was leaving today. He was leaving and making love with him wasn’t going to change it. Funny that I just said making love since Sidney and I weren’t in love. We were on the way to being in it, I think, but definitely not there yet. Sidney would leave and I may end up just being another girl he had been with, but I wanted one night with him. I wanted to know what it felt like to be his world, I wanted to remember how it felt to be the only girl he wanted to be with.

I woke up by a kiss from Sidney.

“You leave today.” I said with my eyes still closed.

“I know, what was last night?” He asked.

“A great night.” I said smiling.

“True, but what does it mean?”

“Sidney, don’t over think things. Everything I said before still stands. But last night.. was nice.” I said.

“It was really nice.” He said running his hands down my side. When he got to where my scar was I must have made a face, because he gave me a look. I pulled the covers down to show it to him.

“This huge scar is embarrassing.” I said.

“Its not bad, Grace.”

“I honestly thought it would go down by now. Its still as red as it was when they removed the mole.” I said.

“It just makes you who you are.” He said and kissed the exact spot my scar was at.

“Are you sure you have to leave?” I said rolling on him.

“Sorry.” He said kissing my nose.

“I know, it will be fine.” I said rolling out of bed to get dressed.

Sidney jumped into the shower and I started to make breakfast. He was going to go back to the Lemieuxs and then I would pick him up to take him to the airport. I was dreading the goodbye. You know when you really like someone or you are dating someone but you haven’t said I love you yet, I just never know how to end a conversation or say goodbye. It just seems so natural to say I love you to someone, but when you aren’t at that point yet, do you just say goodbye? It just doesn’t seem like enough, and that’s what just kept running through my mind.

“I wish I could just ask you to stay and you would.” I whispered in his ear while we were hugging in the airport.

“I wish it was that simple. You know I would if I could.” He said.

“This sucks.” I said pulling away.

“I’ll be back in like three weeks for a few days.” He said reassuring me.

“I know.” I said and he pulled me back into a hug.

“I’ll miss you.” He said.

“Me too. Call me later.” I said and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek.

“Okay, just leave before I start crying!” I said.

“Don’t cry. I’ll be thinking of you.” He said touching my face and giving me a kiss on the lips.

“Bye.” He whispered and turned to walk onto the plane.

“Are you okay?” Liam asked when I walked into the apartment.

“Yeah.” I said plopping down on the couch.

“What happened?” He asked.

“It was just a lot harder than I thought it would be.” I said.

“He will be back before you know it, Grace.”

“I know.” I simply said.

“Distance makes the heart grow fonder.” He said.

“Thanks for that hallmark pick me up.” I said laughing.

I can’t stop thinking about last night. I wish tonight could be like that again.

“Sidney?” Liam asked.

“Yeah.. lets think if I am sitting with you right now and Rose is working it could only be Sidney.” I said laughing.

“Atleast you are laughing.” Liam said.

“I think its because I’m sad that I like am making myself laugh.” I said.

Me too. You will have fun being at home. Me on the other hand is about to hit my chem book.

Ouch. That is rough. I’ll call you later. Don’t study too much.

Don’t party too much.

Never.

“Look at this Liam, I just told Sidney not to party too much and he sends me a picture of an empty glass.” I said laughing.

Nice attempt, but I know it wasn’t full of alcohol.

Can’t fool you. Tal k to you soon.

“I know at first I didn’t like the thought of you and Sidney..but you two are good together. Sidney is a good guy.” Liam said.

“Thanks, Liam. That means a lot.” I said giving him a little hug.

Eighteen.

“Shouldn’t you be with Sidney right now?” Liam asked me when I walked through the door.

“I’m pretty sure he isn’t even thinking about me right now. And I’m pretty sure I can’t help him through this.” I said.

“So you just left? He just lost the Stanley Cup and you left?!” He asked me.

“Yeah. What was I suppose to do? Go down to the lockerroom where his parents are? Go down there and act like I know whats going on and the right words to say? No, he doesn’t need me.” I said.

“It doesn’t matter what you say, you just should be there.” Liam said.

“Well it doesn’t really matter because I’m not there.” I simply said and walked into my bedroom.

I knew in the perfect world, I would be the one to help Sidney get through this. I knew that in a perfect world, I would know what to say and when that buzzer sounded I would be the first person he would want to see. In a perfect world, so many things would be different. But, we don’t live in a perfect world. When the buzzer sounded I am sure I am probably not even in the top 10 of people he wanted to see. I don’t know what to say to him to make him feel better. And I am not the person to help him get through this situation. I know this but as I am laying in my bed thinking of him, it doesn’t make it hurt any less. It doesn’t make it hurt less knowing he is hurting, or knowing what I have to do when I see him next.

“Hello.” I said answering my phone early the next morning.

“Hey, what are you doing?” He asked.

“Just laying in bed.” I said.

“Could I come over?” He asked.

“Sure.” I simply said.

I wasn’t sure if now would be the right time to say what I knew I had to say.

“Grace?” I heard him say when he walked into the apartment.

“Yeah, Sidney. I’m in my bedroom.” I said.

“How are you?” I asked as soon as he emerged in my room.

“Can I get in with you?”He asked and I pulled the covers back so he could get into the bed with me.

“Are you okay?” I said looking up at him after we were snuggled together.

“Yeah, I just want to lay here awhile.” He said.

“I think we should talk about what happens now.” I said when we were sitting on the couch a little later.

“What do you mean?”

“I mean that you are going to leave in like two days.” I said.

“Okay. Grace, I know you have something you want to say.. so just say it.” He said.

“ I want to be that person for you, I just don’t think I am yet. Like when you lost, I wish I could have been that person you wanted to see after the game, I wish I was that person that could make you feel better..but I’m not. I want to be and I hope I will be at some point. But right now, I’m not.”

“It just takes time, Grace.” He said.

“We don’t have time, Sidney. You are leaving for three months.” I said and he just looked at me not fully understanding where I was going with this.

“And I will say that I will wait for you because I would, but you shouldn’t have to wait for me.” I said.

“So what are you saying?” He asked.

“I’m saying that I like you and I want to talk to you this summer. But, I don’t want you to feel like you owe me anything. I don’t want you to think you need to call me everyday and I don’t want to wait for you to call everyday. I don’t want that to be the highlight of my day. I just want to see what happens. Do I hope that when you come back to Pittsburgh we will be best friends and can have a strong relationship? Definitely. Do I hope that by then I could be that person for you? Oh I wish for nothing more. But, I just don’t want to hold you back. I want you to be free to do whatever you want.”

“You are what I want.” He said.

“Now, I am. And its not that I don’t trust you, because I do. Its not that I don’t want to be with you, because I do. But, you are free for three months. Free from the demands of hockey and you are at home. You shouldn’t have to worry about me, you should do whatever you want. Don’t worry about me.” I said.

“You keep saying you don’t want me to worry about you, you saying that doesn’t change it. I will worry about you no matter what. No matter if you are my girlfriend or if you are just some girl. I know you now, you can’t just erase that.” He said. I just looked at him. I really wanted to just be like screw it, lets just be together. We can make it through these three months, it doesn’t matter. But, I knew what I needed and what he deserved. I knew it, he may not ever understand, but I realized I could be okay with that.

“Just tell me what this means, Grace. Because I know that I am not going to change your mind.” He said.

“ It means that call me when you want to call me. Text me when you want to text me. And when you are in Pittsburgh, you better be at my doorstep! It means that I like you but you aren’t tied to me. It means that we are seeing what happens, but you are free to do whatever you want with whomever you want.”

“And you?” He asked.

“I will be studying and volunteering and probably regretting everything I just said.”

“If you know that you are going to regret it, then why are you saying it?” He asked.

“Because I want to be friends with you first. I want to be that person for you, and it hurts that I’m not. It hurts that we aren’t at that point. I think this summer is the perfect time for us to be talking and figuring who each other are. Because those are the things you can do over the phone. I also don’t want to be worrying who you are with.. I just don’t want you to think you owe me anything.”

“I don’t think that. I totally get what you are saying.. but I did want to see you after the game. It wasn’t like I didn’t want to see you.” He said.

“That’s not my point.” I said.

“Okay, well I also know what you mean, that you aren’t that person yet, but that’s what dating is for.”

“Sidney say we are together exclusively by the time you get back we would have been together for 4 months and still I wouldn’t know you that well. I just want to know you. I want to know every little thing about you, hence that’s what this summer is for.” I explained.

“Grace, whatever you want. But, I don’t really plan on dating girls back home.”

“I like that.” I said smiling.

“And don’t go falling for Liam again.”

“I think I only have eyes for Canadians and since its not hockey season anymore, I don’t think there are many around.” I said.

“So what was this whole conversation about?” He asked shaking his head.

“We are dating, but not exclusive. You should feel free to date if you want to date, if you want to call me, call me.” I said.

“hey Grace? You should know that this is your choice. If it was up to me, you would be the only girl I talk to or think about or see this summer. Whenever you want to be official, all you have to do is say the word, because I’m not going anywhere.”

“Lets just have a good night together. Lets not worry about what will happen when you are gone this summer. Okay?” I asked.

“Don’t you know that whatever you want, I will do.” He said giving me a smirk. Then we walked into the bedroom.

Seventeen.

“This is really good.” I said taking a bite of the tilapia Nathalie prepared.

“Oh thank you, Grace.” Nathalie said.

“So you live in the same apartment during the summer?” Mario asked.

“Yeah, my parents bought the apartment a few years ago.” I explained.

“They bought it so it would be easier when she was at the hospital.” Sidney chimed in. I just looked at him, not expecting him to bring the cancer thing up. It was just awkward.

“Did you know that Mario had cancer a few years ago?” Nathalie asked.

“Yeah, Sidney mentioned that. Didn’t you still play hockey during it?” I asked.

“Yeah.” Mario said.

“Wow, I couldn’t do anything during my treatment.” I said.

“I only did radiation. What about you?”

“I did radiation and chemotherapy. It wasn’t a fun time.” I said shaking my head.

“What kind of cancer did you have? Sidney never said.” Nathalie asked.

“Melanoma. It wasn’t as bad as it could have been. It was still pretty bad though.” I said.

“How long were you in Pittsburgh for?” Mario asked.

“About nine months. My best friend had Leukemia and he stayed for over a year. ” I said.

“Its funny because when people ask that and I tell them nine months. They are like oh that’s not bad. And I just want to be like, you have no idea how bad it was. It was the worst experience in the world. Nine months of throwing up and not being able to do anything.. nine months of being so sick that people are scared to come near you or touch you. It could have been 2 weeks, it would have been too long.” I explained.

“I know, people that haven’t experienced it.. can’t really understand.” Mario said.

“That’s why it was a blessing meeting Liam, my best friend. He had it worse than me, but it was like when he saw me he didn’t see me as having cancer. He saw me as being like him.” I said.

“It must have been hard telling Sidney.” Nathalie said when just the two of us were in the kitchen.

“It was so hard. But it had to happen. I live with Liam so it was bound to come out. I just never wanted Sidney to see me sick or without my hair.” I said.

“I don’t think Sidney really cares about that stuff.”

“Maybe not, but no one wants the boy they like to see them sick. I don’t know.. I just didn’t want cancer to define my life forever.” I said.

“I understand, but you should be proud of surviving.”

“I am so proud and I’m not scared for it to happen again. I’m not scared for myself.. I’m scared for the people around me. That’s why I didn’t want Sidney to know. I don’t want him to have to worry that one day I may just wake up sick again.” I said.

“Hey, thanks for coming tonight.” He said while we were laying on his bed.

“Sure.” I said.

“Whats wrong?” He asked.

“Nothing.. I’m fine.” I said.

“Grace..” He said.

“What?”

“I know that something is wrong.”

“I just.. it was weird them asking me about cancer.” I said.

“You don’t like talking about it?”

“I don’t mind talking about it, it just is awkward sometimes. I hate thinking that people are picturing me sick.” I said.

“They weren’t picturing you like that.”

“Everyone does and then everyone feels bad for me.”

“You don’t know that Grace.”

“Yeah, you have never had cancer.” I said.

“Don’t do that.”

“Do what?”

“Push me away. Don’t push me away because you are scared because I am leaving.. don’t push me away because I didn’t have cancer.”

“Sidney, I’m not. Its not because you don’t have cancer or that you didn’t.” I said.

“Just let me in, Grace.” He whispered and then kissed my ear.

“I just don’t want you to leave. You know how I feel. I just want to take a step back.” I said.

“Can’t we just talk about it before I leave?” He asked.

“Fine.” I said getting up.

“Stay.” He said reaching for my hand.

“Tomorrow is a game day and I can’t leave my sister.”

“Your sister is fine.”

“Tomorrow is still a game day.” I said.

“Fine. Call me when you get back into the city.” He said getting up and kissing me.

“And Sidney..” I said before leaving.

“I’m not pushing you away.. I just don’t like thinking that you are going to be so far away.” I said.

“Don’t think about it.” He said.

“I try not too, but I can’t help it.” I said then I left.

“Grace is that you?” KellyAnn said walking out of the bathroom.

“Yeah.. where is Travis?” I asked.

“Sleeping.. of course.” She said starting to laugh. I walked to my bedroom and he followed.

“So how is Sidney?” She asked.

“Good.”

“Whats wrong?” She said sitting on the bed.

“I don’t know. I like him, Kel. I really do. Its just..”

“Its just what?”

“I don’t want to hold him back. I don’t want to think about all the girls he is with back home. I don’t want to think about all the girls he could get.”

“Grace, doesn’t it mean something that he chose you?”

“Yeah, but why did he? I ask myself that everyday.”

“I just don’t think you are giving him enough credit. Just see what happens.” She said.

“What happens if I get sick? I don’t want him to worry about me. I don’t want him to go through that with me.”

“Why?”

“Because I don’t want him to think of me like that.”

“Why not? Liam did.”

“I know, but I’m just scared that he will be scared away. What if he didn’t want to be around if I got sick again?”

“Are you serious? If he didn’t want to be with you if you got sick, then he is an ass and you don’t want him in your life. But, I don’t think he would do that.”

“I’m just scared..”

“Everyone is scared, Grace.”

“Its not fair to Sidney that I keep thinking these things.”

“Its not. He likes you, deal with it.”

“I know, you see things black and white.” I said.

“You usually see things black and white, but you are making Sidney this gray area.” KellyAnn said.

“I know, he is like my Achilles heel.” I said.

“That’s what makes him perfect for you.”She said before getting up and leaving my room. I just sat on my bed thinking. I knew what was going to happen. I knew that everything would be okay, but I just didn’t want to lose Sidney. Its funny that I am saying that I would lose him, because you can’t lose something that you never have. I didn’t have Sidney, not completely. Because if I did, I would have met his parents, I would have done so many other things. And if Sidney completely had me, he would have met my parents. And that was the truth, neither of us could deny that.

Sixteen.

“I can’t believe you are dating Sidney Crosby.” Travis said when we got into the car to go to the game.

“I’m not dating him.” I simply said.

“Oh come on Grace, you are.” KellyAnn said.

“Can you two try and not embarrass me infront of him though?” I asked.

“What? We are going to meet him?” Travis asked.

“Well he does want to meet my sister.” I said.

“I will make sure Travis behaves himself.” KellyAnn said.

“You really like him don’t you?” KellyAnn asked me once we took our seats. It was right after they came out to the ice. I must have gotten a smile on my face or something.

“I do like him. I like him a lot, but he is Sidney Crosby.” I whispered so no one could hear me.

“So what?”

“So why would he want to date me? Why would he want to date someone that has a history?” I asked.

“Why wouldn’t he want to date you? You shouldn’t write yourself off, Grace.” She said.

“I want to like him and I want to trust him. Its just all bad timing.” I said.

“How so?”

“He will leave after this.” I explained.

“He will come back.”

“Yeah, and who knows what those few months will do.”

“Have some faith.” She said.

“I have faith and I’m not worried about it. I just don’t want to be heartbroken. I don’t want to think that this could turn out well, because chances are they won’t.” I said.

“You don’t know that. He could be your prince charming.” She said.

“You have never even met him, KellyAnn.”

“I know, but I saw your face when you saw him just now. Even hockey players need someone to love.” She said.

“They have plenty of girls to choose from. Whats to say that even if he had one girl he wouldn’t be sleeping with four others?”

“Nothing but trust and faith. You never seemed this way before with Liam or anything.”

“Yeah, Liam cheated on me, remember?” I said.

“He’s not Liam.” She said.

“I know.. that’s a good and bad thing.” I said.

“I will never understand you and Liam. If you love eachother, date eachother.” She said.

“I love him, but I don’t want to date him.” I said.

“Yeah, and you don’t want to date you know who either.”

“I want to date him, I just don’t think it will work especially with thousands of miles between us.” I said.

“Oh baby sister, I wish you just had more faith in love.” She said shaking her head.

“I have plenty faith, just not faith when the person you are dating happens to have millions of fans.” I said smiling.

“Good game.” I said to him after the game.

“I don’t know if I would say that.. but we won.” He said looking tired.

“That’s all that really matters.” I said.

“This is KellyAnn and Travis.” I said to him.

“I heard a lot about you.” KellyAnn said.

“Oh great..” He said rolling his eyes.

“So how long are you guys here for?” Sidney asked.

“I’m not really sure. Probably like three more days. Travis has to get back to work.” KellyAnn said.

“Where do you guys live?” Sidney asked trying to be polite.

“We live in Philly, but we are both looking for different jobs.” She said.

“What do you do?” Sidney asked.

“I’m a civil engineer and she is a teacher.” He said.

“Oh, wow. So you want to stay in Pennsylvania?” Sidney asked.

“Not necessarily. We were looking for something in Pittsburgh since its closer to my parents. We looked out of state. Anything that is good for both of us.” KellyAnn said.

“Oh I see.” Sidney said.

“Well we should probably go.” I said.

“Do you want to come with me for awhile?” Sidney asked.

“Yeah.. I’ll see you later.” I said to KellyAnn.

“Your sister seems nice.” Sidney said once we got into his car.

“Yeah. You would like Marlana and Simon, they are funny too.” I said.

“How is it having your parents here?” He asked.

“Its weird having them in the apartment. I mean I miss them, but I have gotten use to not having anyone around.” I explained.

“Have your classes started yet?” He asked.

“Oh yeah..” I said.

“Which ones are you taking?”

“I’m taking a physics, calculus, and chemistry class.” I said.

“Oh light summer stuff, I see.” He said smiling.

“Oh definitely.” I said.

“I need something to keep me busy over the summer.” I said.

“You know I’ll be back in Pittsburgh before you know it.” He said.

“It’s a long time, Sidney. A lot can happen then.” I said.

“Can I ask you a question?” He asked.

“Of course.”

“Did you wear a wig or anything when you were going through cancer?” He asked.

“No, never. I donated my hair to Locks of Love before I shaved it. Then I shaved it and I was bald from the chemo. It started growing back in like January, like just some scruff. I didn’t really care what my hair looked like. By the start of senior year, it just looked like I had a short haircut.” I explained.

“Random question.” I said.

“I just wonder these things sometimes.” He said.

“You can ask me whatever you want. I’m pretty much an open book.” I said.

“Do you want to have dinner with Mario and Nathalie tomorrow night?” He asked.

“If that’s what you want.. then sure.” I said.

Fifteen.

“Hey you!” I said giving Sidney a half hug when he came to pick me up at the hospital.

“I feel like I haven’t seen you in forever.” I said.

“Its been like a week.” He said.

“I know.. its mad here though.” I said.

“What do you mean?”

“I mean its like Penguins frenzy everywhere in the city. Its crazy.” I said.

“Yeah.. too bad we are still losing by 2.” He said.

“That will change though, I am sure of it.” I said.

“You are coming, right?” He asked.

“Yeah.. for sure.” I said.

“Okay, good.” He said giving me that smile of his.

“So what are you doing for the rest of the day?” He asked me.

“My parents are in town. So I will probably just show them some stuff in the city and then go to dinner.” I said.

“Oh parents..” He said in a weird voice.

“Yeah.. they leave the day after tomorrow. My sister, KellyAnn and her boyfriend are staying for a few more days though.” I explained.

“Do you want me to get you tickets for them?” He asked me.

“Maybe just for KellyAnn and Travis..my parents don’t need to go.” I said.

“You don’t want me to meet your parents do you?” He asked pulling into a café.

“Its not that I don’t want you to meet them.”

“Then what is it?”

“My parents see me differently than you see me. Well probably differently than the whole world sees me.”

“All parents are like that.” He said.

“I know, but its too soon for you to meet them. They have only ever met Liam.” I said.

“yeah.They liked him alot?”

“Of course .. they are letting me live with him. I just don’t want my mom to compare you to Liam, because you are way different.” I said.

“Your mom loves Liam right?” He asked.

“Yeah. They just are happy I had someone during everything. I want you to meet them eventually. Its like not I’m hiding you. They know we talk, I mean they know I am going to the game. Its just they don’t know the extent because I don’t want all the questions.”

“Whatever you want.”

“Its not like that. My mom is going to think that if I introduce you to them that its serious. That its more serious than it is. I haven’t even known you that long.. I just don’t think it’s the right time.” I simply said.

“Its fine, Grace. Really.”

“You are mad though.”

“I’m not mad. I will get you three tickets for tomorrow. Will I see you after?” He asked.

“Of course. You can meet KellyAnn if you want?” I asked.

“Yeah of course. Isn’t your other sister here?”

“Marlana is away at school. She never comes home anymore.” I said kind of laughing.

“Oh well I would love to meet KellyAnn. All three of you can come to the lockerroom after.”

“Sounds good.”

“Hey, Sidney. Thanks for being so good about this whole parents thing.” I said before he dropped me off.

“Of course. My parents are in town too, and you haven’t met them yet. But I do think that you should have dinner with Mario and Nathalie sometime. Mario had cancer too.” He said.

“Just because someone had cancer doesn’t mean we have to meet.” I said.

“I didn’t mean it like that. I just meant that I told Nathalie and Mario about you a lot obviously before everything happened, but when you told me.. Nathalie was home.. I talked to her and you don’t have to talk about cancer or anything. I just think it would be nice for us four to have dinner. We never do that before. You come over and you watch movies or you help babysit but never have we had dinner.” He said.

“Yeah, we should then.” I said.

“Okay, well have fun with your parents. Call me later.” He said leaning over to give me a quick kiss before I left the car.

Dinner with my parents was fine. I felt kind of guilty not having Sidney there, but I knew it wasn’t the right time. We didn’t really talk about Liam or Sidney very much. Just stupid stuff, really. I told KellyAnn that she could come to the game if she wanted. Travis wanted too so she decided they would go. I was excited for KellyAnn to meet him. Its not that I didn’t want my parents to meet Sidney, which is what they thought and what he thought. It was just I didn’t know how serious it was. Plus, I have never met the Crosbys and they are around all the time. I just know my mother. She meets him and then she will never let it go. I just wasn’t ready for the comparison between Sidney and Liam to pick up again, not when I didn’t have much time left with him.

Fourteen.

Sidney’s POV

I was sitting at Max’s one night just with the guys. Then Liam walks in. I didn’t think it was that awkward but of course Max makes it that way.

“Oh this isn’t awkward or anything.” Max said.

“Shut up, Max!” Jordan said.

“Its not awkward at all. We just love the same girl.” Liam said so calmly. I just looked at him. Was he really going to go there?

“Sidney, could I talk to you?” Liam asked me.

“Yeah..” I said then got up.

“You should know something.. I still love Grace. Was I out with Caroline that night? Yeah, should I have been? No. But, that doesn’t make me love Grace any less. I know that Grace and I are meant to be together, because I love her more than my own life. I would rather see her happy, than be happy myself. I didn’t fight for her when she said she chose you, because she chose you. She thought that I didn’t want her, but I want her everyday. She needs you for some weird reason right now, you not me. So I let her go. I’m not going to try and steal her from you or anything like that, because she thinks you are the one she wants. And that’s fine, but just know that if you hurt her.. I will find a way to hurt you back. I love her, and I had my chance and I messed it up. But, none of that means I don’t love her enough. Because I love her more than you could ever love her. So you should just know, that I’m not the ass that you think I am. I may have hurt Grace in the past, but we made it through that. This is your chance to love her. She is an amazing girl, probably more amazing than you will ever know.”

“Why did you just tell me that?” I asked him. I had to admit it took a lot of guts to say that to me. I also think I gained a lot of respect for him from him doing that.

“Because you should know that if you don’t want her, someone does. And you should know that I’m not the ass you think I am.” He said.

“I don’t think you are an ass. But I also know that I won’t hurt her.” I said.

“I hope not. She deserves to be happy.” Liam said.

“I know. I’m glad she had you back then. I’m glad she has you now. She loves you more than I could ever understand.”

“Yeah, she just thinks I played with her heart just to be cruel.” He said.

“Why don’t you tell her then?”

“Because she picked you. I don’t want to make things awkward. I hope things work out for you too.”

“you don’t mean that.”

“I just want her to be happy. If you do that, then I’m supporting you.” He said.

“You are a good guy, Liam.” I said to him.

“Thanks.” Liam simply said. Then we walked back out into the room with the guys. From that moment on, Liam and I seemed to be good. We seemed to just be friends. I kind of liked him if you removed Grace from the equation.

Grace’s POV

“So how is Sidney?” Liam asked me.

“He is in Detroit right now.”

“I know that. I mean how is it with him?”

“I don’t get why we are together.”

“You don’t want to be with him?”

“I want to be with him. But, he is going to Canada soon. I don’t want to be sitting around waiting for like my one phone call with him. I don’t want to be worrying about who he is with and what he is doing. I like him and I wish things were different.”

“Don’t you think you will always worry who he is with?”

“I just think maybe this between us should be casual. I mean I don’t even know him that well.” I said.

“Did you tell him that?”

“Its hard. I tried. Plus, he has bigger problems than this. What do you think?”

“I think your timing sucks. I think that yeah he does have things on his mind and that he is leaving soon. But, do I think by you saying you want it casual or just saying lets be friends.. do I think that will make you worry about him less or miss him less? No, I don’t.”

“But do you see what I’m saying? Who knows what he does in the summer. Who knows how many girls he has waiting for him? I just don’t want to be played for a fool.”

“I don’t think that’s how it is. If you want to be casual, be casual.” He said.

“The thing is.. say they win this thing.. I don’t know him that well to be around with him during it. I mean I would feel out of place. But say they lose.. I wouldn’t even be able to help him through it. Because I don’t know what its like, I don’t know all the struggles. I just don’t think I’m what he needs right now.” I said.

“Maybe, maybe not. Regardless if he needs you or whatever, he still wants you.”

“I just don’t know, Liam. I just don’t know if this could work.”

“Grace, I’m not going to tell you anything. I’m not going to say be with him or leave him. I’m just going to be here for you. Because regardless of who you love.. I still love you.” He said.

“I know..” I said.

“Grace, I know that Sidney likes you. I know that if you want him, he will want you. I just think it comes down to what you want. I think it will always come down to that.” He said.

Middle of Series with Detroit.

“Hey! My parents are coming tomorrow, just fyi.” I told Liam while getting ready to watch Sidney’s Game 2 with Detriot.

“Do you want me to leave?” He asked.

“It doesn’t matter. KellyAnn is coming too.” I said.

“Oh well then why don’t you sleep in my room, KellyAnn can sleep in Rose’s room, and your parents can sleep in your room.” Liam said.

“I don’t want to kick you out.”

“You aren’t. Its your parents house.” HE said.

“Okay..” I agreed.

“Why isn’t Marlana coming?”

“She lives at school.” I said.

“Oh right.. I forgot.”

“Yeah.. you should definitely come out to dinner with us some night.” I said.

“How long are they staying?” He asked.

“Like 5 days. I think.” I said.

“Oh wow, why so long?”

“KellyAnn is looking for teaching jobs and has a few interviews. My mom is a teacher so she doesn’t have anything better to do and my Dad has time off.” I explained.

“Are you going to go out with Sidney?”

“I don’t think.”

“What?”

“It hasn’t been long enough to introduce him. They know I am friends with Sidney. But, if they meet him my mom will want to know every little detail and she will think its so serious. I’m just not ready for that.”

“How’s Sidney going to feel about that?”

“Yet again, he has bigger things on his mind.. than me.” I said.