***Stevie's POV***

It could be worse. I could be like Mario or Messier and be facing the end of my season and possibly the end of my career. Two and a half weeks isn't so bad. Sure, I'm going stir-crazy, and I've watched so many movies on DVD that my kids are ready to shoot me, but this isn't so bad....

Oh, who am I kidding? I'm bored to tears and I want nothing more than to get back on the ice and play. Unfortunately, that doesn't seem to be an option at the moment, and so all I can do is sit here. Have I mentioned how bored I am?

"Hey." The voice from the doorway startles me slightly, and I jerk my head up. "Don't look so happy to see me," Shanny jokes, walking into the room.

"What are you doing here?" I ask.

He sits down next to me. "I figured you were probably sitting here alone and bored, so I showed up to entertain you. Lisa said you were down here." He looks at me. "It appears I was right."

I roll my eyes at him. "Well what did you think? Did you expect me to be having a big injured knee party or something?"

Shanny laughs. "You never know." He sighs. "So how is your knee doing, anyways?"

"It's ok. Been better, Been worse. How's your thumb?"

He holds out his injured hand in front of him, staring at his fingers. "It's sore, and my accuracy is shot to hell. Overall though, it isn't so bad. Except for when Drapes collided into me. That hurt like a bitch."

"Aww," I say in mock sympathy. "You want me to kiss it and make it better?"

He grins wickedly. "Would you, if I asked?"

I gently grab his hand and press my lips to his bandaged thumb. "There. Does that help?"

"Yes, very much." He rests his head on my shoulder.

Almost as if by habit, I wrap my arm around his shoulder. "What's up, Bren?"

He shifts. "What do you mean?"

"You only get affectionate when you're drunk or when you're upset. Is something going on that I should know about?"

"So I'm not allowed to come over and spend some time with my friend? Is that it?"

I sigh. "Of course not. You're welcome anytime. Please, forgive me for my concern. I'll never presume to be worried about you ever again."

He looks up at me. "You were worried?"

I squeeze him a bit closer. "You seem sad."

He settles down. "I'm not sad. I'm a bit lonely, but not sad. You just do concerned so damn well, I figured that I would come bask in it."

It twists my heart to think that Brendan was so desperate for someone to be concerned about him that he came here. "You need to find yourself someone," I tell him.

"I know, I know." He lets out a deep breath. "Which reminds me. Your captaincy skills are desperately needed in the locker room."

I laugh. "I'm injured. You, Nick, and Chelly are supposed to do the captaincy."

"We aren't as good at it as you are." He bats his eyes at me. "Come on. I am openly asking for help with this one, doesn't that count for something?"

I shake my head at him, smiling. "Ok, ok. What's going on?"

"Boyd is having some problems in his life, and I think they're really starting to affect him." Shanny sighs. "I found him in the locker room after everyone else had left on Wednesday, and he was really upset. I tried to talk to him, but he wouldn't tell me what was going on. I think he might listen to you, though."

I pause. "Bren, I really think you’re obsessed with Boyd. He's all you've been talking about for the last two weeks. Are you sure you're not in love with him or something?"

"I am not!" Shanny insists. "It's just...he seems upset, he really does. And you know...making other people's lives less miserable gives me less time to be miserable myself."

I kiss the top of his head. "I'm sorry you're feeling miserable."

He closes his eyes. "It's not your fault. Just...talk to Boyd, ok?"

"Ok." And we sit there, staring at the TV, for hours, Brendan snuggled against me, my hand absently rubbing his back. It feels good in an odd way, comfortable. It's nice to have a friend you can be this close to. In a way, it's nice to be needed like this. But as peaceful as the scene is, I can't stop one stray thought from repeating through my head.

What the hell is so important that I talk to Boyd about?

A smile relieves a heart that grieves
Remember what I said
I'm not waiting on a lady
I'm just waiting on a friend

- Rolling Stones, "Waiting on a Friend"

Part 7 | Part 9