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The hot water felt good streaming down my body, I had to really clear my mind before my parents showed up. They usually only come around when they need something, I could only hope they wouldn't fly all the way out here to beg me to come home. This was my home now. I stepped out of the shower and slipped into some cute new underwear and matching bra. I walked out into the living room and was shocked to see Max and Colby standing in the kitchen starring at me with wide eyes. "Yes!! I don't feel so left out anymore," Max said as he began to laugh. I quickly grabbed the blanket off of the chair in the living room and wrapped it around me. "Where's Sid?" I asked looking around not seeing him anywhere. "He ran to Mario's to pick up a bottle of Dewar's," Colby explained with a wide smile on his face. "Dewar's huh? Did you put him up to that?" I asked him. "No, he's Sidney Crosby, you're father already loves him, the Dewar's is from me. I think he went to pick up some flowers for your mom too," Colby smiled and I couldn't help but laugh. "Hey Avery, I think you dropped something," Max yelled out. "Nice try Max, but it's never going to happen," I shouted back as I made my way back into the bedroom.

I emerged from the bedroom a hour later to see the guys relaxing on the couch and the whole house was spotless. "Wow thanks guys, the house looks great, but can I get some help with this painting in my closet? I have to hang it up before they get here," I smiled and Sidney and Colby immediately jumped up, Max just slyly starring at me. "What!? You have your boyfriend and girlfriend, what do you need me for?" he asked and I could only laugh. I had Colby and Sidney drag out a giant painting from the back of my closet. "I can't believe you still have this, and even more I can't believe you still hang it up every time your parents come around," Colby laughed leaning it against the wall in the living room. "What is that?" Max asked jumping up from the couch. "That's the brewery," I smiled looking at it. "Next summer boys? Vacation," Max said smiling squatting down to get a closer look at the painting. "The painting does it no justice," Colby stated before he and Sidney lifted it onto the wall. The one empty wall I kept in my house for this particular painting. "Well looks like we're done here, ready to go Max?" Colby asked as he began to make his way to the door. "Where do you think you're going? I know my mother's not that scary, I want Max to meet them, and I know they are going to love to see you again," I told Colby drawing him away from the front door. "They're not going to hate me for you know who?" he asked me a little above a whisper. "No Colby, they're not going to hate you," I smiled pulling him into a hug. With that we all crashed on the couch once again and I couldn't stop starring at the clock. Any minute now.

I could hear car doors slam outside and I immediately jumped up off the couch. I peaked out the front window, the new front window, and could see my mom's beautiful blond hair bouncing around. "Yup, that's them, you boys ready?" I asked with a very nervous tone in my voice. After three knocks I pulled the door open. "Hi mom! Hi dad! How was the flight?" I shouted as they walked into the house, each giving me a hug. "Very long, we need some drinks, oh my who are they?" my mom asked pointing to the boys. "Mom, you remember Colby." "Colby! Darling it's been forever!" I could sense the relief in Colby's eyes as my mom pulled him into a hug. "This is Max, and then this is Sidney, my boyfriend," I smiled as my mom looked both them up and down. My mom could only smile, it was very cute, she rarely became speechless when meeting a new male friend of mine, let alone a boyfriend. "Jack, I got you a bottle of Dewar's, would you like a glass?" Colby asked my dad as he headed into the kitchen. "Wow Colby you remember? I would love a glass, darling would you like something to drink?" My mom looked around the room a bit, "have any zin?" I smiled and went into the kitchen with Colby. "Your mom is unusually quiet, what's the deal?" Colby whispered as he poured my dad some scotch. "I have no idea, it's kind of scary." I couldn't help but laugh.

We all sat around in the living room in silence, and it was very awkward. "So mom, dad what brings you guys out here?" I asked wanting them to get to the point. "We're looking for property out here," my dad smiled and my heart began to pound really hard. Sidney must have sensed something as his grip around my shoulders tightened. "Pro-property?" I stuttered, this was the first time my parents had ever been to Pittsburgh, now they want to move here all of a sudden. "We want to build a brewery out here, and we want you to run it," my dad stated with a big smile. "Oh wow," Colby whispered as he looked at me. "But, I don't . . . you want me to run it? I'm applying for medical school, I can't do both," I said somewhat disappointed, this beer was my life, this was a huge opportunity. "You are? Why didn't you tell us?" my mom asked shocked. "Well, hold on, I really need to think about this, how long are you in town for?" "A week, we have already made appointments to check out some land and some warehouses. You can come with if you would like. Avery, you know I want to keep this business in the family, and you brother is running the one out in New Hampshire." The way my father looked at me sent chills down my spine. Sidney and Max's head popped up in confusion. "Brother?"

After my parents left I pulled four beers out of the fridge and handed them around. "You have a brother?" Sidney asked as I sat down next to him on the couch. "Yes, I have a brother, we don't get along at all, that's why I never brought him up," I wanted to start crying again. This week has been way too emotional on me. I need a time-out. "What's his name?" Max asked. "Robert," I could only whisper his name, the anger that came over me just when I was thinking about him was enough to tear up a phone book. "Hey, you should bring your parents to the game this Friday, should be a doozy," Colby smiled thankfully changing the subject. "Yeah that would be fun, I can really get to know them," Sidney smiled. I hung my head and could only laugh. "My dad is already in love with you, I could tell by the way he was looking at you," I laughed some more. "Alright we're gonna head out, early skate tomorrow, you coming down at all tomorrow Sid?" Max asked as he and Colby stood up. "Yeah, for a little bit, I can skate but I'm still no contact, I have to keep my legs in shape ya know," he smiled as he got up from the couch to walk them out. "Oh I'm sure you're getting plenty of exercise," Colby laughed and once again I couldn't hide my blushing. "See you tomorrow." Sidney turned around and looked at me, "want to exercise?" What a dork. I need to clear my mind is what I need to do. Beer or school? Oh that's a tough one.