Hockey Is My Boyfriend: Part Three (20 page)

J
ames

A
fter the game
, J.J. and I walked out of the dressing room together.

“Nice game, man,” I told him. J.J. had scored a big goal in the second. We had a come-from-behind victory over Columbus, and we now had a four game win streak going. This season was going great.

“
Vous aussi,”
he told me with a grin. “What are you doing now?”

“I’m meeting Astrid, and we’re going for dinner. You want to come?”

His friendly expression fell away. “Sorry, Freeze. Can’t.”

“What’s going on?” I asked. Last year we had gone out together after almost every game, but lately he seemed to be avoiding me. “Is something wrong?”

“It’s Cherie,” he said. “She doesn’t like your girlfriend. No,
vraiment
—she hates her.” He shrugged. “Women, right?
Mais
, I don’t want to start any trouble.”

“Trouble? They can’t sit together for dinner without a food fight breaking out?” He was being a wuss.

“You know nothing of this? There was a meeting for a team fundraiser or something, Cherie had done a bunch of work for this fashion show, and Astrid told her to scrap it because they were doing a wine tasting instead.” He shrugged. “According to Astrid, the captain’s girlfriend is in charge.”

I winced. I really didn’t want her causing trouble. Team harmony was important, and I had heard that family feuds could poison the atmosphere. “I’ll talk to her.”

“Don’t do it on my account,” he said with a laugh. “I’m only explaining why we can’t come for dinner. I try not to get involved.”

Astrid and I went out to dinner with some of my teammates and their girlfriends. I liked all the guys on the team, but I suddenly realized that my good friends like J.J., Baller, Mac, and Wheels weren’t in the group we socialized with.

Afterwards, we went back to my place. Astrid was sitting in my living room and looking at her phone. She always sat with perfect upright posture. I didn’t really want to start a fight tonight, but I figured it was my responsibility.

“Hey, Astrid.”

She smiled at me. Sometimes I forgot how beautiful she was, until I really looked at her. Her delicate features and her smooth blonde hair—she looked like the kind of girlfriend I’d always wanted.

“I was talking to J.J. tonight. He said there was some kind of thing with Cherie?”

Astrid’s blue eyes widened. “Not really. Cherie had an idea for a very tacky fundraising event, but I recommended that we do something much classier—more in keeping with the image of the Blackhawks.”

“What’s so tacky about a fashion show?” I wondered honestly.

She was indignant. “I can’t believe she tattled. How immature. And a fashion show put on by amateurs—like wives and girlfriends—is bound to be a failure. Whereas a properly-run wine tasting event is the epitome of sophistication.”

“But isn’t it kind of self-serving—” I began. I stopped when Astrid’s face went red and furrowed.

“Because I’m in the business?
Au contraire.
I am able to get special discounts and access to rare wines that normally would be out of reach.”

“Look, the main thing is that everyone gets along. If there are feuds among the wives and girlfriends, that can lead to issues in the room. The team is the most important thing.”

“James, I’m a business person. I understand that perfectly. It’s only having to deal with these amateurs who have nothing better to do than gossip and criticize.”

I was pretty sure that Cherie ran a public relations business, but I didn’t want Astrid to get more upset. “Please—try to get along with the other women. It’s important to me.”

She switched gears in an instant. “Of course. I would never want to upset
you
.” She was smiling at me with her head tilted and her blonde hair falling in a shiny curtain framing her beautiful face. She patted the seat beside her. “Come here and tell me all about the game.”

I sat beside her on the couch. “Well, I thought we came out with a real team effort tonight. The thing about a winning streak is that you can get lazy. You start to assume the win instead of being prepared, especially with a lesser opponent. But this season, we’ve shown that we have the mental toughness, you know, you want to build on—”

I stopped speaking because she wasn’t really listening.

She blinked, her long lashes hitting her cheeks like tiny fans. I knew her eyelashes were fake because I found one in my bed after she had slept over.

“Keep going, James,” she urged me.

“Why? You’re not even listening,” I said.

“I’m sorry. I thought you had an amazing game. That goal you scored was so good.”

“Thanks,” I said. Goals were the only thing that most fans noticed. I thought my best play of the night was coming back to prevent the 3-on-1 from developing. Or maybe doing all the work behind the net to set up Wheels on the winner. I didn’t even get an assist, so she’d have to understand hockey to get that.

“I guess I’m a little distracted. I was sitting with Evangeline, and did you know that she and Arthur got engaged?”

“Really? Now?” This didn’t seem like a good time to get engaged. We were in the middle of the season and everyone needed to focus on hockey. Summer was the time for big personal stuff. But Trapper had been going out with her for years and they lived together, so maybe it wasn’t a big deal. Teammates were always doing stuff like that—like having a baby in the middle of the season and then showing up exhausted to the rink. Personally, I would plan all my kids to arrive in the off-season. It wasn’t that hard to count up to nine.

Astrid nestled in closer to me. She always smelled like flowers. She craned her neck up and kissed me. Then she ran her hand through my hair.

“Did you make an appointment at that hairdressing place I recommended?”

“Uh, not yet.” I had been busy and forgotten about it.

“I’ll make one for you. You know it’s important to get your hair cut before you think you need it. Since you’re the captain, your appearance is so important. You don’t want to look like a kid, right?”

A moment ago I thought we were going to make out, and now I was getting a lecture on my image. But then she started kissing me again.

“Mmmm, nice,” she said. “I am sooooo looking forward to tonight.”

I looked at my watch. “Okay. But I need to get to sleep early.” We were having a practice and then taking off for quick road trip.

She looked sulky for a moment. But then she reached over and undid the top two buttons of my shirt. She pulled it open and licked my nipple. I groaned and she licked the other one.

“James?” Astrid used this little girl voice when she really wanted something. “Do you ever think about that stuff?”

“Sex? Yeah, all the time.”

“No, not sex. Settling down, getting engaged.”

Cripes. Well, we’d been going out for a few months now. Anyway, this was how things should be, the chick was supposed to be the one who wanted to settle down and the guy was the one who resisted getting tied down. Astrid was a few years older than me as well. But I didn’t want her getting the wrong idea. I really liked her, but this was too soon.

“I have a life plan,” I explained honestly. “I’m not getting married until I win the Stanley Cup. I need to be focused only on my career goals before I do anything else.”

“Oh.” Astrid sounded a little disappointed, but she kept unbuttoning my shirt. “Do you want to fool around in here, or take this show to the bedroom?”

“Bedroom,” I said. I had an early practice tomorrow, and I wanted to fall asleep right after.

A
s low man
on the totem pole, I was going to have to work all during Christmas. I was the on-call reporter in case anything happened. My mom was completely unimpressed that I had to miss a lot of holiday events with my friends and family.

April insisted that I attend Ben’s Christmas party—no matter how late I might get there. It was going to be at his new townhouse in Yaletown. The fact that he could afford a townhouse showed how well he was doing. Of course, his family wealth gave him a head start—success always seemed to be about connections.

“Isn’t Phil going to be there?” I asked.

“Of course he is,” she replied. “But you guys will have to meet again sometime. And anyway, he has a new girlfriend.”

“He does?” I asked. It wasn’t a huge surprise to me, but sometimes the essential unfairness of life struck me. While I genuinely wanted Phil to be happy, I wished that my life had more balance. Many nights I wished for someone to talk to at the end of a frustrating day. Someone who would take my side, regardless. Once or twice, I even picked up my cell to call—well, I didn’t even know who I would call.

Ben’s townhouse was absolutely gorgeous. I think April had been involved in some of the decorating choices. She certainly spent enough time here. Between my long hours and her busy social life, I hardly saw her these days.

I felt a little nervous, but Ben was as sweet as ever.

“Kelly! It’s great to see you.” He gave me a big hug. “How’s work going?”

“Oh, fine.” He didn’t want to hear how I was bashing my head against a brick wall all day long.

“I haven’t seen you on television yet,” he commented.

“Uh, well, you have to stay up pretty late to catch anything I’ve done.”

“I saw you go one-on-one with the golden retriever—a new journalistic high,” said a familiar voice behind me.

I turned around. “Hey, Phil.” I hugged him, but his body remained stiff and straight. He looked very handsome—as usual. The disdain in his expression was new though. The dog piece was the one I was most infamous for. It had the most website hits of any video on our website this month. “I know, I’m still learning.”

“The main thing is that you have a real career. Because that’s your big priority, right? Other than dating crappy Canucks prospects.”

I glanced over at Ben, who at least looked embarrassed. I couldn’t believe he told Phil about Peter Haines.

“We went out to dinner once. That’s hardly dating.”

So this was how things were going to be between us from now on. If Phil wanted to crap all over me, that was his choice. I was hoping for something better though.

“How’s your job going?” I asked politely.

“Good. Busy, though.” Phil looked over my shoulder.

A dark-haired woman in a slinky black dress walked up and passed Phil a beer. “Here’s your drink, babe.”

“Thanks.” He draped an arm over her shoulder. “Emily, this is Kelly.”

“Hi, Kelly.” Emily seemed genuinely friendly, which gave me a feeling of relief. If Emily had no idea who I was, then either he wasn’t a big sharer or I hadn’t affected him that much. I smiled back at her.

“What do you do, Emily?” I asked.

“I’m a lawyer,” she said. “I work for the Crown Prosecutor’s office.”

Clearly, he had traded up. I always worried that I wasn’t smart enough for Phil. “That’s a tough job.”

“Yes, but I promised Phil I wouldn’t talk shop and ruin the festive spirit. What do you do, Kelly?”

“I work for C2C Sports,” I replied. Did I have to add junior-junior-junior reporter? I decided not.

“That sounds great,” Emily said. She seemed to be settling in for a long chat, but Phil pulled on her arm. “There’s someone I want you to meet. Excuse us, Kelly.” They left without a backward look.

My emotions did another seesaw. There was time when Phil couldn’t take his eyes off me, and now he couldn’t wait to get away. I gave my head a shake. I had been miserable about hurting Phil. Now he was happy, and he’d found someone new—and better. I didn’t have to worry about him anymore.

I was chatting with Charmaine when April started whacking a spoon against her wineglass.

“Could we have your attention, people,” she called out. With her acting background, she could really project her voice, and everyone hushed up right away.

She looked up at Ben, who was standing right beside her.

He cleared his throat. “While we have all our friends here, we wanted to tell you—we’re engaged!”

A happy whoosh went through the living room. There was cheering and even clapping.

“Oh my gosh, Kelly. I’m shocked,” Charmaine exclaimed. “I guess you knew this already.”

I shook my head. “I had no idea.” Of course I knew that they were serious and Ben had given her an ultimatum the last time they broke up, but April had never breathed a word. For the second time tonight, I felt strangely forlorn. But that was selfish; April was happy, and that was the important thing.

April danced over a few minutes later, flashing her new diamond ring.

“It’s beautiful,” Charmaine said. We both stared at the big diamond, flanked by two smaller ones.”

“Jeez, it’s bigger than the fake diamond on my fake engagement ring,” I declared.

“Is everything okay with his parents?” Charmaine wondered. Ben’s mother was very strong-willed and had hoped he’d marry a Chinese girl.

“Yes, she’s coming around. There’s been some discussion about me joining the family business.” Maybe Mrs. Cho recognized that April was a fellow human dynamo. “We told them first, of course.”

April gave me a hug. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner, Kelly.”

“It’s okay,” I reassured her. “Have you set a date yet?” Thanks to my fake engagement, I knew all the right questions to ask when shown a ring.

“Yes, May 16th, 2009. Mrs. Cho consulted the Chinese Almanac for auspicious dates.”

“Wow, that’s not very far away,” I said.

April looked guilty again. “I won’t leave you in the lurch, Kelly. We can move to a month-to-month lease after April 30, and I’ll be your roommate until the end of May. It gives you plenty of time to find a new roomie or find a place of your own.”

“Don’t worry, April. I’ll be fine.” I was happy for her, and I didn’t want to bring down this happy occasion.

“Of course, Ben wishes we could get married even earlier.” She gave me a conspiratorial wink. “A big wedding like this will take a lot of planning, but I’m up for it.”

“You were born for this,” I told her, and we all laughed.

Ben swooped in and took April away. Of all our high school friends, I always thought that Karen would get married first, but I was wrong about that. Of course, I always thought I’d be last, and that still looked like a good bet.

B
ecause I had
to work on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, my parents agreed to have an early Christmas dinner. Our house felt completely weird. My mom was a big collector, and every corner had been full of flowers, vases, artwork, and nature bits like seashells or branches. Now everything had been stashed or given away. The movers were coming on December 27th to take the furniture to storage.

“Man, it’s like someone else’s house,” I said to my brother.

Roger nodded. He was so mature and confident since he started his work co-op. He loved going to Waterloo. He had found his tribe there and really blossomed. We all had a fantastic dinner together, with much reminiscing and also looking forward to the future. My parents were so excited about their trip. I had never worried about money as I grew up, but now I wondered if my parents had made sacrifices so Roger and I could have everything we wanted. Because it was clear that they loved to travel.

I didn’t tell my family how precarious my job situation was because I didn’t want them to worry about me. But I could tell my mom was still concerned.

“So, April’s getting married in May? What will you do for a roommate?”

“I don’t know. I can either find my own place or ask around.”

“Something else to worry about. If only you were still going out with Phil, I would know there was still someone looking out for you.”

“Mom! That’s so old-fashioned. Women look after themselves these days.” Just then Gino came into the dining room and rubbed up against my legs. “So, is Martha still planning to take Gino? Because now that April is leaving, maybe she’ll let me have him.”

She shook her head. “That’s not a good idea if you might have to find a new place. So many rentals don’t take pets. Besides, you’re working ridiculous hours. How can you take care of a cat too?”

My mom was right. If I took him, Gino would spend a lot of time alone. I didn’t even have enough extra energy in my life to love a cat.