Page 15

JACK

D O WE HAVE a vacuum? I poke my head into the living room. I’ve never seen anyone using one, but there must be one somewhere…right? Swanny and Bergy are on the sofa, gaming and debating on whether it would be harder to battle a sea lion or a camel.

Swanny turns to me and nods. Yeah, my mom bought us one last year. I’m not sure where it is though. Maybe try the laundry room?

I head downstairs and find Lloyd actually in his own room for once. He’s on the phone chatting to someone. I spot the vacuum in the corner and knock on the doorframe. Lloyd motions for me to come in.

Sure, baby. Can’t wait to see you. We’ll meet around 9:00, okay? He disconnects and grins. Jack. Just the man I need to see.

Shit. I know what’s coming next.

I’ve got this hot date lined up and I need the room tonight, okay?

For once I have a valid excuse lined up.

Sorry. Not tonight. I have a date coming over myself.

Okay, this is not exactly the truth, since an actual date with Andy exists only in my fantasies.

But she’s warming up to me. Besides, I’m sick of Lloyd taking over my room whenever he has company.

He has so many dates that he can’t be carrying a full course load.

Oh, is it a sure thing? he prods.

I said no, Lloyd. Not tonight. For fuck’s sake, it’s my room. Even if the only sure thing is that I won’t end up in bed with Andy tonight.

Maybe he reads my doubts, because he pushes. Oh, c’mon, man. You should see this chick. Red hair, tight little body, and lips that could suck the butter off bread. And you know what redheads are like. Screamers, right?

I scowl at his description. He has zero respect for his many dates. My sisters would enjoy tearing a strip off him. I wish Amelia was here—she would have booted his ass to the curb long ago.

I catch his eye, so we understand each other. I told you: I need my bedroom. And it’s not just about sex. I need to get a full night’s sleep to play hockey. Aren’t you supposed to be getting your own place?

He looks down at his phone. Yeah, but it’s tough out there. Places are expensive. But don’t worry, I hear you.

But does he really? I’ve told him this several times and he continues to use my bedroom, usually without even bothering to ask.

Why don’t you use Ethan’s room? He’s your cousin, I suggest.

Lloyd chuckles. No way, that asshole’d kill me.

Guess I need to channel some of that asshole energy too.

I grab the vacuum and head back upstairs.

I remember my grandmother saying to dust first, so I swipe at the furniture with an old T-shirt from my junior hockey days.

Swanny and Bergy take time out from their Animal Kingdom debate to helpfully point out any spots I’ve missed.

Don’t forget the mantle, Swanny says as he turns to Bergy. Camels are mean, though. A camel killed a zookeeper at our local zoo. What do you think, Sinc?

A great white shark would annihilate both the sea lion and the camel. In fact, they’re already the natural predators of sea lions, I point out as I stretch to reach a cobweb.

Bergy grunts. Don’t let Sinc get started on sharks again. Why are you doing all this cleaning?

Andy’s coming over tonight, I explain, then turn on the vacuum so I don’t have to hear Bergy and Swanny tease me about my big crush.

Unfortunately, instead of clearing out, they wait until I’m done.

So, is this a date? Finally? Swanny asks.

Well… I hedge for the second time today. We’re going to hang out and watch hockey.

He nods. So, not a date.

I’m trying to convince her that hockey players are good guys. So, you guys can do your part by not being assholes tonight. Maybe that’s not the whole truth, but at least they won’t spend the whole night announcing to Andy how much I like her.

Bergy scratches his chin. Why would anyone not like hockey players? We’re great athletes, team players, and humble.

Good-looking, too, adds Ethan as he passes through. So much for humble .

Usually it’s the other way around. You know, with hockey players having to fend off all the babes, Bergy says. That’s ironic, since he’s constantly complaining that he doesn’t have a girlfriend.

Swanny laughs. Sinc does have a lot of admirers. So, why is he so obsessed with the one woman who’s not interested?

I’m not obsessed, and Andy likes me. I wind up the vacuum cord. I opt to stash it in the hall closet so I won’t have to talk to Lloyd again. He makes me feel like a pushover.

No, seriously, Bergy says. Remember the party last weekend? There was that chick, Becky, after you. She was a dime. I would never pass that up, but you did. Why?

I want a relationship with someone honest.

It’s more than honesty, though—it’s integrity. And Andy has it in spades. Most people would have quit after getting 126 insulting comments on a story they wrote. But Andy persevered, and now the sports section is much improved. A woman like that would never quit on you.

What hurt me most about my breakup with Cori was that she’d been unhappy for a long time, but never said a word. How can I fix things I don’t even know about?

Andy is so honest that she told me exactly why she wouldn’t go out with me. At least I knew exactly where I stood with her then. Now, things are different—she likes me, but does she like me in a boyfriend way?

I don’t see why honesty is your number one quality. What about hot? Bergy asks. Hot and honest would be good, right?

Sinc’s too much of a gentleman to mention Andy’s other good qualities, Swanny says with a rude snort. While he’s right, I still have an urge to rearrange some of his teeth.

When the time is right, I’ll ask her out again, I say, with more confidence than I feel.

A NDY ARRIVES RIGHT on time. I yank the door open and she’s wrapped up in a fuzzy sweater and scarf. When she smiles at me, I have to stifle an urge to wrap my arms around her and feel how soft she is.

Hi, Jack. She holds out a round, red metal tin. I brought you some cookies.

Oh, wow. Thanks. I pry open the lid to find crinkly chocolate cookies. I pop one in my mouth and it’s warm and sweet.

They’re delicious. I spew out crumbs as I speak, but luckily Andy doesn’t seem to notice. Smooth, Sinc.

It’s a thank-you gift for doing this. I baked them at Dawn’s place. She hangs her scarf and sweater on the hooks by the door like she’s been here a million times.

Wow, you made them just for me? They taste even better now.

She ignores my question and looks around. Can I get a house tour?

Sure thing. I guide her down the hall.

Oh, this is a decent kitchen, she says. The house is old, but the kitchen has been renovated recently. Not up to my mom’s standards, but everything works fine.

Yeah. Mostly we cook for ourselves, but once a week we do a house dinner. We take turns cooking. That dinner is my favourite meal.

We pass through the dining room, which has a large wooden table and mismatched dining chairs. Luckily this has been a hockey house for years, so it came fully furnished. All I had to bring was my bed.

It’s a king, and it’s the biggest bed in the house, calls Bergy, who’s eavesdropping from the living room. Be sure you show her that.

I roll my eyes. How would these guys act if they actually wanted to help me?

Andy remains unfazed. I’ll stay on the main floor, thanks. How many guys live here?

Five, I say. Not counting stupid Lloyd. Wait. You’re not doing a story on our place, are you?

Of course not. It wouldn’t be ethical to research a story without telling you first. I’m just curious. You’re a freshman, but you land on a nice place to live and automatic friends. It’s a sweet deal.

For sure. But hockey is like that, your team is like your family. That’s one of the things I like about hockey—the built-in community no matter where you go.

When we get to the living room, the pregame show is already on. The guys greet Andy and the cookies with equal enthusiasm. Even though I dropped a few strong hints, I’m not going to be spending any time alone with Andy tonight. Bergy, Swanny, and Ethan are all watching the game too.

She greets everyone and settles onto the couch. I shove Bergy over so I can sit beside her.

Andy, these cookies are awesome. You’re welcome anytime, Swanny says, mouth full.

Day or night. Bergy winks at her. Did you try out Sinc’s big bed?

Andy rolls her eyes. I can predict what your bedrooms look like without even seeing them. Plaid bedspreads, gaming systems, posters on the wall, and clothes on the floor.

Uncanny, says Swanny. It’s like you’ve been in Bergy’s bedroom, but no woman has ever crossed that threshold.

Hey! That’s not true, Bergy protests.

Oh sorry. I forgot about that time your mom helped you move in.

Fuck you, man, he says.

Mats joins us in the living room. Are there cookies? Oh, hey, Andy.

Hi, Mats. Have you read Jacob’s stories? she asks. He’s written three so far: one last week and two this weekend. I read them as soon as they go up and make sure to leave positive comments.

Yeah, they’re excellent. Best stuff the Messenger’ s ever done. He takes a couple of cookies and sits in the armchair.

His stories have been a huge hit, Andy says excitedly. Lots of positive feedback, and, best of all, the editor-in-chief has stopped criticizing the sports coverage.

The editor-in-chief is her ex-boyfriend, so I’m glad to hear that he’s leaving her alone.

I like the other sports you’ve been covering as well. I’m weirdly addicted to the wrestling stories, I say. I’ve been reading the entire sports section since Andy edits it all.

She nods happily. That’s all thanks to you guys. Once I saw how good Jacob’s stories were, it made me realize there are people out there who love sports but wouldn’t normally get a chance to write about them. It turns out that the newspaper is a pretty exclusive place.

How did you find the wrestling guy? I ask. Those stories are over the top, full of flowery descriptions and dramatic stakes.