Page 3

We grab our plates and coffee mugs and head into the backyard.

There’s a set of outdoor furniture that’s seen better days, but it’s still useable.

We get settled and tuck in, enjoying the food and sunshine.

Neko eventually follows us and accepts some bacon from Mats.

At first, I thought it was weird to have a pet in the hockey house, but now I like it.

Anything that makes a house feel more like a home is good with me.

And Neko is the kind of cat who seems to sense when we need some extra attention.

It’s really nice out here. Now that I’ve eaten, I’m feeling a lot better. Sure, last night was a shit show, but it won’t happen again.

Got to take advantage while the weather’s good, Mats replies. He’s from Canada’s west coast, so he’s used to a milder climate. Minnesota winters will be exactly like back home in Saskatchewan—bitterly cold, windy, and a fuckton of snow.

So…you’re kind of an expert on women, right? I ask quietly. Mats always had a ton of women after him in junior hockey. I had the same girlfriend from tenth grade until six months ago, so dating is completely new to me.

He half-laughs. Me? I think you’d be better off asking Big Z. Vik Zelenko is the captain of the team, and he’s got a reputation as a ladies’ man.

Yeah, maybe. But you know me better. And you’re not as intimidating. I don’t want to start off the season by making my captain think I’m a doofus.

Okay, shoot.

Well, I had kind of a situation last night. I spill the whole tale of Jenny and her boyfriend, and coming home in Andy’s clothes. Then I have to wait while he laughs his guts out.

Fuck, I wish I had seen that, he says.

I motion towards myself. Feast your eyes. This is the same sweatshirt.

I wondered why you weren’t dressed yet.

That’s a whole other situation. Lloyd took over my bedroom so he could score with some woman. I had to sleep on a stupid air mattress. I rotate my shoulders and try to stretch my traps. Now I’m sore and I can’t even get dressed because he’s still there.

Mats shakes his head. I don’t know if I’d be as nice as you. I need a good night’s sleep.

I do too, but it’s too late for that. I plow on. Do you think I should have been able to tell that Jenny was sort of…psycho? I wonder if she was using me to prove something to her boyfriend.

Mats doesn’t answer immediately, so I add, Maybe I’m overthinking this. She didn’t know that he was going to show up.

She knew she had a boyfriend, he says meaningfully. He cuts through to the kernel of truth.

Yeah. That’s true. I lean back in my chair. I know I have to get out there, but I’m just not cut out for hookups. I prefer my sex to be fear-free.

Mats turns to me. What are you talking about?

I have to get experience with different women. I spin my empty mug around by the handle.

He stares. What the fuck? Nobody has to get experience. Sex isn’t some requirement for passing college.

Lots of people back home told me that’s what I should do. Even my sister, Amelia. Her exact words were, ‘You’re almost twenty-one and you’ve only fucked one pussy in your whole life.’

Of course, Amelia is all about seizing each day. She calls it a complete waste that the best-looking child in the Sinclair family has the relationship goals of an eighty-year-old man.

Mats laughs at Amelia’s words, but then quietly considers my problems. Most of the guys on the team would laugh off my dating issues, but Mats takes them seriously.

Finally, he asks, Why did you leave with Jenny in the first place?

I open my mouth to say something obvious, like Who wouldn’t? but then I take the extra time to really consider his question. I need to put in as much effort as he is.

I guess…it felt good. Jenny seemed really into me, and the guys were acting like it was a big deal. Swanny and Bergy were all fist bumps and encouragement. You’re the man, Sinc .

I continue, It’s tough when you’re the rookie. You want to get along with everyone off the ice because then things will go better on the ice. I figured I was impressing my new teammates.

Playing well is the best way to win the respect of your teammates. What you do off the ice doesn’t matter. Mats sounds completely certain. Besides, you didn’t say anything about what you wanted. Why were you attracted to her?

She chose me, I blurt.

Mats’s unimpressed expression is his answer.

Why does everything seem so logical when I can see things from his perspective?

All I want to do is play hockey and get along with everyone.

Leaving with Jenny seemed like a good way to prove myself in front of the guys.

But as soon as I say that to Mats, I can hear how dumb it is.

Seeking validation from other people isn’t a good way to start a relationship. And I think you’re a relationship guy. You went out with Cori for years.

I nod. Yeah. I’d rather have a steady girlfriend than a million hookups.

Okay, so forget what your sister said. You need to figure things out for yourself. Take it slow, and don’t stress, Mats cautions.

Yeah, but that’s harder than it sounds. Hockey is my priority, and I play my best when my life is in order. I like having someone in my corner.

The only good thing from last night was meeting Andy. She was funny, helping me even though she complained the whole time.

Actually… I hesitate, but decide to come clean. I sort of met someone else last night. The RA who helped me out.

Mats winces. Don’t rush into anything, Sinc.

I’m not. Honestly, I don’t think she even likes me. But she was really nice. Her name’s Andy Robson. Do you know her?

No, I don’t think so. What does she look like?

I smile as I recall Andy, grumpy and half-asleep.

She’s cute. Long, black hair, dark eyes, glasses.

I remember her mouth, her full, plum-coloured lips.

Of course, I woke her up, so she wasn’t at her best, yet knowing how she looks in bed feels strangely intimate.

She’s short, maybe 5’3”, curvy. Actually, she might be Japanese, like you.

Mats is half Japanese and half Irish. He shrugs. I don’t think I’ve met her before. He stretches, then puts his cup on his plate, stands up, and heads inside.

I remain slouched in my chair. I have to figure out how to get my phone and stuff back. And the best person to help in that department would be Andy.