Page 25 of Hockey Halloween

Josh

Living in a college town means there’s no shortage of good places to eat, but while most of the students prefer wings at Wolfie’s, I’ll take a burger at the diner any day of the week.

Jared loves it, too, so we meet up here at least once a week to go over what’s happening with our various properties.

While we’re waiting on our server to deliver our greasy deliciousness, Jared’s been telling me about a place he found out by the highway.

He wants to put a bid on it. At least, I think he does.

I’m almost positive he does. Well, it’s a definite maybe.

“Josh, are you listening to anything I’m saying?” my brother asks as he sorts the sugar packets by color, just to mess them all up and start over.

“Honestly? No. Sorry. My mind’s in a million different places today. You said the place on St. Clair looks good?”

He just laughs. “No, I said it looks like shit. But the location is great.”

I take a sip of my coffee. Maybe a jolt of caffeine will get me back in the game. “So, you think we should bid on it?”

“Yeah, which I already told you about five times. What’s up with you today? Don’t tell me you messed things up with Val already? ”

I sigh before taking another sip of coffee. “No, I don’t think I messed up. I think it’s going to be fine, but— whoa, what the hell? How do you know about Val and me? Not that I’m admitting anything.”

Again, my easygoing brother just laughs. “You’re admitting everything, man, but even if you weren’t, it’s clear as fucking day. You two have been circling each other since the day she moved in. And after you two hooked up at Kirby’s, I figured you finally got your head out of your ass.”

I’ve got nothing to say. My brain is still trying to catch up.

For as long as I live, I'll never forget the moment my brother, dressed as a pirate, strolled into the restroom at Kirby’s and took two women into a stall.

That’s part of the reason I bolted, to be honest. I knew he recognized me right away, but how did he know it was Val in the Chuckie costume? I didn’t even know that.

“Dude. I spotted her right away. She looked exactly the same, except for all the scars.”

“She was wearing a mask!” I protest.

Jared rolls his eyes. “The mask barely concealed anything. That’s such bullshit on TV shows when a character looks identical to the way they do every episode except for a flimsy little mask and everyone acts like they’re a total stranger. Seriously, how could anybody be that dumb?”

My silence is what tips him off.

“Holy. Shit. Are you that dumb? You didn’t know Val was sexy Chuckie?”

“Not until later that night, but that’s beside the point,” I tell him. “We decided it was a one-time thing, but that lasted less than a week. She stopped by yesterday, and one thing led to another. Basically, my attraction to her isn’t one-sided.”

“No shit,” my brother declares as our server sets down our food. Jared starts digging in, which means he’s quiet for once. I’m not sure he’ll be the most sympathetic listener, but I need advice, dammit, so Jared’s now my official relationship counselor.

“She came over for dinner last night and it was great. Reese adores, and I know Val feels the same. She just fits. Honestly, she has since that first day. Even Kevin fits. We put Reese to bed, watched some sports highlights, and then went to bed ourselves. Together. Up in my room.”

“I know how sex works,” Jared says around a mouthful of fries. “And there are other places to do it besides a bed, just saying. I guess you already know that, though. Better places than a public bathroom stall, too.”

I give him the middle finger before taking a bite of my burger.

“I could get really used to this, but it’s not just my heart on the line if Val leaves.

And she’d have every right to leave. She‘s young, she’s great at her job.

Who knows? She’s not tied to anything here.

She could go wherever she wants to, and I want her to pursue her dreams, but where does that leave Reese and me? ”

“She told you she’s looking for a new job in a new city? Was that before or after the sex?”

I give him another middle finger. “She didn’t say she was looking, but she could be. Someday.”

Jared narrows his eyes at me. “So, you’ve found a woman who’s perfect for you, who feels the same way about you, who loves your kid, yeah? And life is good. So why the hell are you worried about someday? Just enjoy today.”

That’s easy for my brother to say. It’s the way he’s always lived his life.

But he doesn’t have a young daughter to raise.

Reese used to ask about her mom all the time and it broke my heart.

I’ve tried my best to fill both parental roles, and my family helps whenever they can, but I know it’s not the same.

“I know what you're thinking. You’re a dad, and that changes things. I disagree. The three of you are happy now, so embrace it. If you keep trying to map out every minute of the future, you’ll miss all the good shit happening right now.”

I take another bite of my burger and consider his words. My little brother has a point, but I’m not sure if it’s as easy as he makes it seem. When my phone buzzes with a text and I see Val’s name, it feels like a sign. But then I read her message, and my heart plummets.

Val: Tell me not to panic .

Val : I’m panicking anyway. I just got a call from the Dean. He wants an emergency meeting with me in half an hour.

Val: Have you gotten any messages?

Without a second thought, I grab my keys and rise from the booth. “I’ve got to go. I'll text you later.”

“Is everything okay?”

“It will be,” I answer as I head toward the door. “Thanks for lunch,” I call.

My jog back to campus turns into a run, and by the time I reach Dean Mercer’s office, I know I probably need a shower. What I need more, though, is to set the record straight.