Page 59 of Penalty Shot

I don’t want Elise in my car or in a hotel room. I want her inmybed. Myhome. Not only for sex but to stay, goddamn it. Overnight, the next day, all the damn time.

But what if pushing her boundaries ruins what we have? Not sure I could handle that.

The only thing better than being her lover, is being her best friend.

I watched the Mavericks beat the Sharks in game five at Columbus. Kaden, my temporary housemate and previous hockey translator, is no longer around, but I’m beginning to understand the sport on my own.

Like the rest of the cast and crew, Kaden settled into the university dorm that Imagination Ohio rents during the summer months of performing.

I won’t be here all summer. By the time the curtain rises on opening night, most of my job is completed.

That’s eighteen days away. And despite my disappointment today, the show must go on.

It’s just me and Yorick now. Yes, I named the clown mannequin. Rainbow wig and featureless face aside, he’s become a reassuring presence, like a sentry who welcomes me when I stumble home after another twelve-hour day.

“I should text him, right, Yorick? Right. He’d enjoy knowing that I’m watching the game.” I’m talking to an inanimate object about hockey. How is this my life now?

Elise:Congratulations on the win! You were amazing![sends a picture of the clown mannequin wearing the Haughland jersey].

There’s no reason to expect him to answer right away, seeing as the game just ended. But when the phone rings, I jump to answer without checking the screen.

“Hey! You did it!”

“I did what?” It’s Lily’s confused amusement that greets me. A pang of surprise is quickly replaced by delight at the sound ofher voice.

“Sorry about that. I thought you were Randall.”

“They won tonight. He’s probably still at the arena.”

“You watched the game, too?”

“No, but I get notifications of the team’s socials. I had no idea this town was so crazy about hockey.”

“How’s Naomi?”

“Adorable, as always. She’s got new teeth that’s making her a bit moody, but she’s a trooper.”

“And your mom?”

“She’s doing much better. That’s why I’m calling. I’ve got a few days off next week. Are you up for a visit?”

I hadn’t let myself dwell on how much I miss Lily. Now, the thought of her in Cleveland with me is a balm to my disappointment.

“Are you kidding me? Yes! Yes, I’m up for a visit. When?”

We grab our calendars to finalize arrangements when I hear a ping from her phone, immediately followed by a hitch in Lily’s voice as she mumbles “bastard.”

“What?”

“Nothing.”

“Lily, you are not in the habit of calling me a bastard, so please explain yourself.”

“It’s silly Mavericks hockey stuff. The guys are getting tagged on live feeds while they leave the arena.”

“Byguysdo you mean Gordon?” It hasn’t escaped my attention how those two gravitate to each other during every encounter.

“Ugh! They wouldn’t be half this sexy if they didn’t go from blood-stained sports jerseys to pristine designer suits. Savage masculine brawn barely contained in a civilized suit turns people feral.”