Page 26 of Pinch

“Don’t you have student helpers for that?”

“Not really. I share the lab with Timothy, but he’s kind of… not very strong.”

“He’s a wimp?”

“I was trying to put it nicely.” I don’t include the part about how if Mav helps me move the equipment, I can casually suggest he join us for drinks as well.

That way I’ll be doubly sure Timothy doesn’t think we’re going on a date or anything.

“Come by around five, and I’ll buy you a beer to thank you.”

“Say less,” he laughs, going to the door. “See you tomorrow night.”

“Can’t wait!”

When Ginaand I arrive at the hockey arena, the speakers are blasting “We Are the Champions” by Queen followed immediately by “Another One Bites the Dust,” which are the team’s hype anthems.

Fans crowd around the glass to watch the guys warm up, and we’re dressed like it’s the middle of winter in leggings and our Number 74 jerseys (excuse me,sweaters) for Mav over white turtlenecks.

Okay, some of the fans only wear jackets, but I was surprised how cold my first game was. I guess I should’ve expected it to be cold being so close to the ice.

Our seats are right up front, and we watch the team stretching and skating around. Some of those stretches make me wonder how they don’t freeze their junk off. I guess they wear cups.

When it’s finally time to start, Gigi and I cheer as loud as we can for Mav. She says we have to cheer for Gav now, too, and I go with it. I promised Mav I’d try harder, after all.

Our cousin glides by our seats waving at us and giving athumbs up, and of course, we turn around and show off our Murphy sweaters.

When I turn back around, I don’t miss the frowny twist of Gavin’s lips. I’m not sure what that’s about, but I can’t worry about him. It’s not like I can read his mind.

Fun fact about hockey games: They’re a blast! They’re fast paced and energetic, and Gigi and I are constantly jumping up to yell and cheer. Mav scores, and we scream our heads off. Of course, a fight breaks out, and we hold each other’s arms. I cover my eyes.

Half the time, I don’t know what’s going on. Gigi tells me to watch the players instead of trying to track the puck, and of course, my stubborn eyes keep going to Gavin.

He’s so fast, it’s hard to believe at his height. He’s really intense, like all the guys, but his blue eyes are fixed on the opposing players, watching every move.

At one point he goes to the boards and does some maneuver where he blocks the opposing guy from moving forward. Then he swipes the puck away and sends it to Mav, who whacks it into the net so fast, I almost don’t even see it.

The arena explodes, and Gina grabs my arm, shaking it so hard.

“What happened? What did he do?” My eyes are wide, and I smile looking from her to the ice, where the guys are gliding like whatever just happened was a piece of cake.

“It’s called a pinch, and it’s a super risky move, but he nailed it!” She’s screaming as she jumps up and down, chantingGav and Mavalong with the rest of the crowd.

“He made it look so easy,” I muse, then I’m chantingGav and Mavalong with the rest of our fans.

We win 2-0, and the crowd floods down to the glass to cheer for the guys. We wave enthusiastically at Mav, and Ichew my lip watching as Gavin chats with some girls on the other end of the bench.

They’re all young and wearing tight clothes, and they’re smiling and blinking fast. It makes my throat feel tight, but I push it away. I am not jealous of Gavin Knight. Good lord.

“Ready?” Gina grabs my arm, and I tear my eyes away from him smiling at a bosomy blonde in a tight purple sweater.

“Let’s get out of here.”

“Do you want this file cabinet?”Lucas digs behind a stack of air samplers, incubators, and a large microscope to drag out the last of his folders and put them in the banker’s box.

I’m obsessed with the ancient microscope he appears to be abandoning. It’s large, black metal with an oversized base and brass accents, and it looks like it’s from the early 20th century.

“Not really, but I’d love this old microscope.” I lean down to look through the eye piece. “Where did you get it?”