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CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

Jordy

Me:

We need to talk.

Leon:

Are you breaking up with me?

Me:

Yes.

Leon:

Shame, I always thought we’d go the distance. It’s not being there for the kids, right? I’m a shitty father.

Leon Hill might be one of the funniest and weirdest men I have ever met, but he’s also the best sports agent in hockey.

He negotiated a life-changing eight-year extension for me with the Eagles, and I wouldn’t fire him even if my life depended on it.

A former Eagles’ winger like me, he was a brilliant two-way player, even winning the Selke Trophy as the league’s best defensive forward a couple of times. It’s what makes him a top sports agent; he just understands the game and all that comes with it.

The man’s a legend. Plus, I really like him, which balances out his peculiarities.

Me:

Not coming home for dinner every night is breaking my heart.

Leon:

I’ll try harder.

Dick.

Leon:

About to step into a meeting. Call you later.

Me:

Cool. I wanted to talk to you about a plan B. I don’t have one.

Leon:

Good call. Let’s make one.

Me:

I want to exhibit my paintings to sell.

Leon:

I know people who can make that happen. Do you have photographs of your work?

Me:

No, but I can get someone to professionally shoot them.

Leon:

Do that, then send them to me. In the meantime, leave it with me. I have other ideas for you too.

Me:

Yeah? Like what?

Leon:

How do you feel about modeling pegging underwear?

Me:

Fuck off.

Leon:

I’m kidding, chill, bunnykins.

Leon:

I have ProOpPro, the mouthguard manufacturer looking to sponsor hockey players.

Me:

I wear one already. They’d be the perfect fit for me.

Leon:

And I think you’d be great for Harley Davidson. You ride one, right?

Me:

Fuck, yeah.

Leon:

On it.

Me:

Cheers, Leon.

Leon:

See you at home, bunnykins, and wear the pink silk panties I think you look hot in.

I erupt into laughter.

Closing my text conversation with Leon, I open one with my mom.

Me:

Do you know any good criminal defense lawyers to help get stolen money back? My friend has had over 100K transferred out of their account.

Mom:

If you went back to college, you could defend your friend yourself.

Me:

Forget I asked.

Mom:

Lisa Perez. Financial crime lawyer. She’s the best there is. I’ll send you her contact details.

Me:

Thank you.

Mom:

I can’t make any of your games before Christmas.

Me:

That’s okay.

Mom:

Sienna and her parents are joining us for Christmas dinner.

Me:

Why the hell would you invite them?

Mom:

We went to theirs last year. It was only right to invite them to ours this year.

Me:

We’re not dating anymore, Mom.

Mom:

It’s just a phase Sienna is going through, dear. You’ll be back together soon enough. I’m sure of it.

Fuck my life.

Me:

Not happening. I've moved on.

Mom:

See you on Christmas Day. Love you.

Annoyed, I grit my teeth, almost launching my phone at the wall, but don’t. Instead, I text my sisters, my fingers moving quickly and angrily across the keyboard.

Me:

Please tell me you swapped your shifts on Christmas Day?

Lucia:

Nope.

Sofia:

Third Christmas we’ve worked in a row.

Lucia:

It’s a hat trick.

Sofia:

Is Mom giving you drama?

Me:

She invited Sienna and her parents for Christmas dinner.

Sofia:

Why the hell did she do that?

Lucia:

I’ll have a word.

Me:

It won’t change anything.

Sofia:

Smile. Eat. Leave.

Lucia:

Good plan.

Me:

Easier said than done. I think she’s trying to play matchmaker.

Sofia:

Is that what you want?

Me:

No.

Lucia:

Because of Lola?

Sofia:

I like her. Can we keep her?

My fingers hover over the keys.

Lucia:

Oooooo, he likes her. That’s why he’s not typing back.

Sofia:

Are you catching feelings?

Lucia:

Bingo.

Me:

I've spent a couple of nights with her. I’m not catching feelings.

Lies, lies—my nose just grew.

Lucia:

She cooked for you.

Sofia:

And asked us to stay for dinner. Sienna never did that.

Lucia:

She never liked us.

Sofia:

Lola is like a ray of sunshine. She’s kind, and fun, like us.

Me:

You two are as much fun as a root canal.

Sofia:

And you think we’re mean?

Lucia:

It’s okay to admit you like her, Jordy.

Me:

We’re just a rebound fling thing. It’s not that deep.

Keep telling yourself that.

Lucia:

Not as deep as the things you said you were going to do with your tongue to her.

Jordy left the group.

Sofia added Jordy to the group.

Me:

I hate you both.

Jordy left the group.

Lucia added Jordy to the group.

Sofia:

We can do this all day.

Exasperated, I throw my phone into my locker.

Catching feelings?

Do I like her? Yes.

Could we be something more? Maybe —I wish we could, but we both know there’s a line we can’t cross as long as we’re both on staff.

The end of the season can’t come quick enough.

Then what?

Would she want more?

I fucking hope so.

Maybe I could make her fall in love with me?

Hell, yeah.

Now, that sounds like a great fucking idea.