My mouth was actually open in shock. My dad reached over and patted my arm. “We’d go there for six months, and we would travel the rest of the time. It’ll be our year off. As mid-life crises go, it’s fairly tame.”
I sat back in my chair. He might think it was tame, but I felt like my world was being turned upside down. My parents were always there for me, maybe it was a little boring, but it was reassuring. But hey, they had a right to live their lives however they wanted. And it made me feel proud that they considered I was launched in life and get by on my own.
Still, it felt like the ground was disappearing from under my feet. The comforting idea of having a home to retreat to when I needed pampering was gone—for a least a year.
14
Team Chemistry
Phil
* * *
My new life was coming together fast. Dirk Vanstone was my boss on this building project, and he seemed like a good guy. He warned me there’d be a ton of work and overtime, but I expected that.
I debated living at home—where I’d have the advantages of good meals and low rent—but after only a week there, I missed my independence too much. Luckily, my best friend from high school, Dave Vanderhauf, had gotten a three-bedroom condo downtown. He and his buddy, Elliott Jackson, were looking for another roommate since their first one had decided to live with his girlfriend instead.
“You won’t bail on us for some piece of ass, will you?” Hoff demanded.
“I’m only going to be here for eighteen months or so,” I explained. That was how long Vanstone had estimated it would take to finish the project but these things often went longer.
“Sounds good. Anyway, you’re not the commitment type,” he concluded. It was true I hadn’t dated anyone too seriously during university, but he knew nothing about my deal with Kelly. Anyway, once I won, we weren’t getting married or anything—we’d just be dating normally.
Our place was in Coal Harbour and pretty convenient. My roommates could both walk to work, and my commute was only fifteen minutes. Hoff had a job as an assistant to a stockbroker at a big firm, and Elliott was working at a big accounting firm, so we were all had long hours, low salaries, and lots of potential earnings—if we succeeded.
Frankly, it was going to be a hell of a summer. I’d have to work tons of overtime, but I also needed time and energy for Kelly. Normally, she’d be the perfect person to date. She was low maintenance and didn’t care about expensive nights out. But now everything was dialled up. I’d have to get creative to make sure that she chose me at the end. Not only was it my dream, but I had to protect her from Frechette. Maybe the asshole didn’t even mean to hurt her, but he was one of those competitive guys who wants to win the prize but doesn’t even appreciate it when he gets it. The guy practically flipped out when he found out she had plans with me on Saturday. Taking her to my parent’s anniversary party had been fine, but I worried that it was too boring an event. As usual, Kelly seemed to have a great time. She loved the food and at the end, we ended up in the rec room talking to my brother, Ray, and his girlfriend. They had invited us to visit them in Kelowna, so we could do that trip some weekend.
And Kelly had looked so beautiful in this black dress with her shoulders and back bare. I couldn’t keep my hands off her, but I managed to stick to her rules of contact.
Since I lived in Vancouver, I figured I’d get more time with her. But he was flying her to Fredericton next weekend. The asshole would have the coin to do special things with Kelly, but I’d make up for that by my superior knowledge of what she really liked. And my best chance came from an unlikely source.
“Hoff, you ate all my fricking yogurt,” I told Dave one morning. “I like it on my breakfast cereal.”
“Sorry PD, got hungry after my game last night. We won by the way. 3-0.”
Dave was leaning into the fridge, searching for other foods of mine he could eat. He never went grocery shopping until it was a dire emergency.
“Oh yeah, who scored? You get the hattie?”
“Nope, just one goal. Matt Sakura got the second, and Kelly got the last one.”
“Wait, Kelly is on your team?”
“Yeah, it’s a mixed league. I ran into her at a party, and I recruited her. She’s way better than any of the other chick-players. We’re cleaning up most games. This is the season—we’re taking down the Ice Hogs. They’ve ruled the league for ages. A couple of my ex-teammates from UBC are on that team. They didn’t have room for me though, so I wanna whoop their asses.”
“You’re playing mixed league?” That didn’t sound like something Hoff would do.
He shrugged. “I’m in two leagues. I heard that mixed league was a good way to meet women. Not only the ones who play, but ‘cause the parties are supposed to be better since chicks always bring other chicks. Kelly’s let me down so far.”
Dave liked his women tall, blonde, and babelicious, and he found Kelly too intense. They were friends, but he had suggested more than a few times that I should give up on her and find someone better.
This team was an opportunity of major proportions. Kelly loved playing hockey, and she was always in a fantastic mood after a good game. If I were on her team, we would be sharing some great times every week. Not to mention that this was something that Frechette could not do with her. Suck on that, Mr. NHL Superstar!
“Dude, I need to be on your team,” I told Dave.
He eyed me. “Man, I’d like to do that, but I might get in shit. The teams are set now, and we’re pretty strong. If I added another good player like you, the guy in charge would be very unhappy.”
“Fuck, then you need to trade someone off and add me. I won’t let you down, bud, I’ll be great.” When I had last played, it was only university intramural, but I had been one of the top scorers.
“I know you’re good enough, but it’s not that easy.”
“Please, Hoff, I need this.”
“Are you still trying to get with Kelly? You should really go for someone more—what’s the word—actually into you. Lots of fish, man.”
“C’mon. What’s it going to take?”
He smiled. “Okay, if you do the grocery shopping for both of us, I’ll use my charm and connections to get you on the team.”
Sure, I was good with that. I was pretty much doing it anyway, but now he would have to give me money. Plus Dave worked for a stockbroker, and negotiating was what he did constantly. If he knew how fucking desperate I was, he could have gone way bigger.
* * *
I had to work late on the night of my first game, so I drove straight to the arena and got there five minutes after the start. I got changed and headed out to the bench.
“Just like old times. Right, Sparky?”
Kelly looked up in surprise. “Phil! What are you doing here? I thought the teams were all set.”
“Hoff had to make a few changes, and here I am.”
Hoff leaned over and said, “I’m putting you two on the same line. Let’s see if you’ve still got any chemistry.”
Once we got on the ice, it only took a few shifts to remember where she’d end up and deliver the puck there. Of course, she was a way better player now than in our high school days. We connected for a beauty at the beginning of the second.
“Nice goal, nice goal,” Hoff said, slapping us both on the backs when we got back to the bench.
Kelly didn’t look so happy though.
“Something wrong?” I asked.
“No.” She frowned. “Well, yeah. When’s the last time you played hockey?”
“I don’t know. I played intramural, so March, I guess.”
“And you haven’t probably been to the gym since school ended, right? I have to work my ass off to stay in shape, and you walk in here and you’re already way better than me. Not fair.”
I laughed at her. “Kelly, you’re so much better than when we last played together—I’m just trying to keep up. Besides, I’ll be hurting later. First game back is always like t
hat.”
That seemed to cheer her up, but what made her feel even better was our come-from-behind victory.
“Wow, that was great. I thought we really got it together in the third.” She and Hoff were deep into the post-game analysis. “That was our best defensive period.”
We all got changed in the same room. I sat beside Kelly, and it felt like old times. Except I didn’t remember eyeing her so closely to see exactly how many layers she was going to take off. Unfortunately, she only went down to the Underarmour, then threw on a warm-up jacket.
“You want to go for something to eat?” I asked her.
“Now?” She checked the time. “It’s kinda late. I usually go home and shower after, then have a snack.”
“Why don’t I take you home? You can shower, I’ll pick up a pizza, and we can eat together.”
“That’s a great idea.” She chatted about the game all the way home. April had a piece of pizza with us but then headed off to her room. After eating and more talking, I was starting to fade.
“I guess I better go. Another big day at work tomorrow.”
Kelly reached out and stroked my back. Her touch was intimate and familiar, and I felt a jolt of pleasure.
“You’re working so hard, Phil. But you’re enjoying it, right?”
“Yeah, it’s good. All the stuff you learn at school, well, it’s nice to see the practical applications.”
“You’re lucky. To be doing work you love.”
I stroked her cheek. “I’m sure you’ll get there too, Kel. You work so hard, it’ll happen.”
Her bottom lip went out a little. “I guess. I’m always learning something new. But it’ll be at least a year before that internship thing. I’m not the world’s most patient person.”
But I was. I had waited this long for Kelly. She figured we had changed, but I didn’t think so. She was still a dreamer, full of youthful enthusiasm and joy. And beautiful—Kelly was more alive than other people, full of energy and animation. In four years apart, I’d never met anyone like her. The only thing I didn’t like was this whole dating game. It didn’t fit with her usual kindness, and I could tell she wasn’t entirely comfortable either. Hopefully, she wouldn’t take too long to realize how good we were together.
Kelly walked me to the front door.
“Good night, Kel. That was fun tonight.”
She nodded. “It was great—exactly my kind of evening.”
She stood back shyly, but I put my arms around her and pulled her in for a kiss. She lifted up her face, and I felt the softness of her lips as they yielded to mine. She tasted of pizza and sweetness. I tightened my arms around her, feeling her firm breasts and her taut belly. Kelly—so sweet and desirable—was finally in my arms, and yet she wasn’t mine. My cock had no conscience though and surged towards her. When she felt my hardness, she pushed me away.
“Um, Phil. That’s enough.”
She exhaled loudly and smoothed her hair back. Her skin was pinker than it had been after the exertion of hockey.
We still had chemistry all right.
15
Striking Out
“So, what shall we do this weekend?” Phil asked when he called me. I had spent the previous weekend in Fredericton, visiting Jimmy’s family. Everything had gone well, although I still wasn’t sure if his mom liked me or not. Since I spent the weekend before that seeing my family and Phil’s family—I felt a little parented-out. “How about something fun? After all, I forced you to go to a boring party before.”
“It wasn’t that bad,” I protested. Okay, it had been a little dull and a lot like stepping back to our high school days. The only people under 40—me, Phil, his brother, Ray, and Ray’s girlfriend, Helena—had all ended up talking in the basement and eating Greta’s delicious party food. “Of course, you got to hear everyone telling you how much you had grown and how handsome you are now.”
“I’d rather hear you tell me that stuff,” Phil replied.
“Don’t hold your breath,” I said. Our mushy period was years ago, and I wasn’t going back there. “Anyway, I have an idea. We should go bowling.”
“Bowling?” Phil’s voice made it sound like I had suggested lawn bowling with seniors. “That’s not fun and romantic.”
“It could be. I want you to invite Ben.”
“Ben Cho? You want to get romantic with Ben? Or with me and Ben? That’s kinky.”
“No, I’ll bring April for Ben.”
“Kelly, no. Fix-ups don’t work.” He sighed. “Anyway, Ben’s more sensitive than most guys.”
“I think she really likes him, and vice versa. All they need is a little push.”
“Some people might suggest that you get your own personal life in order first.”
“Who would those unkind people be?” I wondered.
“No idea. I’ll find out when Ben’s free and get back to you. Are we telling them ahead of time, or are we springing it on them like a horrible surprise party?”
“I’ll invite Karen or Charmaine so it won’t be totally awkward. And I’m not telling April since she might not come. Do whatever you think would work best with Ben.”
* * *
April made a face as she inspected the brown and burgundy shoes. “I think I would like bowling better if I had my own shoes. Are these even clean?”
“We spray them with disinfectant after each rental,” the teenaged guy at the counter assured her. He had been beyond helpful fitting us out, and April whispered that he must have a foot fetish.
Karen was there too, and the three of us sat down at our designated lane and put on our shoes.
“Who else is coming?” Karen wondered.
“Uh, Phil,” I said. “He might bring Dave. They’re living together now.”
“Dave Vanderhauf?” Karen asked. “I haven’t seen him since high school.” I had forgotten that those two had dated. Our whole circle of friends seemed to be linked by the loins—except Ben and April, of course.
“Didn’t you guys have a horrendous break up?” April wondered.
Karen shook her head. “He cheated on me, so I dumped him. At the time, I thought it was the end of the world. But now, pfft. All guys cheat.”
“That’s ridiculous,” I replied. “I just went to the Davidson’s 25th anniversary party, and it was filled with happy older couples.”
“Well, maybe not our dads or someone old, but all guys our age cheat—if you go out long enough. They can’t help it, they’re young and they don’t want to settle down. Any desirable guy is getting hit on all the time.”
“Phil never cheated on me,” I said. Neither had Jimmy, but what about me? Was I a person who couldn’t settle down?
“You and Phil only went out for what—six months? It would have happened eventually.”
“Someone got up on the cynical side of the bed,” April remarked. “Did you and Martin break up?”
Karen nodded.
“You know, you might want to work on your boy selection skills. Go for quality over flash, and then you might—holy crap.” April’s eyes went wide. “It is the night of the exes.”
Karen and I turned around. Phil, Dave, and Ben had walked in. They were all tall and good-looking—in fact, they looked like a manufactured boy band.
“Hey, beautiful.” Phil gave me a hug and kiss in greeting. Everyone else stood around awkwardly.
“When P.D. said the Commodore I thought we were going to a concert,” Dave complained as he put on his shoes. “But I guess he wanted one more sport I could kick his ass at.”
“You wish.” Phil slid in beside me and put his arm around me. I found it strange that Jimmy could not stop talking about the dating game, but Phil acted like it didn’t exist at all, and we were right back in a relationship again.
Ben and April didn’t speak, but they kept shooting glances at each other. Finally, Ben cleared his throat.
“Can I get drinks for anyone?”
“Sure, thanks.” We all wanted beer, and I went to gi
ve Ben a hand since April wasn’t offering.
“Was this your doing, Kelly?” he asked me as we waited at the bar.
I nodded. “Don’t kill me.”
“It’s not that big a deal. I’m sure April’s not too excited though.”
I bumped his shoulder. “You’re kidding, right? I wouldn’t have arranged this if I didn’t think she wanted it.”
“Really?” Ben gave me a hopeful smile.
“Totes. Go for it.” We carried the beers back to our lane where he sat beside April, and they started chatting. She was doing her hair-twirling thing, which meant she was interested.
“We’ve already made up teams,” April said. “Boys against girls.”
A little of the competitive spirit in me died. Phil laughed when he saw my face.
“Don’t worry, Kelly,” April assured me. “We’ll win.”
The score stayed pretty even. It wasn’t like anyone was throwing strikes from the first frame, but we were all pretty coordinated, except Karen. Phil was such a fucking natural athlete that he was better than everyone.
“Is there nothing you’re not good at?” I wondered. First hockey, and now bowling.
He rubbed his hand up and down my thigh. “I would think that’s all good news for you, Kel.” I felt a warm sensation spreading from where his hand rested on my jeans.
“I like it better when you’re on my team,” I complained. It was the last frame, and we were a few strikes behind. April turned and winked at me.
Ben got up to bowl, and April called out to him, “Nice jeans.”
“What?” He turned around and stared at her.
“Your jeans, they’re really nice.”
Karen nodded. “Yup. We could watch those jeans all day.”
“Maybe you should be bending over a little more when you bowl,” April added helpfully.
Flustered, Ben turned back to the alley and bowled two gutter balls before he finally knocked two pins over. April and Dave were keeping score.
Hockey Is My Boyfriend: Part Three Page 9
