Momentarily losing all good sense and executive functions, I swerve, and Mrs. Robinson, out walking her labradoodle, gives me a nasty passing glance. I wave apologetically, heat blasting my cheeks with embarrassment.
“Oh, come now, Dessy. There’s nothing little about my stick.” Jack’s cheeky tone has me doing a double-take.Does he already know?Am I being that obvious?
“Gross!”
“Kidding. Kidding. Well, I’m not, but—” A coughing fit rattles my speakers. “Ah shoot. I’m so heartbroken I won’t be able to wear tights for you.”
“Breeches,” I correct. “And also, you’re a dirty liar.”
“No, really, I’m gutted I can’t be there to help you, but darn it all, my job.”
Speaking of.
“How’d Veronica take you breaking up with her?” I ask to change the topic. I don’t have “get arrested for vehicular manslaughter” on the to-do list today, and Jack in breeches is too great a danger to entertain while driving.
“How do you know I have?”
“Because it’s like you said, the season starts tomorrow. And you never date during the season.”
Once hockey season starts, Jack has a one-track mind—hockey, hockey, hockey, cup, cup, cup. Gus, me, his family, Chawton Falls, relationships, and everything else fall to the wayside until July comes around again.
“Damn. I didn’t think I was as predictable as you. But, yeah, let’s say I made a good choice making sure it wasn’t at a steakhouse.”
“Very disappointed to hear you didn’t get stabbed.”
“See, this is why I call you first thing in the morning. You always make sure I feel so loved, Dessy,” he teases. My heart does another stupid somersault at my nickname. It’s a hockey nickname, the ultimate symbol I weaseled into Jack’s inner circle after many years.
A feat that thirteen-year-old me, who harbored a massive crush on my brother’s aloof, grumpy best friend, would be squealing over.
“Look, Parker. You have enough people inflating your ego. It’s my job as the best friend to keep you humble.”
“I don’t remember hiring you for that.”
“You didn’t. The universe, however, considered it a vital role for a balanced axis—heavy heads tilting the weight of the world and all that. But let me tell you, the initiation process was brutal. I had to go into a fountain and pretend I was desperate for help. Charm your socks off until you were literally falling for me.”
“I still contend my socks were extra slick that night.”
“Mmhmm, sure.” For whatever reason, if I want to rile Jack up, all I have to do is mention him slipping off the counter the night we were re-introduced, and he gets a little tongue-tied. Since Jack established pretty early on that we have a teasing relationship—and that’s it—it’s ammunition I refuse to let go of.
“Right, well. I’m sure you’re getting close to the donut shop by now, so I’ll let you go. Say hi to Memere for me.”
I don’t know if it’s sweet or concerning that Jack knows my morning routine so well.
“Thanks. I will. Hey, do you think it’s weird that I’m still doing this? Emy’s giving me her patented total judgment look when I say I’m headed to the cemetery. But she doesn’t know this side of things, you know?”
“Honestly, Dessy, I’m not sure I’m the right person to ask, but I don’t think it’s weird. I think you should take your time and do what you need to. There’s no right way to get through any of this shit.”
“You’re right.” I sigh.
“I’m sorry, you cut out. Can you say that again?”
“Didn’t you have to go?”
“Ah, shit, yeah, I’m already running late for the morning skate.”
“Surprise. Surprise,” I say. “But hey, before you go—behave tomorrow. I know it’ll be hard when you’re playing against Alex, but I didn’t give up my summer for you to do something silly in your first game back, okay? Get a good night’s sleep and make good decisions tomorrow.”
“Go out and drink a shit ton tonight and then pound the crap out of the fucker tomorrow. Got it.”
