Page 43 of Break Points and Face Offs

Will squints at me. “Does he now? Priestley, who’s your favorite player?”

“Oh, you know …”

He lets me sweat for a bit before laughing.

“He doesn’t know shit about hockey, Dad. Sorry for cursing. He’s just sucking up to you.”

I can’t believe he actually just said that. Out loud.

His father just chuckles.

“Don’t have to suck up to me, kid. You could support the Habs for all I care.”

Who are the Habs? I’ve memorized most major sports teams and I don’t remember seeing them. Must be a nickname.

Will leans closer and whispers, “That’s the Montreal Canadiens, in case you were wondering.” His breath tickles my neck. I hold my breath so I can’t smell his cologne.

“I knew that,” I lie.

“Sure you did.”

Why would Will’s dad care if I support the Montreal Canadiens? What do people in Boston have against Montreal? This is just one more reason I don’t watch hockey. It doesn’t make any sense.

The build up to the game starts and Will and his father settle in.

They talk a lot, even after ‘the puck drops.’ The commentators talk a lot during game play, too. It isn’t like tennis, where there’s total hush while a point is being played and the commentators have to wait for a break before discussing the match.

It’s also noisy in other ways. Music blasting between points. The occasional shout heard from a player or coach or fan. I pick up the name Pastrnak and figure this is who Will and his father were talking about earlier.

At some point, Will’s mother wanders in and joins in the conversation from the armchair.

Then the kids come in and shout at the TV. They seem to understand the rules far better than I do.

Will leans over from time to time to explain things to me.

“You never seen a hockey game before, Priestley?” his father asks.

“I follow the scores, I’ve just never watched a full game.”

“What do you follow the scores for?”

“So he can suck up to business associates on the golf course.”

Ally giggles. “Stop flirting, Will.”

“I am not flirting.” For the first time since we’ve been here, I see him rattled. The smirk has dropped and his cheeks look a little pink.

“You’ve totally been teasing each other all night,” Ally says.

“Yes, William. Stop teasing me.”

I share a conspiratorial smile with Ally and she winks at me. She actually winks at me. Am I in on a joke? There’s a first time for everything.

Will elbows me. “That’s your last William. I hope you enjoyed it.”

“I did, thank you.”

I catch Will’s mother glancing over at us with a sly smile. My stomach flips. Does she want her son to be flirting with me? Do I? Definitely not.