Page 10 of Hard to Get

“Sorry to hear that.”

“No big deal. Business stuff.” She waves a hand. “Now I know who you are… how’s training camp going?”

“We’re done. Last exhibition game is tonight.”

“When’s the season opener?”

“Thursday next week. But I think you know that.”

“Um… yeah. So I guess you made the team.”

I can see she’s teasing. I mean, nobody’s guaranteed a spot on the roster, but I’ve been with the Orcas or their farm team since I was drafted seven years ago, so I was pretty sure I was okay. “Well, they still have to cut a few more players. Who knows.”

“I think you’re safe.”

“Whew.”

She laughs.

There’s a floundering pause. Finally, I say, “I still think it’s hilarious how much alike our dogs look.”

“Right? We better be careful we don’t get them mixed up and take the wrong one.”

Now I laugh. “We’d realize it soon enough, when they stopped to pee.”

“Haha. True!”

“Also, I think I’d notice that collar.” Betty’s collar is bright pink with red strawberries and a cute bow. I check my watch. “Damn, I have to go. Frank! Frank, come!”

Frank’s not always obedient, but tonight, he is and he comes running. I give him a little treat out of my pocket. “Can I give Betty a treat?”

“Oh. Sure.”

Betty gently takes the dog cookie from my hand and crunches it.

“Attaboy. Okay, Frank we gotta roll, my man.”

“Plans tonight?” Stella says.

My hands pause in the act of fastening Frank’s leash. Why is she asking? Is she making small talk or… shit. “Yeah, I do.” Do I sound apologetic? I face her, wishing I could ditch my teammates and tell her no, I’m as free as that seagull flying above us. “I warned Frank we’d have to be quick tonight. Have fun, Betty. Sorry to take your new buddy away.”

“Bye.” Stella’s smile is cheerful. “You have fun, too.”

Yeah, she was just making small talk. Dammit.

I’m as salty as a stadium pretzel as we leave the park to go home. I’d rather stay and talk to Stella. Maybe make a fool of myself asking her out again.

Nah. This is for the best. She is way out of my league and anyway, I’m not looking for a relationship. Not right now. Maybe someday.

I get home to my condo in a nearby high-rise only a few minutes before LG arrives: Laurent Gagné, new team captain and my best buddy on the team. We’ve both been playing for the Orcas for a few years, so we’re two of the few who’ve seen this team win. It’s been hard on both of us to live through this epic slump.

He comes in with a bottle of tequila and a shopping bag that appears to be full of food.

Frank greets him enthusiastically, spinning on his skinny legs. LG bends down to give him some attention, which he loves, then straightens. “Got the good stuff.” He holds up the bottle.

Frank does a couple of laps around my condo.

“Training camp’s done but we still have to practice,” I remind him.