Page 46 of Big Man on Campus

“It doesn’t matter because Kace is mine, no matter what you think. You’re only a friend to him and that’s all you’ll ever be no no matter what charade we’re playing.”

I feel mean saying the words, but I have to because I know she wants to play the charade for all it’s worth to try and win him back. But I know she never had him. I also know she won’t say anything about me to his parents because she doesn’t want to hurt him.

“I feel sorry for you,” she says again. That’s all she has left to say. Empathy wells up in me, and pity.

“Not as sorry as I feel for you, Phoebe.” I touch her arm and feel the pity down to my bones because her heart is going to get broken all over again. “I’m sorry I dragged you into this. Truly.”

She looks so puzzled because she knows I mean what I say. Emotions fly across her face as she realizes where I’m coming from and she pulls her arm from me like my hand is a hot iron.

Chapter 12

Kace

After the game I come off the ice and Dooley rushes to me like a mad man with his hair on fire. Beyond him I see my father and his wife Tamara are waiting in the corridor and shit. My mom and aunt Theresa are in the same vicinity with media and other friends and family. Fuck. Finally losing myself in the game, I forgot all about the post-game family drama. I’m surprised mom stayed after I warned her about dad. I forgot about her competitive nature.

I don’t know how I could forget because it’s the best thing I inherited from her.

“KJ, slow down I need a word,” Dooley says breathless while the other guys walk by us and give us looks. I glare back in warning, stopping any commentary they might have. There are a few sports media types waiting to talk to me.

“Make it fast. What’s up?”

“Phoebe is posing as your girlfriend because your dad’s wife insisted you all go to dinner and Glory needed to diffuse the situation.”

“What the—”

“Don’t question it. Just go along with it. Trust me.” He pats me on the back. “Great game by the way. Fuckingtastic goal.” He turns and scampers back through the crowd and I’m left with a sickening ball of lead in my gut like I ate a barrel of oatmeal. What did Glory do? What Dooley says makes no sense. Why would he invite my girlfriend to dinner after the game? As far as he knows, I have no girlfriend. Something went wrong. Shit.

Whatever it is, it’s my fault, not Glory’s, because I made her keep our relationship a secret from my parents, refusing to acknowledge her. Now no doubt she’s trying to protect me. But Phoebe posing as my girlfriend? Going to dinner? That’s not fucking happening.

One of the sports reporters for a national syndicate, who sometimes gets picked up by Bar Stool Sports and Hockey News, waves me over.

“Kace, great game. How does it feel to start your senior year? I’m surprised you didn’t enter the draft last spring and skip out on us?”

“Hey there, Harry. How you doing? Wouldn’t miss senior year and a chance at the Frozen Four championship.”

“So, you think you have a shot at a serious run?”

“Always, but especially this year. Our team is bonkers. We have the talent and the drive.”

“Congratulation on being team captain and on getting the winning goal. Talk about it.”

I go on and give him an earful because I love replaying the game, but also because I’m stalling. I can feel my dad’s eyes on me from where he is. Feel the weight of my lie to him about Glory.

Once I finish with Harry, I field a few other questions before making a direct run for the locker room door. It used to be the press waited until after we changed into street clothes. But tonight, someone decided on a media free-for-all and let them at it. But once I get into the locker room with the team, the smell of sweaty bodies and rancid leather gloves and pads, the distinct smell of hockey, I breathe it in gratefully, feeling like I’m coming home to my sanctuary, the place that’s most comfortable, exciting and relaxing. Except for maybe my bed when Glory’s in it with me.

“Hey, here he is, MVP of the game, our captain,” Fitz shouts above the fray and someone throws a glove at me. I catch it and throw it back in the general vicinity where it came from.

“This team sucks,” I shout with a grin. The room goes into raucous hoots and yells with the euphoria of the guys creating the kind of energy that spreads and feeds itself until I feel like I could leap up and touch the moon.

Soaking in the excitement, I take my time to dress and it takes a while for the adrenaline to settle, leaving me in a cloud of tired well-being by the time I get out of the shower and into my street clothes. Fitz sits on the bench next to me.

“What was that crazy Dooley all about earlier?” I know it’s not an innocent question because he knows something is up with me and my parents. I haven’t told him. Haven’t told anyone and I wonder what the fuck Glory told Dooley? What the fuck she told Phoebe? I turn to him. He’s my best friend right now with Ben not around. I owe him something.

“It’s a long story. Not something I can get into in a crowded locker room.” He nods and I sigh.

“It has to do with Glory, right?” I hear the note of disgust in his voice and my chest tightens. This is so not the time to get into this discussion.

“Later, Fitz. We’ll talk later. But for now, you’ll have to trust me. My parents think Phoebe is my girlfriend and I’m going to let them. Go along with it.”