Page 69 of Body Checked By the Defenseman

Luc moves into hug Ruby. “Thanks, I appreciate that.” He lingers.

“Okay, bro, hands off,” I growl.

He laughs and moves back. I take a seat with Ruby and Luc sits across the aisle from us.

“We can’t talk now. I don’t want to be judged,” he says as the bus fills up.

“Just substitute certain words for something else,” Ruby encourages. “Like instead of threesome say chocolate sundae.”

“That could work.” He nods. “I really like chocolate sundaes. So much so I don’t like having. . .”

“I know what you’re going to say,” Ruby whispers. “Couples sex. Just call it vanilla ice cream.”

“That could work too. Vanilla is boring,” Luc states.

“Vanilla is not boring,” Ruby argues, and she gives me a smirk.

“Oh yeah, try having a third person in the room. Even someone who is just watching and isn’t involved and see how much hotter it gets,” Luc retorts.

“I don’t like where this is going,” I mutter.

“Seriously though, Mack,” Luc continues.

“Look, bro, I don’t know what to tell you. But I’m having the best sex of my life with Ruby. I think it’s because there are feelings involved.” I want to declare to the whole world how I feel, so sharing this with a close friend seems like no big deal, until the older lady sitting in front of us turns around and gives me a dirty look.

“I don’t have feelings for anyone. I just shared a girl with another. . .damn, I’m stumped. I don’t have a word substitution so I’m going to say it like it is, it was a guy. We didn’t touch each other but the girl, she was going between us, and it was the hottest thing ever, like fuck, it was off the charts.” Luc is clearly excited by his night.

“Bro, at the end of the day you need to do what toots your train,” I tell him, sticking to analogies. I am afraid the older lady may turn around and hit us with her purse or something.

“I agree,” Ruby says. “Do what makes you happy. At the end of the day, no one can tell you what is right for you.”

“Is this somehow circling around to you and Mack?” Luc asks her. “You don’t want your family coming down hard on your choice?”

“Maybe,” Ruby nods. “Although, I think my grandmother and brother will react just fine once they understand Mack makes me happy. At the end of the day, that’s all we can want for the people we love.”

Ruby’s words cause some of my anxiety to ease. She’s right. She knows her family and she knows what she is talking about, so I have nothing to worry about.

We arrive at the bus station in town and take an Uber over to Abuela and Mario’s home.

When the driver pulls up to the house, he can’t get too close because the driveway is full and cars are parked on the road.

“I thought Abuela wasn’t having Mario’s family for the holiday,” I remark, looking at Ruby.

She shrugs. “She told me the same thing. Maybe these people are just here for a dinner or something?”

“I hope so. Thanksgiving was a little crazy with all of Mario’s family there,” I recall.

“And where will I sleep?” Luc asks.

“That’s a good question,” Ruby replies. “They put me on the couch last time.”

“I felt bad about that. I would’ve taken the couch,” I tell her. “But I know Hayden feels like you’re both too old to sleep in the same bed now.”

“I feel the same way,” Ruby says.

“I guess you’ll be sleeping on the floor, or we can go to Walmart and get an air mattress if we need to,” I suggest.

“Guys, we don’t know who the guests are. Just chill,” Ruby insists as she rings the doorbell. She has a key but she also doesn’t want to scare Abuela.

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