Page 17 of The Game

A dense fog settled over the neighborhood overnight, so I can barely see a foot in front of myself as I push off into an easy jog at my warmup pace. My battered sneakers hit the pavement in a steady rhythm, calming all the thoughts that popped up during our non-date last night. Seems like we both have similar dilemmas. I feel like there’s a solution somewhere in there.

I don’t even look back as another set of footsteps sounds out behind me. They’re traveling at a much faster rhythm that almost pushes me to increase my pace. Damn competitivenature serves me well when I’m playing hockey but is not always necessary in everyday life.

I finally tilt my head when the person attached to the footsteps pulls up beside me, slowing to match my pace. Beau. I’ve never run into him before while I was out jogging. He’s more of a treadmill at the gym kind of guy.

After the pace he was pushing himself at, I’m expecting him to pull ahead, but he doesn’t, and suddenly my solitary run is not so solitary anymore.

“How’s it going?” he finally asks between rapid breaths.

“Good.”

“Come on, man. Gotta give me a little more than that. I dragged my sorry ass out of the house on a Sunday morning to come running with you out here.” He waves a hand in front of him as if the fresh air and sunshine are extremely distasteful.

“Nobody asked you to.”

“I know, but the team is my responsibility now, and you’re part of the team, so guess what?”

My breath puffs out in a cloud as I sigh. “You’re not going to leave me the fuck alone?”

“Ding ding ding. You got it.”

“Awesome.” Now I’ve got a shadow I didn’t ask for, and I sure as shit don’t want.

“To keep you posted. Your ex has been sniffing around the team, trying to get invited to outings. She’s been at Wright’s a few times, and she’s been hanging around a few of the usual bunnies.”

“Too bad for her.” I guess my antisocial tendencies have served their purpose. Funny thing is, I never used to be antisocial. I’ve always been a one-woman guy, but I still went out with the team. Went to parties. I had friends. Last year was kind of lonely until Jackson finally forced his way into my life, but I still didn’t make a habit of hanging out with the team off the ice. After he graduated, I figured I’d be back on my own, but it seems like Beau has decided to worm his way in through the crack left open by Jacks. Must be a captain thing. Not sure he would put this much effort into it if Charlene hadn’t showed up, but here we are.

“Yup. She hasn’t found out much. I told the guys not to give her the time of day,” he huffs out between breaths. “But some of the younger guys are particularly bad at using their higher brains sometimes, so they might do something stupid.”

There’s a satisfying crack when I roll my neck. “Why are you here, Beau?” I know it’s not just to give me an update on my pushy ex.

“It’s a beautiful fall day for a run. Look at all those colors.”

You can’t even see the oranges, reds, and yellows past the ominous layer of fog that surrounds us. “Sure.”

“Fine. I was thinking you should come out with us tonight. We’re going bowling. It’ll be fun. No way your ex will know to follow us there.”

“Bowling?” I look at him. I haven’t been bowling since I was in high school.

“Yeah. Sounds lame, but it’s fun. They serve beer there too. Last time your captain will condone drinking for the rest of the season. Don’t miss out.”

Not that I need a drink to have a good time, but it might make bowling a little more fun. I really should hang out with my team more this year. I’d already resolved to when she showed up and blew all my plans out of the water, turning me back into the hockey hermit.

“Fine.”

He pitches forward, catching himself before he can hit the pavement. “Really?”

“Yeah. I’ll come.”

“Fantastic. Now about the girl thing, there’s this really nice girl in my psych class. You might like her. It might get your ex off your back if you were seen dating.”

Now he’s going too far. The last thing I want is a girlfriend. The seed of an idea that’s been germinating in my brain bursts into a fully grown thought. I don’t want a girlfriend, but it really would be the best solution to my big problem. Keep Charlene’s advances at bay. Stop Beau’s matchmaking schemes in their tracks. I need a girlfriend. Just not a real one. “I’m seeing someone.” I blurt out, my mouth committing me to the plan before my brain can overthink it.

“Really? That’s great, man. Can’t wait to meet her.”

Shit. Shit, shit, shit. Why did I say that? Jazz’s face popped into my head, but who knows if she’ll agree to this? She’s the perfect candidate. I’m pretty sure she’s as uninterested in a real relationship as I am, given her history. And it’llhelp keep her asshole of an ex off her back. Solve both of our problems. But it’s a wild idea that she might not agree to. And then where does that leave me?

“It’s late notice. She’s probably busy, but I’ll ask.”

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