Page 11 of A Scoring Chance

“That’s the point, silly. He doesn’t.”

Wait. That can’t be right. Cooper Hendrix is… well, Cooper Hendrix, the ultra-famous professional hockey player. If the turnout for practice today is anything to go by, he’s also kind of a big deal. He could have any woman he wants; women are probably throwing themselves at him left and right. There has to be another reason.

“Is he gay?” I blurt out before slapping my hands over my mouth.

There’s nothing wrong with being gay, bisexual, or anything else that isn’t the stereotypical relationship, but that has to be the reason, right? I’m not a bad-looking girl by any means, but things like this don’t happen to me. Ever. I’m the friend who blends into the background and hypes you up when we go out. The eternal wing woman. I know this about myself, and I’m fine with it. Well, at least that’s what I tell myself every time acute guy asks me if they have a chance with Alise or if I’d slip them her number. There’s no reason for me to think differently now. Unless I focus on the fact that Alise and Cooper have been friends since birth and that he didn’t take his eyes off me once.Nope. Nope, brain, we aren't going there.

“Nope,” Alise answers with conviction before leading me toward some empty seats and forcing me to take a seat. “When are you going to see yourself clearly, Ramona?”

“I do. That’s why this is freaking impossible. A man that looks like that can have anyone he wants, male or female. Why the hell would he want someone like me?”

“You’re a beautiful, smart, caring, loyal woman that any man would be lucky to have.” She places both of her hands on my shoulders and turns me toward her. “Why is it so hard for you to believe he could have the hots for you?”

“Because she has common sense, unlike you,” Annamarie sneers, her minions flanking her on either side.

“Fuck all the way off, Annamarie.” Alise releases my shoulders and turns toward them. “What are you even doing here anyway? Your son is on the under-fourteen team.”

“Not that it’s any of your business, but Coach James was running practice for both teams today.”

“Fair enough, but that’s not the point. No one was talking to you or about you. Why don’t you go terrorize a toddler or something?”

“That might be the case, but you both know it’s true. Ramona is just being realistic. Cooper deserves someone he can show off to the world. Who will shine brightly when on his arm, not some ranch hand slash bartender whose only crowning achievement is knowing how to rope a calf in under seven seconds.”

“Still bitter about me beating your record? Green really isn’t your color, Annamarie.”

I was trying to point out the fact that jealousy really doesn’t look good on Annamarie, but she’s also wearing a scoop-neck emerald green sweater under a white puffy vest, both of which probably cost more than I make in a month. She has zipped the vest up just enough to ensure her tits are spilling out of the top. Her red hair hangs in loose waves around her shoulders, perfectly placed to frame her face. She finished the outfit with a pair of black leggings tucked into a pair of tan-colored Uggs. At least she is dressed appropriately for the frigid temperatures, but I have a feeling she is here to impress someone rather than wanting to watch peewee hockey practice.

Her minions immediately come to her rescue, as always, completely oblivious to the real sentiment behind what I said to their leader. “I think you look amazing, Annamarie.”

Michelle Nguyen steps in first, putting herself directly between us and Annamarie as if we were going to do something to either of them. Don’t get me wrong, Alise and I both love a verbal sparring match like everyone else, but we won’t do something stupid. Her copper-colored hair is pulled into the perfect stylish bun on the top of her head, a few stray pieces hanging loosely around her face. She has on an oversized high-neck sweater dress falling just short of covering her black boots.

Michelle and I aren’t friends, per se. We more or less tolerate each other. It’s not like anything ever happened between us, but our two closest friends despising each other made it almost impossible for us to be anything more than cordial to each other when we were in high school. Since then, we just wave politely to each other in passing on the street. That is, unless she’s with Annamarie, and then she pretends like no one exists but her.

Cordelia Jones, Annamarie’s other minion, is what people affectionately call a dumb blonde. I don’t think she has ever had an original thought since I’ve lived in Redwood Falls, choosing to use her good looks and family name to get ahead in the world.My eyes narrow as I notice she is wearing almost the exact same thing as Annamarie; the only difference is she’s wearing a black puffer vest, leggings, and boots. Her bleach-blonde hair is pulled back into a perfect ponytail with a matching green bow wrapped around it. What the hell did these three do? Coordinating your outfits to attend hockey practice is a little much, even for them.

She hated me the minute I stepped foot into homeroom freshman year, and the feeling was mutual. There are some people in the world that you just immediately dislike, but that’s not the case with Cordelia. There’s no nice way to say it, but she’s a stuck-up bitch that needs her ass beat immediately.

“People of her...” Her words trail off slightly as her eyes scan my form with disgust. “Stature need to remember their place. The only reason Cooper is giving her the time of day is charity. Her favorite accessory is hay, for goodness’ sake.” Cordelia reaches over and plucks a piece of hay from my locs, holding it out for me to take, but I don’t move a muscle.

Alise leaps forward, ready to claw her eyes out, but I grab her arm. All it takes is a small shake of my head to get her to sit back down. We both know exactly what she meant by that dig, and it’s nothing new for her. We may live in a relatively progressive small town, but there are still some people who believe in their hearts they’re better. That they are superior to others because of the color of their skin or the amount of money in their bank account. If I reacted every time someone told me I was surprisingly articulate or that I didn’t need to be so angry all the time, I’d be in jail for the rest of my life. This isn’t something new for me, but that doesn’t make it okay in the slightest.

“Not all of us have perfected the basic white-girl fit like you three.” Alise makes a show of proving her point by motioning toward their outfits. “Oh, wait, where's your PSL? No fit is complete without a PSL, am I right?”

“Now whose color isn’t green?” Annamarie giggles before her entire demeanor changes. “I was just trying to give you a warning. As a friend, you know, girl to girl.”

She plasters on a saccharine smile as she leans over, grabbing my hand in hers. “Cooper Hendrix and I are a done deal. I don’t want you to get hurt pining after someone out of your league.” She gives my hand a final squeeze before heading toward the rink exit, no doubt wanting to pounce on Cooper the moment he steps off the ice for the parent meeting.

“Nope. Don’t even start. I can see the wheels turning in your head. Cooper would rather cut off his dick than go anywhere near Annamarie Sutton. That’s something I know for a fact.”

“What? I didn’t even say anything,” I respond, my eyes focused directly in front of me.

“You didn’t need to. I’m your best friend and always know what you’re thinking.” Alise bumps my shoulder with hers. “Just don’t knock yourself out of the race before it even starts, okay? The only reason she came over here and said anything is because she’s afraid.”

“Annamarie. Afraid of me?” I guffaw, causing everyone to turn in my direction. Shit. Like I need another reason to bring attention to myself, especially now.

“Yes. When someone feels threatened, they attack. That was an attack, and you know it.”

Alise is right, but there’s no way in hell I’m going to tell her that. I make a habit of blending into the background, not wanting to rock the boat in any way—that’s more Alise’s speed than mine. Annamarie had to have noticed Cooper’s and my interaction and wanted to make her intention known.

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