Page 12 of Forecasting the Forward

Gabe looks over at me and winks. He loves antagonizing Grant.

“Asshole, did you just lick me? Fucking disgusting,” Grant says as he whips his hand away from Gabe’s mouth.

“Serves you right. Learn your lesson, dipshit. Besides, you’ve told all of us all kinds of stories about your ex. What’s her name again?” Gabe asks.

Grant points a finger at Gabe menacingly. “Don’t you say another word.” Turning quickly, Grant stomps out of the gym.

“Well, that escalated quickly,” I murmur.

“He’s a ticking time bomb. Whatever happened with his ex really fucked him up. I’m determined to break him so he’ll talkto me,” Gabe says quietly. “He’s got a different puck bunny every night, and I think he’s drinking again. I’ve gotta get through to him.”

Grant had a long-term girlfriend that seemed to be his endgame. Suddenly, she disappeared, and Grant’s personality shifted. He’d been sober for years, after feeling like he was developing a problem in his early years in the NHL. For Gabe to suggest Grant may be drinking again is a huge concern.

“I’m glad you said something,” Levi pipes up. “I thought I saw him with a bourbon a few weeks ago. We met for dinner, and he was there when I arrived. As soon as he saw me, he pushed the glass away. I didn’t bring it up, because I figured it was all in my head.”

“Now we know, so we can keep an eye on him, right?” I say, watching as my two friends nod. “Camp starts soon, and then the season. We’ll be around him a ton, and we can make sure he steers clear of alcohol.”

I just hope we’re enough to keep him away from his demons.

“Thanks for doing this, man,”Levi says as he slaps me on the shoulder. I agreed to some kind of group date, and I’m only going because Levi is the one who needs help. He’s a complete bruiser on the ice, but in person, he’s quiet and introverted. I may choose to stay silent, mostly because I don’t want to play all the stupid dating games, but Levi has a general fear of communication.

“Who are we meeting again?” I ask as we walk toward the bar at a large restaurant in central Denver.

“My friend Danica and one of her friends,” he answers.

“And you like this Danica person?”

Levi sighs. “I don’t know. Maybe. She’s pretty, and she seems like she has a nice personality, but something is … off. And I can’t put my finger on it.”

“So am I here to watch her, pump you up, flirt with her, or what?”

His eyes widen. “Shit, no. Don’t flirt with her. Maybe just tell me later what your first impression is. She told me she has a friend who would be perfect for you.”

“How the fuck would she know that? I would remember a name like Danica. Pretty sure I’ve never met her.”

“Maybe just from social media? Anyway, just tell me what you think of her.”

“Alright. I can do that.”

The server comes to tell us our table is ready, and I take the seat with my back to the entrance. I want to watchhisface when she arrives. I see the moment the ladies arrive, because his eyes dim slightly. I study Levi, and notice no positive reactions to this woman. That can’t be good.

“Hey, Levi,” a woman gushes as we both stand up. “Oh, and hi toyou. I’m Danica.”

I’m fucked, because I see Danica’s eyes looking at me. Not Levi.

Three reasons why this is the worst case scenario of monumental proportions.

First, I realize Danica possibly set Levi up so she could actually meet me.

Secondly, she very clearly has crazy eyes.

But most importantly, her friend is someone I’d much rather get to know.

Her friend is Becca.

“You can’t be serious,” Becca says with a glare. The lowlight in the bar makes her chestnut locks appear darker, but I can still see the animosity deep in her eyes. I put up my hands in surrender.

“I swear, this was not me. I didn’t know anything. I’m just here to support my buddy.” I look over to Levi, hoping he’ll back me up, and I breathe a sigh of relief when he nods emphatically.

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