Page 4 of Off The Ice
“No?”
“Yes, you do. Remember? You always say her boyfriend sounds like a tool?”
“Oh,her?” I asked. “The girl whose boyfriend left her at the concert, and she had to Uber back from, like, four hours away?”
I knew who Maggie was talking about, all right. I’d never met the girl, but my sister had told me stories. Mostly ones revolving around the recurring theme of the boyfriend being an asshole.
I’d always been slightly amused and halfway convinced Maggie was exaggerating, if not flat-out, making the stories up. Because really, who could bethatbig of a dick? I always asked why the girl didn’t just get rid of the guy, but Maggie would shrug and just say her friend couldn’t see it.
“Yes, exactly.” Maggie nodded. “And you were right. The guy is a major tool. So, I’m sure it won’t surprise you to hear that he dumped her over the phone while she was at work. Oh, and then texted suggesting she find somewhere else to stay.”
“Oh, that blows.”
Brody winced in the background, apparently eavesdropping on our conversation.
“Right?” She nodded along with him, clearly pleased by the solidarity.
“Like I said.” Brody looked at me smugly. “Girls love dickheads.”
“What?” Maggie’s face contorted in confusion.
“Nothing,” he said, face flaming. “Forget I said anything.”
“Mags, are you seriously telling me you came all the way to the rink just to tell me a story about your friend’s shitty boyfriend?” I cut into their conversation, trying to figure out the point of this surprise visit.
“Ex-boyfriend.” She frowned. “Weren’t you listening?”
“Yes, but I don’t understand what the point is?”
“Well, you just have so much space in your condo…” Her voice trailed off. “A whole spare room and everything.”
Realization washed over me. “What the fuck, Mags? No.”
Her face fell, “Don’t say that, Liam. She really needs some help.”
“Well, I’m sure she can go literally anywhere else in the world for help. Doesn’t she have family?”
“Not really,” Maggie said. “I mean, she has her mom, but it’s not really an option to stay with her.”
“A hotel, then!”
“Liam! Not everyone is as rich as you. Do you have any idea how expensive it would be to stay long-term in a hotel?”
“Doyouhave any idea how annoying it would be to have some random girlliving in my houselong term?” I enunciate eachword to try and get the point across. “Besides, she’d probably spend her time prying around, trying to find some secret of mine to sell to the media.”
“She’s not like that!” Maggie scoffed, insulted on behalf of her friend. “She doesn’t even know who you are. She’s not into sports, like at all.”
I grunted.
“Really! I’ve invited her to come to your games with me loads of times, but she’s never wanted to.”
“Still, she doesn’t have to be a hockey fan to know she could make good money by running to the press with news about an NHL player.”
“Are you serious, Liam? Don’t you trust me at all?” She looked wounded.
“I trust you,” I confirmed, “but not some random girl I’ve never met. I mean, come on, Mags. This is a lot to ask.”
“I know it is, Liam.” She sighed. “But it’s not for long. One month. Two tops. She just needs a little time to find her footing. Just a bit of breathing room. I’m sure you, of all people, can understand that.”
