Page 106 of Friendzone Hockey
Dash trips over himself and the controller he’s dropped, climbing off the bed. “Yeah, I’ll come.” We don’t send Dash alone on errands either, not if we actually want what’s on the list, but he’s great company.
“Thanks for checking to see if you could dip on our plans, jackass.”
“It’s video games, Dirk. We need food, and it’s not fair that Stacey always has to go on his own.”
“That’s never happened in his life, not with you around,” Dirk says.
“You’re welcome to come, Dirk-y,” I say.
“Noooo thank you. Dash, get your ass back here when you’re done. I’ll put our plans on pause, but I’m not canceling them.”
“Yeah.”
Dash takes his hat from my head and puts it on. He frowns. “Who has yours?”
“Not sure. Maybe Jack?”
“I’ll get it from him.”
“He’s gone.”
He twists his lips. “I’ll get it back later. Where to?”
Grocery shopping isn’t the most romantic of places, but he’s comfortable doing it. Dash turns into a chatterbox at the side of the cart—I love seeing it. It’s a bit of a selfish venture, maybe, but it relaxes me. I don’t think Dash understands how much him being him is my ultimate source of contentment.
He’s done it for me so much over the years without realizing he’s doing it. Like when he “helped” me pack for my first hockey season, or when he stayed near me while I was grieving Coach. Even simple things like organizing all of Mom’s belongings so that I didn’t have to, mean a lot and stay with me forever.
It’s official. There isn’t a Stacey without Dash.
Dash rests a hand on the side of the cart, babbling away as I select items and add them to our growing bounty. When I pause to ponder over the best selection of meat, he takes the opportunity to peruse the shelves.
“Do we have enough money for this?” He holds up a package of bacon. I haven’t been buying it because of Coach Meyers’s rules. They’ve saved us a lot of money. Bacon’s gone up in price. Used to be seven or eight dollars a package, now you’re lucky to find it for under fifteen.
“You know that’s a forbidden item.”
“Yeah, but the team’s been seeing what we can get away with while Jack distracts Mercy, and I’m craving a BLT like you wouldn’t believe.Man.On an everything bagel, with creamcheese—oh! Can we get cream cheese? And the crispy lettuce, it’s gotta be crispy lettuce. Do we have enough money for all that?”
As if I’m saying no to any of his wishes. Screw the rules. If we get caught, I’ll take full blame.
“We have the money, and we should get those tomatoes still on the vine. Can’t have a truly epic BLT without properly ripened tomatoes.”
Dash helps me load everything in the car. Our arms brush and my favorite tingles erupt, making the hairs stand on end. With all the touching we do, you’d think that would have worn off by now.
Am I a dreamer for thinking he feels it, too? He jumps. It sparks a smile. My cheeks heat.
“Um, sorry,” I say. Don’t ask me why. I’ve never apologized for brushing arms with Dash in my life. But something’s different.
My intentions are different.
It’s a replay of the first day I saw him and walked into a wall. My tongue won’t cooperate. It won’t ask him what I want to ask him.
You can do this Alderchuck.
“What are you doing later?”
He rolls his eyes. “Video games with Dirk, apparently. All he’s been doing lately is playing video games, have you noticed that?”
I don’t notice much other than Dash these days. Should I say that? Can I say that? “Maybe he’s missing you. You two used tohang out a lot more than you do now.” Because of me, I don’t add. Dash spends a lot of time with me.
