Page 13 of The Import Slot
“There’s a bit more to it than that,” Ryan explains, but Danny waves him off.
“Perhaps we may actually win something this year, Danny,” I wink playfully.
“Fuck off, Jen!” Danny jests.
Ryan’s about to say something when Johnny calls for his attention, and he excuses himself.
“I’m really excited, Jen! I’m dying to find out why he’d leave the Jets, though he’s not said much about it yet. I get the idea that he likes to keep himself to himself. Oh, by the way–”
Coach Adams interrupts with a shout. “Owens! We don’t pay you to stand around and fucking chit-chat.” He gives me a friendly wave from the ice, and Danny skates away sheepishly.
I make to turn away, but see Ryan skating back over.
“So, do you come here often?” he grins.
I can’t help but giggle. “I do.”
“Oh, yeah?”
“Completely unrelated, but when I saw you yesterday, I thought I recognised you. That’s why I, uh, kept looking at you,” I lie. I don’t want him to think I’m weird.
“Oh really? Are you a fan?” he beams at me.
“Definitely not a fan.” I keep the same playful edge to my voice.
“Ah yeah, a Senators fan. I remember. That’s fixable—don’t worry.” He winks, which gives me tingles all over. “So, what are you up to?” he nods to my skates.
“That’s funny. I was about to ask you the same thing. What made you leave the NHL for this?”
“It’s a long story,” he says, “maybe one for a chat over coffee?”
“Oh yeah, that sounds good.”
The offer surprises me, but I can still see him eyeing my skates, so I fill him in. “My uncle coaches the junior team, and I help him out sometimes with skating drills. You know, setting up on the ice and stuff.”
He nods along when I talk. “Sounds good. I’m always keen to see what skills the kids have these days. Mind if I stick around to watch?”
I nod, but suddenly feeling self-conscious that he’ll actually see me skating. Compared to him, I probably look like Bambi on ice.
“How’re things with Nathan? Has he given up the season ticket chase yet?” Danny skates back over, and I remember he wasn’t listening the other day. Why, oh why, did he have to bring him up now?
“I still need to sort it, but there’s no more allocation, and he’s hoping he can have my seat for his new girlfriend.”
“Fuck, that was fast.” Danny gives me a sympathetic look.
“I’m not bothered,” I carry on, “if I can sort another seat out, he can crack on.” Hutch, a linemate of Danny’s, skates over, waving. I’ve only known Hutch a couple of years because he’s been friendly with Danny since joining the team, and we get on well too.
“Dude’s a loser, anyway. Who doesn’t like blowjobs?” Danny fumes.
“Who doesn’t like blowjobs?” Hutch asks, screwing his face up.
“Jen’s ex. That Nathan fella,” Danny says.
“Is he broken?” Hutch asks.
“Fella’s an idiot,” Danny says.
“Right. Can we stop talking about Nathan now, please? And blowjobs.” I’m bright red at this point. “I’m sorry you have to hear this,” I direct at Ryan, my face radiating heat.
