Page 23 of The Import Slot
“I’ve told Jen what I think,” he scowls at Becca.
They bicker back and forth for a bit, and I stand on the sidelines, awkwardly debating whether I should leave, but Johnny catches my eye and comes over to say hello. His hair is still damp from his shower and a crowd by the air hockey table is ogling him. With fairness to Johnny; he’s good-looking and carries himself well, but I’ve never seen him so much as flirt with anyone. He reminds me of Ryan. His focus is on his game and for Johnny, his team. The guys are like his nest of chicks that he’s set on protecting at any cost.
“What’s new, Jen?” he asks.
“Losing my job, my home, and the will to live. Otherwise, not a lot,” I say, trying to sound airy. Johnny asks about my job, and I fill him in.
“I think Vicky may be looking for a roommate soon,” he says.
“Oh, thanks. I’ll keep that in mind if I don’t land a new job quickly.
“If I can help, just ask.”
I say jokingly, “If you could write me a cheque for a million pounds, let me know.”
Johnny laughs as Ryan steps into the conversation.
“Who needs a million pounds?” Ryan asks.
“I was joking,” I say. Embarrassingly for me, he probably could issue a cheque for that amount of money and not have it bounce.
“Vicky’s looking for you bud,” Ryan says, slapping Johnny on the shoulder.
“Really? Where is she?”
“Somewhere over there.” Ryan nods toward the main doors, and Johnny heads off. He leans into me as soon as Johnny’s out of earshot.
“Vicky wasn’t really looking for him. I just wanted to get you alone.”
“That sounds creepy,” I laugh.
He snickers. “I wondered if I’d blown it? I didn’t hear back from you the other night.”
“Oh, that. It just took me by surprise, that’s all.” I can hardly tell him that I had to relieve my sexual frustration.
He’s looking at me now, and as soon as I risk meeting his eyes with mine, I know I’m in trouble.
“Jen?” he asks, and my head snaps up so our eyes lock and he leans in.
“Jen! There you are,” Becca says, bumping my shoulder.
“Yes, here I am. I haven’t moved,” I say. Danny is doing shots with Hutch, and by the smell of it, Becca has been too. I introduce her to Ryan before she talks again.
“Danny has the best idea ever. He thinks we should go into town!” By town, she means the city, and she means a bar, or worse, a club but I’m not feeling it tonight. “I’m good, thanks,” I say. “I’m going to head off soon, anyway.”
“You’re coming though, right, Ryan?” Becca says.
“Nah, not for me tonight, thanks,” he gives Becca a quick smile before locking eyes with me again.
That should be my cue to leave, but I’m still in the bar hours later, just me and Ryan. The place is empty now. My face hurts from grinning so much and my lungs hurt from laughing. I don’t recall the last time I was this happy.
Ryan has his phone out, and I’m leaning in to see the screen while he’s flicking through photos of his place back in Winnipeg.
“I’m thinking of selling it,” he says, just as the bartender comes over and clears his throat. He’s giving us ‘the look’ before heading back to the wash area to clear away the last of the glasses.
Ryan excuses himself and walks over to talk to him, whispering back and forth. They both nod and then the bartender grabs his coat and leaves.
“Beer?” Ryan says, walking behind the bar and grabbing a fresh glass.
