Page 83 of The Import Slot
She’s hovering outside the dressing room, a smile plastered on her face, with one of those tiny microphones plugged into her phone.
“Jen, hold this sign up, and as the guys pass by for warm-ups, they can answer the question.” She thrusts a small marker board into my hands, and I flip it over to read it; I cringe at the question she’s written.
“You can’t ask this!” I say.
‘Would you give up hockey for a woman?’
“No, it’s fine.” It’s specific. That’s what it is, but definitely not fine.
“Is this to do with Johnny?” I ask.
“Is what to do with Johnny?” Johnny himself says as he leads out the guys, Ryan on his tail.
They’re dressed for warm-ups, and music blasts out of the dressing room. I can see Hutch and Scottsy doing some sort of dance on their skates.
“Oh, you’re probably right,” she says, reaching for the board, but Johnny makes a grab for it, Ryan leaning in to read it.
“She’s changing it,” I reassure them, reaching for the board.
“I’m happy to answer that one.” Bettsy pushes past, glancing at the board just before Vicky scribbles out the writing. She jots down‘What’s your favourite hockey movie?’instead.
“Aw, come on. I’d give up hockey for you, Vicky,” Bettsy winks, but she doesn’t acknowledge him.
Johnny glares at him, and Bettsy pretends that someone has called him, turning back to join the line of waiting guys.
“Vicky. Enough,” says Johnny. “This whole thing is ridiculous. I get it. You’re still in love with Liam.”
“Who’s Liam?” someone says from behind Ryan.
“Preston’s twin brother,” Danny replies, twirling his stick around.
“I fail to see what this has to do with the game we’re about to play in thirty minutes.” Coach Adams pushes his way forward. “Thank you, ladies. Please find your seats.”
“But—” Vicky starts, but I pull her hand, leading her away from the tunnels.
“What has gotten into you?” I ask her.
“Johnathan Koenig being a complete and utter douche, as usual,” she says. “He thinks he’s the only one with a sense about anything. He doesn’t want anyone else to be happy. I can see why Sarah left him.”
“Is this about last night?” I ask.
“I needed my brother to be my brother last night, but instead of him listening, he just tried to lecture me.”
“Well, that’s not his fault. It would help if you read ‘Men are from Mars’. Men think differently; it’s a proven fact. He’s trying to provide a solution, but you just wanted to be heard.”
“Whose side are you on?” Vicky scowls at me.
I sigh. I don’t want to take sides at all.
“I should have pried you away from lover boy,” Vicky says as we find our seats and sit down.
I feel for her. She’s only really got Johnny here, and her only other friend, apart from me, has moved back to Canada, so maybe she feels lonely.
Shit. That’s what Ryan was getting at. I’ll be all alone in Canada. No family, no friends, just him, and he’ll be gone a huge chunk of the time. Fuck.
“Ryan asked me to go back to Canada with him,” I say, unsure if she’s still keen to discuss her woes, but I can’t help myself.
“What did you say?” she smiles at me, her mood shifting.
