Page 98 of The Import Slot

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I flop down in my cubby, pulling my game jersey off, and making a mental note to ask equipment for a new one because this one is looking rough. And, I should get one for Jen.

Several people have filed in now, and we talk amongst ourselves.

“What’s happening with that Rochelle then, Betts?” Hutch asks.

“Matt Rodgers’ girlfriend? Fuck all is happening with her, mate.”

“Oh, she sent me a message on Twitter,” Hutch shrugs.

“You’d do well to keep away,” Bettsy warns.

“Well, she mentioned you weren’t interested in her anymore because you’d turned gay.”

“For fuck’s sake. You don’t just turn gay, do you? I bet it’s her spreading that rumour! I told her to do one because I don’t want Matt Rodgers on our case,” Bettsy rages. “Fuck her. No one is to go there, understand?” Bettsy says to the group. “Now Leah, on the other hand, she’s only got eyes for Prez here, but I figure it’s still worth a shot.” He looks at me, and I swear I can see a hint of jealousy in his eyes, but I’m not interested, and he knows this.

“Does anyone know if Ladies’ Night will have a free bar?” someone asks, but I zone out of the conversation.

I check my phone and see a bunch of messages, but I hone in on the one from Jen.

Telling my dad and brother about Jen and me is probably necessary. It’s been a bit of a whirlwind. I know my dad will freak-the-fuck-out if I introduce him to a girlfriend, let alone one here. He will no doubt remind me I’m supposed to be one hundred per cent focused on hockey. Still, it’s the first time in my life that I’ve thought of something or someone else first when I’ve woken up.

Johnny is the last one to enter the dressing room, and I can tell he’s not happy today.

He paces, purposely avoiding the logo in the centre as he strides. Unhappy Johnny is becoming a regular.

“Vicky’s been monitoring the fan forum, and apparently, everyone is talking about my performance issue a few weeks back. Coach’s speech came up too.”

Oh shit.

A few of us are looking around the room; everyone knows that what happens in the dressing room stays in the dressing room, but if that got out, it means someone has been talking.

Johnny peers around the room. “Has anyone been loose-lipped?”

Danny looks at me and raises his eyebrows. It won’t be Jen, for sure, and I bet he told Becca too, but I reckon she knows better than to post it online.

I glance around the room again, and then Bettsy pipes up. “I may have mentioned it to Rochelle.”

A series of groans emit from various corners of the room.

Johnny glances at him and shakes his head in disbelief.

“What’s the first rule of Fight Club, Betts?”

Every pair of eyes is on Bettsy.

“You don’t talk about—” he starts.

“Exactly. First and last time that happens, mate. Cage of shame for a month,” he says, sitting back down. You can tell Johnny’s been here a while—the way he says ‘mate’. It’s hilarious.

Bettsy doesn’t even try to protest. No one wants to wear a full cage, and I’m not even sure if Johnny can enforce it.

Silence falls over the dressing room, but we reinvigorate the conversation when we head to the ice.

“What the fuck then, Betts? I thought you were done with that Rochelle?” Danny asks him as we wait at the benches for the Zam to finish.

“Didn’t you just tell me you were done with her and to stay clear?” Hutch yells at the same time.

Bettsy’s cheeks flame red. “I know, I’m sorry,” Bettsy says, “I relapsed. It was after that night out. Wasn’t anything really, just a cheeky finger.”