Page 21 of The Tape Job
“Didn’t look like nothing.”
“Drop it, Ryan.”
“Fine,” he snaps. “Decided what you’re going to do with your life after hockey, then?”
“Christ, will you quit it?”
I swear to God he’s just set on pissing me off now. I told him last night that I was going to come up with a plan about my future, but unfortunately for me, Vicky has taken over my every waking thought.
“I’m just asking,” he shrugs, but I’ve heard enough, heading to the showers before he can quiz me further.
I know what he’s doing. He’s trying to get me in a state of flux where I have no other option but to carry on playing, but I’m so damn wound up right now I can’t think straight.
The shower room is loud from singing and chit-chat. There’s no space to think. I need to relieve the tension that’s building up inside me, but that’ll have to wait until I get home, so I make quick work of getting myself washed before heading back to the dressing room.
There’s a small knock on the door just as I’m putting my shirt on, and Ffordey, our starting goalie, heads over and pulls it open a crack, enough to stick his head out. He peers outside and I can hear Vicky.
“I need to see Liam and Matt,” she says to him. He glances back, checking the state of dress everyone is in, then nods for her to enter.
“Hey guys, could you come up to the media room when you’re done here, please? The GM wants me to do a quick meet and greet thing with you both. And I need to find some time to photograph your cubby, Matt.”
“No problem,” Matt grins at her, and it pisses me off.
Vicky says she’ll see us soon before turning to leave. This is exactly what I don’t need, but I finish getting ready and take Matt’s lead.
“How’s it going?” I say, before asking him about his career so far.
He’s frosty at first, but then once he starts talking about himself, he doesn’t shut up. I let him ramble on.
“Look, the other guys may be pissed at you for whatever reason, but I speak as I find. So unless I’ve got reason to be chippy, I won’t be.”
I don’t think he’s expecting this. His eyes widen slightly, but we don’t speak to each other again.
It doesn’t take me long to form an opinion of him, though.
“Hey Vicky, you’re looking beautiful today,” he grins at her as we walk into the media room. Who knew a sentence could take me from zero to a hundred?
Her face breaks out in a grin aimed at Matt. “Thanks!”
Vicky indicates for us to sit down. There are two chairs set up in front of the white screen. Matt takes the chair closest to Vicky, and jealousy courses through me quicker than I could have ever expected. Even though this is all my making, I’m pissed.
“Sorry to drag you up here. I’m sure you just want to get going,” she says. “Hope the guys are helping you to settle in, Matt.” She flashes him a grin.
“Fine, thanks. I’ve only just met most of the team, but everyone’s been welcoming so far. Happy to help with the PR and social media stuff anytime you need. Just giveme a shout.”
I said I speak as I find, and I find this guy to be a fucking douche.
“I won’t keep you long,” she says. “Lee, can you sit down, please?” She nods towards the empty chair next to Matt and I slump down, turning my cap backwards and then forwards again before taking it off entirely.
I watch as she moves around the room. She stands behind the tripod in front of our chairs and peers into the viewfinder.
“Big smiles!” she says, pressing the shutter release button a few times. We’ve both done this a million times before, so it doesn’t take Vicky long to check she’s got a shot she can work with before sitting down herself.
“So, Matt. What’s it like joining a team full of guys you’ve spent a long time playing against?”
He gives some bullshit answer that I tune out. She follows up with a question to me about how I’m feeling about playing with my brother and Johnny.
“I guess it’s a vast difference from what you’re used to,” she says, but I’m not paying attention; I’m watching her perfect lips instead.
