Page 59 of The Tape Job
But he doesn’t look up from his phone. All he does is frown.
“Is it Vicky?” I ask.
“No. But I mean it. Keep away from her. I’ll see you tomorrow.” And he’s gone.
He’s acting like a complete jerk, and I can’t figure out why. The Johnny I know is always so focused, but he’s easily distracted as of late; he hasn’t been this bad since—shit. It hits me like a check to the head. When I joked about him having a secret girlfriend, that’s all it was, a joke. But I’m thinking that it’s not a joke at all. Why he’s being so shady about it though, is anyone’s guess. I find myself trying to think of how long I’ve known Johnny to be single. He ended things with Sarah years ago, and it wasn’t a clean break from what he said. Ultimately, he’s been single since then. Whenhe first moved here, he mentioned having a few flings but never having a girlfriend.
“Come and sit back down, Liam,” Stuart calls. “I was going to ask if Cody could come along to morning skate. I’m sure Coach won’t mind.”
Ignoring Stuart, I head to the maître d’ and hand over my credit card because, moreover, I don’t want anyone saying I’m cheap.
Once I’ve paid, I push open the door and head outside. The cool air hits my face, and I know where I’m heading. I hurry to my car, not even pausing to wince at the decals before getting in.
I try Vicky at least five times on the drive home, but she doesn’t pick up. Then, I contemplate calling Ryan to see if she made it home; but as soon as I pull onto our street, I spot her light on.
I reach the entrance to the parking lot and swipe in before stopping in my usual spot, making a quick exit and heading for the front of the buildings. It has started to rain, so I duck my head to pick up my pace, not seeing anyone standing there until I thud straight into someone.
“Christ, Lee, watch where you’re going!”
Johnny’s standing there in his dress shirt, no jacket, sopping wet—as if he’s been standing out in the rain.
“What are you doing here?” I ask.
And with that, the door to our building swings open and Bettsy comes out.
“I left my fob inside,” Johnny says, pushing past Bettsy and heading for the stairs without so much of a backwards glance.
“Who pissed in his cornflakes?” Bettsy asks, but I shrug and head towards Vicky’s building; I can worry about Johnny later.
Luck is on my side when the lady from the top floor rounds the corner, umbrella overhead.
“Hi Ryan, how’s your day?” she smiles.
I play along because I need to tailgate. We exchange pleasantries—me doing my best impression of Ryan—then I loiter at his front door. I pretend to look through my pockets for my keys while she disappears into the elevator.
I haven’t thought this through. I’m standing here, wondering if I should knock on the door and hope that Vicky answers. But if she’s wallowing in her room, I’ll likely get Jen—or worse, Ryan. Because Ryan will ask questions I’m not ready to answer, and then he’ll probably tell Johnny I was here looking for Vicky. And since Johnny told me to keep away, it’ll likely cause a rift in the locker room. What I can’t understand is why Johnny suddenly cares. He never cared before; in fact, he never ever mentioned it. All those years Vicky and I were together, he never brought it up.
I feel sick. I don’t know what I’ll even say to her, but I can’t wait around forever. I decide the best course of action is to text her, so I pull out my phone and tap a message out.
Liam
Let me in.
There’s nothing for a moment, then I see she’s read my message. I listen hard at the door, but there’s no movement inside.
Liam
I don’t care if your makeup has run. Let me in.
Then there’s a whoosh of a door opening in the distance, making me jump and drop my phone. It clatters to the floor and causes an echo. As I bend down to grab it, Vicky’s doorswings open. When I stand up, I’m face to face with my brother. Fuck. This wasn’t part of my plan.
“Christ, Lee. What are you doing creeping around here at this hour?”
I briefly debate whether to be honest and mention that I need to talk to Vicky, but Johnny’s words echo in my head. Not that I’m afraid of Johnny, but I don’t want the trouble. Even if I ask Ryan not to say anything, I can’t risk him slipping up and causing a whole world of problems.
“I need to talk with you,” I say abruptly. It’s the first thing that pops into my head.
Ryan turns to Jen. “Do you mind, babe? I know…” and I chuckle to myself. This version of Ryan is hilarious.
