Page 100 of The Tape Job
I fish my phone out of my bag and dial him, but it goes straight to voicemail. I try him a few more times before I givein and send him a text, asking where he is. It sits on ‘sent’ rather than ‘delivered.’ Now I’m pissed.
“I want answers,” I yell towards Jen. “Where the fuck is he?”
But no one seems to know. Even when I call by his apartment later, there’s no answer. His car is gone, and now I’m starting to get worried.
“What if he’s in trouble?” I ask Liam, later that evening. I’d been pacing my apartment, so I thought it was only fair to give Liam’s floor equal wear.
“He’s probably just hooking up or something.”
“The secret girlfriend!” I gasp, but Danny tries to reassure me that there definitely isn’t a secret girlfriend.
“Has he said something to you?” I question Danny, but he shrugs and goes back to watching TV.
I’m on the verge of retrieving my spare key to his place and searching for clues when a text message comes through.
Johnny
I’m fine. Stop freaking out—I’ve gone to visit a friend. See you tomorrow.
I stare at my phone in complete awe. That’s all he’s got to say for himself? I try to think who Johnny’s other friends are, since he’s definitely not with anyone from the hockey team. And now I’m even more convinced that he definitely has a secret girlfriend.
Chapter 26
Liam
I hardly slept last night, and it wasn’t from the beer I drank. I know I need to speak with Ryan, and the longer I leave it, the more difficult it’ll get. Like ripping off a Band-Aid, I need to get it over and done with. My brother hates being lied to; I think most people do, really. But I’ve already made the mistake of keeping something from him before, and I want to be honest with him.
I get dressed and grab a baseball cap before heading over to his place, swinging by the coffee shop first to buy him a bribe. I get Vicky an iced coffee just in case she’s in the mood for one.
Tailgating Mrs Upstairs on the way in, she wishes Ryan a good day before disappearing into the elevator. I take the stairs up to Vicky’s floor, wondering how I’m supposed to knock on his door with no free hands. As if he can sense my being, Ryan opens the door and stares out at me in his running gear, his face still red from the cold outside.He beckons me in and takes a coffee from me, leading me towards the kitchen.
“I already know why you’re here,” he says. “I haven’t figured out what I’m doing about the suit yet.”
“Actually, this isn’t about the suit.”
I take a quick look around and see that Vicky must still be in bed.
“Where’s Jen?” I ask.
“Taking a shower. So, no talk about yesterday. I beg you.”
“You always think the worst of me. Look, just do what you need to do. Don’t worry about trying to play by the unwritten rules. Wear a suit, don’t. Get married, don’t. Whatever.”
He thinks for a moment, then nods. “So, if it’s not about the suit, it’s about …” his eyes land on the iced coffee that he must have overlooked before, “…Vicky, right?”
“Well, yeah. I don’t really know what to say.” I look down at my coffee cup.
“I hear you got her a fancy basket full of all her favourite things. Are you back together?” his tone is disapproving and sets a sinking feeling in my stomach.
“Shit. I don’t know, Ryan.” I look over at her door.
“Hm. Well, anyway, you’ve set an expectation now. And put me to shame.” He pulls out his phone and taps a few times before scrolling. “I’ve started making a list of Jen’s favourite things, but—”
“It’s not a competition. I noticed she was using a new shampoo. A different shampoo. I’m just helping.” Ryan looks at me blankly, so I change the subject. “Do you want to get to the rink early? We can skate. And talk.”
He nods, and I wait for him to grab his gear before placing the coffee outside of Vicky’s door and tapping on it before we head out.
I run up to my apartment and grab my gear before meeting Ryan next to his Jeep. We throw our bags in the trunk, and I hop into the passenger’s side.
