Page 37 of The Tape Job
I finish my set and make room for Johnny. He steps up to the bar and squats down to position himself ready for his first set. Just as his hands touch the bar, his phone rings.
“Want me to get that for you?” I ask.
“No! No—just leave it.” He almost drops the bar but keeps his form to continue his set.
His phone rings off and then again.
“Shut that fucking thing up!” Danny shouts. He’s spotting Ryan, and they both look over at us. Johnny lets out a huff before stepping away from the bar and retrieving his phone. He skims the screen for a bit and his face drops into a frown.
“You okay, bud?” I ask.
“Um, yeah. Look, I’ve got to head off,” he says, grabbing his towel. He slings his gym bag over his shoulder and hurries out of the door. I don’t know what’s happening with Johnny, but something feels off. I’m not one to press, and I know he’ll tell me if there was anything really troubling him, but I’m still worried.
I glance at the clock on the far wall, then stop the workout setting on my watch, signalling to Ryan that time’s up. He nods. We clean down the equipment before putting it away, then take showers before saying goodbye to Danny.
“I have been thinking about future plans, you know,” I say as we head towards the building’s lobby. “I mentioned something about flipping houses to Johnny but I think I’ll get one of those qualifications in personal training.”
Ryan holds the door open after him, and we step outside. “Huh—now that’s an idea I’ve been considering, too.”
“Personal training?”
“Nah, flipping houses.”
“The personal training thing sounds like hell.”
“Well, since you’ll still have hockey…” I trail off, not wanting to admit that I don’t really want to give it up; it just feels like I have to.
He pulls out his fob and buzzes us into his building. “Well, rather you than me. You could always coach.” I have considered coaching, but it’s a bit of a cliche—though I guess I shouldn’t completely discount it, but personal training feels like a good way to keep fit. “You could always take over from me. I’m only filling in after all.”
We enter his apartment after he’s reassured me we’ll have the place to ourselves for the third time.
“Come and pick what you want in your shake,” Ryan says, moving into the kitchen.
I wait for him to move away from the larder cupboard when I spot Vicky’s keys on the counter, the unmistakable ‘Boston U Hockey’ keyring dangling off her house key. I move towards my brother, using my loudest whisper.
“You said she wouldn’t be home!”
He follows my eyes, his own landing on the keys.
“Fuck. I didn’t think she was. She’s usually at the rink now.” He steps towards the open plan area to eye Vicky’s bedroom door which swings open at that very moment.
“Oh, hey,” Vicky says, her eyes wide. She turns her head, spotting me. Her cheeks, already pink, flash red.
“Everything okay?” Ryan asks her, moving back into the kitchen.
Vicky follows him, her bare feet padding along the floor. She’s wearing a Boston U Hockey t-shirt that I know used to belong to me and some shorts which make her legs look as delightful as ever. She doesn’t have any makeup on, and she’s tied her hair up in a loose pony. It’s one of my favourite sights: relaxed Vicky. Except she doesn’t look relaxed at all.
“I just spoke to my dad. He’s visiting soon, with his new girlfriend,” she says, flicking the coffee machine on.
“Johnny said something about it. Let us know if we can help or whatever,” Ryan offers.
Vicky keeps looking at me, and I’m thinking maybe I should bail because I promised to stay away, and now I’m in her kitchen.
“I best get going,” I say, making my decision and eyeing Ryan.
“You don’t have to, Lee,” she says. “I won’t stop you hanging out with your brother.” She looks at me, and the way her lips quiver makes me want to pull her bottom one between my teeth.
“Are you sure?”
