Page 31 of Call the Shots
TWINKLETOES
Our exhibition practice meant the Muppets’Kokomoplaying over the speakers, maybe twenty people in the bleachers, almost all family members of my teammates, and June wearing a Romans hoodie. A football hoodie. A hoodie for a completely different sport and a completely different team, connected to her ex-boyfriend.
I couldn’t stop stealing looks at her, sitting with King and his little sister. June tilted her head, giggling, inhishoodie.
A hand smacked the back of my head, and I lurched away. “What?”
“Now that you’re paying attention,” Denali said, his voice dry, “I have a job for you.”
“Uh-huh.”
“I need you to keep an eye on Elijah.”
My eyes darted to June. “Yeah.”
“I don’t need him pissing anyone off—Bear.”
“Huh? What?”
“Are you listening? I’m going first and you need to keep Elijah in check?—”
“June’s wearing Romans gear.”
He lifted his shoulder for a disinterested shrug. “Okay?”
“We have more people on the team than in the bleachers, it’s so damn noticeable.” I grabbed Montoya. “Do you see what June’s wearing?”
“Um…a hoodie?”
I pushed him back. “I don’t know why I’m asking a toddler, he can barely tie his own skates. Denali, you know how this looks. She should be wearing our gear?—”
“If it’s that important, I’ll talk to her,” he promised. “But Coach is here and?—”
I scanned the audience. “No, he left.”
“Goddammit. Whatever. Just keep an eye on Elijah, I don’t want him in trouble.”
The announcer introduced Denali to a smattering of applause, really a fart in the wind. Overhead, the Muppets’Kokomomelted into…the Muppets’Kokomo.
Nick frowned. “This song is longer than I remember.”
“Elijah.” I yanked him by his jersey. “How many times isKokomoplaying?”
A shit-eating grin crossed his face. “The whole playlist isKokomo.”
The team swore at him, and some tried to hit him. I should’ve let it happen, but I kind of told Denali I’d keep an eye on him. With a sigh, I kept Elijah from getting too close to the rink before his time, my fingers locked on the collar of his jersey.
“What do you want?” he demanded. “A big hug before we go out together?”
“Shut up.” I snuck another look at the stands. “What do you think about King?”
“I don’t like him.”
Taken aback, I paused. “You don’t like him?”
“He gives me a bad vibe,” Elijah admitted. “The tattoos, the scars, he doesn’t say a word to anybody.” I couldn’t believe I was agreeing withElijah,but with every word, he made me feelbetter. He tipped his chin towards them. “There’s something about him I don’t trust. He just doesn’t seem like a good guy.”
The announcer called Elijah to the ice, and I finally released him, pondering what he said. I hadn’t known June for long, but I couldn’t picture her with…someone like King. A clear weirdo. It left a sour taste at the back of my mouth.
