Page 16 of In My Hockey Era
Lucy:This book is ridiculous.
She got my contact information through Vivian—as part of the book club PR arrangement.It was sent out after the meeting in an email with a “Feel free to reach out if you have any questions” kind of note.But of course, I never expected her to actually use it.
I’m glad she decided to.
I prop myself up against the pillows, and text her back.
Me:You’re welcome.
The typing bubbles appear, then disappear.Then appear again.I wait, amused, until she finally responds.
Lucy:I wasn’t thanking you.
I bite back a laugh.I haven’t seen her since my idiotic idea to show up at the animal shelter, and I’d almost forgotten how feisty she is.Almost.
Me:Sure sounded like gratitude to me.
Lucy:The guy in this book just growled.GROWLED.At her.Like whyyyyy???
Me:The dude’s probably a werewolf.
Lucy:He’s a hockey player.
Me:Same thing.
A full minute passes.Then another message.
Lucy:You’re an idiot.
Now I’m laughing, fully awake, like an idiot myself.I could end this here—tell her goodnight, let her stew.But I don’t.Instead, I type out a reply.
Me:But are you enjoying it?
Another pause.
Lucy:That’s not the point.
Me:Sounds like a yes if I ever heard one.
She fires something back so fast I know she must’ve already been typing.
Lucy:The point is that the author clearly has no idea how hockey works.These guys are supposedly playing a game the next day, and they’re up all night doing… things.
At this, I smirk.
Me:Elite athletes have stamina.
Lucy:Not THAT much stamina.
Me:And you know this…how?
I expect her to tell me off, or ignore me altogether.Instead, my phone starts ringing.I stare at it for a second before answering.
“Couldn’t handle losing the argument over text?”I tease.
Her scoff comes through the speaker loud and clear.“I wanted to hear you say something dumb in real-time.”
I smirk.“You’re in luck.That’s my specialty.”
