Page 6 of Heat It Up (Off the Ice)
“But you’re still hanging out with Nik,” Cody says.
I glance down at my favorite t-shirt. The t-shirt that says: May the ∑F =ma be with you. The t-shirt that Nik complained last night looked like I was entering a math contest instead of hitting the clubs. “There’s nothing wrong with Nik.”
“Dad says he’s a hotheaded ass who’s eager to milk the benefits of his fame.”
Yeah, I do remember that conversation with Dad. I just didn’t realize Cody had overheard it. I cringe at what else he probably also overheard when Dad forgot I’m twenty-four and not ten years old, and tried to ground me so I didn’t come to Finland.
“I just don’t want anything bad to happen to you, Kyle.” Cody’s voice cracks on the last part.
I might not feel guilty about the women I’m screwing, but I do feel like shit after he says that. “I promise you nothing bad is going to happen to me while I’m here. And I promise I’ll be back home at the end of August. I wouldn’t miss watching you play for anything.” Even if it will tear me up inside knowing he’s the one who has a shot at making his NHL dreams come true, while I only get to watch from the sidelines. I’ll never again get to experience the euphoria of playing in the Stanley Cup playoffs. The dream of every hockey player.
The answering silence is louder than the rain hammering the metal roof.
He doesn’t believe me.
I’m about to say something else, when I hear our father’s voice on Cody’s end. I can’t make out what he said, but I pray to a God I don’t believe in that Cody never mentioned anything to my father about what I was doing last night. I don’t need any more lectures. I need some coffee and a shower. In that order.
“I have to go.” Cody ends the call without giving me a chance to say goodbye, and without giving me a chance to repeat my promise. A promise that now feels oddly empty.
His disappointment at what I’ve become clings to me, but I’m too tired to think about it. I turn up the volume on the radio and pull away from my parking spot.
Chapter Four
Sofia
I pack my wallet, laptop, and camera in my backpack, and head for the apartment door. “I’m going to The Coffee Bar,” I call out to the empty apartment. My grandmother has failed to join the twenty-first century. She doesn’t have a computer, let alone Internet. I swear, we must be the only apartment in the building without it.
A loud knock on the door startles me. I open it and gape at the man in front of me—the man who looks like an actor from the soapThe Endless Circle. The show is bigger in Finland than it is in the States, but Muumu and I bonded over it during my first day here. We both agree that the actor is hot.
The guy’s short, spiky brown hair complements his warm brown eyes, and he has scruff along his jaw and upper lip. In a way, he’s similar to the guy from the sauna last week, except Kyle’s hair has waves and his eyes are light blue. This guy isn’t as tall or built like Kyle either, though he still looks in good shape. Nor does he wear glasses, unlike Kyle.
And he’s standing in front of me with a bouquet of white, pink, and purple flowers.
I scan the bright, airy hallway, searching for the TV crew. It’s a joke. It has to be. Like in those shows where the unsuspecting victim doesn’t realize she’s being pranked until it’s too late. Which means if it’s true, I won’t see the camera. I won’t know I’m being pranked until it’s over.
The guy doesn’t say anything at first. He blinks like he can’t believe I’m standing here, like he was expecting someone else. “Hi, Sofia? I’m your date,” actor dude says with a strong Finnish accent. Wow, he’s good. “My name’s Joni.” He shifts on his feet and for a second looks unsure of himself, unlike the guy he plays onThe Endless Circle.
“Sorry, I’ve got plans,” I say as sweetly as possible. If this goes on air, I don’t want to come off as a bitch. My friends back home might see it. “You’re gonna have to prank someone else.”
“Prank?” The way he says the word, it’s like he’s tasting it for the first time and he’s not sure what to expect.
“Yes, prank. You know, joke?” I wave my hand in the air, gesturing at the hidden cameras. “You’re the actor fromThe Endless Circle, and you’re here to prank me.”
“The Endless Circle?” If I thought he looked confused before, that’s nothing compared to now. Not to mention he’s looking at me, deciding if I’m crazy or not. And right now it’s not looking too hot in the non-crazy department.
He holds out the flowers. “I’m not an actor. I work in advertising. And I create comics.” The last part seems more of an afterthought and a light blush hits his cheeks. “Our grandmothers arranged for us to go out for lunch. Together.”
“Seriously?”
He nods and a memory pops into my head of Muumuu and I watching the soap together for the first time and her mentioning Joni’s name. At the time I thought she was talking about the actor. She meant this guy.
“Well, I’m un-arranging the date.” I give him a quick smile. “Sorry, but thanks for the thought. It’s nothing personal. I’m just not interested in dating while I’m here. I guess my grandmother didn’t realize that.”
“I understand.” He turns and walks off.
I shut the door and lean back against it. Crap. The last thing I need is for Muumu to become involved in my pathetic love life, especially when I can’t explain to her why it’s so pathetic. That goes well beyond my Finnish skills.
Heck, it goes beyond my English skills, too.
