Page 114 of Puck You Very Much
“Great. You’ll love it when we get to the sponge baths.”
47
ZANE
“So, you fucked up royal, huh?” Levi started laughing like it was the funniest thing he’d ever heard.
“I should’ve known.”
I turned and started walking away. An enormous hand landed on my shoulder and pulled me back. I pushed it off like I’d been grabbed by an ape.
“Come on, man,” Levi said. “I thought you’d have a better sense of humor than that. After all, I would’ve figured you and the other Riptides would have to laugh at yourself to fit in.”
“Remind me again who won the championship, Levi.”
He sputtered, turned away, and then looked back at me. No surprise there. Hit guys like him with facts and the smart mouth takes a vacation.
“Okay, so now that we’ve established that the Riptides are better than the Lions?—”
“Hold on there, douche,” Levi said. “Who said anything about the Riptides being better than the Lions?”
“Nobody. Just the entire city of Buffalo. College hockey fans everywhere. Heck, nobody has to say anything to prove thatpoint. That championship game spoke louder than words ever could.”
Levi balled a fist, and for a moment, I thought he wanted to sock me one. I didn’t budge. He must’ve known that a Lion could never have a conversation with a Riptide without getting on each other’s nerves pretty seriously. Levi wouldn’t really hit me, though. We shared something important in common: Jakob.
“You guys really surprised us,” Levi said. “Well, most of us.”
“Even you had no idea, huh?”
“What do you mean,even you?”
“Um, haven’t you been banging some ginger nerd in the ass for a while now.”
When he smiled, I understood I’d raised his favorite topic—hot sex. Levi’s eyes drifted off, like the mention of sex with his favorite ginger nerd caused him to lose himself in the moment.
“Yeah, I definitely know what you mean,” Levi said.
“And you didn’t have the slightest idea about Jakob and me?”
He shrugged. “I thought something must be up with Jakob, but not that he was with you.”
“Surprising, huh?”
“Damn right it is. If Jakob was going gay, I would’ve thought he’d have better taste.”
My arm nearly swung at him, but I culled it back. Then I drew a deep breath, calmed myself down, and reminded myself that this was for Jakob.
“In other words, you didn’t notice anything,” I said.
“But Ididnotice something. I already told you.”
“Why did I even bother coming to talk to a Lion?”
“Because of Jakob. And you know what my deal is. I’m the logical person to ask, aren’t I?”
“I guess so.”
“How are things going with him anyway? You two blow each other and make up yet?”
