Page 107 of Undressed In The Crease

“Good.” He says without looking at me.

Before I can ask what he meant by that, Cora comes walking up to our table. My worst fear is coming true…again.

I inch back in my seat, if I had my sweatshirt on I could’ve hid my face in my hood. I’m entirely regretting my outfit choice now. I have nothing that can hide my face. Nothing to make me invisible.

“Nick.” She ignores my presence.

“Cora.” He says back as if they’re in some kind of standoff.

“I’ve decided to give you a second chance.” She says brightly with a sly grin.

I almost spit my drink out.

Didn’t he say he ended it with her? Not the other way around?

“Hmm.” Nick leans back as if he’s deep in thought over it. “Nope.”

“Don’t be stubborn.” She sneers with her hands on her hips.

“You can threaten me all you like.” Nick cuts her off. “You can tell the rest of the female student body that I have a small dick. Or what was the latest thing I heard? That I gave you an STD? Good one, Cora. I had to get an extra physical and a long-winded lecture when the coach heard that one. I really didn’t need that lecture.”

I try to not to laugh, but a snort escapes causing Cora to eye me. The disgust on her face is clear as she looks me up and down.

Did I mention she’s a beast?

Her eyes turn red and her muscles bulge through her sweatshirt. I swear her nails grew as she glared at me. I feel myself shrivel up to nothing from that quick glance. Nick ignores it.

“You can even tell all the rest of my team that you’ll cockblock them just as much if they don’t tell you who I’m hooking up with or dating.” Nick glares at her angrily. “It’s called loyalty Cora. They’re on my side. I don’t care what you do, and that’s what’s bothering you so much. You’re just like me, honey. We’re not used to hearing the word ‘No’ I get it, but it doesn’t change anything. Go find someone else.”

Cora storms off, not before giving me one last chilling glance.

“Fuck. I should’ve never hooked up with her.” Nick throws his napkin onto the table. “She’s making my life miserable.”

“Bad week, Huh?” I don’t know what else to say, so I bury myself in my gyro.

I have no idea what that was all about. I don’t want to care. I want to play it off as nothing and stay out of it, but I can’t do that.

Somewhere along the way, Nick and I became friends. Real friends. Not the fake kind we keep telling each other. I can’t help but care about what’s going on with him.

“You have no idea. She’s fucking crazy. Told all her friends that shit, which I can handle, but then to threaten my team…” Nick shakes his head and leans over the table. “I’m sorry, Lenny. I’ve been wanting to tell her off for a few days now. I should’ve waited instead of doing it in front of you.”

“It’s ok. I get it.” It really becomes clear.

The reason he bought my dinner. I’m the only one he can have. Now that the rest of the female student body will be too scared of Cora to go near him.

“It’s probably bad for your game not having the puck bunnies all over you.” I shrug, trying hard not to get upset.

“No Len, that’s not it. I don’t give a shit about that. If I did, I’d just give in to her. Some of the guys on the team are pissed off at me because it’s ruining their reputation too.” Nick stares off out the window. He isn’t his usual confident and happy self. “I know what you’re thinking. I didn’t buy you dinner to get in your pants. I bought you dinner because you’ve been ignoring me all week. You plus the looks I get from the guys in the locker room, begging me to fix whatever issue she has. I had a lousy game last night. Greg is out with Layla any chance he gets and Luca won’t get out of my ass. I just wanted someone to sit with that wouldn’t immediately start asking me what my plan is to deal with Cora.”

Without thinking I reach out across the table and touch his hand. Seeing him this upset is almost refreshing.

I don’t want him to be upset, but it’s humanizing. He’s not some big shot hockey star with a full ride. He’s just Nick, a twenty-one-year-old trying to make his dreams come true.

“I don’t know what to say about Cora. That girl scares the shit out of me.” I admit with a shudder. “Plus side is, you didn’t have a lousy game last night. You blocked twenty shots and the team won in overtime!”

“There shouldn’t have been any overtime, Lenny. I let in three goals.”

The rest of the time we sit and talk about hockey. His mood immediately changes. Once the dining hall starts to fill up, he walks me to my street and we go our separate ways.

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