Page 2 of Must Love Dogs… and Hockey

I do the same.

“Sucks like an elephant,” Cookie says.

I lift an eyebrow. “Elephant?”

“Yeah. An elephant can suck nearly four gallons of water and blow it straight into its mouth.”

“Four gallons.” I make a face and nod. “Okay. Right now I think I could suck about four gallons of this beer.” I lift it.

“Hell yeah.” We all take a moment to drink.

“Can’t wait for practice tomorrow,” I say, leaning an elbow on the bar.Not.

Cookie sighs. “I know. I guess Coach thinks if he makes us miserable enough after a loss, we’ll win every game.”

“It doesn’t work like that.”

“Iknow that.”

Wendy and Jammer, two of Coach’s other frequent targets, grimace.

“Fuck,” Jammer says. “I can’t believe that happened with my stick.”

“I know.” I clap a hand on his shoulder and squeeze. “Shit happens.”

“And then I get shit on,” he adds bitterly.

I’ve struggled about whether to speak up or not. I’ve tried it, and it only gets me in more trouble. And I get in enough trouble myself.

I know I have issues. I know I get angry way too often. I’m working on it.

“I’ve got ten bucks on another bag skate,” Wendy says bitterly.

“Not taking that bet.” I chug more beer. “We better not drink too much tonight, just in case.”

“I don’t even care if I puke my guts all over the ice,” Wendy says.

“I do.” I grimace. “I’ll blow chunks too if you do that.”

He rolls his eyes.

“Probably half the team will,” Cookie jokes.

“That would be a sight.” I tilt my head. “Actually…”

“No.” Cookie shakes his head. “Don’t go there. I’m frustrated, but not enough to deliberately puke.”

I shrug.

A woman moves up beside Cookie and touches his arm. “Excuse me. Are you Owen Cooke?”

He turns. “Yeah.”

“I thought so!” She holds up her phone with an excited smile. “Could I get a picture with you?”

“Sure.” Cookie smiles too and moves beside her so she can snap the selfie. “How about my friends here?”

Thanks, bro.

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