Page 74 of You Had Me at Hockey

“He’s hammered,” I say. “Which is no excuse.”

Lilly has taken a stool near us and Sara slides onto the one beside her. “So, Lilly. I’d love to hear more about your dog-walking business.”

They start talking. I meet Easton’s eyes briefly across the small table, then look away.

I sigh inwardly. I could go over there and talk to him. But I don’t want to.

He wasn’t playing great tonight. I gave him a couple of fantastic chances to score on the power play and he flubbed them both. Then he glared at me like it was my fault. I love being on the PP unit, and we’ve had good success so far, but he’s making it weird.

I turn away from him to listen to Sara and Lilly. They sound like they’ve known each other for years. Sara’s laughing at a story about a dog at the shelter where Lilly volunteers.

“Oh! I could come and do a video there!” she says. “I love dogs, and it would be a great way to get attention for them.”

“That would be amazing!”

They’re exchanging phone numbers now. Fantastic.

Red still hasn’t come back from the can, so I excuse myself to go look for him and make sure he’s okay. I jog down the stairs and follow the narrow hall to the men’s room. Nobody’s in there. I make use of it while I’m there, then head back up.

“I guess he went home,” I tell the others. “Hopefully he doesn’t pass out in the cab.”

“He’s done that before,” Colton says, unconcerned.

“Ooookay.” I’m still getting to know these guys.

“I need another drink,” Sara says. “But I can’t drink any more beer.” She pats her belly, sticking it out as if she’s pregnant. It’s still flat as ever from what I can see. “I’m all bloated.”

“What do you want?”

“Um…wine?”

“Does that mean I have to drink wine too?”

“Yes.” Then she laughs. “Your face! What’s wrong with wine?”

“Nothing. I like it with a good meal.”

“You don’t have to drink wine, I was joking. Drink whatever you want! But you don’t want to let me outdrink you.”

“Hell no.”

Honestly, I don’t care. I haven’t seen our waitress for a while, so I walk up to the bar and get the bartender’s attention. While he gets our drinks, the guy I’m standing next to says, “Josh Heller, right?”

“Yeah.” I smile politely.

“Good game tonight. You guys should have won.”

“Thanks, man. Appreciate that.”

“You outplayed them the whole game. Then that last OT goal…” He shakes his head. “That sucked.”

“Yeah.” I take the glass of pink wine and my beer. “We’ll try again next time.”

The guy grins and salutes me.

“Rosé! Thank you!” Sara takes the glass from me with two hands.

“No guarantee on how good it is.” I sip my beer.

---