Page 55 of Gross Misconduct

June walks around the treehouse, inspecting our work with a shrewd gaze.

“How’s it looking?” I ask.

“I’m liking what I see,” she says with a hedge, though her beaming eyes tell me she’s absolutely in love. She points to an opening above Tanner. “That window needs to be bigger.”

“Bigger?” he asks.

“Like a balcony, where I can greet my royal subjects,” she explains with utmost seriousness.

He looks at me, and I give the nod of approval. We’ll make sure the window sill is tall enough that she or Annabelle won’t fall out.

“Done,” Tanner tells her with a little salute.

She marches over to Des who is absorbed in typing something on his phone. She clears her throat. It takes him a moment to look up.

“Yes?” he asks.

“Mom and Dad say excessive screen time is bad for you,” she tells him. “You’ve been on your phone a lot today, Mr. Des.”

“Screens are only bad for kids. Adults have superpowers that allow them to be on phones however long they’d like.” When he doesn’t have a hockey stick in his hand, I’ve noticed that Des is usually glued to his phone. He claims he’s constantly having to email people for his job, but when I glance over, more often than not, I find him on social media or Milkman, a gay dating app.

“Humans don’t have superpowers,” she says back.

“Pretend superpowers.”

“If it’s pretend then it isn’t real.” June is nothing if not coldly logical. “Isn’t it dangerous to be on your phone while working with sharp tools? Isn’t that a bad example you’re setting?”

I glance at Tanner, who’s seconds away from bursting out with laughter. June could have a very successful career as a prosecutor.

She crosses her arms. Des’s eyes widen slightly as he realizes my little girl is serious. That’s the thing with kids: they have a knack for being blunt without warning.

“F-fine.” Des slides his phone back in his pocket. He waves his empty hand at June for proof.

“Good. Now everyone back to work!” June yells.

“June,” I say sternly.

“Please,” she adds.

Tanner gives her a stealth thumbs up. June waves goodbye to us. She points to her eyes then to Des before running back to the other kids.

“Did I just get my ass handed to me by a kid?” Des wonders.

* * *

The next morning,I get to Summers Rink and find my teammates waiting in the front lobby. The Blades are practicing on the ice. I spot Jack pull his stick back and slam a shot into the empty goal. My stomach takes another spin on an upside-down roller coaster.

I need to hook up with more men. A lot more men. That will help my lust for Jack fade away. Or it could make me measure every man against him and find none of them compare.

“What the fuck are we doing here?” Derek asks.

“Good question. Your buddy the mayor wanted to talk to us. That’s all I know.” Bill wipes the remaining sleep from his eyes.

“Do you think we’re getting a key to the city? Would we each get a key?” Hank asks. “How heavy do you think those keys are?”

None of us have the energy to answer his questions. Leo waltzes through the rink’s entrance in a black peacoat over a crisp shirt and slacks. A part of me wonders if he sleeps in a suit.

“Morning!” he says to us.

---