Page 9 of Home Game

“What does that mean?”

“It means, when I turned 19, the province set me free to take care of myself. Sink or swim.”

He stared down at the island for a long moment. “You’re obviously bright. Look at how you helped me. Why are you working at such a low-paying job?”

“You think the average person wants someone who looks like me to do their finances?”

“Well, maybe you could try to look more, uh, business casual.”

This guy was dumb as fuck. Did he think I dressed like this because I wanted to? I was 5’3” and I lived on the street. My goal was to look as tough as possible at all times. “You mean, I should get a little blonde hair cut and wear cute clothes, so that people will hire me?”

Slowly. “Yeah. I mean, it makes sense.”

I crossed my arms. “You know what happens to cute little innocent blonde chicks in a homeless shelter?”

His blue eyes widened. “Jesus. Sorry.”

“It is what it is.” I looked around his place. “What about you?”

“Just moved here. Been busy.”

“Hockey right? Vancouver Wolves?”

His eyes sharpened on my face. “How do you know that?”

“You have an athlete’s parking pass for the Aurora Stadium hanging off your rear view mirror. You had receipts from Hockey World, The Hockey Shop and Bauer Canada. And your stuff is expensive. Like your laptop and your vehicle.”

He looked uncomfortable. “I got drafted here this summer.”

I was done talking about him. “Whatever.”

“I have an early practice, so I need to sleep. Let me get you some blankets. Feel free to use the shower in the hallway. I will grab you some towels too.”

I cleaned up the kitchen, packed up the second burger in atakeout box and put it in the fridge. Maybe he wouldn’t care if I ate it tomorrow.

He dumped a stack of blankets on the couch. “Here you go.”

We stood looking at each other. “Thanks.”

“Well, goodnight.”

It was still darkwhen I woke up. To my surprise, I had the best sleep of my life. I quietly showered, folded up the bedding and then silently went through his cupboards in his kitchen. He had three boxes of protein bars. I put two bars in my bag, along with the uneaten burger, figuring he wouldn’t miss them or care.

I tried to leave but realized that he had set the alarm system. I knew enough that if I opened the door, the alarm would go off. The entire place was silent. I needed to catch a bus and get to work for the morning shift. If I didn’t leave soon, I would be late.

I debated just leaving and letting him deal with the alarm going off, but the guy had been decent. That didn’t seem fair. So, with trepidation, I headed down the hallway to his bedroom.

I knocked. No answer.

I knocked harder. Nothing.

Using my fist, I pounded on the door.

“What!?” his voice sounded muffled.

I opened the door a crack. I could make out a giant bed and a sleeping form on the bed. “I need to go to work.”

He didn’t even move. “So?”

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