Page 49 of Hockey 101

NO MATTER HOW long you stare at the front door, your true love won’t talk in any faster, Ethan drawls.

I’m not watching the front door. After all, we’re in the kitchen. It’s only a coincidence that I have a perfect view of the hallway.

You jump up to answer it every time someone knocks. Leave it, and they’ll just walk in, Swanny points out. Relax and enjoy the party. We won our game, and this is our reward.

I nod, but I’m not really paying attention. Why isn’t Andy here yet? She’s usually on time for everything. Did she have some kind of resident emergency? Was she in an accident? Or did she change her mind about hockey parties…and me?

Someone pulls on my wrist. Hey, Jackie-baby. You wanna dance?

It’s a woman I’ve never met before, with dirty blonde hair and a short blue dress. She leans her breast against my arm, so I move away. Uh. No, thanks.

When she continues to blink up at me, I add, I’m waiting for someone.

Swanny makes a gagging sound, so I motion towards him. Have you met Karl Swanson? He scored one of our goals tonight.

She turns towards him and shrugs. Fine. Do you wanna dance?

Swanny glares at me over her head, but just then there’s a knock on the door. I rush over and throw it open.

Andy is standing there with two of her girlfriends. She’s not wearing her glasses again and her hair is fancier, with a sparkly clip. She looks beautiful.

Andy! You came, I blurt out.

Of course. I had to finish editing the game story first. Nice win, she says.

Oh, thanks. I am officially a forgetful idiot. I step back so they can come in and guide them down the hallway. We’re throwing coats and stuff in here. Can I take yours?

Sure, thank you. Andy unbuttons her coat and motions with her head towards her friends. You’ve met Dawn before, right? And this is Emily.

I greet both of them. Let’s put your stuff in here, and we can get you set up with—

I turn back towards Andy and my mouth goes dry.

She’s wearing a fitted black top that shows off her deep cleavage. I’ve never seen Andy in anything remotely revealing before, and she looks spectacularly hot.

Dawn pokes me in the arm. Will you be finishing that sentence, or are you going to stand here and drool all night?

Sentence? What sentence? What even is my name?

Um, kitchen? Drinks? I mumble.

That’s almost a sentence. Dawn laughs and leads the way to the kitchen. Emily trails after her.

Andy turns my way. Coming, Jack?

Nice top, I choke out.

Thank you.

Unfortunately, I’m not the only one who notices Andy’s new appearance. Bergy pays her a series of increasingly offensive compliments until I urge him to shut the fuck up.

I get drinks for Andy and her friends. We all do a quick cheers, and then Dawn takes off.

She’s on a mission to find a model, Emily explains.

A model? I ask.

We’re leaning against the kitchen counter, and Andy nestles closer to me so we can hear each other amidst the party noise. I rest my arm behind her, enjoying the feel of her next to me.

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