Page 69 of Hockey 101

I laugh. How dare you. I thought everything up myself. Although I did rehearse ahead of time. But, speaking of Jacob, he said some interesting things about you.

Like what?

Like how much you’ve improved. And how you could be playing at a higher level. He’s surprised you weren’t scouted more.

Jack shrugs. I’m still learning. Coach Norman is teaching me a ton.

He lifts my hand and kisses the back of it. I also play better now because of you.

You’re going to have to explain that. I recall Jacob’s theory. Unless it’s just because you’re getting some.

He throws back his head and laughs heartily. As magical as our sex life is, it doesn’t affect my hockey. But knowing that you’re there, supporting me—that makes me feel more confident.

I stare up at him in surprise. That’s such a beautiful way to describe a relationship: that the person you’re with inspires you to be better. I reach up to kiss him.

You do the same for me. Your unwavering support gives me the wings to fly higher.

Jack stops and leans his forehead against mine. You make things sound more poetic. I’m not sure how I make you better, but I’m grateful that I do.

Our faces are so close, I can feel his warm breath against my skin as he speaks. Everything about Jack is like a comforting hug.

It’s perfect that we each think we’re the lucky one, I say softly.

Would you two get a room? hollers Ethan as he passes us to enter the pub.

Oh, we will. In fact, this could be our new routine: game, pub, then back to my room for some addictive sex.

18

WELL, IF IT ISN’T THE CONSEQUENCES OF YOUR OWN ACTIONS

ANDY

YOU WANTED TO see me? I slide into the seat across from Bryce at the big centre table in the Messenger office.

Bryce gives me a big fake smile. Andy. How are you?

I frown in return. Ugh, I can tell by your wheedling tone that you’re going to ask me for a favour. Should I even bother hearing what it is before I say no?

Over the past month, Bryce hasn’t spoken to me at any of the editorial meetings. Granted, he’s had zero to complain about since Jacob, C.J., and Mehmet are all doing great work. Bryce also hasn’t bothered commenting on the three athlete profiles I’ve written so far—Ella Smith, Vik Zelenko, and a wrestler, Mike Micheals—so they must be good enough. I used to love hanging out in the newsroom, but I prefer to work remotely now. Between schoolwork, editing, RA duties, and my busy social life, I’m too busy for chitchat.

Bryce strains to keep smiling but my rudeness is trying his limited patience.

Fine. I know you like to get right to the point. Unfortunately, Travis has not been able to maintain the Messenger’s standards when it comes to the editorials.

To be honest, I’ve barely read any of the editorials. At first, it was because I was so infuriated that the job got taken away from me. Later, his stereotypically dude-bro topics didn’t interest me. But I have heard rumours of problems.

Professor Pullman had a meeting with me last week. He’s concerned about slippage of our standard of quality, Bryce explains.

My bullshit detector is going off. Professor Pullman is the newspaper’s university advisor and he’s notoriously hands-off, so if there was a meeting it must be something big.

What specific op-ed piece set this off? I keep my voice non-judgemental so I’ll get the truth.

Bryce rubs his temples. It was an argument for getting rid of the orientation seminar on sexual consent.

I suck in a breath. There’s no universe in which I would have allowed that topic. And you let it be published?

He winces. I had the flu that week, so Jaz was in charge. Besides, Travis was told to stop running male-centric subjects, and this one was written by a woman. Her argument was that we’ve reached a level of awareness where it’s no longer necessary. But there was zero backing data. Besides, there have been…other problems. This piece was only the proverbial straw.

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