Page 71 of Hockey 101

Mic drop.

I HURRY TO the Student Union because that discussion took longer than expected, and now I’m late to meet Jack. I spot him lounging on a bench in front of Dawn’s mural. As usual, he’s not alone. This time, three women chat animatedly with him. He’s smiling and nodding, but as soon as he spots me his smile widens and his eyes sparkle. Does my face light up the same way? Because the sight of him lifts me up.

Excuse me, I’ve got to go, says my ever-polite boyfriend to his admirers. He lopes over.

Hey, beautiful.

He envelops me in his strong arms. I pull on his collar to bring his mouth down to mine. Instead of a quick, public smooch, he nips at my lower lip, then kisses me so firmly that the hot pressure of his mouth is the only thing I’m conscious of. When he stops, I blink dazedly.

Whoa. We’re in the middle of the Union, I protest, but keep my grip on his jacket.

He kisses the tip of my nose. I missed you.

I saw you last night. Heat flushes my cheeks as I remember flashes of our evening together.

Exactly. I’ve had to go nearly a whole day without you. He takes my hand and we walk towards the coffee shop. How did your newspaper meeting go?

It was surprising. The editor-in-chief—

Your ex-boyfriend, he specifies. Despite his flocks of admirers, Jack gets more jealous than I do.

We sit down at a table, and he pulls a water bottle from his backpack and takes a long swig. Can I get you a drink? he offers.

No, thanks. I’m already over-caffeinated. Anyway, Bryce wants me to switch back to being the opinions editor. There have been issues about the quality of recent editorials.

Oh. So, you wouldn’t be the sports editor anymore?

I assume I’m supposed to swap back with Travis Hansen. He was the original sports editor before Bryce, well, you know. Then I notice Jack’s frown. What’s wrong?

His forehead creases. I don’t know. Maybe we won’t see each other as much if you’re not covering sports.

Why not? I would still go to your games. Or does he mean I’d have fewer hockey questions for him? We’re beyond that though, we confide in each other about bigger issues. But I haven’t even decided if I want to do this. I enjoy being the sports editor, and I think I’m doing good things with the beat.

Jack reaches across the table and envelops my hands in his large ones. Time for one of your lists. What are the pros and cons?

Well, the pros of switching are that Bryce is so desperate that he’s offered me two sweeteners. He’ll put one of my articles up for a Pinnacle Award. At Jack’s puzzled expression, I explain, It’s a major award for student journalism. I won’t win, but having the nomination on my résumé would be huge.

Why wouldn’t you win? You’re an amazing writer, Jack declares with all the sincerity of someone who learned about the existence of the award only five seconds ago.

It’s very competitive. But I squeeze his hand for the compliment. The second thing is that I’d get to network with someone from the Star Tribune. You know, the big newspaper in Minneapolis?

Jack nods. So that connection would help your job prospects. I didn’t know you wanted to work in Minnie.

I wouldn’t say no to any job with a big newspaper. Of course, it goes without saying that big newspapers are in big cities.

It would be nice if you worked there. It’s only a couple of hours away. He casually slips in this long-term relationship hint. I pretend not to notice. One issue at a time.

Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. And I guess there’s a third pro to consider. Bryce said I’d apparently be ‘saving the newspaper,’ I say, adding air quotes. But that’s hyperbole. I’d be saving Bryce’s ass.

You don’t owe him anything. Although, he is the reason we got together, so maybe I owe him?

We laugh. Mehmet walks by with a friend and waves. Andy! How is my esteemed editor today?

Hi, Mehmet. I’m great. How are you? I reply.

Excellent, as always. See you around.

Jack watches them walk away. Was that the wrestling writer? I should have told him I’m a fan.

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