Page 82 of Hockey 101

Bryce swivels in his office chair and leans back. He’s wearing a sneer that I’d like to wipe off his face.

Ah, not one, but two members of our esteemed hockey team. To what do I owe the honour? he drawls.

My hand closes into a fist, but I remember Mats’s warning and flex out my fingers.

We think you’re making a mistake in removing Andy as the sports editor, and— I begin.

Bryce interrupts. While I’m impressed that you’ve done some thinking, this is really none of your business. Then he turns back to face his desk, dismissing me.

What a fucking idiot. I grab the back of his chair and spin him around, gripping the armrests and leaning in so we’re face to face. Listen up, you asshole—

Relax, Sinc. Mats pulls me back and takes my place in front of Bryce. We just wanted to offer some feedback. The team and our many fans have been very happy with the way you’ve been covering hockey this year, one or two early stumbles aside. We understand you’re thinking of making a change, and we wonder if that’s necessary.

Bryce raises an arrogant eyebrow. Well, others on campus may kowtow to your wishes, but here at the Messenger we believe in journalistic independence. You don’t get to dictate who covers the hockey team. Besides, there’s no reason why that same reporter—Jacob Johnson, I believe—can’t continue to cover the games. A change in the sports editor won’t affect that.

Then he looks over Mats’s shoulder at me, sneer back in place. Did Andy send her big, tough boyfriend to try to intimidate me into giving her back her position?

Now not only do I want to wipe the sneer from his face, I’d like to remove his entire head from his neck as well. Mats nudges me, so again I relax my hands.

Andy doesn’t know I’m here. Look, she’s done a great job as the sports editor, you know that. Something like this will mess up her work prospects. I don’t add that it’s an asshole move, because it’s clear that Bryce glories in being an asshole.

For a moment, he seems to be actually considering my arguments. He must know how much Andy wants to work at a newspaper. Office politics and breakups are one thing, but messing up her dream career?

Bryce crosses his arms. If you’re so concerned about Andy’s future, why don’t you help her out, then?

That’s what I’m trying to do, I explain.

He chuckles, and even his laugh is sarcastic. Oh. She didn’t tell you, then.

Tell me what?

His ugly smile widens. There’s no conflict of interest if she’s not dating someone on the hockey team. If you care about her future so much, maybe you can figure out how to make that happen. Then Andy is welcome to return to her sports editorship.

Is he shitting me? So, if I break up with Andy, she can be the sports editor again? My low opinion of him has sunk even further.

What the fuck is wrong with you? Seriously, there’s nothing he can gain from this stupid move other than messing up Andy’s life—it’s more work for him, a worse sports section, and the loss of a hard-working editor. And all for some petty revenge?

Bryce stands to face me. Guys like you are used to getting their way all the time, but the rest of us understand that personal sacrifices have to be made on occasion.

My fists tighten again. Maybe hitting him wouldn’t accomplish anything, but it would feel so good.

Mats jerks me back by the arm. Let’s go. You tried. There’s no point in discussing this further.

I exhale. Mats is right. I turn to walk away.

Bryce needs to have the last word, of course. My offer doesn’t last forever, though. I’ll be installing a new sports editor in twenty-four hours.

We leave without even acknowledging his last threat.

What an absolute scumbag, Mats declares as we make our way home.

Yeah. I can’t understand why Andy ever dated him. Although he’s obviously smart, his personality seems wholly negative. Maybe he’s driven by jealousy, but acting like this only makes things worse. She’s gone from disliking him to despising him.

Still, I have some pity for him. I don’t know what I’d do without Andy in my life. Whenever I first see her again—on campus, after games, at her residence—something inside me jumps. Maybe it’s my heart meeting hers. We haven’t been together that long, but every moment has been special. Seeing her is the highlight of my day. I depend on her support and her opinions. She is my north star.

Yet, I can’t stop thinking about what Bryce said. If Andy wasn’t going out with me, she could still be the sports editor. Why didn’t I realize that when she mentioned the whole conflict-of-interest thing?

AFTER A RESTLESS night, I message Andy first thing in the morning. She doesn’t get back to me for a few hours. She apologizes, saying she slept in and skipped her class, which is so unlike her. Now I’m desperate to talk to her. After all, Bryce’s stupid deadline is ticking down. I head to her room as soon as my morning classes are done.

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