Page 52 of In the Net
Felix claps his hands, expelling a loud sigh. “Boy, that sucked.” He shrugs, like he’s letting a weight slide off his shoulders. “Oh, well. You win some, you lose some. Bet we’ll win the next game. Let’s wipe these frowns off our faces, have a couple beers, and flirt with some girls eager to console us.”
Jamie turns to me with a flat expression. I just shrug, bemused by the unflappable optimism of our new goalie.
“He’s got the right idea,” I say to our new captain. “Let’s go.”
21
SEBASTIAN
The next evening, Jamie, Carter, and I walk to Chiyoda Ramen for dinner. It’s busier than usual, and among the crowd we find Maddie, Scarlett, and Jasmine at a booth.
We stroll over to say hi. We’re friendly with them since Maddie is the sister of our former captain Lane, and dating our former defenseman, Rhys. Scarlett is dating Lane, and Jasmine is Maddie’s best friend.
There’s just one person missing from this foursome of girls who are now roommates.
“You three decided you needed a night out without Harper?” I quip. “Trust me, I can sympathize. Smart move on your part.”
Scarlett rolls her eyes at me. As Harper’s best friend as of last year, she’s well acquainted with our mutual dislike.
Just because I’ve kissed her twice and asked to be her wedding date, doesn’t mean we don’t still dislike each other.
“She’s on a date,” Maddie says.
I bristle, feeling my eyebrows tug together.
“With who?” I don’t know why the words come out so growly and sharp.
“Some guy from the football team,” Jasmine says.
My molars press together. “What guy?”
The football team is full of assholes trying to extend their high school jock fantasies into adulthood. The team isn’t even good.
Some of them are worse than others, especially?—
“Cody Perkins,” Scarlett answers.
My blood turns cold, spine going stiff as a steel rod. “You’re kidding.”
Scarlett quirks an eyebrow. “Uh, no. Why? What’s wrong with him?”
That guy’s the skeeviest dude in all of Brumehill College. He treats women like nothing but notches on his bedpost and then brags about it openly. I’ve heard he’s even pressured girls to send him nudes and then showed them off to his teammates and buddies like trophies.
I have no idea how he keeps getting dates, and I really have no idea why Harper of all people would go anywhere near him. I can only guess that the news athletes hear through the grapevine doesn’t always filter to the general student population.
I pull out my phone. I’m glad that Harper and I exchanged numbers back in Paris when she was sick.
Tell me I have bad information and you’re not actually on a date with Cody Perkins.
Harper (ugh)
For once, you don’t have bad information. I am on a date with Cody, and it’s none of your business. Goodnight.
My nostrils flare.
Leave. That guy’s a piece of crap.
Harper (ugh)
