Page 142 of Hockey Halloween
“We haven’t spoken since high school,” I add. Since that horrible cast party at the end of senior year.
Unfortunately, this is the moment that Eden’s memory kicks in. “Oh, is this the guy that you?—”
I elbow my friend in the ribs before she can say another word and ask loudly, “So, you guys go to Monarch?”
And the Oscar for most obvious question ever goes to Maya Gordon. But I’m desperate to get this conversation onto a less painful track.
“Yeah. We’re both on the varsity hockey team,” Tyler says, apparently forgetting that he already told us this within five seconds of introducing himself. I mean, I get why he keeps underlining this fact because being a big-deal hockey star automatically makes you more attractive. Something I know all too well.
“We need someone hot to play Willoughby,” Athena insists. “Otherwise nobody will understand why Marianne keeps pining for him after every awful thing he does.”
“That’s not very nice. Germaine has already been cast,” I protest. Of course, since I’m playing Marianne, I secretly agree. Germaine has been overacting and showing off to the point where I have trouble conveying any attraction at all.
“Don’t worry, we’ll find another part that suits his talents,” she says confidently. But would Germaine give up a juicy role like the handsome cad? Although a broad comedic role like Sir John would be a better fit for someone who loves to ham it up.
Athena, Percy, and I are the three musketeers, bonded since freshman drama.We hang around at lunch, after school, and on weekends. And now that we’re seniors, we run the high school drama department, and we’re determined to make this year’s production ofSense and Sensibilityperfection.
“What about someone from the hockey team?” I suggest. “They just got eliminated from the playoffs.”
“Oooh, that’s a great idea. A lot of hotties there.” Athena pulls out herphone and scrolls through the team roster. “And they’ll have the physical presence to really carry off the role.”
“But will they even be able to memorize their lines? They’re jocks. Who knows how smart they are?” Percy asks.
Then I remember this guy in my history class. He’s a hockey player and seems quite smart. He got the highest mark on our last essay. And he’s attractive—if you like men with Scandi bone structure and rippling muscles, which I most certainly do.
“I might know someone. Karl Swanson. I’ve never spoken to him, but I could ask if he’s interested.”
Athena peers at her phone and licks her lips. “Oh yes. Come to momma, Karl.”
Present-day Karl is much less attractive as he sneers at my carefully crafted costume. “How considerate of you to come as Medusa. At least guys have fair warning that you’re going to destroy them.”
We haven’t spoken for a year and a half, and all he does is insult me? I was hoping for more, but if that’s the way he wants to be, then fine.
I look down my nose at him, a challenge since he’s much taller. “A pirate? Were all the man-slut costumes sold out?”
“Oh, please. If there’s anyone who’s an expert on sleeping around, it’s you,” he replies.
Eden gasps, and even Tyler looks shocked.
“What the fuck, Swanny? Why are you being such an asshole?”
At least Karl has the decency to flinch. “Maya and I have history,” he says, as if that explains everything.
“Did you guys go out?” Tyler asks.
“Hell, no,” we both retort at the same time. Well, we’ve always had a certain synchronicity.
“You’re sure acting like you did,” Tyler says.
Eden takes a big swig of her drink and nudges him. “Don’t you think they’re acting like those movies where two people seem to hate each other, but they end up together.”
“Oh, like a hate-fuck?” Tyler replies, and they both start laughing.
Karl physically recoils. “That will never happen.”
“You should be so lucky,” I mutter. He is rapidly plunging down my hot guy list.
He makes a dismissive snort. Now I’m really steamed.
