Page 9 of The Home Grown
When Kathryn sticks her head around the door to ask me another question a moment later, all she gets is a view of my face, frozen in shock.
“Are you okay?”
“Come and read this,” I say, angling the laptop towards her as she approaches the bed.
I wait for her to read the post, the laptop screen reflecting off her glasses as her eyes move in quick formation left and right. She frowns, then widens her eyes, then scoffs loudly before scrunching up her nose.
“Do you think any of this is true?” I say, shifting the screen back towards me.
“Well, he sounds busy, that’s for sure … but this is what I’m getting at. Rick’s the same, which is why I don’t want him getting involved with Greg … or, I guess, having Greg involved with him.”
“I’m not sure I believe it. I mean…” I skim over the words again, trying to work out if the post is someone’s poor attempt at humour. “I’m sorry, but who trusts someone named‘IlovetoPuck29’?”
“Yeah, but look at the replies,” Kathryn says, tapping the screen with a glossy nail.
PrestonsBiggestFan19:
I knew he would be the type.
Johnny4Life923:
Typical of him. The club should fire him, or worse, trade him!!
HockeyFan213:
I can’t believe he would do that. Hope you’re okay and healing after your ordeal.
“People believe anything they read online,” I say.
“Well, I guess but anyway, it’s nothing to do with us. Pasta or rice?”
“I don’t mind,” I say, willing myself to close the lid of my laptop.
But I don’t. I can’t.
BETTSY
By my fifth beer,I have decided the whole ‘no-sex’ rule needs breaking. It didn’t last long, but I can’t help it—bars and women? I’m programmed to flirt. Flirt and be flirted with—or at least I hope for the latter.
“I think I was being harsh on myself,” I tell Danny. “I think I may … I don’t know, see who catches my eye tonight.”
He takes a sip from his beer, a grin forming on his lips. “I wondered how long it’d take you.”
“Yeah, well…”
“Has this got anything to do with this forum stuff? Because I don’t think you need to worry about it. The GM hasn’t called you in yet. That’s got to be a good sign.”
I tighten my jaw. “That’s a problem, mate. It’s only a matter of time.”
“Really? I guess I thought he’d want to see you pretty much straight away,” Danny says. “And since he didn’t…”
“It’s coming. Trust me.”
I take a sip of my own beer as I peer around the bar for a distraction.
It’s one of Johnny’s favourite places because it doesn’t get loud or overly busy. That, combined with it being a Sunday—a rare weekend evening off—means it’s pretty chilled in here, but there’s still several potentials scattered around the room.
My attention falls to the right side of the bar, and I nudge Danny’s arm.
