Page 21 of Heated Rivalry 1
Plus, he liked them.
“You need a lamp beside your couch in that apartment,” Mom said, completely out of nowhere.
“What?”
“Your living room. It’s too dark. Do you want the one from the den at home? We don’t need it.”
“That’s okay, Mom. You keep that. I’ll get one.”
“Yuna! He doesn’t need our old furniture! He’s a millionaire!”
“It’s a nice lamp!” she argued. “They don’t make nice things anymore.”
“If you have the money, they’ll make anything,” Dad said.
“Next time you guys drive up we can go lamp shopping, Mom.”
That seemed to please her. “Have you had any friends over yet?” she asked.
“One guy. Hayden. You know...”
“Hayden Pike. The rookie. Left wing. Played in the Quebec league for Drummondville,” Mom recited. “Yes.”
“Yeah. He came over to check the place out one night before we went out with some of the other guys.”
“He seems like a nice boy,” Mom said. “I saw him interviewed.”
“He’s cool. Everyone has been great so far, really.”
Dad laughed. “Of course they have been! They’re damn lucky to have you.”
“I’m just another guy on the team.”
His parents looked at each other, but didn’t say anything. Shane let it go. He knew how proud they were of him.
“Anyway,” Dad said, “what were we talking about? Rozanov? We’re not worried about Rozanov, right?”
“He’s a dirty player,” Mom growled.
“He’s agoodplayer is what he is.” Shane sighed.
“Not as good as you. Not in any category,” Mom said firmly.
“He’s bigger than me.”
“You’re faster than him.”
“Maybe.”
“And you’re a leader. A nice young man. Rozanov is a jerk.”
Shane laughed. “Yeah. I know.”
He’s better at blow jobs than me. The thought crashed to the front of Shane’s brain, and he quickly grabbed for his water glass, nearly knocking it over.
His mother narrowed her eyes. “What’s wrong with you, Shane? You aren’t usually this nervous.”
“Nothing! I just want to win tonight. That’s all.”
