Page 34 of O Goalie Night
“Ohhh, no love. I drive here, I don’t drive home.” She cradles my cheek in her hand. “Your skin is soft, like my cat. Have you tried the punch?” She raises her cup to take a drink and seems legitimately confused to find it’s empty. “I’m going to go get some more. Looooove you!”
Now what?
I suppose when Tamara offered to drive me, I should have confirmed that meant both ways.
As I watch her disappear into the kitchen I evaluate my options. The simplest thing to do would be to order an Uber. I haven’t done it yet, but it can’t be that complicated.
Let me know if you need me to pick you up.
Despite the kind offer,I am not calling Foster. The man is not my personal chauffeur and I refuse to take advantage of his generosity more than I already have.
Pulling out my phone, I open the Uber app and enter my location and destination. A driver accepts my ride, but they're coming from Centrepoint and are more than 20 minutes away. I waver on what to do, not sure I want to be here for that much longer.
“So, how about that drive?” Jacob asks. “I’m heading out now anyway, if you’re ready to go.”
While I want to go back to Foster’s sooner rather thanlater, I definitely don’t want to give Jacob the wrong idea by letting him drive me home.
Just then the sound of breaking glass followed by raucous laughter comes from the kitchen and I make up my mind.
Wincing up at Jacob, I say, “I’m definitely ready.”
“Tamara will get home safely,I promise,” Jacob assures me, patting me on the knee. His hand lingers a moment too long and I stiffen. We’ve been sitting in awkward silence since we got in the car.
“Hmm? Oh, of course. I know that.” I tried to convince Tamara to come with us, but she was enjoying herself too much. While I felt confident that she wouldn’t attempt to drive in her condition, selfishly I would have loved to have her as a buffer for this car ride.
It’s becoming clear to me that her assessment of Jacob was correct. He seems to be interested in me. I’ve noticed the way his entire face lights up when he sees me and when he insisted on helping me put on my coat as we were leaving, I could have sworn he smelled my hair.
Even though my feelings are not reciprocated, I’m hopeful we can still be friends. After all, he’s a really nice guy and we seem to have a lot in common.
I mean, we’re both teachers, approximately the same age, and Otters fans.
But if we have any hope of being friends, I need to shut down any idea on his part that we will become anything more.
“Did you watch the hockey game last night?” he asks, breaking the silence.
“Yes! Great game. Heron’s goal late in the third was beautiful. I thought for sure we were going into overtime.”
“Same,” he nods as he pulls onto Foster’s street. “James should have stopped that goal in the second. He’s really been off his game lately.”
I scrunch up my face but say nothing. What games has Jacob been watching? Foster’s been on fire this season and anyone who says otherwise doesn’t know their ass from their elbow.
“It doesn’t help that their defence has been a joke so far this season.”
Deep breaths, Beth.
Look. I realise that it’s common practice to talk shit about athletes. They make millions of dollars a year and because of that, fans feel like they’re owed perfect performances. But the fact is, professional athletes are still human. They’re out there working their asses off under unbelievable pressure and constant scrutiny. So when people who’ve never played the game anywhere near that level offer up their couch commentary, I get a little defensive.
Furthermore, Jacob is wrong. Foster’s advanced stats have been excellent and Ben and the rest of the defence have been solid. Yes, they’ve lost a few games they probably shouldn’t have, but that’s hockey.
Foster’s property comes into view and I point to his driveway. “This is me here. You can just pull over.”
He doesn’t listen and pulls into the entrance. “Wow,” he says as he drives up the long driveway. Wow is right.Foster’s place is impressive. “Who did you say you’re staying with?”
“A friend,” is all I offer him. He puts the car in park and I say, “Thanks again for the ride.”
“My pleasure.”
I climb out of the car, intending to tell him that I’ll see him at work, but to my absolute horror he gets out of the car and starts to walk towards the house. I’m frozen in place next to the car.
