Page 23 of For the Boys
Before Berkley knew it, her beer was gone. Lexie grabbed her hand and towed her to the bar, where they grabbed two more and headed for the dance floor.
“Did you see Mitch punch Parker when he made that comment about keeping me?” Berkley asked Lexie, who was leaning close to hear her over the music.
“Yeah, dude, that was strange. Didn’t Parker help Brent out the night you were drugged? He was acting like he’d never seen you before.”
“Yeah, he was. That was strange too. And Mitch acting like he recognized me when I told him my name? I’ve literally never met him before.” Berkley took a swig of her beer. “Running into them is strange.”
“You’re wondering why Brent isn’t with them, aren’t you?”
Berkley shrugged. “I guess.”
Lexie stopped and stared down at Berkley, folding her arms across her chest. “Try again.”
“Okay, fine. I definitely was.”
For the next hour, Berkley didn’t think of anything, losing herself in the music. Although Contour catered to the underage and immature, the DJ knew how to pick good jams. He played a wide range of music, from nineties anthems to today’s hits. Before long, Mitch joined them on the dance floor, leaving Jay and Parker behind. The three formed a little circle, dancing and singing. Mitch moved surprisingly well for such a large man. He was an incredible skater, which made him a great defenseman, but on-ice athletic ability didn’t always translate to off-ice grace.
The song changed to a Gwen Stefani hit, and Berkley groaned. “I hate this song!” she yelled at Lexie.
Lexie nodded in agreement. “Bathroom?” she yelled back.
Berkley grabbed her hand and towed her off the floor in response. Mitch followed behind. When Berkley gave him a look, he said, “What? Dudes pee too!”
Berkley laughed and followed Lexie into the ladies’ room. Lexie stepped to the sinks while Berkley entered the stall.
“So, Mitch is pretty hot,” Lexie said. Anyone else would’ve thought Lexie was being conversational, but Berkley knew her better than that.
“Do we have a crush?” Berkley asked, smirking at Lexie as she came out of the stall. Lexie stood at the mirror, finger-combing her hair.
“Of course not,” Lexie said, glaring down at Berkley like that was the most preposterous thing she had ever heard. “I just think he’s hot. Might have to take him for a test drive.”
Berkley laughed. Lexie was perpetually taking men for “test drives.” It was her idea of dating. “He seems like a good guy,” Berkley said, watching as Lexie yanked her hair up into a high pony.
“I don’t care if he’s a good guy. I only care if he’s good in bed.” Lexie turned and walked out, Berkley on her heels. Mitch met them at the door. Parker and Jay were standing close by.
“So we were thinking we’d hit up somewhere less crowded, maybe get some food,” Mitch said. “Would you guys maybe want to join us?”
Lexie didn’t even bother looking at Berkley before answering. “Hell yeah.”
After they left Contour, they ended up at a sports bar, the walls of which were covered in large flat screen televisions and memorabilia from local teams. Mitch led them through a small seating area to the large bar in the back, where he pulled up a chair.
The bartender looked up and said, “Mitch, my man!”
The two exchanged the kind of handshake only men know. Lexie sat down on Mitch’s left, Berkley on his right. Parker and Jay stalled at the pool tables, talking to a couple of men standing there.
“Who are your friends?” the bartender asked, tucking a piece of dark brown hair streaked with grey behind his ear. He was probably in his forties, brown eyes creasing at the corners when he smiled.
“This is Berkley and Lexie,” Mitch said, pointing to each girl in turn.
“Nice to meet you, Berkley and Lexie,” the bartender said. “I’m Rick. What can I get you?”
Berkley and Lexie both ordered draft beers, and Mitch ordered a whiskey sour. The television directly in front of them was playing, of course, a hockey game. Chicago was leading Boston, 3–1, late in the third period.
“Have you guys ever been to a game?” Mitch asked, tipping his drink toward the television before taking a sip.
Berkley put her beer down and wiped her hand across her mouth. “I have. Lexie clearly hasn’t since she didn’t even know what sport you play.”
Lexie looked hurt for all of two seconds before she laughed. “It’s true. I watch hockey mostly because she, Amelia, and Kimber are obsessed with it. And hockey players are hot.”
