Page 95 of Puck with Karma
Mallory takes the lead.
“It was such an amazing game in New York, Xander. I told Janie she needs to watch you in action against the Sliders.”
“We lost in New York. You were probably the bad luck there.”
I sound angry and bitter. They’re both valid emotions considering I played like shit, and we lost because of it.
“I can’t believe you’d say that, Xander.” Mallory laughs like I just said the best joke. And it sounds fake as fuck.
“What else am I supposed to think? We’ve been doing so good, beating all these teams. The Sliders suck this year. Their team is weak, and they know it. And they beat us.”
I sound so angry by the time I am finished with my tirade, even Noah is looking at me funny. He stopped moving on the elliptical, choosing instead to unapologetically eavesdrop on the conversation I’m having with my sister and her best friend.
“What does that have anything to do with me?” Mallory’s voice sounds soft and confused, albeit incredulous.
I growl at her. “You were there. Enough said.”
“Maybe I’ll be your lucky charm this time.” She tries to sound happy and cheery, but it just angers me more.
Suddenly, I remember the text I got from that unknown number, from some chick named Chloe who asked for Mallory number.
“Does this have anything to do with Brandon Karlsberg?”
“W-what? Who is that?”
“Really, Mal?”
I can’t believe these girls think I’m that stupid. I’m not sure what I hate more right now, the fact that they think they can play me, or the fact that they’re trying to play me with my arch nemesis. What the fuck is it with this guy?
“Really what, Xander?” Mallory sounds mad at me now. I guess she’s had enough of kissing up to me for some tickets.
I snort in fake amusement.
“I’m really glad my sister didn’t make that flight to New York. Her being there with you would’ve been the worst thing ever. I told my parents before that you were a bad influence, and that weekend just proved it.”
I never told my parents that because I never gave Mallory much thought to begin with. I was always grateful that Janie had someone in her corner, but I was never involved in anything they ever did.
“Xander,“ my sister now yells into the phone. “I can’t believe you’re talking like this to my best friend!”
She is right. I have no business talking to Mallory this way, but I can’t help it. My emotions are too raw.
“That is not the type of friend you want to have, Janie,” I yell back. “Do you even know what she did that weekend? Or better yet,whoshe did that weekend?”
I hear Mallory’s gasp of shock, and I feel ashamed. But that doesn’t seem to stop my anger. And it is all because of that one fucker who seems to be taking over every aspect of my life. Brandon Karlsberg.
In the corner of my eye, I notice Noah getting off the elliptical and rushing to stand in front of me. He waves his arms in distress.
“Abort, abort!”
He mouths the words to me, but nothing can stop me now. Instead, I continue yelling at Janie and Mallory, telling them all about the message I got where someone was asking Mallory’s number for Bran. I’m pretty sure I don’t say the actual words, but the implication of what I think about Mallory is there.
My sister finally puts a stop to it all.
“You know what, Xander, we don’t need your stupid tickets anyway. I hope you lose your ass in that game.”
With that, the line goes quiet, and when I look at my phone, I am shocked to see she hung up on me.
“Dude,” Noah tries to get my attention. “Are you fucking possessed? What’s going on with you?”
