Page 30 of Pucking Matt
Zack orders the same, minus the shake. As the waitress walks away, he turns to me with a raised eyebrow. “So, who is Amby?”
I'm saved from answering by the arrival of Harvey. That was quick. He must’ve been on the road when he called. He slides into the booth next to Zack, looking confused and a little worried.
“Alright, I'm here,” he says, glancing between Zack and me. “What's the story?”
I hold up a finger, signaling him to wait as I flag down the waitress. “Let's get you some food first, man. Trust me, you're gonna need it for this conversation.”
Once Harvey places his order, he leans back, arms crossed. “Okay.”
I take a deep breath. “Amber.” I glance at Zack because it’s not Amby.
“What about her?” Harvey asks, impatiently. He seems to be on edge, not looking forward to what I’m about to say.
“We have history.”
Harvey's eyebrows shoot up. “History? Like, you dated?”
I can't help but snort at that. “God, no. More like enemies. We went to high school together. Her brother is my age, so Iknew him fairly well by being in class with him. But we were never friends. He loved to party and do drugs.”
I watch Harvey's face carefully. His expression shifts from curiosity to disbelief as I explain about Amber's brother, Joey.
“This guy was a piece of work,” I say, shaking my head. “Always high, always causing trouble. And he hated my guts, probably because I had hockey, friends, whatever. You know me.”
Harvey's brow furrows, but he doesn't interrupt.
“Anyway, one day I'm walking down the hall, minding my own business, when I overhear Amber spilling all her family drama to her friends. I knew that she was his little sister, and I was sick of hearing about all the dumb shit he was doing. I'm talking real Jerry Springer stuff – the whole works.”
I don’t feel like telling him all the details because I’m not trying to embarrass Amber or reveal all her family problems, especially if they end up liking each other.
Harvey's eyes widen, his burger forgotten in front of him.
“So, because I was a young kid who couldn’t keep his mouth shut – I had shit going on with my mom – I told Amber to keep that drama to herself. You know, for her own good. Next thing I know, she's coming at me.”
Harvey's jaw drops. “Wait, what?”
I nod, not enjoying the memory particularly. I remember how it felt to be physically hit by someone I barely knew. That moment was imprinted in my brain.
“Yep. She bitch-slapped me first and then full-on attacked me. We ended up tumbling down the stairs. She got suspended, I had scratches all over my face, got a killer bruise on my side, and we've hated each other ever since.”
Harvey's sitting back now, arms crossed, a skeptical look on his face. His burger lies untouched.
Zack is eating his fries like popcorn as he listens.
“So, when you saw her at the Grind Stone?” he prompts.
“I tried to keep things cool, man. Water under the bridge and all that. But she couldn't let it go. And now...” I lean in, lowering my voice conspiratorially, “She's using you to get to me.”
Harvey's jaw clenches. “What do you mean, using me?”
I sigh. “I warned her not to, told her to leave you out of it. But she said she didn't care. That's why I've been pranking her, trying to get her to back off.”
“You’ve been pranking her?” Harvey scoffs.
“Yeah, and she’s pranking me back. Those guys checking out my truck earlier was because she put my truck online for sale.”
“What?” Harvey and Zack say.
“Dude,” Zack adds. “He had to pay two hundred bucks for sushi earlier. That’s why we’re here.”
