Page 32 of Pucking Matt
Jen beams at me. “See? I told you it would be fun. Now, which one is Harvey again?”
It looks like the players are already warming up on the ice. We scan the rink, looking for the number Harvey told us. 13. When we spot him, I can't help but feel a little impressed. He moves with a grace I wouldn't have expected on the ice, weaving between other players with ease.
“Not bad,” I murmur, watching as he warms up.
And then I see him. Matt. Even from here, I can see the confidence radiating off him as he skates. I could pick him out in the sea of people. It’s how he holds himself and the way he walks, or skates in this case.
But I push those thoughts aside. I'm here to have fun, to support Harvey (sort of), and to set my plan in motion. Matt Pearson might think he's hot stuff on the ice, but he has no idea what's coming for him at the after-party.
As the game progresses, I find myself getting more and more into it. I cheer when Harvey’s team scores, boo at bad calls from the refs, and even jump to my feet a few times during particularly intense plays.
“I thought you were a basketball girl,” Jen teases during a break between periods.
I shrug, unable to keep the smile off my face.
The final buzzer sounds, and the Honey Badger team has won. The crowd erupts in cheers, and even I find myself caught up in the excitement. As we file out of the arena, heading towards the frat house where the after-party is being held, I feel a mix of anticipation and nervousness.
I take a deep breath, thinking about the plan I’m about to set in motion.
As we approach the frat house, music already spilling out onto the street, I can't help but smile. I get to play another stupid prank on Matt. I can't wait to see the look on his face.
We enter the house as I scan the room, noting with satisfaction that the hockey players haven't arrived yet. Perfect. This gives me time to set my plan in motion.
“Grab us drinks,” I say to Jen to occupy her.
I spot a group of girls chatting near the DJ and make my way over, putting on my friendliest smile. “Hey, girls,” I say, trying to sound casual. “Are you guys up for helping me prank someone on the team tonight?”
They all turn to look at me, expressions ranging from confusion to intrigue. One girl with bright pink hair raises an eyebrow. “A prank?”
I hold up my hands in a placating gesture. “Don't worry, it's meant to be funny. Nothing mean-spirited, I promise.”
The pink-haired girl shrugs. “Sure, I'd be down to help with a prank. Why not?”
The others nod in agreement.
“Great,” I say, lowering my voice. “Do you guys know Matt Pearson?”
One girl, a blonde with perfect beach waves, nods a little too enthusiastically. I file that information away for later.
I pull out a wad of cash from my purse, enjoying the way their eyes widen. “Okay, here's the deal. When he walks through those doors tonight, I need you to pretend to be really interested in him. Like, all over him.”
“We're not your strippers,” one girl says, crossing her arms.
I shake my head quickly. “No, no, nothing like that. I'm talking about some harmless flirting, maybe a bit over-the-top. I have a hundred dollars for each of you to just keep up the act for an hour.”
There's a moment of silence as they process this. Then the pink-haired girl grins. “A hundred dollars an hour job tonight? I'll take it.”
In the end, six girls agree to my plan. It's not as many as I'd hoped for, but it should be enough to make Matt uncomfortable.
“I’ll pay after, so when the hour is up, come find me.”
As I make my way back to Jen, I can't help but laugh at how stupid this is. This prank isn’t as horrible as prank calling my law firm, but I have to embarrass him somehow. I still haven’t figured out how to mess with his hockey career.
“What was that about?” Jen asks as I rejoin her.
“Oh, you know, just asking them some questions about college. Did you get us some drinks?”
Jen passes me a red solo cup filled with something that smells potent. She checks her phone, frowning slightly. “Harvey still hasn't texted me. Did he text you?”
