Page 128 of Hockey Bois
“Change of plans. I am heading to my hotel, showering, and spending the rest of the night chowing on room service,” Gail said. “If y’all wanna stop by my room or convince me to leave the creature comforts of said room for a drink at the hotel bar, text me. Otherwise, see y’all next season.”
“Room service soundsreallygood right about now,” Young Greg said.
“Hotel bar?” Donno offered. “No use messing with something that works, right?”
“Think we could do Uber Eats or something? Eat in the lobby?”
They delayed the inevitable as long as possible. Then, slowly, as if about to step off the plank into treacherous, shark-infested waters, they built up their courage and made the runs to their cars.
Honestly, Nick wasn’t sure he needed the shower anymore. He had to peel off his clothes when he got to his hotel room. The rain pounded against the window. It rang in his ears. Even when he was clean and dry, he couldn’t shake the feeling of water cascading down his body.
And then he had to pay $15 Canadian for an umbrella so he could make it over to the Marriott.
The umbrella did nothing, not with the wind blowing the rain sideways into his face. The parking lot was one massive puddle.
“You look like a drowned cat,” Brady said.Hishair was blow-dried to perfection where it poked out from beneath his new cap, fresh from the Hockey Hall of Fame. He came over and ran both hands through Nick’s hair to shake out some water, the unexpected touch leaving Nick’s skin buzzing.
“Your face looks like a drowned cat,” Nick mumbled, breathless. Suddenly, with vivid clarity, he saw them all staying up late, drinking too much, the rain continuing to pour, and Brady drunkenly suggesting Nick wait out the rain by staying in Brady’s hotel room. There were no games tomorrow to “rest up for.” He had no excuse to leave as the crowd thinned. To cut off that possibility, he blurted out, “I have an early flight.”
Brady gave him a look like he was an idiot. “Yeah, I know. We got a deck of cards from the lobby shop. I’m teaching everyone how to play President. You in?”
“Sure.”
*
Brady (6:47 a.m.)
everyone’s freaking out because their flights are delayed
cuz of the storm
you good?
cuz I know you have that work stuff
Nick swiped away the message notifications as each came in. He was stressfully scrolling through flight details because yes, his flight was delayed, and yes, he had “that work stuff.” If he didn’t find some way out of this Godforsaken country within twenty-four hours he was screwed, but the weather hadn’t let up overnight and the whole Toronto airspace was grounded.
Nick (7:02 a.m.)
yeah i’m fucked
Brady (7:04 a.m.)
come hang out? you can stress eat breakfast while refreshing the flight info
Nick (7:11 a.m.)
check out isn’t until noon
Brady (7:12 a.m.)
and you wanna be able to gtfo if a flight opens up. just check out now
Nick (7:15 a.m.)
fine but you come to my hotel to eat you lazy shit i’m not getting rained on again until i leave
Brady (7:17 a.m.)
