Page 52 of Off the Stick
Ergo, my ego.
“Just because you’ve never seen me with a female friend—” I use air quotes and twist my face—“doesn’t mean I haven’t had one.Have you been friends with a woman before, Lundy?”
I turn the tables as we walk side by side out the locker room, carrying our bags slung over our shoulders.
“Yeah, my wife was my best childhood friend.”He gives me a pointed sideways look.“Which proves my point.Don’t kid yourself.Your friendship with Halle is doomed to be shut down by your dick.”
I’m saved by the bell from discussing this any further when Rossco approaches us from behind, slapping his oversized mitts on each of our shoulders.
“Who’s Halle?”he asks in a sly tone.“And is she hot and up for a threesome?”
I slam an elbow into Rossco’s ribs and he yipes like a baby.“Fuck me, bruh.Why you always be hating on me?What I do to you?”
Glancing over my shoulder, I roll my eyes at the big oaf, who stands at least another five inches above me, with broad shoulders, and a chest like a brick wall.All of which make him such a great d-man.
“That’s because you’re always an idiot.”
This elicits a snort out of the typically reserved Nils, who walks ahead as we continue down the corridor toward the exit and our private underground carpark.
Before getting to the door of his new custom Range Rover, Rossy stops and gives me a smirk.
“If I’m such an idiot, then how come I have my own foundation, eh?”Rossy straightens his shoulders, lifting one proudly in alook at me gogesture.
A year ago, Rossco established a charitable foundation to support youth hockey for kids in foster care, sick kids, and for the families who couldn’t financially afford to shell out the expenses that come with the sport.It was something near and dear to his heart because he himself was raised in a poor household and the only way he got to play was through a Boys and Girls Club of Canada.The foundation has already raised over fifteen million, and he’s contributed over a million of his own earnings, too.
Nils pipes in,“Yeah, but don’t you have other people run it for you, Rossy?”
“Well, yeah.My sister does but I’m still involved, you know?That counts.”
“Whatever makes you feel better about yourself, Rossy,” I chirp.
“Ahh, bite me, you guys,” he grumbles, opening the back door and tossing in his bag.“I’m telling Ali neither one of you are going to be the December model for our next year’s charity calendar.”
Nils and I exchange a look and hoot in laughter, the sound reverberating off the concrete of the underground ramp.
I snap my fingers with a theatrical swing of my arm.
“Aww, shucks, Rossy.My feelings are hurt,” I say in a whiny voice, my mouth turning into a pout.“I guess you’ll have to do the naked Santa pose for the December page all by yourself.”
The slam of his car door is the response we get, and our laughter is drowned out by the sounds of an Ozzy song blaring from inside Rossco’s car.He peels out of the spot, but then slows down, and opens his window as he inches closer.
“Better yet, I’ll make you guys wear the elf costumes,” he says with an evil cackle.Then he flips us off as he speeds toward the exit.
“Well shit.My wife is gonna love that.”Nils says, a grin ticking up the corners of his bearded mouth.
I chortle with glee.“Guess we just became calendar elves.”
Nils laughs again and gives me a hand-clasp of goodbye.
“Check ya later.”
“Yeah, see ya later, Lundy.”
Just as I’m about to get into my car, I hear Cale call my name.
“Yo, Ax!”
I peer over my shoulder to see him jogging toward me from the exit doors, his gym bag hanging across his torso and swinging and bouncing as he runs.I lean on the car door and wait for him to catch up.
