STORM FORECAST
MATS
SINC TAPS ON MY DOOR, WHICH IS ALREADY SLIGHTLY AJAR.
Hey, Mats. Andy baked cookies. Do you want some before the hungry hordes find them? He holds out a round cookie tin full of his girlfriend’s chocolate chip cookies. I reach for one, then pull my hand back.
Sorry. I’ve got dinner at Marjorie’s tonight, and I have to save my appetite. Thanks, though. We’ve had three dinners so far. The Snickers salad has not made an encore appearance, but every meal can politely be described as hearty.
He looks out my window. I don’t like the look of that sky. Maybe you shouldn’t go tonight.
I pull out my phone and check the weather. It says light flurries. And I have four-wheel drive. We should be okay.
He frowns. I’m pretty good at storm predicting.
Is that something you learned on the farm?
Maybe? He unfurls his lanky frame onto my bed. Neko is already there, so she curls up beside him. How are the dinners going with Cleo?
She’s different. No filter, and she’s got a ton of energy. Obviously, she’s a true extrovert, which I appreciate on my low-energy nights. But I’m not quite sure what to make of her whole story about seeing me last season. It almost sounded like she’d been interested, which is not a vibe she’s ever given me.
Sinc clears his throat, which is one of his nervous tells.
What’s wrong? I ask.
He groans. How can you always tell?
We’ve been friends since junior hockey, and he’s always been an open book. A lot like Cleo, actually.
He blows out a loud breath. I just wanted to give you a heads-up about Lana. She’s started going out with Luke Charlevoix.
Charlie is a senior and a defenceman on the Mustangs. We’re friendly, but not close. Still, he’s a bit of a surprise. With his laid-back personality, he doesn’t seem like the type of guy ambitious Lana would choose.
Charlie? He’s not the guy I would have guessed. After Zee’s warning, I’ve been prepared for her to date one of my teammates.
Does it bother you? Jack’s concern is sincere, since he’s not a gossip. In fact, I’m surprised he even found out before me.
I heave a sigh of relief. No, I’m good. I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about our relationship, and I’m actually glad it’s over.
When we were going out, I accepted Lana’s criticisms and insecurities as part of our relationship. After all, I’m hardly perfect, and overall, things seemed good. But in retrospect, the way she tried to change me and control the narrative around our relationship was downright creepy. Did she actually care about the real me? Because the first time I dared to break out of her mould and do something she didn’t like, she was done.
Do you think Charlie is good-looking? I ask, then want to stuff the question back in my mouth. It reeks of neediness. But if my relationship with Lana was based on appearances, then how does Charlie fit into her boyfriend requirements? He’s a Quebeçois guy with a shaggy mullet and a casual attitude about grooming.
Sinc grins. I asked Andy the same thing. She’s the one who told me about Lana and Charlie in the first place. She ran into them at the arena. Sinc’s girlfriend is the sports editor of the campus newspaper, so she’s around the arena at odd times. She said—and this is a direct quote—‘he’s not bad, but not nearly as attractive as Mats.’
We laugh, and he continues, Apparently, on the hotness scale, Charlie is a six or seven and you’re a nine. Again, Andy’s ratings, not mine.
Only a nine? I joke.
I better be the only ten on Andy’s scale, Sinc insists with mock indignation. He enjoys commitment more than anyone I know. But in his case, it works perfectly. He’s been happier and more confident ever since he and Andy got together. I’m glad for him, and maybe a touch envious too. Not because he has a girlfriend, but because he’s found someone so well suited to him.
Thanks for the heads-up, Sinc. But I’m over Lana now.
The news about her and Charlie feels distant, like it’s happening to someone else. And lesson learned: Next time, I won’t put up with any crap. If someone doesn’t appreciate my essential nature, forget it.
He smiles and sits up. That’s great news, Mats. I was worried about telling you, because it felt like bad news. But you’ve moved on. You’re not seeing anyone new, are you?
Nope. I’ll focus on school and hockey for now.
