“When?”
“Like an hour ago?” he says. “I stopped by to check on you and you weren’t there.”
I meet Ethan’s eyes and now I understand the way he’s looking at me. My heart begins racing as panic creeps in.
“He was outside getting air,” Ethan answers for me, turning his attention to Creed. “Just asked him.”
“Ah. You check out the little park? Is it nice?”
Ethan gives me a single nod, subtle. Barely there. So I nod. “Yep. It’s nice.”
Lying is easy when I’m prepared for it. But the kinds of lies I usually give are definitely more thought out. I’m prepared for them. They’re well practiced with just enough detail to fit in with the person I’ve built myself into.
When I have to come up with something on the spot that’s a surprise—which rarely happens, thankfully—I’m like a deer in the headlights.
“Cool. Glad you’re feeling better. You look much better,” Creed says.
I nod and concentrate on my water.
I receive lots of comments that I’m looking better as we get on the bus and then as we’re changing in the locker room at the Arizona arena. Fuck’s sake. I had no idea I’d been looking that shitty.
We get on the ice, and I can’t stop myself from immediately seeking out Lo. He’s already grinning in my direction. Keepingmy head down, I focus on warming up all the way until we’re ready for puck drop.
“Is it time for banter?” Lo asks as we settle into place. I look toward him as do several other players. “We’re going to get sand in your moss so it’s all gritty.”
“What the fuck is this?” Sacha asks.
“Trash talk,” Ethan says, laughing.
“Not very good trash talk,” Lo’s teammate comments. “Seriously, Lo.”
“It was better than we were going to ride their sand, no? Should we ride their moss?”
“We’re going to skidmoss all over you,” Ethan taunts, triumphantly.
“See? Oh! We’re going to ride all over your moss and leave sand skids,” Lo says, trying to sneer.
“This is shit,” Sacha groans. “Who teach you this?”
Both teams are chuckling. Even the ref is looking at Lo with amusement.
“What is a skidmoss?” one of Lo’s teammates asks.
“We’re about to show you,” Jakub says. “Pay attention, sand boys.”
The puck drops and it’s like magic watching the trio take immediate possession. I remain where I am, hovering close to our zone. The puck gets tossed my way and I sling it back to Jakub. He just happens to have a decent shot with no one but the goalie in his way.
He sinks it.
“That is a skidmoss,” Jakub says as he skates by. “Let me know if you need some lessons.”
Ethan cackles as he circles back to the center.
CHAPTER 24
LO
The nonsense bantercontinues throughout the game. Even during the few fights against the boards that break out, I can still hear their ridiculous ribbing.
