“Yeah, maybe,but Cherkowsky ain’t here,” Buzz pointed out.
My heart was inmy throat as I rushed to close the distance between us, scared that Buzz mighttry to fight Huck for some unknown reason.
Huck shrugged.“Well, I don’t usually fight off the ice, or without pads.”
“Yeah, figuredyou’d need pads to throw down.”
“Oh, no the padsare for you,” Huck retorted, putting his hands up in a boxer’s stance.
Buzz bust outlaughing. “Come on, man, I’m just fuckin’ with you. But what the hell’s aStanley Cup winner doin’ in our house?”
“The team wonthe cup, and I won a trip to an orthopedic surgeon.”
“Yeah, man, Iwas real sorry to hear about that. I thought you were a shoo-in for rookie ofthe year.”
I frowned.
Huck playshockey?
Great. Hockeywas a kind of a big deal around here. Ever since the Ducks had become a teamback in the early nineties according to Hatch. I mean, football, basketball,and baseball were also a big deal, but hockey for Buzz was life.
“Um, I invitedhim,” I squeaked. “Hi, Huck. I see you’ve met Buzz.”
Huck smiled atme. “Hey, Daisy.”
“God damn, Buzz,hockey?” Fletch admonished. “Is there anything youdon’tbet on?”
“The kids areplayin’ hide-n-seek, why don’t you see if you can get in on the action on theboys’ team?” Chigger suggested.
“I would neverdo that,” Buzz scoffed. “I already got twenty ridin’ on the girls.” Buzz turnedto Huck. “Let me ‘buy’ you a beer.”
“Thanks, man.”Huck nodded toward me. “I’m gonna hang with Daisy for a bit, cool?”
Buzz gave him achin lift, but I could see disappointment in his eyes. “Oh, yeah, sure. Find melater.”
Huck smiled andfocused on me. Oh my god, he looked so good. He wore dark jeans, a tight, blackT-shirt, and a pair of Nike high-tops, and it was so different than what I wasused to seeing. No cut, no leather jacket, and certainly no motorcycle boots.
I licked my lipsand tried to control my breathing as I asked, “Did you find the place okay?”
“Yeah.”
“Hi, I’mTeagan.” Teagan reached out her hand.
“Oh, my god,sorry. This is my bestie,” I explained as they shook hands. “Did you bringLouisa?”
Huck shook hishead. “Nope, just me.”
“Nice to meetyou, Huck. I’ll let Daisy show you around.” Teagan hugged me, whispering, “Intoyou, honey.Into you.”
She walked awayand I slid my hands into my pockets. “I’ll show you where everything is. Areyou hungry?”
He shrugged. “Icould eat.”
We made our wayout to the back where we had picnic tables set up. It had been raining earlier,so the awnings had been pulled open for cover. Both grills were going so westarted there, passing coolers stocked with various drinks on the way.
“Help yourself,”I said, and he grabbed a beer.
Hatch, the clubpresident was manning one of the grills, as was Harm.
