I’d bet my life that’s the only reason my father apologized.
I’ll take whatever I can get, though. I rarely see my dad anymore, and when I do, he’s complaining about something. That his office at the new arena isn’t finished yet. That the new Zamboni is already scratched. The date of the first pre-season game. It’s always something.
And Lourdes is even worse.
That’s why I do my best to entertain Lindy when I can. She gets the brunt of everyone’s bad moods, and they’re so caught up in themselves they don’t even notice how unhappy she is.
I’m just grateful I had my mom for fourteen years. If I can take even a little of what she taught me and show some of that love and affection to Lindy, it’s win-win for both of us.
Chapter
Thirteen
Bodi
“I need a wingman,” I blurt on Saturday morning as I make a cup of coffee.
West looks up from something he’s doing on his phone. “Huh?”
“Like the Top Gun,” Vik adds helpfully.
West chuckles. “I know what itis, I’m just not sure what he needs it for.”
“I met a girl online and I’m going to meet her in person today. At the Farmer’s Market.”
“Oh.” West is thoughtful. “Okay. I can do that.”
“Farms?” Vik asks curiously.
“Farmers’market,” I explain. “It’s like a flea market but for food and stuff.”
“I can wingman too?”
I hesitate, but really, what’s the difference? If things go well, they can find something else to do. If things don’t, I’ll have an excuse to leave.
“What happens if she’s not hot?” I didn’t realize Simon had joined us in the kitchen.
I shrug. “I don’t know. I mean, we’ve kept a level of anonymity, not exchanging numbers or anything. And she thinks my name is Broderick.”
“You haven’t even told her your real name?” West grimaces. “I don’t know, man, seems to me you’re setting this up to fail before it even starts.”
“Broderick is actually my full name, I just don’t use it except on legal documents. Anyway, she seems cool. And if she’s not my type, we can still be friends.”
West and Simon burst out laughing.
“Yeah, like that ever works.” Simon shakes his head. “I may have to tag along, just to see how things go down.”
I roll my eyes. “If you guys do something to embarrass me, or worse, do something to hurt her feelings, I’ll be pissed.”
“Hey.” West is momentarily serious. “We might giveyoushit for days, but I would never, ever do something to purposely hurt someone’s feelings. That’s not who I am.”
“Same.” Simon nods. “No worries in that department. And if you two hit it off, we’ll make excuses and disappear.”
“Where are we going?” Felix comes into the kitchen in nothing but his boxers. “Do I have to get dressed?”
“Well, if we were going out, you couldn’t go likethat,” Simon points out, laughing.
Felix looks down like he’s surprised he’s barely wearing anything. “Oh. Yes. I am used to without the clothes.” He speaks decent English but has a distinct French-Canadian accent and sometimes uses odd phrasing. We’re used to it now.
