“Which one?”
“You have more than one?”
“Yes,” he was using his instructor’s voice again.
“This one on your arm.” She pointed to his bicep.
“You mean this arm?” He flexed in three different ways, which made Hailey laugh again.
“Careful you don’t rip your shirt.” She feigned her best worried voice.
“That’s more like it,” he said with satisfaction. “It says, ‘Salva nos a maleficio’. It means—”
“Save us from evil.” Hailey smiled playfully. “Evil hockey pucks?”
“You of all people know what kind of evil is lurking at Bear Towne.”
“What do you mean?” She knew exactly what he meant.
“You shouldn’t be hanging around with Asher.”
“Why not?”
“That guy is serious bad news, Hailey. I heard you’re going to Seven Trumpets with him.”
“It’s not…none of your business who I’m going with.” Now he did it. He’d perturbed her into using bad grammar. That made her even angrier.
“It is my business. I promised Pix I’d look after you here.”
“You did what?”
“Look, Hailey—” He was using that dang teacher’s voice again. “—he’s not human. That creature kills people.” Hailey rolled her eyes. “Oh, but it’s ok if he murders people, because he picked you as the only girl he’ll talk to—don’t pretend he doesn’t scare you.” He cocked his head at her and stared. Then he tried a different approach.
“I’m just worried about you.” He squeezed her knee. “I want you to hang around a little longer. Who would publicly shame me over my tiny manhood if he killed you?”
Now he was just trying to make her laugh.
“I’m really sorry about that,” she told him. “Do you want me to tell everyone I was talking about your gut?”
“Don’t you dare,” he said pointing his finger in her face, and Hailey laughed a genuine laugh.
But as she glanced out the window, her smile vanished. “You know, I’ve never heard Asher laugh.”
“Hey,” said Fin, and she turned.
He looked her square in the eyes, his face soft. “You can’t have love without laughter, Hailey.”
Chapter thirty-three
Confessions
There is a smile of love; And there is a smile of deceit; And there is a smile of smiles; In which these two smiles meet. - William Blake
Back at Bear Towne, Hailey walked half a block toward Eureka Hall before she realized she’d forgotten her puck. As she jogged back to retrieve it, she overheard the team chuckling.
Fin was laughing, too.
“Who, Hailey?” she heard him say, and she slowed so she could eavesdrop.
