“Goodbye, Cherry.”
“Hi, Cherry.” I do the worst possible thing I could do, look at James while in my sister’s presence. He’s back on the ice, leaning against the gate looking like every one of my God damn dreams. “We haven’t officially met. I’m James, James Plum.”
“Of course you are.” Flashing a nauseating smile, she steps around me and skips to stand beside him. “I didn’t know you played. You look very dashing all kitted out. Doesn’t he, Cory?”
My eyes fall closed. “I hate you. Please shut up.”
To my surprise, James doesn’t run, or skate, for the hill, but laughs and blushes and it’s way too adorable. “Mind if I steal your brother for a minute? I need to tape his shoulder before he starts.”
“You need to take his shirt off to do that, right?”
Shoot me now.
“I do. But there’s nothing to concern yourself with. I’m somewhat of a professional.”
“At clothes removal?”
“That, and physiotherapy.”
“So clothes removal, and rubbing your oiled hands all over?—”
“What the hell is going on here?” Inserting myself between them, I squeal like a very man-like banshee. “Are you flirting with him, or just trying to embarrass me?”
Cherry ducks around me again and shoots a wink at James. “Well it started as embarrassing you. The flirting was organic, ‘cause I get it, bro. I get it.”
“Oh my God.” Refusing to even look at her, or Chloe who is laughing like a hyena, I stomp away. “James, if I don’t die on the way, I’ll meet you in the treatment room. Cherry, Chloe. Go to hell.”
“Love you too, little buddy. Don’t forget to use the step if you can’t reach the table.”
Cory’s breath ghosts over my neck and the sliver of collarbone my polo exposed. I pretend I don’t feel it or the resulting dick twitch. Best I make some attempt at conversation. What’s a topic that would turn me off?
I know.
“Your sister is quite something.” I’m standing at the end of the bench, a distractingly shirtless Cory’s sitting on. He turns to face me, but I’m too quick. Grabbing his head and shoulder, I hold him in place. He fights it, he really wants to make eye contact, but I want, no need, the opposite more. With a huff he resigns and goes back to facing the basin.
“As a half Aussie, shouldn’t you say, she’s a top notch sheila—owww.” I’m not sure if I’ve taken some skin with it, or if it’s the reminder of his sibling, but Cory winces as I peel the tape from his shoulder.
“No one but seventy year old men or bogans trying to be retro-edgy say Sheila. Now stop being a baby, and sit.”
“What’s a bogan? Also, you’re the one who started talking.”
“That’s true. But I presumed that a gifted athlete such as yourself would have mastered talking and not moving at the same time. Now, sit still and answer the question. The bogan talk can wait, Cubby.” I know he’s as much of a fan of Cubby, as I am Jamie. But again like me, I think we’re both warming to it when coming from each other. My suspicion is confirmed when he sits up as though I’ve shoved a stick up his ass. “Good boy.”
“Fuck.” He reaches his left arm over and slap his hand over mine. “If you want us to be locked in the friend zone, good boy-ing me is going to make that very difficult.”
“Noted.” Giving his shoulder a squeeze, I slide my hand, and the rest of me, as far as I can get in. Which isn’t far.
This clinical white treatment room, sparsely furnished with a table, small desk I can barely fit behind, a series of stainless steel draws and cabinets and basin with a small mirror hanging over it, suddenly feels so crowded I can hardly breathe. That’s where I linger, by that basin, and though half of his face is reflected back at me, it’s enough to see the wicked smile I’m equally desperate to ignore and to kiss off.
Perhaps if you stop flirting, he will stop looking at you like he wants to eat you alive.
Clearing my voice, I try to steer the conversation back to safe territory. “So, your sister.”
“Mysister …”he sighs,“is indeedsomething. She’s had to be. Derek, that was her boyfriend, broke her heart so thoroughly she’s not been with anyone since. Not seriously anyway.”
“I can’t imagine she’d have much time for it, what with Billie, school and now nursing. Her determination and work ethic is admirable.”
“It’s exhausting, and I’ve only watched on from the sidelines.”
