“Tell me you feel it now,” I say halfway through the meal.
Wolfe looks around like he’s just remembering where we are. “It’s a little quiet.”
“That’s what I’m saying. No one is joking around or talking or anything.”
He nods, finally fucking processing it, and then he stands. “Listen up, I’m going to need you guys to lock the fuck in. Because if we don’t win this game, I’m going to haunt all of you forever.”
A couple of guys laugh.
“Are you dying if we don’t win?” Solace asks.
“Dying? No, but let me fucking tell you, you’ll wish I died. I am going to haunt your asses in real time. Show up at your grandma’s house on the 4th of July and tell her what a disappointment you are. I’m gonna be at your neighbors peeking over your fence, reporting you to the HOA in ten years when you just think you’ve gotten away from me. I’m gonna be sitting next to your boss on that big performance review. Fuck, I’ll be staring you down in the goddamn interview.”
A pin could have dropped, and it would have sounded like a bomb. No one even chews for a full ten seconds. Then laughter breaks out.
“You think he’s kidding,” Lovelace says. “This mother fucker would.”
“I’m laughing because I know it’s true. I expect this bitch to pull up at my med school interviews,” Savage says, shaking his head. “If I don’t get my preferred program because of you fuckers, I’m joining him.”
Wolfe points at Savage. “This is the real one right here. Goalies know.”
“I know, and I feel you.” Savage makes a heart with his hands.
Wolfe mirrors it. “If I didn’t already have a best friend, you’d be my new best friend, bro.”
“Do I need to be jealous?” I say deadpan.
Wolfe winks and laughs. “Don’t worry. I won’t give him any of the benefits I give you, sweetheart.”
The guys laugh, which is a little shocking considering they know it’s true.
We win the semifinal game and then immediately go watch Boston’s game.
Theirs is close, but they win it 2-1.
We’re playing the Monsters for the Frozen Four title.
Everything is going great, and maybe the guys really don’t care. But I’m not telling Wolfe he’s right. I’m actually feeling like we can do this when we walk into the locker room for the final.
Everyone is playful and relaxed, doing their weird-ass pregame shit. Wolfe is eating a fucking hot dog for some reason.
“Where did you get that?”
“From the concessions.” He looks me right in the eyes as he takes a bite.
“Fucking stop.”
He grins before taking the last bite, then takes his time licking his fingers.
“Are you trying to make me hard for the game?”
“Will it make you play better?” he asks thoughtfully.
“Fuck off.”
“Hold up,” Solace says from the middle of the room. “Are you two a thing?”
“What?” Lovelace asks. “Who?”
