I don’t think it ever will.
“Bet,” Sid says. “I think this is the first time we’ve hung outwithZhuri and Cameron.”
“I think you’re right, Gagnon.”
Zhuri and I both roll our eyes.
“Yeah, we get it,” Zhuri replies. “You couldn’t hang out with us before because we couldn’t be nice to each other. Be happy you can do it now.”
“How did you and Sid even become friends?” I ask.
Bet looks at me like I should just know the answer. “We shared a rink, Cameron. We were always running into each other. We didn’t actually hang out much outside of the rink until a couple of years ago. By that point, you were traded to Denver, so being with our best friends was nixed.”
“I don’t think I realized how close you two were.”
“Me either,” Zhuri adds.
“We’ve gotten closer,” Sid shrugs, and I swear I can almost see the hint of a smirk on his lips.
“Cameron,” Elisabet cuts in. “I hope you realize that my ass is not leaving this chair for at least an hour.”
“I have a feeling Sid and Zhuri won’t be moving either,” I laugh. “Let’s just pass the time then.”
“What do you have in mind?” Zhuri asks.
I think it over before saying, “I have an idea.”
That’s how we find ourselves—four professional hockey players—playing Mario Kart on a Monday evening.
“Which of you fuckers threw the blue shell?” Bet yells as we watch Rosalina’s car spin out, and Sid passes her as Luigi.
“Sorry, Bet,” Zhuri smiles, blowing her a kiss. “All’s fair in love and war, babe.”
“You only got the blue shell because you’re in tenth place,” Bet grumbles, to which I start laughing hysterically.
I never expected Elisabet Almr to be such a sore loser.
“I’m in tenth place because fucking Mario hit me with his Piranha Plant.” Zhuri glares at me, and my smile only grows.
“Not my fault Peach was in my way,” I shrug.
“Just wait. I’ll kick your ass in the next race, Kovacic.”
“Is that so, Zhuri baby? Next track is Bowser’s Castle. No way you can keep up with me.”
“Fucking watch me.”
Bet manages to take the lead again from Sid, who finishes in second, while I manage fifth. Zhuri is able to slide up to eighth.
When the next race starts, we both take off, going neck and neck during the first lap.
Sid and Bet are really only throwing shells at each other, so they’re bringing up the rear while Zhuri and I fight and overtake each other for first.
Until right before we cross the finish line.
Zhuri gets an ill-timed red shell from the last item box on the track, hitting me and watching me spin out as she zooms past me over the finish line.
I end up in fourth after the next two racers cross the line ahead of me.
