"Beth gave me this book. She said it would help me figure out my future or something like that. Obviously, that’s a load of crap. Each puzzle has only one clue left unsolved. It’s clearly just her version of busywork." I open the book, flipping to the first page, to show Howie the clue.
"What kind of pencil is that?"
I look at him sideways, turning the wooden stick over in my fingers. "A number two, I think."
"Then how does the lead show up in gold?"
What is he talking about?
Howie maneuvers his Bronco into an open parking spot and turns off the ignition as I move the book back to my lap. Scanning the page, staring back at me are the exact letters I just wrote, but instead of being dark gray like they should be, swirly gold script settles into the parchment.
"I honestly have no idea." I shudder. "Did you know Beth has another sister?"
Howie’s face shifts in confusion. "What? Who?" He spent as much time with Beth as I did growing up. Take that, Mom, I’m not the only one who didn't pay attention.
"Her name’s Irene, or maybe Ariana." I toss the book back into my bag, my stomach swirling over the change in color.
"Irina?" Howie asks, his face turning pale.
"That’s the one." I snap my fingers and point at him.
As I’m pulling the handle on the door to get out, I hear Howie mumble to himself, "Not again."
eight
Max
A Carjacking
I wake to the sound of Benny whining. Pulling the comforter over me, I sink deeper into my pillow. As the warmth and softness of my sheets envelop me, the alarm clock on my bedside table blares like a foghorn on a silent night.
"No, need more sleep." I swing my arm over to the offending device and attempt to hit the snooze button, but a wet, rough tongue streaks down the side of my face as tiny fur-covered paws pad my chest.
"Ugh… fine. I’m up, Benny." My three-month-old beagle sits back on his haunches as I give up and sling the covers off of me. "But you aren’t going on the pee pad this time. It’s time to be a man, Benny."
It was a late night, with too many beers and too many jokes about my face looking worse after a run-in with Sadie than it didafter a gnarly fight on the ice. Walking to the back door of the cottage I rent, I twist the knob and sling it open to let Benny do his business. Instead, he looks at me with his big puppy eyes and sits down.
"Benny, we talked about this." I wave my arm toward the small backyard, but he doubles down by curling up at my feet. "The grass is soft. I even lay in it sometimes, I promise."
Benny cowers, a look of disgust on his little wrinkly face, and I release a frustrated breath. "Okay, fine. You win." I close the door, locking it, before turning to grab a pee pad from the small closet tucked behind the door. As soon as he sees it, he leaps to his feet and spins in a circle. Laying it out, I make my way to the kitchen and give him some privacy.
Checking my phone, I see there’s a missed text.
Coach Perkins
When you wake your ass up, come to the rink. I have some job news.
Benny waddles into the kitchen, pulling my focus. The little guy is adorable in every way except that he is apparently the only dog who has an aversion to grass. It’s not just when it’s raining—which I’d actually understand, but he insists on using the bathroom indoorseverytime.
I scoop him up, cradling him in one arm while I pour myself some coffee.Thank God for auto-brewing.
"What do you think, Ben? Am I getting a job today?" He looks at me with confused eyes and then puts a paw over his face in what I can assume is embarrassment—for me and my hopeful nature. "Don’t give me that. You’re supposed to be my wing-dog. Encouraging, ever heard of it? This is the exact reason Grandma Mabel got you for me."
I’m sure my mom didn’t actually rescue Benny with the intent of him giving me a pep-talk. But she did explicitly say that he would make a good companion and keep me out of trouble. Come to think of it, maybe my mom somehow bribed my dog into his terrible potty habits with the sole purpose of making sure I don’t spend my suddenly abundant free time wasting away at the bar. Somehow, it wouldn’t surprise me if she had that kind of talent—Mabel’s ability to get her way knows no bounds—and there’s nothing she wants more than for me to be settled.
"What do you say, Ben? You gonna help your dad today?" He licks my bicep, and I take that as a yes. "Alright, let’s get ready and see if we can con someone into hiring us."
After a much-needed shower, I grab my bag, toss my skates and a couple of pee-pads inside, and wrap my hands around my keys while heading for the door. Coach is always happy when I bring Benny with me. The kids love him, and I think the man secretly does too. I figure I might as well let him get his fix while I get in a workout—after we talk.
