“When isn’t Mark hitting on me? He left me a card in my locker in the teachers’ lounge, which means he broke into my locker to do so. Who the hell does that?”
She chuckled and folded her arms. “So he’s persistent. He comes from a good family, tells a mean joke, has interesting tastes in food, and doesn’t drool on himself.”
“You just described either Frankenstein or Jeffrey Dahmer’s family. Did you go out with him?”
“God, no.”
“Then I’ve made my case. Blowing off steam is in everyone’s best interest.”
“You talk a mean talk,” Tawny insisted.
“Oh, no, I’m a mean little bitch when I need to be. We’ll catch a drink maybe this weekend. As long as you’re not snuggling under the covers with that hottie boyfriend of yours. I certainly don’t have any big plans other than working Saturday night.”
She was lucky, her boyfriend not only a hot specimen of a man but also a good conversationalist. Plus, as a well-known sports reporter, his knowledge of hockey teams and stats legendary, he traveled extensively during the hockey season. I thought he was an ass, but I wasn’t required to act like a glorified puck bunny. As soon as I’d learned the meaning of the term, I’d been disgusted.
“Tell me why you’re working the concessions again? Don’t you have enough fun being on edge while you’re here?” When I blinked several times, she rolled her eyes. “My attempt at making a hockey joke.”
“Ha. Ha. I hear them all the time.” And I did. “Trust me, I’m not working at the arena for the money or their great food. That’s for certain.” Other than the fact I could use the extra cash, the real reason I worked a few shifts here and there was to gain free access to the ice where the team practiced. The TDH Ice Plex in Brandon was perfect. After the team had left for the day and the Zamboni machine had gone through, the ice was in perfect condition for me to skate.
I was almost always alone, the few maintenance and custodial staff left inside the building giving me space. It was the perfect arrangement and one my father couldn’t fuck with.
With everything in my briefcase, we headed toward the door.
“Jeff is working this weekend. He wants me to come to the game, but I’m just not interested.”
We headed out the door, taking our time to walk down the hall. “Wait a minute. You don’t like a bunch of big, burly, bouncing baby boys pawing all over you?”
“Well, there is something to be said for all that testosterone in a room, you know. Hot, alpha men dominating the ice. What’s not to love?”
“You mean pushing a teensy, tiny little puck around? What did that puck ever do to them? And why would any woman subject themselves to being a puck bunny?”
Her laugh echoed in the hallway. “There are some fringe benefits to hanging all over a sweaty guy.”
A tiny snort left my mouth before I could stop it, an involuntary tic I couldn’t stand. “No, thank you. I’ll stick to non-sweaty guys.”
“You don’t know what you’re missing, Sometimes, Jeff will slide into his old hockey uniform so I can peel it off.”
“Enough. I don’t need to hear about your fabulous love life when mine is shit.”
We both laughed as we headed out to our vehicles. “You need to consider going out on a date every once in a while.”
“I will. When Mother Nature makes a new crop of men.”
“You’re not going to break into song, are you?”
Yanking my key into my hand, I laughed. “Oh, heavens, no. Not unless the perfect man walks into my life and I don’t see that happening.”
“Be careful what you ask for. Talk to you tomorrow. Enjoy your lonely skating date.”
“I think I will.” As I climbed into my car, I glanced at the ice skates I’d tossed into the front passenger floor. They were broken in, a favorite pair that I’d owned for years. Some people would be surprised how old they were, given their pristine condition.
Until recently, they’d done little more than take up room in my closet. But I hadn’t been able to sell or give them away.
Just like my father wanted.
They were all I had left of the real me, the girl with stars in her eyes.
Leaning over, I stroked the smooth leather, thankful I’d taken the time to keep it supple and the blades free from rust.
