I took another bite of food. “Take a number. That’s why I’m not currently speaking to him.”
“And I don’t blame you. So, what happened last night and don’t tell me it was a typical skating event. I know you too well already.”
“Well, I did meet someone.” I knew she wouldn’t let the subject die one way or the other. Why was my face on fire? Why?
“Ooh-la-la. A hockey player?”
“Oh, hell, no. If I’d met a hockey player, I would have beaten him upside the head with a hockey stick.” Every drop of wildfire heat was replaced with an icy chill.
“Okay, confess. Why do you hate hockey players so much? Did you date one at some point?”
“Are you kidding me? Not a chance.” The real truth wasn’t much prettier.
“Okay, then what?”
Leaning forward, I scanned the lounge to ensure no one was paying any attention to us. “My sister was once engaged to a hockey player from the Jacksonville Jets.”
“Is she married? You never told me much about her.”
I laughed, suddenly losing my appetite. “That’s because my sister and I are like oil and water. She’s been engaged to six guys. Six. Every sexy guy in the world wants to be with her so she’s very… picky. Even after breaking their hearts, she kept all six rings.”
“Wow. I don’t know what to say.”
“She felt she was owed. Now you know why we don’t get along very well.” Had I been jealous of her growing up? Yes, but not for the reason of all the boyfriends she had from the time she hit puberty.
“I think I get it. What happened with this hockey player?”
“The dude came onto me one night, trying to pretend that he thought I was Delaney. It was a big mess. She blamed me. His team had a field day making fun of the situation.”
Her mouth was slightly open. “Ouch. Do you even talk to your sister any longer?”
“Not if I can help it. However, she got her just dues. It wasn’t two months and he was found in bed with a chick.”
“Oh, I remember reading about that. The dude was kicked off the team, wasn’t he? Didn’t he beat some guy nearly to death?”
“Yes, but that’s not why he was axed. My father is a very powerful man who has no qualms about getting what he wants,no matter the lengths he’s required to go to. Ruined the guy’s career. I think he’d flipping burgers somewhere now.”
“Wow. Your father sounds like a piece of work.”
“He is happiest when tormenting someone.”
She took a sip of her drink. “But not all hockey players are bad news.”
“Yeah, well, I’ll reserve judgment. Every player I’ve met is nothing but an arrogant bastard. And no, the guy I met drives the Zamboni machine. He’d talented in both the machinery and on the ice.”
“Oh, wow. Okay. What happened? Don’t you dare leave anything out.”
I tried to concentrate on my salad, only providing her with a brief answer. Maybe I was embarrassed. “I taught him how to skate. He won a bet, so I had to go out with him and one thing led to another. We had a nice evening. It’s over. Nothing more.” I glanced at my watch. “I better get back to class.”
“Oh, no, you don’t. What happened? Since your face is the color of my crimson blouse, you can’t lie to me. I’ll know it.”
“Let’s just say I took you up on your suggestion. Leave it there.”
“Oh, my God. You slept with him.”
Oh, how awesome. There wasn’t a teacher inside the lounge who hadn’t heard her exclamation. “No, I did not.” I was a terrible liar mostly because my face had already turned beet red and there was no doubt the shade covering my skin was extra crispy.
She winked and both of us giggled as if we were kids. “You did. You little wench.”
