We fall silent. We look around as if we’re trying to figure out who should tell the story or if we should tell it at all.
“Let’s just say Zeke had a not-so-great idea—” I begin.
“It was actually pretty iconic if I do say so myself,” Zeke interrupts.
“And it taught us to always learn who the parents of the other team were.” Jax pats Zeke on the back.
“How was I supposed to know that the captain’s dad was a cop?” Zeke shrugs. “Not like I was friends with the guy.”
“Which led to Brinley and Tate having to bail us out—”
“It wasn’t even bail. We were just in a holding cell. Brinley paid a small fine that we got for vandalism, and my mom came and picked all of us up.”
“Then Tate grounded Zeke for the rest of the season. He wasn’t allowed to come up with any more of the pranks after that.” I chuckle.
“Speaking of Tate, where is she? I haven’t seen her all night. Did she finally get sick of you?”
“Ha ha.” I roll my eyes. “I guess they’re doing a girls' night or something. I don’t know. I was supposed to give her a ride here, but she said she madeother arrangements.”
“She’s totally getting laid.” Marcus laughs, looking over at me. “She just didn’t—”
“She’s not getting laid.” I grimace. “And even if she was, it’s not our business.”
“You telling me it wouldn’t bother you if she were?” Zeke takes a gulp of his drink.
“I don’t know how many times I have to tell you guys nothing is going on there. She’s my best friend. She’s one of the most important people in my life. That’s it.”
The truth is, I fell in love with Tatum Lewis the second she moved in next door. I was six years old then, so I guess I didn’t technically know what love was, but I saw her sitting under a big oak tree in her backyard, playing a ukulele.
It was the most beautiful sound I’d ever heard. I sat in my backyard for the whole afternoon, just listening to her practice.
Right before dinner, she marched over to me and said it wasn’t polite to stare.
I didn’t know how to respond, but then she laughed and asked if I wanted to learn how to play a song. When my mom came outside ten minutes later to get me for dinner, she asked Tate if she wanted to join us.
After that, Tate had dinner with us every night.
“I thought I was your best friend,” Jeremy mumbles. “Not gonna lie, that kind of hurts.”
“Out of these bozos, you’re definitely my best friend. I just put up with these losers so I can get into the NHL.”
“So, you’re riding our coattails?” Declan asks.
“Indeed, I am. You got a problem with it?”
“Not at all.” Declan grins. “I’m gonna go get a water; anyone need anything?”
“All good, man,” I respond.
“I’ll come with you.” Jax hops off the back of the couch and follows Declan to the kitchen.
“Alright,” Marcus polishes off his beer, “are we really not gonna do anything about this O’Connell guy because—”
“Not my style, man,” Jeremy replies. “Our victory won’t taste nearly as good if he’s out for the rest of the season.”
“Well,” Marcus stands up, his eyes staying on the guy across the room who just caught his eye, “if you change your mind, you know where to find me.”
three
