My jaw locks. “You should have said something.”
“There’s no point. Addison means nothing to me. That’s why I didn’t waste my breath on her. She has your attention for the moment and when she doesn’t, that’s when I’ll have the last laugh.”
“How long’s this being going on?”
“Since you grew into that face.”
I ball my hands into fists as that stuff about puck rabbits suddenly makes sense. “If I’d have known?—”
“They’re usually smarter than Addison. Look, it’s fine, Zach.”
“No! Actually. It isn’t. If anyone gives you shit again, I want you to tell me.”
“Anyone?”
“Anyone,” I repeat.
“Including Dr. Langton?”
I smirk. “If you want me to get into your philosophy professor’s face, then sure, I can do that. Just for you.”
“I’d pay to see that,” she crows then, with a nudge of her fingers, knocks the basket of fries toward me. “I think you earned one.”
I bite back a laugh, and though I still wish I had the right to grab her hand, instead I hook my arm over her shoulders and do what any best friend would—give her a noogie until she’s shrieking…
NINE
HE WHO SAYETH, “ERGO.”
THE FOLLOWING EVENING
“It’sa little early to have scouts out, isn’t it?”
I glance to my side and see Callan has taken a seat next to me. “Hey.” I shove my popcorn at him. “Want some?”
“Thanks, Denver.” He scoops up a handful and points to the scout I’ve also been watching. He’s the reason I’m on the empty upper deck of the stands and not the lower level. “Why is he here so early?”
“He’s with the Stars.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah. Zach’s dad’s a douche so he sends out a scout every now and then to keep an eye on him.”
“Is he allowed to do that? Isn’t that a misappropriation of company funds?”
“Whoa there, baby accountant.”
His nose wrinkles. “You know what I mean.”
“I guess I do, but I figure he gets away with it because Zach’s heading for the top. He has to impress this year because he missed the combine. Hey, you’re Canadian!”
“I sure am. What was it that gave it away? My killer tuque game?”
“That and the fact you like cheese and gravy on your fries. Zach’s Canadian.”
“I know.”
“How? He has an American accent!”
