Page 48 of On His Schedule
“Reeve.”
“Hey, Wex.”
“Can I ask you a question?”
“Sure.”
“Do you think — do you think I’m going to be in the lineup for the opener?”
I look at him. “Wex. It’s Friday night. You are at a party in your captain’s house, drinking a beer.”
“Yeah.” He looks down.
“Don’t think about line assignments tonight. That’s an order. Have fun tonight. We’ll talk hockey later.”
“Yes, cap.”
He goes. I watch him go to the kitchen, get a beer, and then start a conversation with Tony Beaumont by the wall by the staircase.
A familiar face approaches me like she’s been waiting for her turn in line. Blue ditching me really put me out on the street. I remember her from last spring. It was one night after a game. She had come on to me, and I didn’t say no. She’s smiling at me, and in fairness to her, it’s a nice smile.
“Number 9.” Her eyes gleam when I look at her. “It’s good to see you, Benson. It’s been a while.”
I sip my beer and nod. “Yeah.”
“How are things?”
“Good,” I answer. “You?”
She shrugs. “Could be better.”
“Generally, everything could be better.” I tip my beer to her. “Or worse.”
She smiles. “True.”
I don’t know what to do with myself, so I take another sip, and then Madison comes into view. My stomach sinks. I didn’t expect her to be here. She looks at the girl and then at me.
“Benson.” Her voice has a deep tone to it, and it always sounds like she’s mad.
I look down. “That’s me.”
“I texted you.”
The girl to my left takes this as a cue to walk away.
“Did you just arrive?” I ask.
She nods. “I heard from Monty that there was a party at the Hawthorne House.” She takes my beer and drinks it. “So, I thought, why not make a stop?”
I don’t know how many times I have to tell a girl that I’m not interested, but I’m under the impression that she’s never going to hear me.
“Do I have to be personally invited to come to these things now?” she asks, drinking my beer.
I look at her. “It’s probably a good idea from now on.”
I walk away before the conversation can turn south. My sister stops me halfway to the kitchen.
“Why did I see you talking to that bimbo?” Gianna rolls her eyes and makes a sound with her throat.
