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“Good. Fuck Zanders,” Marc says, shaking his head. “Evan Zanders is this prick who plays for Ohio State. He was the one who threw EJ into the boards illegally and shattered his ankle a few years ago. He’s a dirty defenseman who has had it out for EJ since they were kids playing travel hockey.” Marc directs his explanation to me, knowing Ali could not care less about sports.
“I can’t stand that guy,” Ali chimes in. “Don’t get me wrong, I have absolutely no idea what either of you guys are talking about, but fuck that guy. Right?”
Marc and I both laugh, shaking our heads at Ali’s honesty. Not that I know much more about hockey than she does, but I’ve been trying to learn. Every night this week, when Eli has texted to tell me how his games went, I Googled whatever I couldn’t understand, and I feel like I’m getting a pretty good grasp on the game in general.
“Exactly, Alison. Fuck that guy,” Marc confirms with a proud grin on his face.
She smiles right back at him, mouth full and all.
“You know, there was a time when I was the one that EJ would call when he was on the road,” Marc says, pulling his attention back to me, pretending to be hurt by his brother’s lack of communication with him over the week.
“I think I’m more his type.” I shrug, giving Marc a knowing grin.
He laughs but shoots me a proud smile. He’s made it pretty clear this week how happy he is that things have been going well for Eli and me.
Marc told me that he could see the change in his brother since we’ve been spending time together. He also said how much he noticed a difference in me. Said I seemed more confident, and I have to agree with him. I’m not fully there, but having this support system of people who understand me has really helped me feel like myself again.
“Okay, so a five-minute major is a really bad penalty, right? You have the whole five minutes to play five on four regardless of if you score or not?”
“Spot on, girl. Look at you, you’ll be an expert in no time,” Marc says while trying to steal a piece of chicken from my plate with his chopsticks. “You’re about to know more about hockey than you do basketball, which is saying a lot.”
I swat his sticks away with mine. “Just trying to figure it out, so I have some idea of what’s going on when I finally get to see Eli play. Hockey isn’t very popular in California.”
“You’re coming tomorrow, right? Ali, you too?” Marc asks, looking between us.
“Yeah, I’ll be there,” Ali says. “And we both know Logan will be there, cheering on her man.”
“Okay, chill. He’s not my man.” He is so my man, but it feels a little weird to say that in front of Marc.
“That make-out sesh in the gym last week said otherwise. That boy was trying to claim you in front of everyone.” Ali wiggles her brows suggestively.
“Can’t argue there.” I shrug with a smug smirk.
“I really need some more guy friends,” Marc huffs, shaking his head.
My phone vibrates in my lap as Eli’s name pops up on the screen, indicating another new text.
E: Also, I was named tournament MVP...so what’s my prize?
“Eli was named Most Valuable Player of the tournament,” I inform my friends as I continue to stare at my phone with a proud smile plastered on my face.
“Good, he’s by far the best player in the division. I’m glad he’s playing like it,” Marc adds.
L: What do you want your prize to be? I reply to Eli, knowing full well his mind is probably racing with all the naughty things he wants to request.
E: You. He quickly responds, surprising me by going the sweet route and keeping his dirty thoughts to himself. Well, knowing Eli, it was meant to be both dirty and sweet.
I can’t help the full tooth-displaying grin from spreading across my face. This guy makes me insanely happy and continually reminds me of how much he wants me. Part of me was worried about him going on the road, especially with his past, but with the amount of time he spent calling or texting me, I can’t imagine he had an opportunity for much else.
L: You already have me.
E: I like the way that sounds.
E: Boarding the plane. Can’t wait to see you tomorrow.
L: Me too. Fly safe.
“Jesus, isn’t your face sore from smiling so much?” Ali teases, pulling my attention back to the present.
