Page 100 of Thoroughly Pucked

“Got it, Brick,” he says, nodding dutifully.

Later, after I’ve shed my gear and packed it up, Sanchez pulls me aside in the hallway. “I took some pics today. Would love to post them on social. You cool with that?”

“Of course.”

“Thanks, man. And you should do this again next year. You’re good with them.”

“I thought you didn’t want me.”

“You’re always welcome here. The kids like you.”

“I’ll do it,” I say, and really, this feels like where I belong.

Especially since it’s not ending. At least, it’d better not.

I’ll need hockey even more come Saturday.

44

TOLD YOU SO

Aubrey

My friends don’t ask. They don’t have to. The second Dev and Ledger head off the ice to go and get changed, Trina grabs one arm. Ivy grabs the other.

“I have one question. Was I right?” Trina wiggles a naughty brow.

There’s no point denying it. “Yes.” I don’t grumble the admission. I lift my chin and own my choice, right there in the ice rink. “And you were right not only about that but also…” I fan my face. “Holy shit, so fucking good.” I smack her arm playfully. “Like, why did you keep it a secret from me for so long?” I ask, mock annoyed.

Ivy tosses her head back and laughs. “Right. We kept it sooo secret.”

Trina gives me the biggesttold you solook. “You were banging them when we texted on Monday.”

I hold up my hands in surrender, picturing that moment when Ledger bent me over the bench in the woods.

Trina points. “Look at you. You’re blushing.”

“Well they fucked me alfresco.”

“Are you a pasta dish?” Ivy inquires.

“I felt pretty—what is the opposite of al dente?”

“Scotta. Overcooked,” Ivy says.

“Yes. That. I felt like a noodle. A spaghetti noodle. Is that normal?” I whisper. I mean, I don’t want the kids skating around the ice to hear us comparing notes on the effects of double dicking.

Trina bobs a shoulder. “Yes, but normal good. And then your new normal. And then you’re like…mama, my new normal rocks.”

“This week has been one huge new normal, then,” I say, already wistful for the new normal even before it ends.

“Or two huge new normals,” Trina whispers.

I smile and Ivy rolls her eyes, then quickly shifts, asking, “But what does this mean?”

I can’t stand thinking about Saturday. I know that’s what she’s asking, so I dodge the question. “It means I need to stretch tomorrow night. If you know what I mean.”

She doesn’t take the bait. “No. What does it mean for after?”