by Van Barrett
“Care to explain, Stan?”
Stan nodded. “Apparently those same sportswriters have already burned their bridges with this guy, and he won't give 'em any more access.”
“How? The hell did they do?”
“Honestly, I've got no idea, Lane. All I know is that I was told to pick someone different for this, alright? Someone with no sports background, no media background, even. The more an outsider to newspaper editorials, the better. The absolute last person I could think of.”
I whipped my head over at Devon. “Well maybe Devon could do it, then! She at least knows what a puck is …”
“Yeah!” Her eyes lit up. “Can I, Stan? Please? I love hockey players …” Devon bit her lip.
Stan shook his head. “The Athletics PR guy said it should probably be a male, since you'll have to be in and around their dressing room.”
“Aww!” Devon pouted.
I gulped. “Did you tell them that I was a gay male? Because I think those meat-heads would rather have a girl in there than me.”
“Of course I didn't tell them that. That's not my business to share.”
“Oh. Well. That's a relief, at least.” I folded my arms and sunk into my chair. “I still don't wanna do it, though. I can't stand jocks.”
“It's too late, Lane.” Stan shrugged. He reached into his pocket and tossed something into my lap. I picked it up and groaned: it was a laminated press pass with my name and picture already on it.
“I'm sure I don't have to tell you how much money Athletics bring to this school. When they want something, they get it.”
“Of course. Money. It always comes down to money, doesn't it.”
“Yeah, I guess it does.” Stan suppressed a laugh and moved for the door. “Oh. Hey. One last thing.” He pulled out a folded piece of paper from his pocket. “Here's the hockey team schedule. Looks like they're playing tonight, actually. Maybe you could check it out? See what hockey's all about?”
“I don't think so, Stan.” I let out a wounded sigh. “What's his name, anyway? Does he even have a name?”
“I didn't tell you? His name's River.”
“River,” I mocked. “River what?”
Devon's eyes lit up. “River Brame!” she cheered.
“Raw-meat?” I repeated his name incredulously. “His name is River Rawmeat?”
“No,” she laughed. “Brame. B-r-a-m-e. He's the Fighting Hawks team captain.”
Stan nodded, looking impressed. “Yeah, actually, she's right.” He grabbed the door handle. “You do know a little somethin' about hockey, don't you, Devon?”
She made a show out of inspecting her nails. “I know enough.”
“Huh. Wouldn't have guessed. Well alright you two, have a good weekend.”
“See ya Stan,” Devon sang.
“Bye Stan,” I grunted.
And with that, Stan was gone.
“I … really don't understand why you can't do this assignment instead of me.” I pouted as we stood up to try to leave again. “I mean, you actually know who this River guy is!”
“He's kind of a big deal, Lane. I think I'm actually more surprised you haven't heard of him.”
“Whatever. You actually want this assignment – I don't! This doesn't make any sense.”
“Stan's the man,” Devon said with a shrug. “And besides, you heard him. They're not cool with ladies in the room.”
“Aren't you offended by that?” I asked, flabbergasted.
“Look. As much as I wanna see all those sexy, round, nekkid hockey butts? All those built thighs and washboard abs?” Devon let the question linger, pondered it, and then sighed dreamily. “It doesn't feel right. Like there'd be too much masculine energy swirling around in there. I don't think I'd feel comfortable, y'know?”
I tutted. “Oh, as if I'd be comfortable in there! All those reasons apply to me too, you know.”
We pushed through the building's doors, taking in the first breath of fresh air we'd had in hours. The sun was setting and campus was quiet and strangely calm, like any other Friday evening.
“So? You wanna go tonight or what?” Devon asked as we strolled along the sidewalk.
“What, the bar? I already said yeah!”
“Not the bar … I mean the hockey game! We can go to the bar after the game.”
“Ha! Hell no!” I huffed. “I don't even wanna think about hockey.”
“C'mon, Lane! It'd be fun!” Devon panted.
“River Brame.” I said the hockey player's name with more than a hint of derision. “Never heard of him in my life.”
Who the heck is River Brame? I wondered while we walked.
to be continued!
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Titles By Van Barrett
Novels:
Change of Plans
Break Away
Seven Nights
Linemates
The Carpenter's Apprentice
Ripped
Winter Boys
Shorts:
Bad Roommate
Bad Roommate: Book Two
Bad Roommate: Book Three
Change of Heart
Going Down
Man Advantage
A Man's Job
Worth the Wait