A Hockey Tutor

by Smith, Mary

  “Okay, if that’s the story you’re going with, then fine.” She plastered a fake smile on her face.

  I should have told her right then. I should have told her that she shouldn’t be around him. Instead, I kept my mouth shut.

  “Are you going to tell me about that necklace?” I pointed at her the necklace around her neck. I’ve seen her fiddle with it a lot, but I couldn’t figure out what the ‘N’ stood for. I knew that there had to be a story behind it.

  She protectively covered it up with her hand. “It’s my necklace, and none of your business.” Her fake smile was replaced with narrow eyes and tight lips. I must have hit a nerve with her. That ‘N’ meant something to her, but she wasn’t going to tell me.

  Katie quickly changed the subject to homework and reading assignments that I would need to finish before Friday. Every day we were scheduled to be together at least two hours for tutoring. Our food finally came, and thankfully, she didn’t moan this time.

  “Since you won’t talk about the necklace, why don’t you tell me why you picked business for your major?”

  “That’s an easy question. My dad told me too.” She rolled her eyes.

  “Wow.” I was taken aback. “I didn’t think that you were the type to listen to people.”

  “Are you saying I’m stubborn?” she narrowed her eyes at me.

  I scoffed. “Never.” I joked.

  Katie took a deep breath. “It was a compromise. I could get my Digital Photography Certificate, if I got a business degree.”

  “Photography? I’ve never seen you with a camera.”

  “I don’t carry with me everywhere. I typically like nature shots the most.”

  I shook my head.

  “What?” she asked with a stern tone.

  “Nothing. I’m just surprised, that’s all. I mean, I didn’t know this about you before.”

  “Well, it’s not like I announce my passions in the first two meeting of someone new.” She picked at her food, and I could see her getting upset.

  “I can understand that.” I sipped my drink. “I’m glad that you’re opening up to me. That must mean you like me.” I winked at her.

  She rolled her eyes again.

  After we finished eating, the waitress brought the check. Even though Katie argued with me, I paid for the meal. When we got back to my car, I decided that this would be a turning point for me.

  “Want to go back to my place and finish up that paper?” I asked.

  “Seriously?” She looked shocked by my question.

  “We aren’t finished yet. Unless, you don’t want to finish it up tonight?”

  “No, no, I’m just surprised that you want to. I figured you were done for the day, and wanted to go home and drink.”

  “I want to get it done,” I said seriously.

  “Then let’s go.” She smiled.

  **

  My alarm was buzzing in my head, and I didn’t want to leave my comfortable bed. I hated early morning practices, but they were necessary. I rolled out of bed and hit the shower. It was the first time in a long time that I didn’t have a hangover. Katie and I worked late into the night, but we got a lot done. Just a few more classes to catch up in, and then I needed to dive in to the new work that was starting to come in. I shook my thoughts away, and focused on the moment: practice.

  “Really?” Katie was standing in the middle of my bedroom with her hands on her hips. “Didn’t I ask for you to be dressed when I came in the morning?”

  “I just got out of the shower. Don’t you knock before coming into people’s bedrooms?” I had the towel covering my privates.

  “I figured you were still asleep, and I knew that you had practice this morning.”

  “Well, I’m up. So are you going to stand there and watch me get dressed?” I asked in a challenging voice.

  “Ha, you wish.” She turned and walked out.

  I chuckled and started getting ready. When I finished, I went downstairs, assuming Katie would be there. I was wrong. She had left a note:

  See you in class

  As I walked into the locker room, a few guys were laughing and wooting. I noticed that they were standing next to Wes’ locker.

  “She was fucking amazing,” Wes said smoothly. “Her mouth was pure perfection, and she rode me all night long.”

  “What’s going on, guys?” I asked.

  “Wes was just telling us about his sexual adventure this weekend,” one of his teammates said.

  “With who?” I narrowed my eyes at him.

  “Oh, I’m sure you know who,” he said with a wicked grin. “It was Katie.”

  “You had sex with her, this weekend?” my blood began to boil.

  I couldn’t believe it. Even though I had no claims to Katie, I was still mad that Wes was standing here bragging about it. Then again, I’ve done that a hundred times before, but this was different. It was Katie

  “Yep, sure did. She stayed at my place, and we did it all night long.” Wes stood up and pulled on his jersey.

  If I looked at his face for another minute, I would punch him and break his jaw. I turned and went to my locker to get ready for practice. The room began to empty, and only Wes and I were left.

  “Does it bother you, Andrew, that a girl likes me, and not you?” Crusher walked over to me.

  “I don’t want to talk to you,” I said through gritted teeth.

  “Oh, Andrew, I think you hurt my feelings.” He placed his hand over his heart and pouted his lips.

  I stood up and got within an inch of his face. “I don’t like liars or cheaters, and you are both. So get the fuck away from me. And take this piece of advice: If you hurt Katie, I’ll kill you.”

  “Be careful, you don’t want to get into any trouble, Daddy might have to bail you out,” Wes hissed back.

  “Oh, Crusher, I think your dad was the one who did all the bailing out during Junior’s. If I had done what you did, my dad wouldn’t have bailed me out. But, there was your dad, rescuing you. How much did he pay for you to play again?”

  Crusher’s evil grin came back onto his face. “My dad’s money speaks volumes above your little farm supply money.”

  We stood staring at each other, and it was taking everything that I had not to beat him to death with my goalie stick. Wes was the first to move, turning and heading out to the ice.

  I dropped back down into my locker. I couldn't believe Katie was dating that ass. It wasn’t my place to interfere, but I wanted to so bad.

  Wes kept his distance from me during practice, and I from him. He knew how mad I was, and I was constantly sending evil looks his way. I meant what I said; if he hurt Katie, I would kill him.

  When the two hours of practice was up, I went back into the locker room and got ready for class. Wes was the first to change and exit the locker room. Since my class wasn’t far from the rink, I walked over, only to find Wes and Katie standing outside.

  I watched them flirt with each other, and my stomach churned. I took a deep breath and walked towards the building. I heard Katie laughing at something he said, and I just wanted to run up and drag her away from him. Instead, I marched past them both. I'd seen Wes enough already today, and I sure as hell didn't want to hear his voice anymore.

  I was still brooding when Katie walked into the classroom several minutes later. She sat down next to me without a word. The class started, and I actually paid attention. I even surprised myself when I knew some of the stuff the business professor was talking about. I'd been tutored by Katie for a few days, and I actually retained some of the information.

  “So, what’s with the temper tantrum?” Katie asked as we left the building.

  “What are you talking about?” I stopped on the sidewalk, turning to her.

  “Come on, Andrew, what gives?” she pressed.

  I took a deep breath. “I don’t like Wes. That’s all it is.”

  “I know. He told me.”

  My jaw dropped. “He told you?”

  She
nodded. “He said that you were still upset with him because his team won the Juniors Championship.”

  I clenched my jaw and fisted my hands. “I don’t want to talk about it.” I wanted her to know the truth about what a jerk Wes was, but I couldn’t bring myself to tell her.

  She gave me a sad small smile. “Okay. How about we talk about the next class?” For the rest of the day, we only talked about school, homework, and end-of-the-semester projects. I didn’t mention Wes, Juniors, or anything hockey-related.

  Chapter 7 – Katie

  It had been the longest week. Between tutoring with Andrew, doing my homework, and hanging out with Wes, I was exhausted. TGIF. I gave Andrew a no-study day, since the season opener was tonight, and he was doing a great job.

  I got out of the shower and sat in front of my laptop. I needed to send Mr. Moore my weekly report. When I finished that, I was planning on going over to Andrew’s to make sure that he was up and ready for school. The past few days, he’d been up, and even somewhat dressed.

  I heard a knock at the front door, and Lindsay answered it. It was probably Franks for her.

  I kept tapping at my keyboard, finishing up the report, and then sent it. I looked at the clock. I needed to finish getting ready if I was going to make it to Andrew’s on time.

  “My, my have the roles reversed.” I turned towards the sound of Andrew’s voice.

  I gasped. “Really, you just waltz into my bedroom?”

  “You do it to me, every morning.” Andrew came in and sat down on my bed.

  “I’m paid to do that,” I reminded him. I looked down at my outfit. I had my short shorts on, and a tank top. Damn it, why didn’t I have a bra on?

  He chuckled.

  I watched as his eyes roamed up and down my body. I stepped over to him and slapped him on the shoulder. “Ouch,” he said, rubbing the spot where I’d hit him.

  “Stop staring me like I’m a piece of meat,” I growled at him.

  “Well, stop looking so fucking hot,” he said with a smirk.

  Even though his words made my insides quiver, I rolled my eyes and went into the bathroom to finish getting ready. I got dressed, did my makeup and hair, and then came back out. Andrew was still in my room, but now he was looking at the picture on my desk.

  “That’s you, isn’t it?” He pointed to me in the picture.

  I nodded.

  “So, who’s the guy?”

  I felt the tears creeping up. “That’s private,” I snapped.

  “Whoa,” he said, throwing his hands up in surrender. “I was just asking. I didn’t mean to hit a nerve. I’m sorry.” He retreated from the desk and the picture.

  “It’s okay. You didn’t know.” I shook my head, trying to restrain my emotions, looked at the ground so he wouldn’t see the tears in my eyes.

  Andrew walked over to me and took my hand. “I am sorry. I didn’t mean to pry. I swear.” His rough hands squeezed mine, and his touch seemed to calm me.

  “We better get going, or we’ll be late for class.” He released my hand, and left my bedroom.

  I got into Andrew’s car, and he drove us to the first class. We had three classes today, and time was going slowly. I figured since I had given Andrew the day off, I could get some picture time in at the park. That is, if these classes ever finished.

  Four long hours later, I fell into Andrew’s car, exhausted. If I had had to sit through one more monotone lecture, I would have fallen asleep in class.

  Andrew asked me to go to lunch with him, but I declined. I told him I would see him that night. He dropped me off, and I strolled into the apartment.

  Once I was in my bedroom, I dropped everything on the floor and stared at the picture on my desk. Memories of Nick came flooding back. I felt one hot tear stream down my face. No, I can’t fall apart right now.

  I collapsed onto my bed, rolling away from the picture, and the memories. I had planned to go shoot some pictures, but now I didn’t want to. My phone rang, and I recognized the ringtone. It was my parents.

  “Hello,” I answered, trying my best to sound chipper.

  “Sweet girl, how are you?” my mother’s bubbly voice came through the phone line.

  “I’m great, Mom. How is the family? How’s Malden?”

  My mother rambled on about the ins and outs of my hometown. I only half listened to her as she talked, because I really didn’t care. I left Malden for a reason; I didn’t want to be part of that small town gossip mill. When Mom was finished, she asked me questions about school and work. “How’s your job at the diner going?”

  “Oh, I got a new job. I’m not at the diner anymore.”.

  “Really? What are you doing?” Mom asked.

  “It’s a tutoring job, and it pays really well.”

  “Well, that is great. Your father will be so proud to hear that you’re not at that diner anymore.”

  Honestly, I don’t think my dad cared one bit about where I worked, as long as I didn't ask him for money. Mom asked if I was coming home anytime soon. , With all that I had been juggling, I hadn’t even thought about it.

  “I guess not until Thanksgiving.”

  “Oh, that’s perfect. I love you and I’ll talk to you soon.” I could hear the glee in her voice.

  “Love you, too,” I said, and I hung up the phone.

  **

  “Katie?” Lindsay's soft voice woke me from my slumber.

  “Yes,” I said hoarsely. My mouth was dry, and my lips felt like sandpaper.

  “Are you going to the game? If you are, you need to get ready.”

  “Okay.” I cleared my throat and stretched my limbs. I grabbed my phone and saw that Wes had sent me several texts. I didn’t want to send him anything now; I knew that he would be getting ready for the game. Plus, I would see him later. I got up and started getting ready for the night ahead of me.

  **

  It was the third period with a minute left. North Maple Bears were up by two. Andrew hadn’t let one puck into the goal. My throat was sore from yelling and cheering, and I was so nervous, I had twirled my necklace so much that I thought I would have broken the chain.

  Thirty seconds left, and the other team stole the puck and sprinted towards Andrew. I held my breath. Andrew squatted down into position as the opponent shuffled the puck from side to side. He took the shot, and Andrew easily caught it in his glove. We all went crazy.

  The teams’ forwards lined up for another face-off, and I silently prayed that Andrew could hold them off for another twenty seconds. The puck dropped again, and everyone was scrambling to get it. The last few seconds felt like a lifetime, but he held them off. The crowd erupted as the final buzzer went off. We had won!

  I watched as the Bears congratulated Andrew. All of them but Wes, who remained by the bench. I couldn’t figure out what it was between them. They absolutely did not like each other. I followed Franks and Lindsay out of the rink and out to our cars.

  “You’re coming to the party tonight, right?” Lindsay asked.

  “I’m going to hang with Wes for a little bit, and then we’ll come over,” I explained.

  “Okay, see ya later.” She gave me a quick hug and walked away with Franks.

  Wes told me he would meet me at ten. It was only nine thirty, so I stopped and grabbed a quick snack. I couldn’t eat when I was at the game, because my nerves were on edge.

  I parked outside of Wes’ building and sat there. It was October and the air was getting much colder. I sat in my car, listening to the radio, thinking about my crazy life now. I was dating a great guy , I had an amazing best friend, and I had a job that paid me killer money and gave me a BMW to use. I had it all.

  I wished Nick were here to see all that I'd accomplished. I would give it all up just to hear his voice again, teasing me, or calling me names. I looked down at my necklace. The silver ‘N’ was shiny from the streetlight.

  I saw Wes’ truck pull up beside me. His poor mother must work so hard to make sure he had all these nice thin
gs. I felt bad he didn't know who is father was. Even though my dad and I didn't always get along, I was glad to have him in my life. Wes smiled at me as I got out of the car.

  “Great game,” I said as I hugged him.

  He nodded. I followed him up the stairs to his place. He unlocked the door and turned on the lights.

  “I’ll be right back,” he told me, heading towards his bedroom. I sat down on the couch and checked my phone. There was a text from Andrew:

  I need to celebrate with friends. Where are you?

  I couldn’t help the glee I felt from the text. Andrew thought I was his friend. That was sweet. This past week we had spent a lot of time together, and it was going to be the same when he returned from his games Sunday night. I texted back:

  I’m with Wes, be over later. Don’t forget you have to be up early.

  He texted back right away:

  Yes, MOM.

  I giggled. I knew that I had been acting like a mom to him, but that was my job. I heard Wes come out from the bedroom, and I noticed he had changed his clothes.

  “Are we ready to go to the party?” I asked.

  “I’m not going.” Wes said firmly.

  “Oh. Don’t you want to celebrate with your friends?”

  “I want to spend my evening with you, having sex all night, until I leave for my road games.” He jerked on my arm to bring me closer to him.

  “Um . . .” I looked into his eyes, confused. He looked mad, and my heart started racing. She wracked her mind for something to say that wouldn’t upset him. “Wes, you seem tired. How about I just go, and I'll see you when you come back from the road games?” I pulled my arm from his grasp. My instincts were usually right, and right now my instincts were telling me to leave.

  “Katie,” he said, standing up and staring me down like I was his prey, “I’m in love with you.”

  “What?” I yelped. “You’re in love with me?”

  “Yes,” he said boldly. “I want to show you how much, by having you in my bed all night long.” He stepped closer.

  “Are you nuts?” The words left my mouth before I could stop them. “I mean,” I shook my head to compose my thoughts, “I like you, but I don’t love you.”