Page 63 of Shane

“So the joke was that they’d call me the president of the puck bunny club because I was the polar opposite of those girls and they knew that it drove me crazy when they called me that.”

“Sounds like you were a part of their inner circle.” Dr. Torres smiles.”You weren’t a butt of the joke but you were in on the joke.”

“I never thought of it like that, but I suppose you’re right.”

“Things sound like they were on a good track for you. Were you and Shane officially an item your sophomore year?”

“Shane and I could never be official,” I say regrettably. “Plus, by the end of the year, everything changed.”

“What changed?” she asks, ready to take more notes.

“Oh, you know, the usual, Dr. Torres. I let my guard down.”

kennedy

SOPHMORE YEAR

“So,other than hockey, what else do you like to do?" I ask Shane, leaning back against a barely used park bench outside of my apartment complex. The hot Nevada sun is shining, and the warm wind ruffles my hair as I look at him expectantly.

Shane tilts his head, a playful smirk tugging at his lips. "Ever played chess?"

He’s beautiful, he’s talented, and he’s smart?

No fucking way.

“You play chess? Seriously?" I raise an eyebrow, half amused and half intrigued.

"Yeah, why not? It’s strategic, like hockey, but without the bruises. Do you know how to play?”

“I’m an only child. When would I have learned how to play chess?”

“My father taught me.”

“Yeah, I don’t have one of that kind of father.”

“Do you want to learn?" His eyes twinkle with mischief, and I can't help but smile back. “I can teach you.”

"Alright, I’m game. Let’s see what kind of teacher you are.”

When Shane reaches for my hand, I abruptly pull it away and he looks at me as if I kicked a newborn puppy.

“It’s rule number two.”

“I thought we were done with rules?” he says with a caustic tone.

“No holding hands.”

“What are you talking about, Kennedy?”

“It’s the same principle as kissing.”

“I held your hands and pinned them up over your head the last time we fucked.”

“That’s different and private.”

“So, no holding hands in public?”

“Sure, I guess that’s what I’m saying.”