Page 34 of Hockey Boy

Me: I think she likes the wedding singer

Beckett: Is this a prank text? Are we supposed to be guessing movie titles? So far, I’ve got Wedding Crashers and The Wedding Singer.

Gavin: Epic movies, though anything Vince Vaughn does is hysterical.

Beckett: The one where he got locked up in Thailand, not so much.

Brooks: True. Major downer.

Me: Focus! No, this isn’t a movie game, although that does sound like a fun time.

Me: What do I do?

Gavin: I’m still confused about what’s going on.

Me: Lennox’s boss wanted her to talk to some band. I guess Millie found out they were playing at a wedding tonight. Lennox and the lead singer are probably having drinks, and she’s likely falling for him. I should go back, right?

Gavin: Millie says you’re an idiot.

Another chat pops up,and when I see Millie’s name, I groan.

Millie: I did not say you’re an idiot.

Brooks: I’ll say it. You’re an idiot.

Sara: Hey, guys. What are wetalking about?

Beckett: Aiden finally told Lennox how he feels and that he’s not getting married, but now Lennox is hanging with some wedding singer, so she told Aiden to leave. That sum it up?

Sara: OH MY GOD. AIDEN! You aren’t getting married?!?!

Beckett: Duck.

Me: Beckett…

Beckett: I’m really ducking sorry.

Gavin: ??

Sara: Wait, you all knew??

Sara: Brooks Langfield, you are dead to me. Aiden, spill now.

Me: I haven’t had a chance to tell Lennox yet, so you have to keep this to yourself.

Sara: Ah, shit. Okay, talk to me.

As my phone vibrates in my hand and Sara’s name flashes on the screen, I can’t help but stew over the events of the last couple of hours. If only I could go back to the dressing room, when I had Lennox’s undivided attention. Everything was perfect until I had to insist on taking her to a wedding so she could meet Ryder. What the fuck kind of name is Ryder anyway?

“It’s a perfectly good name,” Sara replies, her voice barely audible, since I’m still gaping at my phone.

I bring the device to my ear. “I guess I said that out loud?”

“You did,” Sara sings.

Brooks chuckles in the background.

“Duckhole,” I grit out, referring to my asshole brother.