The Hockey Lie

Chapter 7

EASTON

September 27

"Looks like Charlie and Jason are finally here," commented Jonas as a knock on the door was heard.

"Took 'em long enough. It's almost time for kickoff!" said Nino.

I walked over to the door to let the two roommates in. "What took you guys so long?" I asked them.

"Sorry, dude. Zucker let the cat out of the apartment and we had to go find him. Turns out he somehow took the elevator down to the second floor. Man, that thing must be smart," Coyle huffed.

"Wait, you guys have a cat? Since when?" piped in Erik from the couch.

"We adopted it on Friday after practice. His name is Fred," Jason smiled.

"You named your cat Fred?" Jonas said pointedly as we all stared at the best friends in bewilderment.

"Yeah, I think it's kinda cute," Charlie said.

"No, it's not," Jonas said, not sugarcoating it at all.

"You guys are no fun," Jason pouted.

"Whatever, guys. Let's just get ready to watch the game," I said, heading over to sit by Erik on the couch.

"We brought the chips and dip, too!" Charlie exclaimed, setting the food on the coffee table along with the rest of the pile.

"Perfect, just in time for kickoff," I smiled, shoving a chip into my mouth as Kai Forbath lined up to kick off for the Vikings.

"Who's gonna win this game, boys?" asked Nino.

"Vikings, obviously," said Charlie. "The Lions are terrible."

"You know, I still like the real football better," said Jonas.

"If you're talking about soccer, then you're crazy," said Jason.

"It is called football where I come from," argued Jonas.

"Yeah, well you're in 'Merica now, and Americans like football, you know, the sport played with the odd-shaped brown ball?" I joked.

Jonas didn't say anything, he just threw a handful of chips at my face.

"Yes!" Zucker yelled, standing up. "Harrison Smith got an interception!"

"Yes!" we all cheered.

"You know, you've gotta feel bad for Stafford out there. His line doesn't give him any time to throw. It's not really fair to him that everyone gives him hate when it's not really his fault," Coyle said.

"Yeah, but I mean his loss our gain, right?" I pointed out.

"I suppose you're right," Coyle agreed as Teddy Bridgewater threw a deep pass to Stefon Diggs, the sensational new rookie.

"First down!" cheered Kuemper.

"We're teaching you foreigners well," Zucker laughed.

"Yeah, I guess only the three of us are Americans," Coyle said, pointing at Zucker, himself, and me.

"We have football," protested Dumba, a Canadian like Kuemper.

"Yeah, but it's a messed-up version with weird rules," I scoffed.

"Hey, don't insult Canadian football!" Jonas shouted, jumping on me.

"Dude, you're not even Canadian!" I yelled back, wrestling with him. After a few seconds of battling, I managed to get Jonas off of me.

"Hey, you two, shut up, I'm trying to watch some football!" Erik scolded us.

"Sorry, dude," I laughed, not sorry at all.

"Easton, why did you leave your puppy in your room?" cooed Charlie. I turned and looked behind me only to see Charlie holding Gretzky the Pomeranian.

"I didn't want her to bother you guys," I explained.

"I think you're just embarrassed that you own a Pomeranian," scoffed Kuemper.

"Shut up," I muttered as the guys passed around my dog.

"She's so cute!" cooed Dumba.

"Touchdown!" I yelled as Adrian Peterson ran the ball into the end zone.

"Is Kai going to get the extra point?" Zucker wondered out loud.

"Yeah, he's just been off this season. Don't worry, he'll find his rhythm again," I assured the guys.

"You're way into this sport. You're supposed to be a hockey player," Erik said.

"I can be a hockey player while being a football fan," I said defensively.

"You Americans and your silly past times," Jonas shook his head.

"Football is no laughing matter. Neither is baseball," stated Charlie.

"Whatever," Jonas scoffed.

"Hey, who brought the cupcakes?" I asked, picking up a chocolate cupcake with pink frosting and rainbow sprinkles.

"I did," said Erik.

"Why are they pink and rainbow?" I asked.

"I bought them at Walmart. They were on sale and they looked good," Erik shrugged.

"Hmm," I said before taking a bite. "They do taste good. Good call, Haula."

"I'm taking one of these so-called yummy cupcakes," said Zucker, grabbing one in each hand.

"That doesn't look like one, dude," Charlie laughed.

"Shut up," Zucker huffed, his mouth full of cupcake.

"Well if you weren't such a pig..." Charlie muttered.

"What was that?" Zucker asked sweetly.

"Nothing, man," Charlie quickly replied.

"That's what I thought," said Zucker. With one quick motion, he shoved his other cupcake in Charlie's face.

"Dude!" yelled Charlie, standing up.

"You asked for it!" Zucker defended.

"Okay, dude, go to the bathroom and wash up before you get pink frosting on the leather," I said.

"Okaaaaay," harrumphed Charlie before he stomped to the bathroom.

"This has seriously gotten out of hand," laughed Kuemper.

"Yeah, you think?" I replied. I glanced at the TV and saw that the first quarter was already done, with the Vikings leading 7-0.

After a few minutes, the second quarter started up and Charlie returned from the bathroom frosting-free.

"What did I miss?" Charlie asked.

"Nothing, dude. The second quarter just started," Erik told him.

"Good deal," Charlie smiled before taking a seat on the floor.

"So, Charlie, how's that new girlfriend of yours?" asked Dumba coyly.

"Wait, Coyle's got a girlfriend? Since when? WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME?" yelled Jason.

"I don't have a girlfriend," muttered Charlie, turning bright red.

"Dumba, what are you talking about?" Jason demanded.

"I made it up," Dumba laughed. "I just wanted to see Charlie's face turn red because he doesn't have a girlfriend."

"Nice," said Kuemper, fist-bumping Dumba.

"You guys are mean. It's not like all of you have girlfriends," pointed out Coyle.

"Easton does, though," said Erik.

"Yeah, how's that going?" asked Darcy.

"Pretty good, I guess," I said.

"You guess?" questioned Jason.

"Yeah, I mean I don't get to see her much anymore, and that's saying something considering I barely got to see her when she was still in high school," I sighed.

"It'll be okay, man. Just think of the rest of us. Some of us have girlfriends that live across the ocean," said Jonas.

"I suppose you're right. I'm sure we'll be fine. I just miss her is all," I sighed.

"It'll be okay, man. Ty loves you. We can all see that," said Jason.

"Thanks, guys," I smiled genuinely.

"Here, girl, want a cupcake?" Charlie baby-talked Gretzky.

"Charlie, what are you doing?" I asked exasperatedly.

"I'm feeding Gretzky a cupcake," he said innocently.

"Charlie. That is a chocolate cupcake. It'll make her sick," I stated.

"Oh. Yeah. I suppose she is a dog," he realized.

"You are an i***t," groaned Jason.

"Hey now, don't be calling me names," Charlie protested.

"It's perfectly fine if it's the truth," muttered Erik.

"You guys are all jerks," Charlie grumbled.

About an hour later, the fourth quarter was almost over. "Well, guys, it looks like the Vikings are going to pull this one out," said Jonas.

"Dude, it's 28 to 0. I'd call that a blowout," said Dumba.

"Whatever," muttered Jonas.

"I don't think he understands football," Charlie whispered not-so-quietly.

"I can hear you," Jonas said blatantly.

"What? Did someone say something?" Charlie asked.

Jonas muttered something under his breath, and it was a lot more vulgar than 'i***t'.

"Rude," Charlie grumbled.

"Well, that's the game, boys," said Erik as the clock ran down to zero. "I'd better head home. It's time for my Sunday nap."

"Yeah, I'd better get going, too," Darcy said. All the guys began gathering their stuff and within minutes, they were all gone, except for Charlie and Jason. Those two are the last to arrive and the last to leave.

"Thanks for playing host, Easton," said Jason.

"No problem. It's always fun," I replied with a smile.

"See you at practice tomorrow morning," said Charlie.

"Yup, bright and early," I grimaced.

"Later, man," Jason said before leaving, closing the door behind him.

I sat back down on my couch, and Gretzky curled up beside me. I pulled out my phone and texted Ty, I miss you.

Within seconds, I got a reply, I miss you too, babe.

Are you busy? I typed.

I'm writing an essay right now, but it's not due until Friday. Other than that I'm free.

You should come over, I wrote.

I smiled as I read her reply. Okay, I'll be there in a few minutes.