I set the peas down and kicked Elliot’s chair. “I really am sorry. I’m a sucky friend, and I’m probably saying this way too late, but…I’m proud of you. You made it look so easy, and I know it wasn’t easy at all.”
“No, it wasn’t easy. It was hard. But I couldn’t live a lie anymore. That’s what it felt like. Things didn’t work out with Drew, but I’m not sorry I came out. It’s a weight off my shoulders. And it feels good not to hide.”
“I bet.”
Elliot smacked my knee. “You should put some ice on your lip too. You were never pretty, Colb, but you’re downright ugly now.”
“Fuck off,” I huffed without heat. I flipped my cell over when it buzzed and read my incoming messages. I stood on shaky legs as a new round of panic gripped me.
Elliot snickered. “I’m kidding. C’mon, let’s order pizza and turn on a hockey game and—”
“I can’t. I have to go. Troy and Logan and a few of the guys want to come over. I can’t be here.”
“You’re gonna leave me with them?”
“I told them I’ll call them tomorrow, but I’m not taking any chances. Cover for me. I owe you one.” I slugged his arm good-naturedly and headed for the door.
“Where are you going?”
“I don’t know. I’ll figure it out.”
10
Driving aimlessly around Long Beach wasn’t much of a plan. There was too much traffic, I was low on gas, and my phone wouldn’t stop buzzing. Not to mention, my head hurt like a motherfucker. I found myself nearing the exit for my mom and Harry’s house. Knowing my mom wasn’t there made me second-guess showing up unannounced with a lame excuse about wanting to borrow a couple of Advil. I pulled to the curb, noting the porch light was on. Harry was up. He turned off the light before he went to bed. I used to mess with him sometimes and turn it off to bug him. It never worked. He’d always just laughed. Okay, so maybe this was a bad idea, I mused as my cell buzzed in my hand.
Don’t ask me why I answered it. I was stalling, panicking, and nothing made sense, so why not chat with the loose cannon who set this mess in motion.
“Hi, Kendra,” I answered.
“Colby! Oh, my God. I’m so sorry,” she sobbed. “It’s my fault. I did this. I hate him. He’s so awful. I undid everything. No one knows, so don’t freak out.”
“What are you talking about?”
“I told everyone that Jason twisted my words. Troy was so mad, your coach was mad too, but they believed me. They know Sky and you are just friends. They said you’re a hothead and that Jason stirs up shit. They said it made sense that you got so angry. They understand. It’s fine now. I fixed it. Colby? Colby, are you there?”
“Yeah. I’m here.” I swiped my hand across my nose and stared at the misty glow of the lamplight on the corner of the quiet street. “Thanks.”
“There’s a party tonight at Lawler’s place in Bixby Village. You should come. A bunch of your teammates are going and…they’re on your side.” When I didn’t say anything, she continued in a rush, “If you want, I’ll make out with you in the kitchen where everyone can see us. We’ll say Jason was jealous of you ’cause he knew I wanted you and…we can make up a story. They’ll believe us, Colby. I know they will.”
“Right. Um, thanks.”
“Okay. I’ll see you there.”
“No, probably not,” I replied. “Thanks, though. I’ll see you at school.”
I hung up before she could protest and glanced at the house again just as the porch light went off. I got out of the car and hurried toward the door. Harry opened it on the first knock.
“Well, hello! This is a nice surprise,” Harry said, stepping aside to welcome me inside. “Your mom is away this weekend in Arizona. Are you hungry or thirsty? I have a—oh. What happened to your face?”
“Uh…”
“Let’s get you some ice.”
I dutifully followed him into the kitchen and let him fawn over me. Within ten minutes, I had an ice pack on my cheek and a cup of chamomile tea. I didn’t want either, but I didn’t feel like arguing, so I let him take over. He puttered around me, chattering about the weather in Arizona and a trip to the airport in the morning. I’d become an expert at tuning him out over the years.
I hummed in the right places and sipped tea while my brain churned on a medley of things that seemed so much bigger than me. I wondered what I’d do if my dad was still alive…if I could talk to him about Sky or my life. If it was just a matter of hockey, I knew the answer was yes. But life was so much more complicated now. I wasn’t a kid anymore. And I had more on my mind than the game.