Tainted (Oh Captain, My Captain 7)

This guy is too good to be true.

I take a large bite of the apple. The crisp bite echoes in the kitchen as I take a seat in front of the fridge.

If I cried, I would be now, but I don’t. I can’t even remember the last time I cried. Maybe when I was five or so and Mom would have one her john’s in the apartment, and I would have to wait in the hallway.

Nah, not even then.

~

Thank you, whichever God really does exist. I lay my head on the steering wheel of the massive truck. I didn’t crash, scratch, or dent it on the way to the rink. I park it at the farthest possible spot and hope to fuck no one messes with it. I jump out and follow the massive crowd into the arena. I’ve seen the Eagles on TV, but I’ve never been here before.

Shit, there are a lot of people.

I walk up to the ticket booth as Valo told me to.

“There’s a ticket waiting for me.”

“Who is it?” The clerk looks bored.

“Jade Patterson from Valo Manner.”

Well, that made a difference. The clerk quickly sits up straight. “Of course, Miss Patterson. Here is your ticket. Enjoy the game.” He gives me a big smile.

Wow, I didn’t even have to give him a hand job for that smile. I nod and head toward the gate that’s assigned on my ticket.

The smell of nachos, hot dogs, hamburgers, pizza, and even beer makes my knees weak. Damn, I’m hungry. The apple and a banana was a damn tease and my stomach is pissed at me because of it. I dig around my purse and I have about two dollars in change. I look up at one of the menus and a small soda is six bucks.

Six bucks?

Is this some type of special hockey-god soda?

Nope, just plain ole’ soda. I roll my eyes and rush away from the smells and my hunger pains. With the help of one of the ushers, I’m pointed to my seat just as the Eagles take the ice for warm-ups. I’m sitting right next to the ice. If this Plexiglas weren’t separating me from the ice, I would be on the ice with Valo.

“Jade!”

Right before I sit down I turn at the sound of my name. My stomach drops with fear that it’s someone about to call me out. Oh shit, not here. I don’t want to get Valo in trouble.

But I’m wrong.

It’s Mona.

“Mona, hi.” I quickly turn into my fake self. She is sitting two rows behind me.

“I didn’t know you liked hockey.”

“Well, it’s a new thing for me,” I giggle. “I’m assuming you’re a fan?”

“My husband,” she points to the man next to her. “He loves the Eagles. We’re season ticket holders. How did you get glass seats?”

Before I can open my mouth, there’s a tap on the glass. I turn to see Valo’s blue eyes staring back at me. Shit. I’m trying to be my fake self with a great guy staring at me and not have anyone figure out that I’m a stripper from the hood.

Oh, fuck it.

I wave at him and he winks before he takes off in the other direction. Wow, he’s fast.

“Was he your big date the other night?”

Now, people are looking at me. Typically, this wouldn’t be a problem for me, especially if I was naked. Not so much right now.