Shea

Kamloops' Aberdeen Mall is shit. Just like Orchard Park Mall in Kelowna. They comprise the same old stores. Unless I'm in Vancouver, I rarely go shopping.

Today, however, is an exception. The team and I are in between games with our annual Winter Frenzy Tournament. We won this morning's game. Now, we're waiting to see who we'll play in the semi-finals this evening. It'll either be Brenna's team or Trail's team. Thanks to their lead in the points department, Penticton had already claimed a spot in the finals. The winner of tonight's game will play against them tomorrow.

While Brenna's team and Vernon's team are on the ice, my team is at the mall. KJ, Jayden, and I just finished lunch at Subway. Now, the three of us are doing some Christmas shopping. And some shopping for ourselves. I'm looking for a new pair of joggers. Mine just ripped. I'm also searching for gifts for Chelsea, and the upcoming Secret Santa party my friends and I are having this year. 

"Goddamn," KJ groans. "There is nothing here. I hate this mall."

Jayden gives KJ a look. "Purdy's Chocolatier and lululemon are here. That's all you need."

I snort. "Don't forget Jersey City."

Jayden snaps his fingers. "That one, too!"

KJ sends us daggers. We're making fun of his snobby shopping side. The kid, although he's almost as broke as me, enjoys splurging. 

Jayden and I bump shoulders as we snicker.

Keeping his chin held high, KJ says, "I'm getting chocolate."

His runners squeak against the linoleum as he scuttles to the chocolate shop. I have to admit, everything in the glass display case looks delicious. Too bad they didn't have any gummies. 

Jayden and I loiter at the edge of the store, while KJ grabs his favourites. They're a specific type of chocolate truffle topped with candied pecans. Smiling, I shake my head and survey the surrounding stores. KJ's something else. It's why we're buddies. Just like Noah, I don't know what I'd do without KJ.

As I survey the surrounding stores, I note the ones I want to browse. Although money is tight, I would enjoy a new pair of joggers from lululemon. They're my favourite for training in the winter. When the roads aren't icy, jogging around the neighbourhood is one of my favourite activities. Aside from hockey.

Thinking about hockey directs my thoughts elsewhere. To the bet and Brenna. To Connor. The stupid fuck. We're hoping to set our plan into motion this weekend. Every Saturday night post-game, there's always a party in the hotel room. We're gonna get that confession out of Connor. We have to. 

To my left, Jayden nudges me. "Someone's distracted."

I blink, turning my attention to Jayden. "Just thinking about this weekend. Y'know? Connor and the bet."

Jayden draws his bottom lip between his teeth as he nods. "Yeah, man," he sighs. "That's been on my mind, too."

Ever since the conversation at the gym, doubt has been plaguing my mind. What if Connor wins? What if Coach doesn't believe us, despite the evidence? Coach wouldn't want to lose his top goalie. As much as I hate Connor, he's part of the team. 

"You know everything will be okay, right?" he asks. "We'll have proof, Shea."

Sighing, I knock my head against the pillar and close my eyes. Proof or not, the decision is up to Coach. Perhaps we'll both be kicked off of the team. I partook. It's my fault this mess started. "Proof that will drag me down, too. It's not fair, J. I didn't ask for this. It might be enough to get me kicked off of the team. I still broke the rules."

"Brenna didn't want in, either."

I open one eye, peeking through my lashes at him. "No," I sigh. "She didn't. Life's fucking unfair sometimes."

Jayden shrugs. "Sometimes you win and sometimes you learn. That's just how life works. Even if Connor's games get you booted off of the team, you'll still make it to Boston."

A jolt of surprise goes through me. "You really think so?"

Jayden exchanges a glance with me. "Hell yeah. You, Brenna, and KJ are the best players in the league. Someone is bound to pick all three of you up. Brenna will make it to the Olympics. You and KJ will make it into the NHL." He gives me a nudge. "Just make sure I get lots of free tickets."

Before I can respond, KJ returns with his bag of chocolates. As we're heading into the next store, killing time before our upcoming game, I think about how much I hate Jayden.

Don't get me wrong.

Dude's one of my best friends.

He's just too damn optimistic.

* * *

Shopping isn't bad until we run into Connor. Jayden, KJ, and I are enjoying our time browsing options. We're all in need of some new workout gear. Lululemon is expensive, but it lasts. Until I tore a hole in the knee, my old one lasted me four years.

Goddamn Connor, though. He ruins everything. All I wanted to do was buy some overpriced, quality joggers while hanging out with my friends. Spending time with them was distracting me from my messy home life and my Brenna problem.

"Smith, Jones, and Miller," he drawls, leaning against a rack of jackets. "Fancy meeting you here."

Preston and the rest of Connor's gang loiter behind him. He uses his posse to make himself look bigger and more dangerous. It's pathetic. If Connor had balls, he'd face the three of us alone.

I grip the hangers in my hand. My grip is so tight the metal is digging into my palm.

Jayden, who's already made his purchase, swings his lululemon bag back and forth. "It's a small mall," he shrugs. "It was bound to happen. Don't act so surprised, Watt."

The expression on Connor's face darkens. Jayden's being an idiot. If he continues to poke Connor, we're in for some serious shit later on.

Connor's jaw twitches. "Watch it, Miller. We don't want a repeat."

Subconsciously, Jayden rubs the bridge of his nose. There's no sign of fear on his face, though. I give Jayden a nudge. He looks pissed. If he wants revenge, now isn't the time. We're in public. Besides, if our plan runs smooth, we'll all get revenge on Connor.

Jayden's posture relaxes a little. "No," he replies. His voice is cool. "You're right."

Only KJ and I hear him mutter for once at the end of the sentence.

KJ snorts.

Connor's gaze pierces him. "Something funny, Jonesie?"

KJ's gaze travels the length of the display—hoodies and joggers, along with some fanny packs and other knick-knacks—before he shrugs. "This conversation. What do you want, Connor? We're busy."

Connor adjusts his stance and the bags hanging from his arm. As he does this, I inspect him. He's looking haggard. A part of me feels sympathy for him. Today's game was exhausting. But that sympathy doesn't match my hatred. He deserves every negativity that affects him. He dragged Brenna and me into a situation we didn't ask for. When Karma comes knocking at his door, I hope he suffers.

"Just came by to see how the bet's going. Have you looped Harrison in yet? Preston told me nothing interesting happened at Scandia. Judging by your Instagram post, it looked more like a group date than a date. What's going on, Smith? Have you lost your touch?"

I suppress a snort. I've never had a touch. My life has revolved around looking after Chelsea since my parents won't. I don't have time to think about committing to a romantic relationship.

"Or are you asexual?" He glances over his shoulder. "Imagine that, boys. Smith being asexual." He directs his gaze back to me. "It would explain a lot."

"Sexuality doesn't determine someone's worth," Jayden snaps. "If Shea were asexual, there'd be nothing wrong with it."

"Agreed," KJ nods.

Although I agree with Jayden and KJ, I don't like people talking about my sexuality. This isn't a conversation I want to have. I've felt sexually attracted to many girls. There's just... I have better things to worry about. My sister is more important to me than finding someone or having casual sex with someone. One day, I want to get married. I want to settle down and have kids. Intimacy is important, be it holding hands or sex. I want the connection it provides. There just isn't time for me to commit to a relationship right now. Maybe after college. But not right now.

"What would you say if I told you Brenna and I did fuck?" I blurt, trying to divert the topic. I'll do anything to prevent this conversation from continuing. Otherwise, I'll be forced to justify myself.

The words leave my mouth before I can stop them. Shit. Brenna and I didn't review that sentence. She didn't approve of it.

Not that it matters. Connor and his posse laugh. None of them believe me anyway. It's a relief. 

"Please," Preston says. "No one believes you." His mouth curves into a wicked grin. "Brody and I saw nothing interesting happen."

Bastard. I knew someone was following us that night. Preston and Brody were spying on Brenna and I.

Connor and Preston exchange a subtle fist-bump.

I almost gag. God, they're pathetic. They've stooped low enough to spy on me and Brenna.

"Hold up," KJ says, raising his hands. I notice he's holding his phone. Frowning, I rub my jaw. What's he up to? "Boys. We're sounding like petty teenagers."

Flicking my gaze back to Connor, I cock an eyebrow. "Wouldn't want to make a scene, now, would we?"

Connor raises shrugs, his palms facing up. "What scene?"

"Why are you doing this?" KJ asks, ignoring Connor's question.

I gape at him. What is he thinking? Connor will kick the shit out of him. As I'm gaping at KJ, I see movement in the corner of my eye. When I glance over, I see Jayden shaking his head. He mouths something, then points at his own phone. I frown. What the hell is he saying? I can't read lips.

Jayden's shoulders slump as if he's released an irritated sigh. Aggressively, he points at his phone and then enacts a camera.

Damn. KJ's recording this.

We might catch him admitting to the bet.

Connor's smug grin makes me want to throw punches. Even his posture is enough to make me turn to violence. I rein in my emotions, though. Screwing this up would be devastating.

"Why did you make this bet?" KJ presses. He's squinting at Connor. His head is cocked to the side. 

Leaning back, Connor stuffs his hands in his pockets. His face is still smug. I still want to punch him.

Knowing Connor, though, KJ has him trapped. Connor will gloat. He'll want to boast about every detail of this bet. Why? Because he believes he has power over me.

"First, because Smith is an idiot. He can't rope anyone in. There isn't a romantic bone in his body. Second, Brenna Harrison doesn't deserve to play in our league. She's a liability. What better way to fuck over two people I hate? Smith breaks Brenna's heart. That way, she stops playing hockey, and our win in the playoffs is secure. Smith'll also look like an asshole. It's a win-win."

The glint in his eyes tells me he has more to say.

"Hopefully, Smith goes with the alternative option and literally fucks her over. Make her a slut and an emotional disaster."

My emotions boil over. "Stop talking about her that way!" I snarl.

His lips part in surprise, and his eyebrows raise. "Defensive. Maybe there's hope for him after all."

Just as the posse laughs, a flash comes from KJ's phone.

"The fuck are you doing, Jones?" Connor demands. "We're having a conversation here."

KJ shrugs. "Snapchatting my old girlfriend."

Connor snorts. "That slut Ella?"

KJ's head snaps up. His eyes are wide with anger.

Both Jayden and I grab KJ's shoulders, holding him back as he lurches forward. "Want to say that again?" he seethes, forgetting his phone. "Say it again, Watt. I dare you."

"Ella's a slut," Connor drawls. He emphasizes each syllable. I almost release KJ. Who cares if we're booted from the mall? The opportunity to break Connor's nose is dangling in front of me. Coach, however, would not be happy to hear about me losing my temper. And God knows Connor will play the victim.

Tightening my grip on KJ's shoulder, I give him a tug. "Come on. Let's go. We'll see you on the ice, Connor."

"Remember the bet," he replies.

A chill runs down my spine, causing me to shudder. We'll face retaliation after we expose Connor. That's a given. But I don't want to do this anymore. I've made enough poor decisions to last me a lifetime.

As we're walking away, KJ mutters. "That fucker is done."

"You got a video?" Jayden whispers.

"Hell yeah. He's not getting away with shit."

A grin splits my face.