Page 65 of Patrick

“It’s okay. She made a deal with Daniel, and he’s agreed to keep it quiet for three weeks.”

“Then why the charade?” I don’t want to know. I want to close my eyes and go to sleep.

“She’s hoping to encourage Daniel to keep quiet maybe even longer. Maybe even believe the charade. Though I told her that would make you look like a two-timer, and that’s if he buys the story. She went to a lot of trouble to help me with make-up, hair, and clothes to legit look the part of your girlfriend.”

“Are you telling me she expects us to carry on this charade… indefinitely?”

She nods. “I mentioned that might be a hurdle, though I’m perfectly prepared to play the part of a very undemanding girlfriend. We don’t have to go out much or⁠—”

“Go out much? Sorry, Pammy. My head is pounding.”

She rummages in her bag immediately and pulls out some Tylenol and a bottle of water.

“Shit. You come prepared.” I take them and swallow two pills.

I stand. “I need to see Fifi.”

She stands. “Tomorrow. I’ll come pick you up.”

“I don’t know if⁠—”

“You have an appointment with the team doctor in the afternoon, right?”

“How did you know?”

“I had a very nice conversation with your sister Kathleen when I was helping her clear the dishes. She told me a lot of things. We agreed that it would be better if you could stay on campus, but staying with the guys from the team didn’t sound realistic since it’s crowded there and you’d have to pay and you don’t have money, so…”

She turns away, blushing. “I said you could stay with me.”

I laugh. “Kathleen agreed with that?”

Pammy nods, and my hand goes to my forehead where pain hammers against my skull. Repeatedly.

In the morning, my headache is nearly gone, my eyesight perfect, and the fuzziness I didn’t realize was fogging my mind lifted. Indulging me whether I need it or not, Kathleen and Mom pack me up, including two big containers of Toll House cookies.

“One is for Bog and the boys, and the other is for you and Pammy,” Kathleen instructs.

I can’t believe her and Mom are okay with me staying on campus at Pammy’s place. Dad doesn’t like it based on the gruff greeting I get.

“I don’t care what the girl says; you’re paying her back if you have to work sixty hours a week on the boat all summer.”

Shit. The instant vision of me hurling my donuts over the side of the boat every day makes me shudder. But I shake it off because that’s not happening. I’m not about to mention that to Dad right now, but one of these days—and soon—I’m going to have to tell him I can never work in the family’s fishing business, either on the boat or in the market.

I’m banking hard on a pro hockey career to lighten the blow.

I settle at the kitchen table to wait for Pammy while everyone else goes about their business preparing for the day.

Daniel hovers, and I say, “Aren’t you going to be late for your morning skate?”

He finally sits next to me and whispers, “Are you sure you want to move in with this chick?”

“It’s okay, Danny boy.” I use his nickname to annoy him because his concern makes me uncomfortable.

“Don’t you care at all about girls’ feelings? Are you that dog who goes through bitches like they’re⁠—”

“Stop right there. You don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m not like that. I care about Pammy.”

“Right. But what about Sofia? Does she know about⁠—”