Page 26 of He Has Santa (Boston Brawlers Hockey)
CHAPTER11
LOGAN
I’m jealous though I have no right to be and I struggle not to show it. Junie’s obvious discomfort spurs me to make a rash move, to prove I’m better than the base instincts I feel churning in my gut.
Nicky’s unfettered response to me, her pride in the game, unspoiled by the undercurrents, the corrupting turmoil of baggage barely hidden inspires me. I know what my baggage is about, my residual feelings for Junie from our high school affair still strangle me and I have no idea if they’re real or built on the ghosts of what could have been.
I tell myself mycuriosityabout what’s behind Ken’s attitude is driven by my single-minded competitiveness and not a small amount of concern for Nicky’s welfare. Above all else, I’ve emotionally adopted Nicky as mine, taken ownership of her as my daughter lock-stock-and barrel in spite of whatever practical or legal constraints there might be.
The rash move of inviting Dr. Ken and Darlene to dinner doesn’t alarm me in spite of the surprised looks on everyone’s face, in spite of the dismayed look on Junie’s face.
Ken says good-bye to his daughter in the parking lot as I slide into my car. The little girl is whisked away by her mother, presumably his ex-wife. The ex eyes me with Junie as she rushes by my car and winks. It’s a conspiratorial wink. She’s definitely on my team in the war between Dr. Ken and me for Junie’s attention. Not that it’s a fair fight. I get the idea Junie’s not fond of him based on her body language.
* * *
We congregateat the hostess station inside the restaurant where we have a full view of the wall of windows overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and the rich scent of New England clam chowder permeates the air.
“I’m impressed that we can get in without reservations on a Saturday night,” Darlene says.
“Perk of being a player.” I give her a half smile and wink at Junie. She rolls her eyes.
“You’re a player alright,” Junie says for my ears only.Snap. I need to get rid of her misimpression that I’m a player, not emphasize it.
“Of course,” Ken says. I can tell he’s forcing his smile as the host leads us to a table at the exact center of the oceanside window, the spot where everyone in the room would want to be. Shit. I can feel all eyes on us as we take our seats. My hope to slip by without being recognized is dashed by a young lady who aims her phone in my direction. She flashes a coy nod and I nod back. What else am I going to do?
A low chorus of murmurs rises as more heads turn our way, more phones take aim.
“Shit.” I take my seat next to Junie and because I’m preoccupied with the room at large, I’m not in a position to prevent Dr. Dickhead from sitting on her other side at the u-shaped leather upholstered booth.
“Looks like you captured some attention,” Junie says, elbowing me. Her look and tone is playful thank god.
“Not. Don’t you know they’re all looking at you sweetheart?” I try and keep my voice as low as possible, leaning my head toward hers, but the dickhead doctor snorts as if he has a right to an opinion.
“Well, this is nice,” Darlene jumps in, picking up a menu. “I haven’t been here in… well, never. I’ve never been here. Always wanted to—”
“Good. Glad to grant your wish,”
Dr. Dickhead snorts again, adding a headshake this time, forcing me to pay attention in spite of Junie’s apprehensive look. Maybe because of it. She clearly doesn’t like him, but it’s more than that. Is she afraid of him? Nah.
“You’re probably a regular here, right Ken?” I say.
“I’ve been a few times. Not enough to get the best table without reservations. I’m not in your celebrity club, but I do have the money.”
“That right? Good for you.” I pick up my menu.
“Bet you make a few mil a year. How much are the Brawlers paying you?”
“Ken, that’s not—” Junie says.
“It’s okay.”
“No it’s not. Don’t answer him.”
“Don’t worry. I wasn’t going to. I was going to make him guess. Make a game out of it.”
Darlene almost spits out the water she’d been sipping. Junie bites her lip, forcefully holding back a laugh, coughing instead. She’s way too polite to this guy and I’m starting to wonder why, whether I’m missing something.
“Cute.” Ken waves a hand and picks up his menu. We manage to make it through appetizers without further incident mostly due to Junie and Darlene dominating the conversation with talk about their daughters and the hockey game. I’m enjoying getting the glimpse into Nicky’s life and pleased as hell that it sounds like a happy one, with friends, fun and family. It’s civil and pleasant mostly because Dr. Dick is mostly quiet.
