I suddenly wondered if I’d remembered to button my jeans. Casually, ever so slowly, I turned toward the sink and flipped on the water while I peeked down at my jeans. Thank God, I was good.
“What the fuck happened here?” I watched out of the corner of my eye as his arms crossed over his chest. Fern’s eyes shot around the room, and I quickly turned on the garbage disposal. No clue why but seemed like a good idea.
Fern shrugged. “Uh, nothing. What do you mean?”
He took a swift step toward her, and I wondered if I should do some quick stretches so when I flung myself through the window, I could disappear into the forest without any leg cramping.
“What happened, Fern?” His expression softened as he took her face in his hands. “Oh my God, are you okay? There’s a huge bruise on your face. Oh, honey.”
“I’m fine. It’s a bruise around some cuts?—”
“You have cuts? Cuts?” His distraught voice rang out.
“It’s okay. I was in a, um, little fender bender.”
I nearly jumped through the roof as he released her and started pacing the room. “Somebody did this to you? Some jackass ran into my sister and left you with cuts and bruises?”
I froze, not certain if I was supposed to answer or not. Quiet, yes, quiet was the best way to be.
“Where is this guy?” He threw his arms in the air. “Anyone who hurts you or touches you answers to me. I’ll kill the motherfucker! Qualcuno morira!”
Dave sometimes threw Italian words out there, and while I didn’t speak Italian, I was certain the phrase still hanging in the air had death in it somewhere.
I ran my hand over my forehead, suddenly sweating bullets. I turned off the garbage disposal and decided to wash a plate on the counter. Seemed natural.
Fern let out an odd little laugh. “No, Dave, it was me. I hit some ice, went off the road, and my car ran into a tree.” She pointed to me. “But Gabe happened to drive by and got me off.” She gasped. “I mean out…he got me out.”
Dave suddenly took two giant steps and grabbed my arms. This was it. This was how I was going to die. Instead, he gave me a bear hug. “Wolkowski, my best friend! I’m so glad you found her.” His hug nearly squeezed the oxygen from my lungs, but I was grateful I might live to see another day. Might was the key word as the day wasn’t over yet.
He pulled back as Liv, his tall brunette girlfriend of a couple years, walked over and gave me a hug. “Hi, Gabe. Thanks again for having the weekend wedding party at your cabin. I know Tawnee and Ed are thrilled.” She took a good look at my face and gasped.
Dave pointed to me. “Now, who in the hell gave you a shiner and scratches?”
“Funny story.” Oh, how I needed a beer. “It was Fern.”
His jaw clenched slightly, as oh fuck entered my bloodstream.
“Fern did this to you? Why would Fern do this to you?” He took a breath.
“When I got here, I startled her, and she thought I was an intruder.” Gulp.
He wore a straight face before he clapped his hands together as Fern and I both jumped. “My sister kicked your ass?” His thunderous laugh filled the room. “You must’ve felt like a complete pussy!”
“No, I’m not a pussy.”
Liv covered her mouth, attempting to conceal her smile.
I pointed at Dave. “I would never fight a girl!”
Voices from the living room grew louder. “Whatever, bro.” Dave turned and yelled into the living room. “Yo, guys! My sister kicked Wolkowski’s ass!”
I threw my arms in the air. “Nobody kicked my ass.”
Fern and I followed Dave and Liv into the living room where Dan, Andrew, and Ed stood. They were my hockey teammates from the Minnesota Wild and the best bunch of friends I could ever hope for. They were my family now.
After Amy’s death, they literally carried me through. When my thoughts went dark, Dave took all my guns and stayed in my apartment for weeks. When I drank too much, they’d find me and get me home and would be right back there in the morning to drag my ass to practice, ensuring I didn’t lose my career. They literally saved me from myself. I owed them everything.
So yes, it was hockey hair and beards everywhere. If you go by Pulltab Hockey, my crew would consist of a mash up of the Vintage Mullet, Butter Lettuce, and the Hoppenheimer.
