Honey: Date? How come this is the first time I’m hearing about it?
Jenni: typing…
While I wait for Jenni’s answer, I grab one of Zach’s South Point Prep sweatshirts and put it on.
Jenni:It’s a recent thing. Things have been developing between us, and I’m happy he finally decided to ask me out.
Honey:Good luck! Can’t wait to hear all about it.
Jenni:Oh, you’ll get every detail. I promise.
Chris:Good luck, Jen. See you soon, Honey!
It takes me about fifteen minutes to walk to the hockey house just at the end of campus, and when I knock, Chris is the one to answer.
“Hey, Honey,” he says with an easy smile. He’s in a pair of sweats and a worn hockey shirt as he moves back to make space for me. “You made it.”
“You sound surprised?” I step inside, surprised at how clean the guys manage to keep this place even though four hockey guys live here. Not as clean as Zach’s place, but there’s only one of him and he’s pretty obsessive about keeping things tidy anyway.
“The guys are in the kitchen,” Chris explains, leading me through the hallway. “They're arguing about movie choices, which means we'll probably end up watching whatever you pick anyway.”
“I can’t. I just can’t watch another superhero movie,” I hear a voice groan from the other room as I slip off my shoes by the door. “We watched three last week, and it made Jensen believe he might be able to make Vera come to life.”
There’s a pause, then another voice—way too cheerful.
“What do you mean? She’s alive and she’s playing with me every night.”
A beat of silence follows.
“Okay,” another voice says finally. “I’m choosing to pretend that meant hockey practice.”
“It did. Mostly.”
“Who’s Vera? Is she coming tonight?” I whisper to Chris before we head into the kitchen.
Chris gives me an amused smirk. “You might regret asking that.”
I wait.
“Vera is Jensen’s goalpost. He talks to her, he named her, and honestly? We think they’re in a very committed relationship.”
“O-okay.”
“Welcome to the hockey house.”
I follow Chris into the kitchen where I see Nick and Jensen near the fridge.
“Honey!” Chase announces, throwing his arm around my shoulders. “Perfect timing! Please convince these heathens that cinema should involve plot, not just car chases, fireballs, and people growling about vengeance.”
Nick turns to me and grins. “Don’t listen to him. I vote for explosions over emotions every time. Feelings don’t blow up helicopters.”
“I think a slapstick comedy would satisfy everyone’s requirements,” Jensen adds, giving me a wink.
“Hard pass on slapstick,” Chris pipes up. “The last thing Jensen needs is to think falling on his ass is a competitive sport.”
I laugh, surprised at how easy it is to be around them. There’s no judgment here, just fun.
“So what’s the verdict on the movie, then?” I ask as I pull out a couple of bags of popcorn.