Pucked Up

“Hey, Lily, how you doin’?” I open my arms like I’m looking for a hug.

Her eyes do this weird widening thing and her lips contort, as if she’s fighting not to make a face. She ends up looking like she’s having a facial seizure. She leans forward and pats my back, straining her neck so almost none of her touches me. It’d be fu

I loop an arm around Su

“Miller! You’re all wet!”

“That makes one of us.” I don’t mean it the way it sounds, but everyone’s eyes shoot in my direction. Su

I pretend like I haven’t said something inappropriate and stick out my hand to the guy I know didn’t date Su

“Oh, I know who you are.” He takes my hand and squeezes like he has something to prove. “Benji.”

I squeeze back until he flinches. “You watch hockey?” This guy looks like golf or hacky sack are more his speed.

“Sunshine watches a lot of hockey, so that means we all watch a lot of hockey,” Lily says.

“When Toronto’s out, I go for Chicago because of Sunshine.” He winks at Su

“It’s not like Alex had any choice what city he plays for.” Su

There’s no introduction as her boyfriend. No suggestion that there’s anything going on between us aside from me knowing Alex. I can’t tell if it’s intentional, or she’s nervous.

“Is Alex here this weekend?” Kale stretches up, like he’s trying to see over my shoulder.

“Um, no. Alex isn’t here. He’s at home. Miller’s sister is his fiancée.”

Kale seems even more confused. It makes me wonder if he knows about me. “So, you came to Guelph . . .” He trails off.

“To see Su

Daisy breaks the awkward stare-down. “You don’t have to leave right away, do you? Why don’t you all come in for a visit? I’ll put on some coffee, and herbal tea for you, Lily. Su

“They’re delicious.” Robbie pats his stomach.

“And they’re vegan, of course,” Su

“I love your buns!” Kale has the nerve to wink at Su

“I’m looking forward to trying one. I’ve only ever eaten Su

Su

“I could go for some cookies right now.” Robbie saunters over to the fridge and opens the freezer.

“I’m go

“Okay. I guess I’ll be in the kitchen.” Su

“Me, too.”

I head up the stairs, taking them two at a time. I want to get a bead on this Kale fucker, so I don’t want to be gone long. My plan is two-fold; changing means I can get all my shit out of Su

I grab my duffel bag and stuff all my shit into it. Whatever I left in her bathroom can stay there. I’ll make a stop in Muskoka if I need something. I pick up a bunch of empty condom wrappers and kick a few more under the bed as I go. Based on the mini snowstorm of wrappers, Su

Andy comes into the room and does a circle around me, nudging me with his nose.

“Psst. Hey, buddy, you gotta go downstairs.”

Robbie calls for him somewhere from the floor below. Andy ignores him, like he does pretty much everyone but Su

“Go, Andy. Go see Robbie.” I push his butt toward the door, but he runs into the bathroom and shoves his head in the garbage can. I don’t know what he steals, but I need to get the hell out of Su

I scan the room one more time and notice a pair of Su

I don’t know what I’m pla

I shove them in my bag as the sound of a throat clearing draws my attention to the door. Robbie’s standing there with that suspicious look again. He pops a cookie into his mouth and chews.

I make sure the panties are tucked away safely. “Hey, Robbie. Su

He surveys the room with a critical eye. I think I managed to get rid of most of the condom wrappers. At least the ones in plain sight.

“You should come downstairs and get one of those ci

“I’ll be right down. I just need to get changed.”

“Everyone’s on the back deck.” He stuffs another cookie in his mouth and waits for me to leave the room before he closes Su

Less than two minutes later I’m on my way outside. That Kale dick is sitting right next to Su

“Miller! I saved you a ci

I make a point of circling the group instead of reaching across the table. Leaning down right next to Kale, I tuck invisible strands of hair behind Su

The conversation consists of a lot of inside jokes from Lily and Kale, which is damn a

“Miller?”

“Huh?” I glance around the table. Everyone is looking at me—except Lily. She’s busy texting under the table. I realize I’ve been staring off into space. Actually, I’ve been staring at Su

“What’s the name of the camp you’re volunteering at again?” Su