Free Hockey Is My Boyfriend: Part Two by Melanie Ting

will be full.”
    Those sexy lips grimaced for a moment, and then I said okay.
    “Okay,” Steve said happily. “Did you want me to get the drink?”
    “As if I would trust you not to drop some GHB in.”
    “Kelly, if I had some, I would have put it in your orange juice days ago.” Steve laughed, and I had to laugh too. At least he was honestly perverted. We walked together to the bar.
    “Karl, a rum and Coke please.” I hoped Karl was going to be worth the effort. He seemed nice.
    “Make it a double,” said Steve.
    “No, a single.”
    “C’mon. Are you that much of a lightweight? A double.”
    I mouthed the word “single” to Karl and he nodded slightly.
    “Here’s a double,” he said, and winked at me. Good choice, Loreal.
    “Thanks,” Steve said, “Put it on my tab.” He handed the drink to me. “Cheers, gorgeous. Here’s to relaxation.”
    I clinked the glass against his beer and had a swig.
    “Okay, I’ll go and sit with Loreal, while you get things set up.”
    “No way, Kelly. You’re the type to pour the drink into a plant when I’m not looking. Stick with me until you finish it.”
    “God, you’re like my mom. No dessert until you finish your dinner.” But he was right; that was exactly what I had been planning.
    “Hey Steve-O, it’s your shot,” called Riley.
    “Let’s go.” He put a hand on my back and steered me back.
    “Sit here,” he said, pointing to a bar stool beside the pool table and far away from any potted plants. “Where I can keep an eye on you. Dogs, make sure Kelly doesn’t spill a drop of her drink while I’m shooting.” Riley came over and stood beside me without asking any questions. I kept sipping at the drink.
    Jimmy walked over as well, “What’s going on with you and Steve?” he asked me in a low voice.
    “Jimbo,” Steve called from across the pool table. “Don’t worry, I’m getting Kelly lubricated for you.”
    Well, didn’t that sound nice? “No big deal, we’re helping each other out.”
    Jimmy leaned over to whisper something in my ear, and his hot breath on my neck was turning me on. I swallowed hard. Get a grip, Kelly.
    “I thought you didn’t like Steve. You said he was an a-hole.” Did Jimmy not even swear? Man, we were so incompatible. So what was up with those dreams?
    “I don’t. If I finish this drink, he’s helping me out with something for Loreal. That’s it.”
    “What’s the big deal about the drink?”
    “Nothing, it’s a rum and Coke. The thing is: I’m not really a drinker.” Probably the understatement of the year, since I was feeling pretty warm and relaxed after only half my drink. Maybe I needed to be eating something as well. I got off the stool to find some potato chips.
    “Stop, Kelly.” Steve commanded. “Sit, that’s a good girl.” Memo to Steve: treating women like dogs was not the shortest way to their hearts.
    “I want to get some chips.”
    “I’ll get them for you,” Jimmy said and left.
    The band was starting to set up. I was a little surprised there even was a live band in such a small town, but this was the place to be on Saturday night. The bar was more crowded now. Lots of women too. Maybe Steve could find someone else to be his true love tonight.
    Speaking of the devil, Steve walked over and stood too close to me.
    “Ready for another drink yet, Kelly?”
    “Nope, still working on this one.”
    Jimmy returned and held up two bags of chips. “I didn’t know what kind you wanted, Salt and Vinegar or BBQ?”
    “I loooove BBQ!” I said and giggled. Uh, oh, I was already sounding a little bombed.
    “Kelly, what a cheap date you are,” said Steve, who didn’t miss a thing.
    I started eating chips right away. About ten minutes later, I had finished my drink. Steve got me a new one immediately, but I was ignoring it.
    Time for Project Loreal. I took her to the ladies room and outlined the plan first, getting her to take her pretty blonde hair out of its braids. I was helping