Free Hockey Is My Boyfriend: Part Three by Melanie Ting Page A

match?” April suggested.
    “No, I’m going to date them both and then decide.”
    “Ooooh, it’s the final round of The Bachelorette ! I like it,” April declared. “Only one problem.”
    “I know what you’re going to say,” I sighed.
    “Take two insanely competitive, testosterone-charged guys and ask them to share nicely? That’s going to work.”
    “No, I figure they’re both going to say no. It feels conceited to even suggest this.” I shook my head. “But honestly, I can’t make up my mind. When I see James, I’m so drawn to him. Then I’m with Phil, and I’m laughing and having fun. They’ll probably both tell me to take a hike.”
    That would make my life simpler, but it would also take the decision out of my hands. Jimmy was pushing me to take charge of my own life and not go along with the tide. Of course, he didn’t realize this advice would be used against him.
    April dropped her teasing tone. “I don’t think you have to worry. You always underestimate yourself. You’re very charismatic.”
    “ Moi ?” No way.
    “Of course. You’re fun and charming—but elusive. You’ve got so much energy and so many things on, that you’re always too busy to stop for long. People bask in your full attention and want more of it. You’re like a drug.”
    I stared at her, dumbfounded. This was not how I saw myself. I had a sense of being apart, but that was because I didn’t quite fit in: a tomboy when it wasn’t cool, a jock among smarter people, a girl playing against boys.
    She laughed at me. “Surely, it must have occurred to you when you became captain of your hockey team—that you were someone people would follow?”
    “I know I work hard. That’s what the coach wanted to promote.”
    “Think about it, Kelly. You’ll see I make sense.” She changed back into her flippant self. “How are you going to break the idea to your Romeos?”
    “I thought I’d have them both over for dinner, and then when everyone is feeling mellow afterwards, I could suggest it.”
    “Hmm, that’s smart. They’ll be paralyzed after eating your cooking and unable to hurt each other.”
    “April! You liked my spaghetti last week.”
    “Uh, yes. But didn’t it come directly from a jar?”
    “No, I added hamburger. That’s something like cooking, isn’t it?”
    “That pretty much describes your culinary skills, ‘something like cooking.’”
    “So, you’re out on Friday? That’s when I’m planning this dinner because Jimmy’s flying in that day.” Would April’s presence make things better or worse? I was pretty sure that she had already picked sides, and I didn’t want to be influenced by her.
    “Great, that gives me time to hide anything fragile. Make them take the fight outside.”
    “There’s not going to be a fight,” I protested. Anyway, if there was anyone they’d want to kill, it would be me.
----
    “ W hat the fuck is he doing here?”
    Both of them spoke simultaneously when they saw each other, although only one of them swore. They were sitting in the living room across from each other.
    “I have something I want to discuss with you two, and I thought it would be easier this way. Beer, anyone?”
    There was a glaring contest going on, so I stuck beers in front of each of them, went to the kitchen and finished the salad. I was good at salads; even April would admit that. There was no conversation coming from the other room, so I figured we might as well eat.
    “Did you want to come in here and help yourselves?” I called out, but my voice quavered. I needed to be more confident tonight or this whole thing wouldn’t work. Phil and Jimmy came in, and they took up all the space in the kitchen.
    “You made dinner?” Phil asked, looking around the kitchen.
    “Well, it’s just spaghetti. You know, from a bottle. But with hamburger.” Luckily, April was not here to insult my cooking.
    “I’m sure whatever you made will be delicious,” Jimmy assured me.
    “It’s like you