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

don’t even know her,” Phil snorted. “Not that I’m surprised.”
    After the world’s quietest meal, I cleared my throat. Eating my cooking didn’t seem to have made anyone happier, but on the plus side, nobody was paralyzed.
    “Well, the reason that I invited you here is that it’s such a weird coincidence that you both showed up in my life in the same week….”
    I faltered, but nobody else seemed to find this interesting. “Anyway, you both said you’re interested in dating again, um, I mean dating me again.” Duh, Kelly, it wasn’t like they wanted to date each other. “And you’re such great guys, that I can’t make up my mind. So, maybe the best thing would be to date—you know, casually, this summer. What do you think?”
    Phil was first up. “Are you kidding me? You want to go out with me and him at the same time? I don’t even get why you want to get back with this asshole after the way he hurt you.”
    “Excuse me? I think Kelly’s issues around commitment stem from the way you treated her,” Jimmy said.
    I broke in. “You know, as much fun as it is to tear apart my psyche, can we concentrate on the dating idea? It’s kind of like the old days when people played the field before going steady.” Great, now I was quoting my dad.
    “I don’t know, Kelly,” Jimmy said. “It’s pretty weird.”
    For once they were in agreement. Phil nodded. “It’s emasculating.”
    Jimmy frowned at me. “Why can’t you just make up your mind? Last weekend, I thought all you needed was time to get used to the idea, and then we were going to get back together.”
    “Yeah, but then something better came along,” Phil said.
    “Really? Well, if you’re so much better, how come Kelly didn’t just pick you?”
    “If I could maybe answer this question,” I interrupted. “I really like both of you—but in different ways. I have dated other guys, and nobody even comes close to the way I feel about you two. It’s a really important decision. Jimmy, you want me to quit my job and move to Chicago, and that’s huge. Phil, I don’t know exactly what you want yet, but I have my suspicions that it’s serious too. But I’ve changed. We all have. So, I think we need to get reacquainted now. I don’t feel I can make up my mind until I have a chance to do that.”
    Jimmy’s whole face was a furrowed scowl. “You know, I’ve gone to a lot of trouble to rearrange my schedule so I could spend time here and we could be together. I kinda feel like you’re changing the ground rules.”
    “I know, and I totally appreciate that. If you don’t want to do this, that’s fine. I don’t want to force anyone into anything.”
    “But what’s the alternative?” Jimmy asked.
    “The alternative is that Kelly can go out with someone who is willing to accommodate her. Who doesn’t think he’s too frigging important to give her enough time to make a decision.” Phil crossed his arms and leaned back on the couch. I pinched the bridge of my nose. I had never had a migraine in my life, but I felt I might be getting one.
    “I don’t know what the alternative is,” I replied to the original question. “I’ll have to think about that.”
    “I’m happy to date you whenever and however you want,” Phil assured me. But I could tell there was a lot of fuck-you in his voice, all aimed at Jimmy.
    “Well,” Jimmy hesitated. “I didn’t say I wouldn’t do it.”
    “Why not drop out now and spare yourself some pain?” Phil suggested helpfully.
    Jimmy ignored him. “Logistically, how would this work?”
    “We’d go out, you know, whenever it was convenient for you guys. I know that you’re both busy and have stuff on. I’ll keep track and keep things equal.”
    “Maybe we can work out a schedule ahead of time. Then you can come on trips with me too.” Jimmy liked a routine, since he had a lot on.
    “Anal much?” said Phil, “Kelly and I can be spontaneous. Of course, I’m not the one asking her to change