Snowballed by Melanie Ting

Author:Melanie Ting [Ting, Melanie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Heart Eyes Press LLC

The weekend goes by quickly. We play Maine and win both games. Our winning record is getting fans excited about the team, but it’s way too early for all that. It’s boring at the farm when Zoe is not there, so I spend more time on campus. I’m either at the library working or hanging out with the guys at the hockey house.

Finally Zoe returns from her road trip, and the house is alive again. She does a circuit of the farm, and I follow her.

“I know you’re checking up on me,” I say.

“I’m not. I just like seeing the farm after I’ve been away,” she says.

“Please. You were inspecting udders to make sure the goats were milked enough.”

“Okay. I have trouble delegating. But you’re doing a good job,” she concedes.

I have a secret weapon. I message Meysy if I’m having problems. I don’t ask Zoe because I don’t want her to worry.

“I found out how Helen won you,” she says.

“How?” I ask because she expects me to, not because I’m interested.

“She paid off the girl who actually won. Offered her money for the winning ticket.”

This makes me feel even worse. I never liked the idea in the first place, but a draw meant an element of randomness. Someone who pays for a date is going to have expectations.

“I hate b.s. like this. I hope you guys made a lot of money.”

“Yeah, we made enough for new tracksuits. Thank you for doing this.”

“You’re welcome.” Zoe is the only person who could have made me do it.

“I guess we better get ready for tonight.”

Yes, it feels weird that we’re both getting ready for dates—but not with each other. Helen wants to go to the Biscuit in the Basket, which is the hockey hangout on campus. I know exactly why: she wants everyone to see us together. I have zero patience for this shit. I’ve never had a real conversation with Helen because she’s too busy trying to impress me.

But I have to do this, so I’ll play my part. I shower, shave, and get dressed.

When I go downstairs, Zoe is cooking. There’s a cake on the counter, and she’s stirring something on the stove. It smells amazing in here.

I sit down at the table. “I thought you were going out with Minnesota Mild tonight.”

She laughs at my joke, which makes me feel better.

“Now I’m going to be thinking of that nickname all night,” she says. “Our date is here. I didn’t want to waste money taking him out.”

“Will your mom be here too?” I ask.

“Of course not. That would be too awkward. She’s going out to a movie.”

“But you hardly know him. What if he turns out to be—” I try to think of the right word. He seems like a nice guy, but that’s what they always say about serial killers.

“Don’t worry about Martin. At least I’m not going out with the human octopus,” she says.

“Hey, I’m an undersized defenseman, I’ve spent years avoiding hits.”

Zoe giggles. She seems happier lately, and I’m glad.

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