Chapter 6

Jack's POV

This has to be some kind of sick joke. God must be sitting up there with her big book of tricks open to the "How to Screw Over Jack O'Callahan" page. First, I'm on a team with McClanahan, then the girl of my dreams is team manager or whatever the hell of job title is. I'm just gonna get drunk tonight and try to forget about Emily.

"This test is a pain in the ass," Cox whined.

"Listen to this one: A cop pulls you over for speeding, but you know you're not at fault. Do you state your complaint right away?" Dave Silk read from the test. "He's got 300 of these things."

"It's just a test, Silky. You've taken one or two of them before," Rizzo said, trying to make the best of the situation.

"Not to play hockey I haven't," Silk shot back.

"Can you even read, Silky?" Coxie joked, pouring himself another beer.

"I try," was Silk's response, which caused the whole table to laugh.

And then he had to interrupt the good time.

"Hey Rizzo! What's going on?" McClanahan called from across the bar.

"Mac," Rizzo replied uneasily.

I hate that guy. Not sure I've mentioned that so far.

"Easy big guy," Rizzo said in a warning tone. Boy, does he know me well.

"I don't know how you two can sit in the same room as that clown," I said, ignoring my teammate.

"Let it go. It's over," Rizzo warned.

"What's going on here?" Cox asked, completely unaware of what was happening.

"OC's got a little unfinished business over there," Silky explained.

"Not for long I don't," I muttered, which received an angry look from Rizzo.

"Hey what did I tell you man?" Rizzo yelled.

"McClanahan? You're not still going on about the 76 playoffs are you? Oh come on OC that was like three years ago!" Cox exclaimed. No one will ever get understand the magnitude of this "unfinished business."

"You know what Coxie let me ask you a question. Why'd you wanna play college hockey?" I inquired, getting frustrated.

"Isn't it obvious? For the girls!" he joked, which just provoked the anger.

"I'm serious, Coxie. Why'd you wanna play college hockey?" I asked again.

"Cause I love to play hockey. I wanna go to the NHL just like everyone does," he answered.

"Well I wanted to win a national championship. That pansy over there cheap shots me. I get tossed out of the game. He steals the ring right off my finger! How would you feel?" I questioned.

"Everyone was throwin cheap shots that night," Rizzo interjected. Always the pacifist.

"You know Rizzo. It's funny you say that. Cause I was just wondering what side you're on," I shot back. I really hate getting mad at Rizzo, but he's just provoking it now.

"I'm on your side!"

"You know it really seems that way," I spat facetiously. "I'm not doing this right now. I'm out of here," I added, throwing the pen down and getting up.

"Where ya goin?" Rizzo asked, worried that I was about to do something dumb.

"To my room. Is that okay with you, Mother?" I replied, walking away.

As I was walking out the door, I bumped into someone.

"Sorry," I mumbled, then looked to see it was Emily.

"We gotta stop meeting this way," she joked uneasily.

"Yeah, I guess so," I replied.

"Hey Jack, can we talk?" she asked. What was I gonna do? She was blocking the exit.

"Sure, but not here. Too much bad blood," I responded.

"So, where to, Mr. O'Callahan?" Emily asked as we walked to her car.

"You're the Minnesotan. You tell me," I replied. "Keys please."

"Ha, I think not," Emily said with a laugh. "No one, and I mean no one, drives my car."

"I hate not driving though," I whined.

"Yeah, that's attractive," she retorted, rolling her eyes. "I'm not gonna kill ya, Jack. Just trust me."

There was something about the way she said that to me. I don't know how to explain it. It sounded sweet and safe, and her eyes sparkled when she said it. I didn't know gray was a sparkly color.

"Fine, I'll trust you," I said, climbing into the passenger seat. "So…what are we talking about?"

"Wanna go to the park? There's a really pretty one overlooking a lake, and you can see the stars. It's really pretty," Emily said, trying to avoid my question.

"Sounds good," I muttered, as we drove on in silence.

She stopped the car and got out, not even waiting for me. She just sat down on a bench near the water. I took a seat next to her, but she moved away a bit.

"Are you okay?" I asked, taking in the way she looked so distant.

"I'm fine," she whispered. "I just really wanted to say I'm sorry."

"What for?" I asked bewilderedly.

"I don't know. I should have called or wrote back or something. I just didn't know what to do after Robbie and I broke up," she explained, her voice starting to quiver. "See, the thing is I'm really great at ruining relationships. I guess I just panicked after Robbie."

"Emma, there's nothing to be sorry about. I wasn't expecting anything," I told her honestly. "May I ask why you and Robbie broke up?"

"He would get so jealous whenever I was around other guys. Ya know like other guys would hurt me or ditch me or something. He wasn't mean about it, just jealous," she explained.

"I would never do that to you," I said softly. This actually caused her to move a little closer to me. I wrapped an arm around her shoulders and felt her shiver slightly. "Cold?"

"Just a little breeze off the water. I'm fine," she replied. "What do you say we just take this slowly?"

"I think that's a good idea," I answered before moving in to capture her lips with mine.

"I don't think that's taking it slow," she murmured after pulling away.

"I figured I'd get it out of my system," I replied, mimicking her exact words from the first time I kissed her.