Slapshot

Chapter 28: Everything's Changed

Jonathan's POV

The next few days were great. Or, as great as I could possibly make them. I didn't talk to Taylor once, and I don't even think she noticed. I also hung out with Maria all the time, watching the Chicago games and having sex on the couch. Uh, her couch. My house was always infested with Cathy, meaning we could never stay there.

As much as I tried not to notice, Taylor was always with Cameron. I don't know why, I mean, didn't they just meet? Now they were best friends?

I tried not to let it bother me. And I was doing a good job, I think.

One day right when practice was ended, I was with Maria, collecting her things at her locker so we could leave.

"Doesn't it bother you that our team sucks?" I ask her, leaning against the locker beside hers.

She looks at me, wide eyes and a nod. "Even because we are the best two." She says, making me laugh.

"You think?" I say.

"They are wasting our talent." She claims. I laugh again. "We are the only good ones."

"What do you think of Sweeney?" I ask her. She furrows her eyebrows, so I continue. "Braden's friend."

"Oh." She says. "He's okay, but I do not like him." I smile. I loved how she agreed with what I thought without me even having to say anything.

She closes her locker door and swings her purse over her shoulder. I push her shoulder against the locker, connecting our lips. I can feel her smile as she puts her hands behind my neck.

"Are we going to my place?" She mumbles. I make a weird sound that's something between a moan and a mumble, but I think she gets the idea.

We must be making out for a few minutes before something interrupts us. "Is that—... Oh, hey, Jonathan!"

I knew instantly who it was. "Oh my fucking..." I mumble, stepping away from Maria. She giggled and fixed my hair for me as I made eye contact with Taylor walking down the hall.

I was doing such a good job, too. Could I try ignoring her? Obviously not, she was walking towards us. What could she possibly want?

"Hey." She smiles, finally reaching us.

"Hi Taylor." Maria says for me.

"Hey Maria. So, Jonathan, I know we haven't done this much because of your concussion... I was just wondering if you still wanted me to help you with English? We can get together after practices like we used to." She suggests, the stupid smile never leaving her face.

Why the hell would she ask this? Back when she joined the team we spent a few nights together, her tutoring me in English. I would never do it again now, especially with me trying to ignore her. Why would she bring this up?

"No." I say simply.

Her face falls. "No? Why not?"

"I don't need your help." I wish she would just leave.

"But you said you needed help in English." She starts. "It can be like old times." She tucks a soft hair behind her ear. She looked like a sad puppy.

"I'm fine." I say. Maria looks confused, but I take her hand, dragging her away with me.

"Jonathan." Maria says quietly. "Why would you do that?"

We finally reached the door, walking out. I shivered immediately as the cold air ran through my light jacket.

"She's bad news. Better I just stay away." I say.

"Bad news?" She questions.

We reach my car, the both of us stepping in. I crank up the heat immediately. "She's a nuisance to my life, trust me." I mumble, starting the car.