The Hockey Lie

Chapter 18

TY

December 1

"I know I shouldn't be upset about this because we haven't known each other for very long, but I thought that we had gotten close enough for you to tell me something this big," Steph ambushed me as I walked into our dorm.

"What are you talking about?" I asked confusedly.

"I'm talking about you playing men's hockey."

"Oh. That," I said, looking at the ground.

"Yes. That," Steph imitated me. "Did you think I was stupid or something, that I wasn't going to figure it out? You hang out with all the men's hockey players here. I don't know about you, but I think that's a little suspicious, and now that Cullen and I are dating, did you really think he would keep your secret from his girlfriend?"

"So Cullen told you," I said flatly.

"No, I figured it out myself. Don't get mad at Cullen," Steph said.

"Steph, I'm really sorry. I did want to keep this secret from you, but I can't let too many people know about this," I apologized. "I don't think you're stupid. I guess I subconsciously knew that you'd find out eventually. I guess I didn't really try to hide it from you all too well. Hanging out with a bunch of male hockey players is pretty suspicious, isn't it?" I asked sheepishly.

"Yeah, just a little," laughed Steph. "I'm not mad. I guess I understand why you couldn't tell me. I guess I just feel a little betrayed that you felt like you couldn't tell me."

"I understand why you feel that way. I feel really bad about not telling you. It's just that if any NCAA officials find out, I could get kicked off the team, or even banned from playing college hockey," I explained. "Oh, and I'm really happy for you and Cullen."

"Thanks," Steph smiled. "And I promise you, Cullen didn't actually tell me you were on the team. After we went on our first date, I got curious and decided to check out the men's hockey roster. I saw your name on there and did a little more research. It was a little tricky since your actual hometown isn't listed there, but I was eventually about to put two and two together."

"I guess that means pretty much anyone that wants to can find out who I actually am," I sighed.

"They can, but it's really hard. I only tried so hard since you're my roommate and I was curious," Steph assured me.

"So how long have you and Cullen been together?" I asked.

"We've been official for two weeks," Steph said quietly.

"TWO WEEKS! And you didn't tell me?" I shouted.

"I know, I know, that was bad. I'm sorry. I guess I didn't tell you because you look like you've been really stressed out lately. I didn't know if you'd support our relationship or not," Steph said.

"Steph, why would you think that I wouldn't support your relationship?" I asked.

"I don't know. I guess maybe I thought that you wouldn't like it that two of your good friends are dating. I was worried you might think it'd make things awkward between the three of us," she explained.

"I'd never think your guys' relationship would make things weird. I'm really happy for you two. What I'm not happy about is the fact that Cullen didn't tell me about your relationship. Next time I see that guy he'll regret not telling me," I said threateningly.

"Don't hurt him too much," pleaded Steph jokingly.

"I'll try not to," I laughed.

"He probably didn't tell you because he was afraid of the same thing I was," Steph speculated.

"Yeah, I'm sure that was the case," I agreed.

"So how have you and Easton been? We haven't really had a chance to talk to each other lately," laughed Steph.

"No we haven't. We really need to work on that," I said.

"Yeah we do. More roomie bonding is a must," stated Steph.

"We'll have to get on that," I agreed. "Anyway, I think Easton and I are okay. He hasn't had another outburst since the other incident, so that's good. I'm just afraid of him having another outburst."

"Ty, as much as I hate to say it, if he has another outburst like the one he did before, I think you'll have to leave him. You don't deserve to be put through that. You can do so much better," Steph told me.

"I know, I know. I don't want to be treated like that, but I also know that's not who Easton really is. At least I don't think that's the real him. If he starts to act like the old him, I'll tell him what's up. I'm not going to let myself be treated like that," I stated.

"Good," Steph said happily.

"And if Cullen starts treating you badly, I'll deal with him," I smirked.

"Okay, sounds good. Thanks for always having my bad."

"Right back at you," I smiled. "I'm glad that you ended up being my roommate. Who knew that people from Iowa weren't so bad?"

"Hey now!" Steph protested.

"I'm kidding, I'm kidding," I laughed as Steph punched me in the shoulder.

"Don't you have psychology homework to do or something?" Steph shot, pretending to me mad at me.

"Actually, I got that done yesterday," I said triumphantly.

"Darn. I was hoping I'd get to watch you suffer tonight," Steph said in disappointment.

"Looks like you'll have to find something else to do," I shrugged.

"Dude, I can't believe first semester is almost over. We've got less than three weeks left," Steph said excitedly.

"I'll be so happy when first semester is over just so I don't have to go back to psychology class ever again!" I said enthusiastically.

"Is Professor Robinson really that bad?" asked Steph.

"Steph, he literally bashes athletes every day in class. Personally, I think he just does it to annoy me, but I could be wrong. I swear, the guy hates me, especially after I disagreed with him the first day of class."

"Yeah, that will make some college professors mad."

"He's just so narrow minded. You'd think that since he's a psychology professor, he'd understand different opinions, but no, he's a small minded jerk that only cares about himself and his stupid opinions on 'uneducated, arrogant athletes,'" I ranted.

"Sounds like you really enjoy having him as a professor," Steph joked.

"Oh yeah, he's definitely my favorite," I said sarcastically.

"Sounds like you love him as much as I love Donald Trump," Steph muttered. Let's just say my roommate did not like Donald Trump. At all.

"Don't even get started," I sighed. "Once you start on Donald Trump, you don't stop for hours."

"Okay, first of all, he needs to stay away from my home state. I don't care if the all-important Iowa Caucus is there or not. I don't need that kind of trash littering the beautiful scenery of my lovely homeland."

"Steph, I get it. You don't like Trump. You can stop now," I said flatly.

"Sorry, I got a little carried away there, didn't I?" my roommate said sheepishly.

"A little?" I said pointedly.

"Okay, a lot. Sorry, I'll try to control my hatred for Donald Trump in the future."

"Good. Do you have a lot of homework for tonight?" I asked.

"No, I've got a paper due next week, but that's it," she replied.

"Let's go out and do something," I suggested.

"Ooo, that sounds good to me. What should we do?" asked Steph.

"I was thinking dinner and a movie," I said.

"Won't Cullen and Easton get jealous?" Steph joked.

I rolled my eyes and replied, "I think they'll be fine."

"Well, you never know. Men can be pretty touchy."

"How does Applebee's sound?" I asked.

"If we go see the newest chick flick along with it, then it sounds perfect to me," Steph replied.

"I'm so glad you're my roommate," I laughed.

"Right back at you."