Chapter 17 #2
“At first, yeah, I think it was for her and my dad. Maybe in part to prove them wrong but also to try to win her over, but the more into this process I get, the more it’s becoming for me.
If I’m gonna be the Captain of my team, it’s important to set an example.
I can’t expect people to follow my lead if they don’t respect me.
That means off the ice as well. I think Mads and my dad started a kind of chain reaction for me, but I’m the one propelling it forward. ”
“So, this is real. What you’re doing.”
“Yeah, it is.”
“Cool. Cool.” he says as he nods. “Hate to have to kick your ass, on Maddie’s behalf.”
I snort. Like he could. We’re hockey players, but we do try not to make fighting our first choice. Sometimes without success. I wisely say nothing.
“What’s your plan here. What do you need help with?” He asks. His offer is a balm to my anxiety.
“Really? You mean it?”
“Yeah. You’re not wrong about taking what Maddie said seriously. I was mad at first, but I’ve been thinking a lot about it especially after the break-in and all. It hit home, man. Hard.”
“That scared the shit out of me.”
“I know. Me, too. I meant to tell you thank you, but I forgot. I heard you leave that night and I knew you had her. That’s the only reason I didn’t go myself. I’m trying to be a better brother, but I’m so glad you went that night.”
“I’ll always have her, Walks. You can count on it. Worst night’s sleep ever but worth it.”
“I bet! So back to the plan.”
“Look, I know you hate cleaning but I can’t live like this. I’ll get us a cleaning service but until then, we’re it. I can’t have Maddie coming over and seeing it like this. It’s gonna ruin all my work and no offense, but it’s nasty.”
“Okay, fair. I mean I hate it but I get it. We had a cleaning service so I’ve never had to worry about it. I’ve been a little lazy on that front.” I raise both my eyebrows at him. A little?
“Dude, your bathroom is like a toxic waste dump. I’m afraid to go in there. Not sure what I’ll catch.”
“Yeah, well yours isn’t that clean either. Trust me. I’ve looked.”
“Okay. What do we do? I mean I hate to admit it but I have no idea how to clean a bathroom.”
“Yeah, me either. That’s kind of why I didn’t clean it.”
“I’m calling bullshit on that, Walks.”
He grins at me. Not a shred of repentance.
“YouTube.” he says, grabbing his phone.
“TikTok.” I say, grabbing mine.
And we’re off down the social media rabbit hole.
It’s both disturbing and hilarious. The amount of content about cleaning your house is staggering.
How are there so many ways to clean a toilet?
Crazy. We get lost in the world of cleaning products and advice for at least half an hour.
By the time we’re done, I’m overwhelmed and terrified of germs, but Walker’s found his next favorite influencer.
He’s watched half of her content already and is making a list of the supplies we’ll need.
I kind of love that she’s a fifty-year-old grandma with a wicked sense of humor and a vendetta against household germs.
“Whew.”
“Right!”
“Do we even have cleaning products? I’ve never seen half this shit before.”
“.” I answer. “We can get it all by tomorrow.”
“Yes!” We high-five.
We comb through his list and order far more products than we need, with most of it arriving tomorrow. Then, we divide up the chores in the common area and make ourselves a schedule. All in all, we’re feeling pretty accomplished once we’re done.
“Okay, cleaning issue sorted. What’s next?” Walker asks. If you give him a goal to accomplish, the man is relentless. Probably how he got to be as good as he is on the ice.
“Okay food’s next”
“Food?”
“Yeah. I mean we can’t eat take out every night and all I can make are sandwiches, scrambled eggs and grilled cheese. My cooking is terrible and I’ve never seen you cook at all.” I tell him.
“Yeah, not my thing.”
“Meal service? I’m sure one of them will be healthy enough for you.”
“Let’s check it out.” We hit up our phones to research meal services. Holy shit. How are there so many choices? I need that paperwork from my nutritionist, which is when I remember that she’d given us a list of meal services. Should have started there.
“We’ve got that list from the nutritionist, remember.” I say.
He’s deep into his research, so I head to my office to grab the paperwork I need. It’s dusty but not dirty. Thank God one room isn’t a complete disaster.
An hour later, we settle on a meal plan.
We’ll get our first delivery in a few days.
I’m proud of us. We solved two problems in one evening.
Talking everything through with Walker has eased my stress considerably.
I love teamwork. I feel like I can go back to concentrating on the important stuff. Winning over my girl.
“Hey man... thanks for helping out.” I hold out my fist, but he just pulls me in for a hug.
“I got you. This stuff is on both of us, so it’s only fair.”
“Yeah, well, it helps. A lot.”
“Don’t you dare tell Maddie I said she was right.” He says with a sly smile.
I laugh.
“Are you kidding? She doesn’t even know I heard your conversation!”
“I’m sure as hell not telling her.”
“Me either.”
Walker’s phone lights up. Eyebrows raised, he looks at me and says, “Speak of the devil.”
“Epic timing.”
“Sup, Maddie Bear.”
I can’t hear what she’s saying, and it’s annoying. I get up, pacing around impatiently until they finish chatting, wishing I was the one she called when she needed help.
“We got you. Be there in a few.” Walker assures her, giving me an amused look as he hangs up.
“What? Is she okay? Where are we going?”
“She’s perfectly fine. Had too much to drink at happy hour with her friends. Needs a ride home. Your welcome.”
I must look confused because he gives an exaggerated sigh.
“So go pick her up! Duh! How did you ever date before? You suck at it.”
“Jesus, thanks for the support, asshole.” I didn’t date much but I’m not about to cop to that now.
“Well, I am the coolest best friend ever.” He gives me a shit-eating grin.
I flip him off as I head to my room to grab my keys. Okay, he’s somewhat of a cool friend.