Tonight You're On My Mind

Marie was sitting at the bar in TGI Fridays. It was almost eight-thirty and she felt like she’d done her socializing for the week. Sara had guilted her into pursuing a couple dates on an internet dating site. The only one that panned out had been a guy name Rob. Rob was a paralegal at a law firm in the North Hills. And he was the biggest dick that Marie had met all month.

He showed up fifteen minutes late, gave her a once-over, and spent the next thirty minutes talking down to her. Finally, Marie called him on his bullshit and he blew out of the restaurant, leaving her with the tab. Fucking men.

She finished her Jack and Coke, then ordered a hamburger. She needed something in her stomach if she planned on driving home after the booze. Her phone rang. No doubt it was Sara asking how the date was going. They had an agreement that Sara would call mid-way through the date in case Marie needed a reason to leave.

She accepted the call and said, “It’s fine. He dumped me after thirty minutes. I’m just going to get something to eat and go home.”

Silence stretched out across the line. When Sara didn’t say anything, Marie said, “Sara?”

“I’m not Sara.”

Brooks. She could identify that accent anywhere now. After he’d called her in the grocery store, she went through every video interview of his on the internet. Her stomach dropped. “Ignore everything I said,” Marie muttered.

“Who dumped you?”

“You’re not ignoring what I said.”

“Shouldn’t have said it then. Don’t you ever look at your caller ID?” He sounded amused.

“Don’t you ever mind your own business, twenty-one?”

He chuckled. “Never. Who dumped you?”

Marie felt her cheeks flush and she put her forehead on the bar. “Rob something or other. I don’t remember his last name. He was my Match.com date.”

“He was an asshole?”

“Oh God, of epic proportions. Story of my life.”

“That’s a shame.”

Marie shrugged. “I’m over it. Why aren’t you scoring goals?”

“I’m saving them all for Friday when we play...”

“The Pens,” she said, interrupting him. “Cocky bastard. Don’t be trying to beat my team.”

“You’re feisty tonight.”

She finished her drink just as the bartender slid her burger in front of her. She motioned for a glass of water. “A long day of work, a dick for a date, getting stiffed with the tab, and two strong drinks will do that to a girl.”

“I’d never stiff you with the tab.”

“That’s because you’re Mr. Perfect.”

He laughed. “I can’t live up to Mr. Perfect.”

Marie let out an unladylike snort. “Don’t worry. You already do without trying.”

“I’m blushing. Are you complimenting a Capital?”

“We call them Crapitals around here.”

“So classy,” he said. She could hear the smile in his voice.

“It’s how I roll. Happy hour and bad dates to wrap up a workday filled with tax documents. Aren’t you glad you’re a superstar athlete?”

“I thought I was a Crapital.”

“Well, you’ve got to start somewhere, right?”

He chuckled. “I’m glad I called you tonight. You’re fun.”

“I’m slightly drunk. I had one too many when I realized the mistake I made going out with Rob the jerk.”

“I hope you have a ride home,” he said, his voice serious.

Of course, Marie thought. Of course he would be concerned. Before she could censor herself she said it out loud. “Of course you would say that like the perfect concerned gentleman. You make me sick.”

He was silent for a long moment. “Sorry?”

“Ehh, it’s not your fault you’re perfect. I’ll blame your mom for doing such a good job.”

“Marie, do you have a ride home?”

“No. But I have a burger and and stool to sit on. I’ll be fine after I eat.”

“Are you going to make me call your brother?”

“You don’t have his number,” she said, narrowing her eyes.

“I do. He called me that night to tell me where to meet you. It’s probably still in my history.”

“Don’t call my brother. I’m fine.”

“Are you going to promise me you’ll be careful?”

She sighed and pushed her hair back out of her face. “Yes, dad.”

“Not your dad, but I’ll take that as a promise. Wouldn’t want you to get hurt and miss my amazing skills on Friday.”

Marie snorted.

“And you promised me dinner on Thursday,” he added.

“I did not.”

“You did. I’m dragging Mike along with us. Pick someplace good.”

“I feel like a traitor. I don’t ever take any of the Pens out for dinner.”

“Well then, lucky me.”

“You’re like a spy. Infiltrating enemy territory.”

He laughed. “Are you sure you aren’t more than a little drunk?”

“I can’t hold my liquor like I used to. I should hang up before I embarrass myself further.”

“Call me when you get home so I know you’re okay,” Brooks said.

Marie opened her mouth and then shut it. “Why do you care?”

“Because I do. Promise me.”

“Promise,” she agreed before she disconnected and picked up her hamburger. Her brain was fuzzy with alcohol and her heart was pitter-pattering over Brooks Laich sounding like he gave a shit about her and her life.

*************************************

The greasy hamburger and two glasses of water worked wonders and sobered her up quickly. By the time she drove home and brushed her teeth it was a little after ten o’clock. Work was going to be not very fun. She slipped on an oversized T-shirt and called Brooks before she could talk herself out of it. He answered after the second ring.

“Find your way home safely, penguin?”

“I did. I’m a responsible adult, despite what you may think.”

“You can’t change a flat tire.”

“Girls aren’t supposed to know how to do that,” she shot back.

He chuckled. “Noted. I’m glad you got home safely.”

“You just want the inside scoop on the best places to eat in Pittsburgh.”

“Guilty. I’ll text you when we get in on Thursday. Maybe we can meet you after work.”

“Deal.”

They both paused, letting the moment play out. Marie didn’t know what to say other than goodnight. And she wasn’t ready to hang up just yet. After a long string of shitty dates and even worse boyfriends, she was enjoying her conversations with Brooks. Even if it was going to amount to nothing.

“Sleep tight, penguin. Don’t let the bedbugs bite,” he said softly.

She smiled at the dreamy quality of his voice. “You too, Brooksy.”

“Using my nickname now, are you?” he asked with a gentle laugh.

“Am I allowed?”

“Of course you are. Now go to sleep. I bet you have to work tomorrow.”

“So do you.”

“Which is why I’m already in bed.”

She swallowed hard. Brooks. Laich. In. Bed. Oh, yes please. “Goodnight,” she choked out before disconnecting. Why did she feel light-headed and drunk again? Did the idea of Mr. Perfect in bed do that to a girl?

***********************************

“You have got to be shitting me,” Derrick said.

Marie pulled the phone away from her ear, wincing at his booming voice coming out of the tiny speaker.

“Jesus, Derrick. Use your inside voice.”

“You are fucking Brooks Laich,” he replied as if it were a matter of fact.

“I am not!” she exclaimed. “Don’t be crude; that’s disgusting.”

“My little sister is dating a fucking Capital.”

“I am not dating anyone. He’s being nice, that’s all. It’s not even the two of us. He said he was bringing Mike Green along again. Want to do another double?”

“I wish. Jenna is at her mom’s and I have to take the boys to hockey practice tonight. They get kicked out if they miss more than three practices and they’ve already missed two.”

“Bummer,” Marie said. She had been hoping to drag her brother along to alleviate the stress on her. An evening alone with two hockey players was too much for her little heart.

“For real, though. What’s up with this Laich thing?”

She shook her head. “Nothing. I think he’s just... bored and looking for someone new to talk to. It’s friendly, nothing more. No flirting, no dates, none of that. Wholesome and shit. Brooks Laich is a gentleman; he wouldn’t engage in fucking.”

“Obviously you’ve given this some thought.”

“Fuck you, Derrick.” She paused before continuing with, “I’m a woman. Of course I’ve given it thought. His charms are lost on you.”

“Can I tell the guys at work that my sister is going out with a Capital?”

“No.”

“Yeah, you’re probably right. They’d stone me to death.”

“I’m not going out with him. We’re friends.”

“Sure. You just keep telling yourself that, sis.”

She sighed and looked at herself in the full-length mirror. “I’ve got to go.”

“No kinky threesomes.”

“Oh God! You’re disgusting. I’m telling Jenna that you’re addicted to porn. Get out of my life.”

Notes