How The Cookie Crumbles Read Free Page B

I thanked Mitchell and scooted out of the car before he got the courage to say anything that would make our relationship eternally awkward.
    Then I marched upstairs where I could finally be blessedly alone and miserable. I had two roomies, Bianca and Lauren, but this was Saturday night, so they’d be out on dates. Because that’s what girls with boyfriends did. Sniff.

 
    3. Postgame Interview
    Jake Cookson
    “Jake! Jake! How does it feel to steal one in the Canuck’s own barn?”
    “Feels good, real good,” I said happily. It felt pretty fucking amazing after all the predictions that we were going to get swept in this series. And the Canucks were pretty much the most arrogant team in the league, so beating them was that much sweeter. It was our first playoffs in five years, but we were coming together pretty good. My D-partner, Josh Malinowksi, glared at me, and I remembered I was supposed to be all humble. I’d gotten in trouble before for saying the wrong shit. “But y’know, it’s only one game. We’re happy to get the split and now we get to play in front of our own fans.”
    “What changes have you made to the power play that’s making it so successful?”
    “Uh, I’m actually getting my shot on net,” I replied, and the reporters laughed so I grinned back at them. I guess I had a rep for saying funny shit, but usually I just said whatever I was thinking.
    “Can I get some video, Jake?” This blonde reporter from an L.A. station squeezed in between me and Mally on the bench. Her name was Amy-something, and she didn’t know dick about hockey but she was pretty easy on the eyes. She was wearing a tight skirt and a tighter blouse. She turned to her cameraman, “Okay, Michael, are you ready?” And then she smiled brilliantly at me. “I’m here with the King’s star defenceman, Jake Cookson. Jake, your team squeaked into the playoffs, and you lost Game One, but now you’ve managed to beat the Canucks at home in Vancouver. What do you think the keys to tonight’s game were?”
    “Well, we got our power play goin’, which was huge for us tonight. Other than that, uh, we just try to follow our game plan.” Nothing for the other team in that, was there?
    “So, you got two assists tonight and were chosen as one of the game stars. Congratulations! It’s only your first playoffs, Jake, but how do you think you’ve matured as a player this year?”
    I heard Mally snort, but I ignored him. “I dunno. I always compete hard every game, but I think I’m improving in our end.” She opened up her blue eyes wide and gave me a blank look, so I explained, “Y’know, the defensive part of my game is getting better.”
    She asked a few more questions, and I think I answered them pretty good. I was ready to shower and get ready to leave for the plane ride home.
    “Just one more question, Jake.” Amy leaned forward and I could see down the front of her blouse. She had nice tits, and I could smell her perfume even in the dressing room. She smiled warmly at me. “Any predictions for the series?”
    I smiled back at her. “Uh, sure, I think we’ll take it in six.” She thanked me, then they packed up and left.
    “This close,” Mally said, holding up two fingers. “This close to you getting through an interview without saying something stupid. You never, fucking never, predict a win. Now the Canucks’ll be pissed and Coach is gonna be really pissed.” He shook his head in disgust, “It’s like I’m your babysitter.”
    I had come into the league straight from juniors and I got partnered with Mally because he was a more experienced D-man. Hell, everyone was more experienced than me then. Mally helped me a ton on the ice, and he tried to help off the ice too. Even now that I was 22, I was still one of the younger guys on the team, but we were all pretty young. Only two guys were over 30.
    “Move your ass, Cookie,” someone yelled. I had spent so long with the reporters I was the last one ready to