Read Online Twenty Miles by Cara Hedley - Free Book Online Page A

‘And I know this because we do it every weekend.’
    Heezer grabbed the whistle hanging around Hal’s neck and gave a couple of supportive bursts. Light applause around the table.
    ‘You know what, Tillsy?’ Toad shouted, her face reddening. ‘You can say whatever you want and it will roll off my fucking back. It’s extremely unconvincing, frankly. Not to mention disturbing that you would sacrifice your gay fucking pride for a childish game. Honestly.’ Toad shook her head in disgust and Tillsy shrieked with delight, hands clasped, like Toad had just surprised her with a present.
    ‘So if any more lesbians,’ Toad continued, ‘would like to jump in and testify on behalf of my dad’s sexiness? Then step right the fuck up. I will open the door for you.’
    Heezer blew the whistle again and Hal wrenched it out of her hand. I examined Tillsy uncertainly. I couldn’t tell whether Toad was countering Tillsy’s burn with a false accusation, or if Tillsy really was gay. In the dressing room, lines between burns andreality were perpetually blurred. Tillsy seemed thrilled with the exchange, red-cheeked and laughing.
    ‘Toady, drop the F-bomb a little more, champ,’ Hal said. ‘We’re not convinced you’re rattled yet.’
    ‘Oh, Toad,’ Tillsy giggled. ‘I’d sacrifice my gay pride any day to rattle you.’
    ‘You have no pride,’ Toad shot back. ‘This has become alarmingly evident in the last few minutes, friend. I don’t like what I’m seeing here.’
    ‘Heez, you’re up,’ Hal boomed, raising her voice over the room, a seasoned team orator.
    ‘Excellent,’ Heezer said, rubbing her hands together. ‘Okay, well, the other night, when Mo and I were taking turns fondling each other’s C cups, he said – ’
    ‘Fuck you guys, fuck this game,’ Toad exploded, fighting a smile. ‘I’m leaving now. I’m going to get you assholes some chips because none of you thoughtless pricks brought any and I’m a benevolent entity and you’re all a bunch of heinous, bush-league peasants.’ She stalked to the door as the room breathed
ohhhhh
and, as an afterthought, she turned back and grabbed my arm. ‘And I’m taking a rookie.’
    Boz’s 7 -Eleven was mine too – the one just off campus. This was essential in Winnipeg – that everyone have a Sev they could claim as their own. This one teeming with Rez-bians, as Toad called them, a vigil of the drunk and hungover circling the Slurpee machine around the clock.
    We entered the Sev’s searing light and made a beeline to the chip section. The radio blared through speakers, every aisle inhabited with students, friends shouting to each other from opposite sides of the store.
    ‘I like All-Dressed,’ Toad said, clutching two giant bags to her chest. ‘I’m devoted to All-Dressed. I can’t believe those sows didn’t bring any chips. What’s your fancy?’
    I felt a tap on my back then and turned to find Jacob, clasping, like a bouquet, three long pieces of red licorice that bowed flaccidly over his hands. He thrust them toward me.
    ‘Pour vous,’ he said and Toad squeaked beside me. My cheek skin itched.
    ‘Oh wow,’ I said. Bad acting. I darted a glance at Toad.
    ‘What’s this, kiddies?’ she said. ‘Sweets for your sweet, Copes, or what?’
    Jacob grinned at me, eyebrows raised. I took the licorice reluctantly.
    ‘Jacob and I played hockey together back home,’ I explained to Toad.
    ‘Well, everyone wants a piece of our Barbie, don’t they?’ Toad said. ‘She’s good shit.’
    ‘Barbie?’ Jacob said. ‘Like the doll?’
    ‘No.’ Toad paused. ‘Her real name’s Barbarella.’
    I grabbed a bag of chips from Toad’s arms and wagged it at Jacob and then moved toward the cashier. ‘We better get going, eh Toad?’
    ‘See you tomorrow, Isabel,’ Jacob called at our backs.
    I turned and held the licorice toward him like something dead. ‘Did you pay for these already?’
    He laughed and shook his head. I could hear him laughing again