Black (Jon)

Soundtrack

Black. The colour of authority; clean, crisp, professional. It’s amazing what a well-tailored suit can do for a guy. It adds an element of mystery, influence; no matter who you are, a well-made suit can make all the difference in how the world perceives you.
I checked myself one last time in the mirror; fixing my tie and adjusting my collar and jacket. I gave myself the nod and headed outside; trying to get mentally prepared for the game tonight.
Capitals… Ovechkin… this had bad written all over it. Especially if the boys were out drinking again last night…

I prayed ceaselessly that that wasn’t the case; as I drove through the now, familiar streets of Chicago towards Sharpie’s.
Amber was standing on the front step, laughing, as I pulled into the driveway. Sharpie was such a lucky guy; he was so irresponsible and immature, and yet here he was with a beautiful, loving girlfriend. From what I understood, she was fairly easy to get along with too; which would have to be the case. The only one I never saw Sharpie butt heads with was Burish, and that’s only cause those two idiots were always on the same page.

Sharpie pulled open the door and hopped in, causing me to pull myself out of my thoughts. “Hey, ready for tonight?” I asked as he slammed the door shut.

“Yah! I think so anyway! Are you coming out with us to Miss Behavin tonight?” I let out a sigh as I glanced back at Amber, waving goodbye from the front step. “Dude! She doesn’t care! And besides… you’re single - very single - so what do you have to complain about?”

I shook my head and put both hands on the wheel - at 10 and 2 - as we drove onto the highway. I could hear Sharpie huffing beside me, trying to get my attention. “What?”

“Come on Jon! You never do anything fun… can’t you just come out this once?” His whining actually made me laugh, he sounded pathetic.

“I wouldn’t constitute a strip club as fun Sharpie, besides… we have an optional early skate in the morning.”

He let out a groan. “Yah man, key-word there being ’optional’. John boy, you’re not getting out of this… out tonight!” He added the last part in a sing-song voice. I exhaled loudly and focused on driving the speed limit. If I did end up getting suckered into this, at least I’d be able to keep an eye on them.


“No… absolutely not!” I let out a groan as I grabbed for Adam’s leg, but it was too late. The moron was already on the stage. “Burish! Get down from there, I’m counting to ten!” He started to laugh as he slapped one of the strippers on the ass. “Oh my god… one… two… three…”

“You might wanna calm down there cutie, you’re going to give yourself a heart attack, besides, your body does that all the time.” I turned around to see a young blond girl standing way too close to me. “Are you a Hawk too?”
I nodded slowly, taking a step back. She started to laugh at my reaction, grabbing my arm and dragging me over to the corner; where Sharpie, Kane and Campbell were sitting. “Hey boys… I think this one belongs to you…” They laughed as she gave me a gentle push, forcing me to sit down in the seat beside Kaner.

“Hey Andy, can I get another drink if you don’t mind?” Kane asked the blond. She gave him a wink then headed back towards the bar.

I stared at Kaner incredulity. “Andy? Are you on a first name basis with her?”

“We’re on a first name basis with everyone here… awesome isn’t it?” He grinned as he finished off the last mouthful of his beer. I sighed and looked away; Burish was leading two girls towards us. “I still say there’s something going on between Burish and Lola…” Kaner said softly as the group got closer.
I looked over to see the other two guys nodding in agreement. Great… Burish dating a stripper… that’s all we need.

“Hey guys… Jon this is Lola and her friend Star.” I nodded, trying to avoid eye-contact; I just realized that people probably had sex on these… I grimaced down at the chair I was sitting on, letting out a sigh.

“Guys, I’m leaving. I need to get to that skate tomorrow… we should all get to that skate tomorrow, we played awful tonight.” I shot a glare around the group of boys, not one of them looked up.
I got up to leave just as Burish was sitting down, the Lola girl sitting on top of him; grinding her hips slightly as he grinned. “Dude… she’s someone’s daughter…” I sighed as I moved past him.

I headed out into the night, hoping that my team-mates didn’t get completely smashed; or catch STDs. I hopped into my car, pulling the dashboard open and drenching my hands in sanitizer before heading home.



“Hey Tazer! You busy?” I sighed as I heard Burish’s voice through the phone.

“No, just getting off the ice… after the optional skate that you didn’t show up to.”

“How many people were there?”

“Me.”

He started to laugh before continuing. “Alright well, can you come pick me up? I’m flat on broke… not a penny on me… and I need a drive.”

I let out a sigh. “Fine, where are you?”

“Ummm… hey Lola, what’s the address here?” I listened at the stripper gave him an address that was all to familiar.

“Yah I know the building… I’ll see you in a bit.” I sighed, again. Apparently the stripper lived in the same rundown building as the girl from the other night; I guess I shouldn’t be too surprised… although I was a little disappointed that the girl from the other night might have been a stripper; I wasn't sure why though...


I pulled up out front to find Adam standing there, his arms around the Lola girl, his lips assaulting her. I honked the horn impatiently, earning a flip-off from Burish. Come on man!

He finally let her go and jogged towards me. “Hey man, thanks for coming to get me… she’s gonna come to our game tomorrow night, think you could grab some tickets for me?” I nodded as I headed back to Adam’s place. “Man, her room-mate is so fucking hot! Like… you wouldn’t believe it. I wish she was a stripper too…” I shook my head as I heard the longing in his voice.

“Because you couldn’t possible - oh I don’t know - date someone and get to know them before you need to see them naked.” He snorted at my comment, like it was the funniest thing he’d ever heard.

“Anyway… they’re all pretty laid back so I think I might try to hit it… Ok wait. Jon, how many times do I have to tell you… you don‘t need to wear a suit to practice, you look like a fag. Who wears a black suit in the middle of the day?” We came to a red light and I glanced over at the car next to us. The girls were staring at us, batting their lashes as they giggled.
I smiled to myself before turning away and looking down at my outfit; whatever Burish says… women love a well dressed man, and when it comes to well dressed, there’s nothing better than black.