I blink, thrown. “I, uh…I’m Nate. Carter’s…” I start, but Carter jumps in fast.
“This is my friend Nate. We were college friends. I came to see him perform.”
“Nice to meet you,” Coach says with a nod.
I can feel how tense Carter is beside me, and honestly, I’m not exactly radiating my usual bubbly charm either. Still, Coach McCormick doesn’t seem to notice. He’s friendly, talkative, and totally unaware that both Carter and I are dying inside.
After about five minutes of awkward small talk, I gently excuse myself, letting Carter continue the conversation. I head back toward Mel, who’s still deep in conversation with the two women from earlier.
As I walk up, one of the women turns mid-sentence and lights up. “Oh, hi! You were amazing!”
Mel grins. “I was just telling them that you, I, and Carter Elliott from the Hawks are opening a cafe.”
I freeze. “You what?”
The second woman chimes in. “You have to let us know when it opens! We’ll post about it. We’ve got at least a million followers each.”
Mel and I exchange a don’t freak out look, but we’re clearly both hyped.
The four of us keep chatting a little longer before the women drift off, leaving just me and Mel.
I turn to her. “I haven’t had a single drink tonight. This must be a new record.”
Mel smirks. “I’ve had three. You’re a little bitch.”
I laugh. “Okay, I’m gettingonlyone. I’m not an alcoholic like you.”
She flicks my shoulder. “Hey, three drinks. I’m just chilling. Three drinks is nothing.”
“I’m kidding,” I say with a grin.
We head back to the bar, and after about five minutes of waiting for the overwhelmed bartender, Carter strolls over, looking like a guilty puppy. He orders a drink and glances at me.
“I’m sorry I didn’t introduce you as my boyfriend,” he says quietly. “That was so stressful. I don’t even know why. My coach is the nicest guy ever, and I know he wouldn’t care.”
I shake my head. “Listen, it’s going to get easier. It’s completely fine. Now let’s have a drink and relax.”
Carter just nods and offers a grateful smile.
Mel turns to him. “So, are you excited for your next couple of games? Looks like you’ve got a home game tomorrow and an away game the following Sunday, both teams pretty evenly matched with the Hawks.”
Carter and I both glance at her, surprised.
“You know football now?” Carter asks.
“Not really,” she says with a shrug. “I follow the team because you’re on it, and because Jack Sawyer is on it and he’s cute as fuck.”
We all burst into light laughter.
Carter gives me a side-eye and says, “Remember I told you I used to fantasize about him in the locker room.”
I grin. “That you did, babe.”
He turns to Mel. “You have to hook up with him and report back everything. Tell me everything. Every detail!”
I smack his arm playfully. “Hey, not allowed! Just kidding,” I add quickly. “Say whatever you want. Just no touching.”
Carter sighs and leans against the bar. “I haven’t really been in the best headspace. With that article coming out…I don’t know. It’s messing with my head. It’s crazy, no one’s said anything. And that somehow makes it worse. Do people know? Do they not? Are they just waiting for me to bring it up?”
