I don’t wave back.
We beat Detroit four to two. Zero penalties for Danny. Another big win.
After the game, Alex shows up while I’m coordinating post-game conferences.
“Noah. Good game tonight.”
I don’t bother to look up from my laptop. “I’m working.”
“Just wanted to say hi. I saw you at dinner last night. Good pasta.” He pauses. “Masterson played well tonight. But last night, he looked distracted. Kept looking around the room instead of at his teammates. I wonder what he was looking for.”
I shrug. “You’d have to ask him.”
“Maybe I will.” Alex smiles. “I’m staying through Sunday. Covering tomorrow’s game. Plenty of time to gather material for the article.”
Before I can respond, he walks away.
He noticed. He’s watching specifically for something between us. And he just let me know it.
I pull out my phone.
Alex saw us at dinner last night. He thinks we’re hiding something.
Danny’s response comes fast.
Fuck. What do we do?
Stay away from each other until we’re back in Oakland. No more risks.
Long pause.
Okay.
That night, Danny doesn’t come to my room. I lie in bed staring at the ceiling, missing him like I haven’t seen him in a week.
We win the next game against Detroit. And I’m hyper-aware of Alex in the press box, waiting for us to fuck up.
After the game, I avoid the media room entirely. Knowing Alex, it’s the first place he’ll look for me. So I head back to the hotel and pack for tomorrow’s flight, distracting myself with the television.
A soft knock jolts me. I run over to the door and check the peephole.
Danny.
I open the door. “You shouldn’t be here.”
“I know.” He steps inside anyway. “But I couldn’t leave Detroit without seeing you. Just give me five minutes.”
“If Alex sees you?—”
“He’s at the bar with other journalists. I checked.” Danny closes the distance between us. “I needed to see you.”
He kisses me, and I melt into it despite every reason not to.
“After tomorrow, we’re back in Oakland,” I say when we break apart. “We can figure things out there.”
“Okay.” He kisses me again, softer this time. “I should go.”
“Yeah.”
