“Yeah, and Rod here just proved his point. Everyone knows you can fight.” He makes a fist and nudges Terrence’s cheek. “You gotta show folks you can actually stop the fucking puck. Which—“
“I did.”
Leroy grins, “You so fucking did.”
Marcus adds, “You looked like you were about to pass out in the third period you were skating so hard.”
“Man…” Terrence takes a deep breath, like he’s back in the thick of it. “I think I did for a second.”
“I feel like I’ve been so spoiled. This is my first hockey game,” Alex says. She leans over the railing like she’s trying to get a better look at both of them. “Going to be hard to top that.”
Leroy and Terrence speak over each other.
“You should come to our next game—”
“Can I have your number?”
I don’t know what I expected. Maybe for my roommate to be a bit smoother with the ladies.
While they both clamor for Alex’s attention, Christos approaches, his square face stern. “Leroy!” Poor Leroy turns only to discover his coach is right on his literal tail. “Remind me, who’s Team Captain?”
Leroy is gracious enough to share his whole thought process. “Me? It’s me. Post game huddle, right, coming!”
Christos flares his nostrils before marching off, Leroy and Terrence following. They don’t get far before Terrence turns around, mouths ‘call me’ and points Alex in my direction.
“Do you have an open arrangement with your boyfriend?” I ask Alex.
“No,” she huffs, sounding a bit too disappointed for a woman in a happy relationship.
We go to leave. Alex and Marucs are a few steps ahead of me, animated as they discuss the game. I check my phone, my last message to Christos marked as read but no reply. There’s an irrational tightness in my stomach—I just saw for myself how busy he is, but he could have at least reacted to the text. A thumbs up would have been enough.
I draft another message in our ‘other’ thread.
TwinkleTop:You’ve earned a reward tonight.
“Roderick!” The way Marcus enunciates my name tells me he’s said it several times. “You texting Terrence?”
“Y-yeah, just telling him I’ll see him back at the dorm. I’ve got an eight a.m. slot at the dance studio.”
“Ew,” Alex says. “You’re being so responsible. I guess I should head out, too. Got to drive home.”
“Damn, both my wingmen are down for the count. What am I going to tell my boyfriend?”
I offer, “That he’s the love of your life?”
Marcus stutters, “So funny story, we haven’t actually mentionedloveyet…”
Seeing him so flustered rouses that tight feeling again. It migrates to my throat. I try to swallow but instead my jaw clenches. I brush it off.
“That’s so sweet. It’s making me sick.”
TwinkleTop:You’ve earned a reward tonight
3dge-m3:Anything I want?
TwinkleTop:Of course. You’re such a good boy who deserves to be spoiled.
3dge-m3:Is this how I find out you’re into brats?
