If Maude asks what time I went to bed I’ll tell her Terrence kept me up with some drunk antics. No one wants those details.
Two figures approach the front entryway from the opposite side of campus. My eyes narrow as I try to make them out before the step into the glow of a streetlamp. Only to find one of the guys is squinting right back, Terrence and Leroy walking side by side.
“Oh shit, Rod on the prowl,” Leroy bounds over trapping me ina bro-hug. He smells like soda and whiskey. Even as he holds me, his body sways, taking me along with him.
Terrence catches up, still looking at me like he can’t quite make out my face. “What’s up?”
It’s weird for me to be out this late. I could say I went on a late-night walk to clear my head or lost track of time at the rink and only just got back. On second thought, both options suck.
I tell him, “Not much.” Shrugging my shoulders, I’m able to slip out of Leroy’s grip.
“You’re out late.”
Leroy wraps his arms around the both of us, guiding us to our dorm. “Maaaan, I don’t want this night to end. We’ve had winning streaks on and off the ice.”
“Girls?” I ask, though I’m not at all interested in the details. Something clicks in my brain. “If you’re hitting up the ladies what are you doing back here?”
Leroy’s tail swishes near my ear. “Gotta make sure Terrence makes it back alright.”
Terence grumbles, “You’re the one who's drunk.” He slaps his wallet against the keyfob.
My nose scrunches. “You both reek of alcohol.”
Maybe that means neither of them will remember this in the morning. We all pile into the elevator. Terrence leans across Leroy and starts sniffing me. I push his face away.
“Dude you aresodrunk.”
“You smell like dude’s shampoo.”
“And?”
“You don’t use that shit. You yell at me when I use your fancy stuff.”
As I should. My botanical body wash is wasted on him and it’s not like he needs to color correct his hair. Terrence’s hair is proper gold, not brassy like mine. I ignore him, still banking on him being blackout.
Leroy rests his cheek against Terrence’s neck. “You smell better than Rod.”
“Again, you both smell like booze.” The elevator opens. “Which I guess is better than smelling like puke.”
By the time we get to our room, Terrence and I are the ones leading Leroy around. Terrence keeps him upright while I unlock the door. I grab a spare pillow and blanket, dropping it on the floor in the middle of the room. Terrence eases Leroy down. He tries to stand back up but Leroy grabs him by the shirt.
“No snuggles?”
“Goodnight, sweet prince.” I yawn, abandoning the two of them to get ready for bed.
When I get done brushing my teeth, Leroy is passed out on the floor and Terrence is laying in bed. As I climb into bed he rolls onto his side.
“You gonna tell me what’s up?”
“Go to bed, Terrence.” I shut my eyes and pass out almost as fast as Leroy.
Chapter
Fifteen
Maybe it’sthe jet lag or the adrenaline, but I haven’t thought about Christos or Terrence and especially not fucking Bekken at the Grand Prix. I’ve been playing my programs in my head over and over, no doubt freaking out every stranger I’ve crossed paths with in Japan. I’m aware I’ve got no control over my hands when I’m mentally practicing, and my stare is intense.
It’s all worth it when my free skate score pops up on the screen: 200.69.
