Terrence and I turn to Alex, who scoffs.
“Oh like you won’t have to deal with thisforever.So long as you two are together people will think it’s weird.”
I narrow my eyes. “I’m trying to figure out if you’re being petty since your silver-daddy relationship didn’t pan out.”
She twirls a strand of hair. “Maybe. Or maybe you should listen to your friend who has more experience. Come on, Roderick, you’re smart, do the math. When you’re twenty-five he’ll be, what, forty?”
“Thirty-nine,” I correct. Even if that’s not the point.
“Yeah, but lots of relationships have age gaps,” Terrence argues. “My dad is like ten years older than my mom.”
Alex counts off on her fingers. “He’s still a coach. At your college. Who will forever be a decade older.”
I’m not sure how to argue with that, but I don’t have to with Terrence here.
“Rod’s also about to be an Olympic champion. He’s got way more heft to throw around than Coach. Not literal heft. Social capital? Point is, he’s not your average twenty-one-year-old college student.” It is a sound argument but he has to keep talking. “And sounds like you’ve dipped into thesugar jar too.”
Alex sneers. “Excuse me?”
I almost jump forward to physically get between them. “Alex is trying to help, same as you. Ultimately, it’s my decision. So both of you, drop it.”
I glance between them. Alex’s shoulders up around her ears while Terrence is unfazed.
We lock eyes, his drifting up to my hairline. “What’s up with the hair?”
“I wanted to dye it pink for a long time.”
“Aren’t the judges like…” He lifts up a pinky and his voice follows, jumping to a higher register. “Oh, the scandal, deduct ten points.”
“No. Kinda. But I don’t care.”
His face screws with confusion, leaning as if he’s checking to make sure I’m the real Roderick and not some evil clone. Whichwouldexplain a lot. Alex’s shoulders settle, now watching me with a considerate expression.
“I’m getting gold on my own terms. As me. Not a softened version of me that I think nine judges will prefer. Especially not when the whole world will be watching. I’m going to have people love me and hate me in equal measure. Let them obsess over something genuine.”
Terrence claps once. Twice. A round of applause that rivals a full hockey rink. I start to roll my eyes when he pulls me into a hug.
“You’re the fucking coolest dude.”
My vision blurs. This stupid jock has me all in my feelings. He lets me go but keeps a hand on my shoulder. Alex kneels down, joining us on the floor.
“Eat your heart out, Steele.” She gives me a hug as well. Still squeezing me, she whines. “I’m so pissed I won’t be there!” Then fake, or maybe not fake, cries in my ear.
“Maybe you can keep Terrence company, since he’s got plenty of free time.”
“Yeah.” He flops onto the floor. “I’m suspended from hockey for the rest of the season.”
It’s far from breaking news, but it still makes my chest ache.“That sucks, man.”
He shrugs, raising his hands to cradle the back of his head. “So did that fresh-shit rookie. No loss there, I’d rather get booted from hockey for a fight than unsportsmanlike conduct.”
“More time for ragers?” I offer.
Terrence shoots back up.
“Beer Olympics in your honor?” He snaps and points at Alex. “Alexandra, you in? You could be the torchbearer.”
Alex’s crocodile tears cease. “What like, beerpong?”
