Page 54 of Wingmen

Hey kid.

His heart flipped. The name he’d put Dustin under –The Great Bendito– showed above the message.Elliot sat up, muting the TV, and waited for more. When nothing came, he sent,hey.

His heart went about a thousand miles an hour while the reply dots bubbled.

The message came through:What are you doing?

Clicking the TV all the way off, Elliot sent,nothing.

He waited a long time with the glow of the phone screen lighting the room, until Dustin finally sent,Is it okay that I texted you?

Elliot forced himself to wait a minute before sendingSure, so he wouldn’t look totally desperate, then added,sup with you dog?

Just had dinner. I was gonna go out but i’m pretty tired.A link came through.You seen this?

Elliot tapped it open. It was an article onThe Hockey Writersabout the agent who represented Riley Webb and Nic Arsenault. According to the article, he was positioning himself as an agent explicitly for queer players who wanted to go public. Help them navigate the media landscape, make sure they got treated fairly in contract negotiations. His name was Rick Gallagher. He was open to new clients.

Seems like a good thing?Elliot sent.

Dustin sent back the eyeroll emoji.Cash grab. Agents will jump on anything they think will make them money

Elliot didn’t know what to say to that. His agent seemed fine, but he didn’t have anything to compare her to.

Do you think anyone will go for it?he sent.

You mean will more people come out? No idea. That would be nice. Seems unlikely though, from what i’ve seen of the league

A long time with nothing, during which Elliot tried desperately to think of something to say, then Dustin sent,What did you do today?

His heart skipped again. Dustin Bennet was asking about his day? It was like being in an alternate reality. He told him about the gym and the movie, chatting with Diego. He didn’t mention Sal or his mom. He was glad not to be thinking about Sal or his mom.

Wow busy day, said Dustin.Who’s Diego?

Just a buddy from Tampa. We grew up together. Played basketball

Ah right you told me.

Another heart skip: Dustin Bennet remembered something they’d talked about a week ago? The alternate reality was gettingcrazier.There’s a picture of him on insta with me and Reef, he sent,if you wanna see what he looks like

I saw it

Elliot‘s eyes went a bit wide. That picture was basically something he put up to impress girls. What would Bennet think of it?

Three dots, then Bennet sent:Risqué for the NHL. Surprised they let you keep it up

Elliot’s face went hot.what do you mean?

The side-eye emoji.Come on.

I don’t know what you’re talking about

This is a thirst trap

It’s just me and some friends by the pool

I can see your dick Rodriguez

He swallowed, hesitating before he sent,Are you looking at it right now?