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22
Nolan
Milo’s head passes in my line of vision and when I see the questioning look he gives me, I understand that he has just spoken to me.
“Did you say something?”
“I was asking you if you wanted to go in town for a beer?”
I put my dirty things in my gym bag and grab my jacket to put on over my T-shirt. I glance absentmindedly at the guys leaving the locker room and give Edgar and Leo a quick wave. They have a class to catch up on and I was thinking of going home straight after practice. But the prospect of being alone with Scarlett makes my blood pressure rise.
Change of plan.
“Okay.”
Milo slaps my shoulder blades, laughing, and we walk around the rink to the parking lot at the front of the building.
“Shall we take my car? I can drop you off after,” I asks.
“Yes, I’ll tell Gabe to drop me off tomorrow morning! He will be delighted.”
I laugh going to sit on the driver’s side, waiting for Milo to buckle up before I start the engine of my SUV. We’ve barely entered the fast lane when my teammate clears his throat loudly. I should have known.
He has something to tell me.
And given the time it takes to spill the bean; it smells like a trap.
“Spill it, Sullivan! I know you’re dying to ask me a question, so ask it before I get sick of hearing you swallow like a jerk.”
He laughs, banging his fist against my shoulder, not hard enough to deflect me from my path anyway.
“I was planning to wait until I got you drunk on cheap beer,but OK! What the hell did you do this time?”
I frown, keeping one eye on the road while glancing quickly at my buddy.
“What are you talking about?”
“You played like a bum, you were distracted all night, and you’ve been looking like you’re going to a funeral for two days. So, what did you do? Trouble with Harriet?”
My hands tense around the steering wheel and I try my best not to show my surprise. Milo doesn’t take his eyes off me. I run a hand through my hair automatically.
“Everything is fine,” I lie. “No trouble, no bullshit. I guess I was just not into the practice today.”
“And you’re telling me the biggest lie on the planet.”
Milo laughs, crossing his arms against his chest, sighing. I absolutely can’t hideanythingfrom Milo. I met him the first day of college, in a class we had in common. We connected right away and even if my best friends have always been there to talk, with Milo, it’s simple. No headaches, no judgment. Last year, when he had his period,I like Gabriel but at the same time I don’t like guys, I was there. I supported him, I helped him, I tried to understand. He wasn’t well and whatever he said, I knew the situation was weighing on him. The guys didn’t judge him either, but I was the first one there. I think that strengthened our friendship. From that moment, he knew he could count on me in any situation.
And I know the feeling is mutual.
“Okay. I screwed up.”
He turns in my direction in silence, forcing me neither to continue nor to stop. Just to do what I want. Talk to him or keep silent.
So, I do the most sensible thing, and confide in my buddy.
“You know Scarlett.”
He chuckles as he stares at me, looking like he’s alreadyfigured outexactlywhat I’m getting at.
