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“Are you and Tripp fucking?” Well, that escalated quickly. I didn’t realize you were paying attention, Luca.
The questions are asked on top of each other so it’s sort of hard to pick them out, but apparently Noah got the gist. “Yes, to all,” he says. And the room goes quiet.
“You’re… bi?” I’ve never seen Luca look so off-kilter. I suppose learning the guy you’ve jerked off in front of might not have been as impartial to the view as you first thought could be jarring. Especially, if you don’t also know that he really was impartial.
“I don’t know what I am.” Noah lifts a nonchalant shoulder.
“Hello?” Niko points to himself. “I could’ve helped with that.”
Xander slaps his chest with the back of his wrist. “Excuse me?”
“Not like that.” Niko grabs Xander’s hand and threads their fingers together. “I mean you could’ve talked to me,” he tells Noah.
“I appreciate that, but I think this is something I need to work through on my own,” Noah says.
“Fair enough. Is this something you want to stay in this room?” Niko’s gaze darts between the two of us.
“Don’t look at me. This is his journey of self-discovery.” I jerk my thumb toward Noah. “I’m just the lucky guy who gets to introduce him to the dark side.”
Niko stifles a chuckle—he’s such a sci-fi nerd, I knew my Star Wars reference would get him—but for some reason I have trouble finding the humor in my own joke, which is so wrong since it should be funny.
“Sorry,” Noah says sheepishly. “I should’ve asked if you were okay with telling them before I said anything.”
“I don’t care if they know you like my dick.” I wink.
“Do you care if other people know?” Noah asks.
“Hell no. It’s good for my reputation.”
“Tripp,” Xander groans.
“Kidding.” I hold up my hands innocently and stick my tongue out at him before turning to Noah. “I’m an open book, big guy. You can say whatever you want about us, but maybe keep it to this room until you know what you want to tell people about yourself and your personal life.”
“You could always do what Niko did and say nothing at all,” Justus says. “Just live your life and not answer any questions that don’t pertain to hockey.”
“Maybe,” Noah says. “Either way, I think I’d like to understand myself better before I make any decisions.”
“So, uh. Tripp is going to help you while you’re laid up?” Luca breaks his silence for the first time since asking the question.
“Yes.”
“No offense, but shouldn’t you have…someone else? Like one of the team doctors or something?” Luca ducks his head, so he doesn’t have to meet my eyes.
“Uh, offense taken. I’m perfectly capable of ordering take out. You’re eating the evidence right now.” I point out.
“He’s got that special diet though.” Justus bites his lip like he’s unsure if he should’ve spoken up.
“And he’s got a chef to make those meals for him, which I can heat up just as well as anyone.” Why I’m defending my caretaking abilities when they’re abysmal at best I have no idea, but I don’t particularly like the thought of anyone else doing it. Time for that intervention, Xander. I know you’re skeptical, call me out, stop me before I completely lose my sanity.
“It’s up to Noah who he wants to help him,” Niko says. “And team doctors travel with the team. Tripp doesn’t, so it makes sense to have someone not associated with the team to help out.”
"Not a resounding yes but I’ll take it.” I give Niko a nod of thanks even as I ask myself why I care. “Besides, he can’t get the same healing with the doctors he can get from me.”
“Sexual healing isn’t a thing.” Xander shakes his head.
“Of course, it is. There’s even a song about it.”
“Yeah dude, I don’t think that’s what the song is about,” Luca agrees with Xander.
