“Though, tell me. How did you get into skiing? I know you skied at WCU, but before that?”
“Before that, recreationally with my family. I was shit at football, fairly decent at soccer—played in high school. Even though I spent half my life in upstate New York near the Canadian border, hockey didn’t interest me much.”
I gasped, and popped another fry into my mouth.
“Don’t tell me…” He started.
“Maybe you’ll change your mind about hockey if I give you one of my favorite spicy romances to read.” I grinned.
“Be prepared to experience whatever goes on in that book because if you give me a spicy romance novel, I will assume you want to try everything on the page.” He smirked.
The fry I was bringing to my mouth fell back down to my plate as heat bloomed in my cheeks.
“Lukas,” I hissed. “Lower your voice.”
He grinned and continued to eat his fries.
“Anyways, I got into WCU and saw the skiing team, and joined. I’d always been pretty good at it, then I took a few ski classes and lessons as I was growing up. The coach said I was anatural, had me start entering competitions, and it all just sort of snowballed from there.”
I looked at him, my eyes squinting. “Did you go to these past Olympics?”
Lukas stuffed another fry into his mouth and wouldn’t meet my gaze.
“Lukasif I knew your middle nameFraiser.”
He looked at me. “Andrew. And yes, I was at the games that just happened earlier this year.”
I already had my phone out and I was searching the internet.
“You fucking won silver?” I all but shouted at him.
It was his turn to blush.
I softened my voice. “Why didn’t you say anything? That’s amazing! Getting silver at the Olympics? Getting on the Podium for the U.S. Team? Oh my God, I can tell everyone that I know an actual Olympian, oh well, I guess I know three—you, Louis and Nicola.”
“You’re not upset?”
I looked at him, and it dawned on mewhyhe didn't say anything. He was sparing my feelings, because I should have been there. I reached across the table and waggled my fingers until he put his hand in mine.
“Will I be bummed that my Olympic dream crashed before it could even start? Yes. Part of me will probably always mourn that—what could have been. But that doesn’t mean I can’t celebrate my friend’s and boyfriend’s successes. I’ve been so bad about being supportive for the last year and a half, and you make me want to be better. Better for them and better for you.”
He squeezed my hand, a grin pulling across his face.
“Boyfriend?”
I flushed.
“Did Aimee Bryant just call me her boyfriend? Damn, I must be really good to go from first date to boyfriend in one sitting.”
“Oh shut up.” I laughed.
“Nah, I’m going to tell everyone I’m Aimee Byrant’s Boyfriend. Adding another shirt to the stack I’m going to have to make.”
I laughed. “You’re ridiculous.”
“Maybe, but you just said I’m your boyfriend.”
“Though—people might find it weird that you’ve wanted me for years. You know, showing up at events, being there that day, and you just happen to be here the same time as me? I don’t know, Lukas. People might wonder if you’re a stalker.”
