I give him a couple more reps in silence, before chatting him up as he changes the weight. “So, how are things?”
“Very well. I have just found out that my brother will be visiting soon. He wishes to watch me play,” he responds a touch shyly, like he’s embarrassed that his brother is making the effort.
“No shit! Good for you. He’s an agent, right?”
“He is,” Vas agrees, beaming at me, happy that I remembered. “Jakob is very busy, but for this time it will work out for him to come and watch our game.”
I smile, grabbing a pair of free weights and setting up next to his machine to do stationary lunges. I wonder if his brother is just an older version of Vas. I’d fucking love to meet the guy.
“You should tell Coach Mackenzie he’s coming,” I advise him. “So that he gives you a lot of ice time. He usually does that when we have family in town.”
“Oh no, my friend. I would not wish to cause any trouble.”
I huff a laugh, dropping the weights on the padded floor and standing up to shake out my legs. Maybe there will be a way I can casually mention his brother coming within Coach’s hearing. Vas might not ask, but I will.
He finishes his workout before me, having gotten here earlier, so I speed through my final reps and make my way back to the lockers. I’m eager to check my phone. It’s been a pretty long time since I’ve felt this level of excitement about a crush, and I’m enjoying riding the wave of heightened emotions while simultaneously ignoring the little niggle of fear about the fact that he’s ahe. I don’t want to think about it right now, I just want to…feel.
I’m able to fully smother the doubt when I unlock my phone and see a return text from Marcos.
“Fuck yes,” I whisper, grinning as I open the message.
Marcos
Morning.
Nate
Sleep good? *insert suggestive eyebrow waggle*
Marcos
*insert dramatic sigh*
I laugh out loud, and the sound echoes through the locker room, drawing several looks from guys changing near me. Pulling everything from the locker, I leave. Head bent over my phone, and barely paying attention to where I’m walking, I reply.
Nate
Do you have class this morning?
We should get breakfast.
Or coffee, if you’re not a breakfast guy.
Or tea if you’re not a coffee guy.
I don’t really care what we do! Do you want to hang out, though?
Marcos
I don’t know if that’s a good idea.
Nate
Why??
Marcos
Because I’m not really sure I’m in the best place right now to be starting a relationship, if that’s what you’re trying to do. I don’t know what it is you’re looking for or expecting from me, and I don’t know how much I’m able to give you right now. I don’t want to lead you on, is all I’m saying.
