"Tell them you were awake when Rylan got the call from home, and like any good roommate, you pitched in to help in an emergency."He pauses."And Jamie?"
"Yeah?"
"Be careful with him."His voice is gentle but firm."He's... not good at letting people in."
"I noticed."
"But he's letting you."Louis gives me a look that holds more than twenty years of friendship with Rylan."Do not make him regret it."
The weight of what he's not saying, what heclearlyknows about Rylan but isn't putting into words, sits heavy between us.
"I won't," I promise.
Louis nods once, and then his usual mischievous grin returns."Come on, lover boy. Let's go face the inquisition."
"Fuck off,"I mutter, but there's no heat in it.
My phone buzzes. Rylan:Made it to theairport. Thanks for... everything.
Three dots appear, disappear, and appear again. Then:I'll call tonight
Something warm unfurls in my chest."Yeah,"I whisper, too soft for Louis to hear."You've got this, Ry."
The pre-game meeting feels wrong without Rylan's precise routine setting the tone. Noperfectlyarranged notebook. Nometiculouslysharpened pencils. No...
Stop. Focus.
Austin's watching me from across the conference table as Coach Shaw reviews game footage."Where's Collings?"
Coach Shaw had opened the meeting by announcing Rylan had to leave due to an unexpected family emergency and that he'd be back in a few days, but he didn't provide any details.
"It's his dad,"Louis answers before I can, his voice pitched low so I'm the only one who can hear him besides Austin."He'll be back in a few days. Ended up taking a fall and spent the night in hospital."
"Shit," Austin murmurs. "Was Roger...?"
"Yeah. He was."Lou answers Austin's unspoken question.
Lou and Austin are Rylan's closest friends, and they both know Ry's dad's situation but I'm not sure if anyone else on the team does. I'm not going to be the one to tell people.
Charlie leans forward, concern clear on his face."Everything okay?"
"Yeah, it's okay, Ry had to go take care of a few things for his dad up north. Just like Coach said."Lou smiles to take the edge off his words, but Charlie gets the message not to pry.
But nothing about this whole shit-tastic situation is okay. Rylan's dad being in the hospital and the responsibility for all of his care falling on Rylan's shoulders alone isn't fair or okay at all.
"He's handling it,"I say, proud of how steady my voice sounds.
Austin's still staring."You were with him earlier this morning."
It's notexactlyan accusation, but there's something dangerous in his tone.
Louis"accidentally"knocks over his water bottle. The loud clatter makes everyone jump and draws Coach's attention."Sorry, sorry,"he says with his usual grin. Then, quieter:"They're roommates, Cote. Cool it on the attack-dog shit, alright?"
I meet Austin's gaze."He got the call from back home late last night. I was just trying to help where I could."
It's the truth, but the weight of what Ireallywant to say sits heavy in my chest.
My phone buzzes. RylanBoarding soon. Try not to let Cote murder my newest linemate while I'm gone.
