“You like him,” Ryan said throwing a fry into his mouth.“He’s a bit strange.”
“Aren’t we all?”I stabbed a piece of chicken and stuck it into my mouth.“He’s actually a nice guy.Sure, he’s awkward around the edges, but he’s had a rough life.Makes my problems pale by comparison.”
“How so?”
I looked around to see if anyone was hearing.In the back of my head, I knew I shouldn’t be talking about Austen to anyone, but I needed to talk to someone, and Ryan seemed like a pretty decent guy.
“He was a foster kid.Grew up in all kinds of unstable environments.I think that’s why everything has to be so organized now as an adult.”
“Oh, dear God, your chaotic nature must be driving him into an early grave,” Ryan joked.I stole one of his fries.
“I’m not that bad.And he’s giving me some structure that I probably need in my own life.We balance each other.So, no, I stuck with Austen instead of getting a single.I couldn’t ask for a better roommate.”
“Does he know you’re gay?”Ryan asked.
I’d been very open with my entire team before I even transferred here.I refused to play for a team that was homophobic or transphobic.The hockey world was masculine, and there’s a ton of testosterone floating around, but save it for the ice.
“We haven’t talked about that,” I admitted.“Just not been a conversation that’s come up.”
“So, you’re not lusting after the little math boy sleeping next to you at night?”
“Umm… No.He’s totally not my type.”
“Oh, so what is your type?”
“Are you hitting on me, O’Connell?”I asked, making my eyes go wide in faux shock.“If you are, I tend to go for more masculine guys.”
“Fuck you!”he said, throwing a fry at me.I caught it in my mouth.“Good save!”
“But to answer the question.No, I am not dating anyone.No, I am not planning on dating anyone.No, I am not looking to date anyone.I have enough going on between classes and hockey.The last thing I need to do is add some needy guy on top of everything.”
“Yeah, I get that.Last girl I dated didn’t understand how much time hockey takes up during the season.She always complained about not seeing me enough.Finally ended up dumping me and dating some guy on the baseball team.She clearly had a type.You skipping Buckman again tomorrow night?”
“Probably.Gotta quiz the next day.Accounting.It’s already kicking my ass.”
“Brother, it’s a Wednesday night.”Bite, chew.“Live a little.You’ve got plenty of time to study between now and tomorrow.”
I spun a pepper packet until the granules settled.“Living isn’t the problem.Maintaining is.”
“Translation: you’re locked-in.”
“Coach likes locked-in.”
“Sure.”He chewed thoughtfully, eyes narrowing enough to feel like x-ray specs.“Team also likes guys who show up for trivia night.”
“I show up on the ice.”
“Fair.”He shoved the fries across the tray gap.“Come on, eat one more.Prove you won’t combust.”
I picked the smallest, crispy and over-salted.Ate it.Ryan saluted me with his paper cup.
“Miracle recorded,” he said.“Seriously, you’re allowed fun.”
“Define fun that won’t kill my reflexes.”
“Watching Decker butcher pop-culture categories while we heckle him.Alcoholic hydration optional.”
I huffed a laugh.“Tempting.”
