“Thank you,” he said to Connie.
When they were dismissed, Anamária gripped his arm. “Thisis why we hired Damien. I knew his coaching would be helpful.”
She walked briskly, already on her phone, no doubt scheduling double the training sessions with Damien. Adonis hurried to keep up with her. He wanted to say that, hey, hadn’t he had a hand in his success here? Wasn’t he the one on the ice, the one being evaluated? But he didn’t want to fight that battle.
——
When they were at the airport waiting for their flight back to Boston, Adonis texted Bash.
Adonis: I think I’m going to be picked for Team USA
Bash: Fuck yeah. I knew you would. When will you find out for sure?
Adonis: My last few competitions in November are going to be really important. It’ll be closer to December when I know for sure. There are about 3 spots left for men on the Olympic team. Six guys (including me) were invited to Colorado for this week, so…
Bash: So odds are looking good
Adonis: I hope so
Bash: I think you deserve an award when you get back
Adonis: Oh, yeah?
Bash: Definitely
Adonis: I like the sound of that
Adonis: How’s the Netherlands?
Bash: It’s okay
Adonis: Wow. So descriptive. Tell me more!
Bash: It’s nice to see my sister. I took her to the opera in Amsterdam last night, and she enjoyed that.
Adonis: Did you see the Prince?
Bash: Forgot I told you about that
Adonis: You did
Bash: Yes, we saw Gustav, and Lotte made a fool of both of us, but the Prince noticed her, and that’s what she wanted.
Adonis: When’s the wedding?
Adonis: Wait, if she becomes Queen of the Netherlands, does that make you a prince?
Bash: No, but I’m still going to make you call me “Your Highness”
Adonis: I’ll bow down to you any day
Bash: Fuck
“You’ve been smiling at your phone a lot,” Anamária commented, causing Adonis to almost jump in his seat. He hadn’t noticed that she was watching him. A gate agent got over the intercom and gave some unintelligible instructions. “Who are you texting?”
The question likely wasn’t meant as accusatory, but Adonis was always wary of his mother when it came to the discussion of boys. Anamária had no problem with Adonis being gay. Shedidhave a problem with anything that would distract him from skating.
“Just a friend,” he said, trying to keep his voice from becoming defensive.
