Fletcher shrugged like it wasn’t a big deal. “It’s for charity.”
Sánchez just nodded before changing the topic. “So, Taylor,” he said, turning to Taylor. “Ale was just telling me she’s kind of your biggest fan,” he said suggestively.
“Oh my God, Emilio. Shut up,” she scoffed.
Taylor gave her another polite smile. “Thanks for the support.”
“You know she used to play hockey, too, right? She was on the girls’ team in high school and plays for Georgetown.”Oh God.Sánchez was trying to set Taylor up with his older sister. He stole a glance at Fletcher, who smiled back at him as if nothing were wrong. But he could tell Fletcher was a little tense. Taylor felt the shift immediately.
“Is that so?” Taylor said. “That’s cool,” he said, trying to sound bored.
Ale shrugged, but Taylor could tell she was hiding her blush. “Not as good as you guys, obviously.”
“Are you thinking of going professional?” Jesse asked her. She turned her attention over to Taylor’s brother. Taylor sneakily placed his hand on Fletcher’s thigh. He just needed a little reassurance, but Fletcher pushed his hand away. Clearly, he was upset. Taylor tried looking at him, but Fletcher continued to sit and listen to her, and Jesse speak with the same fake nice face Taylor hated. It was only a tiny rejection, but it still hit Taylor like a punch to the face.
“So, Sánchez,” Taylor cleared his throat, trying to deflect. This was too awkward and Taylor couldn’t even order a fucking drink. “Have you heard from Katherine lately?”
Sánchez shook his head, not seeming to really care. “Nah, I’m not upset. It needed to happen. She was too nice for me.”
Taylor nodded. “So have you been seeing anyone new?”
“No way, man. I don’t want to tie myself down right now. Maybe in a few years, I guess. How about you, man? You gotta girl you’ve been hiding from us?”
Taylor gave him a crooked smile. “I mean,” he flickered his eyes at Fletcher who refused to look back at him. This was not good. Fletcher was going to be so upset at him for putting them in this predicament. But Taylor couldn’t just tell Sánchez he was seeing Fletcher. They still hadn’t discussed a timeline of when they would tell people or how they would tell people. Taylor was really being put on the spot here and he hated it.
“I’ve been seeing someone, but it’s pretty casual,” Taylor lied.
“Good for you, man. And what about you, Armstrong?” he asked, turning to Fletcher.
Taylor looked at Fletcher, who just shrugged. “Not really. I guess I’m still pretty caught up on the whole Maude thing,” he said, sounding upset.
Taylor’s stomach dropped. This wasn’t the same kind of lie that he had just told. Fletcher was doing this on purpose to bother him. He didn’t think it wasfunny. Taylor wanted to scream. He wanted to leave. He didn’t want to be having this awkward conversation at this awkward dinner.
“Really?” he asked Fletcher, sounding a little shocked. “I mean you did seem pretty upset about it right after it happened. I didn’t know you cared about her that much.”
“Yeah, I mean I guess so. I know it had only been two months but they were like the best two months of my life. A part of me thinks that,” he let out a sigh. That fucking liar. “Maybe I kind of loved her. I’d never really felt that way about anyone before.”
Oh hell no, Taylor thought to himself. Fletcher was being petty about this and he didn’t like it one bit. It made him sick. Doubts crept into his head. He wanted to question everything. What did Fletcher mean by “loved her?” Is this all just a game to him?
“Aww that’s so sad,” Ale pouted. She reached across the table and placed her hand over Fletcher’s consolingly. Fletcher gave her an appreciative smile. Taylor could feel his heart clench. This wasn’t fair. This was messed up.
Taylor shot daggers at his brother as he tried to disguise his laughter. “Wow, Fletcher. You must be heartbroken,” Jesse shook his head and pretended to feel bad.
Luckily, their waiter came and took their orders. After Taylor put in his order, he excused himself to use the restroom. He walked through the dark restaurant and found his way to the bathroom. He just needed to take a breather and calm down. Fletcher was obviously joking and he was taking it personal. He just needed to take a few deep breaths and—
“Why’d you leave?”
He turned and watched Jesse walk into the bathroom. Taylor just shook his head, not bothering to try and conceal his mental anguish. “I’m fine. I’m just overthinking or something.”
“It’s okay to be upset. You’re hiding a relationship and it must really screw with your head sometimes.”
Jesse walked over to the sink and placed his hand on Taylor’s shoulder. “You know I’m proud of you. It takes balls to be gay in the NHL,” Jesse said before snorting to himself. “No pun intended.” Taylor let out a small laugh. He and Jesse were very alike.
“I just need time to prepare myself. I’m not ashamed of loving him, but I am afraid of losing the respect of people in the league,” Taylor confessed.
“You really love him?” Jesse asked. Taylor nodded.
“So much. He’s my best friend. I don’t know what I would do without him.” Taylor really didn’t. Everything had just happened so fast. It was hard to get a handle on his emotions. His feelings. It was too overwhelming sometimes.
