“I’ll give it to you later.”
“You know Coach doesn’t let me room with anyone because I keep them awake, right?”
I didn’t know that. And if I wasn’t playing the most important tournament of my life tomorrow, I might be considering sneaking into his room, anyway.
“I don’t mean that, get your head out of the gutter.”
“Oh.”
“You know what? I can’t wait, I’ll give it to you now.”
I pull the keychain out of my pocket and hand it over.
Ben eyes light up as I drop the little LEGO man into his hand.
“I think it’s aStar Warsone, I don’t know if you have it or not….” Why am I being so shy? I am not shy. I’m rubbing the back of my neck and practically blushing as Ben turns the LEGO man keychain over in his hand.
“It’s Luke Skywalker. And I definitely don’t have him on a keychain. Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.”
The awkwardness really creeps in when we look around and find everyone smiling at us.
“What?” I ask.
“Nothing,” Nate says. “Guys, who’s hungry? Shall we go grab a breakfast burrito or something? Or they’ve got to have a McDonald’s in here somewhere.”
I lean down and whisper, “I’m not letting you force feed me Dunkin’ Donuts again.” Ben laughs.
After a long flightin economy with my legs squashed like a concertina fan, we finally arrive in Palm Springs. I’m too tired to take it all in and appreciate anything and I forget to take photographs for Carina. I promise myself I’ll take some on the way back.
We have dinner as a team at the hotel before going off to our rooms to get a good night’s rest for the match tomorrow.
Coach Sanchez has roomed me with Nate. I’m not sure whether that was strategic or not, but I’m too tired to care.
I text Ben while Nate’s in the bathroom, brushing his teeth.
Try to get some sleep, I’ll see you tomorrow partner.
He replies with a bunch of emojis, like always. By the time Nate emerges from the bathroom in a ratty t-shirt with ‘Atlantic City’ emblazoned across his chest, I’m grinning like a loon.
“How’s Ben?” Nate asks.
My defenses come up. “How do you know I’m talking to Ben?”
“Because you’ve got a big smile on your face. He has the same one whenever you text him.”
Why does my heart soar at that?
Nate walks around me to his own bed and takes a seat, facing me. “Listen, Elias ...”
I stiffen, this doesn’t sound like a conversation I want to have. The only interactions I’ve had with this guy so far have involved him lecturing me.
“Ben’s my friend, and I’m protective over him. I’ve just always wanted to make sure he doesn’t get hurt.”
His arrogance is astounding if he thinks he knows what’s best for Ben. He thinksI’mgoing to hurt Ben?I’venever hurt Ben.Ican see when Ben is nervous or spiraling or pining after someone too oblivious to see it. Can he?
“I’m not going to hurt Ben.”
