Thankfully skating takes zero focus from me, but that doesn’t mean I don’t need to be in the zone. Because I do. I need to pay attention, and I need to practice my routine properly. I can’t be too cocky over this because that will be my downfall. Everyone warns me of it.
I run through my routine a handful of times before I need to get off the ice and let someone else on. There’s a busy schedule here, and some of these people could use more time to practiceor at least get used to being in the arena. Being somewhere new can be intimidating, and maybe just being out there on the ice and moving around could make them feel better. I don’t want others to fail, even if I want the gold for myself. I want them to succeed and do their best. I want them to have everything they need to get there.
“Nico!” my cousin sings-songs as I arrive in the locker room. “I have good news.”
“Did you do it?”
Étienne grins, nodding.
I grab him and kiss his cheek. “You’re the best.”
I grab my phone from my locker and check it.
“Well?” Étienne says, hovering over my shoulder. “Do you have a dick pic yet?”
I shove him off. “Don’t be crude, Étienne.”
“What? I bet his dick is huge.”
Yeah, it probably is…
“Even if it’s not, it doesn’t matter. He’s sweet.”
“Boring,” he says, dropping onto the bench. “Did he at least text you?”
“He did.” I smile as I open the text from the unknown number.
I’d told Étienne that as my PA it was his responsibility to do the things I can’t—like give Roman Callahan my phone number because I woke up this morning and wanted to text him only to remember I couldn’t. Étienne remedied that in a timely manner, and for that, I am thankful.
Unknown: Hey, it’s Roman. Your cousin gave me your phone number.
I save his number in my phone asBig Guyand then respond.
Me: Hey. I’m about to grab lunch in the Village. Want to join me?
Big Guy: Yes.
I do love how direct he is. It’s yes or no; not I don’t know, maybe, sure. It makes me feel like he really wants this.
“What are your plans?” I look up at Étienne.
“Not much,” he says. “Maybe a nap before your performance.”
I roll my eyes. “Seriously? We’re at the Olympics and you’re going to take a nap?”
“Like what you’re going to do is any better.”
“Actually, it is.”
I change into my team clothes and head back to the Village with Étienne. He does, in fact, head up to his room to take a nap. Apparently he was up late doing something he won’t tell me about, and I know what that means.
He hooked up with someone but doesn’t want to tell me who. I can only assume that’s because it’s an athlete and he doesn’t want to put it out there. Normally, Étienne has no problem talking about who he sleeps with, but not wanting to talk about it tells me it’s for a reason. Like maybe the person he slept with is married or not out. Wouldn’t be the first time he did something like that. That man has no boundaries. Maybe it was another hockey player. One of Roman’s teammates or someone from another country. I know they’re tough about that sort of thing, though most athletes are, as if being gay is some sort of negative thing and makes you bad at sports.
It doesn’t and it’s not.
I find Roman waiting just inside the doors, leaning against one of the pillars.
He smiles brightly when he sees me.
