“I like food just like other people, I just don’t obsess over it or use it to fill voids like other people. And some food just doesn’t make me feel good.”
“Have you been tested for allergies?”
“Allergies?” I ask.
“Yeah, like lactose intolerance? Celiac disease? There could be a reason why you feel that way.”
“I… no. I never thought of that, actually. I usually get pretty defensive about it, if I’m being honest.”
“If people are going at you saying you have an eating disorder when you don’t, I can see why you would.”
“Thank you for believing me,” I say carefully. “I appreciate that I don’t feel like I have to convince you I’m not lying.”
He smiles softly. “I have no reason not to trust you, Nico.”
We eat our food in silence, listening to the people around us talk. I don’t understand half of them, but I can tell they're excited and like listening just the same.
“I promised Connor I’d hang out with him later, so I won’t see you after your performance,” he says as he grabs his plate with the cake on it.
Disappointment floods my chest.
“But you’ll be at the performance?”
“Of course.”
I nod. “I’ll be at your game tomorrow.”
“I can meet you after you’re done.”
“I’d like that.”
Neither one of us talks about the fact that we so badly want to see each other every chance we get… and soon enough, those chances will be gone. Because the Olympics are already almost halfway over.
Chapter Eleven
Roman
We are on fire!
We win again, this time 6-2. We are on our way to securing that gold medal and I can’t be more fucking excited.
I laugh to myself as I congratulate the goalie, thinking about Nico watching and laughing about the boops. Now that we’ve gone through the motions, I know he means the head pats. And I guess he’s not wrong about it.
As I skate off the ice, I spot him just as I did the other night. In the athlete section, watching me with a proud smile. He gives me a thumbs up and I duck my head as I move down the tunnel, ready to change and go see him. He’s quickly become the highlight of my day. Yes, even over winning. Hockey is hockey. I’m proud when I win, but I know I’m good at what I do.There aren’t many people I like spending time with and who like spending time with me, so being with Nico gives me a different kind of happiness. A kind I don’t get anywhere else so I’m eating it up while I can because I know it’s only temporary. We won’t be here forever. Soon enough, we’ll be back in our own homes, nearly two thousand miles away from each other.
Hersch, our captain, does media tonight. Coach chats with us for a few minutes, and then we go on our way. I shower, change, and rush out without speaking to anyone.
Connor has been wondering why I’ve been so busy, but I told him I’m just enjoying my time and that’s all he needs to know. He’s doing his thing too. I think he met someone that he’s been hanging out with, so I don’t feel so bad for doing my own thing. I fulfill all my team obligations without issue. I get to practice on time. I play hard on the ice. I pose for photos when needed and meet up with the guys for team activities. It’s busy and I’m loving it, but I love the quiet nights with Nico more. I like talking with him. Walking. Seeing how his day was. Getting to know him. It’s a little something for me that has nothing to do with the team.
The moment I step outside, I glance to the left, to where he was the last time.
“Hey,” he says, coming from the other side. I turn my head and smile. “Were you looking for me?” he asks with a knowing grin.
“You did that on purpose.”
“Maybe,” he says, feigning sweetness. “I could use an ego boost today.”
“Bad day?”
