We avoid The Garden since Bryce is working by now, and I don’t want to see him at the moment. I’ve slept in my own bed for the past two nights, and he hasn’t come to join me after work. I’m not sure if he feels bad for what happened, but he should at least talk to me about it.
“What thoughts are you lost in?” Davidson sneaks up on me while I’m playing on my phone outside the front door.
“Nothing, just doom scrolling.”
“Uh huh. Let’s go.”
Everything with Bryce is weighing heavily on my mind, and I don’t know how to approach him about it—we’ve never really fought before. It’s not like I’m ready to come out to the league yet; not when I may get called up soon. Maybe Davidson is a good place to start, though.
“Beerandwings on a day before game day?”
“Shut it. I’m pissed off.”
“You need to blow off some steam tonight, dude.”
“What do you think I’m doing?” He holds up his phone and continues to text someone.
“New girlfriend?”
“Something like that.” He throws his phone on the table and stares at me in silence.
“What?”
“Don’t give me what. You going to tell me what’s up with you?”
“Was it that noticeable?”
“The Grand Canyon is less noticeable than whatever has been bothering you the past couple days, Foster. Does this have something to do with your roommate and Mickells having words the other night?”
I break the connection of his stare and down half my beer.
“What’s going on? Spit it out.” He’s using his captain voice with me.
“Bryce, my roommate, was jealous.”
“Of Mickells? Why?”
“Because he slapped my ass and kissed my head.” He looks as confused as I was the other night. “I know it’s ridiculous.”
“I’m more wondering why your male friend is jealous of another guy touching you.”
“Yes, it’s what you’re thinking. Is that a problem?”
“No, Bodie. It’s not now, nor would it ever be. You’ve just never told me before.”
“Well, it’s new. Like very new. Bryce and I have been friends since thesecond grade.”
“And him seeing Mickells smack your ass lit a fire in him. Got it.”
“He hasn’t even said a word to me in two days.” Just saying it aloud hurts.
“Did you try to talk to him?”
“No. I went straight to bed when we got home. I figured he’d come to my room.”
“Why didn’t you wait in the living room for him? Does he usually sleep in your room?”
“No, we sleep in his room almost every night.”
