Callahan clapped them both on the shoulders as they skated toward the bench for the TV timeout. “That’s how we do it, boys. Clean, fast, and lethal.”
“Hey, Frosty!”
Niko had a bigger reaction to the Barbarian player chirping him than August did. He turned on the young forward, shoulders squared and ready for a fight, but August stopped him with a shove toward the bench.
Once he was sure Niko was subdued, August glided to the redline where the small brunet was waiting, peering at August through his visor.
“You ever think about asking for a trade?” the guy, whose name August was sure was Leland Sandford, asked. “We could build an Eiffel tower if we had you and Barzetti on the same team. And Greene isn’t short either—we could set a record for having the tallest players.”
Okay, this wasn’t chirping. August had no idea what was happening, but the ref who had been watching them seemed to think there was no pending fight coming and backed off.
August was still trying to dissect the meaning of Sandford’s Eiffel Tower comment when the guy spluttered and removed his helmet.
“Sorry, I’m friends with Jett,” said Sandford, pausing to take his mouthguard out before flashing August a bright smile. “He told me I shouldsay hi to you because you’re super nice and looking to make friends because you’re sad.”
Chuckling, August returned Sandford’s smile, though his mind was already elsewhere, plotting fifty different ways to commit a very specific murder the next time he saw Jett.
“Nice to meet you,” August lied. “Good luck with your Eiffel Tower.”
He abruptly left, ignoring whatever response Sandford was calling out to him. He knew he was making a face as he returned to the bench because Niko’s eyes went wide when August came in through the gate.
“What’s wrong?” Niko asked.
August accepted a towel offered to him by a nearby staff member and wiped his sweaty face. “I’m going to kill Jett Fraser.”
“It’s Jett Killinger,” said Niko.
“Shut the fuck up.”
“What did you want to talk about?”
August was honestly impressed that Niko had managed to hold the question in all the way to their hotel room. Knowing him, that kind of restraint was equal to a miracle.
August was tired, but after walking away with a solid 5-3 win against the Barbarians, he was feeling good enough to have this conversation now. He collapsed onto his bed and brushed his hands through his hair, counting to three before he jumped into it.
“When I left the room earlier today, I went to see Quinn,” August began, keeping his eyes locked on Niko’s face so he could read his reaction.
Other than a downward twitch of his mouth, Niko said nothing—he didn’t move from his spot where he was standing in front of the door.
“He made me an offer, and I know it’s going to sound crazy, but accepting might help with the stress headaches and the nose bleeds, and figuring out my sexuality—”
“Quinn offered to havesex with you?” Niko stepped away until his back hit the door, rattling it. “You refused to text the guy, but you’re down for fucking him?”
August knew it sounded stupid, and he knew he was confusing Niko because his decisions were all over the place, but he didn’t know how to stop his downward spiral.
“Neeks, I’m falling apart here.” August winced when his head gave a warning throb, and he dug his knuckles into his temple. “I know it doesn’t make sense, and I don’t know how to explain it, but maybe being with Quinn will shift my brain into healing mode. I think there’s something else I’m forgetting that’s important, but I’m only getting glimpses here and there, and—”
“Hold on, Gusty.” Niko retrieved a chair from the corner of their room and dragged it over to the bed, rearranging it in front of August before taking a seat. “You think there’s a block in your memories? Is that why you’re dissociating so much?”
August shrugged because he had no idea. “It’s a possibility. All I know is that when I’m with Quinn, I feelbetter. And I don’t think it’s a coincidence that my memories are clearer when we’re together.”
Niko lowered his head, tension pulling his shoulders tight. “Oh man. I get why you think that’s a good thing, but what you really need is therapy, August. You promised me.”
August sighed, running a hand over his face. He knew Niko was right, but he wasn’t ready to take that step yet. “I want to try,” he said quietly.
Niko lifted his gaze, and the devastation etched into his eyes made August’s heart twist painfully.
“Will you at least tell Quinn what’s happening?” Niko asked.
