Lunch went better than expected, all things considered. Thankfully, no one made any more remarks about Nico and me. Afterward, in the parking lot, they all gave me man-hugs and back slaps.
Harpy went last and, as always, proved he was both a good friend and the perfect guy to wear the C. “Don’t get worn out on your trip. You’ll be back in a few days, and we’ll need your help kicking Pittsburgh’s ass.”
I nodded.
“Stay in touch, and if you need to talk about anything, call me. Day or night.”
A few others echoed the offer, and I drove home thinking how lucky I was. My Warriors brothers were family. When things fell apart with Mia, they took care of me. After she filed for divorce, they kept me sane. Everyone deserved friends like that, as long as they knew when to shut up about Nico.
At home, I tossed a few more things into my suitcase, pulled my garment bag out of the closet, and lingered in the foyerlonger than necessary. Wishing like hell I didn’t have to do it, I grabbed my keys and headed for the airport.
Three days with Nico Rossi. What could possibly go wrong?
5/
nico
The bellman handed me a card.“It’s good to have you at the Four Seasons, Mr. Rossi. Call that number and ask for Ronnie if you need anything. If I’m off duty, someone else will take care of you right away.”
“Thanks, Ronnie. I appreciate your help.” I walked him to the door and slipped him a twenty. “Take care and have a great day.”
He hesitated, then turned back. “I hate to ask, but you’re one of my favorite players. Would you mind signing something for me?”
I smiled because that was the reflex, the version of me everyone expected. “Sure. Do you have anything?”
He patted his pockets and shrugged. “Guess not.”
“No problem. There’s probably paper in the desk.”
I signed a piece of hotel stationery—To my good friend Ronnie. Best wishes, Nico Rossi #19. When I handed it over, his grin was blinding.
“Thanks again,” he said, giving me a quick salute before heading out.
As the door shut behind him, I lost my smile. Being someone’s favorite player was easy. Getting through the next forty-eight hours would not be.
I moved clothes from my suitcase to the closet, then looked around the room. Clean lines, blond wood flooring, and afternoon light streaming in through a wide window. It was nice in a temporary way, like everything else in my life right now.
After changing into sweatpants and a hoodie, I stretched out on the king-size bed with my phone. Marissa’s schedule waited in my email inbox, unopened.
I checked the time and realized Packy’s flight should’ve already landed. The thought made me uneasy. We’d spent years perfecting our mutual contempt, and now we were supposed to work side by side, smiling for cameras. That was a tall order. Still, since there was no way out, we’d have to make it work.
I opened the messaging app, then closed it. I’d text him in an hour, once he’d had time to get to the hotel. Someone had to take the first step, and I knew he wouldn’t do it.
When I finally opened Marissa’s schedule, I groaned as I scrolled through it. It would be a long two days.
“Goddammit,” I said, dropping my phone onto the bed. “Fucking Packy.”
The part of Marissa’s story about us being college friends wasn’t a lie. We’d been roommates at rookie camp, then lived together in the dorm for two years. Since we had a lot in common, it hadn’t taken us long to get close.
I smiled despite myself, remembering the night I scored my first NCAA goal. It was a Wednesday game, and when the guys promised we’d celebrate over the weekend, Packy decided that wasn’t good enough. He came back to the room with a six-pack of beer he definitely hadn’t gotten legally, grinning like a real badass.
When the bottles were empty, we walked down to the bay and sat on the rocks, watching moonlight ripple across the water. We talked about hockey, classes, and girls we’d hooked up with. Normal stuff, considering I thought I was bi back then.
The air grew colder as the night wore on. When he moved his leg and pressed it against mine, my heart stuttered. I didn’t react because we were good friends, and I didn’t want to risk messing that up.
Then he slipped an arm around my back and pulled me closer. “You’re the best friend I’ve ever had,” he said. “I’m glad they paired us up.”
I turned my head, and for a moment, there was nothing but us. His breath brushed my cheek. He licked his lips, and the space between us tightened. Neither of us moved.
