I thought he would be able to sleep in one bedroom, I could sleep in the other, making some lies about crushing him in his sleep or something like that.
I pace the living room some more and wonder how upset Florian will be when he remembers all my lies.
The apartment is beautiful but not decorated. There’s not a single art print or poster or even postcard on the wall.
I look out at the tightly packed gray buildings outside. It’s started to rain, not uncommon in the fall in New England, and rain patters against the large, paneled glass.
I sink to the ground, then pick up my phone again.
There are more messages.
And not from Gina.
ENZO: You’ve been secretly dating Florian???
I stare at the message from one of the Blizzards’ hockey players.
We’re not close, not really, but Enzo and Ijoined the team at the same time last spring. He promptly went and married Axel Knight, one of the players.
But he’s friendly when I see him.
I stare at the message from Enzo.
DANIELA: Call me.
Fuck.
I call Daniela.
“Hi Daniela!” I say as brightly as I can muster.
“What’s going on?”
“Well, Florian’s out of the hospital,” I say. “Isn’t that amazing! And I’m here at his home helping him.”
“You’re all over social media,” Daniela says sternly. “Why did Florian announce that you two are dating?”
“Um…”
“Mateo.”
I hesitate. Part of me wants to confide in her. She’ll tell me to do the right thing, I’m sure. She’ll tell me to text Annika, get her over here, then leave the apartment.
That would be proper.
Of course, I will have told someone on the Blizzards staff that I’m a lying liar, but maybe they’ll understand when I explain about the heart monitor and everything. I didn’t expect to see paparazzi.
But then I imagine Florian waking up. I imagine him learning everything.
And I can’t do it.
The Florian I knew did not want to be out. I’m not leaving him to deal with all of that by himself. No. I’m not.
“We’re dating,” I lie.
“Mateo… You asked me for his address.”
“Because I couldn’t remember!”
