Quentin had thought about it for a moment because he wanted his response to be genuine, and then he had shaken Joel’s hand. “Quentin Hartley. It’s good to meet you.”
Billy slurped some coffee. “Also, I’m sending Shivonne tickets for Joel to come to an upcoming game. I talked to the owners about it. Last night, after the concert, we saw the highest spike in ticket sales for our games that we’veeverseen. Whatever this thing is with Joel, it’s good for us. All his fans who were shitting on hockey have decided they’re die-hard fans now, apparently.” He eyed Quentin. “Howwaslast night?”
“Honestly? Fun.”
“Do you still hate Joel?”
“No, I don’t think I do. I think we could even be friends.”
“I’m glad you didn’t hit him in the nose.”
“I thought about it when he brought me out to sing.”
Billy snorted. “Don’t ever do that. Shiv would kill me.”
“Oh, it’s Shiv now, is it?”
Billy actually blushed, and Quentin smiled, and kept eating his breakfast.
Boston’s first game of the season was a home game against the Québec Snow Owls. Québec had a strong team, and they were one of Boston’s strongest rivals. The French-Canadian fans were as intense as Boston's, and the two factions of fans hated each other.
Several hours before the game, Quentin drove to Henri and Cort’s apartment. He and Henri had developed a tradition of arriving at the first home game together.
The couple let him into the apartment, and Quentin immediately noticed that Cort was carryingthreecoffee mugs from the living room to the kitchen to wash them.
Quentin grinned. “How was your night with Harlan?”
“A lady never kisses and tells,” Cort called over his shoulder.
“Fucking incredible,” Henri said, giving Quentin a bro-y hug. “The things we did together…if I believed in religion I’d think I’d need to take a shower in holy water right about now.”
Quentin almost choked, he laughed so hard.
“I’m glad you had fun,” he said. “I hope you still have some energy for the game today.”
“It was a great warm-up,” Henri said with a grin. “What didyoudo last night?”
Quentin shrugged. “I just went home.”
“Damn. Didn’t try to sign a deal with Joel’s record label?”
Quentin rolled his eyes. “My future is on the ice, not on the stage. But last night was great, and I think Joel and I willactuallybe friends now.”
“Good, because I don’t think he’s an asshole.”
Cort reappeared from the kitchen. He wore only a pair of gray sweatpants, and Quentin deliberately didn’t stare at the imprint of Cort’s cock. “Though,” Cort said, “if youhadn’tbeen able to sing, that would’ve been a real dick move on his part.”
“That’s a good point,” Henri said.
“I’m glad you’re friends, because that means we can see Harlan again and not feel guilty,” Cort sang, heading towards the bathroom. “I mean, we would’ve seen him again anyway.”
“I’m so impressed by your loyalty,” Quentin deadpanned. “You might have a chance to see him soon, actually,” he said to Henri. “Billy invited him to an upcoming game, but I don’t know which one. Apparently, the Internet loved last night, andRise and Shine Americahas invited us onto their show.”
“YouandJoel?”
“Mmhm.”
“Newest famous bromance, I guess,” Henri said. He looked like he was going to say something more, but then didn’t.
