Don’t sweat it if you can’t. Just text me when you get here. We’ll find ya.
The lights dim, letting us know the game’s about to start. I catch Mack’s glance to my phone.
“Everything okay?” he asks carefully.
I nod.
“Yeah. Hudson says he’s stuck in traffic,” I say, my heart still beating like a freight train. “Might not make it.”
“That sucks.”
I nod, unsure what else to say, and feeling disappointed. But when the Rioters come out, I shove aside all my disappointment and focus on the game from the best seats in the house. Though all I can think about is Hudson, and how I hope he’s okay.
Toward the end of the second period, I get a text from Hudson saying he’s made it to his hotel and he’s on his way—just as Alex scores a goal and the crowd roars. Mack hollers as Andre and Paul excitedly jump up and down, and I can’t help but smile. Alex turns to look at us with the biggest grin.
This… this is what I miss more than anything. Just being in the fucking moment and not constantly on the go.
There are two minutes left in the game. The Rioters are up by two and there’s no way they’re losing this one. Hudson texts again that he isn’t making it inside, but he’ll meet up with us at the food court next door.
When the game is over, it takes us forever to get through the crowd, but the energy is wild. We finally make it to the food court that must have half the fans from the game squished inside.
“Hey! Trey! I’m here.”
I turn, noting the familiar face five feet from me. My heart stops beating as I take in the sight of my former best friend who looks so much like he did then, only a little older.
Same dark amber eyes, same broad shoulders, but his face has filled out more. Gone are the squirrely cheeks that we all used to make fun of—respectfully of course—and he’s certainly bigger than I remember. Healthier, maybe. I guess less alcohol will do that to you.
Hudson’s always been a big guy, but the man in front of me looks like he could bench presstwoof me. He runs a hand through his blondish-brown hair, his pouty lips parted as he sucks in a breath.
“There he is!” Andre says with a smile as he walks up to greet Hudson. I realize I’m standing frozen like a statue next to Mack, staring at Huds like a weirdo, so I shake out of it as Paul hugs him and then Mack offers his hand.
“Hudson,” he says with a grunt. Hudson reaches for Mack’s hand, and he pulls it back at the last second, giving Andre and Paul a laugh. Hudson lets out a faint sound as Mack says, “Too slow.”
“Fuck you, Mackenzie,” Hudson says with an annoyed laugh as Mack grins.
My feet are frozen to the concrete as Hudson’s gaze drifts over to me. He gives me a faint smile, but doesn’t move to hug me or shake my hand.
“Trey.” He purses his lips, betraying no hint of emotion.
“Hey,” I say, waving my hand, just as I hear the unmistakable sound of Alex Brewer—there’s no way you can forget anything about Alex. He won’t fucking let you. Hudson turns, a wide grin plastered on his face as he walks up like a kid in a candy store and hugs Alex, nearly knocking him over.
“Sorry I missed your game,” Hudson says as the others let out chuckles.
My heart starts beating fast again and for some reason I can’t take my eyes off of them. Alex holds him out at arm’s length, nodding.
“Trey said we were grabbing food,” Hudson says.
I move toward Alex without thinking, pulling him in for a hug, brushing my arm against Hudson’s meaty one.
“Fuck yeah. Just like old times,” I say briskly.
Alex smiles as he glances at Mack.
“Nice shirt,” Mack says smugly, nodding at Alex’s digs.
I’ve never seen Alex wear flannel and jeans in my life, but it’s not a bad look on him. Then again, guys like Alex can pull off just about anything. Guys like me? Well, sometimes it takes a little more to be the guy everyone expects to see.
They bitch back and forth, the familiarity making my insides warm. Andre and Paul look at the menu on their phones as Hudson shifts his stance, looking a little uncomfortable. I nod at him.
