“I'm not.” I'm relieved to find that feels mostly true.
“Good. Then enjoy it while you can – and good luck in Carolina. I think you'll need it.”
As I arriveat the airport later that day for our flight, I prepare myself to see Ethan again. After last night, I'm sure he'll be a basket case; hell, it's not like I feel exactlycalmabout it. But the more I think about it, the more I go back to his offer that night at the club – if I'm going to be hooking up with anyone, whynotanother player?
Even if we don't hookup again, I know for a fact having another gay player as a...friend?...has made my life better these last few weeks. It would be a shame if I lost it over a blowjob.
A fucking great blowjob.
Still, knowing this could be awkward, I've come prepared. I emailed the video coach this morning and by the time I was here, hehad exactly what I needed ready. Before we board, I grab the iPad out of my backpack and put it under my arm.
Sure enough, when I board the plane, Ethan is already seated, with headphones on, reading – on his new eReader, I am delighted to find. Shoving my backpack under the row in front of him, I grab my usual seat. If I'm not mistaken, there's a question in the glance he gives me. I gesture for him to take off the headphones.
“I could really use your help thinking through this zone entry. I don't think anyone's quite cracked their defense yet this season.”
Even though I thought of this as an excuse to calm Ethan's nerves, the truth of the matter is that his help over the previous weeks has been immeasurable. He just sees defenses in a way I don't – at least not yet. And as a rookie, I'll take any help I can get.
We spend the rest of the flight dissecting Carolina's top-tier defense. There certainly aren't the gaps here that we've seen on some of the teams we've played – no first-pair defensemen telegraphing their moves from a mile away. Still, we identify a few places where we think we could open up some plays, and a few drills we want to run at practice the next morning.
As we prepare to land, I nod at the eReader. “You're still using that, huh?”
A blush rises in his cheeks. “Um, yeah. It's nice – way easier than carrying around a ton of books on long roadies. Thanks again.”
I'm happy that he's getting use out of it – I knew the gift was a risk.
“Did you, uh, finish that book I gave you?” This line of questioning feels dangerous, given what happened the last time we talked about that book.
From the way his eyes dart around the plane, I can tell he senses the danger, too. Still, he lowers his voice and answers me.
“Um, yeah. And the others you loaded for me. And, uh, a few more that I bought.”
I can't help but smile at that. “I'm glad you liked them.”
I get a small smile back from him. As the plane touches down onthe tarmac, his foot starts to bounce. Just as I'm about to ask if he's ok, he speaks.
“Hey, would you be willing to watch some offensive film with me tonight? At the hotel? Carolina's got this new rookie and I'd like to hear your thoughts on how to cover him better.”
Is thisreallyabout watching film? Or does he want a repeat of last night? Either way, I know my answer.
“Sure, Cap. That'd be great.”
We land rightaround dinner time, and it turns out Alexei has made reservations for the team at a steakhouse near the hotel. With the game the next day, we avoid alcohol. Still, it's nice to sit and spend time with the guys off the ice. Lindy shares that Astrid is expecting their first child and the table roars in celebration. The guys tease Mac that his girlfriend will end up wanting a baby soon, too. The chirping only escalates when he goes green at the thought.
It's still early when we return to the hotel, and the guys start to split off into their usual groups – Gagnon, Lindy, and Alexei are getting a poker game together while Matty will be running a Mario Kart tournament on his Nintendo Switch in his room.
Tremblay finds me as they start to leave.
“Are you, uh, still up for some film review? If you want to join them, that's fine.”
“Ethan! You are so boring – live a little!” Alexei chirps from the closing elevator.
“Nah, that sounds good. I'll just get into some more comfortable clothes and come to your room if that's ok?”
“Yeah, uh, that sounds good. I'm in 501.”
“Oh, that's just down from me. See you in ten?” I still wonder what Ethan envisions for tonight.
His eyes give nothing away as he nods and enters the elevator.
