is anyone else even alive?
quick
plan it before they wake up
Alexei 12:40 PM
oh please
we all know hailey would planit
Mac 12:43 PM
i mean, yeah
fair
Sutter 12:44 PM
so tired of the downtown sports bars
Matty 12:45 PM
if i wanted to spend time with children, I'd have stayed in Des Moines
Gagnon 12:47 PM
sick burn
Sutter 12:49 PM
north loop?
that should be close enough for most of us
After my conversationwith Ethan about the whole Josh situation, I had scheduled an appointment with my therapist. I had first started seeing him during the fallout from that situation, during a time when my mom was intensely worried for my mental health. He’d helped me see that it didn’t have to define me, and I fully credit him for helping me make a Plan B.
Still, our conversation had dragged up a lot of those old feelings, and some new feelings, too. I knew Ethan and I were only hooking up because it was convenient, but I couldn’t help but enjoy his company. For the first time, I had someone to talk to who really understood – and I couldn’t help but think he felt the same way.
That night, my Uber drops me off in front of the upscale hotel the guys finally settled on. Apparently it has an amazing rooftop bar in the summer. Tonight, though, we're sticking with the swanky lounge on the mezzanine floor.
As I walk in, Mac spots me and waves me to the booths in the back of the bar, where the boys are set up with pitchers of beer.There's a spot next to him in a booth with Sutter, Kovalenko, and Tremblay. I'm pleasantly surprised to see that Ethan has opted for one of his new outfits, the green sweater making his eyes pop.
“Nice outfit, Cap.”
He starts to blush and I worry for a second that I've pushed too far. Before I can apologize, Alexei starts laughing.
“Jamie, my friend, weoweyou. Ethan finally looks like the captain of this team.”
“Couldn't have done it without you, big guy.” I say, smiling.
Ethan's eyes widen across the table. “Iknewyou were in on it!”
Suddenly, they're both giggling, the laughter spreading around the table. Over the course of the next few hours, we debrief the season so far and look at the games ahead. Kovy orders two rounds of shots for the team before Ethan cuts him off with a reminder about the New York game in two days.
The noise level increases after the alcohol, and the boys start to split up. One group starts a game of darts, appearing to follow very dubious rules. Alexei and Sutter are over at the pool table having a surprisingly close game.
Under the table, I feel a foot brush against mine. At first, I think it’s an incidental touch. Then, I look up and see Ethan looking at me. He’s loose and relaxed, a small smile touching his lips.
