Bar Down (Grand Marquee Manticores #2)

Chapter 35

THIRTY-FIVE

ASH

Eli leaves early in the morning and the whole place feels empty without him. Last night left us both vulnerable and raw. After showering together and packing up Eli’s stuff, we had a long conversation about what our relationship is going to look like. We’ll text as much as we can and video chat most nights when our schedules align and we’re not too tired from playing. We’ll try to visit if we end up having a day off at the same time. It’ll be messy and hard at times, and we both need to accept that, but it will be worth it. I’m sure of it.

Somehow I manage to pull myself out of bed, tidy up the apartment and hit the gym to clear my head. I take it easy with a set of squats, lifting, and cardio and think about the road ahead. I have no doubts left about our relationship, not after last night. While it’s going to drive me crazy being away from Eli for long periods at a time, we’re going to make it work.

As I’m on my way to Robbie’s house to meet them and Jordan for dinner, I get a call from work. I hit the answer button on my steering wheel.

“Hello?”

“Meyers, you’re gearing up for tonight.”

“We don’t play tonight,” I say, confused.

Coach sighs and I can picture him shaking his head at me. “You need to be in Detroit like an hour ago, preferably. Get your ass over there right now and we’ll have a crew member bring your gear straight to the arena.”

I smile as his words sink in. They’re calling me up. “Yes, sir, I’ll leave right now.”

“Good.” He pauses for a beat and says, “Kick some ass, kid. You earned this.” Then he hangs up.

My cheeks hurt from smiling like an idiot and I pull into the nearest gas station and call Robbie while I fill up the car.

“Hey, you won’t believe what I just found out!” I yell out excitedly.

“Must be good news,” he deadpans.

“I just got called up to play in Detroit tonight.”

“Wait, really?” Robbie’s excitement takes over and he immediately tells Olivia too.

“Yes, I need to head over there. Sorry I can’t make it to dinner, tell Jordan I’ll have to catch up with him another time.”

“Of course, we’ll make sure to watch the game tonight, cheer you on.”

“You need to relive the glory days somehow, old man.”

“Har har, you’re hilarious.” Robbie pauses for a second and then says, “Are you nervous about playing against Boston?”

Until he says it, I don’t even realize that we’re gonna be playing against my father’s team tonight.

“Honestly, no. I’m done looking for his approval, and even more done reacting to his disappointment. I don’t care what he thinks, I’m just gonna play my best and enjoy my time.”

“Good. I’m proud of you, Ash.”

“That means a lot to me, Robbie. I love you.”

“Wow you call me by my actual name and tell me you love me? Your relationship is making you soft.” He giggles, knowing very well that he’s just as soft as I am right now. “Love you too, man. You got this.”

As soon as Robbie hangs up, I call Eli but he doesn’t answer. I decide not to text him. If he doesn’t know by now that I’ve been called up, he’ll get a nice surprise later today.

Eli

I am way more tired than I expected to be. Staying up with my boyfriend until three in the morning probably didn’t help when I needed to drive a few hours later. I was slower than usual at morning practice and I got a lot of shit from Juuse about it.

In the last two months, the two of us have become good friends and he’s been a good person to confide in about Ash. Once he stopped flirting with me, Juuse showed me that he’s actually really attentive and great at giving advice.

I take a seat across from him at our favorite deli near my apartment and he tells me all about how he spent his Thanksgiving with our team captain and his family here in Detroit. When he asks me about how things went with Ash, I hesitate. He knows I’ve been struggling with the long distance but I haven’t talked to Juuse more in depth about my feelings for Ash. He still thinks we’re just casual.

“I told him I loved him last night.”

Juuse stops with the sandwich midway to his mouth and stares at me. “Are you serious?”

I nod, taking a bite of my own sandwich and chewing slowly. “I think he might be—” I stop, what the hell am I saying? That Ash is the one? Of course he is, but saying this out loud to Juuse feels strange.

“He might be what?” he asks eagerly.

“He might be the one.”

“Aw, you’re so gay,” he says, patting my hand affectionately. “I’m happy for you, but also fuck you. I was still hoping we’d hook up one day and now you just crushed all my dreams.”

“No offense, but you’re not my type.”

He gasps and places a hand over his heart in mock offense. “I’m everyone’s type, bitch.”

I cover my face laughing and Juuse gives me a wink. A group of people at the table next to us keep looking over and pulling out their phones, whispering to each other.

“I think we might have been recognized,” I say under my breath, straightening up in my chair.

Juuse looks over at them and gives them a nod, which brings them over to us, asking for pictures and autographs. We oblige them and leave the deli together, headed to my apartment to hang out before we have to walk over to the arena.

When I get to the apartment and plug my phone in, I see a missed call from Ash and try to call him back, but I end up missing him. I send him a text instead.

Sorry I missed your call, grabbed some lunch after the morning skate. I’m chilling until the game. Call later tonight?

Juuse sets up the gaming console and we lose track of time playing a racing game until the alarm goes off, letting us know it’s time to leave.