Chapter 25 Derek
After the game, I showered quickly and checked my phone while the guys were still celebrating in the locker room.
Théo usually texted frequent updates and photos of Aspen while I was away—candid shots of him sprawled on the couch, videos of him chasing his tail, the occasional selfie where Aspen’s tongue was mid-lick across Théo’s cheek.
But since Sabrina had arrived, he’d been quieter than usual.
Just one photo today: Aspen mid-stride, ears perked toward the camera.
No reflection in the frame this time. I wondered if he’d remembered his hat.
At least I hoped the silence was because she was visiting and not because he was avoiding me.
I scrolled through my notifications and saw that he’d been tagged in an Instagram photo. When I clicked on it, I couldn’t help smiling.
Théo was rolling his eyes while a grinning Sabrina held up a plate with a giant cinnamon roll, a neon sign reading “Get Stuffed” glowing pink in the background.
He wasn’t smiling in the photo but he looked lighter than he usually did.
Something about the set of his jaw was softer, the tension in his shoulders less pronounced.
I was glad she was there to put some ease back into his eyes.
I clicked on her stories next.
The first was a selfie of her sipping on a latte. The second was a video of her skating around an unfamiliar rink with wood paneled walls and old banners hanging from the rafters. She was laughing, the camera shaky as she spun in a wobbly circle.
And at the tail end of the video, at the far side of the rink, was a familiar figure. Dark hair, long sleeved shirt, making slow circles on the ice. The video ended before I could get a better look.
I clicked on her stories again to rewatch it. Paused on the last frame, squinting at the blurry shape of him.
Where had they gone? Had he finally called that coach? I wished I had the right to ask.
I stared at my phone for a long moment, thumb hovering over our text thread. The last message was still mine.
Have fun with Sabrina. Try not to cause too much trouble, snowdrop. Give Aspen a belly rub for me.
He hadn’t responded to the text. Just sent the photo of Aspen like that was the end of it.
Maybe he was busy. Maybe he was having fun with his best friend and didn’t want to think about the complicated thing between us. Maybe he was figuring out his shit, just like I was trying to figure out mine.
Or maybe he was trying to let me down gently and I was too stupid to see it.
“Sully!” Petrov’s voice cut through my spiral. “Bus leaves in ten. Stop staring at your phone like lovesick teenager.”
I shoved it in my pocket. “I’m not lovesick.”
“Sure you’re not.” He grabbed his bag and headed for the door. “And I am not hungover.”
I followed him out but my mind stayed on that blurry figure making circles on the ice.
◆◆◆
When I returned on Friday, Théo was bracketed on the couch by Sabrina and Aspen when I walked through the door.
Aspen quickly hopped off to greet me, tail wagging furiously, and I dropped to my knees to bury my hands in his soft fur.
It gave me something to do so I wouldn’t do something stupid like reach for Théo.
He followed more slowly, unfolding himself from the couch with that careful grace. Sabrina trailed behind him, watching us both with undisguised curiosity.
“Thanks for watching him,” I said, straightening up. “I hope it didn’t affect your visit too much, Sabrina.”
“Thanks for letting me stay here.” She glanced around the apartment with an approving nod. “Avery’s bachelor pad has a distinct smell.”
“I live there too and it does not!” Théo protested.
“You know what they say about living in a monkey house...”
“Shut up or you’re gonna be sleeping at a hotel tonight.”
She laughed, bright and unbothered. “I thought you would agree with me, the way you kept sniffing the pillows.”
Théo flushed—actually flushed, pink creeping up his neck and across his cheekbones. He looked sheepish in a way I had never seen him, caught off guard for once instead of armored in that sharp defensiveness.
“Keep going and you’ll be sleeping with the fishes,” he muttered darkly at Sabrina. Then, louder, “We should go. I’ll, uhm, see you Monday?”
“I’ll have to hog Théo for a few more days,” Sabrina said, her eyes flicking between us with barely concealed amusement, “and then he’s all yours.”
Théo’s flush deepened. “She means I’ll have more free time. To watch Aspen. If you need me to.”
“Right.” I fought the urge to smile. “Of course.”
He was already shoving Sabrina toward the door, kicking her silver suitcase into the hallway with more force than necessary. She went willingly, laughing, but not before shooting me a look over her shoulder—something knowing and a little conspiratorial.
“It was nice meeting you, Derek,” she called out. “Take care of our boy.”
“Goodbye!” Théo practically shouted over her and shut the door behind them before she could say more.
The apartment fell quiet. Aspen padded back to the couch and collapsed with a contented sigh.
I stood there for a moment, replaying the last few minutes. The flush on Théo’s cheeks. The way he couldn’t quite meet my eyes. The pillow comment.
He’d been sniffing my pillows.
I smiled to myself, dropping onto the couch next to Aspen.