Chapter 16 Adrian
ADRIAN
“An espresso martini, please.”
Not entirely sure what the hell I’m doing out at the bar with the team right now, but I’m here instead of in bed after a long day so I need caffeine with my alcohol.
I run a hand over my fitted suit jacket as I wait, thankful I went straight from the office to tonight’s game.
Sometimes I wear Werewolves merch to watch them, but I’m glad to not look like a random fan tonight if I’ll be hanging out with the players.
“Thank you.” I leave my tip and take a big swig of the drink, pretending like I’m back in my early twenties when I would have loved to be out this late with all the players.
I mean, I also love it now—I’m still kind of in shock that Hudson invited me in the first place—but I’m also tired in a way I would have never admitted back then.
Obviously my desire to spend time with Hudson, especially in public, won out over sleep though.
We’ve never actually hung out outside of my house before.
I can’t deny that him wanting me here with his other friends makes me feel all warm and fuzzy, even if I’m trying my best to act like it’s not a big deal.
I know we’ve spent a lot of time together since he moved in, and after everything he’s shared about his dad and his dreams for the future, I would even consider us to be actual friends.
But this feels like a big step in that friendship.
It gives me hope that we might actually remain friends after he moves out.
Maybe he truly does enjoy my company and doesn’t just hang out with me out of convenience.
As much as I wish he could offer me even more, I know he can’t. So remaining friends is the most I can hope for. I’m not ready to think about Hudson not being in my life, so being friends will be enough.
Drink in hand, I head to the roped off section in the back of the crowded bar where the team is.
“Adrian! What are you doing here? Is everything okay?” the team’s goalie, Mathew Anderson, asks when I almost walk past him.
“Am I not allowed to sit with the cool kids?” I tease.
“Of course you can! You know we love having you around. I just haven’t seen you out with us before.”
“Don’t worry, nothing is wrong. I just wanted to spend my night surrounded by hot athletic men, and I knew you all would be here.”
Anderson is one of the guys I’m comfortable joking around with, and he laughs easily at the comment.
Whenever I meet a new player, I make it clear that if I ever make them uncomfortable with my teasing, all they have to do is ask, and I’ll stop.
I think flirting is fun, and in my experience, teasing the players with over-the-top flirting they know isn’t real actually helps make them more comfortable around me.
I’m no longer one of the suits upstairs if we have that casual relationship established, and I think they feel like they can come to me if they need something because of it.
“Smart. Look no farther. Hot, athletic man right here.” Matt gestures to himself.
I hum, giving him an appreciative once-over, then laugh. “Hudson actually invited me though. I didn’t randomly show up. Do you know where he is?”
He nods to the back corner. “He’s probably with Bell. They’ve been really close this season. I think he wants the captain position when Roy retires.”
“He’s a little young for the C, isn’t he?”
He shrugs. “Maybe alternate then. I just know they’ve been spending all their time together this season. Maybe he’ll convince Roy to play another year.”
“I doubt it.” I chuckle, feeling a little smug that it seems like I know more about Hudson’s future plans than some of his teammates.
“I’ve actually been meaning to talk to you. Do you remember that bakery you suggested for my mom’s birthday last year? I can’t remember the name, but she requested the same cake. Any chance you know it?”
“Oh my god, I love that place, they have the best triple fudge brownies. I’ll text you the info.”
“Hey! You made it,” Hudson cuts in, sounding far more excited to see me than I’d expect for someone who spent a good part of their day with me already.
He walks right up, wrapping me in a big hug that completely surprises me and nearly has me spilling my drink.
It’s a short embrace, though, and there’s no time to really appreciate it before he’s pulling back.
He glances at Mathew, giving him a quick nod, and instead of his usual happy expression, he seems… annoyed, maybe? Shit, I hope they aren’t fighting. That’s the last thing the team needs right now with how strong of a start they’ve had this season.
“Want to come join Ollie and me back there? I saved you a seat.”
I don’t want to get in the middle of whatever’s happening between them, so I easily agree. “Sure. Well, it was nice chatting with you, Matt.”
“You too. Don’t forget to text me!”
Then Hudson takes my hand in his, and I forget all about my concern for team dynamics.
It fits so nicely there, his large calloused one wrapping perfectly around my smaller, well-manicured hand.
For a moment, I allow myself to pretend that he’s actually holding it because he wants to, because he craves that connection to me and wants to visibly claim that we’re here together in a crowded space in front of all these people.
But I know that’s not what’s actually happening as he uses that connection to practically drag me back to his table as we weave through the crowded bar. “Slow down, Hudson, my legs are nowhere near as long as yours.”
“Right, sorry. Just eager to sit down.” He still sounds a little frustrated, so I do my very best to keep up and stay right behind him until we arrive at the small round table Oliver Bell is sitting at. I take the open seat between them as Hudson sits back down in front of his drink.
“So what are you texting Anderson about?” he asks once we’re settled.
“Oh, he forgot the name of the bakery I showed him last year.”
Hudson hums in response, but Oliver cuts in before he can say anything else.
“So, Adrian, tell me about living with our captain.”
I turn to face him, crossing my arms over my chest. “Hudson is an excellent roommate. But I have a bone to pick with you.”
“What the hell did I do?” He looks to Hudson for backup, but he only shrugs.
“Apparently, you’ve been teasing him about us being a couple because he’s living with me.
I know I joke around with you guys, but that’s the kind of joke that could easily turn into a rumor that could really impact his career.
” Oliver rolls his eyes. “I’m serious, you have to be so careful with what you’re implying around who. If the media overheard—”
“Trust me, Adrian, I know.” He sighs, his tone far more serious than I was expecting.
There’s something in his expression, in how defeated he looks as he makes the comment that has me tilting my head and narrowing my eyes at him.
Oliver has never given me any reason to suspect he might not be straight, but…
“You know like you’re annoyed that I’m lecturing you and want me to shut up…
or you know like you have personal experience filtering what you say in front of the media so that rumors don’t start? ”
He smirks, mirroring my head tilt and squinting as he holds my gaze. “Would it really be a rumor if it’s true?”
“Shut up!” I slam my hand down on the table in my excitement, all my annoyance forgotten.
Shit, I immediately wince. I should not be drawing attention to us right now.
After a quick glance around to make sure no one is looking our way, I turn back to him.
“Oliver, are you saying what I think you’re saying?
I swear to god if you’re letting me get my hopes up right now, if you’re teasing me and it isn’t real… ”
His smile only grows. “I’ve been advised by my agent to not say anything. So this is me not saying anything. But I’m getting pretty tired of that plan.”
I suck in a sharp breath, then I turn to Hudson and slap his chest. “Did you know about this?”
He lets out a short laugh. “Maybe.”
I turn back to Oliver. “Oh my god, please let me tell Beck. We’ve been dreaming about having an out player for yeeeears.”
He’s still smirking as he bites the corner of his thumbnail, considering while he looks between Hudson and me. “Yeah, okay,” he finally answers. “You can tell Mr. Caldwell. But I’m not going to tell anyone else without a plan in place to make things official.”
“Oh my god, let me help you plan! When you’re ready that is. I’m not trying to pressure you at all, that is a huge and very personal decision. But when you’re ready, say the word, and I’ll help the PR team organize the best press release you’ve ever seen.”
“And I’ll make sure the players support you, but I don’t see there being any issues,” Hudson adds.
Oliver’s smile is as big as I’ve ever seen it. “Cool, thank you.”