Chapter 4
CHAPTER FOUR
Almost a week later, we’d had our first practice of drills, readying for the coming hockey season and now I was freshly showered and ready to dress into my shorts and t-shirt.
Standing in front of my stall in the locker room, I skimmed my boxer briefs and shorts up my legs.
My head hadn’t been in it today. Probably because I hadn’t heard from Milo and wasn’t sure where we stood after ditching me after his show.
“So, you hear from Milo at all?” Jonah stepped next to me, already dressed, and planted his sneakered foot on my bench.
Of course, he would ask. Maybe he saw something was wrong in my lackluster performance on the ice today.
I perused the locker room, everyone minding their own business and probably thinking about the skills Coach wanted us each to learn.
It was a new team, and line-ups were yet to be confirmed.
“No, I haven’t.” I hadn’t said much to anyone about my date that wasn’t with Milo.
Frankly, I was afraid to text him. I had an idea it was over. I pulled my team t-shirt over my head.
“What happened?” He wrinkled his brows. “I know we’ve been busy this week, but you’ve been all up in your head.”
With a sigh, I faced him. “Look, it was weird. I think something’s up with Milo and his best friend. I came home alone that night because…” I blew out a breath. “Because he was too tired to hookup after his gig.” There, I’d said it out loud. I knew how it sounded.
He winced. “Are you serious? So, you two didn’t hook up at all that night?”
“We did not.” Planting my hands on my hips, I glanced around me.
A few of the guys looked my way.
They didn’t need to hear about my love life, or lack thereof. Some of these guys I barely knew. “Come on, let’s talk about this outside.” I patted Jonah’s shoulder, then grabbed my duffle.
“Yeah, sure.” He picked up his duffle and followed me out the long hallway, leading into an open area in front of the doors to the outside. “So, what happened?”
“Some old friend of Milo’s came back to town and Milo invited him out, too.” I glanced out at the sunny afternoon. It was going to be hot as fuck when we went out there. “It was a little weird. The friend said he was straight, but I got some queer vibes off him.”
“What do you mean?” Eyeing me, he shifted his weight.
“The friend, Ryder, seemed jealous, overprotective. And Milo, he wasn’t the same.” I raked my fingers through my bangs, exhaling. “I’ve been waiting to see if he’d text me.”
With a sly grin, he said, “So, you’re testing him.”
“No.” I twisted my lips. “Yeah, maybe.” Fuck, I was being childish and dramatic.
“Text him.” He pushed on my chest. “Right now. Text him and see what he says.”
“Fuck, no.” Dipping my gaze, I shook my head. Maybe I didn’t want to know. Maybe it would be fine if we just ghosted each other. Then at least I wouldn’t be rejected outright.
“Archer, text him.” He lowered his brows. “Let’s get this over with, so you can move on if you need to.”
“Shit, okay.” I fished my phone out of my pocket and tapped the screen.
Archer
What are you up to? Want to go out tonight?
Biting my lower lip, I showed my screen to Jonah. Fuck, had I overdone it? But I wanted to know one way or the other if we were going to see each other again.
“Dude, way to be direct.” Jonah huffed a laugh.
A few of the new guys walked past us and out the doors, saying their goodbyes to us.
My phone buzzed with Milo scrolling across the screen. My heart flip flopped. Shit, he was calling me? “Hello? Milo?”
“Yeah,” Milo said. “Um, I’m calling because we can’t see each other again.”
An ache flashed across my heart and I rubbed my chest. “Oh.” I puffed out a breath. “It’s Ryder, isn’t it.” I couldn’t say I was surprised.
“Uh, yeah. How’d you know?” Milo asked.
“I could tell there was something up with him at your show. He had a hungry look in his eyes when he looked at you. He didn’t look at you like you were friends.” And the same went for Milo, when I really thought about it. I glanced at Jonah, watching me with knitted brows.
“I think everyone noticed it but me.” Milo sucked in a breath. “I’m sorry, Archer. I did really want to date you, but…” He sighed. “I’ve been sort of waiting for Ryder to come around for a long time.”
“You love him?” I swallowed hard. Milo was not the one for me. Glancing out the windows, I took a deep breath. Out there, my person waited. I was sure of it.
Jonah wrapped an arm around me and rested his cheek on my shoulder.
“Yeah, I love him. Have for as long as I’ve known him.” Milo choked out a laugh. “He doesn’t know that, so if you see him at one of our gigs or something—”
“Don’t worry, Milo. Your secret’s safe with me.” I inhaled quickly. “Milo? He’s a lucky guy. I wish you two the best.” Yep, it was what I’d thought. It was okay though. Milo had been straight with me and had called to let me know instead of rejecting me in a text. I had to give him that.
“Thanks, Archer. You’re a good guy,” Milo said. “Friends?”
“Hell yeah. I do want to see you guys play some more. Maybe I’ll meet someone special at one of your shows.” I chuckled. Maybe I’d bring the whole squad to one of their shows. The place had been packed with queer guys.
“Yeah, maybe.” The sound of shuffling carried through the phone. “Listen, I gotta go. I’ll see you around, okay?”
“Yeah, see you. Bye.” I hung up the phone and stared at it a moment before dropping it to my side.
“He dumped you?” Jonah lifted his head, focusing on me.
“Sort of. I don’t know if you can really dump a person you were only hooking up with.” I peered into the sunny day outside the glass doors. “He’s been in love with his best friend his whole life. Now he has him. Can I fault him for that?” My gaze met Jonah’s.
“Guess not.” He freed me and hefted his duffle into his other hand. “You don’t seem to messed up over it.”
“I’m not. I’ve had the last week to mentally prepare myself. Guess I knew this was coming.” I ticked my head at the doors. “Come on, let’s go home and make a nice, big squad dinner with the guys.”
“Yeah.” He opened a door for me. “After you.”
Tucking my phone into my pocket, I stepped into the warm, August air. I’d find the one, I knew it. And if not, I had maybe my last season of hockey to enjoy.
“Hey, Coach wants us to do some community work.” He strolled next to me, swinging his duffle by his side.
“Yeah?” I glanced at him, my heart lightening. What do they say? The truth sets you free?
“Yep. I was thinking maybe we should go volunteer at the Humane Society.” He trod along.
“You sure you can do that and not bring a dog home?” I narrowed my eyes at him. He was a sucker for dogs.
“I can be strong.” He patted my shoulder. “What do you say?”
“Sure, why not. Maybe I’ll meet my future husband there.” I giggled. Fuck, that was stupid, but whatever.
“Dude, you are boy crazy this year.” He shook his head. “Jesus.”