Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 84114 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 421(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84114 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 421(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
And yet, here I am walking into the thick of it.
For Foster.
Well, Foster’s stupid bet.
By some magic, Seth has managed to score our usual table by the window, and given how busy it is in here, I grab our drinks to prevent losing our spot. Once our order is up, I head over and my attention snags on the navy and silver material sitting folded on the seat next to him. Sweet Jesus, not only am I going to be wearing that, I’m going to be wearing it surrounded by a sea of white, green, and gold.
“Apparently, a few people are going to this game,” I say to Seth as I approach. My voice is almost lost in the conversation around us.
He laughs and jumps up to put the drinks on the table and then pulls me into a hug. And, okay, yes, I did need space, but I also needed this. The nervous energy I’ve been holding on to releases on a breath.
“A few people? It’s going to be packed, Zach.” Seth drops back into the corner booth, and I hurry to slide into the other side. “This game is almost as big as the Frozen Four. It’s not even an official preseason game, but it’s a standing tradition between the schools, so it’s a big deal.”
“What’s the Frozen Four?”
“Hockey championships.” He picks up his drink and watches me as he takes a long sip. “Considering how close you’re getting with Foster, I’m surprised you don’t know that already.”
I curse the way my cheeks start to heat at hearing his name. “We’re certainly not close.”
Seth grabs the jersey and places it on the table. “You sure about that?”
“Yes.” I scowl as I pick it up. “I lost a ridiculous bet.”
“If it was ridiculous, why are you following through?”
“Because it’s the ethical thing to do.”
“Mmhmm.”
The noise doesn’t fill me with confidence, but what is it Seth wants me to say? That I’ve developed a tiny, little, adolescent crush on his twin brother? I’m not sharing that out loud.
“You’re trying to embarrass me,” I deflect.
“You’re too easy to rile up.” He nudges me. “So how is it being the smartest person at Colchester?”
He means my classes, but I immediately think of Foster and the simple way he explained the whole team dynamics concept to me. “I’ve actually been feeling rather humbled lately.”
“Humbled. You?”
“Yes.” I smile. “It’s been nice.”
“Okay, you’ve got to fill me in.”
“Actually, I think I’ll keep this one to myself.” I unfold the jersey, remove my glasses, and pull the sweater over my head. “Let’s just say it ended on a lost bet.”
Seth’s looking at the jersey like it knocked over his coffee. “Ended? So no more bets?”
I know what he wants me to say, but as I smooth my hands over the navy material, I wonder if that’s the case. It’s difficult to see what comes after today, if Foster and I will stay … friends or whatever this is, but it doesn’t feel like an ending. And if my excitement over wearing his jersey is anything to go by, it’s clear I don’t want our friendship to end. “I’m not sure.”
“You know what it looks like though, right?” Seth’s voice isn’t exactly unfriendly, but there’s something hard there.
“What?”
“You. Wearing his number.”
“I’m going to assume it’s some egotistical athlete thing.”
“You look like his boyfriend.”
I start. “I’m sure that’s … not at all—”
“Yep. Family and partners can order special jerseys with the number so people know which player they belong to.”
“What … is your point?” Damn, why is my voice coming out so soft.
Seth hesitates. “I’m worried he’s playing you.”
Ouch. Why does that hit me right in the chest? “He wouldn’t …”
“I don’t want you to get hurt. That’s all. My brother’s known for being cocky and sleeping around, and he’s headed for the NHL. He doesn’t do serious. Obviously, I love him, but this sounds exactly like one of his games. He sees it as harmless fun, but I know you—”
“Maybe harmless fun is what I need.”
Seth’s face falls. “What?”
“It seems to me like the more time I spend with people, the more they confuse me. I thought I’d studied and learned what I needed to in order to relate, but I’m still lost.” I think of Ray as I take a sip of my coffee. “People are weird.”
“What the fuck does that have to do with you sleeping with my brother?”
I splutter, choking on my drink. “Excuse me?”
“You know that’s what I was talking about with the harmless fun thing, right?”
“No, I most certainly didn’t.”
“Aw, Zach.” The tension between us disappears. “Even hanging out with my brother hasn’t cured your naivete.”
I frown but let it slide.
Seth fills me in on his classes and a girl he’s met as we finish up and head for the … arena? Stadium? As we walk, I can’t stop running my thumb over the silver trim of the jersey. It’s calming.