After the doors opened, we all stepped out, and I started toward my room with Masters. “Hey, I’m going to make a quick phone call. You go ahead.” Now I was itching to call Colton. Would he still be at the bar?
“Sure, see you soon.” Masters continued to our room and unlocked the door, then ducked inside.
Malik smirked at me. “Let me see…” He tapped his finger on his cheek. “You wouldn’t be calling your tutor, would you?”
Our new arrangement was supposed to be secret. I couldn’t tell Malik everything. Slipping my phone from my pocket, I said, “Yeah. He watched the game at the Varsity Tavern with his hockey buddy. I want to get their view on it.”
“Why, because a hockey player and a tutor will know more about it than our coaches?” He poked my shoulder. “Are you still just friends?”
I shrugged a shoulder. “Basically.” It wasn’t a full lie. “He’s thinking about calling the help center, so we’ll see how it goes.”
Grey stepped toward me. “Good, I hope it works out for you, Tex.” His jaw muscle bulged as he glanced at Malik.
I hope it works out for you two as well. “Thanks, man.” I patted Grey on the shoulder. “You go on. I’m sure you’d rather be alone in your room than hanging out in the hallway talking to me.” With a snigger, I called Colton and pressed my phone to my ear.
As Malik and Grey strolled to their room, the call picked up.
“Hey, Travis. Where are you?” Music and voices filtered through the line.
“I’m back at my hotel. Coach was not happy with us tonight.” I strolled along the corridor, across the zigzag-patterned carpet. It was enough to make a person dizzy if they were drunk. “Are you still at the bar?” I clenched my jaw. Why hadn’t he gone home by now? The game had ended almost two hours ago.
“Yeah, I think Evan’s getting a hookup.” He chuckled. “Some girls started talking to us at halftime and they never left.”
“Oh?” Some girls? That meant there was more than one. It also meant a girl had probably been chatting up Colton. My gut twisted. “And what about you?” Why did I even ask? I didn’t want to know.
He released a long breath. “I…I told this girl’s friend that I’m seeing someone and not looking to date anyone else.”
My heart stuttered as warmth spread through my chest. “You, you did?” As a smile tugged at my lips, I hopped on my toes as I walked.
“Yeah. I want no more complications. It was bad enough dealing with Sara this afternoon.” He paused. In a softer voice, he said, “Plus, like I said, I like you.”
Hot damn. “You don’t know how happy that makes me.” I stopped and then said, “I like you too.” Did that sound stupid? But I had to say it back, right?
“I know that.” He freed a quick laugh. “Listen, I should go. I think Evan’s getting this girl’s number and then we’re leaving.”
“So, he’s not hooking up with her?” I turned around and strode toward my room. God, I wish I were there with them. When would he introduce me to Evan? Would he? Did Evan know about us? It was a conversation for another time.
“I didn’t say that. He’ll probably drop me off at home and then go to her place.” He huffed. “He’s done that before,” he said. “Anyway, I’ll see you on Tuesday? And have a safe trip home.”
“Yeah, thanks.” As I reached my room, I stopped, facing the door. He hadn’t said a word about the game.
“You played well tonight despite the loss. Evan was impressed again.”
“Tell Evan I appreciate his praise, from one athlete to another.” Maybe we could get tickets to one of Evan’s games? “Hey, would you like to watch one of his games with me?” I toed the carpet with my sneaker.
“Yes, that would be fun. I’ll talk to him about it.”
“Okay, let me know on Tuesday and I’ll see you then.” I slid my keycard from the pocket of my joggers. “Goodnight, Colton.” Tuesday couldn’t come fast enough.
“Goodnight, Tex.” He ended the call.
I stared at my phone for a beat. He did that on purpose and damn—I loved it. He had an interesting way of showing his feelings. Shaking my head, I unlocked the door and strode inside.
Masters sat on his bed, watching a sports channel and scrolling through his phone. “How’d the call go?”
“Great.” With a broad grin, I headed to the bathroom to prepare for bed.
After an uneventful triphome and two grueling practices, I drove to Colton’s apartment for my afternoon “tutoring” session. We had a bye-week this week, so I had a rare open weekend, and I’d hoped I could spend it with Colton.