“I can see that.” He wondered if Caleb had just taken Spanish in high school or what. He was pretty curious about the guy. Had been since he’d watched the X Games last year when he’d been laid up with a strained groin. Something about the way Caleb moved had caught his attention. And then every time he saw Caleb do an interview, that smile had sucked him right into the TV.
Okay, that sounded way worse than it really was. More horror movie or porno than romantic interest. God knew that wasn’t what he meant, but at least he hadn’t said something out loud.
“You okay?” When Hawk raised an eyebrow, Caleb grinned a little bit. “You just look very serious all of a sudden.”
“I take my noodles very seriously. Actually, I might be craving McDonald’s.”
“Oh my god, don’t say that where they can hear you. And there’s a McD’s at the village.”
“I know. I just needed to get out of there for a little while. Looks like you did too.”
“Yeah, it was starting to get a little stifling, but I’m glad you’re here.”
“Thanks. Me too.” They both got their food, and he wasn’t sure what to do. Should he head for the door? Shouldhe see if Caleb wanted to go for a walk with him? He would love to spend some more time in this guy’s company.
“Hey, I gotta head back toward the village. I have to train some today, but do you want to walk with me? We can go that way together.”
Look at that. Caleb solved his dilemma for him. “Yeah, I don’t have practice until this afternoon, but I can totally head that way with you.”
“Cool.” They both pulled on gloves and hats to go out into the cold, then slowly made their way back toward the Olympic village, slurping noodles.
“So when is your first game?” Caleb asked.
“Uh, like a week after the opening ceremony, I think?” He wasn’t sure without the schedule in front of him.
“Damn. I think we’ll be on the same schedule, then. I was hoping to see a game.”
“Hey, it’s pretty easy to get around. And some of our stuff is on different days.” He grinned, because he’d looked up all the transports to the various events. He could be obsessive, and he really wanted to go see some of the prelim halfpipe rounds…
“I guess. Sure. And the public transport is nice here, huh?” Caleb sipped his broth, giving him a sideways glance.
“It is. That’s one of the best things about anywhere not the states, huh? How easy it is to get around.” God, he was making stupid, inane chitchat. Usually he only did that at official events and parties for various foundations.
“Dude.” Caleb snorted. “We sound like old fucks at a charity event.”
“No shit, man. I was just thinking that.” He laughed along with Caleb. “I’m just not really all that good at getting to know people. You know? I’m on the team with the guys, then we see the same people every week playing games and stuff, so I don’t know how to make smalltalk.”
“Well, fuck the small talk, then.” Caleb held up the hand not holding the coffee and began counting off fingers. “No weather, no talking about training, and no looking up schedules. And we can only talk about our respective sports if they come up organically. Deal?” When he nodded, Caleb grinned. “Okay. Go.”
“Uh. Sure. What food are you dying to try here?” See him come up with something on the fly.
“Dude. All the fun pancakes. They say those are like, the street food of all street food. Well, that and fried things. You ever been here before?”
“Nope. I haven’t traveled for anything but hockey since the summer after my senior year. I did two and a half weeks in Italy. Rome, Florence, and Venice. Then I had to report to training camp.”
“Yeah. We tend to travel to cold places, huh?”
“We do, but man, that was an awesome trip. I ate my weight in pasta and pizza, but since I walked like twenty damn miles a day, I lost weight instead of gaining it.”
“Oh, that’s rad.”
They strolled and nibbled, neither of them in any hurry, he thought, and he ignored the curious glances their team gear garnered.
“What’s your favorite place to travel?” Hawk asked.
“On tour? I dig Iceland. It has this super-chill vibe, and all these natural hot springs. In the summer? I’ve been all over. Thailand has amazing food. For surfing I like Brazil. Hawaii is good, but Brazil is epic.” Caleb chuckled, his breath pluming out. “Sorry. I ramble.”
“Hey, no, don’t be sorry. I’ve never surfed, but I went to Sao Paolo once for a bull riding.”