Sometimes it feels like the only time I’m ever not worrying about anyone else. Out on that rink, I don’t have to worry about preconceived questions or if my smile came across as genuine instead of tired.
Don’t get me wrong, I love the attention off the ice, but sometimes it’s nice not having to prove a point to anyone. To just do my job out there on the ice and have that be enough.
Preston and I eventually head into the locker room, parting ways to shower and change into clean clothes. I bullshit some more with Moose. Everyone steers clear of Preston. Slowly, players start to empty their cubbies for the season and file out.
Eventually it’s just me and Preston again, walking to the parking lot.
“See you back at the apartment?” I swing my key around my finger.
The dark sky and spring breeze creates goosebumps across my arms. My damp hair from my shower not helping.
Preston shakes his head, shifting his bag on his shoulder. His gaze is shifted downward for a split second and I think he might actually be ashamed by the words that are about to come out of his mouth. But he quickly recovers and is back to pretending he doesn’t emote.
“I’m heading over to Grace’s.”
Why am I surprised? “Dude, seriously? How long are you going to keep that going?”
We remain standing on the sidewalk. Preston doesn’t bother to break eye contact so neither do I.
“Me?” Preston arches his eyebrow. “At least I get something from Grace. What about you and that blonde?”
My spine straightens and I’m ready to throw a punch if Preston crosses a line.
It wouldn’t be the first time.
“Careful, Nole,” I warn.
The shithead now has the audacity to grin, hands up in mock surrender. “I’m just saying. I don’t see you getting laid and yet you follow that girl around like she’s got you on a leash.”
I should really just start letting him drown and wallow away in his own distress if this is the thanks I get.
“You done being an asshole?”
“Never.” He chuckles. “But face it man, I don’t think her and Grace are much different. Nice wouldn’t be the first thing that comes to mind when describing either of them.”
I shrug my shoulders, stepping off the curb. “What can I say? A little cattiness gets me going.”
Preston groans, head thrown back. “And that’s my cue to fuck off.” He begins walking the opposite way in the direction of his own car.
“You know you love me, Nole!” I shout across the half empty parking lot but he’s already waving me off, bringing his phone up to his ear.
I remain standing in the parking lot, the ground damp beneath my sneakers and the air smelling faintly of gravel and dirt. I’m now more aware of just how sore my body is, exhaustion settling deep in my body.
And I’m standing completely alone.
Four
Lucas
The door to Preston and my apartment hits the wall with a loud thud. I wince at the noise and pull the door back to get a look at the wall. I run my fingers over the spot where the cream paint has begun to chip, revealing the light gray that used to be there.
I really need to start being more careful about that. I’ve already gotten my ass chewed out by Preston once or twice before—maybe even monthly—for this exact thing.
Dropping my duffel bag onto the floor, I kick my shoes off and shove them into the same corner in our entryway. I’m already flicking on the hallway light switch and taking the few steps to the thermostat before it even has a chance to switch back on.
Preston might be fine with living in a meat locker but I most certainly am not. My feet carry me past the entryway where I trip over the white and gray rug that I thought would be a good idea to keep the gray wood tile clean. Now we just have a rug that’s dirty most of the time because neither one of us wants to clean it.
But hey, the rest of the floor remains near spotless.