Page 58 of Provoking the Punter

The three little dots appeared, and Garrett watched and waited for the rest of Chester’s comment.

Want to celebrate after the game?

That depends on if it’s a W or an L

Though, either way, there would be drinks with the guys.

I meant, do you want to celebrate in private or do you want a little longer to prepare?

I am so ready to celebrate now.

Chester sent back a laughing emoji.

Not going to happen, I don’t wanna mess up your game.

True. Do you want tickets?

Working, but the game will be on in the bar.

Garrett pressed his lips together. Did he need his not-yet-a-boyfriend to come to his games? No, but it might be nice.

Maybe when they were officially dating, when he was in a position to date Chester openly. He’d forgotten about the Harrison incident for most of the day. Garrett sat on the bench, imagining being in front of the cameras, holding Chester’s hand. If he was considering coming out, he needed to manage the situation proactively.

He should talk to Caitlin again. To see if there was a plan.

For the first time in his life, he wanted there to be a plan. And for someone to tell him how to make it right.

“You finally did it.” James said as he walked into the room. “You took my place.”

Garrett turned off his phone and dropped it into his bag. “Coach is giving me a chance.”

James shrugged as if he didn’t care. “It’s a dead game, anyway. We can’t make the playoffs.”

It was closer to impossible this week. But as it wasn’t impossible mathematically; it could still be done. “We can, but we need to win, and a couple of other teams need to seriously fuck up.”

That was the worst bit. Whether or not they got in was partially out of their control. Even if the Troopers won every remaining game, it wouldn’t be enough. But with James’ attitude, it was almost a guarantee they wouldn’t win.

“As I said, it’s a dead game, that’s why they’re playing you.” James said with a smirk.

Garrett considered him for a couple of seconds. “Whatever you need to tell yourself to go to sleep tonight. I’ll be treating it as a game we need to win.”

“We all will be.” Hulme crossed his arms and glared at James.

“You’re happy playing with him? We don’t know why Gary was traded.” James jabbed his finger at Garrett.

Garrett’s jaw tightened at the use of the hated nickname. “Patty, I have already told you what happened.”

“What did you call me?” James took a step towards him.

“You called me Gary, so I thought we were shortening our names and adding a Y on the end, Patty.”

“You think you’re fucking smart?” James’ lip curled in a snarl.

“If you don’t want to be called Patty, don’t call me Gary. It’s Garrett or Stevens.”

“Can you believe this guy?” James said to Hulme.

Hulme was silent for a moment, probably not wanting to be drawn into the argument, and Garrett didn’t blame him. He shouldn’t have pushed the issue, but James was being a dick. They all understood the reality of the situation, and that getting cut could happen at any time. James had been here since the Troopers started. What had Hulme said? James had gotten too comfortable?

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