Page 172 of Staying Selfless

“Well, we have to get through tomorrow first. They’re tough. They’re ranked number one for a reason.”

“And being ranked number two is practically the same thing,” Marc reminds his brother of Minnesota’s own ranking. “You guys got this. Benny has been a brick wall in goal, and Patrick, as much as I hate the guy, isn’t letting anything past him. But you need to start shooting more, EJ. UMass’ offense is insane. You need to match their shots on goal, at least.”

“Got it, coach,” Eli laughs. “Where are you guys watching tomorrow?”

I look to Marc, not knowing the answer. The majority of the campus will be watching the game at Double G, but I’m going to be way too nervous to watch Eli play while in a massive crowd like that.

“I think we’ll watch it in my room,” Marc says. “Or maybe we’ll head out to the house off campus and set it up on the big screen.”

“Logan!” a female voice rings through Eli’s line.

“Mom, you know your son is here too, right?” Marc asks Mary.

“And?”

“Baby, my parents just got here. We’re going to head to dinner,” Eli informs me. “Can I call you later?”

“Sounds good. Hey, you guys!”

Holy shit, they’re about to be grandparents and have no idea.

“We’re going to miss you both tomorrow,” Jack cuts in.

“But we’ll see you in Florida,” I tell Jack, also reminding Eli that he’s going to win tomorrow and is heading to the Frozen Four.

“Damn right we will.”

“I love you,” Eli tells me. “Marc, you’re alright too.”

“Fuck you. Love you, bro. Kick ass tomorrow.”

“Love you too, man,” he tells his brother before hanging up the phone.

Marc and Eli’s relationship is extremely special. There are no blood ties between the two, but they couldn’t be closer. I never had a sibling, so I don’t know what it feels like to have that kind of relationship, but their bond seems rare.

Even when Eli had a reputation of being an asshole and sleeping with the majority of the female population on campus, Marc never judged him for it. He didn’t approve, but he didn’t judge. The same for Eli, now that the roles have somewhat reversed. I know that Eli is frustrated with the way Marc has been partying since everything went down with Ali, but he doesn’t think less of him for it. He just wants the best for his brother and knows from personal experience that partying away the hurt isn’t going to do shit.

“Are you nervous?” Marc asks me as we post up next to each other on the couch, ready to watch Eli’s game.

“So nervous.”

“Me too.” Marc holds out a sleeve of saltine crackers.

“I said I was nervous, not nauseous.” I look at the crackers in his hand with confusion.

“Well, I don’t need you getting nauseous on me because of the nerves.” I take the crackers from his hand. “Have you had any pregnancy symptoms yet? Morning sickness? Fatigue?”

I eye him for a moment. “You know a lot about pregnancy for a twenty-three-year-old man.”

“I may have looked up some things after I sent you EJ’s letter the other night,” Marc shyly admits.

He keeps his eyes averted from mine as he finds the channel for Eli’s game.

“You’re going to be the best uncle, Marc. You know that?”

“I know,” he smugly states. “Cam has nothing on me.”

I can’t contain the smile on my lips from overtaking my face. Marc is going to be the best uncle. And this baby, Eli, and I will have the greatest support system between Marc, Jack, Mary, Ali, and Cam. And probably Zanders, too. Even though Eli and Zee’s friendship is new, I have a feeling it’s an important one for them both.

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