Page 95 of The Trophy

“Maybe some of the northern countries,” Luca sighs. “Not Montebello.”

The question on the tip of my tongue is the proverbial elephant in the room. “So who should get to be her official boyfriend and team captain?”

I’m not surprised by the beat of silence that follows.

We all look at one another, weighing in what to say.

“Maybe we should ask Lake to decide,” Luca muses.

“Isn’t that like asking her to choose?” Cash argues.

“No, because she wouldn’t really be ending things with the other two. If it’s just for show…”

Cash shakes his head. “I don’t like it. I know Lakyn and she would hate this. Even if it’s fake, she would feel like the other two would think she has a favorite.”

“The other two, or you? In case she doesn’t pick you?” Luca chides him.

Cash immediately flips him off. “Fuck off. That would mean absolutely nothing.”

Or would it?

By the way they’re staring at each other, I know this is what they’re both thinking.

“Guys,” I sigh. “Cut it out. This shit is exactly what put us in this situation to begin with.”

They pipe down, both looking guilty because they know I’m right.

And they say I start the fights.

Like my dad always says, it’s not important who starts a fight, what matters is who finishes it. He means that as some kind of adage to be applied to military warfare, but I feel that it applies to a lot of situations in life; on or off the ice.

“Let’s make a decision under a practical point of view,” I suggest. “We’re all competitive, so I know we all want to win, no matter what. But what would make things easier for the four of us? Or is there any reason why one of us is the better choice?”

“I guess I don’t care about her being my date at frat parties or if we go clubbing in Bridgeport or whatever. I’m more of a Netflix and chill kind of guy and as long as I know she’s mine when it counts, I don’t give two shits about appearances.” Cash sighs.

“Perfect,” I give him my fist to bump, impressed with his level of maturity.

I’m sure stepping aside costs him a lot, but then again, Lakyn told him that she loves him, so he doesn’t need to win a pissing contest to feel secure in his relationship.

“That leaves the two of us,” I say, looking at Luca.

“Do you have any special reasons why you need to be the one who officially has Lakyn on his arm?” he asks.

I really want to say yes, but aside from the fact that I want to shout it from the rooftops that Lakyn is mine, I don’t have any pressing reasons.

“Do you?” I counter, looking Luca straight in the eye.

He squirms, lowering his gaze. “You know why I left Yale,” he finally utters. “The press had become so invasive. There was paparazzi everywhere.”

“Yeah,” I nod. “Your fame preceded you. We knew everything about you the second our previous coach announced you were transferring, last March.”

Luca rubs his face with one hand, looking more tired than usual, even given that it’s early morning. “Things haven’t improved much here in Star Cove. It isn’t as bad on campus, even if there have been a few incidents, but I can’t sneeze without it being reported. There was paparazzi waiting for us at the Country Club, when I took Lakyn out on our first date. The King has already asked me about her and…”

“And?” I ask.

“I told you my father issued some conditions to let me play hockey, rather than keeping me close by.”

“Yeah, you need to get signed by a NHL team and not sent to a farm team, yada, yada.” Cash says.

---