Page 7 of Melting the Ice

“Guess those excellent noise-canceling headphones I bought aren’t going to come in handy after all,” Brody said, beginning to understand why Ramsey had decided this for both of them. Eventually, Brody might’ve gotten pissed at him.

Like if he felt like hosting someone the night before a big test, for example.

Or more than one someone.

“I feel like I should defend Dean’s honor and his prowess in the bedroom, but I’m gonna be honest, he’s even more of a nun than you are.”

“I—”

Ramsey leaned forward. “If you were gonna say you hook up, don’t even bother. I know you don’t really, and it’s cool, man. Not a requirement. Just saying. A total waste, yes, but still cool.”

“Thanks,” Brody said dryly. Then suddenly, it occurred to him why Dean might’ve called him pretty boy. Had he been flirting with him?

“Don’t worry about Dean, either. If he hooks up, I certainly haven’t heard about it. That guy actually goes to class.” Ramsey shook his head like he couldn’t quite believe it.

“Ramsey,Iactually go to class.”

“Exactly. You two are meant for each other. A match made in roommate heaven.” Ramsey grinned. “You can thank me now.”

“I’m not gonna thank you,” Brody grumbled. “You could havetoldme we weren’t a good match. You definitely could have told me about Dean.”

“Yeah, and then what would you have done? Gone off and found the next worst person. You’re smart, yeah, but only book smart. Don’t got a clue in your head about practical matters.”

Brody wanted to argue with him but it was clear Ramsey believed that was true, so what was the point?

He changed the subject, instead.

“You excited about practice tomorrow?”

“Coach Blackburn! Yeah, he’s gonna be fun to play for.” Ramsey seemed unconcerned that the coach with one of the most celebrated histories in Evergreens history was now back at the school and leading the team.

No pressure or anything.

Of course, if Ramseyeverfelt the strain of expectations, he certainly didn’t show it. He was the epitome of grace underpressure, not even acting like he could overcome it but that it simply didn’t exist at all.

“Yeah,” Brody said. Wishing, not for the first time, that he could be more like Ramsey. He could emulate him, but he wasn’t really like him, not deep down, not underneath.

“How’s the knee?”

“Fine.”

Brody tried to keep his voice level.Normal. Was pretty sure he had, but then Ramsey gave him a hard look and tilted his head.

“You said that weird. All high and anxious. Is it really fine?”

“Of course it is. I had months off. Months to rehab it. I’m . . .I’m good. I swear.”

“But you’re still freaking out about it.” Ramsey said this matter-of-factly. So matter-of-factly that it was hard to deny, because what was the point?

Brody sighed. “Itisfine. But yeah, I’m a little nervous, I guess.”

About the knee. About everything else.

“You don’t trust it yet.” Ramsey’s voice was shrewd now.

And man, Brody loved Ramsey, but hehatedhow he could see through even his best lies.

Now that he thought about it, there was no way he wouldn’t have ended up hating the guy if they’d stayed roommates.

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