Page 5 of What if I Told You

A night with my best friend.

I miss the old days.

I miss him.

The day we graduated from college back in Indigo Bay, Massachusetts, we knew we would be taking different paths. August would go wherever his hockey career would take him, and I would stay in Indigo Bay to become one of the new cheer coaches while working as one of the resident directors. I’ve done a few other odd jobs to make extra income since being an RD doesn’t pay all that much, but I’ve always been great at pepping up a crowd. I enjoyed cheerleading growing up and was always good at it. To be honest, I think August was surprised when we graduated and I didn’t try out to be an NFL cheerleader. He always said they’d be lucky to have me, and I always appreciated how much he supported my efforts. Instead, though, I stayed behind and made him promise we would always stay in touch. Hence, our weekly facetime calls. August hasn’t been home in almost two years but seeing his face every Tuesday evening, even if it’s after a game and he’s exhausted or I’m tired because I’ve waited up for him due to the time difference, have always been one of my favorite things. It’s like I can finally be me again. And he can be August Blackstone, the guy from small town Massachusetts instead of August Blackstone, pro hockey player for the Anaheim Stars.

“I’m sure your ass isn’t nearly as white as Timmy’s, Auggie. Don’t forget you live in California.”

“And don’t you forget that just because I live in California does not mean I walk around in the sun with my assless chaps on all the time.”

“Oooh are you saying you actuallyhaveassless chaps?” I gasp, sitting up on my bed ready for a show. “Oh, my God, you have to show me!”

My enthusiasm for his non-tanned ass makes him laugh. “I’m not showing you my ass, Ella.”

“Come on, I saw it when we were like…”

“Four,” he finishes, leaning back on his bed, his head resting on his arm behind him. Damn when he does that it makes his arm look massive. “Maybe even younger. Trust me, babe. It looks much different now.”

I’m sure it does.

“Right,” I giggle. “It’s all swole now because you’re a big bad hockey star. My bad.”

He chuckles softly. “Something like that.”

“Well, I’m certain many other women have gotten to see August Blackstone’s ass. I’m your best friend, which means I love you more than all those women combined and I am still in the dark.”

“And the dark is where you are staying.”

“How am I supposed to talk you up to all my friends and all your fans? I could be telling them all what a fine as fuck ass you have.”

“You gonna show me your tits?”

I scrunch my nose and squeal with laughter. “What? No!”

“Why not? I could be telling all my friends what beautiful tits you have.”

“Ugh. You’re incorrigible.” I roll my eyes and give him a goofy grin.

He chuckles again, softer this time, and I can tell he’s a little tired. “And I’m right. So, I rest my case.”

I lie back on my bed and release a loud sigh. “Fuck my life.”

“Why? Just because I won’t show you my white ass?” He passes me a sideways smile. “Now you think your life is that bad?”

“Alright. Alright. Subject change. Did I tell you Paige is falling for a goat man?”

He almost chokes on his water. “Come again?”

“Okay so he’s not a goat man. But he owns a goat. More than one I think. She’s in Tuft Swallow for the summer filling in for her aunt and uncle. They own that antique store there. Anyway, she met a guy and I think she’s falling for him and you know what that means?”

“Nope but I’m sure you’re about to tell me.”

I rest my arm across my eyes like I can’t bear to say it. “It means she’s finding someone to spend her life with. And now I’m all alone!”

“You’re not all alone. I’m right here.”

I lift my arm. “Umm, no offense but you’re all the way on the other side of the country. And you’ve got your hockey career and all the sex, love, and rock and roll that comes with that.”

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