Page 29 of Untouchable Player

He looks at me shyly and looks away.

“I always felt like my dad was disappointed because he gave Harrison so much attention after that, coaching him in hockey until he was ready to join a proper team.”

“That must have sucked.”

Nate shrugs. “It’s not like I wanted to play sports anyway.”

“But sports are supposed to be fun.”

Nate smiles at me, this time it does reach his eyes.

“Has hockey always been fun for you?”

I snort. “I dunno, yeah, I guess. I mean, it’s not always good having the attention on you. Sometimes it’s too much pressure.”

I can feel Nate looking at me, watching for my reaction, but I can’t meet his gaze.

“Does your dad put a lot of pressure on you?”

I swallow. “Sometimes, yeah.”

Nate shuffles his shoes across the floor. His feet are so cute and small next to mine. Everything about him is so delicate and graceful. It makes me look bulky and clumsy and I want to tell him there’s nothing wrong with not being good at sports. Being him is kind of amazing too.

“I’m not gonna make it to the NHL,” I say. The more I say it, the less is stings.

“I wish my dad would accept that, I have.”

“What does your dad want you to do?”

I snort, “fuck knows, miracles.”

Nate sucks in a breath and I wonder if it’s because I cursed.

“Sorry.”

“What for?”

“Cursing.”

Nate laughs, “I curse.”

“No you don’t.”

“I do.”

“Go on then.”

“Fuck.”

I gasp. Nate laughs. It’s such a nice sound, and his eyes when he laughs like that,holy fuck!

“Everyone keeps asking me what I’m gonna do next year, and I have no idea.”

“You don’t have to,” Nate says.

“but I’m a senior, shouldn’t I know by now?”

Nate shakes his head, “I’ve learnt that making plans doesn’t always work. Sometimes, having plans just disappoints you.”

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