Page 4 of Echoes of Us

“You should come to practice sometime. If you don’t want to join, that’s fine, but would you still like to play?” Colin asked.

I eyed Noah expectantly.

“Sure, I can play,” he said, and a smile tugged at my lips. He must look amazing playing too. He turned towards me again. “Would you toss for me?” he asked.

My heart clenched. I couldn’t get the words out, so I nodded.

His smile stretched. “Thanks for the beer,” he said, holding out his cup and looking at Colin. “I have to head out.It was nice seeing you, meeting you,” he said, looking back at us.

“Sure thing, see you around,” Ezra said and gave me a pointed look, clearly wanting me to say something. I had no idea what it was.

“Same thing, man. I’m taking you up on that game,” Colin said, and they gave each other a side hug.

Noah looked at me and I bit my lip.

“Nice meeting you too,” I managed to get out.

Ezra smiled. I sighed in relief.

Noah agreed and, with one last smile, walked away. I watched the back of his head as he pushed his way through the crowd. God, even the nape of his neck was attractive.

“He was a great player too,” Colin said.

I missed the first part of that conversation, still dazed from his presence.

“Why did he quit?” Ezra asked.

“His dad got sick before we graduated. He started here and was already really messed up. I tried to talk him into it, but he refused. His dad died last year,” Colin explained.

My brows arched. “That’s really sad,” I said.

“Yeah, it’s a shame, and he was a great player too. You would have liked him,” Colin told me.

Ezra snorted a laugh. I glared at him.

“What?” Colin asked.

I drank my beer.

“Oh, nothing. So what’s Noah’s sexual orientation?” Ezra asked.

I choked again. For fuck’s sake.

“What? Why? Do you want to date him?” Colin asked with a laugh.

“Just curious,” Ezra said dismissively.

Colin seemed unconvinced. “I’m not sure. Straight, I guess? He hasn’t been in touch. He deferred last semester,” he explained.

“He’s had girlfriends?” Ezra pressed.

Colin gestured vaguely. “Yeah, a couple.”

My chest deflated. I looked at Ezra, and he shrugged.

“That’s too bad. We’ll just put off college experimentation for another day,” Ezra said.

Colin burst into laughter. Ezra smiled at me, and I shook my head. That was fine. So, he was straight. It wasn’t like something would have happened between us if he weren’t. I took another drink of my beer and grimaced at the taste.

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