Page 42 of Unlovable Player

“I will.” I know all about obligations, and this is a glaring one if I ever saw one. Even if it’s a little late for us to all bond and hold hands now, maybe I will be playing on this team to the end of the year, so it can’t hurt to get on with it.

“Have you got your earphones?”

“Yeah, why? You wanna borrow them?”

“I want to hear your music.”

He looks like he’s about to shrink from the suggestion before pulling a set of earphones out of his pocket and plugging them into his phone. When he gives me one and takes the other, I have to hold back a giddy smile.

A song I can only describe as a hillbilly song starts playing. A man with a deep voice singing about crying. I side-eye Austin and he looks up with a grin.

“This is Johnny Cash in case you didn’t know.”

“Pshht, obviously I know Johnny Cash.”

I don’t really listen to the music. I watch the side of Austin’s face instead as he looks at his phone.

Coach let us change into regular clothes as long as they were ‘smart’ and representative of the school. Austin’s wearing a grey hoodie with the college logo across the front. I bought one in every color, so I know they’re expensive. He’s got earphones with an actual wire rather than air pods, but he has fifty-plus dollars to spend on school merch. Unless someone gifted it to him. Or maybe I have a lot to learn about working-class priorities? Looking smart and representing your school = more important than having air pods. Got it.

He catches me looking at his chest.

“Nice sweater.”

“I got loads of them, don’t you?”

Don’t mention how expensive they are, do not mention…

“They’re expensive.”

He snorts. “Maybe for you, but I get this shit for free.”

“Who’s a cocky asshole now?”

He winks, but I catch that blush travelling up his neck to his cheeks.

The bar’scrowded when I arrive. I don’t spot anyone I recognize, and for a minute, I’m the new kid at school again. Dropped at the gate by my dad’s chauffeur with my bags and no promise of when I’ll be going home.

I shake the thought, pin on my most obnoxious smile, and make my way through the crowd.

The hockey team take up a couple of tables with the best view of the TV. There are girls at the table too. One in a Boston jersey sitting next to Austin, being so obvious it’s painful. I have no right to be jealous. If he wants to hook up with this girl, it’s none of my business.

I order a round of beers for the table and make my way over.

Hayes looks up from the conversation he was having with some girl and there’s a flicker of a snarl before he remembers he’s supposed to be nice to me.

“Hey, it’s Yale!” Jordan stands up to greet me.

At my entrance, Austin pulls a chair out and gestures for me to sit between him and the girl in the hockey jersey. I can’t deny the satisfaction that gives me.

Boston are playing Philadelphia and there’s a few Philly fans in the house too. The atmosphere ramping up as game time approaches.

The bartender brings over our beers and the guys thank me. Even Hayes. When I look at Austin, he’s grinning.

“What?”

“Nothing.”

I drink my beer, trying not to stare at the side of Austin’s face as he waits for the puck to drop. My attention is taken by the freshman sitting opposite with his arm around some girl. They’re giggling about something and looking at her phone. I only realize they keep looking at me when our gazes meet and the girl looks embarrassed and locks the screen.

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