Page 81 of Unlovable Player

He looks like he’s hesitating, waiting for me to ask him to stay. It takes everything in me not to beg him to forgive me and come to bed.

“Yeah, okay.”

Just before he leaves, he takes a big breath and squares his shoulders before turning around. “Seb, if you get the internship, which I think you will, I think you should consider taking it. It’s your decision obviously, I just… I think you’ll regret it later if you don’t.”

I wait until he’s gone before I flop down on the bed and open my email again, hovering over it before clicking open.

Dear Sebastian Huntington III,

We are delighted to inform you that you have been accepted onto the Vancouver Canucks’ Summer Internship program for graduates starting 01 July…

Well fuck.

We havea quick warm-up skate before the game. Catching Austin’s eye as I walk into the locker room, he gives me a friendly nod without pausing his conversation with Gray. Somehow, him treating me like I’m just one of the guys hurts more than us ignoring each other. At least when he was brooding I could flatter myself that it was over me.

That little olive branch Austin offered yesterday seems to work, and we’re a little more in synch than we have been since the party.

Coach grabs me after and asks to see me in his office.

“Am I in trouble Coach?”

He laughs. “No, not at all, I just wanted to let you know the people from the internship got in touch for a reference.”

“Oh?”

“I gave them a good one.”

“Thank you Sir.”

“I know it hasn’t been easy for you transferring here so late, but you’ve been a great addition to the team.”

Shit. All this praise without the expectation of a blow-job after feels unfamiliar. Or is he expecting a blow-job?No, not Coach. He’s one of the good guys.

“So?”

“Yes Coach?”

“Did they get back to you yet? They said they were making their decisions this week.”

“Oh, uh, not yet.”

“Oh.” He sinks into his chair. Does he know I’m lying? “Well, as soon as you hear, let me know.”

“Yes Coach.”

“Have you thought anymore about if you’ll accept it? You said last time we spoke you had a job lined up with your dad’s company.”

“Oh… yeah, well, he expects me to start the day after graduation…”

Coach’s eyebrows shoot up.

“But I don’t know.”

“It’s your life Sebastian, your decision, not mine or your father’s.”

When we skateout onto the ice later that evening, Austin is on top form and I imagine knowing someone who has had his back from the beginning is out there in the crowd, cheering him on, has lit a fire in his belly.

I look out at the faces in the stands and don’t recognize anyone, until a tiny woman in a huge Boston jersey starts waving at me. I wave back at Lisa and she pumps her fist in the air.

---