Page 82 of Unlovable Player

Austin skates in beside me and pats me on the back before getting into position for the opening face-off.

This is our last game before the winter break and Austin will be going home to Jersey to spend Christmas with his big family, knowing he’ll be signing to the NHL after graduation. I realize something while I watch him take the face-off against Providence’s first-line center-forward – I’m not jealous, I’m just happy for him.

I play that first period like my life depends on it, trying to make it a win for him.

Austin scores the first goal and I celebrate like it was my own, even though it came from an assist from Gray.

We come out of the first period 1-0 up, and when we go out in the second, Austin is a league above every other man on the ice. He scores two goals in quick succession – a shot from the right face-off circle that happens so fast, Providence’s heads are spinning, and a tap-in from right in front of the goal.

We walk away from the game with a 5-1 win after conceding a late goal in the third period, but no one - except maybe Olivetti - care about that last goal.

Austin is so pumped, he seems to have forgotten everything that’s happened in the past few weeks. When I try to make my own way out of the rink after we’re all changed and finished celebrating, he grabs me and asks me where I think I’m going.

He’s with Gray and I want to ask him what the hell he’s doing.

“You’re not going without saying hey to my ma, she’ll kill us both.”

Gray laughs.

“Do you know Austin’s mom too?” I ask.

“Only from a few games, Lisa’s cool.”

I hesitate, but Austin looks so happy, and he’s waiting for an answer. It’s hell being around him and not being able to have him. But it’s impossible to stay away. I force a shrug. “I do owe her a few beers.”

“That’s the spirit Hunty.” Gray slaps me on the back. Did he just call me something other than Yale? I look to Austin and he’s looking at me like he’s thinking the same thing.

Lisa is waiting for us by her little Honda. Her coat covering the jersey she was wearing at the game.

Her face lights up when she sees Austin. He walks ahead of us to give her a hug and Gray mutters, “isn’t she a MILF?”

I keep my mouth shut.

“Oh shit, I forgot, you wouldn’t know.”

“Why wouldn’t I know?”

“Because, you’re gay right?”

We’ve reached Austin and Lisa now and Austin flushes and I’m sure Lisa has pretended she didn’t hear what Gray just said.

“Hey Seb, it’s good to see you again.”

She gives me a hug. Her puffy coat is like a big pillow and I could happily disappear inside it and never come out.

I grit my teeth when she gives Gray a hug, calling him Justin, which no one does. A little smile is in the corner of his lips and I feel protective over her, like she’s my mom.

“Are you guys coming to dinner with us?” she asks.

“Sure.” Gray beams.

I pull Austin aside. “You know he called Lisa a MILF?”

He laughs. “Calm down,” he pats my shoulder. “But thanks for the heads up.”

When we get to the bar, Austin makes sure Gray isn’t sitting next to or in front of his mom in the booth we take in a quiet corner. We decide on burgers and a pitcher of beer, which I insist on paying for. Gray doesn’t argue, but Lisa tries.

“I owe you one,” I remind her.

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