Page 88 of Unlovable Player

“I thought he would. He’s smart. Great hockey knowledge.”

“Can’t you convince him? Talk to him? He might listen to you.”

“I was going to say the same to you.”

Practise goes by in a blur.I leave the guys in the locker room talking about where they’re going to eat. My stomach is in knots. Eating the last thing on my mind.

I rush over to Seb’s apartment and the second I hear his voice saying, “yeah?” through the intercom, my heart starts to race.

“It’s me, let me up.”

I half expect him to refuse, but the door gives and I race up the stairs to his apartment, trying not to imagine myself in a scene from some movie where the guy’s running to the airport to win back the love of his life.

This is way more likely to end in an argument than a reunion.

He’s standing at the door in sport’s socks, a ratty college t-shirt and boxer shorts. When I get close, I can smell his aftershave and a hint of sweat.

“You can’t quit the team.”

He sighs and turns away from me, walking back into the apartment.

His room’s a mess. Dirty clothes all over the floor. An open pizza box on the table.

“You can’t hide out here forever.”

“I don’t intend to.”

He sits on the bed and runs a hand through his hair.

“Seb.”

“What?”

“Did you hear me?”

“Yes, I can’t quit the team, but I already did so-”

“Coach doesn’t want you to quit.”

“He’ll survive, you guys have the best reserves in the league, Hayes has been playing better and-”

“Shut up.”

I cross the room and kneel between his legs, resting my arms on his bare knees. The heat and smell coming off him reminds me of all the hours we spent naked together in this bed. How easy it was to forget that the world outside existed.

“Iwant you on the team.”

He swallows. “Don’t.”

“Don’t what?”

“Be nice to me.”

“Why not?”

“Because… you’re hotter when you’re mean.”

“Be serious.”

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