Page 17 of Trade Deadline

“Wanna go see what Zach’s up to?” Elliot says, clearly noticing I need the distraction.

“Yeah, sounds good.”

I grab my things, and we head down the hall to Zach’s apartment.

When I moved to Chicago, we clicked instantly. He is one of the best defensemen I’ve ever played with, and became my closest friend on the team, so when this apartment came up for sale opposite his, buying it was a no-brainer.

We’ve become the Luke, Chewbacca, and Han Solo of Chicago, and I’m Han, of course, because I’m awesome.

Footsteps and a muffled voice sound from his apartment when we knock on the door. Zach answers with his phone to his ear

“Hey,” he says with an upturn of his chin and mouths, “Sorry, just on the phone to Carter.” He steps aside to let us in, closing the door behind us. His apartment has the same layout as mine and Elliot’s, and we’ve been here so often that we pretty much know it like our own.

Retrieving two bottles of water from the fridge, I toss one to Elliot, and take a seat on the couch. SportsCenter plays on the large flat-screen TV mounted on the wall above a fireplace, showing clips from last night's New Jersey and Toronto game.

“Yeah, that’s cool; I’ll speak to you later,” Zach says into the phone, and I’m certain he whispers, “I miss you,” but I can’t quite be sure.

“What's up?” he asks, sitting down on the other end of the sectional. “It’s only been two hours. Did you miss me or something?”

“Yes!” Elliot says dramatically, throwing his thumb over his shoulder toward me. “I’m so bored of this one moping.”

“I am not moping!”

My brother rolls his eyes. “Puh-lease. Even mom could see you were moping.”

“Well, it’s not like I’m ever gonna see him again.”

I can’t pinpoint why that pains me the way it does.

I don’t miss people, except my parents, but that’s normal.

It’s not normal to miss someone you just met and know nothing about except for their name, their scent, the color of their eyes, or the sound of their voice.

“Got any plans this afternoon?” Zach asks.

I shrug. “I was just gonna play some video games and take a nap.”

“Wanna come with me to my favorite place?” His eyes sparkle with mischief.

“I do not wanna see Carter naked, thank you very much.” Elliot holds his hands up.

A quick flash of panic flashes in Zach’s eyes before he blinks it away. “I didn’t mean that.”

Elliot lets out an exaggerated sigh of relief. “Well, thank Gretzky for that. You had me worried for a moment.”

Zach looks at him, his forehead furrowed in a frown. “I meant this dessert place in Lincoln Park. They do the most amazing donuts and cupcakes there.” He practically drools before patting his solid stomach. “I like to treat myself after a win.”

“Sure, sounds good!” I nod.

“I’ll meet you downstairs in ten, I gotta put some pants on.” Elliot sprints out of the door, allowing it to slam shut behind him. When the coast is clear, Zach turns to me, frowning.

“Why does he think my favorite place is Carter naked?”

I shake my head, a rumble of laughter escaping my throat. “Ignore him; you know what he’s like. He’s just messin’.”

Zach hums, making me a little suspicious that maybe Elliot was closer to the mark than we might think.

Five

---