Page 85 of Unrecognizable Player

“You know you can listen to an audiobook? I’ll allow it.”

“Huh?”

“While I’m gone. As an alternative to TV?”

“I don’t have any audiobooks.”

“I’ll sign into my Audible and you can listen to mine. I have a pretty impressive library, don’t mean to brag.”

He snorts. “Thanks.”

“No problem.”

“And hey Stef, thanks for taking care of me.”

“Obviously.”

It’simpossible to hide the stupid grin on my face. I know I have to tell Alexei that I’m horror boy at some point. But right now, I just want to enjoy this high.

Alice is waiting for me outside the music department. She grabs me like a kidnapper and drags me behind a tree.

Her hands dig into my upper arms and I let out a pathetic whimper. “How are you so strong?”

“Tell me everything. What happened with Alexei? Is he okay? Did you tell him yet?”

“Yes, he’s okay, and no I didn’t tell him, yet.”

She gives me that look.

“I did tell Kelsier38 I can’t talk to him for a while though. I told him I had some things to sort out in real life.”

That mushy rom-com smile starts up again. “Like Tom Hanks.”

“Stop it, I am not Tom Hanks.”

“You have a better hairline.”

“Leave Tom alone. He’s like forty-something in that movie.”

She snorts. “Do you think Alexei’s well enough to come to dinner later?”

“Oh shoot, I forgot about that, do you mind if we take a raincheck? I mean, I’ll ask him, but-”

“It’s fine. I’m sure Mischa will understand if we reschedule. I mean the guy did get knocked out.”

“Was he actually knocked out?”

“Oh yeah, big time.”

A wave of dread washes over me at the thought of him going back out there and possibly getting hurt again. “I don’t want him to play hockey anymore.”

“Hey, calm down.” Alice laughs, stepping in front of me so I’ll stop walking. “They have plenty of protection. They wear helmets and they have pretty strict concussion protocol these days.”

I don’t care. I don’t want him to ever be hurt again.

“Is Mischa gonna play hockey after graduation?”

“No, he’s doing some business and media internship in Vancouver, or at least that’s what he’s applied for.”

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