Page 89 of Just Friends
“Maybe I shouldn’t tell you this,” he said, lowering his voice, “but some of the boys are starting to worry about you.”
“Great.” I huffed. “Look, I’ll be fine, alright. Once the season starts, you’ll see.”
Maybe.
Unless Piper moved out. Then who knew? My game might fall apart. She wasn’t just my best friend. She was, like, my companion, too. She made my home feel like, well,home.Without her there, I don’t know, things might not be the same.
“Gotta tell you,” Reavo quipped, “you don’t look too reassuring right now.”
Reavo and I both turned our heads towards the sound of approaching footsteps.
“Ah-ha. I looking all over for you,” Niko said in broken English. “What up?”
“Not much,” Reavo said. “I just watched Cammer turn those two girls down.” He pointed over at the girls in the micro bikinis.
Niko lifted his shades to get a better look at the girls and whistled. “Damn, Big Rig. You turnthemdown?” He grinned. “Introduce me?”
“Sorry, but I don’t think my introduction would do you any favors.” I changed the subject. “So what’s up, Niko? Why were you looking for us?”
“I want to dobanya. You two come with me?” he asked, clasping his hands together. “Please?”
“Oh, hell no,” Reavo growled.
“What’s abanya?” I asked.
“It’s the Russian word for sauna,” Reavo told me. “But it might also mean pain and suffering.”
Niko’s eyes narrowed into angry slits. “Russianbanyanot Finnish sauna. Is different.”
“And I’m sure it is.” Reavo spread out his arms, bathing in the sun. “But why should we go sit in a stuffy, hot-ass room? We’ve got a perfectly fine saunaout here.”
“Isnotsame, Derek,” Niko said in a perturbed but comical growl.
“Sorry, brother. Not interested,” Reavo said. “I still remember the last time you and your sister took me to thebon-yoor however you say it.”
“Banya.” Niko turned to me with puppy dog eyes. “Big Rig? Please?”
Before I could answer, Reavo leaned over and shared some insider info. “Remember, he’s Russian. His idea of an enjoyable sauna experience is a lot different than yours and mine.”
“But I ask everybody else, and nobody come.” Niko frowned. “Everybody at bar, drinking.”
Niko didn’t drink anymore—he’d been sober ever his problems with alcohol nearly got him booted off the team during his rookie year. It had to be hard, being his age and being surrounded by guys and girls who love to party, but having to stay off the sauce. The team always tries to make him feel included, but there were times—like this whole spa trip—when I’m sure he felt like an outsider and was dying for a drink.
“You know what,” I said, getting up from my lounger. “I’ll do thebanyawith you, Niko.”
“Ah, hell,” Reavo said, begrudgingly joining us. “Iknowhe’s gonna make me regret it, but I can’t say no to that puppy dog shit.”
“Really?” The Russian beamed, jumping over and wrapping us both up in a bear hug. “I love you guys!”
“Love ya too, bud,” I said.
“Love you, brother,” Reavo grumbled.
Arms around both our necks, Niko led us to the sauna. “Now, I show you how realRussian dobanya.”
Reavo groaned in misery. “Oh, God. Here we go.”
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