Page 114 of Slew Foot
“Yeah well, you learn a thing or two about de-escalation in prison,” Thad said drily.
Gavin laughed but the door swung shut before Mickey could hear anything else.
He turned back to see Logan and Rafe looking at him. He felt like they were expecting him to lead this conversation but truthfully, he had no idea what to say.
“Look,” Logan eventually said with a sigh. “I meant what I said earlier. I’m sorry shit went down like that in the game last night and the slew foot wasn’t intentional. I’ll admit I was jealous, but I’d feel awful if you got seriously hurt.”
Rafe opened his mouth, like he was going to say something, but Logan held up a hand. “Let me finish, please. Rafe, I’m fuckin’ sorry. I guess I screwed up when we got in the argument last fall. It just … it was super clear you were way more serious about like, settling down soon and all that. You were talking about moving in together and taking turns going to see each other’s families in the summer and I wasn’tready. The argument kinda made it totally clear to me we weren’t on the same page about our relationship, you know?”
“Oh,” Rafe whispered. He looked kinda stunned. “I—I didn’t get that at all. I thought we were figuring stuff out. You know, we had to liketalkmore. And once we’d cooled down we’d figure out a compromise.”
“Shit.” Logan looked genuinely upset. “I had no idea you thoughtthat.”
Mickey got a sudden sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach, wondering if Rafewasin fact still in love with Logan. What if … what if they worked this out? And then he realized he was acting like Tanner, leaping to conclusions without thinking logically.
The past twelve hours had been a whirlwind but that was no excuse. Rafe had said he loved him. He needed to trust it.
“I thought our fight was a good sign or something,” Rafe said to Logan with a sad little laugh. “Like we were being really mature by giving ourselves time to calm down before we talked more. But it went on for so long and you were giving me the cold shoulder at the rink?—”
“I was trying to give you space!” Logan protested.
But Rafe kept talking. “… and we were traveling with the team and life wascrazy. And I knew it was bad but I—I had no idea you weredonewith me.”
“Ahh fuck,” Logan said, looking chagrined. “And then you showed up and found me with Kelsey.”
“Uhh, yeah,” Rafe said. “So that fucking sucked.”
“I didn’t mean to, like, hurt you or anything,” Logan said with a sigh. “I guess I should have talked to you more.”
“Yeah, you should’ve,” Rafe agreed.
“But you’re happy now?” Logan asked.
Rafe glanced over, smiling softly at Mickey before he took his hand. Mickey could suddenly breathe again. He’d been right.Rafe still loved him. How had he ever doubted it? Even for a second?
“Yeah, I really am happy,” Rafe said. “I love this team and Mickey and I … we’re happy together. We’re in love.”
Logan gave him a lopsided smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “That’s good. Sorry I got jealous and stuff. It was stupid and I shouldn’t have let it interfere with the game.”
Rafe looked confused. “But you’re dating Kelsey. Why would you be jealous of Mickey and me anyway?”
Logan shrugged. “Ahh no, that was kind of a short-term thing with her. I’m not—I’m not looking for anything serious right now. I know it’s stupid I acted like that last night. Maybe it was just weird seeing you with someone else for the first time. And seeing you play for a different team. And … and realizing I’d lost you as a friend.”
“Oh,” Rafe whispered.
For a moment, they all stood there, awkwardly staring at one another as if they were unsure about what to do next.
Finally, Mickey held out a hand to Logan.
“No hard feelings,” he said, meaning it. He and Logan had let their emotions cloud their better judgement, but it was over and done with and there was no reason to hold a grudge. “If you say the slew foot was accidental, I believe you. And I’m fine. Besides, it’s good you and Rafe had a chance to talk and clear the air. It all worked out in the end, right?”
“Yeah, for sure,” Logan said, looking relieved as he shook Mickey’s hand.
To give him credit, he didn’t try to grip too hard or out-muscle Mickey or anything.
After Logan dropped Mickey’s hand, he turned to look at Rafe. “And I’m sorry about the way things went down between us. I care about you a lot and I didn’t mean—I neverwantedto hurt you.”
“Thanks,” Rafe said softly. “It helps to hear that.”
