Page 53 of Puck Shots
“Absolutely. I can sit up the back and pretend I actually belong in the smart people class. No one will probably even notice me. Then you can just pretend you are talking to me.”
“Except I wouldn’t be pretending because you would be there.”
He nudges my side.
“You know what I mean.”
“I do, and thanks. But you don’t have to.”
“I know, but I want to be there for you.
“You’ve already shown up for me in more ways than anyone else who’s ever shown up for me. Except maybe John. But he’s my brother, so it doesn’t count.”
“It counts.”
“I better get back downstairs before Luka comes home. I’ll just put this away for next time,” I say, grabbing the lube and pulling open his top drawer. That’s when I see them. I pull out a bottle label folded frog shape, then a dolphin and a penguin. The drawer is full of them. How long has he been saving these?
“Oh yeah, I kind of have a collection going.” He grins, rolling onto his side and reaching in to pick up a butterfly one. It’s the butterfly I added to his lacrosse stick prank all those weeks ago.
“Why?”
“They’re special. Like, how do you even do this?”
“It’s just origami. The Japanese have been doing it for centuries.”
“Pretty sure even they would be impressed by your skill. Look at that frog. It’s awesome, and you used the green and white label to really bring it together. Is that how you choose what you’ll make?”
“Most of the time I’m not really thinking about it.” I pick up a few others, remembering the times I made them. The times I was feeling stressed or out of place or nervous. My anxious energy builds inside me and itches for a way out. I’ve been finding I’ve been peeling labels and folding them into tiny animals far less since meeting Cosmo, and now seeing a drawer full of my tiny creations, I am just reminded of why. He really does like me for me.
“Can I have one more kiss before you go?” he asks, lips pouty and perfect. I lean down, but as soon as I am close enough, he wraps his arms around me and pulls me tight against him, our mouths clashing in the most perfect way, and my cock thickens. This definitely won’t be just one more kiss.
17
Cosmo
Ireread the email three times, sure it has to be a scam, or a cruel joke someone is playing on me. How hard would it be to set up a fake email account under one of the best NHL teams’ branding? Is the spelling all right?
Luka bursts through the door.
“Did you get one?” he asks, holding his phone in his shaking hands, eyes wide with excitement.
“So it’s real?”
“If you’re talking about the invite to a dinner with Garret, the head scout, Charles, the Player Development Coach, and that adviser, Greg Love, then yeah, it’s real. Rover got one, too.”
I jump from my bed and grab Luka in our usual bro hug. Slapping opposite hands together as if to shake, but then, pulling him in and wrapping my other arm around him, squeezing him tight before finishing with two firm slaps on the back and letting him go.
His palm is sweaty, or mine is. My heart is racing, and the smile is stinging my cheeks, but I don’t care. This is the best news in forever.
“Dude, we are so getting drafted this year,” Luka cheers, slinging one arm over my shoulder. I look down at his invite.
“Looks like you’re one is the night after next, right?”
“Yeah, when’s yours?”
“Tomorrow night.”
“Wow, that’s short notice. What if you had a date or something?” Luka laughs.
