Page 6 of Overtime

“It wasn’t an insult!” Ishir protested.

“Ugly is not an insult? Really?”

“It’s not the same for dogs. You can be ugly and cute at the same time.”

Bergy scoffed, scooping Bamse up and cradling him like a baby. “Do not listen to the bad man.Heis ugly.”

Ishir rolled his eyes and snorted but followed Bergy into the kitchen.

They grabbed drinks and some dill chips Bergy had brought with him from Sweden.

“These are pretty good,” Ishir complimented, munching on one.

“Much better than American snacks.”

“I mean, I’m not one to defend America, but if it’s one thing that we do well, it’s packaged snacks. I’ve seen you inhale Combos like a goddamn vacuum cleaner.”

Bergy looked pensive. “I should get some Combos.”

“Didn’t the trainer ban you from those?”

“What he doesn’t know won’t hurt him,” Bergy replied with a mischievous smile. It was always funny, the English sayings he’d come out with in his thick Swedish accent. Ishir’s personal favourite was ‘Don’t pull my chain’, which only the foreign guys seemed to say.

“How’s Astrid doing?” Ishir asked.

“Good. She’s mad you haven’t come visit her yet.”

“She’s the one who’s always busy!”

“She says you’ve abandoned us for your new boy. I still can’t believe you guys got nicknamed Zee and Zammy. That’s just ridiculous.” Bergy laughed.

“I mean, it definitely wasn’t our choice. And I’ll text Astrid—we can do something when she’s in Brooklyn. Sorry I’ve been so caught up with Zee lately,” Ishir said, feeling guilt bubble up.

Bergy waved him away. “I’m just kidding. How’s it going with him? Weird to have your best friend back?”

“It’s been good. Maybe a bit of an adjustment, but, like. Good.”

Bergy nodded. “Gotta be nice to have someone else who’s gay on the team. I mean, I guess maybe there are other people we don’t know about…”

Ishir blinked rapidly. “Huh?”

“Nothing, I just meant that maybe there are other people who are gay on the team and they just haven’t told us.”

“No, I mean—how is that relevant to Zee?”

Bergy stared at him. “Isn’t…isn’t Zee gay?”

Ishir was flabbergasted. “No?”

“Bi?”

“No.” Ishir would know.

“Oh. Okay, sorry, guess I just assumed.”

“Uh…why? Would you assume that?”

“Dunno. Got a vibe, I guess. He’s very focused on you,” Bergy pointed out, voice teasing.

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