Page 38 of Bad Pucking Roommate

“What thing with Justus?”

“He’s the one concussed, not you, so don’t play dumb,” Noah says. “He’s not in any condition to help you get ready for a game so you shouldn’t be hiding him here for your own selfish reasons.”

I’m concussed? Yeah, that tracks. Wait, Luca’s hiding me?

“I’m not hiding him, I’m taking care of him. How is that selfish?” Luca asks.

“If you’re taking care of him so he can help you play better then that’s selfish. And how do you expect him to help you anyway? He won’t be cleared to travel by our next game. And don’t you dare say Facetime, he shouldn’t be looking at screens for at least a week.”

“Thanks for the suggestion. I was actually wondering how to make this work on the road.”Oh crap. On the road. I bet I won’t be able to travel for weeks, what is he going to do?

“Can you be serious about this?”Noah sounds angry. I don’t think I’ve ever heard him angry before.“Either you brought Justus here so he’d be at your beckon call before games, or this audience thing has gone too far and you’re in over your head, jeopardizing both your careers. Even though it would make you a shitty teammate, I almost hope it’s the former. At least that way neither of you could be accused of violating team policy.”

“What would make you think I’m inover my head?”

“We’ve been through this, Luca. You’ve had a soft spot for the kid from day one, and now you’re… Well…more than just roommates.”

“It wasn’t too long ago that we were more than just roommates and look at us. We’re fine. And incidentally, I’d have taken care of you, too, while you were out, but you had Tripp to fill that role. Justus doesn’t have anyone and I’m not going to make him slum it with some doctor who pops in occasionally to check on him.”

“I’m sure his parents would help out. Do they even know he’s okay?”

Oh crap, my parents. Do they even know what happened?

“I texted them.”

“You have their number?”Noah sounds just as surprised as I am.

“I held Justus’s phone in front of his face to unlock it and found their number.”That was smart. I’m glad he thought to do that so my parents wouldn’t worry. Of all my teammates I’m glad he’s the one I have a crush on. Secretly.

“Did you tell them it was you? Ask them to come help out? Our next road trip is in two days, and he might not be able to stay on his own by then.”

“Yes, they know it was me, and no I didn’t ask them to come. I told them they were welcome to but that I had everything under control.”

“Do you have it under control?” Noah asks. “No offense, but it really isn’t like you to step up and take care of people. And what will you do when we leave for our game?”

“Up until now, I’ve never had a teammate that needed taking care of because they didn’t have anyone close enough to do it, so it’s not really fair to say I haven’t stepped up. And as for when we leave… I’m sure there are plenty of options. Xander or Tripp could check in. Or I could hire a nurse.”

“You’d really ask Tripp?” Noah says. “I love the guy, but his volume and obnoxious ramblings aren’t really conducive to head injuries.”

Luca laughs. “True. Plus, I’m not sure Justus needs any help holding his dick to piss, so…”

“I was on crutches when he offered that,” Noah mutters. “Just tell me you have the kid’s best interests in mind here, not yours.”

“Of course.”

“And you’re not violating team policy? Not to be blunt, but he’s got a lot more years left in the league than you do, so he’s the one who would suffer if things go too far.”

“Nothing’s going too far. You know the drill, it’s not any different with him than it was with you.”

My head feels stabby again. Not like it did when Luca was playing with my hair last night. Ohmigod, Luca was playing with my hair last night!

“You should probably keep it that way,” Noah says. “Anything more and one or both of you could end up hurt.”

“So, you’ve said,” Luca grumbles.

Anything more? What does that mean?

Another loud bang has me pressing my eyes closed–eavesdropping is exhausting–and it’s not until I feel a gentle hand on my cheek that I open them to find a pair of dark chocolate ones staring back at me.

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