Page 16 of Heart of Ice

“Probably a brainy lobster fisherman after a few beers,” Max said, making us both laugh just as the server came to our table.

“Good evening, gentlemen, can I get you something to drink?” the young woman asked.

“I’ll take a lager,” Max said before she gave him a few choices.

“And for you?” she directed at me.

“I’ll have the same.”

“Are you ready to order?”

“I think so,” I said and looked to Max.

“I’m ready. I want the surf and turf, medium rare with a baked potato.” After we’d ordered we chatted about the game today before our drinks arrived, and we never let go of each other’s hand the whole time. It was so nice to just sit with him and talk.

“The game might have sucked today, but I’m glad you got out of this one without any injuries,” I said and even if it was a little boring today, I’d take that over having to patch up half the team any day.

“Hopefully I never need crutches again.”

“I hope not.” That bruise was nasty, and he really had been lucky, but resting it that night had helped even if he didn’t play the next day. I was beginning to realize if we were going to have more than one date, I was going to have to lock away my personal feelings anytime he was injured but in the short time we’d been alone, I knew that wouldn’t be easy.

Fifteen

Max

It was so fuckingeasy to talk to Ruben and being alone with him was comfortable. Neither of us seemed to mind the small breaks in conversation, but mostly we both found many things we either had in common or liked. “You’re really a Star Wars fan?” Ruben asked.

“Oh yes, my mom was really into it when I was a kid so she and I would watch the movies together. Mostly the original series but we’ve watched them all,” I said. He didn’t need to know aboutthe Lego collection I had stashed in the garage that included every Star Wars kit.

“Yourmomwas into Star Wars?” he asked with a big grin.

“It was mutual,” I admitted. “How about you?”

“I was more into Star Trek New Generation. You can’t go wrong with Captain Picard.”

“I haven’t watched that before. I’ve seen the original, but it’s been years.”

“When I was young, I was fascinated with the gadgets. They’d wave one over one of the crew members when they were injured, and it would heal them or at least tell them what was wrong. It’s part of what made me want to become a doctor.”

“Did you always want to be a team doctor?” I asked just as they brought warm bread and an antipasto tray.

“I’ll be back with your chowder.” The server hurried off and Ruben cut a slice of bread and passed it to me. The server was back quickly and both of us immediately started eating the delicious clam chowder.

“No, I didn’t. To answer your question. I just wanted to be a doctor, but then like I said before I started volunteering for a local soccer team, and I really enjoyed it.”

“The team should keep you busy. It seems we always have an injury.”

“I’m learning it depends on who you’re playing. There were no serious injuries today so I guess I need to keep track of which teams will cause more injuries.” He took a bite of his chowder, and I tried not to notice how good he looked with his dark curly hair that was a little on the long side but suited him perfectly. His eyes were a clear green, and I tried to remember if I’d ever seen that color before because it was beautiful.

His eyes met mine then and he smirked like he knew exactly what I was thinking but at this point I didn’t want to play gamesand act like I wasn’t staring at him. “I was just noticing your eyes. I don’t think I’ve ever seen that color before.”

“Most people think they’re blue,” he said.

“Sea glass green.” I took another bite and by the time we were finished the server was there to clear our plates and serve us a small plate of ravioli. “I thought you were kidding about the pasta.”

“Oh, I don’t kid about food.” He picked up a bite on his fork and held it out for me. “Try it,” he said.

I leaned over the table and slowly chewed the delicious tomato and cheese concoction. “Oh my god I think that’s the best sauce I’ve ever had.”

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