Page 142 of Unrivaled Love
“It’s cool, I don’t need to know.” I say, quickly trying to smooth things over as the game comes back on. I keep my attention there while Harper continues.
“Aiden beat this random record last year and he didn’t tell me about it and I wasn’t paying attention either. We’ve learned to share more with each other.”
“Don’t let her fool you, Harper was deeeeeepressed for two weeks and Aiden moped around like an abandoned puppy.” Caroline informs me as she rubs her growing baby bump. “But, now they’re as solid as can be.”
The game goes to commercial and the bar starts pumping music through the speakers. It’s a casual but spiffy sports bar with huge T.V.s on each wall. Games are playing all around us and there are quite a few Renegades fans.
“Ivanna just texted about the score. A reminder of how to cheer them up after losses.” Caroline says as she thumbs through her phone.
“I wonder if Aiden will figure it out?” Harper muses.
“You’d have to make sure you only offered head after losses. I don’t have that kind of control.” I tell her. “And, knowing Bryson he’d probably throw the game to get more time in my mouth.”
Caroline cackles. “Do you think Ivanna thought of that?”
“Is Vlad superstitious?” I ask.
“I’m not sure, but I mean they all are to a degree. Right?” Caroline says.
“Aidenis.”
“I suppose.” I ponder. “Bryson has some habits but I haven’t really seen him be rigid about anything.”
“Are you?” Harper asks.
“I have a few quirks.” I smile. “I have a particular order I follow to put on my gear. But that’s mostly it.”
“How do you get over a loss?” Caroline asks.
“Well, I don’t give myself a blowie.” I joke and they both chuckle. “I umm, usually just go back to the tape of the game and study it. Then I will focus on where I fell short in practice the next day.”
“Huh,” Caroline huffs out.
“What?” I ask because it definitely seems like she’s got more to say.
“I just wish you had someone at home to give you head after a loss is all.” She says.
The game resumes and I quietly let her words sink in as we watch the boys play. D.C. gets a power play but they can’t capitalize and eventually the final buzzer sounds and a loss hits the books.
“Okay, well home we go to wait for our men!” Caroline says with a mock salute after she zips her big puffer coat.
“We’ll talk tomorrow.” Harper says with a smile as she gives me a hug. Our rideshares arrive and we go our separate ways.
I pull out my phone to text Bryson about the game.
Tough one. Do you want to talk about it?
Maybe he doesn’t. Maybe he isn’t like me after a loss. We haven’t actually talked about his mental state before and after games as he got back into the season.
Yeah, that one sucked. Do you want me to talk about it?
I do if you do. I watched with Caroline and Harper.
Did you have fun?
Yeah, they’re great girls.
Even though we lost.
