Page 74 of Nodus Tollens
Before I could respond, Coach’s booming voice directed everyone to huddle up before we all left practice. With words on the tip of my tongue, I held them in as both Mal and I glided over to everyone else. Standing side by side, I glanced over at him before zeroing in on Coach.
“Alright, boys, we have a game next Monday. I expect all of you to stay out of trouble this weekend.” He focused his attention on Hendricks who threw his hands up defensively.
“Why you lookin’ at me coach?”
“Because, you’re the only one who doesn’t know when to quit.”
A snort made its way out of my mouth as Hendricks frowned.
“Anyway…The Grizzlies have been playin’ decent this season, so I expect a tough game for us on Tuesday. So hit the showers, and I’ll see you on Monday. ”
Everyone nodded in agreement and soon we all began to skate off the ice towards the locker room.
* * *
Catching up to Mal, I made sure to keep a safe distance as I reignited our conversation from earlier.
“So, what do you say about tonight? We can order some of their mozzarella sticks and just hang out for a couple of hours.”
Grunting, he stopped at his locker and tore off his helmet.
“Why the fuck do you want me to go so bad?” He mumbled in a low growl as he palmed his overgrown black waves.
“Because you’re my best friend, Mal, and I fucking worry about you.” I snapped a little too aggressively, causing his head to whip around in my direction and his eyes to darken. “And I want you to meet this wonderful, beautiful girl who has saved me in more ways than I can count.” I swallowed the lump in my throat, not caring that I may come off as a pussy. “I don’t feel so lost anymore when I’m with her.”
His eyes narrowed with an expression I couldn’t decipher. Even his mouth twitched, and his brows dipped again like he was confused or stunned by my words. I’m sure it was unusual to hear me speak like this about a girl nonetheless, but when his stare dissolved from appearing enraged, I let out an alleviated sigh.
“Please, just come out with me tonight. Maybe it’ll help.”
He went back to removing his gear and silently left my question unanswered.
“You don’t need to worry about me. I can handle a lot more than you think.” He ground out annoyedly. “But….” He spoke softly. “I’m… happy for you.”
Gradually, a smile spread across my face at the way he said it. Though his tone and mumbled words may have not sounded the sincere, I knew deep down that he had meant them.
“Thanks.” I responded. “So, does that mean you’re going to go then?” I half grinned, expecting a glare to pierce through me, but instead, he forced out a long, exaggerated sigh.
“If I agree to go, will you stop bugging me?” He grunted as he started to strip off his sweat-drenched clothes and slammed his locker closed. Knowing this was my cue to let him be before he chewed my fucking head off, I chuckled lightly to myself before patting him on the shoulder.
“I’ll meet you out front.”
* * *
Me: How’s my girl doing tonight?
Blue: Good. Just watching a terrible movie with Kate. How was practice?
Me: Same ol’ same ol’. Just happy that it’s the weekend now.
Me: You think you might want to ditch watching that shitty movie and come out with me tonight?
“Are we goin’ or not?” Mal snapped as he slouched further in the passenger seat and lifted his hood over his head. We had only been sitting in the car for a few minutes, and he was already dishing out some attitude.
Fucking perfect.
“Yeah, just chill. I’m texting her right now.” I shook my head with an annoyed grumble.
Blue: And where exactly do you want me to go?
