Page 148 of Game Changer
“Yeah. And I hadn’t been sleeping.”
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have walked out after that argument.”
“Don’t apologize. I’m going to figure this out,” Scott promised.
“I know. You’re going to win the Stanley Cup, and I’m going to get my master’s degree, and we’re going to be amazing together.”
“Unstoppable,” Scott agreed, and kissed him again. “Wait...did you get into school?”
Kip smiled. “I did! NYU!”
Scott wrapped him in his arms and squeezed almost too hard. “I’m so proud of you.”
“See?” Kip said into his shoulder. “Unstoppable. But...maybe, for now, it would be best if we give each other some breathing room, y’know?”
Scott released him, which made Kip laugh. “No, I meant, like, for the next few weeks. Until the playoffs are over, so you can focus. You’re traveling so much anyway, maybe it’s better if you just...forget about me for a while.”
He could see Scott tense up.
“Not gonna forget about you,” Scott said.
Kip smiled. “A little. Besides, I’ve got stuff to deal with in my own life. I, um, I got a new job.”
“What? Really? Like...a history job?”
“No,” Kip said. “Nothing that great. But a better job than the smoothie shop for sure. It’s at the Kingfisher. You know, the pub I go to.”
“Oh. The, um—”
“Gay bar. Yes.”
“Right. That’s... I mean, that’s great. You’re happy about it, right?”
“Yes. I think it will be fun. Late nights, for sure, but I’ll take that over ridiculously early mornings. And the money will be better. Good tips.”
“Well, congratulations then. Have you put in your notice at work?”
“Yeah. I sent an email yesterday. As soon as I was offered the job.”
“Oh.”
“Are you all right?”
“Yeah,” Scott said. “It’s just... I have fond feelings about that smoothie shop.”
“Aw. You’ll have to visit me at my new job.”
He waited for Scott to get weird about that.
Instead, Scott said. “I will. I promise. As soon as I...can.”
“Something to work toward.”
“Yeah.”
Kip leaned forward and kissed him.
“Will you stay here?” Scott asked. “Tonight?”
