I follow his gaze. “A rainbow bracelet.”
“Take that off.” He looks around, then lowers his voice. “People will think you’re gay.”
“Jason...”
“I’m serious.”
“I’m not taking it off, Jason. I’m gay.”
Jason blinks. “Seriously?”
I stiffen. “You didn’t know?”
“No.”
“I thought hockey camp made that obvious.”
“But that was different.”
I frown, but Jason is already sauntering away. He plops down on an inside table, as people continue to walk around him, balancing heavy plates topped with desserts and eggs and meat and sushi and yogurt, as if the resort is hopeful they’ll get upset stomachs, and the pools will be mostly empty this afternoon.
I stride outside.
I don’t care. I absolutely don’t care.
I take my seat and watch the waves lap against the shore. People on paddle boats move over the water, as if they’re delighted to have discovered that if you pay enough money, you can be inside a postcard.
Everything is outrageously pretty, the sort of perfection that finds its way onto desktop backgrounds, distributed to millions. I’ll focus on that.
I’m in Fiji, and it’s incredible.
I refuse to think about certain grumpy, impossibly attractive hockey players with pale blonde hair and blue, constantly assessing eyes, and clear skin that’s flushed in the Pacific heat.
A ping pops up on my phone. It’s my boss.
I smooth my features, trying to avoid looking either maniacally happy or on-the-verge-of-being-committed fearful.
I answer the video call.
Rex Manley, my onetime and still current hero, frowns at me. The light is dim. It must be nighttime in Boston.
“Callum.” Rex gives the sort of smile I sometimes saw on the faces of opposing players before the puck dropped. His eyesshimmer, but not in a jovial Santa Claus manner. “You seem to be enjoying yourself.”
I’m conscious of the people strutting around in teeny bathing suits around me. “Um, sorry. Yes, sir.”
“Have you spoken with Mr. Larvik?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Oh.” Rex blinks. “That’s wonderful. I confess, I didn’t expect that.”
My stomach turns cold.
I want to be a sports reporter. Sports Sphere is the best network there is for that. A poor showing there will ensure I won’t get any other opportunity. I have my dream job. Now I need to make sure I keep it.
This was supposed to be the easy part, but I’m finding it difficult.
“The hotel looks nice,” Rex continues, but I know he means that it’s too nice.
