Page 52 of Scoring Zone
“In Canada, a keener is someone who tries too hard like a brown-noser,” I interject.
“Believe me, I don’t need to try,butI’m tryin’ to get your boy to show us his moves later. It’s not fair that he’s working during our pregame dance parties.”
“G’s his own man. He’ll dance if he wants to.” Austin defends me, but his nudge is tentative as if he’s unsure of my response. He’s been more protective of me since I left the CHL. When I first moved to New York to live with him and complete my grad work, he was a guard dog, ensuring no one slighted me.
My reaction should be the last thing he’s worried about.
I refuse to be the one who ruins his reputation.
Chapter 23
Austin
As the streetlights streak by, I wonder if I’ve done something wrong. Gray’s been off all night, and I haven’t been able to get him alone.
We share a ride with Drake and Lucky, delaying my ability to get answers. The night was an enormous success since we raised over a million dollars for our charities: The Q Solutions, NYC Food Pantry, and youth hockey leagues.
I had big plans for tonight since practice isn’t until the afternoon and we don’t have any major injuries that require Gray to go in early. But now I wonder if he’s having second thoughts.
Dating a pro hockey player isn’t very glamorous, and he knows that. It’s more headache than fun.
I rub my eye sockets with my palms. Not having Gray in my life isn’t an option, but it’s so much more complicated than two people falling in—
I cut off my thought. I’m getting ahead of myself. Of course I love him, but I can’t have fallen all the way this fast. I’m so far gone I can’t think straight, or not-straight in this case. Being unable to read him is making me crazy. It’s too soon to bein lovein love. Right?
I’ve hit a new low in a conversation with myself.
“Trevor gave you the toned-down version of matching roommates,” Drake says stoically, not a question but a statement out of the blue.
The car pulls up to our building.
“We didn’t even realize until someone pointed it out.”
The driver releases the automatic locks.
“All the gossip sites will ship you tomorrow so have fun tonight,” Drake deadpans, and Lucky cackles like a hyena.
“Sugar, you are not subtle.” Lucky falls into Drake’s lap, laughing.
Gray’s already out of the car, and I hurry after him. “Are you okay?” I ask.
The elevator doors shut, and he turns to me. “Do they know about us?” His voice sounds odd.
“I didn’t say anything.” All I want to do is reach out and hug him, but he’s closed off. The words to ask if it would be so bad die on my tongue.
“If Lucky said something, I’d assume he’s busting our balls, but Drake…” He trails off and won’t make eye contact.
“What’s wrong?” My heart is in my throat, waiting for his answer.
“Nothing.”
“Nothing?” The word rattles around my brain with sharp edges slicing through my confidence.
We enter the apartment in silence, and I hate this divide between us. He shrugs out of his jacket and tosses it over to thecouch. Gray paces and each step increases my anxiety. I’m the pacer. He’s the calm one.
“I’m weighing you down. Tinny, I can’t be the person to hurt you or your career.” He spins around with glassy eyes.
“Don’t say that.” I gather him in my arms, holding him like I can prevent him from leaving me. “I need you.” My voice comes out thick with emotion. I spent years depriving myself of physical contact because it was a void I couldn’t fill. Grayson fills that void, and I can’t go back to the way things were.
