Page 121 of Hockey Bois
“Aspirin,” Brady agreed.
By the time Nick had collected everything, he could hear Brady’s gentle snoring. Nick tried to spread the blanket over Brady’s prone form, careful not to wake him but equally careful to make sure he was covered. He wasn’t sure how he ended up tangled in the blankets by Brady’s feet, said feet in his lap and weighing him down. A brief struggle exhausted him, too much for his body after four intense playoff games back-to-back.
His eyes fluttered shut, snapped open, then slowly fell closed again as he rested against the back of the couch. He could rest here a minute. Maybe a few minutes, but still, he wouldn’t be here long. His limbs were heavy, his mind fizzling to a blank; there was no way he could move even if he wanted to.
He didn’t want to.
With Brady’s even breathing and irregular snores luring him under, Nick drifted off.
Chapter Thirteen: The Canada Tournament
Brady (10:44 p.m.)
just got into town and checked in
the drive’s a bitch way worse than going to pittsburgh
forgot to ask you when you’re arriving/where you’re staying
Brady (10:49 p.m.)
so if you’re in town lemme know and we can get a beer
Brady (11:14 p.m.)
I think lexi’s here too and maybe young greg if you wanted me to see if they wanna come too
Brady (11:38 p.m.)
ran into young greg at the hotel bar he’s super excited to drink so I bought him a beer
Brady (11:43 p.m.)
we’re at the marriott btw
Brady (12:15 a.m.)
so i’m guessing you’re asleep or driving or on a plane or something
safe travels see you when you get here
Nick’s heart had either stopped or was beating so fast he could no longer feel it. These messages… he didn’t know how to read them. Or rather, hedid, and it reminded him painfully of their last tournament together: a build-up to dashed hopes and resentment, then months of awkwardness.
He didnotwant to do that again.
Since they’d won, Nick had been careful to avoid the topic of travel. He didn’t want to talk about when they were getting there, how they were getting there, where they were staying, or if they wanted to split a room again. Brady didn’t mention any of it either, which Nick felt was an agreement not to let things go as poorly as last time.
When theyhadtalked about the trip, it was specifically to discuss hockey: what would the teams be like? Should they go to the Hockey Hall of Fame? Could they work in a trip to Scotiabank Arena for kicks? That sort of thing.
And now Brady was flat-out inviting him for drinks at a hotel bar. That was… flirty, right? But also not, since he’d offered to bring other people as a buffer?
As long as I don’t go back to his hotel room, things will be fine. He’s excited and bored, and that’s it. He’s probably textingeveryoneto find out where they were. Alternate Captain’s duty or whatever. I’m not special.
Nick (6:17 a.m.)
heading to the airport in a bit probably won’t be checked in until noon
which means i probably have time to grab lunch in town before our game tonight
