Page 30 of Fate in Motion
"It's only three points," he says, eyes gleaming. "That means it's expected to be close. I love games like that."
When the ice cream arrives, Carter digs in immediately. I pause for a second, spoon in hand, and say, "Hey. I know New York is playing Philly in week three. I'm thinking of going to the game with my twin, Evan. Any chance you'd wanna go out with us after?"
Carter beams. "Of course! But I also want to take Marcus. I haven't spent enough time with him. I want to build a relationship there. And honestly? I think Evan would love Marcus, and he's so chill; anyone can get along with him."
Before I can respond, Carter adds, "Also, I'm not sure if you know this, but players get free tickets. I think it'd be great if your family joined you. Maybe we could all go to dinner after? And then head out with Evan and Marcus?"
I stare at him, my heart beating fast. He wants to meet my family. He's offering his tickets.
"That would be amazing," I say, glowing. "But, just so we're clear, my family's insane. They will absolutely tell you the most embarrassing stories about me. Don't believe anything."
Carter grins and winks. "Understood."
The check comes, and before I can even blink, Carter grabs it and puts his card down.
I don't argue. I just smile. "Thank you."
He shrugs playfully. "Anything for you, boo.
After we pay, it's around 2 p.m., and I know what's coming. Carter has practice in the morning. I've got a dozen things I need to figure out. It's time for him to leave, and I can see it on his face, too.
"I don't want to go," he says. "But if I don't leave now, I don't think I ever will leave. And then I'll miss my first game."
I smile. "Let me walk you to the train."
We make our way there, side by side. When we reach the station, I want to pull him in for a hug or kiss. But people are definitely watching, and I know some of them recognize him. So, instead, I just give him a flirtatious smile and say, "Goodbye."
Carter looks at me, reading everything I'm not saying. He nods, grateful, and replies, "See you soon. Maybe during the week?"
I tease, "Not sick of me yet?"
He laughs. "Never. I'll text you."
As he walks toward the train, I can't help but watch his ass. God, I loved being inside it. And I can't wait to do it again.
On my walk home, a little wave of sadness starts to settle in until my phone pings.
I look down at a text from Carter, "Miss you already."
Immediately, the sadness turns to happiness. I'm smiling like an idiot, already excited to see him this week.
Carter
It’s been a long two weeks leading up to today’s September 9th game against Arizona. Thankfully, we have some idea of how they play, having faced them in the preseason. They’re a good team, but I think we are equally good. At least that’s what the Vegas odds say: minus 3, and Arizona winning. Not bad at all, especially since New York was a dumpster fire last year.
These past few weeks have been amazing. I was with Nate every day, and he slept over each day, but he left Friday, a few days before my first game. I would have seen him on Friday as well. Still, I knew I needed a good night’s sleep before Saturday’s practice and today’s 4:25 game.
Hanging out with Nate isn’t just sex; it’s so much more than that. We played hours of Super Smash Bros and Mario Party, and I somehow got him to play Monopoly, even though he claimed to hate it. We scrolled Reddit together, cracking up at the most unhinged comment threads. I even made him dive into Harry Potter fanfiction, which is my absolute favorite. Some of those Reddit writers basically live in my brain.
The best part was this past Thursday night. I spent three hours alone finishing most of Season One ofSchitt’s Creek, but only because the deal was that Nate had to keep readingDeathly Hallows, the seventhHarry Potterbook. He’s halfway through now and totally obsessed, except he’s over all the deaths. I don’t blame him. You spend seven books falling in love with these characters, and then poof, they’re dead.
But seriously, spending time with Nate these past two weeks pumped me up. I know it’s going to show on the field today.
***
We’re all in the locker room, getting hyped, when Jack Sanders, the cute tight end I used to lowkey fawn over, shouts, “Let’s fucking go! We got this! We’re the underdog in this game by three points, which is a new record! When have we ever been this close to being favored in past seasons?”
His energy is contagious. I throw my arm around Marcus and Josh and start jumping, yelling, “Let’s go! Let’s go!” The whole team joins in, bouncing and shouting, caught up in the moment.
