Page 165 of The Head Game

“Ugh.” Nico groaned. “Believe me, I wish. If one more person fucking tells me to take all the time I need, I’m going to lose it.”

“I get it,” Dom said with a grimace. “But I also get why everyone’s freaked. You scared us, man.”

“So everyone keeps telling me. August said he has nightmares.”

“Yeah, don’t we all.” Dom squinted across the ice at August who was scrimmaging with some of the team. “He seems like a good dude.”

“He is,” Nico agreed. “I’ve been lucky to have him around.”

Dom shook his head. “Sure didn’t think I’d see you settling down though. I thought the two of us would be the last holdouts on the team. Single until we were old men.”

“You’re already an old man,” Nico teased, then shrugged. “I don’t know. I never hated the idea like you do. Just never found someone who seemed worth settling down with. Not to knock Sky but we were … well, you know.”

“Yeah, I know.” Dom slapped his shoulder and stood. “Well, congrats, man. The injury sucks but I’m glad you have other stuff going for you.”

And Nico watched his teammate walk away, wondering why he felt so funny inside.

* * *

“Hey, you ready to go?” August asked later as he pulled a toque over his damp hair. His cheeks were flushed from exertion and he was smiling.

Unable to resist, Nico grabbed the lapels of his ridiculous peacoat and kissed him. August let out a surprised noise against his lips, then kissed him back, sliding his hands along Nico’s back and prompting a loud boo from someone in the room.

Nico finally drew away when the whistles and chirps grew too loud to stand.

“Holy shit, never thought I’d see a player and a ref making out in the locker room,” Matty said with a laugh. “This is so fucking weird.”

Nico grinned. “We can put on more of a show if you’d like.” He waggled his tongue and out of the corner of his eye he saw August’s cheeks redden.

“Fuck no.” Colton threw a ball of socks at his chest and Nico batted it away. “I want to see less.”

Jeers and good-natured ribbing followed Nico and August out of the locker room and Nico was still smiling as he stepped out of the practice facility, their hands clasped.

August hit the remote start on the key fob and across the lot, Nico’s headlights flashed.

“Thanks for inviting me today,” August said with a smile. He squeezed Nico’s hand. “This was more fun than I expected. Or, I had fun anyway. I know it was tough for you.”

“Not my favorite day, that’s for sure,” Nico admitted as they crossed the snowy parking lot. “It was good to see everyone but it’s so hard to listen to all of the opinions about what I need to do for my recovery. Everyone thinks they’re a fucking expert, you know?”

“I’m sorry. That sounds frustrating.”

“Yeah, it was.” Nico scuffed his winter boot, breaking up a chunk of slushy snow.

“Ready to go home?” August asked a few minutes later as he put the car in gear.

“I … don’t think I want to go home tonight,” Nico admitted, the words catching in his throat.

In the dark car, August glanced over. “No?”

“No. If one more person asks how my recovery is going or when I’ll be back, I’ll lose it. I need a break from people. Does that make me an asshole?”

“I certainly don’t think so.” August hesitated. “Do you need a break from everyone or …?”

“Well, not you,” Nico said with a smile. “You’re not people, Auggie.”

August laughed. “I’m not?”

Ugh, how was Nico supposed to explain what he meant?

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