Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 55760 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 279(@200wpm)___ 223(@250wpm)___ 186(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 55760 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 279(@200wpm)___ 223(@250wpm)___ 186(@300wpm)
We worked companionably, dancing around each other for available counter space. Court handed over a gin and soda with lime and clinked his glass against mine before reaching for a half of a toasted ham-and-cheese bagel I’d set on a platter on the table.
“Mmm, this tastes amazing. Thank you,” he gushed.
“You’re welcome. Thank your mom, though. These are Henderson bagels.”
Court let out a half laugh. “I figured. We’re the only retail bread game in town.”
I finished chewing and nodded. “True.”
“You’re looking at me funny.” He brushed a nonexistent crumb from his beard. “Am I wearing my bagel?”
“No, I’m just trying to figure out a nice way to be nosy. I’m very curious about you, but you probably feel like you don’t really know me because let’s be real, we haven’t seen much of each other since high school and—”
“We were just in the Bingo trenches together, Ivan. Ask whatever you want.”
“Okay. Question number one…what happened in Charleston?”
“I got cut from the team,” he replied matter-of-factly.
“Oh. I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay. I’ll find something new.”
I nodded in agreement, sipping my cocktail thoughtfully. He was shutting down again. I had a dozen follow-up questions, but I had a feeling I’d lose this happy vibe with him if I pressed.
“Of course you will. Topic change.” I pushed my drink aside and leaned my elbows on the table, pulling a yikes face. “How’s your burn area?”
Court widened his gaze comically and almost choked. “Are you really asking about the state of my dick?”
“Hey, that was traumatic for both of us, but mostly you.”
“And whose fault was that?”
I wrinkled my nose. “You pulled when I pushed, then you yelled and I panicked.”
He paused as if considering my assessment. “I guess that’s fair. Well, I’m happy to report, all parts are intact and working well.”
“Phew!” I picked my sandwich apart and folded a piece of ham in half, popping it into my mouth. “Sorry if I embarrassed you in front of Vinnie and Riley.”
“You didn’t. They’re cool.”
“Definitely. You’ll love working with them. Everyone wants a job at the rink or the sports facility. The town has always had hockey fever, but nothing quite like now. It’s kind of exciting.”
Court arched his brow. “Yet two single guys just spent their Friday night at a Bingo hall. Assuming you’re single.”
“Well, this is still Elmwood. Nightlife options are and always have been limited.” I chuckled. “So, yes, I’m single. You?”
“Very single.” He traced the rim of his glass with his thumb. “That’s totally fine. I’m not in a great place for a relationship. Truth is…I haven’t had a serious girlfriend or boyfriend in a while.”
Screech!
I opened my mouth, prepared to continue my interrogation, but my brain snagged on those two extra words. “Girlfriend or boyfriend. Are you…”
“Bi.” He chomped his last bite of bagel and washed it down with a healthy swig of gin.
I was still staring at him, completely dumbfounded till he nudged my shin with his sneaker. “Uh…bi. Really?”
“Mmhmm.”
“Are you saying you’re attracted to and feel sexual interest for both men and women?” I asked in bewilderment.
“That sounds like the definition of bi, so yeah. I’ve fucked men and women and I’ve liked both a lot.”
“Well, that felt…graphic,” I rasped. Not to mention, incredibly hot.
Court shrugged nonchalantly. “You asked.”
“I guess I did. I’m just…shocked.” I twisted the top off the gin bottle and refreshened our drinks. “Does anyone know?”
“Sure. It’s not a secret.”
I narrowed my gaze. “So everyone knows? Like your parents and your friends and…your teammates?”
“Yeah,” he replied, clearly amused by my awkward stumbling.
“But…you play hockey.”
“Well, technically, I’m not on any team at the moment. And I never played for the NHL or AHL, so there was no public drama. No one gave a fuck if I went home with a guy or a girl after a game. It wasn’t something that mattered, you know?”
“No, actually…I don’t know. It was a total hullabaloo when Vinnie came out.” I threw my hands in the air and leaned in. “You should have seen the press invasion in town a few years ago. I had a guy from the New York Times ask what Vinnie’s drink of choice was at Rise and Grind, after he asked how well I knew him and what he was like as a human. Can you even? It was the same when Riley came out too, because he was still in the league and his boyfriend lived here. Elmwood was suddenly interesting to the public and while it’s been great for business, the attention is surreal.”
“I bet. The town has changed a lot. I can’t get over how freaking nice the rink is now or how many kids have joined the club teams. Fuck, I played on the junior team for Coach Moore, and we thought we were the bomb. We’d had a small group, and two kids were from Fallbrook. But that’s local shit. Vin, Ronnie, and Riley have a couple of kids coming in from Rutland. Their parents drive an hour both ways for hockey. I’m coaching twelve Mighty Mites starting Monday. Twelve. That might be nothing in bigger towns, but here…I’m blown away.”