Page 25 of About to Fall
“Will you let me finish my story, asshole?”
Bash mimed zipping his lips.
“He took care of me. Helped me take off my boots. Gave me ibuprofen. And then...” I exhaled. “I may have told him he was beautiful.
Bash's hand came up to cover his eyes.
“And that I liked looking at him.”
His jaw dropped. “Holy fuck, Adrian.”
“While lying on his couch.”
“Adrian.” Gleeful now. The bastard was enjoying this.
“And then I passed out.”
“Adrian.” Slower this time. Pointed.
He dropped his hand, those hazel eyes lasering in on me. “So the guy you've supposedly hated all these years took care of you like a golden haired Florence Nightingale and you told him he was the most beautiful thing you've ever seen.”
“I didn't say most beautiful—”
“You said you liked looking at him. Same difference.” He shook his head. “And he didn't dump you in an alley—which I’ve dealt with your drunk ass—is what you deserved.”
“He really should've.” I scrubbed my hand across my face. “I've been kinda dickish to him.”
“Kinda dickish is your whole vibe. Giving and receiving.”
“I'm too hungover for this.”
“Hydrate, sleep it off, then wake the fuck up. You're hot for Prince Perfect.”
“Maybe you can knock some sense into me the next time I see you. When are you coming back to Canada?” I asked, because changing the subject was a survival skill I had honed to a fine edge.
Bash let me do it. “December. World Cup event, then Calgary for training camp, then Vancouver for Christmas. You should come. Mom's always asking about you.”
The standing invitation was genuine. Warm. The kind of thing that should have been easy to accept.
“I'll probably stay in Toronto,” I said. “Cam'll be around.”
“Will he though?”
I didn't answer.
“Offer stands,” Bash said. “Anytime. Even if Cam flakes.”
“I know.”
“I mean it.”
“Ok, I’ll let you know if I change my mind. I really feel like shit, I should get some more sleep. Good night, Bash.”
“It's six in the morning here.”
“Have a good day, Bash.”
“Sike, I'm going to bed too. Night.” He grinned and hung up.
