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“You know I’m not the kind of guy who fucks around.”
“Fine, but imagine meeting a captivating random man, and rather than getting to go home to Aaron, you go to an empty apartment. It’s the same for him up there.”
“And yet we both have been living alone.”
They sat quietly, drinking and watching the music videos that played on the flat screens over the bar. Caleb also caught the eye of Peter, the tattooed flirt, who seemed intent on waiting Dimitri out. He didn’t know how Dimitri did what he did—the seemingly endless string of affairs that usually only burned hot for a few days, maybe a week at most, before fizzling out.
Dimitri finally spoke up. “I’m just going to tell you to do what I do. Follow your heart. If you want to make it work with Aaron, do it. My heart tells me to enjoy the variety that life has to offer and fuck around as much as possible. If I didn’t do that, I’d go crazy. You’ll be miserable if you don’t do everything you can to bring him around.”
“Maybe if he comes down for the weekend, he’ll see that it can work.”
“Try not to bring any of this drama onto the ice, though. We need you at your best.”
“Yes, Coach.” Caleb smirked at his friend.
“You wanna go to your place and play some video games? Take your mind off all this for a while?”
“Do you need to take tattoo guy somewhere?”
“He’s being too clingy. He’s watched us the whole time. Besides, my best friend needs me—unless….”
“Don’t even say it. I do not need that. Beating you at NHL 17 will be enough.”
Dimitri stood and Caleb followed. “Let’s go. And why do you think you’re going to beat me anyway?”
“Because it’s what happens when we’re on Xbox.”
“It could be different this time.”
“Um, no.”
They laughed as they headed out of the bar and grabbed a cab to go to Caleb’s.
Chapter Twenty-One
AARON hadn’t expected Caleb’s invitation to come down to city to watch his first game back. His initial plan was to decline because there was no way he could get into the city in time after school. But Pam wouldn’t let him hide behind that excuse and personally covered his class so he could hit the road. He played a mix of power ballads and dance tunes on the drive to keep him from thinking too much or getting too nervous.
He followed Grant’s instructions on how to drop off his car at Caleb’s building. It was a super fancy short glass tower on the Lower West Side. Aaron couldn’t imagine what the inside must look like, but he’d know before the end of the night. The doorman took his keys so the car could be parked and arranged for his overnight bag to be taken up to Caleb’s.
He wasn’t used to so much help getting things done.
He arrived at Madison Square Garden right on time and texted Grant once he passed through security. The lobby in front of the ticket pickup windows was crowded as people spilled in from the security lines and scurried either to get tickets or go to their seat. It was the East Coast version of the Staples Center, where Aaron had been all of one time because Tyson took him to see some important college basketball game. He hadn’t enjoyed it. This would be much better because it was Caleb playing.
Grant seemed to appear magically out of the crowd. “Hey, Aaron.” He smiled as he shook Aaron’s hand. “Good to see you. Any trouble getting here?”
“Pretty okay, actually. Traffic, of course, but Pam forced me out of school with more than enough time to get here.”
“Excellent. So, you’ll need this.” He handed Aaron a couple of cards attached to a lanyard, similar to the ones Grant had around his neck. “These identify you as a VIP and get you access to the waiting room afterward. I’ll make sure you get there, but they prove you belong if anyone checks.”
Aaron put them over his head and looked at the cards, feeling a little awkward at receiving the specialized status. He followed Grant, keeping close to him. Instead of following the crowds, Grant took him through a door and down several hallways. It was a dizzying maze, and Aaron was glad he was with Grant, while at the same time, he hoped he wouldn’t have to retrace this path.
“Caleb got a terrific seat for you.” They emerged inside a nicely appointed lounge filled with people who seemed overdressed for the event—designer jeans, sweaters, and jackets. That left Aaron feeling way underdressed in a Rangers sweatshirt, hoodie, and jeans. He figured Caleb would just get him a regular seat where he’d blend in with the other fans. Maybe he should’ve asked what to wear? He didn’t want to embarrass Caleb—or Grant, for that matter.
They passed through the lounge and down to a seat just four rows off the ice, directly behind the New York bench.
Holy crap.
Caleb would be just a few feet away. This was unreal. Looking around The Garden, he expected to be up several levels. Up where the people were dressed like he was.
