Carl is tall. Carl likes proving he’s tall. Carl likes proving he’s tall by hugging his friends and lifting them off the ground.
“When I said that you guys are welcome whenever, I meant it,” I manage to get out. “Now put me down, you ass. We get it, you’re six-seven.”
“Even if you’re in the middle of a steamy hookup?” Stefano asks, dapping me up while Carl puts me back on solid ground.
“Depends on if you’re joining in, hot stuff.” I shoot Stefano an exaggerated wink which makes him groan, and I use that diversion to say hi to Mark.
Once their jackets are off, I fire up my coffee maker. “What are you guys doing in Toronto?” I ask.
Mark pipes up. “When you said you were coming back early, we talked and figured we’d surprise you and then get you wasted for New Year’s.”
“Yeah, Mark and I took the train in from Kitchener this morning, and Stefano got in last night.” Carl says. “Mark’s brother is letting us crash at his studio in North York, so we have a place to stay after we all go out tonight. That’ll beat going back home.”
“You guys should stay here,” I offer. “The subway is gonna be packed as usual, and we can pre at mine.”
“Uh oh, Luke’s planning a party. Things are gonna get wild,” Mark says.
“If you guys want a redo of our housewarming, look elsewhere,” I fire back. “I amreformed.”
Stefano thinks for a second, and then he grins. “Speaking of wild, you’re friends with a pro athlete, right?”
I tense up. He isnotabout to chirp me about Erik in front of everyone.
“Who?”
“Uh, I don’t remember his name… you went to high school with him? He visited our house a few times? Pitcher for Boston?”
Oh, right. James.Thatprofessional athlete. I was friends with him in high school, and he had a sick first season as Boston’s new pitcher. I love the guy, but he’s still a traitor for signing with them.
“Yeah, James! What about him?”
Carl stares blankly at me. “You went to high school with him. Here, in Toronto.”
“And?”
Stefano gives my chest a jab. “And you should strongly consider inviting your high school friends, famous and not famous, tonight.”
“You want to rub shoulders with pro baseball players, don’t you?”
“Yup, and we’re not scared to admit it. Meanwhile, you’re scared to say that you’re dying to rub dicks with a pro hockey player,” Mark says.
“Dude, shut the fuck up, that isn’t true!” I sputter.
“Your celebrity crush is literally Toronto’s married backup goalie.” Carl deadpans, and the other two cross their arms.
“Just because I think Vladimir Ivanov is the perfect specimen of a human being, that doesn’t mean I want to rub dicks with him.”
Mark laughs. “Yeah, yeah, keep telling yourself that.”
I give Mark the finger and text James. Since he started playing for Boston, he locked down his social media, so nobody knows where he is or what he’s doing. He showed up in Toronto in September and hung out with me a few times, but he was doing a ton of physical therapy, and his schedule was pretty packed.
Yo James, I’m having a little get-together at my place tn, you should reach if you’re in town
Hey man, thanks for the invite! I’m def down to come. Is it cool if I bring my bf?
Wait a second. James has aboyfriend? The guy who was swarmed by girls at every high school party now has a boyfriend?
I… was not expecting that. At all.
