“And how would you like it if I were as blunt as humanly possible. Would you take it seriously?”
“Of course I would. You know why? Because I can handle criticism. That’s what makes us better, and I’m constantly striving for that. And, you know what? If I have areas where I need to improve, I wouldexpectyou to tell me. Don’t beat around the bush, bro.”
My boyfriend froze like I’d backed him into a corner. Now, he suddenly ceased to be the guy that’d just given me the orgasm of a lifetime with his exceptional skill and massive cock. I hadn’t been joking either. I can handle constructive criticism with the best of them. I really would’ve expected Erik to call me out on shortcomings. I couldn’t help that he had become more sensitive to just about everything as time passed.
“Let’s just forget this,” I said.
“Let’s not. Now that you’ve brought it up, I think we need to talk about it.”
Oh yeah, that was my stubborn, bullheaded side shining through loud and clear. If Erik was going to be like that, he would get as much of that side of me as he could handle.
“You want me to talk?” he asked. “Okay, let’s talk. Let’s talk about the fact that I didn’t play all that badly—in fact, I played a pretty solid game—and you’re acting like I was playing Little League hockey out there.”
“I never said you were playing Little League hockey. Quit putting words in my mouth.”
“I didn’t put words in your mouth. I said you’reactinglike I was playing Little League hockey, and there’s a difference. If you don’t want to get caught up in arguments like this, you should stay in your own lane.”
“Stay in my own lane.” I laughed a little. “That’s a good one, Erik. As far as I’m concerned, I am staying in my own lane. It’s not even about being a co-captain. Everyone on this hockey team needs to hold each other accountable. That’s the mark of a championship team, don’t you get it?”
My boyfriend rolled out of bed and inched closer to me. Part of me still wanted to stroke that cock of his and to take him like he’d taken me earlier, but I would never escape this argument.
“You know,” he said, “you’ve changed your tune ever since the Maple Leafs contacted you.”
That was it. Now we were drawing closer to the real issue.
“Oh, I see what you’re saying,” I said. “You think my criticism is because the Leafs are thinking about drafting me?”
“Thinking? You’ve been acting like it’s a done deal this whole time?”
“I’ve got news for you, pal. I have always been this arrogant.”
I paused, wishing I could call back that last phrase.
“No argument there,” Erik said. “And you’ve got to admit, you’ve been even more of a hothead ever since that Leon Purvis dude showed up.”
“I get what you’re saying now. It all makes sense. It’s not that you don’t like me pointing out where you need to improve. You’re all butthurt knowing that I could be making the big time, and you’ll still be in college. Well, I’ve got news for you, bro. You could be in the exact same position as me if you were willing to work harder.”
Now I expected my boyfriend to slug me. I balled my fists and steeled myself in case he really did it. His face reddened, and the tension in the room grew palpable, but he didn’t hit me. But that didn’t everything was okay. Not by a long shot.
Okay, maybe I was out of line with that hard work comment. I could acknowledge that. I had enough humility to admit when I’m wrong.
“I’m sorry,” I said. “I didn’t mean for that to come out that way.”
“Bullshit, dude. You totally did.”
“I’m serious. That’s not what I meant. I just got a little ahead of myself.”
Erik turned from me as if to say it was too late to take that back now. Great. So much for that second round.
“It’s just hard not to think that maybe jealousy is getting the best of you,” I said.
“Well, it isn’t.”
“Glad you cleared that up.”
“I shouldn’t need to. Yeah, you could get drafted by the Leafs. Big deal. That doesn’t mean you can start telling others how to play hockey.”
I should’ve known something like this would happen sooner or later. On one hand, his petty jealousy showed. How could it not? Erik wanted to play in the NHL as badly as I did, andI would almost definitely get that chance ahead of him. Mister Rational was losing his shit over it. That wasn’t my problem.
