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It’s time to let the brainwashing from his Russian upbringing go, but hey, who am I to talk about childhood trauma? I don’t have any. My parents are still together, and they’re happy. It’s gross, really. I can never blame any of my actions, faults, or regrets on them. It makes for boring therapy. I’m the reason I’m so fucked-up? Sounds like a scam. Then again, it’s not like I’ve had it totally easy. Not when it comes to my sexuality.
Working in an industry known for toxic masculinity means some colleagues have distanced themselves from me in the past, said some borderline homophobic things like “I don’t care if you’re gay, but I’m not interested.” Thanks, Gary, like I’d ever want to have sex with your balding-ass self. Your forehead probably looks like your ballsack. Where do I sign up to get on that?
“Then … I don’t know. Scowl at him a bunch. Give him the evil eye.” “I do not scowl.” “And I’m not a former fuckboy. This game is fun.”
“I don’t hate you. My issue with you was …” He averts his gaze. “The complete opposite of hating you.” Wait, what?
It is dangerous to say this in public, but my options were to drive us to a deserted underground parking lot or here, and for some reason, Americans get edgy in dark places.
Where am I going again? Why am I in the players’ locker room? I can’t remember. “Turkey,” Jeremy, our head trainer, calls from the door to the treatment room. “You’re up.” Ah. Yes. Trainer. Talkies. All of the professionalism.
Radimir Novicov doesn’t run from anyone. Not even messy, sexy, annoying men who I wish had stayed in my past.
“Because I see the way you look at me, Novi. It’s the exact same way I look at you.”
“You’re still the same old Novi. You act tough and joke about being a delightful ray of sunshine, but the truth is, you’re not joking at all. Deep down, you’re a gentle sweetheart who wants to be loved for who he is.”
It’s probably the only thing holding me back from saying something like he has to take care of his knees because the minute he retires from hockey, I plan to put them to good use.
I don’t want Radimir Novicov to be my downfall, but at this point, it might be too late to stop it.
“I am young and beautiful. Very energetic. Lots of stamina.” And this is why I can’t interact with him. If he doesn’t know what he’s saying, he’s adorable. If he knows exactly what he’s doing, he’s sadistic.
“Wear two pairs of socks. Condoms for your feet.” The things this guy says, I swear to God. “Feet condoms. Got it.”
what you’re saying,” I begin, pretending to be confused, “is there will be no naked runs or tables dancing or ordering five hundred pizzas at midnight?” “Are you purposely trying to give us ideas?” Oskar asks, leaning his crossed arms on the counter.
“You mean to say the win where you barely beat us and only got that last goal because I was feeling friendly toward you after the whole gay stick thing.” “You cannot tell people Novi has a gay stick,” Colby says. “Rainbow rod?” “Nope.” Ezra’s eyes squint up. “Magic unicorn staff?”
