Guide Me | N. Robertson

11| The Basketball Game

After practice, the team got drinks. I stayed sober to drive people home. That night, I slept alone in my apartment thinking about what had happened during practice. 

-flashback 1 year ago-

Morgan's new girlfriend was in town, which kept Morgan pretty occupied. They had offered to take me to dinner, but I simply declined. I had been hanging out with Auston Matthews lately. It was nice to have some company between my busy school schedule. It was hard for me to make friends. It would be fine until the Toronto Maple Leafs were brought up in conversation. That wasn't my entire identity. I knew Morgan Rielly, my friend who grew up down the street, not Morgan as the Leafs defence man. I didn't want to be used for tickets and the possibility of being invited to a team party. Every year when Russell Westbrook was in town, Morgan and Auston would go to the game. The game just so happened to fall when Tessa was in town. Instead of passing both tickets off to someone else, Auston had asked me to go. I didn't really think of it until now. Auston and I were friends or siblings even. He looked out for me when Morgan was busy. 

We had gotten dinner before the game at Auston's favourite Mexican restaurant.When we got to the arena, we sat court side. We watched warm ups and even saw Drake sitting further down the court. I didn't know much about basketball, but I knew enough to tell that the Raptors were not gonna win. It was late when the game ended and Auston's place was closer.

"B, do you want to just stay over?" Auston asks when we get out from the arena.

"Yeah that's fine." I replied. When we got to Auston's condo, I stood looking out the huge windows at the bustling city. 

"Are you going to come to bed?" Auston asks. I simply nod and get into his bed. We had taken naps in the same bed together before so this was not out of the ordinary. I laid there staring out the window when Auston said, "You know B, I really like hanging out with you."

"Me too Aus." I replied drifting to sleep. In the morning we had made French toast while listening to music. 

"Brooks, I always have so much fun with you." Auston says

"Me too." I say sitting on the counter eating my French toast. 

"I know you're a little younger than me, but Brooks I like you." Auston had come closer to me. 

"I-I- Auston we can't be together. What would Morgan say?" 

"Let me take you on a proper date and we can figure out the rest." Auston looks sad. I wasn't entirely ready for any type of relationship. I had big dreams, I was still in school and had a long road ahead of me.

We had ended up going out one day on an off day. He had picked me up from class and we got lunch. At the end, Auston and I agreed to be friends. I didn't spend much time with anyone from the team after that. Two months later, Nick was drafted to the Leafs and it would change my whole world.

-end of flashback-

Now I had to tell Nick this story before someone else does. I was terrified.