Unsportsmanlike Conduct

Cherry Pickers P. II

Upon arriving at the home located in a suburban cul-de-sac, the couple is almost immediately separated as they walk through the front door. Moss' mom pulls him towards the kitchen and his dad holds Tye back for conversation with the other two Kettler boys. Tye has a frightened look on his face as he stares after his boyfriend who gives him a not-so-reassuring smile before disappearing into the kitchen.

In the sterile white kitchen, he watches on as his mom opens the considerably large silver refrigerator and gets out the ingredients for burrito bowls. It's one of the many post-game meals that she used to make for Shane and Eli when they were younger and hungry after a big game. Although it sounds delicious, it's far from the classic Chipotle bowl and is instead just an incredibly bland healthy meal for athletes to consume. Moss takes a moment to mourn the dinner that he was supposed to have with Tye at the fancy surf and turf restaurant that he booked reservations for weeks in advance. He supposes that this is what he gets for not having a backbone.

Despite his plans being spoiled, Moss does think it's nice to spend time with his mom in the kitchen again. After all, one of the main things that they bonded over when he was younger was their shared love of cooking. They don't speak much, but dance around each other as they prepare different parts of the meal. Everything seems to be going smoothly until she suddenly disappears. She had put together an appetizer plate of turkey, cheese and apple slices and went to deliver it to the men in the other room. Moss waits for her return, but after a while he realizes that she won't be coming back to keep him company as he finishes making their meals.

The extra lean ground beef is sizzling in the pan as he begins to ladle some out, placing it on top of the brown rice that has already been scooped into each of the bowls. Moss is in the process of adding peppers, onions and mushrooms to each of them when he feels arms circle around his waist.

"I was trying to end the conversation so I could come help you, but they kept asking me questions about the game," Tye whispers in his ear in an attempt to keep anyone from overhearing.

Finishing up the last bowl, Moss sighs and says, "Sorry about that—they have a habit of latching on to anyone remotely interested in hockey. They're probably more talkative than usual now that one of Shane and Eli's teammates is here."

"Don't apologize," Tye's lips brush against his cheek as he responds while gently squeezing his waist. Moss looks over his shoulder and the hockey player follows his gaze towards the empty doorway. He takes a step back. Neither of them wants to be walked in on while wrapped around each other. Tye is now leaning against the counter as he clarifies, "I just feel bad that you did all of the cooking for them on your own again."

Moss waves his hand dismissively while placing the dirty dishes in the sink. "I'm used to it. It's whatever at this point." Which is the truth. He doesn't expect anything less from his family at this point.

Frowning, Tye starts to carry some of the bowls to the dining room where Moss has already set the table with silverware and napkins. "Tye, honey. Please sit down and relax," Mrs. Kettler says to him with her eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "You don't have to do all of that—you must be exhausted from the game."

He continues to set the bowls on the table as he replies, "I'm fine, ma'am. Moss is busy finishing up in the kitchen and I want to help him out."

Once they are all seated around the dining room table, Mr. Kettler asks the three hockey players what they like to do for fun in Denver. Moss wonders what his family even talks about when he isn't around. Do they really only have conversations about hockey now? How do his parents not know what Shane and Eli like to do for fun?

"Skiing, snowboarding, hiking...." Eli lists. Shane nods along in agreement before chiming in. "We mostly chill with the boys on off days. Normally, though, we just play a lot of video games."