Ice Lovers (boyxboy)

CHAPTER 24

I think about hockey more often now. Ever since me and Diego have been getting closer, he's been so invested in my skating. So, I think about hockey more often.

He talks about hockey a lot, I can tell he absolutely loves the sport. But he's so sweet, always making sure to give attention to my skating as well. So of course I have to return the favor. I enjoy hearing him talk about something he's so passionate about. I just enjoy listening to him in general.

No matter how many times I go off on a tangent about anything, he listens to me. Maybe it's the bare minimum, but I still find it nice considering the shit some of my exes have done. But that just means I'll listen to his tangents as well.

"They weren't too mean. Not as mean as I expected at least." Diego reports to me, shrugging his shoulders. After school I asked him to come and meet me in the gym. I got to skip practice today since the competitions are almost here anyway. I wanted to hear about what happened between Diego and the other hockey guys after finding out he's dating me.

I just nod along, listening to what he has to say. Diego has a class period for hockey, replacing P.E., lucky him. So he practices every day, sometimes twice a day if the hockey teams have the rink. But I only get to practice every other day. The school doesn't take figure skating as seriously as I do, but hockey makes more money anyway.

"Some of them thought I was just messing with you like Simon did. Honestly, I wanted to punch them but then the coach would pull me out of more games." He rolls his eyes at that, receiving a giggle from me. Thank goodness they weren't as rude as I thought they'd be though. Maybe he's just the exception because they all play hockey together.

"Well, did you tell them it's not like that?" I ask him, resting my head on my knees as I sit with my legs to my chest, lightly hugging them to not fall from my seat. "Mhm. Of course I did." He tells me with a nod of his head. He continues talking, the conversation turning to the events of his practice rather than the people that were there.

I zone out a little, admiring his features. He has a pretty sharp jawline, with just a tiny bit of stubble. I wonder if he could grow it out and have a beard. He'd probably look way different. And the way he talks so animatedly, a wide smile on his face. He reminds me of Maverick a bit.

Once I begin listening again he's running out of things to say, so I rejoin the conversation. "Have you ever gotten hurt while playing hockey?" I ask him, tilting my head to see his expression easier. He nods his head and chuckles. "Oh yeah, Mostly small things though. Like bruises, minor ankle sprain, or the occasional concussion."

That's weird, I don't think he's been hurt in the time I've known him. I hope he doesn't hide anything, or I just hope that he doesn't get hurt often at all. "Wow. That's more than I thought." I tell him honestly. I don't get hurt very often when skating. I don't know if I just have good balance or something but if I am hurt it's usually small and just from me falling.

"Yeah. Or sometimes fist fights are actually allowed on the ice. That's also a way to get hurt." He says with a chuckle, making me laugh as well. "Fighting is allowed?" "Well, sometimes. In professional ice hockey. It's against the rules, but not entirely out of the question." Diego explains to me.

I nod my head in understanding and reach to hold his hand, giving it a squeeze. "I don't really think I'd ever have to worry about a fight related to figure skating." I say to him as he lets go of my hand, wrapping his arm around me instead.

Our conversation continues from there, both of us just talking about the weird interests we have. After practice, we went our separate ways. I went home to my family, spending the rest of the day with Maverick. Diego went home to whatever it is he goes home to, I don't really know.

After I took a shower, I took a quick mirror selfie, sending it straight to Diego. With my hair damp and it cutting off right at my waist. I give him a cute smile along with it and wait for a reaction.

I'm surprised when he calls me though. I answer the call, my camera and his coming into view. He immediately scans my surroundings through the little he can see from his screen, earning a laugh from me. "I'm wearing underwear, don't worry." I tell him with a soft breath of laughter.

He lets out an embarrassed chuckle and looks back to my face. "I might have to change my underwear soon." He says in response. I tilt my head to the side, a look of confusion upon my face. "Huh?"

"Nothing. Uh, are you getting dressed now?" I nod my head and place my phone down on the bathroom counter so I can finish putting on my clothing. "My pajamas." I corrected him, unnecessarily.

I picked up my phone once again, showing him the cute pajama pants I put on. He smiles into the phone and hums. "Very nice. I love everything you wear." He says innocently, even while his eyes linger a little longer than expected.

Soon I was ready for bed, curled up beneath the covers with Maverick. I had said my goodbyes to Diego but was not fully ready to hang up. I just want to talk to him forever. "Good night, Diego..." I say to him, my eyes heavy lidded.

"G'night, baby." He says in response, but neither of us will end the call. He's so sweet, I love any endearing name he calls me. "Good night. Now hang up already, idiot..." I furrow my eyebrows, despite my happy mood.

He chuckles and looks at something out of frame, I'd assume his cat who entered his room a little while ago. "Mmm, fine. Good night, love you." And he hangs up, my screen going back to our messages. He did it again, just leaving the conversation with a short 'love you', leaving me with my questions.

But I try my best to just leave it, putting down my phone and nuzzling my head into the blankets. It does take me a while to fall asleep, my mind busy thinking of what Diego had said, twice now today.