In Love with a Lunatic (joshler)

7. Drinks

Another one, why not? xx
(Just One Yesterday -Fall Out Boy)

Saturday
November 30

Josh lets out a breath, staring at the ice, waiting for the puck to be dropped. It hits the ice and Ronnie snags it before the opponent, shooting out of the center. The hometown and opposing team spread out, and Josh captures the puck as Jeremy passes it to him. Hauling ass down the rink, Josh eyes the net furiously before taking his shot. He raises his arms with a victory yell, the buzzer screeching around the arena.

The man is tackled in a group hug by his teammates as fans cheer from their seats. Sweat pools out of every gland in Josh's body, soaking his uniform. He can't keep the grin off his face as he watches the crowd. He can't believe he just made the winning goal. It's always such a rush for him.

Stepping off the ice, he heads toward the locker room with his team. His grin widens as he spots Tyler in the hall, talking to Dallon. Tyler smiles as he sees the red haired man, "Great fucking shot, Dun!"

"Thank you," Josh responds, hugging the boy as he wraps his thin arms around his waist, surprised by the move. It's going to take some getting used to.

"We're going to celebrate. Coming, Dun?" Dallon asks.

"What are you guys doing?" the man replies, looking up at his teammate.

"We sometimes go out for a few drinks after a win," Tyler explains.

"Oh, that's right. You want me to come this time?"

Tyler shrugs with a teasing smile, "Not really, but Dallon guilted me into being okay with it."

Josh smirks, "Sounds about right."

"Tyler, we'll meet you at the bar?" Dallon says, opening the locker room door.

"You better."

-

Josh, Dallon and Cody walk into the bar and immediately spot Tyler and Jenna in a corner, drinks in front of them as they talk and laugh amongst themselves. There's music playing throughout the building, making it slightly difficult to hear people not within reach. The three join the two friends at the table and sit down, immediately engaging in conversation as Tyler offers to get drinks for everyone. Josh walks up with him to the bar and sits on the stool next to him to wait for their beverages.

Tyler smiles up at the freshly clean hockey player, "I'm glad you could make it."

"Me too. I'm always down for a victory drink." Josh notices Tyler's eyes are glossed over slightly. He tilts his head carefully, "How many drinks have you had already?"

Tyler hates the look he's being given. It makes him feel small and pathetic. He hates it even more that Josh is the one giving him the look. He shouldn't know that side of Tyler. Nobody should. He would almost rather have his mother's uncaring, judgey stare, than the sympathetic one he's currently seeing. He lets out a breath, looking down at the bar, "Only one."

"Should I not drink? Like, will you need a ride home?"

Tyler shakes his head, "Jenna is my DD. She doesn't drink."

"Okay. Just checking," Josh nods, grabbing his and Dallon's drinks while Tyler takes his and Cody's.

Throughout the next hour, Josh watches Tyler and Jenna dance together to the many different songs blasting through the bar's speakers. He wants to join them, but he's too nervous. Moreso, he wants to join Tyler. Jenna's nice, but not exactly who he's going for.

The two laugh as the song ends and Josh stands up and walks to the DJ to request a song that he's had stuck in his head for a while now. With a nod from the man, Josh smiles and walks back to the table as Tyler finishes his fifth drink, much to Dallon and Jenna's remarks for him to slow down. He sits down and Tyler smiles at him.