Page 56 of Twisted Needs

“Oh, hop off my dick,” Livingston snaps. “It was one stupid repost.”

“Brother,” Vandy says, voice flattening slightly, “people on the internet are ruthless. Note app apologies are worse than not saying anything at all.”

Livingston opens his mouth, then shuts it.

Guys say ugly shit in locker rooms all the time. Most of the time nobody corrects it until suddenly everyone is angry and nobody understands why. It doesn’t excuse it, but I understand where Livingston’s confusion comes from. Unfortunately for him, Rogers is absolutely the wrong bear to poke tonight. Especially because Vandy is the world’s biggest pot-stirrer.

“You know what your problem is?” Vandy asks quietly.

Livingston lets out a cynical laugh. “Here we go. Let’s hear what Robbie has to say.”

“No one is gonna believe you if you don’t believe it yourself.”

Livingston’s jaw tightens. “You don’t know shit,” he says.

“Okay,” I cut in firmly, planting a hand on the table. “That’s enough.”

Livingston looks at me like he wants backup, but he’s not getting it.

“You don’t get to say reckless shit and then act surprised when people react badly,” I tell him evenly. “Every guy on this team knows how important public image is. Private your shit so it doesn’t happen again.”

He raises both hands innocently. “Alright. Damn.”

“Alright,” I say sharply. “Good. We’re done with it.” I look directly at Livingston. “You don’t have to agree with everybody personally,” I tell him. “But you do have to respect the room. That’s part of being on a team. You understand me?”

His jaw flexes. “Yeah.”

“Good.” Then I turn to Vandy and Rogers. “And you two,” I say, softer now, “stop trying to provoke him every chance you get.”

Vandy fakes an offended look. “I’m literally delightful.”

“You’re a fucking menace.”

Livingston mutters something under his breath and starts walking off toward the elevators. The second he’s gone, Rogers exhales loudly.“Well,” he says. “That was deeply uncomfortable.”

“You guys don’t help,” I mutter. "You just make shit worse.”

Vandy leans against my shoulder for half a second like an overgrown little brother before straightening again. “You still love me though.”

“Ehh. Love’s a strong word.”

“You’d fight someone for me.”

I shake my head, but I’m smiling now despite myself.

“Important question,” he says solemnly. “Does this mean the sleepover is a go?”

“Oh my God,” I groan.

"Hey!" Malloy points at Vandy. “He said if Robbie gets two hat tricks this season we can all stay over and watch Shrek.”

“I did not say that.”

“You implied it spiritually. I felt it in my heart to be true.”

“I hate all of you.”

“That’s not a no,” Rogers says smugly.