Page 74 of The Tryout

“Could we…maybe just eat at Mr. Tran’s? Would that be okay?”

“Whatever you want, Finn.”

Surprisingly, I find I mean it.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

FINN

The month of November flies by quick. With Robby in Minneapolis, I finally break onto the first line for the first time. It takes Markie, Jackson, and I a few days to figure out a rhythm, but we’re eventually able to play together pretty well. I continue to score goals, and even though my linemates are now more useful, I remain on a solid streak, my stats coming in at over a point per game.

I’m surprised when Robby comes back and finds himself put on the second line. I thought for sure they’d put him back with Markie but, as Avery is quick to point out, if the two want to stick together it will have to be at the AHL level. He is privately – well, somewhat privately – delighted that Robby’s trip to Minneapolis seems to have cost him the spot that is now mine.

Before I know it, the end of November is here and, along with it, Avery’s dads. They decide to fly in the Tuesday of Thanksgiving week. With the next day off, we are easily able to pick them up from the airport in Avery’s new car.

I’ve seen them through a screen a couple of times each, but the first time I see them in person is outside the security checkpoint at the Des Moines airport. Tony, who Avery calls Pops, is a little shorter than him, probably a bit under six feet. His muscles suggest that he makes time for the gym in his busy schedule as a lawyer. He’s wearing a polo and jeans, apparently eager for a chance to step away from his suits for a few days. Daniel, also known as Dad, is his opposite in enough ways to be noticeable – tall and skinny, with slightly longer sandy-colored hair compared to the close-cut dark hair on Tony’s head.

Avery runs up to them for a family hug, and I follow behind him. They break apart, and I wonder what to do with myself. Tony takes the lead, shaking my hand and giving me a strong pat on the back. Then, Daniel pulls me in for a hug. As he squeezes tight, I wonder if my panic shows in my eyes, as Avery quickly breaks it up.

“Hey! Let the man breathe! We’ve got a game in two days.”

Sure enough, he lets me go and I step back, a blush on my face.

“Sorry, Finn. We’re just happy to meet someone Avery speaks so highly of.”

That certainly doesn’t help the blush. I guess I know that Avery likes me – he certainly lets me hang around him enough. And ever since we added a more…physical element to our friendship, he hasn’t really spent much time seeking out anyone else’s company. Still, the thought that he “speaks highly” of me, has an indecipherable feeling building in my stomach.

“Okay, okay, if you’re done embarrassing me, let’s go get your bags.”

We walk over to the baggage claim and wait for what turns out to be an absolutely astonishing number of bags. Tony must notice my eyes growing larger as bag after bag gets pulled off the carousel.

“I’d like to say this is all stuff for Avery, but I’d be lying. Danny can’t leave the state without at least two full-sized bags. It’s a problem.”

I’m pretty sure I don’t have two full-sized bags worth of clothes total. I wonder if it shows on my face, because just a few seconds later, Tony’s lifting the small duffel on his shoulder.

“This is more what I grew up used to.”

Subtle. Last week, lying on the couch after exchanging celebratory post-win handjobs, Avery had mentioned that his Pops hadn’t grown up wealthy. He’d been one of a large family, the son of a longshoreman who’d had to work his way through college and law school. Apparently, after our fight about money, Tony had been the one to help Avery understand my perspective a little better.

I give him a smile, wanting him to know I appreciate his efforts.

Finally, we haul the bags out to the car, where I’m genuinely concerned about finding enough space for them all.

“I guess it’s a good thing you got the Forester after all, huh?”

I can’t help but make the comment, and it surprises a laugh out of Avery.

“Yeah, now you know the real reason why.”

It’s late enough that we take Avery’s dads straight to their hotel, a nice place a little less than a mile west of our apartment. Once there, we unload several bags onto a luggage cart and make plans to meet for breakfast the next day at a café halfway between us. Apparently, the rest of the bags are returning to our apartment for Avery; I try not to overreact, trusting him to respect the boundaries we’d put in place.

Back at the apartment, my trust mostly pays off. The first bag is hockey-related – a backup pair of skates, some more gloves and base layers. All stuff I’d expect any hockey player to have laying around, and definitely stuff that will be useful as we hit the heaviest part of the regular season.

The second bag is non-athletic clothes. I’m so used to dressing in sweats that I never gave a second thought to Avery’s wardrobe. That being said, I now realize I’ve seen a lot of the same outfits, which I’m guessing isn’t exactly Avery’s usual. Besides, I like how Avery looks in a nice pair of jeans.

Avery hesitates before opening the final bag, looking to where I’m lying on his bed.

“I’d like to say a few things before I open this, okay?”