Chapter 5 5

Dylan feels insane.

It’s finals week and the first playoff game is tonight. He should be studying and steaming the wrinkles out of the jersey Daniel gave him. But all he can think about is this impenetrable wall Andre has built between them since the other night. 

He thought that if anything… maybe they would get even closer. 

Dylan stayed for three hours watching Andre and Daniel practice together and they all laughed over old stories from their younger days as they ate the burgers and fries he brought.

It felt really nice… and then they all walked back together.

Andre and Dylan stopped off at a convenience store when Daniel dipped to go to his own dorm. 

Andre insisted on paying for their snacks and drinks as a thanks for the dinner. 

Then he listened to Dylan ranting about the physics section that is frying his brain cells.

Genuinely, it was one of the best nights Dylan’s had since going to this university. and then Andre hasn’t spoken a single word to him since. 

He’s gone early in the morning before Dylan wakes up and he doesn’t get home until Dylan is already asleep.

It’s frustrating and Dylan can’t take it anymore.

At first he thought Andre was just stressed and tired but after his lonely walk to class on Wednesday ... .Dylan knows something is wrong and he’s determined to find out what he just can’t right now.

Because its only a few hours before the game and he’s not going to fuck up Andre’s headspace. 

They've talked a lot about his pregame routines and Dylan knows how important it is for Andre to keep a clear mind.

It's when he finally starts steaming the jersey that he finds himself wondering if Daniel has any pregame routines? 

Dylan has never asked and Daniel has never talked about it. He didn't even know that was a thing.

Should he know? is he a bad boyfriend for not knowing?

Why is Andre mad at him anyway? It's not like he did anything .

Dylan knows that he didn’t. Ugh. Andre .

Dylan’s head hits the wall as his shoulders sag, why can’t he stop thinking about Andre.

In all of his hockey ignorance, did not realize how big of a deal playoffs were for university hockey. The amount of people in these bleachers is intimidating. 

But he follows the sea of colors that match his own jersey. Luckily there’s a seat open in front. next to five noisy guys…perfect. 

As he gets closer, he notices that every single one of those guys has the number 7 and ‘ Kim ’ on the back of their shirts.

It makes him smile unconsciously. either all five of those guys lost bets to their boyfriends, or they’re here for Andre.

Ugh. Andre .

Here he goes again. Dylan is not doing this. Softly shakes his head to clear his mind and he suddenly feels really self conscious. 

The last time he came he was on a mission to look sexy as fuck and piss off Daniel. 

This time he feels so out of place especially if these guys are here for Andre.? What if he looks for them? and he’s so happy to see his friends or family or whoever they are but then his eyes will fall on 

Dylan and he’ll be sad or maybe even worse disappointed. Dylan just doesn’t know if he can handle that.

He is about to get up and move from his seat when the sound of a player running into the glass in front of him keeps him in his place. glances up to see Daniel with a big smile looking right at him well fuck, now he has to stay.