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I turn around and see Oliver take a seat at the table the girls had been sitting at. “What are you doing here?”

“Uh…checking out a book?” His eyes dart around for a book. “That one.”

I follow his finger to a book sticking halfway off the shelf. “Menopause and You: Embracing the Change?”

Oliver’s cheeks flush a deep red, and he rubs the back of his neck. “Uh, yeah, that’s the one. I’ve been having some awful hot flashes lately.”

I cross my arms and scowl. “Cut the crap, Oliver. Why are you really here? Did Gerard ask you to check up on me?”

He sighs and drops the act. “Yeah, he did. He’s worried about you, man. We all are. His fans have been pretty brutal lately.”

I roll my eyes. “I’m fine. I don’t need a babysitter.”

“Come on, Elliot. This can’t be easy for you. Suddenly being in the spotlight? Having your every move scrutinized and criticized by strangers on the internet? It’s a lot for anyone to deal with.”

I shrug. “I knew what I was signing up for when I started dating Gerard. It’s not as if his fame is news to me.”

Oliver leans forward to rest his elbows on the table, and my eye twitches. I hate it when people do that—including Gerard. “But knowing about it and experiencing it are two very different things. Having random people speculating about your sex life and body image issues? That’s gotta sting.”

I wince, remembering some of the more vicious comments I’ve read about myself online. “Yeah, it’s not great. But what can I do? If I let it get to me, they win.”

“True, but that doesn’t mean you must go through it alone. You’ve got friends who care about you and want to support you. Like me and Gerard.”

I soften slightly at that. “I know. And I appreciate it. But I don’t want you guys fighting my battles for me or getting dragged into this mess. It’s bad enough that Gerard is already a target.”

“I get that. But at least let us be there for you when you need to vent or take your mind off things. Don’t shut us out. We’ve got your back no matter what those haters say.”

A rush of gratitude and affection for this big lug overcomes me. For all ofthem, really.

My boyfriend and his teammates. His friends.Myfriends. “Thanks, Oliver. That means a lot.”

“Anytime, bro. Now, about this menopause book…”

Two days later,I’m heading out of the Hockey House to go to class. The cold air nips at my nose, and I pull my scarf tighter around my neck.

“Hey, Elliot! Wait up!”

I glance over my shoulder to see Kyle jogging toward me. He’s wearing a puffy North Face jacket that makes him look like the Michelin Man’s jockier cousin. I raise an eyebrow as he falls into step beside me. “What’s up, Kyle? You need something?”

He shakes his head, his breath puffing out in little clouds. “Nah, I’m headed in the same direction. Figured we could walk together.”

I narrow my eyes at him suspiciously. Kyle isn’t exactly known for his warm and fuzzy personality. He’s more of agrunt and nodkind of guy. That he’s voluntarily seeking out my company sets off alarm bells in my head.

“Did Gerard put you up to this? Is he still on that kick about me needing a bodyguard?”

Kyle scoffs and rolls his eyes. “No, dude. Contrary to popular belief, not everything revolves around your boyfriend.”

“Sorry. I’m just kinda on edge these days.”

“Yeah, I get it. Those puck bunnies can be brutal. But for real, I’m not here because Gerard told me to be. I just…” He trails off and rubs the back of his neck awkwardly.

“You just what?”

He sighs and shoves his hands in his pockets. “You remind me of Alex, okay? You’re both small guys, the perfect targets for bullies, but you do your best not to let it get to you, even when they’re coming at you hard. It’s admirable.”

I blink in surprise. “Oh. Wow. Thanks, I guess?”

“I know I can be kind of a grump sometimes?—”