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“Those sound cool.”

He snorts. “They’re terrible, Gerard.”

“I doubt that.”

“What made you want to be a writer?” Alex asks.

“I’ve always loved reading. Stepping into another world, one where you could be anyone or do anything, always fascinated me. At some point, I was daydreaming about my own stories when I should have been paying attention in class or doing my chores at home. Writing them down was the next logical step.”

“That’s awesome,” I say. “It was a natural progression for you, then?”

“Yeah, I guess.” He shrugs. “The truth is, for me, writing isn’tjust a way to escape boredom or let my imagination run wild. It’s a way to cope with the less-than-ideal parts of my reality. A survival mechanism, if you will. When bullies at school shoved me into lockers or hurled insults at me, I would retreat into my head and craft tales of revenge and triumph. When loneliness crept in, I would envision a world filled with friends and adventures. Writing has always been a way to rewrite my narrative and take control of a world that’s often cruel.”

“I can relate to all of that,” Alex adds. “Being small, not athletic, hanging around with Kyle…people always pick on me.”

I stare at Alex, surprised. He’s never mentioned being bullied before. I assumed he was always safe with Kyle’s protection and the team’s support.

Elliot nods in understanding. “It’s rough when people make assumptions about you based on who you hang out with or what you look like.”

Alex nods. “But having a friend makes it easier. I don’t know how I’d handle it alone.”

A frown tugs at the corners of my mouth as I take it all in. I can’t relate to either of them because I’ve never faced that kind of hardship. Growing up, I was always one of the more popular guys because I played a sport. No one ever shoved me into lockers or called me names. No one judged me for my looks or what I could or couldn’t do.

The silence stretches uncomfortably long, and I have to clear my throat to shake off the weight of these revelations. “Alex, if people are bothering you, you can tell me. I’ll take care of it.”

Alex blushes, his pale cheeks turning a soft pink. “Thanks, Gerard. That means a lot. But usually, I tell Kyle, and he handles it.”

“I’m serious. You’re one of us, Alex.” I give him what I hope is a reassuring smile. “We’ve got your back.”

He stares down at his pumpkin. “I know. Thanks.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I see Elliot watching me. There’s something different in his expression—somethingsofter and almost appreciative. He’s also smiling, and it’s such a rare sight that it stops me cold. For a moment, I’m completely stunned by how it transforms his usually grumpy demeanor.

Then he catches himself and quickly scowls, reverting to his usual testy self. It makes me snicker, which earns me an even deeper glare from him. “What’s your major, Gerard?”

“Business,” I reply matter-of-factly. “I know, I know. It’s not exactly the most exciting major, but if I want to make it to the NHL someday, I should probably have some business sense, right? I’ll be dealing with contracts and endorsements and all that jazz.”

Elliot nods, impressed by my foresight. I know it’s easy to write off athletes as all brawn and no brains, but I’m determined to defy that stereotype.

“My dad played hockey here back in the day,” I continue. “He was a total beast on the ice and led the team to several championships. He majored in business, too; he said it was the best decision he ever made, aside from marrying my mom and having me and my sister, of course.”

“Makes sense why you’d want to follow in his footsteps.”

“Yeah, he’s my hero. He’s taught me a lot about hockey and life.”

“And your mom?” Elliot asks. “What does she do?”

“Oh, she’s a total take-no-prisoners kind of woman. She’s a business lawyer who specializes in contract negotiations. She makes sure athletes and entertainers don’t get screwed over by shady deals.”

Elliot’s eyes widen behind his glasses. “Wow, that’s tough work. She must be exceptionally good at what she does.”

I nod adamantly. “She is. She has this knack for making tough guys feel like they’re back in elementary school, getting scolded by the teacher. It’s kind of amazing to see.”

“Your parents sound incredible.” The warmth of Elliot’s words makes me blush. “What about you, Alex? What’s your major?”

Alex perks up. “I’m majoring in sports therapy. Starting in the spring, I’ll be interning with the BSU hockey team.”

“That’s awesome.” Elliot smiles yet again, and my heart stops beating.