Page 41 of Rule 2: Never Join a Christmas Dating Show

SEBASTIAN

The bus arrives at the hotel, and Luke springs forward. “I’ll get your bags.”

By the time I get out of the bus, he’s standing at the hotel entrance, with all my equipment flung over his sizable shoulders. My favorite Louis Vuitton carry-on rests on Luke’s suitcase.

“Sorry,” he says, when I join him in the lobby. “I would have waited at the bus entrance, but I didn’t know how waterproof these bags are. I think I heard that equipment can get damaged if left out in the cold and thought you might like having them close anyway—”

“Thank you,” I say quickly. “That’s n-nice.”

Maybe things are fine after all. He beams, and I look away because his smile is so bright, like he’s trying to burn into my soul.

Oskar heads to the reception, smiling at us when he passes. Luke’s smile lessens, and my growing joy falters.

I thought Luke was cool with gay people. I mean, he seems okay with me, and he does have gay friends...

But he definitely seems to be glowering in Oskar’s direction.

Oskar is more twinkish. Small-boned and pretty. More honestly, like me, and all my muscles stiffen.

The other hockey players pile into the lobby.

“First again, Luke!” Troy announces.

“That’s because he’s not a slowpoke like you,” Finn says. “I mean, you barely skated at all during the game...”

“I was guarding the goal!” Troy says, affronted.

“Sounds like an excuse to me,” Finn says, swinging an arm around Noah. “Don’t you agree, My Sweet Puck?”

Noah nods solemnly. “Guess you don’t have the energy for distance, Troy.”

Troy glowers, then in the next moment he slides into the splits and waves his arms over his head. “Ta-da!”

“If you ruin your suit pants, you’ll need to get a new suit before the next game,” Coach says.

“Hey!” Troy scrambles up. “I buy suit pants with plenty of give. I’m a man who thinks in advance.”

Oskar hands me a plastic card, then gives one to Luke. “You’ll be in Room 547.”

He then continues to walk by.

Luke stares at the plastic card, and I’m uncertain what he’s thinking. I shiver. Does he not want to stay in the same room with me?

One thing is sharing bus seats, but a bedroom is different.

“Wait!” Luke calls, and Oskar turns around.

“Is there a problem?” Oskar asks.

“These are for the same room?” Luke asks. “Like...the same one?”

I want to sink into the floor.

Oskar is all professional charm though. “The hotel didn’t have enough rooms for all of us. I’m afraid everyone is sharing this time.”

“I get that, but um, Sebastian is sharing with me?”

Confusion manages to settle onto Oskar’s face, before he shakes his head. “Yes.”