We’re left to change in the locker room even though we’re only putting our jerseys on and lacing our skates. 

I’m thankful for the privacy, though, because I get to check in with Dex. “That wasn’t so bad.”

He shrugs and takes his shirt off, all the contours of his back muscles rippling as he does. “Most of it was true.” He throws his jersey over his head.

I break my gaze from his incredible body and wonder which parts exactly. “Like you practically adopting me as soon as I walked in this very room three years ago?”

He goes to say something but cuts himself off with a grin. “One good thing about it is we have been close for so long, it’s not too hard to talk you up.”

“Not too hard.” I hold my heart. “The romance is killlllling me.”

I finish lacing my skates and then take off my jacket and shirt to put on a jersey. When my head pops through the hole, I find Dex’s gaze trailing over me, but I don’t understand.

It’s nothing he hasn’t seen before.

“You all good?” I ask tentatively.

“Totally. Let’s get this over with. Ooh, do you want to go to D for dinner tonight? I feel like steak.” Somehow he says it without even making the joke about a big D steak like he usually does.

“We’ll have to ask if we’re allowed out of our cage yet, but if Graham says yes, then sure.”

“Do you reckon this is what Ezra feels like all the time? I mean, before Anton. He was always doing these types of photoshoots and getting in trouble by his team’s PR for being photographed with a million different people … I don’t even know if I’m allowed to go to the bathroom without permission.”

“It’s okay.” I try to reassure him. “We’ve done the hard part. Now we just have to take some photos. It’s no big deal.”

“But … affection and stuff.”

“They’re not going to ask us to do anything we haven’t already done. I’ve spooned you while I was naked before, for fuck’s sake. You’ve never cared before now.”

“What if they ask us to kiss?”

“Again. We’ve been there, done that, but I doubt they will. Kissing photos are tacky.”

“They are? Jessica always wanted us to be kissing in videos and photos and stuff.”

“Exhibit A,” I mumble.

“Huh?”

“Nothing. Let’s get out there.” I walk past him to head for the exit, but he grabs my arm and pulls me to him. 

“I know I said I was okay with kissing you, and I am, but maybe we should get one out of the way. So we know for sure I won’t mess it up.”

“A-are you asking me to kiss you?” I stammer.

“I’m terrified everyone’s going to know this is all fake, and I’m freaking out here, and what if—”

Against my better judgment, I step forward and press my mouth to his.

I ignore the pang of heartache, the longing I’ve carried around for years, and try to show him I’m still the same Tripp. 

I’m his best friend.

He’s my heart and soul.

And nothing will ever change that.

Not even his inability to love me back.