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Cohen

The ring, ring, ring echoes through my phone

Pick up, pick up

The su outside the hockey facilities is humid compared to the temperature-controlled rink where I’ve just left my teaes I set for my tea that apparently raisedI’m sure I won’t live down in a hurry

I was just trying to be supportive

I lift my shirt and wipe sweat off o unanswered

Co deal

Finally, it clicks over, and the voice I greith, deeper and huskier than ever before, comes on the line

“Richard Cohen, as I live and breathe It’s been a long ti you?”

“Are you gay?” I blurt

“Uh …”

“Shit,” I hiss “That’s fucking rude, I’m sorry”

“Where is this co from?”

I huff “Funny story My teammates were dared to kiss—”

A loud laugh echoes in e, didn’t I?”

I guess that givesanyway I need to know for sure before I walk back into that locker roo all weird about it, and I’ Everyone does it’ Turns out, no one does it”

Logan snorts “Oh, et up to, did you?”

“That weit was perfectly nor your best friend!” My voice is going all high-pitched and weird, but I can’t stop it

“Whoa, whoa, whoa, it’s okay Considering, I’, you’ve never kissed another dude since ht”