David hopes it won’t be like the All-Star Game in Pittsburgh, Jake out half the night, because David refuses to get a ride over to Jake’s in the middle of the night when he has a flight tomorrow afternoon. Jake’s supposed to drive back to Detroit tomorrow too, but then, that didn’t stop him from going to a party the night before camp. Honestly, David should just stay at his hotel, get an early night. He’s not at Jake’s beck and call.

David takes a cab back to the hotel, re-packs his suitcase, sets his alarm for the next morning. He should eat dinner, but he doesn’t particularly feel like room service, feels like eating in the hotel restaurant even less. And it’d be rude to eat if Jake is going to be back soon.

He’s probably going to be out for hours. It’s stupid to wait.

David flips through channels, checks his phone. Nothing from Jake, but then, he shouldn’t expect there to be. He goes and takes another shower, a proper one, so he won’t have to take one in the morning. Check out is at ten. He wonders if Jake remembers that. Well, it’s irrelevant if David’s sleeping here.

k had my 1 showed my face leavin now, is waiting on his phone when he gets out, then, sent ten minutes later, home! u comin by, rite? u eat yet?

David bites his lip, texts, On my way soon., and makes sure his luggage is ready by the door for tomorrow morning before he changes into fresh clothes, packs a set for tomorrow, and leaves his room without bothering to dry his hair. The doorman hails a taxi for him, and his hair’s still curling damply around his face when he buzzes Jake’s intercom. He hopes Jake doesn’t notice, interpret that as — whatever it is, probably.

“Door’s open,” Jake calls when he knocks, which doesn’t seem particularly safe, but then, he knew David was coming.

“You didn’t tell me if you ate so I ordered stuff anyway,” Jake says. “I’ll have it for lunch tomorrow if you’re not hungry.”

“I haven’t eaten,” David says, wonders if that’s saying something too, like he was sitting around, waiting for Jake. “You’re back early. I thought you’d be there awhile.”

“Just did the one drink to be polite thing,” Jake says. “I’d rather hang out with you.”

David doesn’t know why he’s flustered by that. That’s what they’ve been doing almost every day. Jake told his family about David. And this is the thing that flusters him.

Jake reaches out, curves his palm over David’s hot cheek. “I got stuff from that health-freak Greek place you like, hope you’re not sick of it yet.”

“No,” David says. “No, that sounds good.”

*