Page 57 of The Tryout

I laugh out loud.

“No, I am not nursing a broken heart over Jamie Carter. I…we didn’t take care of our friendship very well last year, and we’re still trying to come back from that a bit, but it isn’t because of some undying love on my part. I think…I think Tremblay is great for him, and I’m glad he found that.”

I’m surprised to find the words taste true on my tongue. I don’t feel the bitter anger of last year, or even this summer. Instead, I feel just a wisp of…envy?

“And it works? Being with a friend like that?”

I shrug.

“I mean, like with most things involving sex, different things work for different people. But yeah, I find I can pretty easily separate the sex and the friendship, and it’s great to have sex that’s just…purely fun. No anxiety, no worries.”

He nods slowly, taking in the information.

“Could we do that?”

LINDHOLMS WELCOME BABY

Eliza Anderson for WAGs Weekly

[Image 1 Description: A good-looking blond man, about 30, stands with his arm around a blonde woman. He is in a tuxedo; she is wearing a light blue evening gown.]

[Image 2 Description: The same couple are in a hospital room. The woman is holding a swaddled baby while the man looks at them both.]

Minnesota Huskies winger Anders Lindholm and his wife Astrid welcomed their first child late Friday night. Insiders report that the baby, a girl named Ingrid, was born healthy and at full term. The couple’s Instagrams are already full of baby Ingrid, including shots of her winter-themed nursery. Mrs. Lindholm is said to have worked with celebrity designer Jalen Rush on the space.

Anders and Astrid first met as teenagers in Sweden at a local sports club. The pair remained in touch through college and began dating officially seven years ago, marrying in the off-season of 2024. Before retiring three years ago, Astrid played basketball for the Swedish national team at several international competitions, including the Tokyo Olympics.

The Huskies called up Kevin Robertson from the Iowa Pack during Lindholm’s absence, although Lindholm should be back on the ice early next week. Many around the league were surprised at the choice, expecting to see the better-performing (and better-looking!) Finn Murphy make his NHL debut instead.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

FINN

My words sit in a silence that is quickly growing awkward. Finally, Avery opens his mouth to speak.

“Can we…can we what?”

For a second, I consider lying. Telling him I’m just kidding, just trying to make light of the situation. But I don’t; now that he’s said the words, I know exactly what I want. I figure I’ve already made things weird – how much worse can it get?

“Hook up? Be friends with benefits? Can we…do that?”

As the words leave my mouth, I’m sure he’ll say no. He’ll let me down easy – Avery is nothing if not kind – but surely the last thing Avery wants is to hook up with someone like me.

“If…if that’s what you want.”

I stand corrected. I think back to last week, to the quick kiss we shared on the couch, to the way it set my heart racing.

It’s racing again already, thudding against my chest. I decide to give myself a break, standing up to move to the kitchen, putting away the last of the leftovers. As I do, Avery’s eyes follow me, sending an electric feeling up and down my skin. Just like last week, he is still, unmoving, waiting for me to make the next move.

If only I knew what the next move was.

I walk back to where he sits, face still highlighted by the glow of the TV. Grabbing the remote from his hand, I turn it off, gently putting the remote on the coffee table when I’m done. Avery’s eyes are still on me, but he remains eerily silent.

“Yes. That’s what I want.”

His eyes go wide and his breathing comes quicker. I expect a move from him – something, for God’s sake – but he just sits there, still.

If he won’t, I guess I’ll have to.