Sam LaRose, Author

…I’m sorry. Is anyone enjoying this?

I think Pietr Ivanov is one of my favorite characters I’ve ever written.
He is almost as endeared to me as Heath Gibson –who is my own favorite original work book bae.

Sigh.

Enjoy this from today’s writing.
For Contest: McKinley West is a rookie player on the same team as Pietr; they probably connected because they are both new to the team though Pietr has over a decade of play behind him already. He met Tanner at a Friendsgiving the month before and in the section above this, Tanner confesses to Harper that while they have hung out a few times, McKinley still hasn’t indicated he’s “interested”.

From: Chapter Seventeen (ish)

“Ivanov, can I talk to you for a second?”

“Sure, but make it quick. I have date for chiro in twenty minutes.” Pietr pulled his loose t-shirt over his head to finish getting dressed before turning to McKinley. “Is something wrong?”

“Is kind of personal. Private.”

“Okay. Let’s go outside then.” Pietr tucked his phone into his back pocket and they stepped out into the hallway, away from the rest of the team. “What is it?”

“How well do you know Tanner?”

“He seems like OK guy. He’s come over to the house to spend time with Harper. I’ve gone out with their friends a couple of times, when I’m available. I wouldn’t say we have become besties.”

“Shit.”

“Is not going well? I thought you, how you say, clicked at Friendsgiving.”

“I don’t know. We’ve been texting, but when we’ve gotten together neither of us…makes a move, you know?”

“I see.” Pietr nodded slowly. “I am not sure if I am best person to ask for advice. You see, I have what they call impulse control problem. I kissed Harper less than five minutes I after I saw them for the first time. –I don’t condone doing that to everyone you find attractive, but in my personal track record, it has worked out.” He smiled, giving the man a small shrug. “Tanner has always seemed like type of guy who wouldn’t keep hanging out with you, if he wasn’t into you. So, why have you not made move?”

McKinley rubbed the back of his neck, staring down at the floor.

“Tick-tok,” Pietr tapped the back of his wrist. “Speak up or find someone else to tell your love woes to, Rookie.”

“I’ve never dated a guy before. What if what I think I feel isn’t real, and I end up hurting him? Hooking up with a dude is easy. It’s just burning off energy. B-but I don’t want to just…”

“West.” Pietr pressed a hand to McKinley’s shoulder. “You think too much. Do you like hooking up with men?”

He gave an almost imperceptible nod.

“Then is fine. Go for it with Tanner. Not every relationship is going to last forever. Maybe you find out he is terrible kisser. Maybe you have fundamentally different ideas of what you want out of life. Maybe you want to try something weird in bed and he’s not into it. It happens. Don’t let that stop you from trying. It hurts when it doesn’t work, but you move along and you try again and again and again until you find…your Harper.” He shrugged.

“You’re that confident about her—them,” he corrected himself.

“I am. They are still on fence about me, I think, but will come around. I know it.”

“Thanks Pietr. That…that did help, I think.”

“Good. I have to go.” Pietr patted his shoulder. “Are you working out in gym? Maybe you want to come over for dinner tonight? You can talk to Harper for inside scoop on Tanner. They know what he likes. Maybe you can woo him.”

“I was going to,” McKinely nodded. “If you don’t mind. I know you two are leaving for your trip tomorrow.”

“Is fine. We were planning on ordering in anyway. I’ll text Harper and let them know to order for three.” He pulled his phone out, spying a text from his beloved.

Harper: Tanner is staying for dinner. We’re thinking Mexican?

Pietr: Good. Add fourth. McKinley will come too.

Pietr: We had chat. Lovebirds need little push, I think.

Harper: McKinley told you they haven’t done anything yet? That’s brave.

Pietr: Nothing?

Harper: Not even hand holding.

Pietr: Dear god. What will we do with these two? Ridiculous.

Harper: We could lock them in the spare bedroom and tell them to just get it over with all ready.

Pietr: Stick that in pocket for Plan B.

He looked back up at McKinley. “Is Mexican food okay?”

“That sounds great,” McKinely nodded.

“Okay. I’ll meet you back here in…forty-five minutes?”

McKinley nodded again.

“Good. Go on then,” Pietr waved him off. “See you then.”

Pietr: Mexican is good. See you soon He added his favorite kissy-face emoji to the end of the text.