Andrew Minyard hated attending events like these, but as Goalkeeper for this year's underdog Exy Champions, The Palmetto Foxes, he was given no choice. And since his twin, Aaron was also expected to be there as one of the team's backliners, he couldn't even pull a switch.
He stopped his Maserati at the foot of the grand steps leading to the hotel. He eyed the valet balefully; he hated anyone else driving his car, a privilege only extended to three people: Renee, fellow goalie, Nicky, his cousin, and Neil, his boyfriend. Thinking about Neil sped up his pulse, and was the last push he needed to get out of the car and relinquish his keys.
He trotted up the steps, oblivious to the cameras flashing and the numerous questions shouted his way.
He stopped in the expansive hallway to catch his breath. He REALLY hated events like these, especially the press. He had a decidedly hate-hate relationship with them, especially after the treatment they gave to Kevin Day, his closest friend and team striker. Not to mention the abominable way they handled the whole episode involving Neil.
It still surprised Andrew how easily and how often in the day his thoughts were drawn to Neil. When he first saw Neil's photo in Kevin's hands, he couldn't understand the fuss Kevin and Coach Wymack made of the scrawny teenager.
Seeing his spine of steel when he told Andrew to fuck off after Andrew had struck him broadside with an Exy racket, however, made him look twice. Andrew had never stopped looking since.
Smirking at himself in the mirror, he closely considered in the reflection Neil's gift to him for the evening. Andrew was clad in a white dress shirt, with silver and orange fox print cufflinks, a gift to all the boys from Allison Reynolds, their defensive dealer, who happened to be insanely wealthy. His legs were encased in black slacks, form-fitting without being clingy; Andrew liked to be able to move. Andrew tugged at the cufflinks to pull them from the jacket sleeves and flattened the satin lapels of the jacket.
