Love & Other Inconveniences by Catherine Cloud

Author:Catherine Cloud [Cloud, Catherine]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-10-10T18:30:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

The Eagles are in Boston for Morgan’s birthday in early March. It’s a game day, so they have their morning skate at the Grizzlies’ arena and Austin shows up in the locker room with a cupcake that has a candle stuck in it. He hands it to Morgan with a quiet, “Happy birthday, make a wish.”

Morgan blows out the candle and wishes for a birthday goal tonight.

“Here,” Austin says and produces a plastic container from behind his back. “Guess you might wanna save that for later.”

“Thank you,” Morgan says.

“Hey, happy birthday,” Marsh says, appearing behind him to pat his back.

The guys all wish him a happy birthday during the course of their morning skate. Simon comes over to cover Morgan’s entire head with his catching glove and then pulls him into a hug. It’s kinda weird to be hugged by a goalie when it’s usually the other way around.

Austin and Marsh tell him that they’re inviting him out for dinner in New York tomorrow. “And drinks after the game if you want,” Austin says with a wink.

“Only if you want,” Marsh adds, ruffles his hair and wanders away.

Even the party police squad wishes him a happy birthday today. Morgan thanks them. He keeps his head down for most of the day and sneaks away with his cupcake. He has a pregame routine, so he still has some time before he lies down for his nap. Noah seems to have that figured out as well, because he calls Morgan when he’s halfway done eating his cupcake.

Morgan answers, belatedly realizing that he has bright red icing on his face. “Hey,” he says, quickly wiping at his face.

“Morgan,” Noah says, “it’s your birthday. Why didn’t you tell me that it’s your birthday?”

“I–”

“Happy birthday,” Noah says. “I didn’t get you a present.”

“That’s okay.”

Noah pulls a face.

“Seriously, I don’t need a present.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“What, did you want me to send you a text, like, a week in advance… oh, by the way, it’s my birthday soon?”

“Yeah,” Noah says.

“This wasn’t an issue last year.”

“Last year we weren’t–” Noah’s video freezes. His mouth is still open. “–trying to say is that it would have been good to know. You called me to say happy birthday last summer. You knew when my birthday was.”

“Yeah, because you were talking about it.”

“That’s exactly what I’m saying,” Noah complains. “I found out on Twitter. Anyway, I’ll get you a present and I’ll give it to you when you’re in Philly.”

“I don’t need a present.”

“Okay, but… what if I get you one anyway?”

“Will it make you feel better if you get me one?” Morgan asks, because he suspects that’s what this really is about.

“Yes.”

“Okay, fine. But don’t get anything expensive.”

“Don’t worry, I’m good at gifts,” Noah says with a confidence that tells Morgan that Noah will definitely get him something expensive.

“I’m honestly not that…” Morgan shrugs. Whatever. Noah clearly wants to get him a present, so maybe Morgan should just let him.

“What?”

Morgan shrugs. “Birthdays weren’t that big of a thing in my family.

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