friends we make along the way
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“I’m considering early retirement,” announces Hayden the moment Marleau picks up his phone.
“Yeah, Cens literally obliterated you," he admits. He watched the game, of course, so he understands how Pike must feel. The game was difficult, brutal; Ottawa team was relentless and their two star centers were vicious in their efforts. Metros were, to put it lightly, helpless and lost. It ended 0-9 for the Centaurs. “It’s not like you guys didn’t deserve it.” He adds, his words harsh but his tone without any vitriol.
“I know,” Pike sighs, “but it still stings. It was so bad, I even got an apology from Roz. Well, his own form of apology.”
“Classic Roz,” Cliff muses. It doesn’t escape his attention that Hayden used the same nickname he uses when speaking about Rozanov. And he canʼt resist teasing his friend a little. “So... Since when he’s Roz to you?”
Hayden scoffs loudly and Cliff’s mouth splits into a grin.
“Fuck you. I am out there, suffering, hoping that you could understand my pain and you only focus on this.”
“Well, I’ve never heard you using this nickname before. You gotta admit that anything that comes out of your mouth that’s not fucking Rozanov is a bit odd.”
“Come on, this man is basically like my brother in law. He’s my kids’ favorite uncle, he has personal items in my house in case they visit us. I’ve literally caught him multiple times giving Shane blowjobs or vice versa, I think we’re way past Rozanov at this point,” Hayden admits, not without a hint of exasperation in his voice.
“Awwww,” Cliffs coos, “Roz will be thrilled to hear that he’s family to you.”
He hears Hayden cursing, not too subtly.
”Don’t you dare telling him that. I will beat you with a stick next time we’re in Boston,” Hayden threatens and it draws another laugh from Marleau. It’s really endearing and entertaining to see those two men still refusing to admit that they’ve grown fond of each other after all these years. Cliff, on the other hand, had no issue admitting that Hayden Pike has become his friend, his co-patriot in suffering by the hand of Hollander-Rozanov union. He genuinely likes the guy and is thankful that he is not the only one who is traumatized by witnessing first husbands of hockey in a different states of undress.
Now it seems like they will add experiencing Hollander-Rozanov playing together and absolutely smashing the shit out of their ex teams to their PTSD memories.
“On a serious note, though, I am really sorry you and JJ had to endure it. It always sucks when you lose a game but sucks even more if you lose that badly and against your friends.” Cliffs says after a moment of silence. “Not gonna lie, I am scared shitless to face them now when they play together.”
“Yeah, it was a nightmare to face them separately but facing both of them? You’ll wish you were never born. Or you will want to retire like me only to not have to play against them ever again.”
“Safe to assume that the Cens will win the cup this year, huh?”
“With those two demons on the rink? That’s a really safe bet. They deserve it, though.”
Cliffs hums in agreement, nodding his head even though Hayden can’t see it. He suddenly realizes that the background noise stopped some time ago and he hears his friend’s voice more clearly.
”Wait, Pike, are you at home already?”
”Yeah, a while ago. I mean I arrived a while ago but didn’t go home yet. How did you know I was driving?”
“We talk on the phone like constantly. I’ve heard you driving like thousands times already. I am surprised you feel surprised by this. Anyway, you must be fucking exhausted. Go home and rest.”
“You are absolutely right, ’m little tired,” admits Hayden and resist an urge to yawn.
“I bet. Say hi to Jackie and the kids when you’re home. Hear you tomorrow after I beat Hunter’s ass?”
“Are you sure you can do that without Roz?” Pike chirps and if they were on FaceTime, Cliff would absolutely flip him off.
“Have a nice dreams about your ass getting kicked by the husbands!” He fires back.
The last thing he hears before Hayden hangs up is “fuck you, Marly” and that makes him grin even more.
