Chapter 2
Krasnov's phone sits quietly away in Garrett's bag all day.
At practice, Garrett debates telling his team about it.
Sure, it would be a lot of fun to watch the guys snoop into Krasnov's life.
Hell, there might even be some team strategy espionage they could do in his email.
But Garrett's probably the most moral person on the team, except maybe Evan, and he wouldn't do that, no matter how much of an asshole Krasnov is.
He has to just trust Krasnov is also following their rules.
Still, Garrett needs to find something juicy to use if Krasnov ever thinks to leak Marissa's pictures.
And maybe he's just a gossip fiend.
So that night, kids in bed and Marissa watching TV in the next room, Garrett snoops.
He starts with the text threads.
There are two threads in the Rodavian Rodavian script alphabet, which Garrett doesn't have the urge to run through a translator.
The English-language threads Garrett can read are exactly what you'd expect from Krasnov.
Lots of one-word messages and sexy selfies from influencer-type models with lip filler and fake eyelashes.
To each his own, man, if Krasnov likes these types of girls, and lots of them, then by all means.
Garrett would take a pregnant, tired Marissa over any of these ladies.
The worst part is their names...
Red Drink Girl, Corner Cafe Girl, Makeup Artist From Ad...
One contact name is just FlameDate 3/12/2015.
There are only two girls' first names.
One is Tatiana, and the texts are in Rodavian with no risque pictures, so that could be a relative.
The other is Kate, and Kate is... different.
She texts things that aren't just "you up?" Or "come to the club we need VIP access" or, most audaciously, a link to a very expensive bag.
No, Kate is talking about Harbor City's game tonight just minutes after it finished to Harbor City's 5-3 dismay.
Kate: can't believe you got away with that hit Kate: your defense fucked you hard, sorry Kate: they're holding you back.Kate: 2 goals puts you only 5 behind Kate: But you like being behind, right?
So definitely not a relative, then.
She really knows her hockey, even Krasnov's weird rivalry with Evan.
He scrolls up a little.
It seems like they met up in Oakvale the night the phones got swapped.
Before that, Krasnov was counting down the days to see her.
He doesn't do that with his other texting partners.
He barely responds to them.
This is a true conversation, a back and forth.
Their conversation is enthralling for Garrett, and he can't stop scrolling back in time.
Kate texts little pieces of her day.
There's a picture of a very bland but healthy-looking meal and "some people treat their bodies well, see?" to which Krasnov responds "I have you to treat my body well.
All I eat is your ass and I'm best athlete in the league," which makes Garrett blush.
"Second best." Kate responds and Garrett smiles.Kate complains vaguely about her over-demanding mother and Krasnov for some reason cares?
And gives actual good advice?
"No is a complete sentence." To which Kate replies, "thanks Sage Krasnov," and Garrett giggles.Krasnov sends her pictures of dogs he met, his detailed workout plans, and some of the filthiest smut you could imagine.
Garrett scrolls past those parts, along with some Krasnov dick pics.
He doesn't need to know Krasnov's fondness for sexting.
This girl seems great.
She can hold her own against Krasnov.
He also seems to be less of an asshole to her.
Garrett hates himself for actually caring, but if he were friends with Krasnov, he'd be telling him to shut those other women out, focus on Kate.
But any woman deserves better than Krasnov, who quickly reminds Garrett that he is still an asshole to everyone else on the planet.
Krasnov: wife nudies came up on screen Garrett: don't look.
We said no snooping.Garrett: it's not like she just sent them.
She knows I don't have my phone.Krasnov: I am looking Krasnov: nothing to be shy about, Lady Nash is hot.Garrett: then I'm texting these girls back Garrett: I like Kate the best she likes hockey Krasnov: do not text Kate.Garrett: I put on good Rodavian accent Krasnov: You cannot text with an accent.
Garrett laughs.
He's never had an actual conversation with Krasnov; the bar on Tuesday might have been their longest one.
But reading through these texts has him feeling like he knows the hockey legend personally.
At least, he knows his life well enough to know Kate would be fine being used for a light prank.
He pulls up the text thread with Kate, whose last message is about Krasnov's game that night.
Nikolai: thank you sweet Kate Nikolai: sorry I am not as good as Garrett Nash
Before he can even take a screenshot to send to Krasnov, Kate is already texting back.
Kate: thats right asshole Kate: Garrett scored more than you this week Kate: And sorry did you win the trophy last year?
Kate: Or was that Garrett?
Kate: you're just jealous bc he can see me naked anytimeGarrett's cheeks go pink.
Who is this girl?
She didn't have time to SeekNet those things, she just knew them?
Garrett is flattered, really.
He's not a celebrity, like Evan or Krasnov.
People don't just know his stats.
Hell, he's had a good week but even Garrett wasn't aware he scored more than Krasnov this week.
The weirdest part?
Hockey gear doesn't really show you what a person looks like while they're on the ice, and Garrett doesn't have endorsement deals like Evan; his face isn't everywhere.
You'd have to research to see what he looks like, or see his little mugshot that plays before each game.
Kate, before this conversation, has looked up Garrett Nash and determined he is naked-levels of attractive.
Damn, that's flattering.
He wants to tell her no thank you on the nakedness part, though.
Garrett: [screenshot]Garrett: ok now I REALLY like Kate Krasnov: great I will text her from your phone Krasnov: I will send her lots of pictures Garrett: wtf don't
And just because without her number it's an empty threat from Krasnov, and maybe he's having a little fun, Garrett keeps it up.
Nikolai: Nash is married Nikolai: but what about Evan Carver?
Nikolai: I think he's single.Kate: best player in the league?
Kate: so much better than you?
Kate: still five points ahead of you?
Kate: what about single Evan Carver?
Garrett: [screenshot]Garrett: dang should I give her number to Evan?
Garrett: She's in Oakvale, I don't think he has a girl here.Krasnov: ok so we are doing this.
Minutes later, Garrett gets a screenshot back of a conversation with Evan:
Garrett:
I just heard crazy rumor Nikolai Krasnov has a huge cockEvan: ?
Garrett: he is just so handsome, right?
Garrett:I would go gay for him any day.
Krasnov: he didn't respond ☹️Garrett: you're a fucking dick Krasnov: guess Carver is too boring to play.Krasnov: Kate would never ignore me like that
He'll be sure to clear that up with Evan tomorrow.
Marissa's voice appears from the next room, "Honey?
Why is Krasnov texting me from your phone?"
"Because he's a dick, sweetie.
Don't answer."
Garrett: Truce.
Stop texting my wife.Krasnov: I didn't know you and Carver are married.Krasnov: But I would not have been invited I don't think
He doesn't know what's happening, really, but he's having fun.
Garrett: Yep.
And we live in a huge organized house and watch hockey tape and eat bird food all day Krasnov: it is true Krasnov: Carver is boring Krasnov: stay with Lady Nash Krasnov: she gives you sexy nudies Krasnov: Carver does not do that Krasnov: I do not think he would
Garrett cringes again with the thought of Krasnov seeing his wife naked.
But again, Krasnov had called his wife sexy.
Garrett shakes his head.
He's also spot-on about Evan, and Garrett laughs at the idea of Evan ever sending anyone a dick pic.
How did he get in this situation, where he and Krasnov are joking over text?
The man knows how to banter, that's for sure.
Evan rivals him in technical hockey skill, but no one out-chirps Krasnov on the ice.
Garrett tries to stay away from that stuff, but if it's this much fun, he'll look at this texting as good practice.
He wakes up on Thursday morning to texts sent at 2:30am. Kate: want to see your jersey on me again?
Kate: I hated it but you went so crazy for it Kate: Need you to fuck me like that right now
Garrett doesn't respond to those.
In fact, he's glad he slept through them.
He has a wife.
Who gets to see those texts immediately.
Krasnov isn't going to get him in any trouble at home, thank you very much.
Marissa laughs, "Must be a new fling.
WAGs wear their player's jersey more often than they wear a bra." And she's right.
Marissa and Garrett had jersey-sex a few times at the beginning.
But seeing her in his number at every game, every gathering, as pajamas to bed... hell even right now feeding the kids at 8am, Marissa is wearing a Oakvale T-shirt with Nash across the back.
The novelty wears off.
This thing with Kate is either new or they don't see each other a lot.
Which, if they met in Oakvale, makes sense.
"Or Krasnov has some weird kink about seeing his own name." He blurts out.
Suddenly that's the most likely thought.