GC
Long. The boys are always amped up this time of year because we’re in the back half of the season. Games have more significance. The standings for the playoffs are starting to take shape. We’re playing well, and it makes for a very loud travel day.
Tell me about your day.
Me
I went to the gym this morning then did some solo skating. Liv and I had a great lesson mapping out her choreography for the Potomac Memorial. I was going to grab dinner with Tierney, but I’m so tired. I’m taking it easy tonight.
GC
Best friend Tierney, right?
Me
That’s her!
What are you up to? Heading to a strip club? Finding some barbecue? Exploring all the fun Dallas has to offer?
GC
None of the above. I’m heading to my hotel room.
Me
It’s 8 p.m.
GC
Yup, it is. The team dinner was chaos, as usual. Sitting in the peace and quiet is going to be the highlight of my day.
Me
If you want to FaceTime when you get there, I’ll be around.
My phone rings five seconds later and I laugh, drawing my legs to my chest to answer the video call.
“Hi,” I say, resting my chin on my knees. “You look tired.”
“I can’t wait to shower and pass out.” He yawns and sits in a chair, a big window behind him. “But I wanted to see you first.”
“Here I am. What did you all do for dinner?”
“We had Italian delivered to the hotel. There was a fight over garlic bread, and Ethan spilled marinara sauce all over the carpet in the meeting room.” Brody sighs, rubbing his forehead. “Pretty tame night, actually.”
“I’d fight someone for garlic bread too.” I shift on the cushions and set my wine down. “Don’t let me keep you too long.”
“I lied when I said sitting in peace and quiet was the highlight of my day. This is.” Brody leans back, stifling another yawn. “Can I see your keychain collection?”
“Damn, Saunders. Buy me dinner first.” I smile and pop to my feet, walking down the hall. “It’s in the guest room, so we’re taking a field trip.”
“I don’t know what I would collect if I did collect things. Coasters from bars? Magnets?” He shrugs. “Guess the possibilities are endless.”
“Stamps. Antique plates.” I turn on a light and switch the camera so he can see the wall in front of me. Dozens and dozens of keychains sit on small pegs, various shapes and colors and sizes. “Ta-da!”
“Look at all of them. Get closer so I can see what they say. What’s that one on the left?”
“It’s from Las Vegas.” I zoom in, laughing at the one he picked. “It says ‘don’t hate me because I’m a little cooler.’ And it’s written on a tiny cooler. Get it?”
