But today, I’m not thinking about much other than what it will be like to return home to Winter.
Return home to Winter.
That phrase has a nice ring to it, but I know I can’t get used to what we’re doing. I’ve never been able to hold down a relationship, and Winter’s made it clear her heart is still on Broadway.
“Hey, Hunt,” Dean beckons to me from where he, Wyatt, and Murph are seated around a table with Lincoln Pitt, our stand-out right winger.
Lincoln’s a keep-to-himself kind of guy, which I appreciate. He nods at me silently and then goes back to shuffling the deck of cards in his hands.
“We’re playing poker.” Murph tips his chin at me. “Want in?”
I sink down into a seat across from them.
“So.” Murph waits until I’ve been dealt a hand before starting in with, “You and your housemate.”
“I already told you and Liam to fuck off,” I tell him. “If you so much as say one word about Winter, I’ll…”
“Hey, calm down, Hunt.” Murph signals that he’ll hold on his hand, and then he turns to me. “I love Winter. We grew up together, too, remember? I just want to make sure she’s not too much of a distraction for you.”
“Like Ashley would be for you?” I counter.
His lip curls in annoyance. “Leave Ashley out of this.”
“Why?” I say. “Are you two…”
“Nothing. We’re nothing,” he says quickly.
Dean and I exchange a look while Lincoln assesses Murph curiously.
“Was she the girl in high school who you said you…” I don’t get a chance to finish my sentence.
“I said to shut it about Ashley.” The hardness in Murph’s voice is unmistakable, and whenever he sounds like that, we all know to back off.
“Fine.” I call and toss my cards on the table. “Winter and I are just catching up. It’s casual.”
What’s going on between Winter and me is far from casual, but my off-handed remark manages to shut Murph up for the rest of the flight.
And when we land, I can’t stop myself from texting her.
Thx for letting me know you arrived safe,she writes back.
How are you and Theo?
Warmer than you probably are in the northeast. I don’t miss February in NYC.
You want me to pick you up anything while I’m here? Something you miss?
I don’t think you can fit a Broadway stage in your travel bag, she jokes.
You must miss it a lot. Somehow, being apart like this, I feel like she’ll be more open with me.
I wait as the white dots flash while she types.
When her answer comes through, it surprises me.
I don’t miss a lot of it, tbh.
To be honest. She’s really serious about this.
