When the drills are done and I’m stretched and limber, we begin a practice game.
I dial in.I always do.Once I’m in the crease, my focus narrows to a razor’s edge.It doesn’t matter if it’s for fun or for the finals.You set your mind, you set the mood.
Max rushes me.Mason pulls a filthy deke, the bastard.I block.I recover.Then I get back to it.
But every water break, my mind flashes back to the image of Eddie in that blanket burrito, glowering at me while I read out doctor’s orders like a tyrant.
When I told her she matters to me, I meant it.I’d said it reflexively.Honestly.And it wasn’t until I saw her expression—surprised, almost scared—that I realized how big those words were.I’ve always been open with affection, but this was different.Eddie isn’t someone I’m trying to charm or win over to my side so she’ll spend time with me.She’s a woman I’m madly curious about.And liking more each day.
I want to know every facet of her likes and dislikes.I want to know what she looks like in the morning (when she isn’t sick) and what her favourite season is (besides hockey).I don’t want to scare her off with my intensity, but I also don’t want to be someone I’m not with her.
I have a feeling that Eddie hasn’t had the easiest time as a single parent.Any deception or white lies from me could give her all the ammo she needed to head for the hills.I’m not going to let that happen.
I’ll be honest with her, and hopefully, in time, she’ll trust me enough to share her story.Until then, I’m happy just to be in her space.
After practice, the locker room stinks of sweat and victory.The guys grumble and joke as they peel off their gear.Mason drops onto the bench next to me with a groan.
You were really in the zone today,he says, towelling off his hair.What got into you?
Hydration,I deadpan.
He snorts.All it took was some electrolytes?Hell, man, we should have started IV-dripping you years ago.
Max wanders over, smirking.Pretty sure it’s not hydration.Pretty sure Crane’s got a new woman in his life.
I glare at both of them.I’m not discussing this in a room that smells like a dead raccoon.
Oh, he’s absolutely in deep,Max tells Mason, ignoring me.I saw your text messages, man.Did you play nurse last night?
I did not play nurse,I protest.I just made sure she and her kid were well taken care of while she was unconscious.Basic human decency.I throw a towel in his direction, but Max ducks out of the way.And stop looking at my phone, stalker.
Stop leaving it out in the open with no lock screen, dick.You know I’m a curious lad,he jokes, pulling on a Nighthawks hoodie.Most people would have called in a family member or beloved neighbour and bounced.You obviously stayed.Who is this woman?
None of your damn business.Our back-and-forth may sound a little harsh, but Max and I are too close as friends to take offense.He must see something on my face because he gives me a knowing eyebrow raise and drops the subject.I want to keep Eddie to myself, just for a little while.I’ll tell my friends about her soon.
They leave me alone after that, mostly because Coach starts his post-practice review.But as soon as I’m showered and dressed, I check my phone.
No new messages.I wasn’t really expecting more, but you can’t blame a guy for hoping.
She’d said I could stop by.That’s not nothing.
I swing by my condo to grab a few things, bring in my packages that have been piling up, and order soup from the fancy place down the street.I can’t remember its name, but it’s the best soup I’ve ever had.
While I wait for the delivery, I open a few of the packages that came overnight.I stand in front of the small humidifier I’d ordered last night in a fit of late-night research, wondering if I told Eddie I bought it for her, if she’d accept it.I could just say it’s mine and leave it over there.Forgetto take it home.We’ll see in the moment how Eddie responds to me bringing more stuff over to help her get better.
I throw a couple of other things into my bag—a few more sports drinks, some ginger candies, and the mystery thriller I’d just finished.It’s not overkill.It’s preparedness.
When the soup arrives, I head out soon after.Traffic is kind, which feels like a good omen.I find a street parking spot near her townhouse and head up the path, suddenly aware that I’m more nervous now than before some playoff games.
Joey opens the door before I even knock.
Sidney!he stage-whispers, like we’re in some kind of spy movie.You came back.
Hey, man,I say, stepping inside.How’s the patient?
She’s cranky,he reports.But she took the pills the doctor left and drank most of the water.And she ate a whole bowl of soup.Not your soup,he adds quickly.Old soup.
Good.We’ll upgrade her soup.
