Play the long game. Rememberwhat the Great One said,“You miss one hundred percentof the shots you don’t take.”
Wayne Gretzsky’s advice wasn’t just for the hockey arena, but for life in general. After all, it’s what allowed Alex Ovechkin to beat Gretzsky’s goal record.
There’s norush. You’re not going anywhere. Remember the plan toget the girl.
Because even though my career is pretty much over, I’m not planning on returning to Ohio. DC is home now.
“Mr. Hall, that was a quick day at the office,” Luke says.
I chuckle and walk toward the dark car at the curb. I was so lost in thought I didn’t even hear the vehicle pull up.
“Where to now?” Luke asks.
“Val’s house.” I pull out my cell and hand it to him. My eyes are too tired to try to work out the words.
No one tells you reading is done in your central vision, and when your vision is blurred or dark spots fill the area, reading becomes a chore you want no part of.
“All right. Got it.” He returns my phone.
“Thanks.”
The ride to Val’s house is quiet. As we get closer, I get fidgety. What if she changes her mind about my visit? Sure, she said she’s okay, but is she really? Lunch last Sunday was full-on chaotic, and her family resembled something from reality TV. Has she really been able to process all of that since the last time we saw each other?
The car stops. “We’re here.”
“Great. I’ll let you know when I need to be picked up.”
“Bet.”
A brick building stands before me. I angle my head this way and that until I’m pretty sure I know where the main entrance is. As I get closer, double doors suddenly appear in my vision. Before I can reach for a handle, they open.
“Jabari,” Val calls to me.
I come to a stop, stunned. “What are you doing down here?”
“I thought I’d come direct you to my place. Better than you asking the concierge.”
She sounds like she might be smiling so I grin. “You were just worried I’d bump into something.”
She chuckles. “More worried people will recognize you and turn this nice visit into a mob.”
“Oh yeah, because everyone knows what hockey players look like without their helmets.”
“I do.” Val threads her arms through mine, and I jolt at the contact. I quickly place my hand over hers as an excuse to touch her. She walks forward with confidence, and I have to stop myself from leaning on her.
That scent she’s wearing is intoxicating.
“How did the meeting go?”
Hmm? How can she ask me questions when I can barely keep myself upright? She smells like sunshine, and all I want to do is bury my nose in the crook of her neck.
Get it together,man.
I clear my throat. “It was interesting. Morgan seems nice.”
“Good.”
Val steps off the elevator and leads us to a door. I hear a lock disengaging, and soon we’re in her place. I can’t see everything, but I notice some plants right off.
