“And the rest?”
“It comes when you’re both ready.” He checked his watch. “About feeling ‘not good enough’? Buddy, I’ve seen you two together, and I’ve listened to you today. You don’t have to be perfect. Just show up and try.”
My heart warmed. “You think so?”
“I know so. I’ve watched you two going at it for years, and you’re always a wreck before Condors games. Nobody gets that nervous because they hate someone. It’s because you’re running from something you don’t understand.”
“Fuck,” I whispered. He was right.
“Nico is what matters,” Logan said, tapping my knee. “You have a real shot at happiness, and I’ll kick your ass if you don’t take it.”
My eyes burned, and it was a moment before I could say, “Damn, you’re good.”
“I know.” He polished his nails on his hoodie. “I’m brilliant in a crisis.”
I laughed. “You really are. Thanks for being such a great friend.”
“Anytime. Ready for morning skate?”
“A lot more than I was an hour ago.”
“Good.” He stood and offered a hand to help me up. “I bet Riles fifty bucks you’d come out of here smiling, and I want to get paid.” He clapped my shoulder. “We’re due on the bus in nine minutes.”
After he left, the room was too quiet. I stared out the window and thought about what he’d said. My fears hadn’t magically disappeared, but Logan had helped me put them in a box labeled:Not broken. Just human.
I pulled on a hoodie, grabbed my bag, and glanced in the mirror. “Show up,” I said. “I can do that.”
We beat the Thunder 3–0. Back at the hotel, I was a strange mix of tired and wired. Although my body was done, my mind was buzzing. I stripped to boxers and a T-shirt, put in my earbuds, and called Nico.
He answered on the first ring. “Hey.”
His voice was bright, like he’d been waiting.
“Hey.” I stretched out on the bed and couldn’t help smiling.
“Great game, Pack. That assist was smooth as hell.”
“Yeah, well…” I meant to joke, but what came out was, “It’s good to hear your voice.”
There was a pause, and then his voice was softer. “You okay?”
“Yeah. Been wanting to talk to you all damn day.”
His low chuckle warmed the connection all the way from New York. “Me too. Want to make this FaceTime?”
The knot in my chest loosened. “Yes. Do it.”
A moment later, his face filled the screen. I loved his rumpled hair, gleaming eyes, and the grin that always knocked the air out of me.
“Hey, sexy,” he said. “You look amazing. I can breathe again.”
My heart did a stupid little flip. “Same. Road trips aren’t nearly as much fun without you here to annoy me.”
He tipped his head. “I can annoy you from here. Want me to start?”
I laughed. “Maybe we can skip that tonight.”
“Sure.” He studied me. “You seem different.”
