Helm leans across the center console with a shit-eating grin. He rolls down the window, and thank Christ, he’s turned down the music.
“I’ll take good care of him,” he yells to Summer.
“I’m sure you will.” She smiles.
“Gonna make sure he has a great time. I’ve got a whole after-hours itinerary planned.”
I shake my head.
“Well… I’ll be having fun at least,” he continues, waggling his brows.
I tip my head back. I can’t pretend I was any better when I was single and a rookie. But as thirty creeps closer and closer, Helm makes me feel older by the day.
I pull open the door, then turn around and kiss Summer one more time.
There’s a little line between her brows. I smooth my thumb over it, and her gaze flicks up to mine.
“Have fun.” Her voice is bright, but her eyes don’t match.
Her mouth gapes like she might say more, but she doesn’t.
Before I can ask if she’s okay, she tugs me down and kisses me hard.
My hands tighten on her coat.
She pulls away first, but I kiss her one more time.
“I’ll call you when I get settled.”
She nods.
As Helm pulls out of the driveway, I look back, watching until the distance eats her up.
“You’ve got it bad,” Helm remarks, unhelpful as always.
“Tell me something I don’t already know.”
Ten days. Then I’ll be home.
Ten days isn’tthatlong.
TWENTY-NINE
I’m halfwaythrough the trip. Five days left. And I have the same problem I did on the day I left: I miss Summer.
The ache seems to grow day by day.
I flip onto my side, then flop onto my back, blinking into the dark. I give up on falling asleep anytime soon and tap on the bedside lamp.
My hotel room in Edmonton is identical to every other hotel room I’ve stayed in. Generic art on the walls. Blackout curtains that don’t quite block out the light. A bed that’s fine, but not mine.
Except this one is in the city where I used to play.
I saw her today.
Vanessa.
Just for a passing second, in the hallway after the game against Finland. It’s not the first time I’ve seen her over the years, but I didn’t expect her to be here. She works for the Edmonton Rogues, and this event is a league-wide tournament.
