I pick at a loose string in my sweater. If only I wasn’t so nervous to tell him this. “Actually, it’s next week.”
“What changed?” He sounds as shocked as I was to hear that from the coach.
“They didn’t give me the details, but I’ll be leaving tomorrow.”
He goes quiet. So quiet, I pull the phone from my ear to make sure he’s still there.
“Wait, you’re leaving?” His voice drops low.
“The qualifier is next week, and they want me to get practice time on the slopes there. I’ve never had a race there, so I need to get some runs under my belt.”
“That’s great, Audrey. I’m so happy for you.”
Except he sounds the exact opposite of happy.
“Is everything okay?”
Pulling open a door to a cleaning closet, I step inside. I don’t want to have this conversation out in the middle of the open where everyone can hear me.
“I didn’t think you’d be leaving so soon. I’m going to miss you is all.”
There’s more to it than that. Logan is an open book with his emotions.
“Did something happen with the team?”
“Not yet.”
“I’m sorry. I know you don’t want to wait around for the results.”
“It’s okay,” he tells me. “Where’s the race?”
“Vancouver.”
“At least you won’t be going far this time.”
“Do you think you’ll be able to come?” I give voice to the one question I desperately need an answer to.
“Fuck. I don’t know. I have no idea when I’ll be meeting with the team.”
My heart aches. I just got this man back, and it feels like he’s already slipping through my fingers.
“Will you be here when I get back?”
“Of course. It’s one race.”
“One race.”
“We can figure this out when you get back. You’re going to crush it, Audrey. I know it. You will have the race of your life and be in those games with me cheering you on.”
“Not if you’re in the Super Bowl.”
“There’s no way I’d miss seeing you compete again. I’ve already missed too many.” There’s a rustling noise on the other end. “Listen, I have to go. But I’ll call you every day, okay?”
“Okay.”
“You’re going to kick ass.”
“Thanks, Logan.”
