Dangerous offer. I might pick something weird.
Griffin
I can handle weird.
Another pause, longer this time. I could practically see Wesley thinking it through—optimism battling with the hard lessons he’d learned in Nashville.
Wesley
What time?
Griffin
1:00?
Wesley
I’ll be there.
Relief and anticipation flooded through me in equal measure. I had something to look forward to now, something beyond replaying yesterday’s mistakes and dwelling on impossiblelegacies.
Griffin
Can’t wait.
I meant it more than was probably wise.
Wesley
We should delete this thread. We’re texting on our work accounts. If anyone ever looked through our phones…
The reminder landed like cold water. Right. Our texts went through the team’s communication system, subject to review if anyone had reason to look. Every flirtatious message, every plan to meet privately, every indication that this was more than professional collaboration—all documented in a digital trail that could destroy us both.
Griffin
Good call. Deleting now.
Wesley
See you at 1
I deleted the entire conversation, watching our words disappear with a mixture of relief and regret. Safer this way. Smarter.
We’re playing a dangerous game.
But I couldn’t seem to stop playing it.
Morning skate was exactly what I needed—an hour of skating that burned the Vancouver loss out of my system and replaced it with productive exercise. Coach Roberts kept it light but focused, stretching our legs and keeping us in form. An easy workout followed.
Afterward, I showered quickly, changed into jeans and a hoodie, and made it home by twelvefifteen with just enough time to order sandwiches before Wesley arrived.
I pulled up the menu for the deli he’d ordered from previously—the place near Wesley’s apartment where he’d ordered a turkey and avocado sandwich. I ordered two subs for myself—roast beef with everything—and one turkey and avocado for Wesley.
Wesley arrived a little after one, more exuberant than punctual. “Hey,” he said with a broad smile, his dimple making an appearance. He glanced up and down the hallway, then stepped inside.
“Anyone see you?”
“Don’t think so. The building’s pretty quiet.”
