I couldn’t hold my snicker in. “Like you didn’t see worse at hockey games.”
He tipped his head in acknowledgement. “But they were indoors.”
“But was the rink any warmer?”
“I honestly don’t know.”
We’re watching warm ups when I asked him why he was at the game. “I know you normally don’t follow American football.”
He shrugged. “After I spoke with your class, one of the players told the rest of his team about it.”
“And?”
“I was approached by the director of athletics to talk to the student athletes about athletics beyond high school.”
My heart softened. “And you said yes.”
“Of course I did. They need to know what’s behind the news articles.”
Just as I was about to thank him for being kind, the crowd roared as the Warriors made their way onto the field. For a moment we just sat there, shoulder to shoulder, not touching but close enough to feel the heat of each other through layers of fall jackets.
“This feels less accidental—more like divine intervention,” he said quietly.
I wait for his eyes to find mine. “It does.”
The band launched into the Warrior fight song—badly. The crowd roared as the ball was kicked off. Parents embraced the coffee cups like they were manna from heaven.
But I couldn’t tear my gaze away from Brennan.
“You know,” he said, “if this were one of your math problems, I’d say the angle’s widening.”
“And if it were hockey?”
“I’d be lining up for a shot.” He paused and looked down into my eyes. “One that far surpasses any I’ve ever had in my career.”
“That’s dangerous talk.”
“If you’re talking about feelings—I agree.” He turned fully toward me, expression open. “Would you turn me down if I asked you out for coffee again sometime?”
Hope flared beneath the stadium lights that had nothing to do with the game. And I found I have no qualms when I answer, “I’d like that.”
Whatever kept putting us in the same place, I was ready to find out where it would lead us.
But I knew we couldn’t do so without confronting the past.
25
SEAM PASS: A PASS THREADED THROUGH DEFENDERS TO CREATE A SCORING CHANCE
For the first time in a long time, the future didn’t feel like a game I already knew the score to. It felt like a fresh shift—new timing and the chance to make the right play.
Between my visit to her classroom and what I’ve heard around town, I learn more about the woman Amy’s grown into as a result of the trauma she endured.
Her valor takes my breath away.
She somehow managed to evolve into the most compassionate woman I’ve ever known when she so easily could have let herself become embittered by the past that was forced upon her.
It causes me to wonder about something I’m not certain I have a right to in Dr. Halvorsen’s office, during my twice weekly therapy session. “This isn’t to absolve what I did.”
