Me: What?!
Myla: A chick on the train just answered her phone, "Hello, Hillary Swallows…"
Me: That is classic! I would have spit out my coffee laughing.
Myla: I picked up my head and locked eyes with the chick across from me. We were both trying to fight giggles when she raised an eyebrow and leaned over to say, "I bet she does…"
Me: Fucking amazing!
Myla: Both of us are still giggling like little kids. I like when people are on my juvenile wavelength.
Me: I can’t wait to be home to you, baby.
Myla: You’ll be back before you know it. Kick some ass tonight. I’ll be at Simon’s watching the game with him and Raul.
Me: Raul?
Myla: Simon has a new boyfriend. I haven’t met him yet, but Simon is pretty enthralled to say the least.
After getting out of bed, I walked down the hall and knocked on Brayden’s door.
He opened it, letting me in reluctantly.
“Are we still not okay?” I asked, leaning against the desk as he threw an Otters t-shirt on.
“I don’t know, man. I mean she seems to be the happiest she’s ever been, so I’m trying to be all right with this.”
“Thanks.” It was the only thing to say, and it meant a lot to me that Brayden was at least trying. “So, Myla’s birthday is the day after our next home game, right?”
Brayden nodded. “What were you thinking?” His shoulders relaxed a little as he sat in an armchair across from me.
“Well, I figured we could get the team together and party in the city. We could do something low key, but I thought it would be nice if she saw that we planned something together.”
Brayden stretched. “That would mean a lot to her I am sure, and she does love the city this time of year, says the winter makes it magical or some shit.”
I couldn’t help but get the biggest shit-eating grin on my face, thinking back to the first night in my apartment with her being so happy on my balcony. “We could do something at my place, then we wouldn’t have to worry about too much. I know a kickass bartender that would do it up really awesome for us.”
“Sounds like a plan to me, but no banging my sister while I am there. I will lose my shit if that happens.”
“Deal.” We shook on it and I got to work texting Jordan, Sean, and Simon to enlist their help on making it a night Myla was never going to forget.
* * *
“Hi, Mom. How’re you?” She always called at the worst times. I was already running behind schedule, rushing to the arena for the game.
“Fine. I was talking to Sherryl and she said her daughter never heard back from you after that date a while back.” The disappointment in her voice was pissing me off.
“Did you ever think I might not have wanted to go on the date in the first place? That chick was an aspiring housewife for crying out loud.”
“Oh, honey, at least she had the nerve to tell you that honestly. Deep down that’s what every woman wants. A good provider and to not have to work—it’s the American dream.”
“I met someone.” She was silent.
“Mom?”
She cleared her throat. “I thought that Cox girl was just going to be a fling.”
“Are you kidding? How’d you know about Myla?”
