We’re still watching the movies tomorrow night right?
Yes bud, we’re starting at three so we can power through and watchthem all.
FELIX
But what about Laila and Crosby? What do we need to do?
CROSBY
Nothing. I’ve got it.
Roger that.
BRYSON
10-4
FELIX
Over and out.
"Everything alright?" Rhys asks as he hands me a washcloth.
"Yeah, Laila burned coffee and Crosby says that means she loves him." I watch Rhys’s brow furrow as he tries to follow the logic. "Don’t worry about it, as long as it makes sense to him it’s fine."
I set my phone on the bedside table and pull Rhys down into my embrace.
"Are you looking forward to the season starting?" He asks as his fingers trace figure eightsthrough my chest hair.
"Yeah, it’ll feel good to get back into the routine."
I close my eyes and conjure the memory of early training camps. The burn in my muscles, the familiarity of the process, seeing everyone together again.
My mind drifts up to where family members gather in The Corner. It’s a suite above the rink in our practice facility where player’s families hang out. Especially early in the season, it’s full of loved ones.
A sadness settles in my chest realizing Rhys won’t be one of the people up there.
He can’t be.
And, he isn’t my "loved one" anyway.
But, maybe he could do something else.
"Would you want to come to a game?"
"Your game?"
I laugh and tuck my chin to look down at him. "Yeah, my game. Are you sleeping with other athletes?"
"No, just the one."
"Damn right." I ruffle his hair. "Whadya think?"
"I'd probably need a suite. I don’t want to disrupt things by sitting anywhere else."
"What about up at the glass, so you can watch my butt all game."
He ignores me. "What would we tell people?"
