“You make it sound awful,” I say, tugging on a piece of my hair.
“We’re young and hot and on a private plane.There’s so much more living to do,” Brooke insists.
I turn that over as we take off.Aside from gripping the armrest until my knuckles turn purple, I manage to survive.
Once we're up in the air, my stomach knots like it did on the flight to Denver.The one to LA wasn’t so bad because we were talking about wedding stuff and guys and life.But now, Brooke’s reading magazines on her phone.
I can entertain myself.
So, I go looking for my sketchpad in my bag.I’ve finished my drawings of each of the starting five and am ready to start something new.
Maybe I’ll draw Brooke.
I search the inside pockets and the outside ones.Nothing.
When was the last time I had it?I remember showing Clay but nothing after that.
I’ll call the hotel when we land.
Short of launching myself off the plane in protest, there’s nothing to be done in the meantime.
I pull up the internet on my phone and flip through images of Clay at the game.I deliberately ignore the ones where he’s pissed and focus on him playing hard, dunking the ball, glaring at the other team’s bench.
God, he’s sexy.
I should’ve let him finish what he started last night.
With the wedding a week away, I don’t even know when I’ll get a chance to see him next.
I know his schedule is insanely demanding, but I want to spend time with him before I return to Boston or he gets his trade out of Denver, whichever comes first.
The idea of saying goodbye and never seeing him again makes my stomach wrench.But I’ll deal with it when we get there.
“I think I’m going to donate a watch.”Brooke’s words bring my attention back.
“To what?”
“The Kodiak Foundation charity event is this weekend.You have to go.”
“I’m pretty sure Mari will be in full wedding mode, and I’ll back her up.”
“All the team and families are invited.Which means Mari will be there, too.”
And Clay.My heart leaps.
“Then I guess I’m in.”
26
NOVA
“How was your LA trip with Brooke?”Mari asks as we get out of the car.
“Great.We did all the shopping.Okay, mostly she did,” I amend.
“I hope the game wasn’t too boring.”
“Boring?Not at all.But not as exciting as tonight.You officially have a night off wedding planning,” I declare as I link my arm through hers.
