“Bye.”
He hangs up and drops the phone on his chest. He closes his eyes for one second, then opens them.
“I have an away game today.”
“Oh,” I say, feeling guilty. “I’m sorry. Do you need to go?”
He shakes his head. “No. The bus leaves at ten fifteen.”
I look at the time and do the math. “Three hours.”
He turns his head on the pillow and looks at me. His hair is sticking up on one side.
“I have two and a half hours. I have to shower at home. I need my gear. I need to pack.”
I look at his sleepy face. “You should go.”
“I should.”
A pause.
“I’m not going to.”
A piece of my heart folds that sentence away, tucking it right where I keep everything Blue. He’s always put hockey first, and right now, it seems like he isn’t stressed about it.
“Can I make you a nice breakfast?”
He rubs a hand over his face and looks over at me. “You don’t have to.”
I grab the puck and grip onto it. “I want to,” I say quietly.
“You have one hour.”
I laugh and shake my head into the pillow.
“Okay, boss.”
“Please.”
“Get out of my bed, Golding.”
He grins. He swings his legs and sits on the edge of the bed with his back to me for one second. He runs both hands through his hair.
I climb out the other side. I’m still in his hoodie. I look over at the blue outfit resting on top of my dresser and smile to myself. He didn’t run. I realize I’m still holding the puck when I walk into the bathroom.
“Bathroom?” Blue asks.
I nod. “There’s a half one down the hall.”
He leaves the room, and I step into my bathroom. My makeup is everywhere because the girls and I got ready here last night before the game. I start putting a few things away and then I hurry to get ready, fixing my hair, swiping some mascara on, and brushing my teeth.
My chest expands when I think about last night and how easy it is to be with Blue. We actually get along well and can talk easily, which after two years, I thought was going to be like pulling teeth. I put on lip gloss and leave the bathroom.
When I walk into the kitchen, I look at the keyholder and notice that Penelope’s keys are gone. I look down and notice her shoes are too, so she must’ve left for a Pilates class or something.
I’m cracking eggs when Blue walks out of the hall with his sweats hanging low. He’s stretching his shoulder again.
I press a few buttons for the coffee and don’t turn to look at him, but I hear him stop moving.
