Page 112 of The Goalie in Room 1

I should feel bad, but I didn’t. I’d been where I belonged. Where I wanted to be.

Sighing, I pulled the canister out of the cabinet and set the coffee to brew.

I poured coffee into my travel mug before remembering I had nowhere to be. After standing there like an idiot, I dumped it into a regular mug and carried it into the living room.

Cash’s hoodie lay across the back of the sectional. One of his game controllers sat on the coffee table beside an empty water bottle. His shoes were near the door.

Evidence of Cash without any actual Cash.

I picked up the controller, set it where it belonged, then sat down with my coffee.

Five minutes later, I stood again.

There were groceries in the refrigerator. Laundry I could do. A stack of journals in my office I hadn’t read. Phoenix had been harassing me about coming to Halo House to look at whatever Maxie had done to his wrist.

I could go there.

Cash was already there.

I took another drink and stayed exactly where I was.

Showing up because Phoenix wanted a free medical opinion was one thing. Showing up because I’d woken to an empty house and didn’t know what to do with myself was fucking pathetic.

My phone rang on the table.

Phoenix.

I stared at his name before answering. “What?”

“Good morning to you too.”

“What do you need?”

“Nothing. Cash said you were off, and that you’d probably work anyway.”

“He talks too much.”

“He’s not wrong.” He paused. “Come over. We’re ordering lunch. Aaron will be here too, if he gets off in time.”

I didn’t answer right away.

Cash was walking a little steadier after every therapy appointment. Spending more time at Halo House too. Soon, he wouldn’t need a crutch at all.

Or my house.

“Possibly you,” Phoenix said, “if you can drag your miserable ass over here.”

“I’ll think about it.”

“That’s a no.” A long, awkward pause stretched between us, and he said, “Fine. Call me back when you’re ready to admit you’re scared that he’s already halfway out the door.”

He hung up before I could answer that.

I was showered and dressed twenty minutes later.

It had nothing to do with Cash.

Nothing at all.