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I promised I would pick her up at 12:15 and take her to the studio. I told her I would be there.
My hand goes up.
Coach spots it. “What is it, Snyder?”
“What time do you expect us to finish?”
His expression hardens slightly. “Did you miss the part where I said to clear your morning?”
“No, sir.”
“Then does the finish time matter?”
A few heads turn toward me. Six weeks ago, I might have dropped it. Showing Coach I was committed would have mattered more than whatever else I had promised—or, at the very least, I would have wanted him to think it did.
But being committed to this team shouldn’t require treating every other part of my life as optional.
“I’ll be there,” I tell him. “That isn’t why I’m asking. I made a personal commitment before this was scheduled, and I’m trying to make sure I honor that too.”
Coach studies me for a moment. “If everyone arrives on time and no one gives me a reason to keep them longer, we’ll finish at noon.”
It’s tight.
The arena is fifteen minutes from Eva’s place when traffic cooperates. I can skate, shower before the meeting, and leave as soon as Coach dismisses us. If I’m in my car by twelve, I can make it.
“Okay,” I say. “Thank you.”
He nods, once, then Coach moves on to flight details, but I’m already doing the timing again. At the arena from eight until noon. Eva at 12:15. Her taping at 12:45.
I can do both.
I look down at our messages and type.
Tuesday is confirmed for you, right? Like it is happening?
Her response comes almost immediately.
Eva
It had better be. It’s in my calendar and has given me heartburn, so yes.
Let’s go with confirmed.
That sounds painful
Eva
Don’t be late, okay?
I stare at those words for a second before typing my answer.
I won’t be.
I stare at my answer after it sends. Those three little words don’t feel like confirming a time.
They’re making a promise.
CHAPTER 25
