Page 45 of The Chemistry Coach
“Yeah, but I’m also pretty sure you’re legally required to tell your bestie if you run into their ex.”She squeezed his hand and with the little inch she gave him, he wanted to take a mile and pull her into his lap.
“Why didn’t Roxie ask me to come on the podcast herself?She has my number.We’re still kind of friends.I wouldn’t have said no.”
“Ahh, good question.That’s part of the uneven playing field I told you about.”
“Are you ever going to be ready to tell me about it?”She was so beautiful.Connor ached to know everything about her.The firelight flickered across her skin, her hair was a messy nest on the top of her head, and she looked at him like he hung the moon.
“Getting closer every day.”
They lapsed into a comfortable silence, and Connor appreciated the moment.It was a clear, chilly night.Stars filled the sky, the fire kept them warm, and a gorgeous woman sat at his side, holding his hand.He hadn’t been quite so content in a long time.He never wanted it to end, so he asked another question.
“Do you like your job at all though?”
She propped her Birkenstock-clad feet on the frame of the fire pit to warm her toes.“When it’s like this, I love it.Especially working with you guys, since it’s the closest I’ve come to working with the team.Some of my other clients are similar, and those are the best.The ones I can bring out here to the cabin and really dig into the relationship building.If it was always like this, I’d be happy doing it forever.”
“It’s not always like this?”
“No.This is an exception.Most days it’s coaching a bunch of executives who earn ten times my salary through building a bridge out of popsicle sticks and tape in a cramped conference room.”
“Sounds bleak.”
She laughed, but he was being serious.Their conversation lulled again, and she laid her head on his shoulder.
“Do you miss Casey and Evan?”
“Yeah.Everything was so effortless with them.We skated together for almost a decade.I’m at the prime of my career, and I have to start over.It sounds petulant to say it, but it’s not fair.”
“Just because Hazy and Valentine aren’t them, it doesn’t mean they can’t be good too.They worship you.”
He laughed at her analysis.“You might be a little off there.”
“No, I’m serious.I watch you play, remember?You play as if they can read your mind because that’s what you’re used to.They can’t do that yet; you don’t have enough reps in, but they take direction from you.You’re used to playing with your equals, teammates who have as much knowledge and skill as you, but these guys are still developing.With Casey and Evan, there were no leaders and followers.Your minds worked as one.With Hazy and Valentine, their attention is always on you, following your lead.You have to accept your new role.”
He replayed the last few games in his head.How he’d pass expecting them to be a hair faster than they were.How he’d get the puck to the slot and nobody would be there to take a shot, but they were both open on the sides.How when they scored at practice, he’d gotten to where he needed to be and then given a vocal command.
“You might be on to something.That was some insightful commentary.“
She laughed and framed her face with her free hand.“Why, thank you.I’m not always that smart, though.”
“Hey Daisy?”
“Yeah?”
“Can I listen to your podcast?”
She groaned.“I can’t stop you, but I would advise against it.”
“Oh no.It’s a Connor Greene hate account, isn’t it?I knew Roxie wasn’t over our breakup.”
“It wasn’t Roxie being a hater.”
Connor gasped in mock surprise.“Really?My good friend Roxie, the most glorious lesbian I know, isn’t still holding a grudge aboutherbreaking up withme?Must be the other host.”
“In my defense, you did have two own goals and a bad penalty that day.”
He let out a loud, genuine laugh.“That is a pretty good defense.God, that game suuuucked.”
When the fire died, they went inside, ready for bed.Daisy stopped in the kitchen to drop off their dishes.As Connor picked his way through the dark living room, he found Hazy and Lover passed out on the couch.Hazy sitting up with a game controller in his hand, Lover with his head in Hazy’s lap.
