Page 175 of Colliding with Ten

Ayla

Okay, your third touchdown was brilliant. The way you stepped up in the pocket and delivered on that post route. I may have made a sound.

Lennox

What kind of sound?

Ayla

An involuntary one.

Lennox

Like what?

Ayla

I’m not describing the sound, Lennox.

Lennox

Was it a gasp? A squeal? A scream?

Ayla

It was an exhalation of appreciation.

Lennox

So you screamed.

Ayla

I didn’t scream.

Lennox

You screamed for me, and we weren’t in the same state. That might be my greatest achievement.

Ayla

Goodbye Lennox

Lennox

Goodnight Callahan

The next day, I was sitting in forty-degree water up to my chest, counting down the minutes, when my phone buzzed on the towel beside the tub.

Ayla

What are you doing?

Lennox

Ice bath

Ayla