Page 41 of All In: The Price We Pay

It’s exactly the same for me. I know what you mean. But I’m not going anywhere today. The day was . . . Wait a minute. Why are you texting me instead of celebrating? Congrats on the win.

This time, the reply doesn’t take long. You watched the game.

Busted. It’s part of my job. It’s my duty. Of course I watched it.

He replies with a laughing emoji. The whole game? Just for work?

No, Woodworth, that goalie on your opponents’ team, is pretty hot. It was nice to watch him.

If you were watching Woodworth, you surely didn’t miss how effectively I visited his goal he couldn’t keep shut.

I laugh out loud. Evan sounds grumpy. He’s not jealous. I know that. And there’s no reason for him to be, but . . .

Ha, maybe that’s why he was shown on screen so often. Now that you mention it.

Now he’s sending a string of crying-with-laughter emojis. But honestly, get Woodworth out of your head. He’s a stinky pile of socks. And he doesn’t have any other good qualities either.

“No good qualities that you know about,” I reply.

If you are serious, I can introduce you to him sometime. Followed by an annoyed emoji.

Are we flirting? Judging by the grin on my face, probably not. Because usually, my attempts at flirting don’t involve me sitting in front of my phone like a lovesick teenager. Happy and excited.

Thanks. But I think I’m completely set with the hockey players in my life.

Oh, are there more than one?

No, there’s just this one. But this is going too far. I don’t want to tell him. Even though eight years ago I did practically nothing but explain to him that he was the only one for me, the words won’t come. They can’t come. They’re completely irrelevant, because the imbalance that existed between us still exists and is leading us nowhere.

Who knows? Shouldn’t you be sleeping? Aren’t you exhausted? What you guys were doing looked pretty exhausting to me.

I’m still too hyped up. My flight leaves early tomorrow morning for the next game in Colorado.

Is that the life of an NHL superstar? No desire to party?

No, the road trip with five away games is exhausting enough on its own. I’m not twenty anymore.

I can’t even imagine it, but I get where you’re coming from. Maybe we really should get some sleep?

The dots are bouncing again. We should go to sleep and wrap up this conversation. For many reasons.

Probably. But please tell me you liked something else about the game besides Woodworth.

Instinctively, I cover my mouth with my hand but still burst out laughing. I’ll think about it until we meet again, okay? Let me know when you’re free.

Okay. Thanks Parker. That felt good.

It did. I’m looking forward to seeing you again.

I’m going to regret what I said.

Chapter 11 – Evan

My nerves are on edge.

Parker’s not here yet. I got food from his favorite restaurant. Hopefully, it won’t get cold. But he’s usually on time.

Dammit, did I set up a date here? Is it a date if I have to hide the person in my apartment?