Page 89 of All In: The Price We Pay

Most people are at home right now, eating, relaxing before the game, before heading to the arena. I don’t know what to do.

I don’t want to drive back to the apartment.

Even after my shower, I’m moody, and my hunger isn’t helping me think.

I need a distraction. With my phone in hand, I walk out of the facility building and call my sister.

“Hey.” She sounds rushed.

“What’s up?”

“Nothing.” There’s static on the other end of the line. “I mean, really nothing. I went shopping and brought everything inside. Now I can talk. What’s up with you? Don’t you have a game today?”

I smile and picture her stretched out on her couch. It’s strange that my sister knows anything about my job and is even asking questions about it. She’s serious about getting closer again. “No game for me. My adductors. Need some distraction right now.”

“Shit. You’re not exactly creative in your injuries. Who would have thought? Adductors on a hockey player. Sorry, that was supposed to be a joke. Are you okay? How long will you be out?”

“Yeah. It’s nothing serious. Just a minor strain. I’m annoyed because I feel fine. It’s a precaution.”

She snorts. “You’re already locked into the playoffs. Why would you risk missing them?”

I laugh. “My sister, the pro hockey expert.”

“Sweetheart, I grew up in the same household as you. I may have put up a front, but even I couldn’t block everything out.”

I can already see the café where Blake, the others, and I met Parker last time. Of course, he’s not there today. Still, I want to go to a place I associate with him. “You’re right. But that’s not why I’m calling.”

“Oh? What is it?”

I hesitate for a moment. I scan my surroundings to make sure no one is close enough to hear me. “I wanted to warn you. Valentina’s going to break up with me soon.”

Joni gasps loudly. “No. What did you do?” She laughs.

“Ah, Sid must have convinced her that he’s a better partner for her.”

She squeals. “No way. My goodness, that’s juicy.”

“Joni, please,” I whine.

“I’m messing around, Evan. But seriously. You two had that arrangement. Is everything okay with you?”

“Yes,” I reply confidently and quickly. “Absolutely. I’m also glad all of this finally comes to an end. Right now, I just hope that if anything comes out, it won’t affect our playoffs.”

“Hmm.” She makes a sound of agreement. “I get that. Anything else new with you?”

“Nothing,” is my automatic, standard response. But it’s not true. I can’t keep lying, lying, lying forever. “I mean . . . ”

“Yeah?”

“I’ve met someone.”

My sister is silent. I can only hear her breathing softly. “Yeah?”

“Well, no. Not exactly met,” I correct myself.

“No?”

I laugh. She probably thinks I’m messing with her. But . . . “I already knew him. It’s been a long time. We ran into each other again by chance.”