Page 15 of Goalie Interference

But today is Saturday, and we have tomorrow off before we need to be back at it again Monday morning. So as tired as I am right now, I’m going to spend some time setting up my bedroom so at the very least I have a comfortable, organized, clean place to sleep.

I’m placing the new pillows I just purchased for my new apartment into their cases when my phone dings. It’s probably Ryan texting to know if I’m ready to head to the Foleys’ house for a team dinner.

That’s been another nice thing about this move. Being in the same building with Ryan and Brandon, I feel very much included. Which is calming my nerves in regard to my contract situation. I fit in here. I finally have teammates who I consider to be friends and who make regular effort to spend time with me.

When I pick up my phone, I’m surprised to see Ander’s name is on the screen. And not as a part of the goalie group chat that I still haven’t participated in. It’s from him alone.

I slide my thumb across the screen to open it and read.

How’s the move going?

I type back.

Good.

Then hate myself for sending a one-word answer. This is a thoughtful gesture from someone who genuinely has been nothing but a nice guy despite the fact he has every reason not to be. I should offer him more. It’s the polite thing to do.

You were correct. This was a bad time to move. I am exhausted.

Make my brother come help you. Tell him it’s an initiation tradition. Newest member of the team has to help the veterans move.

I huff out a laugh at his comment and a smile tugs at my lips.

I am not that old.

You’re older than Brandon.

Everyone is older than Brandon.

True.

Ander sends back, along with what I assume is an actual baby picture of his brother. It’s hard to tell, but the eyes are the right color blue.

That is sweet you save his rookie picture.

It’s one to frame, that’s for sure.

I close my phone and go back to making my bed. Surely that’s the end of our conversation. But my phone chimes again. I was wrong.

Have you looked at your schedule yet?

Of course. I itemized all the games into my personal calendar as soon as the schedule was released. Once the season starts, we travel so much, I hate not knowing where I’m headed. I like to have a plan. Things mapped out and ready to go weeks in advance. Clothes clean and ironed. Shoes polished. Jackets ready to go depending on the predicted weather of where we will be. There’s nothing worse than showing up in a place like Winnipeg unprepared.

The Mules are coming to Buffalo the last week of October.

We are. That trip includes a stop in Detroit and another one in Columbus.

Wow. You really are prepared.

Are you not?

No. But I circled this one because I’m excited about it. I like playing you guys.

Why? Because you beat us?

The memory of us losing that final game still stings. A flicker of anger runs through me as I think about it. No wonder he’s so casual about texting me. He’s not the one who lost.

We beat you three out of four games. That isn’t exactly a winning record.