Page 101 of For the Win

“I guess he doesn’t come to your yoga classes.”Lacey wrinkles her nose.“He should do that.I’ll point him out if they put him on camera, but he watches the game from the visitor’s GM box.”

“It’s a playoff game.I’m sure they’ll go to him a few times,” Everly says, making herself comfy in a big armchair with her own glass of wine.“Dad’s there too.”

“How’s he doing?”I ask.

She sighs.“Well, okay, I guess.But he’s definitely changing.”She presses her fingers to her mouth for a moment.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to make you sad.”

Everly grimaces.“Don’t apologize, it’s not your fault.It’s just hard.”

“I’m sure it is.I could tell that day at his birthday party.I’m so sorry.”

Everly flashes a grateful glance.“Thanks.It would be nice for him to see the Condors do well.Who knows if he’ll even realize what’s going on this time next year.”

That’s so depressing.My chest aches with sympathy for her and her family.Including Harrison.In fact, I ache for him the most.“I hope they win, then.”

It’s not that I’m that much of a Condors fan.And I do care about Bob Wynn, although I hardly know him.What I really care about is...Harrison.

I want him to win.I want him to be happy.I want him to succeed and for all his dreams to come true.

Wow, we haven’t even known each other that long and I’m all invested in his life.What does this mean?Have I fallen for this guy?

That’s a really stupid question.OfcourseI’ve fallen for this guy.

Hard.I finally got brave and took a risk with a man, a man I’m now sure is agoodman, and then because of my stupid hang-ups, I freaked out and pushed him away.

A bunch of TV guys are talking about the game, including an exchange about the incredible chemistry between Harrison, Pavel, and Edvin, which makes me sit up straight and pay attention, my smile as big as a blimp.

“How important is chemistry for a line, Don?”one dude asks the other.

“Well, Tim, chemistry is hard to define.Often it’s because the players are familiar with each other.But these three have only been playing together a short time, so that’s not it.I tend to think it’s the type of players that are put together that makes the difference.They all have a great work ethic and good defensive responsibility, but when you combine Wynn’s ability to set up scoring chances with Rintala’s incredible shot and how Volkov gets in on the puck and sets the forecheck, they’re a wicked combination.”

I meet Everly’s eyes and she’s beaming as much as I am.We both laugh.

I love it that she’s proud of her brother.

Oh God.

It’s fun watching the game with these two.Lacey’s extremely vocal and animated, with a lot of cheering and swearing.Alotof swearing.It makes me laugh.Everly is more controlled, but she knows more about hockey, seeing things that Lacey and I don’t.She seems to know when a player is going to score before the puck even goes in the net.I’m jealous.I need to learn more.

“Oh my God, cross-checking,” she says in despair, falling back into her chair.“Archie, you idiot.”

I didn’t even see that, but we have a penalty.

“It’s okay,” she mutters.“Our PK is really good.”

“Uh...what?”

“Penalty kill.”

I nod.That, I get.

To our delight, the Condors score a goal!Shorthanded!We’re up by one now.

Sadly, before the penalty is killed, the Canucks tie it up.

We all curse.Even Everly.

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